It’s been a while since my face saw the light of day without being obscured by whiteheads and the occasional cyst. It’s one thing living with polycystic ovaries (PCOS), and another dealing with the hormonal acne related to it.
We work around our acne in many ways, hoping we could end our pimply histories and recover our lost self-esteem. And while I probably don’t have the solution you’re looking for—spoiler alert: a board-certified dermatologist may have it—I’d like to share how I’m living with mine.
Be wary. Don’t. Ever. Self-medicate. Dr. Google did not go to medical school, so we shouldn’t believe everything we find online.
I’ve realized that I was blinded by the promises of numerous natural remedies that claim to do this and that. So far, the only thing they did is remind me that lemon doesn’t only sting—it burns. Honey leaves a sticky mess, and a mashed papaya mask slides like vomit off my face.
I’ve also learned the hard way that not all hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic skincare and makeup are my friends. They pretend to be, the way “Mean Girl” Regina George entices Cady Heron to sit with her when everyone’s looking.
The thing is, as with everything, products work differently on different people. And if we don’t know what our skin is and what it needs first, we will never know how to deal with the problems plaguing it. It’s always best to consult a doctor who can tailor a solution, permanent or otherwise, to our skin problems.
Coping mechanism
Once my dermatologist told me what I could and could not use—no sulfates and oily makeup—I became more confident swimming in the beauty pool when I know I should be there.
So far, mineral makeup has helped my very oily, acne-prone skin look normal by neutralizing or minimizing the appearance of my blemishes.
I’m envious of dry-skinned folk who can use BB creams and liquid foundations without looking like a well-oiled pan.
But I’m happy discovering lightweight powders such as the Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation and the Ellana Intensive Blend Mineral Foundation.
The base I use, however, matters little if I don’t know how to conceal the scars, acne and redness properly.
I currently swear by Lisa Eldridge’s technique of concealment: a makeup trick grounded on a well-meaning belief that a blemished face can breathe and shine (sans grease).
The trick is to feather out concealer—mine is The Saem Cover Tip Concealer—and blend, blend, blend.
On days when my acne doesn’t respond to my medications, I slap on a wash-off mask like the Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask to dry them up.
I soothe my skin with the Benton Snail Bee High Content Essence and follow it up with either a honey-based or green tea-based sheet mask.
But the real way to cope with hormonal acne is to not let it dictate our lives. Let’s enjoy the things we love doing, work hard and surround ourselves with people who appreciate us beyond the blemishes.
Feeling good is the real fight, looking good is just half of it.—CONTRIBUTED