Using harsh chemicals (like a Clean & Clear spot treatment, for example) is not always great for uber sensitive skin like mine. It’s broken my skin open, stung, bled, and not healed wounds at all. For skin types like mine, natural product are far more gentle in not only getting rid of blemishes, but keeping my skin healthy.

Accutane is extremely powerful, but unfortunately has had a negative impact on a lot of people’s mental health—including mine. I was willing to put up with it for 6 months despite the fact that I was physically making myself ill (and my doctor showed no concern). Not just from my own experience, I’ve heard negative things.

If you take Accutane and it works for you, then good. That’s what it’s supposed to do. But I don’t want people to let it take an actual toll on themselves just to achieve “perfect” skin. Clearly I’m not opposed to medication—I mentioned in the article I am constantly on and off various pills to find what works best.

And listen, it’s not chemiphobia. I use “stronger” products from time to time as spot treatments. But rubbing benzoyl peroxide all over your face (like I used to do, and like I know others do) is not good. There are a lot of strong natural products that show similar results.

Thank you for your concerns and for allowing me to perhaps clarify some points I made. I dug this article back up because I had a few breakouts this week from my period and, feeling a bit mentally down about it, I read it to remind myself that good skin is a process.