hello everyone, I normally am just the type to google my skin concerns and scroll thru millions of articles each night hoping I can find a miracle cure or something. I am a 17 year old girl, just short of 18, and I devolped acne when I was in eighth grade. acne hit my like a bus, when I was in eighth grade I would get millions of tiny whiteheads and small come done bumps on my forehead and nowhere else. I was put on loryna birth control, and a type of differin or adapelene gel. I don't really remember the exact things I was prescribed. but of course it failed me and I remember seeing a new dermatologist who kept me on the BC, put me on oracea (antibiotic for roscea sufferers) and the epidou pump. I don't remember the come up on the epidou and any breakouts but I remember habits pretty decent skin. I am almost 18 and none of my family members have even had acne. my acne is not major or cystic but more moderate. i have never broken out on my chin or jawline area, which makes me to believe my hormones are in check and I never have gotten acne there so makes me wanna quit birth control since I never had hormonal acne to begin with??? such a dumb choice on my
derm when I was young (if anyone quit bc who never had hormonal acne please comment!!! I would love to know how it went or if hormonal acne devolped) I am pretty much the typical hypochondriac when it comes to my skin, constantly googling remedies and cures. but what I am hear to say is two days ago I have stopped using epidou, because at this point my skin is perfect, besides a few post acne marks on each of my cheeks which I use (fresh aloe and lemon juice and apply with a small makeup brush each night and it seems to be working very well) I am very scared to stop using the epidou but I will be going to college soon and it's very annoying and embarrassing to have to use something so strong on my face when other people can use a bar of soap. I wish I could have nice skin, but I think my acne rounds may be over? I guess we will see when I discontinue the use of epidou. but what I will say is APPLE CIDER VINEAGR IS AMAZING FOR WHITEHEADS AND SMALL NON CYSTIC PIMPLES!!!! 100% clear. the only reason I break out now is sleeping in heavy makeup.. I use acv either as a rinse in the shower, mostly mornings or if I'm seeing people ( pour 100% acv into hand slather it on wet face and give it a second and then step back in the shower water) I have been using it as a toner now with a cotton ball and a small amount of water before I sleep. but while stopping the epidou I have picked up a salicylic acid face wash. so now my routine is
night-
ponds cold cream (rub into face) to take dirt or makeup off
neutorgena oil free redness soothing (green one) face wash
dry
cerave moisturizing lotion (normal to dry)
acv toner
done.
morning-
shower
st Ives. apricot scrub (depends how I'm feeling if I use this)
some acv in my hand
then my new neutrogena wash

I guess this log is for people wanting to give up on the dermatologist medicines for acne. I feel like some of that shit is so messed up and to make money off people because the skin gets addicted to the chemicals so you continue to pay for the product when maybe your skin is finally
ready to be okay yet you continue using stuff because your skin is addicted. so this is my log on my hopefully clear skin care journey while venturing away from the dangerous derm products

also side note, this is my first post, I am a clean eater, nothing crazy, I drink 2l of water a day, and eat healthy when the option is presented, I do snack a lot and don't notice a correlation unless I eat terrible for days straight.
please reply with questions, advice, when your acne stopped, tips, anything!!! happy to join the acne.org website but can't wait for the day I don't have to spend hours reading skin care regimens when I can be having fun and not worrying... who knows if that day will come for any of us. thank u

day two of no epidou #coldturkeystyle and no new
pimples or blemishes, slight itchy face