Battling Acne: Round 2

From the caption, you guys might have guessed what this post is about.

If you're following me on Instagram, you probably had come across a post that shows my second acne breakout.

It's frustrating and at the same time demoralizing. Some spots are deep and painful and take a very long time to completely heal. I was quite upset and didn't feel like slathering much makeup on my face most of the time, which explains my hiatus.

I've changed my facial regiment to combat it this time round, since it was not triggered by stress or hormonal imbalance but simply my carelessness of using a product without doing research first.

I usually use facial products that are for acne/ oily to combination skin. If it is suited for sensitive skin, even better. I thought something "natural" will not affect much and how little did I know.

So what happened was,

One day, I realized I had run out of my makeup remover and decided to reach for the most available product that I had, which was coconut oil. Little did I know that even though coconut oil has so many benefits and known to be an anti-inflammatory, it is also comedogenic.

After the first day, I thought if I could just continue using coconut oil to cleanse, I shouldn't need to buy another product. Almost after the third day, I had 1 or 2 pimples breakout and thought that it was probably just hormonal imbalance since I do experience it monthly.

By the end of the week it was full blown acne breakout, especially on my cheeks and chin. It did not occur to me that coconut oil might have been the cause till I had a conversation with my mom. When she told me that she had tried it on herself and gotten a pimple from it. After reading up, I was more convinced and completely stopped the use of coconut oil on my face and the use of it anywhere altogether.

Dated 01/06/2016

This was after a month of using the products that I had been using (you can see the list of products on my first blog post) and realized that it was actually getting worse than better. I decided it was time to get something more suited and tried Avene.

I did see the benefits after starting with these products. The cleanser is gentler and the facial creams didn't burn my skin like how OXY products would leave the area raw and tight. I found that the Cleanance Expert Emulsion gently dries and causes the area infected to peel after drying. I would use it together with TriAcneal in the evening before bed.

I was a skeptic to the Thermal Spring water, but I have found certain uses for it and one of which is the final step to set my makeup. I would usually mist it after using toner and while my face is still damp, start applying Cleanance Expert Emulsion all over the face, avoiding the eye area.

However, the acne was quite stubborn that it took a long time for it to completely dry up and heal. I kept having multiple breakouts at the same area.

My mom then introduced me to Nelsons Pure & Clear Acne Treatment Gel and Indian Healing Clay.

HEH! xD

I substituted TriAcneal with the treatment gel and spot treated just before bed everyday and used the mask once a week.

After about 3 month, I finally feel that my skin is clearing up and now left to deal with the scars which will take awhile.

For anyone battling acne, it is important to know that the healing process is a long journey and patience is really needed to clear up the skin. There are some measures that you can take to assist, you hear it everywhere, it is to lead a healthy lifestyle.

I don't have to tell you, but I will anyway. Eat healthy and drink lots of water. If you're like me and don't like water, then take tea. Mint, chamomile, green, rose, you name it. Avoid sugar if you can and substitute it with honey if you really need it. Lemon water is good too and include fruits and vegetables in your diet. MOST IMPORTANTLY, have enough sleep. It is the time your whole body takes to heal and that includes your skin.

AND I know it is tempting to touch and squeeze all that oozing liquid out. It can be so satisfying but trust me, it is not worth it in the long run. If it itches, wash your face. But it you put makeup on like me, just tap at it with a clean finger. If you can, try not to use makeup on affected areas. But if you have to, make sure you clean your face thoroughly before sleep. Btw, something about the thermal spring water sprays also helps to sooth itching.

Lastly, if you know someone with acne, or just got acne, try to give positive feedback instead of stating the obvious. Cause we know. We look at our faces everyday and we always know when it looks bad or when there is a new spot. Better yet, treat it like its normal and ignore it :)

Happy Sunday Everybody!

#facial #acne #breakout #pimple #skincare #skin #blemishes