15 November, 2019
How I Finally Cleared My Acne
For over 25 years, I lived with acne that made me feel invisible. My face felt like a battleground, and my back was a constant source of embarrassment. I would avoid eye contact, skip the cute dresses, and dread wearing swimsuits. Acne didn’t just affect my skin—it defined how I saw myself.
What changed? I finally realized that healing was more than just topical creams or quick fixes. It had to come from the inside out. Here’s how I overcame my acne and how others might take a similar holistic approach that addresses the root causes instead of just masking symptoms.
The Beginning of My Struggle
My battle with acne began in puberty, a time when hormonal changes collided with my poor diet. Growing up in the ‘80s and ‘90s, processed and sugar-laden foods dominated our kitchens. TV dinners were staples, and nutrition wasn’t exactly a family focus. This combination of unbalanced hormones and a diet that fueled inflammation wreaked havoc on my skin.
Like most people struggling with acne, I turned to external solutions. Antibiotics, harsh acne creams, Proactiv—you name it, I tried it. They dried out my skin but did nothing for my self-esteem or the deep-rooted problem. By my late teens, I even resorted to birth control, which helped a little, but I later learned it was doing more harm to my body than good.
The Turning Point
It wasn’t until my 30s, after years of frustration and feeling defeated, that I discovered holistic health. I learned how fundamental our gut health, hormones, inflammation, and detox pathways are—not just for skin health but for overall well-being.
When I went off birth control, I was hit with the worst breakout of my life. It became clear that masking the issue with medications wasn’t the answer. For the next decade, I researched, tested, and radically shifted my approach. What I learned was both empowering and humbling.
The Myths & The Real Root Causes
Many people believe acne boils down to gut issues, hormone imbalances, or poor detoxification. While these play a role, they’re often symptoms of deeper issues—not the root causes. To truly heal, we need to address not just physical health but also our emotional, mental, and environmental well-being.
Here’s what I discovered about MY root causes and the areas worth exploring for anyone else struggling to heal their skin:
Physical Triggers:
- Poor or incompatible nutrition (the one-size-fits-all diet myth doesn’t work)
- Disrupted sleep cycles
- Over-exercising or under-exercising
- Toxin exposure from everyday products
- Symptom suppression rather than true healing
Emotional and Psychological Factors:
- Unresolved emotional trauma
- Chronic stress and burnout (‘pushing through’ isn’t a badge of honor)
- Perfectionism, overdrivenness, and people-pleasing tendencies
- Lack of boundaries in relationships and commitments
- A missing sense of passion or purpose in life
It became clear to me that acne wasn’t just about my skin. It was my body’s way of screaming at me to slow down, deal with emotional baggage, and start living in alignment with what I truly needed.
Related Blog Post: The 3 Primary Root Causes of All Chronic Dis-ease
The Changes That Changed Everything
Healing was NOT a quick process—it took years of commitment and experimentation to uncover what worked for me. Here are some of the changes that made the biggest difference:
- Redefining Nutrition
My healing started with nutrition, as I believe it is one of the BIGGEST levels we have when it comes to our health, and the gut can’t heal when nutrition isn’t proper. Understanding that there is no one-size-fits-all diet was key for me. At different stages, I experimented with elimination strategies like GAPS and even carnivore diets. I ditched sugar and processed foods and focused on nutrient-dense options. Testing my blood sugars regularly was also key.
Related YouTube Video: One Thing to Spot Test for Optimal Health
- Mastering Sleep Hygiene
Sleep became non-negotiable. I built a solid bedtime routine, including winding down by 9 PM, minimizing screen time, and prioritizing restorative rest.
- Prioritizing Self-Care
“Me time” became sacred. It isn’t selfish—it’s survival. Self-care routines, from daily walks to mindfulness practices, now form the backbone of how I support my well-being.
- Strength Training & Movement
Moving my body felt liberating, but I had to strike the right balance. Overtraining had been contributing to my inflammation, so I adjusted to include strength training and walking without overdoing it.
- Working on Emotional Healing
By far, the most challenging but most rewarding step was addressing my inner turmoil. Awareness, journaling, moving my body, breathing work, and implementing boundaries helped me release lingering stress and trauma. This is an ongoing process, but it’s a step I wish I had taken sooner.
Related Blog Post: How Trauma Affects Hormone Health in Women
- Environmental Awareness
I became intentional about avoiding toxins—not just in my food but in cleaning products, skincare routines, and even the light exposure in my home. Natural light became a key part of my routine.
Why Clear Skin is a Holistic Journey
It’s easy to treat acne as just a skin problem, but it’s a reflection of our overall health. The body constantly communicates with us through symptoms like acne. For me, those messages were loud and clear signals that I needed to overhaul my lifestyle.
When I stopped treating acne at the surface level and addressed every layer of my well-being—physical, mental, and emotional—that’s when I truly began to see results.
Final Thoughts & A Call to Action
If you’re reading this and feel stuck in your own acne battle, my message to you is this: there is hope. Healing isn’t an overnight process, but it is so worth it. Start by tuning into what your body is telling you. Take time to investigate not just the physical triggers but also the emotional and mental factors that might be holding you back.
And most importantly, remember that clear skin comes as a byproduct of a healthy, balanced life. Focus on wellness from the inside out, and the rest will follow.
Have you taken steps toward a more holistic approach to healing? I’d love to hear from you. Drop your thoughts in the comments, or feel free to share your own experience. Let’s keep the conversation going—you never know who might find the inspiration they need through your story!
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