BLOG 319: AN INSIGHT INTO MY ACNE JOURNEY AND WHAT I HAVE LEARNT FROM IT

I’m 43 now, and I’m incredibly grateful to have mostly clear, smooth skin. But it hasn’t always been that way. In fact, my acne journey has been long, emotional, and at times overwhelming. I recently shared my story on The Face Yoga Expert Podcast and on my YouTube channel, but I also wanted to put it into words here, in case you prefer to read and reflect.

My hope is that this blog post offers you inspiration, tips, and a reminder that you’re not alone—especially if you’re navigating an acne journey of your own.

It all began with hormones

My skin issues began in early adolescence. I started getting acne around the age of 12, but everything intensified when I got my first period the week before I turned 14. With my menstrual cycle came a full-blown flare-up of cystic acne not just a few spots before my period, but persistent, painful breakouts all month long.

I had acne all over my face, but what was hardest to deal with was the acne on my shoulders and back. My back, in particular, was the worst affected.

How it made me feel

As a teenager growing up in the 1990s—with no internet, no social media, and limited access to information—I felt deeply alone. None of my friends had spots, and I was desperate to fit in. I believed that beauty meant having clear skin, and I didn’t meet those standards. I felt embarrassed, shy, and lacking in confidence—not just in my appearance but in who I was as a person.

It was incredibly isolating. And because we didn’t have the knowledge or resources back then, my only option was to visit the family GP.

Conventional treatments that didn’t work

The GP prescribed several rounds of antibiotics. While antibiotics can be life-saving in certain circumstances, they didn’t offer a long-term skin solution for me. They cleared my skin briefly, but the acne would return as soon as the course ended. They also brought on a wave of gut issues that affected my overall health.

Next came topical treatments—many of which were so harsh they bleached my blue bed sheets white. If a skin cream can do that to fabric, imagine what it was doing to my skin! These products stripped away all my natural oils but did little to address the root cause of my acne.

I also used numerous harsh oil-stripping skincare products, often packed with witch hazel or tea tree oil. While these ingredients can be helpful in the right formulation, the products I used were far too aggressive for my young skin and only increased my skin’s sensitivity.

Sun exposure offered short-term relief, with my skin clearing for about a week. But I quickly learned that the sun was no long-term solution, it would trigger more breakouts a few weeks later and risked long-term sun damage and premature aging.

The birth control pill and a false sense of security

At age 18, I started taking the contraceptive pill. Within a week, my skin was clear. It felt like a miracle. My confidence soared—I felt beautiful and happy. The oestrogen even caused my breasts to grow a bit, which gave me an extra boost of self-esteem as I headed off to university!

But the honeymoon period didn’t last. Quite soon, I began to notice side effects: hormonal imbalances, recurring thrush, and mood swings. While the pill can be incredibly empowering and helpful for many, it simply didn’t suit my body long-term and it definitely was a rollercoaster 3 years.

A turning point: healing from the inside out

After university, age 21, I became seriously unwell and bedridden with a chronic autoimmune illness called ME which followed a bout of glandular fever. One of the first things I did as part of my healing journey was to come off the contraceptive pill. This decision was a major turning point not just for my health, but also for my skin.

I began to focus on holistic healing, using natural methods to support my body. This wasn’t about my skin, as my priority was healing the illness that had stopped my life for a year, but as I began healing from the inside out, my skin also began to improve.

In my 20s and 30s, I generally had much healthier skin, largely because I was living a healthier lifestyle and had healed my body from the chronic illness but also a range of other health issues. But I still noticed some issues like sensitivity, dryness, dehydration, and the occasional large cystic spot, especially around my menstrual cycle.

What my skin needs at 43

Now, at 43, I rarely get spots, but my skin still leans on the sensitive side. It’s prone to dryness, dehydration, and break outs if I use products that aren’t non-comedogenic.

That’s why I created and use the Fusion by Danielle Collins Pro Moisturising Serum. It doesn’t clog pores, isn’t greasy, and is made from natural and organic ingredients. It’s perfect for Face Yoga, as it hydrates deeply without irritating my skin.

Lifestyle factors that support my skin

Over the past two decades, I’ve also become more aware of how stress impacts my skin. Anything I can do to reduce cortisol helps to balance my hormones—and that balance is essential for clearer skin.

Here are some of the daily choices that make a big difference for me:

• I don’t consume gluten, caffeine, or alcohol. This isn’t a prescription for everyone, but it’s what works for my body.

• I limit dairy. A little each day is fine, but too much can trigger breakouts.

• I drink plenty of water to stay hydrated from the inside out.

• I make sleep a priority.

• I follow a gentle but consistent skincare routine, washing my face morning and evening with non-irritating products.

My message to you

The biggest message I want to share in this blog post is this: your skin does not define you.

You are enough exactly as you are. If you’re struggling with acne, at any age, please know that there is help out there. Don’t be afraid to ask for support. There are so many professionals, communities, and resources available now that weren’t around when I was younger.

And most importantly: you are beautiful and wonderful, just as you are.