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)