This Simple Skincare Routine Cleared my Acne by Surprise!

I’m in my early 30’s and didn’t expect to have breakouts this bad. I had relatively clear skin since, even during puberty and teens! That’s why it came to me as a shock when a few years ago, pimple started sprouting on my cheeks, upper lip, and chin. Mind you, these weren’t small pustules of annoyance. They were huge, painful, and cystic. The horror! 

Being the beauty blogger that I am. I tried a lot of acne remedies. From visiting derma clinics, skin peeling sets, rejuvenating sets, OTC creams, Maxipeel, internal supplements, and a whole lot more. They showed some promising short-term results, a few acne patches dry, and peel off.  But they always seem to return with a vengeance. Until.

This Simple Skincare Routine Cleared my Acne by Surprise!

Yep! By surprise. Because after finishing the last drop of a popular rejuvenating kit (which did little to none on my face except made it peel badly), I gave up.

It got so frustrating that I gave up.

I told myself to stop using OTC remedies and whatnots and just let my skin rest and breathe a bit. Then try again after a month. I went back to basics. My tried-and-tested, simple skincare products that I trust. Without expecting anything, but to: cleanse, tone/exfoliate and moisturize/protect my skin.

Skincare Products: 

1. In Her Element Low PH Rose Gel Cleanser
2. Pixi Glow Tonic
3. Apotheke Niacinamide Gel 
4. Daytime: Sunscreen (in photo: Canmake Perfect Serum BB Cream)

It’s the same day/night. The only difference is that I apply sunscreen during the day because I’m obsessed with SPF.

VLOG

Step 1: In Her Element Low PH Rose Gel Cleanser

I cleanse my face using In Her Element’s Low PH Rose Gel Cleanser. It’s light, gentle, cleanses well, and smells amazing. Low pH cleansers prevent your skin from becoming too alkaline, restoring its pH to normal levels. By doing so, this helps to prevent conditions related to an impaired acid mantle, including Acne. Dehydrated skin.

It has a Ph balance of 5.5-6 FYI. 

• Price: 675 php for 100ml
• Where to buy? In Her Element
• Promo code: Use my code THEMACHOMOM and get PHP100 OFF your total purchase

(Proudly Philippine Made!)

Step 2: Pixi Glow Tonic

then tone using Pixi Glow Tonic. It has been one of my holy grail toners since discovering it back in 2015. Its active ingredient is glycolic acid. Glycolic Acid is the holy grail for exfoliation, effectively removing the outermost layer of dead cells from the complexion, revealing brighter, fresher skin.

Products that contain Glycolic Acid are used often to treat scarring, skin discoloration, and signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles.

Pixi Glow Tonic has a pH around 4-5, meaning there is still some active acid that will exfoliate. IT’S WORTH IT. IT’S WORTH IT.  IT’S WORTH IT.

• Price: 1050 PHP for 100ml
• Where to buy? Glamour Box

Step 3: Apotheke Science Niacinamide

I reviewed the entire Apotheke Science Skincare Products last year. Their brand reminds me of The Ordinary. No-fuss, tell-all, and affordable.

I still had an extra full bottle of their Niacinamide 10% with me so I thought to myself, why not include this in my routine again? Its aloe gel base is light and refreshing to use. Once it dries, you barely feel it’s there! 

Niacinamide helps build cells in the skin while also protecting them from environmental stresses, such as sunlight, pollution, and toxins. Treats acne. Niacinamide may be helpful for severe acne, especially inflammatory forms like papules and pustules. Over time, you may see fewer lesions and improved skin texture

• Price: 499 for 60ml
• Where to buy? Shopee

(Proudly Philippine Made!)

Step 4: Sunscreen

My favorites are Nivea and Canmake. You can check my reviews here:

• Canmake Perfect Serum BB Cream Review
• Nivea UV Face BB

Before & After

To see is to believe. I was too busy worrying about the pandemic, earning money, staying alive. That I didn’t have time to check my skin in the mirror anymore. LOL. When I finally have taken a look. It was sheer joy! Lo-behold, after a couple of weeks. I noticed my skin’s texture wasn’t rough anymore, the pimples suddenly disappeared, and it’s mother-fricking-clear again! Hallelujah! 

..and I wasn’t even trying!

I’m sticking to this routine until it no longer works for me. 

References:

• https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/niacinamide
• https://www.skinstore.com/blog/skincare/what-is-glycolic-acid/
• https://dermcollective.com/low-ph-cleansers/