Skin Care Update #4

I want to begin this post with a short summary regarding my skin care journey and my battle with acne. If you have followed my blog over the past year, you will be somewhat familiar about what has been going on skin care wise in my life. For those of you who might be reading my blog for the first time, I want to give you some background information so you are not completely lost!

(Skip if you know my story)

It all started around March of last year when I started to develop acne. I began to notice that my face was breaking out a lot more than normal. Sure, I was certainly acne prone and had issues with high levels of skin sensitivity so I honestly just managed the breakouts as they happened. In April is when I noticed that my skin was getting worse as I was having more surface breakouts but I also began to develop deep cystic acne. To be perfectly honest, I was mortified. Here I was, a licensed medical Esthetician who has been in the skin care industry 17 years and my skin was horrible. I had the knowledge about skin physiology and ingredients knowledge but for some reason or another, whatever I was doing for my skin was not working. By the month of June, I had had enough and I decided to go see my primary care! You can read about my story further here!

After some trial and error with antibiotics, I decided that I was going to start Spironolactone and try Curology. Since September, I have been documenting my skin care progress and posting every month or so as to how my skin is improving here and here. I have always been fairly acne prone but this was the first time in my life that I had this severe of breakouts, especially the deep cystic type. I had to re-learn and approach my skin care very differently. I think in combination with the oral medication spironolactone, birth control, and incorporating Curology, my skin finally began to turn the corner in December.

Before and After 

(As of now)

I am happy to say that I am finally happy with my skin again. It is not perfect by any means and I am now struggling with fading post acne scars but I do feel like my old self again. I still have an occasional blemish, usually around that time of the month but my severe acne is gone (knock on wood). I am still continuing to use really great formulation products that have the correct ph levels to keep my skin clear and healthy. I do post frequently on Instagram showing my morning and evening skin care routines so please start following me if you aren't already!

So besides the continuing improvement in my skin, I do have something new to report! I am happy to say that my practitioner from Curology and I have decided together to change my prescription....My old prescription was centered around anti-acne, anti-fungal and tretinoin here. 

My skin has improved so much that now we have decided to tackle the Post Inflammatory Hyper-pigmentation (PIH) by changing my prescription from anti-acne to brightening. 

I began to change over to this new formulation in the middle of January and I must say I have been quite impressed with the results so far! My skin is brighter and the scars and PIH are decreasing. 

Overall, Curology has been so incredible and I cannot praise this company, their mission and service enough! By using this referral link here you can try Curology for yourself risk free for 30 days!! So you really don't have anything to lose.

I do want to mention that just using Curology is only scratching the surface of the issues associated with acne. I would always recommend you seek your doctor's advice whenever possible. Acne is a medication condition and should be treated accordingly. You might want to also consider your diet, exercise and other factors that contribute to the way you look and feel. Diets high in processed foods, refined sugars and high in fat can also cause the skin to look and behave poorly. 

While Curology has been amazing, I also use a large collection of wonderful and well formulated skin care products and I take care of my skin very diligently. I have a very extensive skin care routine that contributes to my skin care success. I encourage you to really take into consideration what you are putting on your skin and if it is making your skin worse or better. Everyone's skin is different so what might work for me, might not work for you!

Thank you so much for reading and for all your support during this journey! The support and friendships I have made mean the world to me. If you have specific product questions please don't hesitate to comment below or send me a private email. Don't forget to follow me on Instagram!  

Stay Beautiful ❤️