HOW THESE AFFORDABLE PRODUCTS CLEARED MY CYSTIC ACNE

Acne, we all hate it. Life would be much better off without it. However, the existence of these puss- filled monsters shouldn't make you feel like the world is ending, right? Battling with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) resulted in a hormonal imbalance which caused my menstrual cycle to halt for 9 months (read all about my diagnosis here). As a consequence, my skin flared up with difficult to treat cystic acne that still haunts me to this day. Looking back it took a toll on my self-esteem and I didn't want to be seen. And although I knew that makeup wasn't enough to  cover up my acne scars and bumps (eventually only making my acne worse) I religiously wore it EVERY SINGLE DAY. I was so embarrassed by my appearance, I would even put makeup on to simply make a trip to the grocery store.  

I tried all the over the counter skincare brands to help me get rid of the cystic acne and finally clear my skin, however, none of them worked. Trust me, your girl was in every beauty supply and convenient store on the block and I was tired of spending money I didn't have for products that never cleared my skin. I have VERY sensitive skin, and the smallest mishap in my skincare routine could be detrimental. It had gotten to the point where I was considering seeking out medical treatment for my skin, yet I didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars to achieve radiant skin. 

So ladies (and gents) I will share all the products I currently use in skincare routine in hopes that you may find them useful and incorporate them into your own. I will break down the products I use in my morning/night routine daily, in the exact order they are used. 

*DISCLAIMER: I am not affiliated with nor sponsored by any of the brands mentioned.* 

MORNING ROUTINE 

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CLEANSER

Cleansing your skin in the morning is essential to get rid of the residue from the product you wore the night before. I routinely cleanse my skin with one pump of  the CETAPHIL gentle cleanser and I slather it all over my face and neck in gentle circular motions followed by a cold water rinse. This product is great for sensitive and dry, oily or combination skin and leaves my skin feeling smooth, clean, and refreshed.

Price range: $4-$5  

BLEMISH SERUM 

If you're trying to get rid of acne scars or skin discoloration you should the blemish formula by THE ORDINARY which contains a pH-balanced mixture of  Niacinamide and Zinc at various concentrations. But how beneficial is Niacinamide and Zinc for your skin? Well for starters it is important to note that this is not an acne treatment, so don't expect your acne to disappear by using this product alone. Niacinamide is commonly known as vitamin B3 and works to reduce the appearance of blemishes. Zinc, on the other hand, functions as an anti-inflammatory by penetrating the surface of the skin  to heal and regulate sebum activity. 

I have been using this product well over 2 years now, and am currently finishing up my third bottle! After cleansing my skin, I apply a generous amount of this blemish serum before applying moisturizer. I have seen a major improvement in the reduction of acne scars, which has given my skin a much more radiant look.  

Price range: $5.90-$9.99  

MOISTURIZER

Hydrating acne-prone skin is often problematic for people with oily skin, however, if you have dry skin like me, a thick moisturizer will make your skin look and feel more rejuvenated. I have been applying POND'S Dry Skin Cream for the past year and it has given my skin a natural glow to it which I love. A little goes a long way with this product, making it such a great purchase. I apply about four dime-sized amounts on my forehead, chin, and cheeks and smooth the product over my face and neck in small circular motions.

Price range: $4.99-$6.00

SUNSCREEN

Sunscreen is one of those underrated products. Dermatologists constantly warn the public of the effects of sun damage to the skin, yet I'm sure 99.9% of people still choose to only wear sunscreen during the summer. 

Newsflash, the sun is out every single day, even during the fall and winter months!

Therefore, it is important to incorporate sunscreen into your morning routine before heading out the door. I'm in love with THE ORDINARY brand, and so I purchased their sunscreen (SPF 30) however any brand will work just as well. The only downside to this sunscreen is that it leaves an ashy residue on darker skin, so I normally mix it in with my PONDS moisturizer for a smoother finish. 

Price range: $5.80-$9.70

NIGHT ROUTINE

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ACNE TREATMENT

Ok listen up, this is the crème de la crème of products that you NEED in your routine, especially if you want to get rid of your acne. After washing my face once more with the CETAPHIL cleanser I apply a dime-sized amount of my customized CUROLOGY acne treatment once every night and go to bed. 

That's it. That's all you have to do: apply and go to bed. 

This lovely bottle is what SAVED my skin and I always recommend it to anyone with acne they believe can't be cleared. Trust me when I say the CUROLOGY skincare line will be your BEST FRIEND. A year ago, I got my hands on a free trial bottle and was automatically connected to my Curology care provider. After filling out questions about my skincare routine, acne problems, and health I sent a photo to my provider. My provider then sent me a customized treatment bottle in the mail. 

I can rave about this product for days, but if you want to check it out for yourself it is $39.95 every two months depending on the plan you're on. But in my opinion, it is worth the investment! I have never felt so confident in my skin before, like excuse-me where was this when I was in high school?  I hesitated at first before purchasing the product because I didn't think it would work. Needless to say, I was wrong. Now I simply cannot live without this product in my skincare routine, so if you have cystic acne this product is for you so look no further!

*They currently have a CUROLOGY set which includes a brand new cleanser and moisturizer with your customized treatment bottle.*

Price range: $24.90-$59.90 (depending on your pricing plan) 

RETAKING THE MCAT: THIRD TIMES A CHARM?

Here we go again...

I began this blog a few years ago to track my journey to becoming a doctor and look back to see how far I've come. However, with time, I also saw the need to use this platform to reach other aspiring physicians and/or scientists. I've hit rock bottom many many MANY times since then. Yet along the way, I have also seen how much I've grown as a person and how much my passion for science and medicine has challenged me in more ways than I thought possible.

I am a first-generation college student. Like many others, my parents had no clue about the college process or seeking aid. So I did it all myself. As soon as it was time for me to begin my medical school process, I quickly realized that I was at a disadvantage. My school did not guide me on when to apply for medical school or how to do it. Heck, I didn't have the money to pay for MCAT resources (not even kidding I had $0.89 to my name) nor did I want to rely on my parents who've already sacrificed so much for my siblings and me to go to college. I knew this was something I had to figure out on my own.

After graduating from college, I desperately needed some cash to save up for this dream (and heaping student debt) while at the same time gaining exposure to medicine and building relationships with those around me. I became a professional science tutor at my alma mater part-time and worked the other half of the week as a medical scribe in a urology clinic in my hometown in the Bronx (if you want to learn how to become a scribe, click here). I loved scribing cause it gave me access to the day in the life of a physician, and tutoring helped enhance my teaching skills and build relationships with clients/students. 

However, I still felt stuck and wanted to gain even more exposure to various aspects of medicine, and became an EMT. These opportunities and more have allowed me to understand the need for underrepresented minorities in medicine, and have taught me to embrace my passion for learning to better serve and advocate for the members of my community. 

But is retaking the MCAT worth it? 

This is a question I struggle with every day. I lack the motivation at times to crack open those dusty MCAT books that I was FINALLY able to afford and give it one more shot. I begin to think of the times I wrote the MCAT twice, and performed miserably, and wonder whether I can get over that hurdle and get my goal score. My attempt at getting into medical school seems delusional at this point (lol). But I have to push back the fear and negativity, and just do it. Make a schedule, go over content, practice, and repeat until I see an improvement. I once heard that if medicine is something that you think about on most days, then you must pursue it with all your heart. So if you're like me and are struggling on this journey to medical school or grad school, be patient. 

However, don't give up, and don't settle yourself short. You may not have gotten into med school this cycle or the cycle before that, but one day you will. One day all your hard work will pay off. So don't get distracted/discouraged by what you see on social media. Everyone's journey is different. Your journey may take longer than most, but you'll learn so much about yourself through it all. You will gain experiences that no one else has, and those experiences will define the new YOU and how you dictate the next steps on your journey.

So, retake the MCAT. Embrace your journey and don't look back. 

GOD WHERE IS MY HARVEST?

Life is a STRUGGLE.

Every day you do our best to wake up and get on with your day, yet you feel mentally and emotionally checked out. Things don't seem to be running smoothly at work or school. Your personal life seems to be in shambles, savings are running dry, and you are behind on bills.

Life is a STRUGGLE. 

Each day you complain about your current situation, yet you fail to see how God is working in your life. You're so distracted by all the negativity and doubt that you don't see how this situation is going to change you. You're blind to the internal seed that is being planted by God to cultivate you into the person you will become. As a result, your faith starts to fade and you walk around with this miserable cloud over your head. And you fuss about everything and everyone and cry out to God "Where is my harvest?!". You justify how faithful of a servant you've been yet you feel like God has abandoned you and nothing makes sense anymore. Are you listening to yourself? Your arguments are invalid. You don't understand God's true hand at work. He has given you a purpose in this life, but it will not be handed to you on a gold platter. Your purpose will not be shown to you if you start to lose trust in the one who created you. 

Life is a STRUGGLE... but so is the harvest. 

Stop questioning each decision you've made. Learn from your mistakes, ask for forgiveness, and lean on God for guidance. God's purpose is greater than our problems, greater than our fears, greater than our insecurities. He is with you during those seasons of trial and tribulation. Many times we want our harvest to be plentiful, yet we fail to properly cultivate the seed. We forget that for a bountiful harvest that seed needs love, care, and a sturdy foundation. 

I want to remind you that the enemy takes advantage of the weak spots in your foundation, to prevent the cultivation of the seed which God is cultivating in you. The enemy does not want to see the harvest, and sadly he doesn't want you to see it either. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us to "Stay alert, Watch out for your great enemy, [he] prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour" (NLT). The enemy seeks to destroy that foundation, by whatever means necessary. He will do so to 

You must not let the enemy devour you in your moment of weakness. 

I repeat. 

You must not let the enemy devour you in your moment of weakness. 

You must strengthen your foundation with God's Word and trust in the process because that is the only way you can prepare for the harvest. You must believe that God's love is so powerful that it frees you from your insecurities, fear, and doubt. The person He is building you to become, is only a fraction of the kind of person whose value is worth a seat in the kingdom of heaven. You're only seeing a fraction of the greatness He sees in you! So stop worrying, and stay alert. This season is only temporary, but it is in this critical moment where your faith will be tested. How do you expect to reap a harvest without the challenges of cultivating the seeds? 

Yes, life is overwhelmingly complicated but whatever situation you're going through, just remember that you are being taken care of, even if you don't see it. The Lord reminds us in Isaiah 41:10 "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."(NLT).

There is an amazing Father who is watching over you right now (Matthew 6:23-34), during those unbearable moments. He is so amazing, and his love is so genuine that He will never leave your side even when the foundation gets rocky. He believes in you and knows that you will get through this.