How I Treat My Hormonal Acne

If you have followed me for a long time you know I have struggled with acne. I never had acne in high school and I sure did take that for granted. My skin started to get really bad around my junior/senior year of undergrad. It was initially very bad on my back which, living in Florida isn't that easy to hide. It was embarrassing and significantly affected my self-esteem and confidence. Soon, pimples started to pop up all over my jaw line and cheek area. Some were cystic and so painful. I tried everything BUT in reality I wasn't taking proper care of my skin. I was in my early 20's and didn't know a lot or even believe in the importance of washing your face everyday before bed. Crazy right? Since I made the commitment to my skin last year (2019) I have taken my makeup off every single night and at the bare minimum washed and moisturized my skin. I personally believe combined with hormones and my lack of proper care of my skin led to the terrible skin problems I had for years. In the last year I have started working with an amazing medical esthetician in Naples, Brittany Napier and she has helped me so much! I run my skincare products by her and any makeup I use or new products I buy. She does my monthly Hydrafacial, dermaplanning, and microneedling. She is literally an ANGEL and so knowledgeable with years of experience. 

Before I got pregnant I finally found products that helped clear up my skin. You can read that post here. I included before and after photos. However, once I got pregnant an after I gave birth I tried the same products and they did not work on my skin any longer. It was devastating to figure that out. After that I tried Tula products which I thought were helping but they really weren't. 

Finally in mid-2019 I decided enough was enough. A friend of mine recommended I go see a PA here in town that does BBL Laser treatments and Microneedling. I had three BBL treatments, one Microneedling session and a retinol peel. At the 3rd BBL, Dana told me that my skin was not showing the improvement she had hoped for and she thought it was time for me to go see a Dermatologist. She recommended someone I could see locally and I made an appointment to see her. Before leaving her office I bought a prescription Retinol mix she sells. She was the first person to EVER mention Retinol to me. If you don't know Retinol or Retin A was originally used to treat acne with amazing side benefits of anti-aging. 

At my visit with the Dermatologist we discussed what I did and didn't want to do for treatments. We went over all the products I was using on my skin including makeup. She told me what I should and shouldn't be using for my acne prone skin. She told me NO products with oil in them. I made sure all my makeup was non-comedogenic and stopped using pretty much all the Tula products I had previously been using. She said we could try birth control but I didn't want to go down that route. We decided to start me on Doryx. It was a low dose and I made sure to be consistent with my probiotics and skincare. I am not an advocate for antibiotics. I believe (based on my college education and research I have done) that antibiotics should be the last option for many types of illness. If they can be avoided they should be. However, the antibiotics in conjunction with prescription Retinol usage (3-4 days week), medical grade skincare products and monthly Hydrafacials have cleared my skin up. It took at least 6 months to get to where my skin is now and I was on the antibiotics for almost four months. I was very scared that once I was off the medication the acne would come back. My Dermatologist told me it was possible and if it did we would look at another option called Spironolactone. Luckily since stopping the antibiotics my skin has continued to get better and better. 

I'm going to go over my current skincare routine and I hope it helps some of you that may be struggling. I suggest going to your dermatologist and making sure they listen to you and what you do and don't want. Kristen, my dermatologist is an angel and I love her. Find a good one you trust and you'll be able to work out a solution for you. Ask them what products you should be using. Many dermatologists sell Skinceuticals at their office and will recommend that brand. I highly recommend them as well. The price tag is high but they are worth every penny.  

Morning Routine 

Face Wash: I alternate face washes. I have a few I cycle through depending on how dry my skin is that day. I love Skinceuticals LHA Cleanser, Beauty Bio's Balance Cleanser and Vanicream Unscented Gentle Facial Cleanser. 

Serums: Drunk Elephant C Firma and Skinceuticals Discoloration Defense (the discoloration defense is insanely amazing. I cannot live without it.)

Moisturizer: Drunk Elephant Protini 

Eye Cream: Skinceuticals Eye Balm 

Evening Routine 

Face Wash: I take off my makeup with Burt's Bees makeup wipes and I splash some with hazel toner on them. Then wash with Beauty Bio's Balance Cleanser or Vanicream Unscented Gentle Facial Cleanser. 

Next, I use my at home microneedling tool from Beauty Bio the GloPro. I use it about 2-3 times a week. This device makes small injuries and holes in your skin that allows your products to sink in 200% more. It has made a HUGE difference in the tone and texture of my skin especially used with retinol.

Above is my before and after picture from when I started using the Glo Pro. The picture on the left is from September 2019 and the photo on the right is from Nov 2019. I notice a HUGE difference in the discoloration in my cheek area. 

Serums: Prescripton retinol (Tretinion) or Fabior. I alternate between the two. 

Night Moisturizer: Summer Friday's Jet Lag Mask

Eye Cream: same as the morning 

On top of ALL the skincare products and antibiotics I started drinking celery juice 5 days a week. I cut out dairy. I maybe have cheese on a salad once or twice a week. I stopped eating Yazzo bars in the evening as well. I don't think these two things cured my acne but I think it helped in addition to everything else I was doing. I already eat a low sugar diet but sugar is a HUGE problem for those with acne prone skin and really for your overall health. I highly recommend making sure your diet is healthy including high intake of fruits and vegetables and low intake of complex carbs like pasta, bread and minimal candy.

I also started drinking spearmint tea. Spearmint has the highest anti-inflammatory properties out of all the mints. I found many studies that showed the effectiveness of drinking spearmint tea. Here is an excerpt "in a 2015 study by the American Academy of Dermatology, two cups or organic spearmint tea ingested daily reduced inflammatory acne lesions by 25% after one month and by 51% after three months. When compared with 100 milligrams of prescription minocycline." I drink one cup in the morning at work and one before I go to bed at night. I also started washing my pillow cases more. I only sleep on one side of the pillow case for one night. The next night I switch it over and after that I wash the pillowcase. 

I'm not going to lie it took a lot to get my skin to where it is now. I had to be diligent and above all patient. My goal was to be able to go out in public without any makeup and feel comfortable and I have achieved that. My hard work has definitely paid off. I do still get pimples, especially the week before my period. I titled this post "How I TREAT my hormonal acne" because I think it's important to be realistic. I know I have a big genetic component for why I have hormonal acne and that part is only going to go away as I age. However, there are many treatments you can do to keep the acne under control.

Here are a few before and afters for you.

Above photos taken in June 2019 before BBL, microneedling, antibiotics and new skincare routine.
It is semi-hard to see in this photo but my face was FULL of clogged pores that would show up and be there for months and months before coming to a head. I had never had a facial in my life at this point. I now get them monthly.

The above photos were taken in January 2020 after I had been off antibiotics for about a month.

I hope this information helpful; and if you have any questions I would love to chat with you. Shoot me and email to: alina@theneapolitanblog.com.

Thanks for reading!

xo, Alina

HydraFacial Q&A with Brittany Napier

I have had an overwhelming response from readers and followers every time I post about getting a HydraFacial and after the last time I decided to see what people's questions may be so they can explore if it was something they would be interested in. I see a medical esthetician here in Naples and she works out of Dr. Pena's office. Brittany is incredibly knowledgeable and educated on everything skin related. She has been working in our area with many of the top plastic surgeons since 2009. I trust her completely and ask her for advice on products on a weekly basis. I have had six HydraFacials with Brittany over the last 6-8 months (I go once a month now) and in addition to using medical grade skincare products on my skin and treatment with antibiotics she has helped me treat my hormonal acne and transform my skin from where it was in mid 2019. 

Let's jump into the Q&A!

What is a HydraFacial and what does it do for your skin?

It's a medical grade facial treatment using a three step process: cleansing, exfoliating and infusing. Replacing the formerly popular Microdermabrasion, Hydrabrasion is becoming the go-to as it's a gentler form of vacuuming out the pores. Estheticians are moving away from traditional microdermabrasion as we learn more about the possible adverse affects of aluminum oxide, which what the crystal are made from. The HydraFacial tips (which are single-use) are each designed for their own function. Using their patented vortex technology they swirl to both add serums and take away dirt and oil from the pores. Beyond the classic three steps, there are boosters that can be added on for specific skin concerns like sun damage, fine lines and overall improvement.

What makes HydraFacial different from another type of facial?

HydraFacial takes deep cleaning to the next level. HydraFacial deep cleans pores in a way that takes much less effort from your esthetician than a traditional facial. The delivery of serums into the skin really maximizes the penetration of ingredients. 

Average cost of a HydraFacial?

The average cost ranges from $150-250 depending on the location and add-ons. Luxury hotels often offer HydraFacial treatments at a premium but are not the medical grade serums used in a medical practice so bare in mind that when booking one. 

How often should you get a HydraFacial?

I recommend having a facial every 4-6 weeks to keep your skin in optimal condition. Discuss what treatment plan is right for you with your skincare professional. 

How to prepare for a HydraFacial and what are the limitations after?

Prior to having any facial treatments it's recommended to abstain from any retinoid for 2-3 days to limit sensitivity. After the treatment avoid actives in retinals, glycolic/salicylic acids or scrubs for 24 hours.

Can you get a HydraFacial while pregnant or nursing?

Yes you can. 

What other services do you offer?

I offer a wide array of services including HydraFacial, Dermaplaning, Chemical peels, and IPL (intensed pulse light) for brown spots and discoloration.

Product recommendations for different skin types?

I can't recommend a one size fits all, as everyone has specific needs however consultations are complementary and I am more than happy to help you customize your perfect regimen. One thing EVERYONE needs is SPF.  

Best way to get rid of a cystic pimple?

DO NOT PICK! Apply a salicyclic acid spot treatment and alternate with hydrocortisone cream. The cortisone has a low dose of steriod that will help shrink the cyst faster. 

I hope this Q&A is helpful for those had sent me questions. If you are local I highly recommend going to see Brittany if you have skin concerns and are looking for improvement. You can contact Dr. Pena's office (239-352-5554) to set up a visit with her. You can follow her on Instagram HERE and she also has an amazing YouTube channel you can find HERE. 

I hope this was helpful! If you still have questions don't hesitate to reach out {alina@theneapolitan.com} or you can message me on instagram. 

Current Skincare Routine for Oily Acne Prone Skin

         
       

         
       
     
     

Hello and TGIF! 

Tax season has been so grueling and I am thoroughly exhausted. Only a few more weeks and it will be over and I can enjoy some much needed time with my family. 

I wanted to do a post to share with you all what my current skincare routine is because I have changed a lot of products since the last time I did a skincare routine. While I was pregnant and after I gave birth my skin broke out so bad. I had my acne under control up until midway through my pregnancy and then it all went down hill. The products I was using weren't clearing it up like they did before. To be honest I have had this problem before. Sometimes when I use products for a long time they just stop working with my skin. That includes skincare products but also makeup products like foundation. I know most of it was because my hormones went crazy and I'll talk about something I've incorporated into my diet that I believe has also really helped clear up my skin. 

I started using Tula products after seeing so many other bloggers I follow raving about it. Come to find out you can purchase many of their products at Ulta. They don't carry everything I use but it is nice if I run out of those products they do carry I can run over there quickly instead of ordering online and waiting for it to arrive. 

Tula's products are formulated with probiotics that help fight the bad bacteria on your skin and help to proliferate the good bacteria. Similar to the probiotics you take for gut health. I take a very good probiotic everyday and so does Lawson. Probiotics are so important to gut and immune health. The use of probiotics in this skincare line is also another reason I was drawn to it. 

I am going to discuss the products in the collage above right to left which is also the order in which I use these products. 

Tula Purifying Cleanser - I love this cleanser. After using it my face feels so fresh and clean. I don't really know any other way to explain it. It's great at taking stubborn makeup off and I just love the way it makes my face feel after using it. Side note: I don't believe this product is safe to use while pregnant or nursing but please make sure to ask your Midwife or OBGYN what is safe for you as everyone is different. 

Kefir Replenishing Cleansing Oil - I will admit I am a bit extra because I use two cleansers from Tula. I use this one to take my makeup off when I get home and then before bed when I do my skincare routine I cleanse again with the Purifying Cleanser. This is a similar product to Mac's Cleansing Oil, which I also love. I love this for taking off my waterproof eye makeup. 

Ance Clearing Tone Correcting Gel - I loveeeee this product! My skin responds best to salicylic acid for treating my acne issues. I use this twice a day morning and night after I have washed my face with the Purifying Cleanser.  It helps kill acne bacteria but also helps correct the tone of your skin and reduce the look of old acne marks and scars left behind after breakouts. 

Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum - I have used this products for years! It is a holy grail product for me and something I cannot live without. I use this after the acne gel toner and before my moisturizer. I only use it once a day in the mornings. I highly recommend if you have acne scarring or leftover red marks. Just like it's name it rapidly reduces the appearance of acne marks. I recommend this product to my friends and family all the time. 

Aqua Infusion Oil-Free Gel Cream - I am so obsessed with this moisturizer! It is not a heavy moisturizer and it is perfect for acne prone skin. A lot of people who have oily skin don't realize they NEED to make sure their skin is staying hydrated. I know it sounds counter-intuitive but you're skin will produce more oil naturally when you aren't keeping it hydrated. 

Peptide and Collagen Serum - I was sent this product by Derma E and I love it! I mix one pump of it in the morning with the Aqua Infusion Oil-Free Gel Cream and I mix two pumps of it with that moisturizer before I got to bed along with one drop of Frankincense essential oil. Again I totally understand that is a lot of steps and products but honestly do you even have a good skincare routine if it isn't extra af? The answer is no.. LOL! 

Advanced Peptides and Collagen Eye Cream - Derma E also sent this product to me to try and I like it so far. I have never really been an eye cream user. I don't have bags or puffiness. I normally have issues with darkness underneath by eyes but that is easy to hide with concealer. The cost of this eye cream is very reasonable so I would suggest trying it if you are looking for a good eye cream that won't break the bank. After I use this I have started using the Tula Glow and Brightening Eye Balm {not pictured above} and I loveeeee it. Unfortunately, it sells out frequently because it's amazing and only $28.00. You can sign up to have them notify you when it is back in stock if you are interested. Highly recommend this product. Everyone wants a brighter more radiant under eye...am I right??

Peach Slices Shrink Pores Sheet Mask - I have raved about this mask on Instagram stories recently and if you haven't tried them run and go get some. I found mine at CVS but they are also available at Target. I notice a significant reduction in pore size after using this mask. I'm actually going to use one tonight but I am going to use my at-home micro-needling tool first and then put the mask on to help it penetrate deeper into my skin.

Peach Slices Hydrate Sheet Mask - I used this mask the day before I went on a bachelorette party earlier this month because I knew I would be drinking a lot which would dehydrate my skin leading to breaks that I do not want. I have read that J.Lo does not drink {at least not a lot and not often} and she attributes her beautiful skin and youthful glow to that. My skin looked so amazing after using it and these masks have definitely become a part of my skincare routine even after only using them a few times.

{Other products I use not pictured above}

Rodan and Field Microdermabrasion Paste - I try to use this product twice a week. It is very important if you have acne prone skin to exfoliate regularly. A jar of this paste lasts me over a year so it absolutely worth the price. Cost per use is very low, which is always a factor I consider before I buy anything.

Frankincense Essential Oil -  I add one drop of this essential oil to my moisturizer that I apply before bed. Frankincense has many amazing properties for your entire body but its a powerful astringent that helps with blemishes, pore size and helps to tighten the skin. The skin tightening I definitely have noticed. In the morning when I wake up my skin isn't oily and it's tight and just feels fresh. It is an expensive oil but worth it because it has so many uses. I purchase mine through Young Living. If you are interested in purchasing shoot me an email {alina@theneapolitanblog.com} and I can get it ordered for you.

Redefine Intense Renewing Serum - if you don't have a retinol product in your skincare routine you need to add one especially if you are 30 and above. This R&F retinol serum has one of the highest levels of retinol on the market that can be purchased without a prescription. I use this once to twice a week and I make sure to intensely moisturizer my skin afterwards because it can be very drying. If you don't know much about retinol do some research but it is used to help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol is NOT safe for use when pregnant or nursing.

Celery Juice - I saved the best for last! This isn't technically a product but something that I have to mention. I heard about the celery juice craze and started looking into it. I found that a lot of people have had great results with it helping their hormonal acne. I decided to try it out for myself. It took about three weeks before I started to notice a difference in my skin. I started noticing even less pimples popping up, my pores were not as clogged and my skin was so smooth like I had just exfoliated. You are suppose to drink it on an empty stomach and wait to eat for about 20-30 minutes after consuming the juice. I do Intermittent Fasting and I break my fast with celery juice around 11:30am. I juice it at home and bring it in a glass bottle to work with me. Celery juice is also great for gut health. Gut health does play a big part in the health of your skin and taking a daily probiotic is a great way to help promote good bacteria in your gut.

These next two products aren't  what I consider consider "skincare" but I need to mention them because I believe since using these two products my skin has had a less blemishes and clogged pores.

Radiant Defense - I have stopped using foundation and replaced it with this magical product. It works like a CC Cream to provide you great coverage but it is actually skincare. It's ingredients help to protect your skin with SPF and antioxidants to prevent damage from environmental stress. The coverage is amazing and very build-able. I used a foundation that I used to love one day a few weeks ago and the next morning and throughout the next week I saw 5-6 pimples pop up. I have done this a few more times and every time I break out after using foundation. I love a full-coverage foundation but I just haven't found one that won't make me break out. I think a lot of my recent skin issues have been less hormones and more the makeup I was putting on my skin.

Mineral Peptides - I use this powder to set my makeup after applying Radiant Defense. It has great coverage and these two products together look better on my skin than foundation and other powders I have used in the past. I have never used a powder like this that looks so incredibly beautiful on the skin. Once my makeup is done it just looks like beautiful skin.  I have received so many compliments on my makeup since starting to use these two products. I plan to do a Current Makeup Routine post soon and I will discuss these products and how I apply them in more detail but as always if you have questions now don't hesitate to send me an email {alina@theneapolitanblog.com}.


I know this was a very long post so if you are still here thank you! I hope you got some helpful information from this post. I have struggled with acne for so long. Getting rid of it then it coming back during pregnancy it really affects your self-esteem. I love that I can run out of my house without any makeup on and not feel embarrassed of that people are looking at my pimples. Try Tula, try celery juice, take a good probiotic and stay away from makeup products that will clog your pores is the best advice I can give.

I also have a link for 20% off Tula {click this link} products if you are interested in trying them out.

Thanks so much for reading!

xo, Alina