A memory popped up on my phone the other day. A very sad looking girl with red lumps all over her skin. That was only one year ago and the change I’ve seen in my skin since is incredible.

I’ve been through struggles with my skin for a few years now. As a teenager I didn’t have problematic skin but developed adult acne in my 20’s. I used to cry looking at the lumps under my skin on my forehead not knowing why I had them. It was so frustrating not being able to fix it. I like to fix things!

For a long time I struggled with not knowing what to do with my skin. I spent so much money on skincare products that didn’t work and medication from my GP but very little actually worked for me. I can finally say I have it somewhat under control, not without the odd breakout and very sensitive reactive skin. I’m going to take you through what works for me and what I’ve learned along the way.

Products

It’s taken me a long time to find products that suit my skin. A lot of the time it is about trial and error. What suits my skin won’t suit everyone else’s skin. There are a few products that I would recommend for people with sensitive acne prone skin.

Cerave Hydrating cleanser

This is perfect for those with dry or irritated skin as it’s non foaming and very gentle. It effectively removes dirt and oil and keeps acne at bay. It’s non-comedogenic and fragrance free which is perfect for reactive skin.

Mario Badescue enzyme cleansing gel

This was a product I heard about through a friend of a friend who had struggled with acne. Again this is a non-foaming cleansing gel, perfect for sensitive skin. I saw a huge difference in my skin after using this cleanser. It definitely helped with redness and blemishes. Mario Badescue is a great brand as it’s vegan and cruelty free, something I’m trying to commit to in my beauty regime.

Kiehls Ultra Facial Cream

This is the dreamiest moisturiser I’ve used and leaves my skin feeling so healthy. It’s a bit pricey but at least it’s not hundreds like some other luxury brands. It feels ultra luxurious and is super lightweight and gentle on the skin. I would recommend getting the non SPF version as the texture and smell is completely different. Get your SPF from a different product!

LA Roche Posay Lipikar Balm AP+M

This is my saviour when my skin flares up due to an allergic reaction or a really dry spell. This provides triple action efficacy – immediate soothing anti-scratching, anti-dry skin flare-ups. It’s perfect for even eczema and provides super hydration. I put this all over my face and neck before bed and sleep with a thick layer on when my skin is particularly dry or irritated.

Kiehls Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution

I needed something for the aftermath of all the breakouts. I was left with a lot of marks and redness after all the breakouts and this serum is great for brightening the skin and healing damaged skin. It’s a targeted dark spot corrects and evens out uneven skin tone. Sometimes it’s hard to know what the next steps are after bad skin but this is a good start. There’s also a toner with the same name and similar effects which is a great start.

These are the products I’m using currently but I’m looking to change up my skin care routine again. I want to switch solely to products that are vegan and cruelty free, of which there are many. It’s also a good idea to switch up your products every now and again as your skin often needs a change to see better results.

Food

My diet definitely affects my skin. If I don’t drink enough water I find my skin looks quite dull and tired. I think eating well will positively affect your skin. Eating whole food that isn’t overly processed is always better and can keep your skin looking healthier.

One thing that really triggers my skin is dairy! I was pulling my hair out trying to figure out what was causing the sore lumps under my skin. Products just weren’t working so I knew it was something else I was doing. I spoke to a dermatologist and she recommended I remove dairy from my diet. I wasn’t too happy because I’m a cheese lover but I wanted to give it a go and see what happened. I was told it would take around 6 weeks to see a difference so I waited and waited, dairy-free. I miraculously saw a difference! After trying so many things, it was definitely the dairy that was the most triggering thing for my skin. The lumps under my forehead had completely gone, which was my main concern. I was so delighted but sad I couldn’t enjoy a cheese toastie anymore. Although I do eat the odd bit of dairy but definitely not as much as before as I know my skin will break out.

Hormones

I’m sure we can all relate to skin breaking out once a month. The week before my period usually I break out around my chin. I can’t really do anything to help this bar my usual skincare routine but it always passes thankfully. Contraceptives can help with hormonal acne so it’s worth a try if you’re really struggling, but like everything with skin it is trial and error.

Sensitive Skin

Red, scratchy, scaly skin is something I have to deal with every now and again. I’ve sort of self-diagnosed this as a form of dermatitis. I’ve narrowed down the causes to certain fragrances, animals (which I’m allergic to) and even jewellery. I still haven’t figured out what works best when my skin flares up like this. Sometimes I need something prescribed like a steroid cream for more major flare ups and other times I just need a good moisturiser usually from La Roche Posay. I try to use non-fragranced skin care products as that can make my skin react. It’s annoying when my skin freaks out but I just have to be patient and find what will work best for my skin.

The pic above was taken yesterday. My skin still ain’t perfect, as you can see I have a horrible spot on my lip but overall it’s come on leaps and bounds from just a year ago. My skin is still a constant struggle, from hormonal breakouts, cheesy pizza induced breakouts, and allergy flare ups. It’s a work in progress and skin is ever-changing. I know my skin is going to change as I get older and I want t keep adjusting my skin care routine to reflect this. It’s important to have patience, try new things and seek expert advice when needed.