For as long as I can remember since hitting puberty, I have experienced some kind of acne flare up and they were usually really bad. Being an adult, they have turned into adult acne that are persistent and sometimes cystic. Now my acne flares up a few time a year and they show up on the lower part of my face around my jawline and towards my neck… These are usually what’s called hormonal acne, where your hormones are off balance leading to creating and excreting excess sebum in the skin. Those are the sore bumps and puss filled white heads that show up looking mighty angry from being imbalanced.

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My acne problems was the very reason I wanted to become a skin care therapist and I went into Esthetics school right after high school to see it through. I loved it so much! and so did my skin and body. I really thrived in that environment and I felt so aligned and liberated that I was truly living out my dream life. Throughout my career as an Esthetician my skin was amazing! To be honest, the only thing I complained about were my frown lines which were the worst habit that to this day I still have not overcome but that is just my natural facial expressions.

If you’ve been struggling with hormonal acne and can relate with the cycle of frustration then read on to find out what I do to control and heal mine…

But first, disclaimer…

The following information and all other contents that are shared on this website are from my own personal experience and point of view. They are not intended to be substituted for professional advice, diagnoses and treatments. While I enjoy sharing what I learn and what I’m doing or have experienced, these information and contents are not legal, medical or professional advice. Before you explore, start or embark on any  new changes that warrants your safety and well-being, please be sure to speak to a professional to avoid undesired, harmful effects and negative outcomes.

Since becoming a mom, my hormone levels have gone haywire! I have stress, anxiety, no sleep, poor diet and overall lack of care and wellness to thank for that. Which comes down to self neglect and imbalance for the most part.

Hormones are what controls the cells and organs functions and internal activities in your body. It’s essential that everything runs smoothly and that your hormone levels are healthy and balanced to avoid problems.

Over the years, I’ve noticed similar patterns in my emotions and lifestyle during an acne flare up that sends me into panic mode because I know “something is wrong”.  It’s usually when I’m very stressed, depressed, poor sleep, bad habits and eating unhealthy foods especially high in sugar-carbs, dairy or highly processed junk food. Because I’ve journalled consistently, I can pinpoint the events and times I’ve had them and what I’m worrying about or struggling to process. It’s through these reflections that I have learned so much about myself, my body and my inner workings.

Now, instead of feeling helpless, more stressed, frustration and self blame, I know exactly what to do.

First, I do not practice hateful thoughts or send hateful words towards myself. I also do not blame others or any outside sources for this outcome.

I acknowledge the facts and if I’m being honest, I start turning in and begin to have self awareness and conversations or inner dialogue with myself. “Oh no, that’s not good”, “What’s wrong?”,  “What can I do?”, “How do I solve this and make it better?”, “How can I heal this?”, “What do I need?”

Through journalling and meditation or time in silence, I am able to find answers within. I have gained self trust and self respect through mindfulness and self love.

I know for a fact that my body is designed to be intelligent, autonomic and intuitive. That’s why I don’t have to tell my body to blink, to breathe, to pump blood, to digest etc… It just knows what to do  and whenever there’s a problem it sends these internal messages, signals and reactions to communicate with me so that I can become aware and pay attention to what’s going on, or what’s going wrong.

Now for the good stuff and actual practical list of tips, tools and products that works for me. These are not in any order of importance, just listed as they come into my memory. I use whatever is available to me and what I’m capable of adding into my routine when my hormonal acne flares up.

– Use a hydrating, overnight repair mask. I absolutely love using a night mask! It helps to repair and replenish the skins protective barrier.

– Disinfect phone screens.

– Regular mask (not to sleep with) usually a clay, charcoal or a medicated formula to heal and repair the skin.

– Exfoliate your skin more often to get rid of dead skin, clogged pores and excess oil build up in your pores.

– Wash make up brushes and disinfect skin care tools.

– Wash all cloths, towels and pillow cases in hot water, check detergent if it might be a cause for skin allergy reactions.

– Go to bed early, get enough rest.

– Meditate and journal. Ask inner inquiries, signs and answers to see if anything comes up. Journal with the date so you can look back on when the flare up started and can keep track of your emotions, what your going to try, and what products you’re using.

– Take photo’s of your skin after doing skincare to keep track of results and condition. It’s easier to see and remember what condition it is in from the beginning and once it is completely healed or if it worsens in between. Make sure to mark the heart to add it to your “favourites” that way you can easily find it. Or you can add it to a folder “Skin Condition”.

– Drink lots of water, less sugary drinks or avoid it completely.

– Stop touching and picking the face (this one is soooo hard for me, I do it unconsciously when I’m anxious, stressed or bored)

– Wash face thoroughly morning and night.

– Wear lightweight sunscreen to protect your face from sun damage and prevent hyperpigmented scars.

– Use a gentle formula if your skin is red and sensitive. Stick to gel based, coloidal and stay away from strong active ingredients like in serums until you’ve strengthened your skin barrier.

– Application Tips:

Use a facial brush and massager to exfoliate the face and remove excess oil, dirt and dead skin.

Let your skin air dry after washing your face.

Massage in every product in a upward motion or do facial yoga massage.

Let each product set in for a minute before applying the next one.

–  Opt for more nourishing whole foods. They live, grow and are intelligent, these foods know how to naturally heal and nourish body ailments and dis ease. Take an inventory list of the food that you’ve been eating up to two weeks before the acne flareup. Culprits are usually unhealthy, processed foods with lots of dairy, sodium, sugar and artificial ingredients.

– Look into anti-inflamatory foods. Increase collagen, citrus – vitamin C rich foods and lots of anti oxidants like berries.

– Get a facial treatment or do one at home. *blog idea*

– See a doctor, skin therapist, specialist, dermatologist or professional practitioners who can help to diagnose, prescribe and treat the acne.

– Lower stress levels. Do activities that help you to be more calm and relaxed.

Here’s a list of skin care products I’m currently using:

Neutrogena – Deep Clean Gentle Scrub (I use an exfoliating facial brush)

The Ordinary – Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner (Use cotton pads, or reusable cotton pads)

Ondine Natural’s – Rose water facial mist ( Made on the Sunshine Coast by my friend!)

Senzu – Vitamin C facial serum

Laneige – Water bank blue  hyaluronic cream moisturizer

Laneige – Water Sleeping Mask

Beautycounter – Charcoal Facial Mask

Supergoop – Play everyday lotion SPF 50

Beautycounter – Skin Twin featherweight foundation (I mix this with the supergoop sunscreen)

Facial Tools:

Flexible Silicone, spatula with bristle to apply and remove clay mask.  Easy to wash and disinfect.

Facial cleansing brush with silicone massage brush

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