One Month Challenge: Get Clear Skin, Week One

December 10, 2011 5:00 pm     Posted in Health, Reality  Candy -- NYU g+ page


By Candy

Clear Skin. Perfectly smooth, no bumps, uneven color or blemishes to been seen. This is one thing I don’t think I’ve had since I was possibly 9. I can remember my first zit when I was 10 and my mother used that little contraption that is meant to pop zits with out having you physically touch them. It hurt like a bitch and didn’t really do anything. The next day, the zit was still there and it was bigger. My mother had told me not to pop the zit with my fingers but the thing was throbbing. I looked in the mirror and there it was, glaring back at me with a giant head of puss on the edge of my nose. At the age of 10 I knew I was being mocked and I swear now I could hear it saying “Nanner, nanner, nanner, you can’t get me!” (Okay, it really wasn’t, but it was my first zit) I tried to use the thing my mom had used before but I couldn’t figure out which side to use so I used my fingers. I gently pushed on either side of the zit and then pop! I felt a sudden sense of relief from the pressure the puss had been exerting on my skin.

Since then, I have been popping my zits for 14 years. If you ask me if I’ve tried a specific skin solution, I’ve done it. Proactiv, done it. Clinque, tried it. The New and more Effective Proactiv, yep and had a reaction of my skin swelling around my eyes. Every skin care brand in Target, yes. I have been to a dermatologist and he told me that chances are likely that nothing will completely clear my skin since bad acne runs in my family. I also have a skin blemish that is a busted blood vessel on my right cheek. Most over the counter products are less likely to work because they have harsh chemicals and my skin’s reaction is to fight back back by causing more breakouts.  The doctor told me that my skin should calm down by the time I graduate college.  That was when I was 17 and I am 24 now. My skin has not gotten better and my skin blemish, which he said shouldn’t get bigger than a dime, has swelled to the size of a quarter. Oh and it grows whenever I get embarrassed, upset, frustrated, excited, happy, or really exhibit any emotion.

It got me thinking when I graduated in 2010 about how much I wish I had clear skin. And how I wished I had clear skin back in high school. Oh, and middle school. OH yeah, also in elementary school. Why can’t I have clear skin? What is it that has prevented me from having clear skin? I’ve tried so many different brands but the one thing I have never put much effort into is not popping them.

I want to give up popping my zits because well, it’s about damn time. I need to stop because it’s something I have never really put that much effort into because I used it as a stress relief.  My parents and I, in the past years, have spent thousands of dollar in trying to get rid of these zits. It’s also stupid for me to counteract the current skin care I’m using which has been the only skin care I’ve had in three years that has effectively made my skin more manageable. It’s also around $150 for two months worth of product. And then add on the fact that I’m currently working in South Korea and the shipping fee I am going to pay to have that product sent over…it just isn’t worth it.

This next month I am going to just altogether stop popping my zits and try to limit the amount of face touching I do as well as keeping my cellphone screen clean. Do you know how much bacteria you transfer via your cellphone screen or touch pad to your face? Do you know what kinds of bacteria you can find on your cellphone? You’d think twice about having that touch your face every day. I am going to make sure that how tired I feel, drunk I am, or late it is never keeps me from washing my face and using my products to keep my skin healthy.

I know some of you may think this challenge is superficial. It isn’t about exploring the new place I live or anything that is going to change some one else’s life. But popping zits for me is like biting your nails for others. It’s a stress relief. And it’s not something I can hide very easily.  So, please be kind. Acne is something I have been teased with since I was in third grade and even once my acne is gone I will still have a permanent facial blemish that I can’t even hide under makeup.  I am going to look into what pushed me to spend five to thirty minutes at a time searching my face and body and popping any and every zit I could find. I’m going to confront those feelings and try to reason with myself that, even though this may not be considered by a lot of people, it is physical mutilation and it is not a healthy way of expressing those emotions that cause the action.

As every person knows when you try and do a massive make over, it’s going to get a whole lot uglier before it gets prettier.

Allison is a 2010 graduate who is currently teaching English in South Korea. She likes Reese’s peanut butter cups and a good brown ale, two things she cannot find in South Korea. Oh, and she likes to write.

23 Comments on "One Month Challenge: Get Clear Skin, Week One"

  1. Karen says:
    Sat, 10th Dec 20115:25 pm 

    I am going to try and do this challenge with you! I know exactly how you feel. I have suffered with acne for about 8-9 years. I have been to 3 dermatologist and tried every acne product under the sun. Nothing seems to work. I just started using birth control to actually treat my acne about 5 months ago. It cleared up the acne on my back great, and is the best thing so far with my face. I'm considering accutane but the side effects scare me a little. Anyhow, long story short… good luck! I cant wait to read the updates! :)

  2. Paige says:
    Sat, 10th Dec 20115:30 pm 

    Im thinking the same thing Karen is, Im going to do it with you. I know popping just makes it worse but everytime I see one staring at me I just cant help it, somewhere deep in my mind there is a little voice telling me that it will make it better!!! Ive tried to stop before but maybe doing it with someone, in a sense, will help! Looking forward to your updates and good luck!

  3. melisa says:
    Sat, 10th Dec 20116:08 pm 

    please consider accutane!!!! i used accutane 3 years ago. I had moderate, persistant acne for 6 years. I took accutane 3 years ago because i did topicals, creams, gels, blue light therapy, antibiotics and bc. Took accutane on a low dosage to minimize the side effects and i have been clear ever since i stopped taking it and i'm now a freshmen in college. dont be scared of the risks. go for it!! one of the best decisions i've ever made

  4. Liz says:
    Sat, 10th Dec 20116:18 pm 

    I second the accutane recommendation! I used to have terrible acne (since I was nine or ten), and my dermatologist also said it should clear up… and then it didn't. Ever since I finished my round of accutane nearly two years ago, my skin has been mostly clear, with only minor pimples that disappear in the course of a day or so. It's a serious drug, and you should put some thought into it before you decide to take it, but it changed my life.

  5. Sam says:
    Sat, 10th Dec 20116:20 pm 

    I feel you girl. I've had some acne since I was in elementary (nothing major) but then a little over a year ago my skin exploded. I had every type of pimple you can imagine and my skin turned bright read and was painful to even touch. I went to my nurse practitioner and we tried everything. Eventually I hit on a regime that worked. The only soap I can use now is dove unscented, I'm only allowed to wash my face once a day and I used topical antibiotics at night (erythromycin and tritioin) and unscented moisturizers (like cetaphil). I have to kep my hair tied back at night and wash all my bedclothes often. I switched birthcontrol (from Yazmin to Allesse) And I wasn't able to wear any makeup for 6 months. I don't have flawless skin- I still have occasional breakouts but it's NOTHING compared to what my skin used to be like. Sorry for the book, but maybe one of these ideas will help?

  6. Kali says:
    Sat, 10th Dec 20119:38 pm 

    I use and swear by Murad. I used proactive for a long time, and it never did very much for my skin. It always made me mad how little it worked for me but worked "wonders" for my friends. I also am/was the only one out of them who had ACNE. Not just a few random breakouts around my period. Murad is really awesome though, and I think it's because it doesn't dry my skin out at all. I've ran out of the lotion and my skin is never TIGHT if I don't use it like if you don't use proactive or cliniques lotions. I also used Clinique, and it made my skin HORRIBLE. I cried for months at how my skin was turning out. Murad was like, a god send. It's $30 a month, so it's a little more than proactive but not crazy. I order it in the two month period, but it lasts me about four. A little amount really does go a long way, and you can space out your shipments to more or less than two months. Mine come in 3.5 month increments. Also, eat healthier, work out, and don't drink pop. Seriously. I stopped drinking pop two years ago and my skin is so much better just by THAT factor alone. I mean, working out, eating healthy, and no pop of course isn't the only solution if it runs in your family, and I realize you might already be doing those things (I didn't read your entire post I'm sorry!! I just have so much to say about it and I love murad and want to show more people how awesome it is!) but yeah. I know your pain. Good luck :) Birth control also helped me out a bunch, but I can't stay on it because my periods are completely whack when I am on it which sucks since my skin has never been better than when I was on it…

  7. Lily says:
    Sat, 10th Dec 20119:59 pm 

    bad skin runs in my family too. but i used acutane (i'm 20) and it cleared my skin up after 6 long months. but let me tell you it was SO worth it.

  8. Maura - Rider University says:
    Sat, 10th Dec 201111:33 pm 

    I'm on my own skin challenge too. I've always had pretty good skin, breakouts were nothing more than 1-3 zits at a time. Now that I've started college, my skin has gotten worse. I have a bunch of little bumps all over my forehead, more zits then ever, and more blackheads then ever. I have blackheads all over my nose, mouth, and chin. Usually thats where my breakouts were concentrated, but now they are going towards my cheeks which have never been oily for me.

    I don't really know the cause, maybe its the new food, the stress, or I have been working out a lot more but not removing my makeup before.

    I've never consistently had a skin care regimine, I always get lazy at night and forget to wash my face. I'm trying to wear LESS make up, always take it off at night, and wash my face every night. Hopefully this will help!

  9. Cate says:
    Sat, 10th Dec 201111:43 pm 

    Try going on the pill. Seriously. I had tried everything the supermarket sold and more, with no visible improvement. Even though it had been years since puberty my GP recommended the Pill and I haven't looked back since.

  10. Katy says:
    Sun, 11th Dec 201112:30 am 

    I had terrible skin problems for ages, and I tried absolutely everything just like you did. I recently found one thing and it has cleared up my skin so fast and its super simple. If you don't already change your pillowcase every day! About a week after i started my skin cleared up so fast.

  11. Amy says:
    Sun, 11th Dec 20111:36 am 

    I'm going to do this challenge with you!! Thank you so much for posting, it gave me the motivation to try again. I ALWAYS pop my pimples, because i think it will make it better and i hate seeing them on my face! But i'm tired of it and i want clear skin. I also have acne on my back that makes me really self-conscious. I can't wear shirts that show my back and i hate it. I always forget to use my medicine, but now i'm really going to try! Thank you and i look forward to your updates!!

  12. Jessica says:
    Sun, 11th Dec 20113:38 am 

    i also live in south korea and i dont know if they have these in the states but here they have these little clear sticker things that you leave on a pimple overnight and it pulls out the white head. they help a little and they're super cheap. im pretty sure you can find them at any of the hundreds of beauty supply stores here. good luck!

  13. Lynne De Rien says:
    Sun, 11th Dec 20117:39 am 

    You can try washing your face with oatmeal. It's relatively cheap, available and great for sensitive skin. I'm not sure if it'll help acne, but it helps redness and dry skin. On youtube, bubzbeauty has a video on it (which is how I heard about it)

  14. katie says:
    Sun, 11th Dec 201110:57 am 

    also make sure that you're keeping your makeup brushes clean! or don't wear makeup at all.

  15. erin says:
    Sun, 11th Dec 201112:05 pm 

    I'm also going to attempt to do this challenge with you. Having a similar history, I've tried every product, including Proactive and Accutane, and had minimal results. At 24 it does feel like this acne-stress should be behind us, and it's even more frustrating when someone who doesn't have this problem comments on it and gives you advice. I'm hoping to take a healthier approach to my skin by drinking more water and making sure I moisturize all winter despite oiliness, and I really hope we can all make it through without popping pimples!

  16. got says:
    Sun, 11th Dec 20111:18 pm 

    I'm in central Florida and you can't even find a doc that will prescribe accutane because it's so dangerous. I've heard great things, but the side effects seem to outweigh the benefits.

  17. Nuni says:
    Sun, 11th Dec 20114:01 pm 

    I understand completely. People treat acne as a minor issue but it can seriously cripple self-esteem and almost control your life. I've always had trouble with popping zits too…and touching my face…and washing it (either too much or too little). But no more; I've started giving myself treats when I go 7 days without popping a pimple or go about 3 days without touching my face.

  18. Barbara says:
    Sun, 11th Dec 20114:42 pm 

    As I was reading your article, I never thought of this challenge as "superficial", or anything but a serious deal. I have battled with acne and skin that made me cry for having to leave the house. When I first went to a dermatologist he said it would clear when I got older. It didn't. The next time I went to the dermatologist, at about 15 or 16, she started me on an aggressive treatment right away. I see that other people have already suggested it, but I have to mention isotretinoin (Accutane). I don't know if your doctor discussed this treatment option with you, but if not, you should mention it.

    I'm a med student myself now, and I do know that isotretinoin has many side effects (most of which I felt on my own skin, and they weren't easy to deal with at all), but it was worth enduring the treatment for the excellent results that came from it. My skin isn't flawless – I have a few marks here and there, mostly from popping zits and removing blackheads for myself, but it's dramatically better than it was. I have a zit once every three months, if that.

    So know that there's hope! And even if you don't want to/can't take isotretinoin, don't let your skin dictate how you feel. If you reduce stress levels, your skin will improve as well! Best of luck to your challenge, we're all rooting for you :)

  19. thatwhichisgiven says:
    Sun, 11th Dec 20116:13 pm 

    I'll do it with you! I'm only fifteen, but I've been teased about my worse-than-average acne since I was in fifth grade and I don't want that to continue through high school and college. I've had a HORRIBLE habit of popping my zits since I first got acne, so I'll try and stop with you. I really hope that it helps.

  20. Sophia says:
    Mon, 12th Dec 20111:41 am 

    Love the challenge! Although my skin isn't as extreme but it is getting worse these days with the amount of stress and weather changes.
    I think I'm going to add a couple more things in like washing my makeup brushes more often, drinking more water (caffeine is a definite weakness) and changing the pillowcases a bit more. It's tough since sometimes I don't even realize I'm touching my face!

  21. abigail says:
    Mon, 12th Dec 201110:09 am 

    if you're an adult and still getting acne it's HORMONAL. don't go on birth control; that just putting a bandaid on the problem. i'd go to a doctor and get tested for hormonal imbalance. i also wouldn't recommend accutane because some of the side effects are really severe.

  22. Margaret says:
    Mon, 12th Dec 201112:03 pm 

    Koreans are notorious for their obsession with immaculate skin. I guarantee that you will be able to break out of your blemishes once and for all while you're there–I mean it! Good luck.

  23. molly says:
    Mon, 12th Dec 201112:22 pm 

    If you've been through that many different types of acne medication with no luck, you need to talk to your dermatologist about isotretinoin. Isotretinoin is a daily pill that decreases the oil production in your body, hence decreasing acne. I struggled with acne that was unresponsive to topical drugs for 6 years and this medication cleared up all of my acne over the six month period I had to take it. Once you take it for 6 months, the results are lasting and you most likely wont ever have to use any other medication on your skin again. This should be used only as a last resort though because of some of the risks and side effects that can result from taking isotretinoin. But talk to your dermatologist about the medication. I can't imagine what I would've done if I hadn't gone through this treatment.

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