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From Acne Despair to Skincare Hope: A Personal Journey
Beauty

From Acne Despair to Skincare Hope: A Personal Journey

26 April 2025



My Ongoing Battle With Hormonal Acne and a Surprising Skincare Discovery




Acne and I have been in an ongoing, emotionally exhausting, and sometimes downright comical battle for over a decade now. This isn’t a tale from someone who gets a few zits around finals or that time of the month and calls it “bad skin.” No. This is the story of someone who has experienced the full wrath of chronic hormonal acne—cystic, stubborn, deep, painful, and relentless. I started dealing with severe breakouts when I was 22, and now, years later, it’s become a consistent companion in my life. Not a welcome one, mind you, but one I’ve grown weirdly accustomed to.



My face has been a battleground of cysts, pustules, and red patches for so long that I honestly forget what it feels like to have totally clear skin. I’ve tried everything—diet changes, cutting out dairy and sugar (which was a whole other traumatic experience), expensive facials, drugstore cleansers, natural remedies, prescription medications, and every trendy serum TikTok told me to buy. I’ve had cysts that lasted for months—yes, literal months—living permanently on both sides of my chin like Ursula’s evil eel sidekicks from The Little Mermaid. At one point, I even got injections from my dermatologist to calm them down. Spoiler alert: they didn’t work. It felt like the acne had declared war on my face and was winning.




I won’t bore you with the entire saga (because believe me, it’s long), but if I were to give you the CliffsNotes version of my acne journey, it would be something like: “Tried everything short of setting my face on fire. Still dealing with acne. Now hyper-educated on skincare.”



And if you’re wondering—yes, I’m trying to conceive, which puts a whole new level of complication on the table. Many of the strongest acne treatments are off-limits due to their potential effects on fertility or pregnancy. So, I’ve been navigating this world of breakouts with limited tools, trying to find solutions that are effective but safe. Through it all, I’ve picked up an almost encyclopedic knowledge of acne products, routines, ingredients, and what does and doesn’t work for my skin.




So let’s talk acne patches. I genuinely love the idea of them. They’re often adorable—sometimes shaped like stars or clouds—and feel like a fun, whimsical way to treat something as frustrating as a breakout. There’s something comforting about sticking a cute patch on your pimple. It’s a little absurd, which is why it makes me smile. And when you’ve been crying about your skin for three days, smiling is actually pretty therapeutic.



Unfortunately, those little patches never really worked for me. My acne isn’t the kind that just sits on the surface of the skin, waiting to be sucked up by a hydrocolloid sticker. It’s usually deep, inflamed, and angry—more like a subterranean rage monster than a polite whitehead. So while I enjoyed the experience of using patches, I never got the satisfying results everyone else seemed to rave about.




That’s why I was intrigued—skeptical, but intrigued—when I came across Kiehl’s Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Solution. It was making the rounds on TikTok as the new “liquid acne patch,” and people were singing its praises. I’ve seen my fair share of viral products that turned out to be duds, so I didn’t rush to buy it. But eventually, curiosity won, as it always does.



For starters, let’s talk about the name. Truly Targeted Acne-Clearing Solution is a bit of a mouthful, and “liquid patch” sounds like one of those marketing terms invented to make something old sound revolutionary. But Kiehl’s is one of those brands I’ve grown to trust over the years. They’re not new to the skincare scene. They’ve got history, credibility, and most importantly, I’ve used some of their products before with solid results. So I bit the bullet and bought a bottle for $30.




Now, what exactly is this liquid patch? It’s not an actual patch, like a sticker. You’re not placing something star-shaped over your zit. Instead, the formula creates a breathable, invisible seal over your acne once it dries. It’s somewhere between a serum and a spot treatment, and you can wear it under your sunscreen or even makeup. It contains 2% salicylic acid—an ingredient I’m very familiar with—which helps to exfoliate inside the pores and reduce inflammation. But the formula doesn’t stop there. It also includes 4% niacinamide to brighten and even out skin tone, and 0.2% licorice root extract to calm irritation and reduce redness, especially from stress-induced breakouts.



Kiehl’s claims that this solution will visibly reduce the color of your pimples in two hours, shrink their size within 24 hours, and help fade blemishes after four weeks of consistent use. Pretty big promises. I decided to put it to the test during a hormonal flare-up that was truly next-level. Mid-cycle, the lower half of my face was under siege. Painful nodules were forming on my chin and jawline, and I had a lonely but aggressive pimple forming just above my lip. Perfect timing.




The application was straightforward. You can use your fingertips to apply a drop directly to individual pimples, or apply a thin layer across affected areas. Kiehl’s specifically warns against rubbing it in too hard—just dab and let it dry. I tried both techniques: dabbing directly on some inflamed pustules and spreading a thin layer over the deeper cysts. I went in with low expectations—nothing short of prescription treatments usually makes a noticeable dent in these monsters.



But here’s where it got interesting: after the first night, I noticed a real difference. Two of the larger cysts that had taken up long-term residence on my chin—ones that even resisted steroid injections—felt smaller. Not gone, not healed, but noticeably less inflamed. The redness around them had diminished slightly, and they were a bit easier to cover with concealer the next morning.




After a few days of using the product both morning and night, I saw more gradual improvements. My skin didn’t transform overnight into a porcelain dream, but for the first time in a while, I felt like my acne was retreating rather than advancing. The individual pustules dried up more quickly, and the painful pressure beneath the surface of the cysts had eased. Even that annoying upper lip pimple flattened out without ever erupting into a full-on disaster.



Now, let’s be clear—this wasn’t a miracle product. I didn’t wake up one morning with flawless skin, and my hormonal acne didn’t suddenly disappear like it had been raptured. But for someone like me, that’s not the goal. I don’t expect perfection from skincare anymore. What I look for is progress, relief, and products that do what they claim without making my sensitive skin worse.




What impressed me most about Kiehl’s Acne-Clearing Solution was how it integrated into my routine. It didn’t dry my skin out or cause flaking like many treatments do. It sat well under my moisturizer and makeup, and I didn’t feel like I was walking around with a thick layer of medicine on my face. Most importantly, it didn’t trigger any irritation, which is a big deal for me. The inclusion of niacinamide and licorice root really seems to help with calming inflammation without compromising on effectiveness.



After four weeks of consistent use, the more active breakouts were significantly diminished. My chin still has a few stubborn cysts (as always), but overall, the skin is calmer, less angry-looking, and more even-toned. Some of the dark marks from older pimples are slowly fading as well.




In conclusion, while this little bottle didn’t change my life overnight, it has absolutely earned a spot in my skincare arsenal. If you deal with mild to moderate breakouts or even deeper cystic acne like mine, this could be worth trying—especially if you’re limited in what treatments you can use due to pregnancy or other factors.



To my fellow acne warriors out there: keep experimenting (safely), be patient with your skin, and try not to let the frustration wear you down. And if a product can make you feel even 10% better about your face when it’s acting up, that’s a win worth celebrating.




















DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.
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