How to Clear Cystic Acne in 5 Steps
Eat more, lose weight, and have more energy!
Hi team! I’ve talked recently about how my skin has finally cleared up. I wish it was ONE thing I’ve been doing to make it radically transform after it unleashed hell on me last year, but it's not. A combination of the 5 things below has made me confident that I can keep clearing my cystic acne and keep glowing!
My confidence is back and I’m feeling better than ever! Acne takes a toll on us physically AND emotionally. Come put your best face forward with me!
This is not a sponsored post, and I am not a certified dermatologist or aesthetician. All products or recommendations are my own
BEFORE: no meds, no facials, no consistent skincare routine.
AFTER: following all of the below steps
Tips in order of priority.
#1 SKINCARE: HOW YOU REMOVE YOUR MAKEUP
Maskcara Beauty, simplified and cleared up my life!
When you checkout you can use party code 15053
3 products I use every single day that you can get from Maskcara Beauty (thank you free shipping!) This is the makeup I’ve been using for 2 years now and the skincare system has additionally made my skin even more radiant at a budget friendly price point.
Skin Cleanser: You can get it here and it lasts me about 2 months
Milk Moisturizer: You can get it here and it lasts me 2-3 months. I use it on my hands to so I usually order 2 at a time! I will never switch! Clears up my skin and brightens my skintone, and it’s
Microfiber Cloths (I love the dark grey ones because they don’t stain, wash on cold and air dry) You can get them here.
STEPS TO REMOVE YOUR MAKEUP
I spray the cleanser into my clean hands, massage into my face all over, and then use the damp microfiber cloth to gently remove my makeup
Dampen another clean spot of the microfiber cloth and remove makeup a second time.
Apply topicals (from thinnest serum to thickest). Tazorac thin layer at night, or just on breakouts, and Milk Moisturizer That’s IT! But last year I was not using microfiber cloths to take my makeup off (if you’ve been doing this for years, YAY I’m only regretting not doing this sooner). This is definitely keeping my cystic acne under control.
#2 TRY FACIALS BEFORE MEDS
1st tip: do your research, make lots of calls and ask questions about the facials and get a consult at multiple spas, try not to settle on the first one you find because there are lots of methods and price points out there!
My facial routine: (they will tell you 2-4 weeks in between but go with your budget)
Hydrafacial (cleans the crap out of your face and hydrates) remember, when your face is TOO dry your face will break out more because it’s overproducing oil)
1 month later: Chemical Peel
1 month later: Hydrafacial
1-2months later: Microneedling (call around, research and read reviews, for a spa that has deals on the Skinpen) (my favorite spa in Dallas is called Oasis Med Spa and Laser Center on Preston/Frankford.
If possible, get another Hydrafacial or chemical peel.
Facials can be pricey, but they are usually more natural than getting on meds. If you prefer a holistic method, do some research in your area and my biggest recommendation is to ask them to test the products out on a patch of your neck (somewhere hidden) before you let them use any products on you. You will never know what you’re allergic to until you test it out.
***I had a severe allergic reaction to a chemical peel with an ingredient I’ve never had on my skin before. So next time I get a chemical peel, I’ll be using this test method.***
#3 LESS IS MORE!
Try the makeup removing method first, every single day, I don’t care how drunk you get or how tired you are, this changes EVERYTHING. Give your skin a solid few months of your skincare routine every single day. You don’t need 7 products in your routine, start with a cleanser, and a moisturizer. Maybe add in Vitamin C and a Retinol when your cystic acne is later under control. Try the facials, and give it 6 months, but eventually you will be in maintenance mode and you won’t have to go so often. I wish I could stop getting them altogether, but it seems that has been the 2nd biggest game changer, so I’ll try to go 3-4 times a year when I’m done with this aggressive year.
#4 IF YOU’VE TRIED EVERYTHING, FIND A DERMATOLOGIST
Dermatologists can be really controversial. They just prescribe you and send you on your way after you pay, but now there are so many online options for doctors. My body’s hormones are totally out of wack, my period hasn’t been normal in 2 years and the return of cystic acne after finally having years of clear skin, it was clear that at 31, my body changed and II needed more than just a benzoyl peroxide cream. (cringe)
-My derm prescribed me with the following: (ask your derm more about these)
Medications:
Spironolactone: It should come as no surprise to you because I feel like everyone has been prescribed at Spiro. It’s a high blood pressure medicine, thyroid treatment, but also used to treat Acne. Wild as it seems-it WORKS wonders. I will stay on it at a low dosage as long as my Doctor recommends.
Doxycycline: I’ve been on this for 6 months but I am now getting off it. It helped a ton to reduce the bacteria that was building up and presenting itself in my face and back.
Reactions to Actuate: read more here
(please please ask for a solution before you get on this medication! Or any form of it) AVOID at all costs:I was really hesitant to get back on an antibiotic because in the past, they have destroyed my gut health. One round of Accutane resulted in depression, lips so dry I couldn’t open my mouth some days, and extreme sensitivity to sun making it nearly impossible to play softball in the summer I was on it. I ended up getting off it less than 8 months and of course my cystic acne came back and the medication left with me with IBS and a Lactose intolerance for all of my 20s.
Gut Health NOW:
Thank God I can eat pizza now! I introduced greek yogurt and probiotics back into my diet about 3 years ago and things drastically changed. However, I won’t go back to regular milk, and I ice cream is still off limits unless I want to be very uncomfortable for the day following. (sometimes it’s worth it lol but I usually regret it).
Topicals: I still use these, just less frequently. (3-4x per week)
Aczone (this is amazing) you can read more about it here
Tazorac (used at night) also used to treat psoriasis and other skin conditions. Read more about it here.
Both of these radically reduced my breakouts, and helped my scarring once the medication helped reduce breakouts. They also really cleared up my dark spots, reduced wrinkles and also evened out my skin tone.
Give your skin 6-8 months to see a radical change, and tell me more about what you’ve done to change your skin in the comments-I want to hear!
Here for you,
Coach Ari