Skincare Review | Acne

{Clinique Acne Solutions Clear Skin System
 $35.00 at Sephora}

I probably went through all 92+ pages of reviews on Sephora's website before hitting the "Add to Cart" button for this kit. I've always been hesitant of acne targeted skincare because it tends to sting and completely dehydrate your skin. What I found were a bunch of rave reviews mixed in with a few negative ones, so I thought it was worth a shot. The past couple of years I've had severely oily skin. If I'm being honest, most days I found my skin was a shiny and slippery mess, which meant wearing makeup was a whole different feat. Most of the reviews for Clinique's Acne Solutions said the product wasn't too over-drying, so the promise of a non-oily but non-flaky face enticed me! The 3-step process includes a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer. If you struggle with acne and have a fairly oily complexion, read my pros and cons below to get a better idea of this system. (You'll notice that the "What I Love" list is much, much longer!)

What I could do without

• The first couple of days the product actually did make my skin sting. Whenever I used the product my skin would get very red, and I assumed it was just getting irritated (I almost lost hope then). I also experienced a bit of drying around my chin and mouth for about three days. 

What I Love

• A week into using the products I realized my skin had gotten used to the product, which meant I experienced redness only for a few minutes after application and the dryness subsided. In fact, my skin looked the healthiest it had in years.
• By "healthy" I mean that my skin felt smooth to touch, my makeup glided on better, and by the end of the day my skin only had a hint of oiliness. 

How I Use It

• I actually only do all three steps at night. In the morning I use the toner and moisturizer alone, because I still fear using the cleanser twice a day will be too harsh on my skin. 
• I use the moisturizer almost like a spot treatment and pair it with this deep moisturizing vitamin A cream, which completely counteracts any drying the Clinique solutions may cause.

{Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream 

My Skincare Vitamin Routine

Dr. Hyman's Skin Care Support Kit

Zinc citrate: 30 mg (One at breakfast, One at dinner)

Vitamin A: 10,000 IU (One at breakfast)

Evening primrose oil: 1,300 mg (3 a day, one with every meal)

E Complex: 400 IU (One at breakfast)

{Disclaimer: I only take one of each of the vitamins a day and still saw a dramatically great difference in my skin. If you have truly severe acne, I'd suggest taking the recommended doses daily. *Note: The vitamin A pill is only meant to be taken for the first 3 months}

My sister introduced me to this vitamin routine last year and I now carry around my 7-day vitamin box like my life depended on it. If I skip a day, I notice I'll have a small breakout in the days following. This regimen also helps heal my acne flareups quicker than before, and they are a great natural alternative to antibiotic pills. I always take my vitamins with my meals. Thankfully, I haven't experienced any side affects due to taking these vitamins and I would definitely suggest them to anyone looking to clear up not only their acne, but other skin conditions as well. I would reccommend purchasing all of these vitamins on Amazon.com for the best selection and prices!