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5.6.19

My Cystic Acne Story

Never have I thought in my mid-twenties that I would get not one but two cases of cystic acne. I am going to talk about how I dealt with it, my confidence and remedies. Also, there are a lot of 'I's in this post so heads up.

What caused it?

Both cases of cystic acne were from trying skin care products (sorry skin) the first one being the SKII facial treatment essence, being sold by so many adverts and influencers and celebrities using it, I got a small bottle to try out. Previously I was using the Missha Treatment Essence which works fab for my skin and I had no reactions. My thoughts were if the SKII gave me better results I would switch.

When did I realise it was not normal?

I started using this in November for 3 days and I started getting painful bumps on my cheeks which I thought were from travelling. Since the SKII had healing properties and could be used as a mask to soothe skin, that what I did in those three days I was applying the essence onto my skin like a mask with a cotton pad. Thinking back I could cry!

My self-confidence 

I didn't leave the house for a week, with my case of cystic acne I also had a severe case of cold sores. I felt so ugly, when I ate the corners of my lips would crack and bleed, I was using the fullest coverage foundation and I was even considering buying a cap so the light would not shine onto my face. Luckily enough in Hong Kong, you can walk around with face masks but that's not good ventilation for your skin.

Because of my condition and I write mainly beauty related post, I was really stuck in a rut and really pushed my boundaries in creating blog posts. I was feeling so stressed and being stressed doesn't help with acne as it produces more hormones. I went to Disneyland with cystic acne on my face. I had a lot of PR that I wouldn't try and use and couldn't post about.

Remedies - What worked and what didn't?

I went through the stages of calming those bumps down mainly from spot treatments like tea tree oil and drying lotion. I wore no makeup for a week and was prescribed antibiotic ointment that didn't do anything for my skin. I tried using Sudo cream to calm my skin down but I did not get any results either.

Products

I went back to my previous blemish helping routine repurchasing the Garnier blemish gel tonic and face wash which did really help cleanse and gently hydrate my skin. For toner, I used a light hydrating one from The Body Shop to balance the PH of my skin. If I had a chance in the day I would just apply tea tree oil on my infected areas. Towards the end of my cystic acne journey about 3 to 4-week mark, I used the UMA brightening oil to hydrate at night and the Eve Lom advanced brightening serum to help with pigmentation which I have reviewed here.

Healing time

My skin was the best had been before the SKII scenario and it is not the same today and I don't think it ever will be. My first case of cystic acne overall took a whole month to fully heal mainly with tea tree oil being my infection fighter. Pigmentation is still a long term battle.


Who would have thought I would get another case of cystic acne?

5 months later after my skin is in a reasonable hydrated condition with most of the pigmentation fading, I get another case of cystic acne from a facial cleanser most specifically Banila Co Clean It Zero Cleansing Balm which I reviewed here.

This time around it was not as severe mainly on my left cheek, forehead and slightly on my chin. What's the most painful thing is waiting for those pesky bumps to rise towards the surface, it's painful and you can feel it throbbing throughout the day.

Remedies


Tea tree oil did nothing for my skin this time around and I solely relied on the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion which I was applying whenever I can to bring the infection to the surface and dry out the spots. I only used the clear liquid which is mainly alcohol based throughout the day and only dipped into the pink powder at night.

Products 

I was masking whenever I could to help absorb the infection and dry out those areas using the mainly the Innisfree Volcanic Pore Clay Mask. I also used the Glamglow Supermud clearing treatment twice which really helped bring up the 'head' of my spots and also the Aprilskin Calendula Peel Off Pack to help with pore problems and calm the skin.

My main toner was the Protocol Hydrating Toning Mist* followed by The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% . Since I was consistently using the drying lotion I had flaky skin and I used a light moisturiser that being the Amie Matte Finish Moisturising Cream to hydrate.

Healing time

At almost 2 weeks my cystic acne just looks like random breakouts but I have a lot of pigmentation and dark marks that are left behind. My foundation and concealer are struggling to conceal those areas. But I have started to slowly get back to my previous skincare routine and avoiding products that are too hydrating or products that I think will reactivate my acne.

Au revoir 

I will be trying a lot of brightening ampoules and serums to help with pigmentation like last time.
With cystic acne, you just need patience and a lot of bacteria-fighting products to draw the infection to the surface otherwise it won't heal. May that be cooling your skin down the first couple of days or steaming your face in the shower to bring the head up.

Do you have a skincare story to share?

Until next time!

Joyce x

P.s I would be the happiest girl if you follow me on;  BLOGLOVIN | TWITTER | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM


*Products were sent to me but do not affect my opinion. (Please see disclaimer for more details)

18 comments:

  1. acne is sooooo painful, glad you have found *some* products that work !! x

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  2. Glad you've found some products that've helped your skin. I want to try the Mario Badescu lotion!

    Katie | www.justkatiee.com XX

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    1. It's definitely a product you need in your skincare x

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  3. I used to have really terrible acne but thankfully never got that bad. I do feel for you. It can be so painful. I absolutely love the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion too. I always pop a little on each spot and leave overnight. The smell is so overwhelming at times isn't it? It's such a miracle worker x

    Lauren | www.bylaurenmay.com

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    1. Yes the smell is very overwhelming! I feel like the stronger the smell is the better it will work haha x

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  4. I've only recently gotten a handle of sorts with my acne. Between moving + a new job my skin was far from happy. It's more manageable and I'm confident and comfortable now thankfully.

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  5. I had extreme, severe acne from age 11 to 18 and had to receive medical/dermatologist treatment through the hospital as it wasn't something that could be treated with over the counter treatments. I was put on Roaccutane for 6 months, and although it worked wonders and is pretty much a cure for acne, the side effects were pretty bad. I remember how having acne all those years impacted me so I know how your flare ups made you feel and I just wanted to say that it is so wonderful you share your experiences. Beauty bloggers who have, or experience acne, and talk about it will help others who have it. When I finally got rid of my acne at 18 years old (some 22 years ago) there were no people talking about it. So thank you!

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    1. Thank-you so much for leaving this comment! I remember I had really bad acne when I was in my teens and it really affected my self confidence! I really hope it does help others out there! x

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  6. I've had acne before but not like this! I'll definitely keep these tips in mind should I ever get it though!

    Gemma Louise

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  7. I used to suffer with a little bit of acne and so I understand how it can make you feel! It's amazing of you to share your experiences so that others can relate and know they aren't alone! Xx

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    1. I was googling ways online to help with my acne so I hope it helps others out too x

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  8. argh I feel your pain. I'm currently going through the worst acne ive ever had on my chin area. I've cut down my skincare routine to the bare minimum only using brands like cerave/cetaphil etc along with a cream prescribed by my GP. It's been a huge kick to my already low self esteem/confidence, which has probably been the worst part of the whole thing. I hope everything continues to get better for you xx

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    1. I hope it gets better for you and you are on the road to recovery! And Thank-you my pigmentation scars are slowly fading away now x

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  9. I'm very lucky to not have acne as it runs in my family. These tips are so useful! xx

    Maiya | www.maiyabellexo.co.uk

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