The Good, The Bad, And The Acne

I have battled bad skin for decades, starting with pubescent “T-zone” acne, straight through to adult acne.  I've been on antibiotics, medicated creams, TV and drugstore products; everything short of Accutane which is scarier that shit in my opinion. Interestingly enough,  I didn’t have food sensitivities and IBS-like symptoms until after being on antibiotics for my skin for months and months. In my opinion, while minimized one type of acne, the antibiotic inadvertently created a whole new monster!

My most recent bout with acne was painful and embarrassing cystic acne on my jawline and neck. It’s looked inflamed and angry.   After  indulging in a pretty wheat/gluten heavy vacation in the Caribbean, my skin was a MESS! Not only was my skin a mess but my stomach was bloated and distended. It occurred to me that I was having an allergic reaction to the wheat/gluten I was consuming. Due to a nutrition program that I was on months prior to vacation I had been eliminating/reducing carbs (i.e. Wheat/gluten products). My skin prior to the trip was pretty clear and I was looking forward to NOT caking on makeup in the humid, tropical weather.

​So fast forward, after being home and off gluten for a couple  weeks my skin did improve slightly, but it was still experiencing intermittent cystic breakouts. Around this time a Make Artist/Esthetician girlfriend of mine suggested that I find a face wash with papaya and pineapple enzymes. I found there are plenty papaya/pineapple products out there, but they were too expensive (or too cheap),  so I concocted a toner/mask myself. I put a peeled, pitted papaya, and half a cored pineapple in a food processor, and puréed them. I steamed and  washed my face with “Simple” face wash in the shower (“Simple” skin products around $6 at drugstore), and applied this “toner/mask” post shower with a cotton ball all over my face, let it dry for 20 or so minutes, rinsed and moisturize with “Simple” face cream. Note** you do not need to sit there trying to balance chunks of purée on your face, just the juice will do. I’m not gonna lie, it stung a little at first, but I powered through it. I noticed immediately the inflammation and redness was reduced. I used it a few times a week for starters, then gradually once or twice per week. 

 Months later I took it a step further and started using a Clarisonic face brush (expensive, but AMAZING) in the shower with Simple face wash, then applying the toner/mask post shower, waiting, rinsing and moisturizing. My skin has been amazing lately and I feel totally confident going out in public now without a stitch of coverup!  For work and play, I’ve totally been able to wear a lightweight CC cream for my daily “concealer” and it’s been really liberating!

Things that helped MY skin:
#1 gluten free diet
#2 papaya and pineapple enzyme mask
#3 Clarisonic face brush ~IMPORTANT~ do your skin a favor if you use a face brush (or washcloth), MAKE SURE YOU DISINFECT OR SANITIZE the brush head before EVERY use! Bacteria can build up on brushes (and washcloths) that can infect your skin if you are prone to acne!

What are the benefits of papaya and pineapple in your skin?
Papaya is nutrient and antioxidant rich
Heals skin, and has antibacterial properties
Reduces scarring, clears pigmentation
Moisturizes, hydrates and nourishes  skin
Repairs damaged skin
Is a natural exfoliant (removes dead skin cells in a non-abrasive way)
Boosts collagen production and promotes elasticity and firmness 

Pineapple is full of antioxidants that prevent cell damage and fight against free radicals.
Has Anti-inflammatory properties 
Treats swelling and irritation 
Increases collagen synthesis 
Contains vitamin C  and amino acids 
Natural Exfoliant 
Hydrates skin

Anyway, just thought I’d share.  Hopefully this information and/or some variation of this regimen will help you or someone you know. I know there were times that I would have tried just about anything to clear my skin up. I am grateful to have found something that works for me and hope it will work for others too. ​

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