1. Recently got hit with probably the worst case of hormonal acne I’ve ever had (small backstory, my skin isn’t acne prone, hardly ever even have blackheads but I do have some hormonal imbalance disorders) but anyway, painful zits on my jaw(upto upper neck area) and chin,

2. How I was able to manage it, ahas and bhas. 10% Azelaic acid and retinol.

Also thanks to PR I was able to use a mask with zinc oxide + bentonite clay+tea tree oil. Would probably not use this again when my acne is gone because it is drying. But works for acne

I used to do Paula’s choice bha2% liquid every other day but I do it every morning now. I use my 5% aha every morning(5% is really like water to my skin now, too gentle) and then I layer the bha over it. Every morning (doing this because I have active acne).

At night, I either use my Kate sommerville 10% aha liquid as my night time toner or use the @urbanskin RX clear and even tone pads with 7.5% glycolic,lactic and 2% salicylic acid. But I rotate both as my night time toners.

What you shouldn’t do when you have hormonal or any kind of acne at all , do not scrub with anything abrasive, your skin is already inflamed, no need to further irritate it. Properly cleanse your skin. Use salicylic acid, retinol, any brand really, never skip moisturizer!

Side note, I can use 10% ahas and 2% bhas & even 10% Azelaic acid & retinol daily & not get irritated. just because my skin has built a fine tolerance. Don’t start at 10%. Work your way up from pixi glow tonic (5%) or any other 5% aha or start with the gentle aha that’s Mandelic.

Finally, those dark spots you see after acne, they aren’t called acne scars, they are called PIh(post inflammatory hyperpigmentation) & it’s the skins response to any kind of inflammation. It’s not u, it’s normal to see the dark spots when the acne leaves even if U don’t pop them