8 products that help my acne
My journey with severe cystic acne + the best products, treatments and tips I've found over the years
Let’s talk skin + skincare!
I am in my 30s and have combination/acne prone skin. I have to be very diligent with my skincare and the products I use so I can keep this under control.
I love skincare and for the last nearly 10 years have been trialing products (it’s a huge part of my job now but we’ll get to that later). You name it, I’ve likely tried it. For me, so much goes into having healthy skin. It’s a 360 approach. Sleep, stress levels, lifestyle choices, genetics, products, nutrition, exercise - every little detail plays a part. For the last 7 years, my skin has been relatively clear. I finally have a handle on it. But that wasn’t always the case and this isn’t something I’ve ever shared online before.
So here, I’m going to share a bit of my skin story, the products that have genuinely changed my skin and work for my acne/congestion etc. Don’t worry, I will not be recommending you drink water for clear skin - although hey, it can’t hurt!
Skin story
I really knew nothing about skincare before my mid 20s. I struggled through years of severe bouts of acne on my face, back and chest up until that point. I’d basically only use a harsh cleanser in the hopes it would remove all the oil and all the stubborn acne that wouldn’t seem to leave. But that would really be all that I’d do; no serum, moisturiser or SPF in sight (current me shudders at the thought). It was a recipe for total failure and unsurprisingly, it left my skin so aggravated and congested.
Around this time (2015/16), I started to discover skincare-focused Instagram accounts and would hunt down any YouTube videos I could find about skincare and treatments and thus, my skincare education began. I remember watching in awe as the YouTubers would apply products to their crystal clear skin, dreaming of the day my skin would clear up.
I went through a year-long period of buying and trying what felt like a million different products and while some would help a bit (shout out to La Roche-Posay Effaclar range), it was still just a lot of trial and error and my patience and self-confidence was wearing thin. If you’ve had persistent cystic acne, you know the feeling.
I then started to do regular facials and peels at a beauty clinic but when that didn’t show improvement after months, they ended up giving me the name of a fantastic local dermatologist. This is when everything changed.
My dermatologist (if you live in Sydney and need a good derm, let me know and I’ll give you his details, he’s INCREDIBLE - send me a DM) prescribed me Roaccutane. I was reluctant at first. But after a long chat with him, discussing every possible side effect/issue/how it all would work, I felt comfortable to go ahead with it.
To go on any medication is a personal decision. I’d read lots about the pros and cons of going on a drug like Roaccutane. At this time in my life I was working in magazines and interviewing celebrities. I also often had to be on camera for that work. I think it’s a universal feeling that any time you have a breakout, you think everyone is staring at it so that was also playing a role in my confidence being rattled. I found myself socialising less, staying in more. It was also incredibly painful having a face full of severe cystic acne! And 8 years ago the internet didn’t have all the skin loving content it does now. People were less raw and open about skin struggles.
About a year or so after going on Roaccutane, I had the skin I’d dreamt of. Clear and glowing, I was on top of the world. It changed my life. I had very few side effects other than the usual (super dry skin, constant need to drink water, wear lip balm, sensitivity to the sun) - I adored not having to wash my hair as much due to the complete lack of oil I was producing. My dermatologist also wanted me to wait to see how my skin reacted to scarring, which is common after your skin has been through severe bouts of acne. I somehow came out with minimal, barely noticeable scarring and in 2022 I had skin needling to help with this.
During my Roaccutane stint, my dermatologist put me on a strict skincare diet (your skin is so sensitive when you’re on Roaccutane so it can only tolerate simple, hydrating products) where I could only use Bioderma Micellar water, Cetaphil cleanser, QV oil free moisturiser and La Roche Posay anthelios SPF50+. As my skin cleared up, my thirst for skincare knowledge didn’t stop and I couldn’t wait to be able to try new products. I was always researching different brands and products, following any and all skincare Instagram accounts I could find, inhaling YouTube beauty content and so on.
I started to share beauty content on Instagram around this time and found a community of beauty obsessed people like me. Since then, a large part of my career includes sharing my beauty finds and trialing products. I have the privilege of going to events, hearing directly from founders and learning about (and testing) new releases and treatments before they hit the shops/come to market. If you’ve been to my house - you’ll have seen how many cupboards are overflowing with skincare and everyone always leaves with many products (and always a sunscreen!). I consider myself an educated consumer or similar to a beauty editor in the publishing industry. I share what I love, what’s impressed me and the information I gather, just like a best friend or sister would share to their loved ones.
When it comes to skincare and knowing what to use/what will actually work for you, it’s a very personal journey. What works for me, might not work for you but when I love something, I can’t help but share it! For those with acne/congestion prone skin - the journey of working out how to navigate the joys of persistent (painful, frustrating, annoying) breakouts can sometimes feel like a never-ending battle.
Skin acceptance and self-love is part of this journey - shaking off the idea of “good” and “bad” skin and the notion of “perfect” skin but rather seeking out healthy skin as the desired result. Although of course, I’m human and I’m always striving for skin that’s as clear as I can get it. I still get frustrated when my hormonal breakouts flare up.
Product recommendations
I wanted to share 8 products that stand out from the crowd and have truly made a positive impact on my skin, in the years since Roaccutane. Being the product junkie I am, I of course have more products I’ve loved over the years so if you’d like me to share a detailed skin routine or products list - let me know.
The game-changers
IS Clinical Active Peel System
These peel pads are like no other. I first used them about 18 months ago and they made such an immediate difference to my skin. I noticed within a few weeks how they worked to clear up my congestion, brighten my skin and improve the overall clarity, texture and look of my skin. They are a total game changer.
I will say, the first pad in the pair is quite spicy on the skin (like potentially the spiciest thing I’ve ever used) - and it makes my skin flush momentarily. This is due to the menthol but the flush and feeling dissipates quickly. They advise to use this product every second night, but I found 1-2 times a week is more than enough. These peel pads make the Dr Dennis Gross Peel pads seem like child’s play. No shade to Dr Dennis, I do love his work.
A fantastic supermarket/drugstore beauty find, I discovered these during lockdown in 2020. I’d stock up and buy in bulk when they’d go on sale at Coles / Woolies / Chemist Warehouse (they’re roughly $8-9 a pack full price). At the time I was buying the AM+PM pack - which includes a variety of sizes of the tea tree infused hydrocolloid patch (which protect and reduce the appearance of redness and blemishes) but now they have a huge range of offerings, depending on your breakout and the stage it’s at. They’re effective and a more affordable option to their competitors.
The Beauty Chef Clear Skin Inner Beauty Support
The ingestible beauty world is booming but the Beauty Chef is one of the best. I love their original Glow powder, Cleanse powder but their Clear Skin powder is a standout for creating skin miracles. It launched about two years ago and I noticed a huge difference after a week of taking it. I’ve been coming back to it ever since. It’s gut loving - which is the Beauty Chef’s speciality and contains pre, pro and post biotics as well as vitamin A, zinc to support skin structure and repair, as well as helping to clear congestion. It also contains Vitamin C which provides cell protection from free radical damage.
Clear Treatment Lotion - Ultraceuticals
This serum is a standout from Ultraceuticals, a brand I adore. So many of their products are fantastic and deserve lots of love and attention but this one feels like it was made for me. It has a blend of Mandelic Acid and Salicylic Acid as powerful exfoliators to target congestion, clear blemishes and soothing ingredients to help comfort the skin - so it’s never harsh or irritating to my skin. I use this every morning and sometimes at night also.
This serum has some outstanding and unique science behind it and when I first heard about it, I was kind of taken aback. Then I tried it, and my mind was blown further.
In a world-first, this serum has a patented live probiotic, Micrococcus luteus Q24, that was discovered on healthy human skin. It’s a specialised strain that naturally lives on and supports the skin, with robust scientific research demonstrating its ability to help reduce the appearance of blemishes. It’s proven to reduce blemishes and acne without dryness or irritation, reduce blackheads and excess oil, and improve eczema, rosacea and dermatitis, while simultaneously improving your skin’s appearance and condition.
This is the BEST pimple cream you’ll ever use. I can’t live without this stuff. And it’s newly stocked at the supermarket (also available at Priceline) which means I can get it any time, any where and that’s just so special.
From their website: “The tbh acne hack spot treatment uses patented technology to break down what is known as 'biofilm'. Biofilms are basically colonies of bacteria, protected by a very hard to break through layer called EPS. Most products cannot target bacteria that live within these structures. The patented technology in the tbh Skincare acne hack spot treatment does just that whilst moisturising the skin. The formula has been clinically trialled against traditional salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide treatments.”
I’ve tried blemish creams in the past that dry out the skin, leave the skin irritated and red, or simply do nothing to your breakout but there’s not a single downside to the TBH cream. It works on breakouts instantly and never upsets my skin. I tend to use it morning and night. I think there’s magic in it.
Ultraceuticals Ultra Clear Purifying Mask
I’ve tried so many clay masks in my time but this is easily one of the best. I love it because it’s non-drying clay - so it doesn’t fully dry down on your skin and make it feel like your face might crack open (know the feeling?). It has Kaolin to help absorb excess sebum, salicylic and mandelic acid to decongest and purify pores and it’s also soothing. I use it 1-2 times a week, pending what my skin needs.
I’m a huge fan of many Alpha-H products but this Clear Skin Tonic is a real stand out for acne prone skin. It’s BHA liquid exfoliant that features antibacterial, supportive ingredients to clarify skin prone to oil and breakouts and in my experience, it’s gentle enough to use daily. I use this after cleansing and before a more hydrating essence. It works to decongests the pores, soothes redness and balance the skin’s microbiome.
Other tips
Aside from these 8 products - consistency is key. As I said earlier, I am a diligent bitch with this stuff. I think there’s been literally one night in the last 9 years that I’ve accidentally slept in my makeup. I am so congestion prone so this would send my skin into the biggest spiral.
A few other bits of advice - WEAR SPF50+ (makeup with SPF does not count) and reapply throughout the day - here’s some of my favourites.
Retinol is a perfect product and does a million wonderful, proven things for your skin.
For me, gut health, stress and poor sleep are directly correlated to my skin being happy. When I’m stressed, my skin shows it immediately with breakouts. It’s hard to avoid stress sometimes but I always know that heightened feeling passes and my skin will heal. For gut health, I focus on certain foods to help as well as supplements/probiotics - like the Beauty Chef.
Another thing - while I need the above products to help me maintain a clear complexion, I also always focus on keeping my skin hydrated and my barrier in tact. When you take something away from your skin, you must always add back into it. Ie - if you’re using an exfoliating product, you need to add something hydrating after and I am very prone to dehydration. So I always use a hydrating serum and lock in my routine with a moisturiser. I tend to prefer gel consistencies.
Another very privileged thing I’ve been able to do is have regular treatments with skincare professionals who target my concerns and deliver results. I go to Fenn in Paddington and trust them with my life! They tailor my treatments to my needs (extractions/LED/Peels etc). I get either the Fenn Classic of Foundation treatment. So relaxing also. I also love Rationale and Jocelyn Petroni.
Hope this was helpful!
More Smooth Brain thoughts soon,
Ali xx
Thanks for sharing your story Ali 🫶🏼
Thanks so much Ali. So well written, so informative. I'm certain that this will be a great help to many.
With love from Crojoh.