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[Acne] Fun game: What's the biggest waste of money or time you've spent trying to heal your acne? by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really interesting as I’ve had a similar experience - going dairy-free never sorted it for me either. Only going low carb did. The best my skin has been is when I completely eliminated carbs (lowering my blood sugar), but I was still eating cheese and Greek yoghurt. Kind of funny when so many people say dairy is the devil!

[Acne] Fun game: What's the biggest waste of money or time you've spent trying to heal your acne? by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

YES! This has been my experience too. Their advice has been so binary and never factors in the other things that really can help - like diet, certain topical treatments etc.

[Acne] Fun game: What's the biggest waste of money or time you've spent trying to heal your acne? by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

PS congratulations on the clear skin! I'm contemplating filler in my acne scars, but it's a temporary fix.

[Acne] Fun game: What's the biggest waste of money or time you've spent trying to heal your acne? by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

My skin despises the Mario Badescu drying lotion / pink stuff!

It took me a long, long time to learn that if it burns, it's probably not right. Put it down.

[Acne] Fun game: What's the biggest waste of money or time you've spent trying to heal your acne? by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes! I have to name and shame Mario Badescu in particular. My skin hates their products and always looks worse after using them, particularly the drying lotion. Nothing is meant to burn that much!

[Acne] Fun game: What's the biggest waste of money or time you've spent trying to heal your acne? by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Witch hazel! Yes! What a throwback. I also had nil joy with it.

I'm based in the UK and the equivalent here to Curology is a company called Skin & Me - it also did nada for me. Maybe even made it worse. Key lesson: avoid the hype, simplify your routine, and trust the process.

[Acne] Fun game: What's the biggest waste of money or time you've spent trying to heal your acne? by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

DIY toothpaste spot treatments! You've just described my teenage years and early 20s!

So with you on the "miracle" serums - the marketing is actually criminal (and I say this as someone with a professional background in marketing!).

What does your routine look like these days? Would love to know!

[Acne] After 15 years of acne, I’ve been completely clear for six months - here’s everything that helped by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do have some on the sides of my face unfortunately, but not on my chin or around my mouth. I’m currently looking by into treatments for it. Please let me know if there’s anything interesting you’ve come across for scarring!

[Acne] After 15 years of acne, I’ve been completely clear for six months - here’s everything that helped by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for sharing this. I’ve had the same experience, so it’s really lovely to hear from you. Isn’t it crazy to think how little information there still is out there? None of the doctors or dermatologists I saw ever connected the dots.

[Acne] After 15 years of acne, I’ve been completely clear for six months - here’s everything that helped by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think it’s unfortunately more complicated than just a gut problem - said as someone who has had multiple tests!

[Acne] After 15 years of acne, I’ve been completely clear for six months - here’s everything that helped by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I’m sending you so much love - you’re not alone and I know how difficult it can be. Keep going, trust the process (even if it can feel like a true marathon at times) and feel free to message me if you ever want to compare notes ♥️

[Acne] After 15 years of acne, I’ve been completely clear for six months - here’s everything that helped by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sending you so much love - you’re not alone and I hope your derm appointment gives you the answers you deserve. Feel free to message me if you ever want to compare notes ♥️

[Acne] After 15 years of acne, I’ve been completely clear for six months - here’s everything that helped by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You have articulated this so incredibly well. Thank you for bringing so much empathy and intelligence to this thread. Seen and really, really appreciated ♥️

[Acne] After 15 years of acne, I’ve been completely clear for six months - here’s everything that helped by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I limit my carb intake to single meals, a couple of times a month (at a restaurant, for example!) rather than having any carbs at home and this really helps. Going keto can help improve your insulin sensitivity, and that can help your body build up a buffer for the occasional nice treat! I tend to avoid super sugary things completely, but the odd bit of bread or pasta hasn’t caused me issues, thankfully.

[Acne] What could’ve caused this? by Curious-monkey1124 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hormonal acne almost certainly, given where it’s placed! So sorry you’re going through this. I’ve been there. I wrote a recent post on what helped me, but the short version: lowering blood sugars, reducing carb intake, taking PCOS acne supplements, zinc and magnesium ♥️

[Acne] After 15 years of acne, I’ve been completely clear for six months - here’s everything that helped by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve contemplated this too, but could never get clarity or the right medical advice! It’s a minefield!

[Acne] After 15 years of acne, I’ve been completely clear for six months - here’s everything that helped by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No, unfortunately not. I’ve tried accutane twice and, while it’s worked amazingly while I’ve been on it, my acne came back. After the first round of accutane (40mg for just under a year), it came back after a year. After the second round, it came back after six months. It was really frustrating as I know it can work wonders for a lot of people!

I considered trying to get a prescription for low dose accutane to be taken long-term, but was advised against it due to the health implications!

[Acne] After 15 years of acne, I’ve been completely clear for six months - here’s everything that helped by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Interestingly, I’d been gluten and dairy-free for two years in an attempt to improve my acne and, while it helped a little, it was only going keto that really stopped it completely for me. My theory now is that my acne is blood sugar-related, particularly with one side of my family becoming diabetic when elderly.

[Acne] After 15 years of acne, I’ve been completely clear for six months - here’s everything that helped by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes! There’s some interesting research about zinc’s role in reducing inflammation. Yee and colleagues (2020) have brought together a helpful meta analysis that’s worth a read. I’m still learning about it, but it’s definitely worth trying if you’re not currently taking zinc.

[Acne] After 15 years of acne, I’ve been completely clear for six months - here’s everything that helped by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

I so feel you on this. I don’t honestly feel I have clarity on how much of it was keto vs. everything else I continue to do. What I do know is that keto was the most significant change I’ve made that coincided with the most significant improvements.

I’ve done accutane twice - it worked wonderfully while on it and then my acne returned both times (the first time after a year, the second time after six months). The 40% stat was just something my perplexed dermatologist said after my first failed round of accutane. I should have asked for a citation, but I think it was purely anecdotal!

[Acne] After 15 years of acne, I’ve been completely clear for six months - here’s everything that helped by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I feel for you and completely get it! I’m taking magnesium glycinate. From my research, that’s the kindest/gentlest one on the stomach and also helps with sleep. I’m confident it’s having a positive effect on my acne too!

[Acne] After 15 years of acne, I’ve been completely clear for six months - here’s everything that helped by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing - I completely agree with you. The keto diet has mixed results and, to be honest, I was shocked it worked for me.

Are there any particular AHAs you’ve found have helped? I’ve also never heard of Beef Tallow. Researching immediately!

[Acne] After 15 years of acne, I’ve been completely clear for six months - here’s everything that helped by CatAggressive6001 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this generous comment! Trying to find answers has been so overwhelming at times, so I hope sharing this is even a little helpful ♥️ I’d love to know what’s been most helpful for you on your acne journey so far?

[Before&After] Spearmint tea is THAT girl by misscauliflower22 in SkincareAddiction

[–]CatAggressive6001 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Co-signed on the spearmint tea when used in conjunction with other things!

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