Beauty: Acne S-U-C-K-S!

Acne sucks. Up until february of my junior year of high school, my face was flawless. I remember my friends used to comment on how smooth my skin was. And I loved it...and I took it for granted. Because a week after my dance concert, and layers and layers of pancake makeup, my face broke out...and it hasn't stopped since.


Yes, this is a dimply baby's bottom, but trust me, my face has even more dimples than these cheeks. Over the years, I've tried everything- pills, creams, retin-A, differin. In the last handful of years I progressed to IPL treatments where a laser is passed over your face which feels like being flicked in the face repeatedly with a rubber band. I've tried Fraxel- the most expensive and scariest thing I've ever done- have you ever felt like a warm butter knife was slowly slicing the skin off your face? I think not.

I've tried it all. I've resigned myself to trying to work on what I've got. My face will never be smooth again. I don't know when the acne will stop. Thankfully, I have a bf who seems to see entirely beyond that. And for that I am so grateful, more so than he will ever know. But I am still conscious of my face every day and think I will be for quite a number of years more.

I've recently made two new discoveries that I'm really excited about. I walked into Sephora a couple of weeks ago just browsing to set what's out there, and came across DERMADoctor. I loved the packaging, of course that's the first thing I noticed, and the products seemed true- most have salicylic acid as an ingredient. But of course I need to know the real scoop, so I went back to work and looked up product reviews. All were very positive so I decided to give Picture Porefect, how cute, a try.


It promised smaller pores in three weeks, and I think it's almost been three, and I'm definitely noticing a difference. It's $40, and that's a big investment to me too, but I can honestly say it is helping. And because it's also got salicylic acid in it, it's preventing new breakouts as it's helping to heal old ones.

Another new find is Kiehls Blue Herbal Moisturizer. I got a sample pack at a store when we went to LA a couple of months ago and finally decided to give it a try. Kiehl's is known for using plant derived ingredients and this moisturizer is oil-free, contains salicylic acid and reduces pores as well. I have an oil slick for a face and it also says it mattifies.


Well, I can now say that I am a fan of this product as well. If you've got acne, I highly recommend both of these. I feel like I'm always looking for a new solution for my face and while I can't wait for the day that acne stops, these products are making every day a little more manageable.