Acne and Current Beauty/Make-Up Routine

I am not going to lie, suffering from acne at the tender age of 25 really is a complete pain in my fat ass! Especially since I also suffered from it as a teen. At the age of around 18 my skin cleared up and for four years I was delighted by how clear and nice my skin looked, then at the age of 22 or 23 (I can't remember, I have drunk a lot since then!) BANG! The dreaded red, yellow, purple little critters came back!

When I was a teenager, most of the spots appeared on my upper back or chest, I would get the odd pimple on my face but nothing major, this time my face is just a mass of red painful spots that take ages to clear up. To cut a long story very short, due to lots of different hormone treatments prescribed by my doctor to treat heavy and painful periods and an eventual diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, I firmly believe that my crazy hormones have caused the acne to erupt once again.

Don't get me wrong, I do know I am very lucky! A lot of PCOS sufferers have far worse side effects from the condition and it's not serious, it's just a pain for someone like me who already considers themselves to be grotesque when I wake up in the morning to four more huge spots adorning my crater like face!

I have tried to treat the acne for years by paying out money on expensive products which have either completely failed or worked for a while but not cured the problem. I don't even want to think about how much money I threw down the drain over the past few years when really I should have admitted defeat and gone straight to my doctor for help.

Over the past few weeks for some unknown reason my skin has got worse and I had finally reached the end of my tether. I went to my GP and let her examine my spots, I felt kind of bad for going for something small but I am glad I did!

I was prescribed a course of long term antibiotics called Tetralysal and given a lotion to put directly on my face called Zineryt. The Zineryt in particular has been amazing after just over a week's use, the right hand side of my face has had no new spots to report and it looks so clear! The left hand side still has some painful spots but the lotion has definitely made them less red and angry.

I am very pleased with the results so far, the antibiotics I need to take for a few weeks yet before I can make a judgement on them but I have my fingers crossed!

So, here comes the part where I bore you with my make up routine and skin care routine as I want to chart from now on how my skin looks and if the products I am using work or don't work for me so here goes!

In the morning, I use Neutrogena Visibly Clear Face Wash which I find gentle and much more pleasant as it has no smell to it, products aimed at spot ridden skin tend to really smell of alcohol and horrible medicated stuff but this doesn't so that is a huge plus already! I then use my Pro Activ moistureiser, I skip using a toner as I find them too harsh for my sensitive skin. The moisturiser is the one thing from the Pro Activ range that I continue to use, I was very disappointed with their cleanser and toner, they made my skin very dry and itchy but I am impressed with the moisturiser, it's very light and you need just a pea sized amount to leave your whole face feeling soft without leaving it greasy or sticky.

Now in the evenings I remove all make up and dirt from the day using Clean and Clear Deep Action Face Wipes as they really dig out all the dirt and leave my skin all tingly and soft. Today, I picked up a cleansing soap from one of my favourite companies, Lush, called Charcoal. I plan to wash my face with this gorgeous smelling soap before using the wipes to make sure all traces of my thick make up are removed. Once my make up is off, I then apply the Zineryt lotion which you cannot feel on the skin at all, that is a huge plus for me!

Make up wise, I have a longer routine! Having spot covered skin has made me addicted to make up and addicted to covering it up, I feel very embarassed about the state of my skin and I will never, ever leave the house without my warpaint on in full!

I start by putting on a Clear Pore Primer by NYX which softens the skin and makes the huge pores on my cheeks appear smaller. I then use a BB (Blemish Balm) by Maybelline which gives me light coverage. Then I apply another primer which gives my skin a lovely pink glow called That Gal by Benefit, the foundation goes on next and I am currently using my PlayStick by Benefit as it gives a heavy coverage without appearing orange or too OTT. Once the foundation is on, I then apply the only concealer I will ever use Boing! again by Benefit (It's expensive but most of their make up is just fantastic and lasts for ages!) Then last (I told you it was long!) I apply my powder which is Hello Flawless! by der der der der! Benefit again!!!!

Now as for my make up, the Benefit products that I use I am totally sold on, the NYX Primer and the BB cream I am not that impressed by. BB Creams have been raved about over in the UK but I don't find that they do anything for me, I will use what I have left but plan to switch to a tinted moisturiser by Benefit as I am in love with their products called You Rebel. As for the NYX primer, I have nearly finished that and I won't be purchashing again, I have gone back to a product called Dr Feelgood by Benefit which is a lot more expensive but it lasts longer and does an amazing job.

Like I said, I make no apologies for being a total Benefit make up whore, I plan to do some blogs just dedicated to make up reviews and beauty reviews too because they are my favourite things in the whole world!

So I am sorry if I have bored you all to death, I have no idea why I did this blog but I felt like it, I hope someone finds it useful!