For some strange reason, my skin decided to turn all crazy again last week. I’ve been acne-free since last Summer now and I’m glad to realise that I don’t have to worry about my skin like I used to anymore. When I broke out quite badly last week I got a little scared my acne was returning - since it just arrived unexpectedly, I figure it could just come back unannounced as well. Luckily I immediately called out the big guns and forced the break-out to pack its bags and leave.

I used Witch’s Blemish Stick to disinfect the area whenever I came home and whenever I felt like my skin needed it. It leaves a blue cast, so this is perfect for at home but not so good on the go. During the day I wore La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Duo, which has always helped me coping with acne. It’ll kill bacteria during the day & will continue to work on those clogged pores to remove impurities. In the evening I applied a generous layer of Avène’s Triacnéal, a very potent night treatment formulated with glycolic acid that’ll do exactly the same, but amplified. It dries up with a yellow cast, so this one too would not be suitable for daytime use. It’s also awesome for tackling residual scars, a problem anyone that has or had acne is all too familiar with… I feel your pain. Finally for the worst (& painful) whiteheads, I applied Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion. It’s the best potion I’ve tried so far to dry up painful white pimples. It takes a couple of days for the pimple to actually dry up, but it’s worth it.

Find my separate reviews for Witch’s Blemish Stick here, for La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar here, for Avène’s Triacnéal here and for Mario Badescu’s Drying Lotion here. Sales info is listed in the articles.