If you’ve been following along here for a while, then you know that I have had some serious skin issues in the past. About two years ago, my acne got worse than it has ever been after going off the pill and I tried everything! I went the natural route trying to fix my skin through diet and supplements. I ate gluten free, then dairy free, then vegan, then paleo, and even tried a full elimination diet but none of it worked. I was also taking lots of natural supplements including cod liver oil pills, which smell so disgusting. I was getting to the point of desperation.
I also tried lots of facials with an aesthetician. I got glycolic peels and facials every 2-4 weeks, which let me tell you, get expensive fast! I can’t even imagine how much money I spent on all these different experiments hoping that something would finally work. After months of this back and forth, I finally gave in and scheduled an appointment with a well-known dermatologist nearby in Philly. Let’s just say, after a few tears shed in the doctor’s office, I left with a prescription for antibiotics. This is a common treatment for people severe acne, but I wasn’t too happy about taking antibiotics for an unknown amount of time. Regardless, I was desperate so this is what I was going to have to try. I resolved to eat lots of yogurt, drink tons of kombucha, and take probiotic pills in an attempt to lessen the negative impacts of the antibiotics.
My Experience with Treating Acne
Once my skin was under control after about three months on the antibiotic, I was able to add in another medicine called Spironolactone, which is actually a blood pressure medicine that is used to treat acne in women. I have been able to ween off the antibiotics over the past year and now I am just on the Spironolactone. I know that this is just treating the symptoms and not addressing the cause and I hope that one day soon I can try Alisa Vitti’s Flo Program. For now, though, I’m sticking with the medicine and waiting for my next check-up with the doctor.
It’s amazing how much something like having bad skin can completely crush your self-esteem. It’s been a journey, for sure, but I’m glad I found a solution- at least for the time being. During this journey, I’ve learned a lot about the toxic chemicals found in many makeup and beauty products. Skin is your largest organ and if you are concerned about what goes into your body then you should care about what goes on it as well! As a result of all my research, I have been transitioning my skincare products to more natural options. I’ve found some great ones that I love after a little trial and error. Since I love seeing what others use in their skincare routine, I thought I would share some of my favorite products as of late.
My Natural Skincare Routine
Malin & Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser: To be honest, I haven’t tried this yet but I am keeping it in my travel bag since it’s the perfect size. I recently finished my Cetaphil, which has so many parabens in it, so I am glad to be moving onto a more natural cleanser like this one.
FOREO LUNA 2 Cleansing Sensitive Skin Brush & Anti-Aging Device: After finishing my face scrub that had micro-beads in it (not good for the environment), I started thinking about buying myself a handheld face brush. I did some research and talked to friends who already had them. Some versions out there are really harsh on sensitive skin and you have to replace the brushes every now and then, so things can get expensive quickly. Then I heard about FOREO and was immediately intrigued! First of all, their products are gorgeous. The website has a test that you can take to determine the best brush for you- sensitive, oily skin, or combination ski. The sensitive brush was recommended to me and there is zero irritation with this brush. I was actually hoping for a more exfoliating effect but will have to use an exfoliator in addition to the brush. Second, their brushes don’t need to be replaced and the bristles have a dual purpose- to smooth and exfoliate and firm your skin. The brush pulsates to clean and smooth your skin and then has a second side that you can use for anti-aging purposes. The vibrations are meant to firm your skin as well. When I received my FOREO, I had a little trouble setting it up for the first use but FOREO’s website has tons of helpful instruction articles so I finally figured it out! I have been using the LUNA nightly for about three weeks and my skin is definitely smoother when I use it. I haven’t seen a reduction in blackheads as I was hoping but I think I’ll also need to continue my consistent use for a little longer to see that effect. Overall, I love the LUNA and will definitely keep using it as regularly as I can!
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Daily Peel: My sister in law let me try a set of these daily peel wipes and I became immediately obsessed. My skin cleared up significantly after just one use! Obviously, I immediately went to buy them online. I accidentally got the regular strength kind but next time I’ll get the Extra Strength so I can get more bang for my buck. Even though these are definitely pricey, they are way cheaper than visits to the aesthetician or dermatologist for peels and facials. Can I get an amen?
Tatcha Silken Pore Perfecting Sunscreen (SPF 35): I went to Sephora a few weeks ago on a hunt to find a natural face moisturizer that also had SPF in it. To me, there is almost no point of a moisturizer without sun protection because then you have to layer sunscreen over it and I already have enough products to deal with. This lotion had a pretty high SPF for a moisturizer and goes on so smooth. I only need to use a little bit each time. This is my daily face lotion and then, of course, if I am at the beach or going to be outside for prolonged periods I will use a higher SPF sunscreen in addition to this.
Shea Terra Organics Tamanu Oil: During my whole natural remedy phase of the skin epic, I started using Tamanu Oil aa a natural treatment for acne, acne scars, and aging. I actually mix this with other oils to use as my nightly moisturizer. It has a pretty strong nutty smell so I only use this as night and try to hug and kiss loved ones before putting it on 🙂 I found this great article for finding the right oils for your skin.
Beautycounter Countertime Vibrant Eye Perfector: Beautycounter is a brand I have loved for years now. They are a Certified B Corporation (I work for the non-profit that administers this certification), which means they meet high levels of social and environmental performance and are an all-around great company. Even though I am only 26, I wanted to find an eye cream that would start preventing wrinkles. I love this product and a little goes a long way which justifies the high price a little more.
So that’s it- my latest skincare routine. I am sure this will change in the future and I haven’t even talked about natural products I use for the rest of my body. Let me know if you like these posts and I’ll keep ’em coming!
I was given a FOREO LUNA Cleansing Brush free of cost. I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make this blog possible.
Emily Swanson says
I have really sensitive skin too. I’m so glad you found something that really worked for you! One of the best things for my face is not to wash it too often, but when I do I will either wash it with water or with a tiny bit of soap. <3 I'm so thankful you were able to wean off of the antibiotics and find something that works. <3
Katie @ 24 Carrot Life says
That’s a great tip that I am definitely going to try for washing my face. And thanks, Emily, it’s still a work in progress honestly but thankfully its nothing near what it was at its worst!
Susan says
Oh, I feel so much sympathy for your skin journey! I had a fair amount of cystic acne growing up and the pill is the only thing that helped. Personally I think nothing’s wrong with incorporating safe medications or non “natural” items because not all chemicals are bad for us. But I recently read an article on goop about regulating hormones for weight loss, and maybe some of the info could lead to interesting research or articles on hormones for acne! http://goop.com/why-youre-not-losing-weight/ Also take a look at The Ordinary skincare, it’s so cheap and it’s really quality stuff!
Katie @ 24 Carrot Life says
Thank you Susan! It’s so kind of you to share those resources and I am totally with you about the medications. I am still on one of them since it has worked really well but I hope to find a holistic doctor soon who can take a look at what else might be causing my acne.