I was suffering from a horrible breakout (worse than my teenage years’ pimple breakout) from around 2016 to early 2017. I had pretty good skin for around two years prior to that, so I was shocked and really upset I had it in my 20s, but I eventually managed to get rid of them. I’m not saying my skin is perfect now, it’s not even close to glass skin! I actually still have a few visible blemishes and a new one always pops out before my period. But it feels good that I can go out now without even a BB cream and don’t care. However, I haven’t really shared how to get rid of acne on my blog, and I don’t know why it never occurred to me until last month.
It was almost Christmas Eve, but I was still doing some last-minute gift shopping with my younger brother in a mall that was open until midnight. While we were deciding where we will have some snacks, I opened my phone and saw someone left me a comment on my Instagram. To my surprise, it was hate… Nah! That’s such a strong word, I say it’s a passive-aggressive comment on CHRISTMAS EVE in my “Hungover Face” selfie that I took after a crazy fun night with my old high school friends as an inside joke. It was in Tagalog (my native language), but she basically said: “You’re using too many products on your face yet you still look like that.”
Now, I’m not sure if she’s commenting about the few blemishes on my face, or if she’s really insulting my entire face. If it is my face then, DEAL IT WITH TROLL! At least I’m confident enough to take a selfie with no makeup or filter. But if you’re referring to my blemishes, then let me educate you and Kendall Jenner’s acne haters in the Golden Globes on how to get rid of acne.
HOW TO GET RID OF ACNE?
SPOILER: It’s not that easy. If it was, then no people should have been suffering from it. Just ask these five lovely and brave ladies in Man Repeller. To most people, it takes more than just double-cleansing and Benzoyl Peroxide. Most needed medical attention, which leads me to…
1. Consult A Dermatologist
Before anything else, if your skin is not getting any better whatever you use, I suggest stopping whatever you’re using and consulting a dermatologist ASAP. The cause may not be hormonal, stress, diet, or lack of sleep, it can be a medical thing like an allergy. So follow their prescription and skincare routine advice before indulging again in new products. On my first visit to Flawless Clinic, the dermatologist prescribed a new routine and I got two anti-acne injections for my two cystic acne. They were gone just after 24 hours, although they both left a dark spot, not something deep which I can remove with proper exfoliation. (ED NOTE: If you go to a beauty clinic, make sure you see that MD at the end of their name followed by an actual license number, or else you might have been consulting a beautician for your skin concerns.)
2. Double Cleanse
Besides using a regular facial wash, I also use a cleansing oil or a cleansing balm, whichever is available, to get rid of dirt and makeup on my skin that will not dry out my skin or strip off its natural oil. Sunblock and most makeup are hard to remove with just one wash, so that’s why I use an oil-based cleanser first to remove the thick layer of those products. If those products are not fully washed off your skin, they can clog your pores and result in a pimple.
After that, I proceed to the second cleansing. I use a facial wash such as Cetaphil, Hada Labo, or something that will suit my oily, sensitive, and acne-prone skin as my second cleanser to completely clean my skin. But if I just stayed all day in my house since I’m a freelancer, I work from home, I don’t double cleanse unless I applied sunblock.
Ideally, if you have acne-prone skin, your second cleanser should have salicylic acid that will penetrate the pores. But I prefer a gentle second cleanser because…
3. I Use Hydrating Toners With BHA & Hyaluronic Acid
BHA (beta hydroxy/salicylic acid) works on the skin’s surface and inside the pore; it’s oil soluble, so it’s most often preferred for oily skin prone to bumps, clogs, blemishes, and enlarged pores. BHA also has natural skin-calming properties, so it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin prone to redness and/or rosacea. I use Benton Aloe BHA Toner at night and in the morning, I use Natural Pacific Real Calendula Energy Toner which is more hydrating and soothing. That product actually helped heal my acne thanks to Calendula Flowers. And then I finish it with a layer of Hada Labo Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion.
Hyaluronic acid is a lubricating, clear substance that’s produced by the body naturally. But as a toner, it helps retain collagen, increase moisture, and provide elasticity and flexibility. It helps to hydrate and moisturize.
4. Exfoliate
By exfoliation, I don’t mean using an acne face wash with physical scrubs like St. Ives Apricot Face Scrub, which only aggravated my acne! I’m talking about chemical exfoliators. On my visit to the dermatologist, after my anti-acne injections, my dermatologist also gave me an “Easy Peel” which is a chemical peel treatment. I admit, that treatment kinda hurts because it will literally peel off your skin, dry all your acne, and minimize your pores. But the pain will only happen in the first few minutes. The next few days will be a bit itchy and feel really dry.
The process takes around two weeks or more, so I was walking around with my skin literally falling off my face. I really got some weird looks, and some look genuinely scared of me. My skin was also vulnerable to the sun so, besides sunblock, I use a face mask to cover my face as well like some Korean idol hiding from the paparazzi. Lastly, never forcefully remove your scabbing and falling skin, let it all fall out naturally for a smoother result. If they don’t come out yet it simply means your new skin is not yet ready.
Admittedly, this treatment is kinda pricey but it’s worth it. It really speeds up the healing process, it lessens my acne, and both my skin tone and texture got even, while some small acne and dark spots totally vanished. Although, don’t expect 100% success especially if your breakout is severe. I think mine was 85% successful.
Alternatively, you can use The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution twice a week, if you really can’t do the chemical treatment due to its downtime. But it will take you much longer, some took two months, while some took longer. It depends on your skin condition. I personally used it twice a month as maintenance after my chemical peeling treatment healed. But sometimes, when I deal with closed comedones, I use the CosRx Whitehead AHA 7 Power Liquid once or twice a month instead of The Ordinary.
5. I Use Products With Niacinamide
Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, is a skin-restoring ingredient that offers multiple benefits. Among these benefits is the ability to visibly improve the appearance of enlarged pores, uneven skin tone, fine lines, dullness, and a weakened skin surface. Niacinamide can also mitigate the damage environmental attack can cause and is stable in the presence of heat and light. This vitamin works best with zinc to prevent future breakouts, soothe redness, calm blemishes, minimize pores, and regulate sebum production. That’s why products such as The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% and Glossier Super Pure are highly raved by those with oily and acne-prone skin.
Unfortunately, I have this rare allergy and it happens to be a Zinc allergy. So instead of those products mentioned above, I personally use It’s Skin Power 10 Formula VB Effector and Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin E Mask which both contains Niacinamide and no Zinc.
Alternatively, I also use Tea Tree Oil such as Leejiham Tea Tree 90 Essence which is a product that .helps prevent a breakout.
6. Moisturize & Hydrate
Chemical peeling, medically or with just using at-home skincare products, will make your skin dry and may break your moisture barrier. If that happens, instead of getting healed, your face might break out again. So a moisturizing toner is not enough, make sure to use an actual hydrating moisturizer twice a day after you cleanse and exfoliate. And this will also help lock in the serum or essence you used. As mentioned above, I use the Gokujyun Hyaluronic Acid Lotion in the morning while at night I use a more powerful Belif True Cream Aqua Bomb. Besides those, you can also use a sleeping mask like Laneige Water Sleeping Mask or a sheet mask like Innisfree Real Squeeze once or twice a week.
Drinking lots of water helps too, it’s easy and cheap!
7. Use Sunscreen Every Day
Besides protecting your exfoliated vulnerable skin from the sun, you also need sunscreen to prevent those dark spots left from the treatments from getting darkened by the sun’s UV rays. Plus the sunscreen will help prevent more damage to your skin due to sun exposure with or without getting a chemical exfoliation. I use Biore UV Perfect Face Milk which has a matte finish and lightweight.
BOTTOM LINE
These tips above were the things I personally did to get rid of my acne, but we all have different types of skin. So some that worked for me, might not work for others. YMMV! I know some people who suffer from acne needed more than just anti-acne injections and chemical peel treatments, some also need vitamin supplements or antibiotics, while some need diet or lifestyle changes. But my number one tip is: stop, reset, and consult a dermatologist. And check out this list of 50 people on Reddit who successfully got rid of their acne too.
Perfect skin is overrated! And it’s never okay to insult or give unsolicited advice to someone who suffers from acne. Trust me, they’re already working on how to get rid of their acne, did their research, and asked the right person. They don’t need your opinion. Plus, acne has a psychological effect on the sufferer.
And to those who suffer from acne, don’t let other people’s opinions get you down, and have patience. It will really take a while. Learn to embrace it too, because in most cases, you will not really be able to 100% get rid of it. I still get acne and even a breakout especially when my period is coming. Acne is not a flaw. And according to Amelia Diamond from Man Repeller, it is neither a death sentence nor a mark of character. It isn’t bad or ugly. It just is. Everyone gets it, even supermodels like Kendall Jenner and Korean Idols.