Great Skin is Your Best Accessory
There's no doubt in my mind that when it comes to looking great for summer, the S word is in the forefront of my mind. Skin: protecting it, treating it, making it glowy, making it dewy, making it convincingly faux tan, making it clear.
In my mind, none of it matters (not the tan, not the dewy glow) if it isn't clear and radiant. As a longtime sufferer of acne, I thought I would share with you my experiences with acne, and some treatment methods that may work for you.
As a teenager, I suffered from major acne - initially I thought it was because I simply never was told that I had to wash my face twice a day. Once I figured that out, it improved, but not by much. I began trying different over-the-counter methods like acne clearing face washes. It seemed like the only thing that helped at the time was benzoyl peroxide products.
Not one but two rounds of isotretinoin (that's Accutane in the States) later, my hormonal acne was still rearing its ugly head.
I'm nearly 30, and I still suffer from hormonal and stress-related breakouts. A number of products help me, but it really boils down to having a good regimen and sticking with a product even when your face has cleared up on that product.
Here's my acne-fighting regimen:
- In the morning, I cleanse with a face wash that contains salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, generally something gentle and without beads. I think beads are just irregularly damaging to the skin--exfoliation is better left to chemical exfoliators such as lactic acid or alpha hydroxy acids.
- In the evening, I cleanse my skin using a hot cloth cleanser--applying it as instructed, dry to the face, massaging and rubbing into the skin. Then I wash it off with warm water using my Clarisonic Plus brush for extra exfoliation.
- Then I apply a prescription acne product--Epiduo® Gel is a great option which is available from your doctor as a prescription and it just so happens to be the #1 branded topical acne product1--and then I go to bed, because there are somethings that cleansing can't touch when it comes to acne, and that's hydration, and sleep!
For more information about Epiduo Gel, click here. If you’re interested in saving on your Epiduo Gel prescription, click here to receive a rebate. (I'm all about saving money on prescriptions!)
*Disclaimer - I am a sponsored partner for Epiduo + ABC Family's Pump My Style sweepstakes. My opinions are my own and I am a true sufferer of acne and user of prescription acne topical products. I am endorsing Epiduo as a consumer and not as a physician, therefore nothing I say should be taken as medical advice.
Important Safety Information
Indication: EPIDUO® Gel is indicated for the topical treatment of acne vulgaris in patients 12 years of age and older. Adverse Events: In controlled clinical studies, the most commonly reported adverse events (≥1%) in patients treated with EPIDUO® Gel were dry skin, contact dermatitis, application site burning, application site irritation and skin irritation. Warnings/Precautions: Patients taking EPIDUO® Gel should avoid exposure to sunlight and sunlamps and wear sunscreen when sun exposure cannot be avoided. Erythema, scaling, dryness, stinging/ burning, irritant and allergic contact dermatitis may occur with use of EPIDUO® Gel and may necessitate discontinuation. Please click here for full prescribing information.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1‐800‐FDA‐1088.
References:
1. Data on file