A few months ago I wrote a post about my struggles with acne as an adult. I was blown away by the response that I received so I wanted to give you an update on how things are going.
Here is some background for newer readers. In late 2010 I began to experience breakouts on my face. I have always had the occasional spot here and there but this has been constant for nine months. I honestly can’t remember the last time that my skin was 100% clear. Backing up even more, I’ve never had problems with my skin to this extent, even during my teenage years, so this has been frustrating to say the least.
I would say that 90% of the breakouts occur along my chin, jawline and around my mouth so it leads me to think that my acne is hormonal. I also believe that stress is playing a role and I am the first to admit that I could stand to slow down a little and get more sleep.
As much as I try to ignore it and not let it get me down, my skin issues do cause me to feel self-conscious. In the past I would regularly go without makeup but now I don’t leave the house without concealer. Also, I used to see a dermatologist regularly but unfortunately that is just not in my budget at the present time.
Recently, I was presented with the opportunity to participate in a program to test the Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Line. It’s a three-step skin care solution for controlling acne in adult skin. Given my roller coaster ride with my face over the past months, I was more than willing to give it a try.
The thing that appeals to me most about Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Line is that it is a complete system. It includes Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Pore Clarifying Cleanser, Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Skin Clearing Treatment, and Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Complexion Renewing Lotion. Before using this product, I was just using a face wash and a spot treatment. And while the spot treatment was helpful in battling the breakout I had at the moment, it didn’t stop another one from popping up in a different location on my face.
For the past two weeks I have been washing my face with the cleanser and applying the skin clearing treatment and moisturizer twice a day. Each of the products is non-comedogenic and oil-free and I found that they didn’t leave my skin feeling heavy or sticky. I was able to evenly apply makeup over the skin clearing treatment and moisturizer.
The cleanser and skin clearing treatment both feature salicylic acid as the primary acne-fighting ingredient. In the past I found that benzoyl peroxide-based treatments were more effective for me but as I have gotten older my skin seems to tolerate salicylic acid products better. I experience less flaking and dryness with the salicylic acid.
And now my thoughts on the actual product line. I have only been using Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Line for two weeks and would like to give it closer to four to six to really see results but my initial assessment is that it is helping. Although my skin is not clear, my breakouts have been less severe and shorter in duration. Also, my skin tone appears to be a little more even with less redness.
And while we’re on the subject of taking care of your skin, you might want to check out this post by Roxanna Sarmiento in the Life Well Lived section of BlogHer.com. She has some great tips for developing habits that will help your skin looks its best.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, over half of the women in the US between the ages of 25 and 58 suffer from some form of acne. Although I do not wish my struggles on any other woman, it is somewhat comforting to know that I am not alone in this. Given the feedback I have received from you and the staggering statistics of the number of women affected, I think this is a topic that I will continue to address.
How do you tackle the self-confidence aspect of dealing with acne as an adult? I would love to hear how you approach it from an emotional aspect and not just physically.
Leave a comment to be entered to win a $50 gift certificate to drugstore.com provided by BlogHer and the Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Line.
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