If you have ever struggled with acne, you know how devastating it can be. Since December my skin has been bonkers. I don’t know why. Maybe from getting off the pill after 15 years? Maybe from swimming in chlorine every other day for tri training? Maybe from stress? Something I am eating? Something I’m not eating? That’s one of the most frustrating things about acne – it has a multitude of causes and a multitude of fixes, some which work for some people, some of which don’t. It’s one of the most frustrating, self-confidence shattering things to deal with. Especially if you don’t like to wear a lot of makeup and can’t cover them up.
I’ve finally gotten mine under control, I think. I almost hate to say that because I think I’ll jinx my skin. People who struggle with acne know how superstitious you can get about stuff like this!! It’s as if the zits are sentient organisms that can read your mind and foil you at every opportunity.
What have I done that’s worked? Well, it’s combo of a bunch of different stuff. I’m not sure which thing is working, so I’m just going to have to keep doing every one of them for the rest of my life.
1. I started using manuka honey on my face. I read about it on this blog. I also combine it in the evening with jojoba oil, like Tracy does in the video. I’m on the fence about the jojoba oil – not sure if it makes my skin break out or not, but the manuka honey is amazing. It helps shrink zits, and it helps clear up acne scars faster. It’s wicked expensive, but totally worth it in my mind. I ordered from the shop Tracy recommends in Australia, so I had to pay $15 in shipping. I might try Amazon next time.
2. My nurse practitioner put me on 2 supplements – B-Supreme and Colostrum. The B-Supreme is good for skin health, and the Colostrum is good for gut health. A lot of skin issues are due to gut issues. Anyway, within a week or so of taking these, my skin started to improve dramatically.
3. I also started using a new face powder. I’ve used Bare Minerals Mineral Veil forever, but it didn’t seem to be doing much for me anymore. My mom’s stylist started selling Jane Iredale, and she told Mom it might help me. I have SUPER sensitive skin. I bought this sample kit, and I really love it, especially the loose powder in golden glow. It gives a very natural look to the skin, and it’s very light. The shadow, blush, and lipstick are all great too. I never use the circle delete stuff. But the kit is awesome.
So, that’s the trifecta that’s been working for me lately. I’ve also started washing my face with jojoba oil after I get out of the pool. The chlorine sucks all the moisture out of your skin, so the oil cleanse really seems to help. One day I didn’t shower after my swim, so I had wet, chlorine-laden hair all day. The next day my whole forehead was broken out. Some people say that chlorine improves their skin (dries out the oil and zits), but I don’t think it’s good for my sensitive skin.
So there you go. If you struggle with acne too, some of this might be worth a try. I really think there is no one answer that works for everyone, but I know that I appreciated all the blog posts I found when I was searching for a solution. Good luck in your search!!