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Acne 101
5 Things I’d Do If I Had to Heal My Hormonal Acne All Over Again
Hormonal acne doesn’t play by the same rules as a random breakout. It’s tied to hormone levels, stress, and how your body moves through everyday life. I’ve been there — and if I had to start the healing journey from scratch, here’s exactly what I’d do.
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5 Things I’d Do If I Had to Heal My Hormonal Acne All Over Again
Hormonal acne doesn’t play by the same rules as a random breakout. It’s tied to hormone levels, stress, and how your body moves through everyday life. I’ve been there — and if I had to start the healing journey from scratch, here’s exactly what I’d do.
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How to Support a Friend Who’s Struggling With Their Skin
We all know someone — maybe a friend, coworker, or classmate — navigating adult acne or severe acne. Knowing how to be a supportive friend in a situation like this matters, because a strong support system can make progress feel achievable and their mental health a little easier to handle. First, recognize that acne isn’t the same for everyone, it’s usually deeply personal and individual to their own bodily makeup, hormones, and other factors. Adult acne and severe acne can obviously affect confidence, mood, and how your friend navigates the world. So your role? Offer empathy, not judgment (of course). A few encouraging words or simple check-ins can go a long way toward empowering them on their journey.
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Let Your Skin Just…Exist: Embracing Acne Neutrality
We’ve all had those mornings. Your reflection greets you with a fresh breakout, and suddenly every scroll on social media feels like a reminder that perfect skin is still the beauty standard. It’s exhausting. That’s where acne neutrality comes in: a mindset that shifts the focus from chasing perfection to finding balance and progress in your skin journey. Instead of idolizing “clear at all costs” or forcing constant self-love, acne neutrality creates space for something more realistic: acceptance and action. It’s about acknowledging that skin can have texture, spots, or redness and still be healthy. And it’s about protecting your mental health and acne by loosening the grip that social media’s highlight reels have on your self-worth.
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Latest Blog Posts
“Eventually, I realized the hard truth: there’s no real industry standard for what makes a product acne-safe”
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How to Pop a Pimple (If You’re Going to Do It Anyway)
We get it. You know you shouldn't pop that pimple, but here you are, standing in front of the mirror, fingers ready. You’re not alone. And while derms usually say “hands off,” sometimes the urge wins. So — if you’re going to pop it, here’s how to do it with the least damage, and the most control. This is just a guide — not a green light for every pimple, especially deep, cystic acne. When in doubt, skip the squeeze and go for a derm. But if you're dealing with a surface-level whitehead? Keep reading.
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What to Know About Oral Acne Meds (and If They’re Right for You)
Topicals can only do so much, especially when you're dealing with deep, stubborn, or hormonal acne. That’s where oral medications come in. They work internally to tackle oil production, inflammation, and hormone imbalances that topicals can’t always reach. Quick note: This guide is research-backed, but nothing replaces a chat with a board-certified dermatologist.
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How We're Setting a New Standard for Acne-Safe Skincare
Ever scanned a label for the magic words “non-comedogenic” only to break out anyway? Same. When I was in the thick of dealing with adult acne, I clung to anything that said “for sensitive skin” or “dermatologist-recommended.” Some were even “non-comedogenic,” which I thought was a sure thing. But the breakouts just wouldn’t quit. Eventually, I realized: there’s no real standard for what makes something truly safe for acne-prone skin.
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The Ultimate Guide to Fading Acne Marks — and Knowing What You're Dealing With
Clearing a breakout is hard enough. But the dark spots, red marks, and weird texture it leaves behind? That’s a whole other ball game. Whether you’re dealing with dark spots, lingering redness, or actual scarring, knowing what you’re working with helps you treat it faster without wasting your time or money. Consider this your cheat sheet to all things acne marks. Shall we?
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Pore-Clogging Ingredients to Watch For (and What to Use Instead)
If your acne-prone skin still feels unpredictable — even when you swear you’re doing everything right — it might be time to zoom in on ingredients. Comedogenic (aka pore-clogging) culprits can hide in everything from your cleanser to your conditioner, quietly clogging things up and making breakouts stick around. Even labels like “non-comedogenic” don’t always mean safe. That’s why it pays to know what ingredients to look for, and what to ditch.
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Accutane: What to Know Before You Say Yes
If you’ve tried everything for severe acne — topicals, antibiotics, and every OTC spot treatment — and still feel stuck, Accutane might be the next step. But before you commit, it’s key to understand how it works, what the side effects are, and why a board-certified dermatologist is your go-to for guidance. Here’s what to know so you can make an informed, empowered decision.
