My acne is (or was) the worst it's been in a long time. My face felt like sandpaper, and it was always red and inflamed. I'm not sure what the full reason is, but a big part of it is hormones and skin-picking. I didn't even realize it until now, but almost everyday if I was stressed about something or bored, I would go over to my mirror and start popping my whiteheads and pimples. I would scrape at my skin with my nails (as if it would just magically heal all my scarring and acne) If I saw a whitehead I would pop and squeeze it until it bled. I would just stand in front of my mirror picking at my skin and feeling terrible about myself. Everyday I did this and I'm sure that's why my skin looks like a complete mess.

RESOLVE

I put a big piece of paper on my mirror that said, "AMY do not pick at your face" in big black letters. I also put a piece of paper on my desk that says, "Stop touching your face. Right now."

Needless to say, it helps a lot. I my hands are unconsciously touching my face and I see the sign on my desk, my hands drop immediately. If I walk over to to my mirror because I'm stressed and want to pick at my skin, I see the sign and immediately go back to my seat.

HOW I COPE WITH THE STRESS

Okay, so this might make me sound like a completely crazy person, but I got a few peel off masks from Ulta, and when I'm stressed I just apply some to my legs or arms, and peel it off when it dries. It's so satisfying I can't even describe it. I know. I'm weird. Peel off masks help peel off the dead skin on your face that causes acne.

SO FAR

Okay, this has got to be placebo or something. I woke up today, and when I felt my face, it was SO SMOOTH. Like silk. The roughness of my cheeks(closed comedones, dry skin, etc) had basically disappeared overnight. I'm not sure if it's because I used Thayer's Witch Hazel Rose Petal toner for the first time last night, or because I haven't picked for a whole day, but whatever it is, I'm really happy and it motivates me to stop picking my skin even more.

Sorry if this was really long but I just wanted I share this with you guys.

Hope it helps someone!