[B&A] hormonal/cystic acne, after using The Ordinary products!

Beauty Tips For Body Care
Apologies if I mess up this formatting, it’s my first post here!Backstory: I’ve been on ortho-tri-cyclen, spiro (100mg), and minocycline (100mg, 2x daily) for about three months. My hormonal acne flared up big time right around the beginning of September, and was absolutely dreadful since. I’ve had very average, acne prone skin, my whole life, but nothing like this. Genetically I’m assuming I take after my father in the skin department, as he did a course of Accutane around my same age. Basically, my shit was FUCKED up. I had very deep acne from my cheekbones down past my jawline, as well as PIE.So since October, until about two weeks ago, while on the above medication, my routine was as follows:AM: Garnier Micelllar Water Cerave AM Moisturizer, spf 30PM: Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Oil Facewash Clincamycin 1% topical Adapalene .1% Cerave PM Moisturizer, occasionally followed by aquaphor when I was super dryI had been on this routine for around three months, since my skin flared up. It showed an improvement in cheek breakouts, but I still had horrible texture, and a lot of jaw breakouts, even going down onto my neck.Cue my birthday package from the Ordinary.I added several things in quick succession.(Disclaimer: I opted to ignore this sub’s patch test suggestions only because I do not have generally reactive skin, at least as far as products are concerned. I totally advocate for everyone to patch test though, if there’s any question if you’ll react to a product or not.)I ordered the Glycolic acid toner, Lactic acid 10% + HA 2%, and the AHA 30%, BHA 2%.I’m a freak about trying new purchases (it feels like opening presents on Christmas!), so i incorporates all three. I tried the 30% peel on the Monday I received it, planning to use it Mondays and Thursdays, and the LA+HA, and glycolic toner every other day to avoid irritation. I also discontinued my adapalene.After about three days I saw an improvement in texture, probably about 20-30% fewer and flatter bumps. I was happy, but not happy enough. I browsed this sub a bit more and realized I overlooked the Niacinamide and Azelaic Acid!My Niacinamide+zinc got to me about a week ago. Since then my skin has become probably 80% clear with twice a day use (in addition to the other TO products I added). Guys, I legitimately cried this morning when I woke up. It’s so crazy to me that I’ve seen so much improvement in a week.Here’s the link to a few photos, I’m so sorry I don’t have any quality before pictures, I avoided cameras for a few months.
Girls Blog 2015
Submitted by MercyMCMXCI