My Acne Journey: From College Stress to Skincare Success

Growing up, I was fortunate to have mostly clear skin. I’d get the occasional cystic pimple, but it was never a major concern. However, everything changed when I went to college. It felt like a perfect storm for my skin. I started playing college soccer, which meant wearing masks during every workout. On top of that, I was dealing with the unexpected loss of my dad, and it took a huge emotional toll on me. Being away from my family for the first time only added to the stress, and all of it started to show on my face.

I had always loved makeup and skincare, but I never really understood what I was putting on my skin. As my breakouts worsened, I desperately started switching up my skincare routine, trying product after product. Nothing seemed to work, and my confidence was at an all-time low.

Desperate for a solution, I eventually turned to Curology. It was a game-changer at first. My skin started clearing up, although I still went through a frustrating purging phase. While Curology helped, I soon decided to go off on my own. I did my own research and incorporated products like hyaluronic acid, retinol, and vitamin C into my routine. Unfortunately, I still wasn’t paying close enough attention to the actual ingredients, so my skin didn’t fully improve.

After graduating, I became determined to get to the root of my skin issues. I started focusing not only on skincare products but also on my diet and lifestyle. I worked with a dermatologist and learned that even products labeled “non-comedogenic” can still contain pore-clogging ingredients. That was a huge revelation. I cut those out, and my skin started to improve.

I even tried an Accure laser treatment, which worked for a while, but now my hormonal acne is flaring up again. To tackle this, I’ve cut out processed foods for most of the week and am working closely with my dermatologist to find a sustainable solution.

This journey has been anything but easy, but I’ve learned so much along the way. I’m excited to dive deeper and share more about the lasers, products, and treatments I’ve tried—what worked and what didn’t. Skincare is a personal journey, and I’m slowly learning what my skin truly needs.

While my skin isn’t perfect, I’m getting closer every day, and I’m excited to keep refining my routine. I can’t wait to share more of my experiences and tips with you.