The real question here is - why does my skin suddenly hate me and how can I get rid of this from my face for good?
Time for a few good old-fashioned facts -
• Around 80% of people aged between 11 and 30 will suffer from acne at some point in their lifetime
• Over 80% of adult acne sufferers are women
• The global anti-acne market is estimated to reach a whopping grand total of $3.02 billion this year
Forget teenagers - I was surprised at the vast amount of acne cases that were affecting grown adults, even people older than myself.
It started in November 2015, when I noticed that my daily skincare routine was no longer working for me. The actual quality and condition of my skin had changed totally - the foundation I had been using for ages (L'Oreal True Match, in case you were wondering) just didn't wanna work with my skin at all anymore - it appeared thick, greasy and shiny on my skin and as the day progressed, it eventually appeared patchy, flaky and orange.
And then, the spots started - just a few at first, and I didn't worry about it too much. But it seems as time progressed, more and more spots started to randomly appear on my face, even in areas where I had never, ever had spots before, such as my cheeks and my upper lip. Eventually, it was a more drastic than "just a few stress spots" - it was full blown acne.
My acne was caused by a hormonal imbalance in my body. When I was 16, I was diagnosed with underactive thyroid disorder, which came as no surprise since my mother and a few of my aunts also suffer from it. Basically, this means that my thyroid gland (located in the neck) doesn't produce enough hormones. It can sometimes make me feel lethargic regardless of how much sleep I get, and can make me feel dizzy at times. I have been taking thyroxine pills every day for the past 3 years in order to control and regulate my thyroid, so thankfully, I do not suffer from the symptoms as much now as I did before I was diagnosed.
Since underactive thyroid disorder has a lot to do with my hormones being all over the place, it's kind of a no-brainer that my sudden outburst of hormonal acne could be closely related to my thyroid issues.
Being a fully qualified beauty therapist, I have had to learn all the ins and outs of the human body, such as the skeletal, lymphatic, endocrine and muscular system, and - more to the point - the skin. But for some reason, all of the new, different skincare products I had tried had only made my skin condition worse, and no amount of heavy makeup could remotely conceal the problem underneath.
Building myself a career in an industry in which one's own personal appearance is critically important, my skin's condition was annoying me even more than it should. Since I'm a young woman who spends a lot of time and effort on her appearance and has never been used to having blemished skin, this breakout of acne was beginning to take its toll on my already-faltering self confidence, and also my mood. Anyone who has ever suffered from bad acne will tell you that it's painful, embarrassing, and just generally makes you feel horrendous.
In a desperate attempt to tackle the acne that was making itself at home on my face, I tried numerous different skincare products, from Garnier to Liz Earle - and they weren't just ineffective for me, they actually irritated my skin and aggravated the acne to a more extreme point. Until I was recommended a different range of products - La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Range.
At first, I was a little reluctant to try these products, as I was worried that they would aggravate my acne even more, just like the other products had done. And totalling at around €50 for a micellar water, a cleanser, a toner and a moisturizer, they weren't exactly coming cheap either. However, a family friend had been singing songs of praise over these products and claiming that they helped her banish her acne. Seeing this as a last resort before seriously considering prescribed medication for my acne, I decided to give them a whirl.
I've been using these products twice daily for the past 8 months, and the difference in my skin is beyond belief.
My current daily skincare routine is as follows -
Step One - Micellar Water - this micellar water is designed for sensitive skin types to remove makeup and it purifies and soothes the skin, respecting the individual skin's physiological pH balance.
Step Two - Purifying Foaming Gel - this is pretty much just a fancy phrase for a cleanser that comes in the form of a face wash. It is designed for oily, sensitive skin and apparently has been tested on acne-prone skin - also, it does not contain alcohol, parabens, perfumes, colourants or soap, meaning the chances of it irritating the skin are extremely low.
Step Three - Clarifying Toner - another La Roche-Posay product which claims to have been tested on acne-prone skin, this toner is to be used as a followup from the cleansing gel. It mattifies the skin and tightens the pores, leaving the texture of the skin with a smooth, matte finish.
Step Four - Anti-Imperfections Moisturizing Cream - alike to it's sibling products, this moisturizer is paraben, perfume, soap, colourant and alcohol free. It is designed to correct the appearance of imperfections and assists in unclogging the pores, and it feels wonderfully light on the skin once applied, also assisting in creating a perfect base on your skin to apply makeup onto.
I have been completing this process twice daily, once in the morning and once again at night before I go to sleep, and although it took a little longer to see visible results than I would have liked, these products are, without a doubt, worth every penny!
However, when I first started using these products, they obviously weren't working their magic overnight - so my self-conciousness about the appearance of my skin was still sky high. I needed a foundation that could completely hide my acne, yet wouldn't feel too heavy on my skin and wouldn't aggravate the acne.
Since L'Oreal True Match just wasn't doing the trick on my skin anymore, I was now faced with the tedious task of finding a new and suitable foundation - within a reasonable price range. I mean, at this point, I was still a student working part-time and my bank account wasn't exactly cheerful.
I had sampled Esteé Lauder DoubleWear Light and was really pleased with the outcome - but was I willing to spend roughly another €40-€50 on just a foundation when there are times I struggle to even buy myself a McFlurry? ABSOLUTELY NOT.
Fear not, fellow readers. Dermablend by Vichy is here.
After consulting a specialist and having my skintone tested, I was given 3 sample-sized sachets of Dermablend foundation to try out. I had explained my current situation with my skin to the nice lady at the Vichy counter and she recommended the Dermablend foundation, since it is oil free and has a matte effect on the skin once it has been applied and set. Dermablend is another product of which I have heard numerous positive comments about, hearing of people using it to conceal bruises, scars, rosacea, acne, and even tattoos. Impressive.
After using the sample sachets I was given, I think it's pretty safe to say that my bottle of L'Oreal True Match was chucked in the bin faster than the speed of light.
From the moment I had finished applying it, I fell head over heels with Dermablend. With a hydrating effect on the skin and an SPF of 35, it has a full and accurate coverage, yet still feels light on the skin, and it doesn't get cakey or dry throughout the day. And not only did it completely hide my acne and leave me with a sleek, even finish - but it also managed to cover the dark circles around my eyes and the scar underneath my chin, killing two birds with one stone!
And even better - a bottle of Dermablend cost me €21.50, as opposed to spending roughly double that price for Esteé Lauder DoubleWear. Boom.
Since I was so thrilled with the outcome of the Dermablend foundation, I was more than willing to try out the Dermablend Setting Powder. Once the foundation has been applied, this powder helps to secure it for a 16 hour hold, and is totally resistant to perspiration, bathing and rubbing. The most indestructible makeup I have ever encountered. (Well - so far, anyway.)
Pictured left - November 2015, when my acne was at it's worst, and pictured right - May 2016, my now acne-free face without makeup
8 months on, after using La Roche Posay's Effaclar range religiously and drinking plenty of water, I can now say that I am 100% acne-free!
Thanks for reading! ☺️💕
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