Skin Care Routine + Fighting Acne

I have struggled with my skin for the last 5 years. After I had Lux, I got terrible hormonal acne. If you've ever had skin issues, you understand how devastating it is. I never wanted to leave my house. I would dread going to the park, grocery store, basically anywhere. I could try to cover it up, but my skin was still bumpy. I felt totally disgusting.

I tried so many products, and completely cut out dairy/sugar/gluten from my diet. Nothing really helped until I saw a dermatologist. They immediately put me on doxycycline, and a topical antibiotic. This cleared my acne up instantly. It was so nice to not have to worry about my skin. The bad thing about antibiotics is that you can't stay on them very long. Thankfully once I got off of them, the acne didn't come back like before.

Even though I still get some blemishes, I feel like I've found my must-have products that keep my skin looking its healthiest. 

To wash my face every day, I use Cetaphil gentle cleanser. I apply a dime size amount, and rinse with water. (I do this in the morning, and before bed.)

I massage a "spot-treatment" gel on to my problem areas (forehead and chin) for about 15 seconds, and it seriously helped so much. I'm using the generic version and it works just as good if not better than the name brand! The dermatologist also has me using a topical-antibiotic (clindamycin). I use both of these products together two times a day.

I love my Clarisonic. I've had it for years now, and it gets my skin so clean. I also use it on my neck and chest area.  I apply an exfoliating cleanser, and then use the Clarisonic (moving in slow circular motions) for about a minute. It feels so good to get all the dead skin and makeup completely off of my face. I do this about 2 times a week.

Acne products can be very drying, so I found products to keep my skin as moisturized as possible. Especially in the winter months. 

I chose some deluxe-sized trial products with my Sephora points, and I loved these Peter Thomas Roth masks. My favorite was the cucumber one! I also mix masks. I love the Origins charcoal on my oily areas, and a moisturizing one everywhere else.

I've bought the full-size Belief Eye Bomb two times in a row now. It feels so luxurious and fresh. I love to apply this to my under-eye area before bed. Another moisturizer I'm obsessed with is Clinique's moisture surge. 

I also like to use the Olehenriksen Truth Serum mixed in with my moisturizers. It has a little zing to it, and is formulated with youth-preserving ingredients. (Vitamin C and Collagen)