If you’ve ever struggled with acne, then you’re not alone! I had really bad acne back in high school and Acutane really helped to clear it up at the time. I’ve been (mostly) fine for about 12 years but recently had a bad breakout that just wouldn’t go away! I had switched birth control last year and started breaking out pretty bad in January. After about 3 months of new habits and monthly facials, (from February-April) it finally started to clear up! I’m so glad I was able to finally get the results I was looking for because obviously acne is no fun and can really take a toll on your self confidence. I would always hide behind my hair and hated pulling my hair back for workouts because my acne was much more exposed. If you’re curious how I cleared up my acne in just three months, then here are my tips and things I still do to keep my skin clear.

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Facials

One of the biggest things that helped clear up my acne was getting facials monthly. I go to OA Facial Plastics and I see Kyle! It’s in Carmel on the 4th floor of IU North. You can mention my name for 20% off your first service! This is in no way sponsored at all!!! Kyle has been doing this for over 28 years and she was one of the very first medical estheticians in Indy, so she’s truly seen it all! The facial I get is called a MicroPeel and it consists of cleansing, dermaplaning, extractions, a mild chemical peel, masque, and is finished off with some products. It is a lot to spend on skin, but I’ve noticed a huge difference and this is one of the biggest contributors! She also has recommended some medical grade skincare that has really transformed my skin. I think seeing a medical esthetician who can really assess your skin is so important… remember to trust the process and stick with them for a few months so you can really see results. It’s not a quick fix, but it’s totally worth it.

Clean Pillowcases

I started swapping out my pillowcase every other night. I'd use one side of the pillowcase, flip it over the next night, then swap it out for a fresh one the following night. I know it sounds like a lot but it really helped! I use a lot of product in my hair and I don't wash it everyday, so I wanted to make sure those oils weren't getting on my face. This is the pillowcase I use! It's 100% silk which can help reduce friction, which aids in reducing stretching and tugging on delicate facial skin. Also, silk is significantly less absorbent than many other fibers, so it protects your skin's moisture. (info from product details)

Pony Tails

I also started sleeping with my hair in a pony tail (I use this scrunchy because it doesn’t leave a crease).

Disposable Towels

I started drying my face with these disposable towels so I wasn't using the same towels to dry my face that I use to dry my hands. They're biodegradable and I feel much better drying my face with a clean towel every time! Normal bath towels can hold a lot of bacteria and they can be really rough on your skin. Once you start using these, you’ll never want to go back!! I even pack them with me when I travel so I don’t have to use hotel towels on my face.

At-Home Peels

In between facials, I use these IncrediPeel Pads which have spa-quality glycolic acid and help reduce dead skin cell build up. I use these a couple times a week. ** UPDATE: Now, I use these pads in between my facials. Both work great!