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How to Treat Cystic Acne So It Doesn’t Come Back

Cystic Acne Treatment

Ugh, cystic acne.  I hate it.

Sadly this is something I’ve battled off and on throughout my life.  Once I stopped nursing, it reached its all-time worst.  While my hormones readjusted to the new normal, I battled several painful, underground pimples on my chin each month.

If you’ve ever experienced cystic pimples, you know they take FOREVER to heal.  And even if they don’t break through to the surface, they still leave a mark.  Trying to lighten hyperpigmentation when you are constantly being hit with new pimples each month is a vicious cycle.

Thankfully I’ve found a skincare routine that has drastically reduced my cystic acne.  Some of the products are more recent finds – within the last couple months – so I’m excited to see what the longer-term benefits are (I’ve already seen amazing results).

How to Stop Cystic Acne

1) First, start with the right cleanser.  In a world of double-cleansing, it’s important to use a cleanser that won’t strip your pores.  If that happens, your pores overcompensate and produce more sebum, which makes cystic acne ten times worse.

I recently started using this one and love it.  It’s soap and sulfate-free so it won’t strip your skin.  It has alpha and beta hydroxy acids which are formulated specifically to remove impurities while plumping and toning the skin.

2) Immediately after cleansing, I use these acne eliminating pads.

They’re drenched in salicylic acid.  Forewarning, they burn.  I use one on my entire face, but you can spot-treat if you prefer.  To save money and get the most out of the product, you could cut them in half.  Just a half pad is big enough to do the trick.

The packaging says they can be used daily, but I only use them when I feel a pimple coming on.

3) Right after applying the acne eliminating pad, I dab on benzoyl peroxide just to the affected area.  I use one from my dermatologist, but this one is also great.

Pro Tip: you can purchase over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide up to 10%.  While you may think a higher concentration is better, it’s not.  Stick to between 2% – 5% benzoyl peroxide. The reason? 10% is extremely drying and your pores will overcompensate and produce more oil.  You’ll just make the situation worse.

This one is 2.5%.  The one from my dermatologist is 5%.

4) I use this mud mask for maintenance.

It draws bacteria out of your pores, then tightens and shrinks them.  You can actually feel your face get a “lift” after you wash it off.  It’s incredible and I’ve been using it for years.

5) These pimple patches are my favorite.  They tend to work best if a pimple has broken through to the surface, but you can use them at the beginning stages of a cystic pimple too.

Tons of companies make these types of pimple patches, but this one is by far the best.  For the record, I don’t like Zit Sticka.  The consistency is weird – it has prongs on one side that actually poke into your skin and kind of hurt.  It doesn’t stay on for more than a couple hours without sliding off and I didn’t find them to be effective for cystic pimples.

6) If you just need to cover a cystic pimple, this concealer is life changing.  

Formulated with shea and mango seed butter, it’s super nourishing.  It won’t stick to dry skin, cake or flake.  It also doesn’t sink into your pores and make them look more pronounced like thicker concealers do.

It’s 25% off right now and comes in 30 shades.

Pro Tip: choose a shade with a yellow undertone.  When covering pimples, you need a yellow-toned concealer to reduce redness.  Even if you have ZERO yellow undertones in your skin, trust me, go with yellow.

If you are nervous about this choice, mix it with your true match concealer.

7) Ice your face.  

It’s literally that simple.  Every morning and evening, I put three ice cubes in a washcloth and press it to the affected area for 5-10min.  This helps reduce inflammation (and ward off pain).

Photo by Arielle Levy

Your Top 5 Favorites – October 2019

Everlane Wide Leg Cropped Pants

Your September favorites were all about beauty, but your October favorites were all about fashion!

I actually have 6 products to share with you this month because two were a tie.

Here’s what you loved in October
1) Concealer – I shared this life-changing concealer on my Sunday Series and you must have heard the passion in my voice because it was hands down an October favorite.  It’s super moisturizing, buildable and doesn’t cake or crease.  What more could you ask for?  It also comes in 30 colors so you’re bound to find the perfect shade match.
2) Ruffle sweater – I’ve been wearing this sweater on repeat and you love it just as much as I do.  A Nuuly find that I ended up purchasing, it’s sold out, but this one is almost an exact replica.  Also check out this one under $35 and this one.
3) Wide Leg Cropped Pants – seriously the most flattering pants I own.  If you’re pear or apple shaped, they minimize the widest parts of your body for an ultra flattering silhouette.  The fabric has a bit of stretch and they come in 6 colors and 2 lengths.  Plus, they’re available in sizes 00 – 16.
4) Plaid dress – this was the winner of my first Nuuly box thanks to its awesome silhouette.  The fabric is so comfortable and can be dressed up or down.  Paired with sandals in warmer temps and ankle boots in cooler temps, this baby is a year-round winner.
5) Floral midi dress – you guys loved my final look of NYFW.  Since that dress is no longer available, I found this one under $60.  It has the same floral print, bell sleeves and midi length.  Such a steal for $59!
6) Leopard joggers – these cozy joggers tied with the floral midi dress.  They’re amazingly comfortable, run TTS and have a flattering fit.  Unfortunately, after a couple hours of wear they already started pilling.  The care instructions said they are hand wash only, so that should have been my first clue.  The reviews online are stellar, so maybe you’ll have better luck than I did.

Your Top 5 Favorites – September 2019

September was all about beauty!

I talked a lot about my favorite green beauty products and you guys loved my Sunday Series on sun protection.  Read on for your favorites from September 2019 and why I love them too.

Your Top 5 Favorites

Cropped denim jacket – I styled it in this post and what’s not to love?  A denim jacket is a wardrobe staple and this one is priced right at $78 and super high quality.

Faux leather skirt – this caught my eye during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale because it has shorts underneath.  Since I’m all about trading my jeans in for skirts this fall, I think it’s an interesting choice for style plus coverage.

Mineral sunscreen – I happened to meet the creator of this mineral sunscreen and immediately fell in love with its balmy texture and the light coverage it provides.

Primer – I’ve tried a zillion primers and have never found one I liked until this one.  Also a balmy texture, it soaks into skin quickly and gives it a velvety feel ready for applying makeup.  A makeup bag MUST.

Silk pillowcase – I thought you’d be sick of hearing me tout the benefits of a silk pillowcase by now (wrinkle prevention, extends your hairstyle) but you are still loving this pillowcase 3 months in a row.  For good reason!  Don’t fall asleep without it.

Chemical Peel Review: Tips for What to Expect & How to Recover

Kopari BeautyEver since I started getting regular facials, I’ve wanted to try a chemical peel.  I’ve heard so many estheticians – heck, even my dermatologist – rave about them, but I always thought I’d end up like Samatha in Sex and the City.  Who could forget that episode?

Well, two weeks ago I went for it and wanted to share my experience.  First, a little backstory.

My main reason for getting a chemical peel was to help with hyperpigmentation.  Prior to having my daughter, I was on birth control for years.  Towards the end of taking it, I started to notice hyperpigmentation on my cheeks and forehead.  Because birth control tricks your body into thinking it’s pregnant, I had developed a mild case of melasma (AKA the mask of pregnancy).  A dermatologist recommended I try laser treatment to remove the spots, so I did.  After the procedure, my hyperpigmentation completely disappeared… for three weeks.  For whatever reason, at the 3-week mark, it came back (literally overnight) and even darker than before.

While laser treatment can be effective for some people (do your research!), it was not the right choice for me.  I’ve been working to reverse the damage ever since.  My goal is to get to a point where my skin is completely even and wearing makeup is optional and not a must.

I saw Dr. Zoe of Perfect Face Aesthetic Medicine in La Jolla.  She did a deep-level peel which included the following.

The Chemical Peel Process

First, I had to wash my face to remove my moisturizer and sunscreen.  Dr. Zoe applied vaseline around my eyes, mouth and on the corners of my nose so the chemical peel solution wouldn’t pool in those areas.  She then gave me a handheld fan so the burning sensation wouldn’t feel so intense.

Using a cotton swab, she wiped the solution over my face four times, waiting a couple minutes between each pass.  The whole process took 10 minutes.

Did it hurt?  No.

You can definitely feel the burning sensation and while it isn’t comfortable, it’s nothing you can’t handle.  Having a handheld fan to blow cool air on your face really helps.

The First Two Days

For the first 48-72 hours you actually look normal.  Your face feels very dry and tight, and mine even looked a little firmer.  A friend commented that she thought I had gotten Botox!  My face looked glossy too.  The best way I can describe it is to have you imagine someone painting a clear coat of nail polish on your face – hah!

Day 3/4 – Let the Peeling Begin

I didn’t start peeling until Day 4 and the first place it happened was around my mouth.  If you’ve ever done a charcoal mask, you know the feeling when it starts to dry and will crack when you smile or talk.  That’s exactly what this is like but instead of the mask cracking and flaking off, it’s your skin.

Day 14

The average person is supposed to stop peeling between days 7-10.  I didn’t stop peeling until Day 14.  I’ve always been very slow to heal (a pimple leaves a mark for up to 6 months on me!) so this didn’t really surprise me.

You can’t wear makeup at all during this time and must apply sunscreen every two hours.  THIS IS KEY!

A Word of Caution

1. The hardest part about getting a chemical peel is the downtime.  I looked like a dying snake for a solid two weeks.  It was super gross and creepy.  If you work in an office or have to face the outside world on a daily basis, I honestly don’t know how you’d do a chemical peel.

2. You literally can’t touch your face during recovery.  At all.  No scratching, no rubbing, and absolutely no picking.  Even washing your face and applying moisturizer and sunscreen (the ONLY two things you’re allowed to wear) is risky.  You have to be SUPER gentle.  I pat my face dry and applied my moisturizer like I was handling a Fabergé egg.

If the peeling comes off because you touch your skin, you run the risk of scarring.

3. You must avoid the sun AT ALL COSTS.  Any time I went outside (even to check the mailbox!) I wore this hat.  It has a built-in face mask.  Le’ts just be honest – it’s basically a full hazmat suit.  Wearing it out in public resulted in TONS of comments from people.

4. Because the chemical peel eats away at the top layer of your skin, what’s underneath will get exposed.  In other words, if you have any congested pores, be ready to get pimples and blackheads while you’re healing.

I ended up with a pimple on my chin, one on my forehead and a few blackheads around the corner of my nose.  These were all things that would recur for me, so I’m glad the peel burned my skin down to the core of the problem to get rid of them for good.

What I’ll Do Differently Next Time

1. If you can avoid it, don’t get a chemical peel during the dead of summer.  It’s too hot and normal life inevitably gets in the way – you have to put gas in your car, buy groceries, etc. and doing those things when the sun is the most powerful isn’t safe or fun.

2. Get your peel on a Thursday.  Because you don’t start peeling for 2-3 days, you can actually go out in public over the weekend (no makeup though) and not look like a dying snake.

3. Be prepared with the right gear.  You absolutely need to wear a hat anytime you are outside or while driving.  I bought this hat and this visor and wore them religiously.  The visor is developed by dermatologists and blocks 99% of UVA/UVB rays.

Was it Worth it?

YES.  While I still have a ways to go to fully get rid of my hyperpigmentation, I absolutely recommend getting a chemical peel.  I can see a definite difference in my skin being more even-toned and the texture is amazing.  You have the freshest, most even skin after a peel.  It’s like baby skin!

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Vacation Prep: Secrets for Looking and Feeling Your Best

Happy first day of spring!

The beginning of spring means fresh starts.  Cue new beauty routines, wardrobe updates and exciting travel plans.

I was recently chatting with a friend about a major trip she was gearing up for.  She asked how I normally prepare for NYFW (the end-all-say-all event for wanting to look and feel your best) and after several back-and-forth emails, I realized this should be a blog post.

My guess is that all of you have a spring vacation on the horizon in which you want to look and feel your best.  Maybe it’s a wedding?  Reunion?  Girl’s trip?

Read on for how I prepare for a trip and my secrets for looking and feeling your best while away.

Vacation Beauty Prep

1 month – 2 weeks before

DIET
I try to cut out or drastically reduce all sugar, dairy and nuts.  They all contribute to breakouts (especially painful, cystic pimples).

So, what exactly do I eat?  Beyond opting for lean protein, veggies and healthy carbs, these smoothie recipes are my favorite snacks.

Blend:

  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 5 frozen strawberries
  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter

or

  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 3-4 Medjool dates
  • 2 cups spinach

To cut out bloat, I make a pitcher of this water to drink daily:

  • 8 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 1 lemon, thinly sliced
  • 12 mint leaves

FITNESS
Stay consistent with workouts.  This is more for stamina rather than “looking good”.  No one is going to make a massive transformation in 2-4 weeks.  The goal is simply to have a good base built up so you sleep better and feel strong while away.

This also means you’ll get the built-in benefits of workout habits: hydrating consistently and choosing meals that make you feel “fueled” and not “crashy”.

Most weekend trips involve being on your feet all day and staying up late.  Give yourself the benefit of amped-up endurance and stamina!

This is my favorite workout for vacation preparation because you can do it from anywhere and on your own time.

2 weeks before

FACIAL
I have sensitive skin and depending on the level of extractions my esthetician has to do, I like having 2 weeks to recover.  I always do microdermabrasion and recently tried dermaplaning.  This actually removes a layer of your skin with a scalpel (and any peach fuzz on your face – it does NOT grow back as whiskers, not to worry).  It’s not painful at all.  Your makeup goes on SUPER smooth afterward.  Just about every model and actress does this and that’s why their makeup always looks flawless.

TEETH WHITENING
I use an upgraded version of Crest White Strips from my dentist.  If you are pregnant or nursing, clear any teeth whitening with your doctor first.

TAN
Body scrub the night before departing.  90% of the time I don’t do any tanning, but when I do, this is the only acceptable method in my book.

During Your Trip

BEAUTY
No matter how long I’m gone, I always pack these seven miracle products.  They are my literal lifeline for looking my best while traveling.

  1. Sheet face masks – I use one per day for brighter, more vibrant skin
  2. Eye masks – I use one per day, eye bags be gone! (if pressed for time, skip the face mask and just use these)
  3. Pimple patch – emergencies; literal miracle worker
  4. Facial roller – each night before bed to promote lymphatic drainage
  5. Exfoliate – if I’m staying more than 3 days, I’ll bring this
  6. Vicks Vaporub – airplanes always make me feel congested and I use this on my wrists and neck at night to promote better breathing.  It also helps with headaches if used on your temples.
  7. This balm is a miracle worker.  I use it for chapped hands, random irritations or just deep hydration (all things I find crop up on trips)

FOOD
What we put in our bodies is just as important (if not more) than what we put on our bodies.  Studies have shown that sugar, caffeine and alcohol consumption skyrockets during travel.  I keep the following two secret ingredients in my hotel room to ensure I look and feel great.

  1. Pedialyte – the number one reason why you feel like crap when you travel is because you’re dehydrated.  One bottle of this per day (1/3 per serving: morning, noon, night) will keep you feeling right as rain.
  2. Ginger Turmeric Tea, sprinkle black pepper on top – this is proven to reduce bloating.  I drink it as much as possible but aim for one cup before bedtime.

Would you like to see a sample Packing List for a weekend away?  Let me know in the comments!

Photo by Arielle Levy