Hi everyone -
I have been struggling with acne since I was a young teenager (I am now 21) and I wanted to share what has FINALLY given me freedom from continuous breakouts.
Like many people on this site, I have tried so many things over the years... never prescription drugs, but every over-the-counter cream and homemade remedy out there. Lately I had been blaming my hormones for my persistent acne, and I have been trying to cut out gluten from my already vegan diet. I have been so frustrated, feeling like no matter how strict I was (vegan, no gluten, no alcohol, almost no sugar, etc) my acne would not go away.
I have always picked at my skin - and have tried to stop many times, but never fully succeeded in ending the habit. Each night and morning I would scan my face for bumps, scabs, and pimples to pick at, and often ended up spending 10+ minutes in front of the mirror , picking away at my beleaguered skin.
Two weeks ago my boyfriend moved in with me, and our room has a sink and mirror in the room, which is where I get ready in the morning and wash my face before bed. Because he is often in the room while I wash my face , I have pretty much 100% stopped picking at my face and I am AMAZED.... for the first time in years, after two weeks of stopping skin picking, I am NO LONGER BREAKING OUT! It really feels like a miracle after so many years of fighting my skin .The best part is that I have even eased up on my diet - I have been drinking beer, eating bagels and bread, and generally not worrying nearly as much about my diet as I have been - and my skin is STILL clearer than its been for months and months!
My cheeks are still riddled with acne scars, red and bumpy, but I am confident that these scars will fade. My skin feels smoother and looks clearer than it has in recent memory - all because I finally STOPPED PICKING MY SKIN!
I wanted to publish this post to help anyone who is suffering from their persistent acne and has had no luck eradicating it other ways. I wanted to give you all hope - our skin isn't necessarily fighting us! In many cases, we are fighting our skin! Try it yourself, please, please. I wish someone had told me this story all of the times I unsuccessfully tried to stop picking. IT DOES help! IT HEALS your skin and knocks out redness, irritation, and inflammation.
I really hope this story helps someone who is struggling to control their acne. There is hope!!!