My Acne Journey
Sometimes I think there is this misconception that anyone in the skincare or dermatology industry has never struggled with breakouts. This is absolutely not true! What you may not know is that my passion for skincare started through my own acne journey.
I want to share my story today because I know how defeating acne can feel. When your skin is flaring, it’s hard not to let it impact your confidence, your mood, your life. I’ve been there. And if I can help even one person fast-track their own healing by sharing what worked for me, that feels like a full-circle moment I am honored to have.
So let’s rewind the clock…
The year was 2015. I was just starting my career as a Critical Care PA, and the stress was, to no exaggeration, debilitating. My schedule looked like seven 12-hour night shifts in a row, running on adrenaline, vending machine snacks, and very little rest.
My skin, which had always been clear-ish up to this point, started to break out with painful, cystic pimples on my cheeks, jawline, neck, and even extending behind my ears. I was emotionally and physically drained—and my skin was quite literally, paying the price.
To make it worse, there weren’t many resources back then. Skincare on social media was just starting to take off, but it wasn’t even close to where it is now. There were a lot of everyday people sharing their experiences (which was amazing and I loved/appreciated), but not a ton of dermatology professionals with a platform yet. Fortunately, between those grassroots conversations and my foundational Dermatology knowledge from PA school, I was able to piece together a routine that changed everything.
Cut to ten years later—now it’s my job to help others achieve their healthiest skin. And I am not even kidding you when I say you’ll still find me using these products to this day.
Ok so I know your next question, what was this routine that cleared your skin?
Here are the exact steps that helped clear my acne during that difficult time—and what I continue to recommend often:
1. Double Cleansing:
Are you even surprised? I When I talk to a patient whose routine looks great, but they are still struggling with mild breakouts, they are very likely not cleansing well enough. If you're not properly removing the makeup, sunscreen, and debris of the day, the rest of your routine won’t perform the way it should. One of the best ways to make sure you’re doing a thorough cleanse is via a double cleanse!
For me personally, double cleansing laid the foundation for everything else. It helped decongest my pores and ensured that the treatment products that followed could actually do their job.
These are two products I love for double cleansing:
Double Cleanse Option 1 (I do a whole blog on your first cleanse options, but here is a quick summary)
Micellar Water: Made of tiny cleansing molecules (micelles) suspended in water that attract dirt, oil, and makeup without drying the skin. It doesn’t need to be rinsed off if you’re in a pinch (though I recommend following with a second cleanser when possible).
Cleansing Balm: Balms are solid-to-oil formulas that melt down beautifully and emulsify with water to wash away makeup, SPF, and debris. No
Cleansing Oil: Oil attracts oil, which means cleansing oils are going to break down waterproof sunscreen, longwear makeup, and excess sebum. I am currently obsessed with this one!
Double Cleanse Option 2 (you can also see my recap on the best cleanser for every skin type)
Oily/Acne Prone/ Resistant Skin - DDG Alpha Beta AHA/BHA Daily Cleansing Gel
Dry/Sensitive - Gentle Skin Cleanser Face Wash
Normal Skin Types - Barrier+ Ceramide + Ectoin Hydrating Gentle Gel Cleanser
I also did a full step-by-step tutorial on double cleansing if you need a little extra support!
2. The Heavy Lifter — The Product That Transformed My Skin
I need to emphasize that I truly believe it was this entire routine that made changes to my skin, but if there is one single product I credit for turning my skin around, it’s peel pads.
They didn’t just stop my breakouts—they also helped improve my skin texture, even out my skin tone, and healed the dark post-acne marks that were truly the bane of my existence. To this day, whenever I start using them again in my routine, I swear I fall in love all over again!
3. The Finisher — Daily SPF
This was also about the time I learned the importance of a real daily sunscreen routine. Before this I was like most, I applied sunscreen at the beach or before an especially sunny day outside but it was not part of my daily routine. Anyone with post acne marks knows that those pesky spots look worse and stick around longer after sun exposure. Learning this was pivotal. Implementing a daily tinted sunscreen routine was the final step that truly cleared my skin. And it’s now one of my non-negotiables. Every single day. No exceptions.
I should preface…
This wasn’t my entire skincare routine. There were other steps I included (like a daily moisturizer). I just found that the 3 steps previously mentioned were the most pivotal in my skin clearing up!
I know how overwhelming it can feel when you’re in the middle of an acne breakout. I remember staring at my skin, wondering if it would ever heal. But I promise you—consistent, intentional skincare works. And if you’re just getting started with skincare, be sure to grab my free Skincare Basics Guide!
**Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and may contain products gifted in PR. This means that I may earn a small commission when you purchase via these links at no additional cost to you (thank you! It helps me keep things up and running)… As always I ONLY recommend products, goods and services that I stand behind and personally love and use
