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How I Cleared My Acne in 30 Days – My Step-by-Step Routine

How I Cleared My Acne in 30 Days – My Step-by-Step Routine

Hi beshies! 🌸

Grabe, hindi ko in-expect na darating yung araw na masasabi kong “clear skin” na ako. Just a month ago, nagba-breakout ako ng bongga—halos buong forehead and cheeks ko punong-puno ng inflamed pimples, whiteheads, at maskne. I was losing confidence, lalo na kapag kailangan kong mag-zoom meetings or lalabas with friends.

But now, 30 days later, iba na ang glow up! I wanted to share with you my honest skincare journey, kung paano ko talaga na-clear yung acne ko. This isn’t a sponsored post (though, manifesting soon! 😂), this is me sharing what truly worked—trial and error, patience, and the right routine.


So kung ikaw din ay struggling with breakouts right now, hug muna kita. I hope my story gives you hope and maybe even a few tips you can try for yourself.

My Skin Situation Before (Context muna, besh!)

I have combination skin – oily sa T-zone, dry sa cheeks. Nagstart ang acne ko mga January pa lang, pero noong March-April na, talagang grabe na. I had:

  • Clusters of inflammatory acne sa cheeks

  • Closed comedones sa forehead

  • PIE (Post-Inflammatory Erythema) and PIH (Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation)

  • And yung pinaka-worst: nagka-cystic acne ako for the first time ever 😭

I tried covering them with makeup pero lalo lang ako nagka-breakouts. That's when I told myself, "Ay hindi, ilalaban ko 'to."

Week 1: Back to Basics – Skin Reset 🧼

Honestly, the first thing I did was stop using too many products. Dati kasi I was using 10-step routines—akala ko mas marami, mas effective. Pero hindi pala. My skin was overwhelmed and stressed.

Ginawa ko:

  • Cleanser: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser (AM & PM)

  • Moisturizer: Vanicream Moisturizing Cream

  • Sunscreen: Biore UV Aqua Rich (for morning)

  • NO ACTIVES MUNA – No exfoliants, no acids, no retinol.

I called this my “skin rehab” week. Parang detox. I let my skin breathe and heal.

Results after 7 days?
Less redness, fewer new pimples. Nagulat ako. Sometimes, less is more talaga.

Week 2: Gentle Exfoliation + Spot Treatment 🌿

By this time, I was ready to reintroduce some actives, pero super dahan-dahan lang.

Ginawa ko:

  • Cleanser: Same

  • Exfoliant (2x a week only): Paula’s Choice BHA 2% Liquid Exfoliant

  • Moisturizer: Same

  • Sunscreen: Same

  • Spot Treatment: Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% (used only on active pimples)

Tips:

  • I applied BHA with my hands, hindi cotton pad (para hindi sayang).

  • Spot treatment lang talaga ang benzoyl. Wag i-spread all over kasi drying!

Results after 14 days?
Yung malalaking pimples ko, nag-dry na. Hindi na ako tinutubuan ng bago daily. My skin felt smoother. I also noticed my forehead started to clear up.

Week 3: Hydration is Life 💧

I learned na dehydrated skin = more oil = more acne. So kahit oily ako, I started layering hydration.

Additional Step:

  • Hydrating toner: I'm From Rice Toner or Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner (used alternately)

  • Barrier repair serum: Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Serum (for calming & healing)

Also started using a clay mask once a week (Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask) for deep pore cleaning.

Result?
Mas supple na yung skin ko, and hindi na siya super tight after washing. Mas bumilis din ang healing ng old pimples. At halos wala na akong bagong breakouts, besh!

Week 4: Brightening + Scar Fading 🌞

Yay! Clear na mostly ang face ko by Week 4. Wala nang inflamed acne, pero may mga naiwan na dark marks.

So I focused on fading hyperpigmentation.

Final Routine:

  • Cleanser: Still the same

  • Exfoliant: Still 2x a week

  • Moisturizer: Added Snail Mucin (CosRX Advanced Snail 92 All In One Cream)

  • Brightening Serum: Alpha Arbutin + Niacinamide combo (The Ordinary or Good Molecules)

  • Sunscreen: Consistent pa rin!

Tip: Walang kwenta ang brightening serum kung hindi ka nagsa-sunscreen!

Results after 30 days?
Girl, glow up unlocked. From full-on breakouts to smooth, clear, glowing skin. My confidence went back. Hindi ko kailangan ng foundation para lumabas. Just cheek tint and kilay, keri na!

Things I Learned Along the Way 💡

  1. Don't switch products too quickly. Stick to a routine for at least 2-4 weeks.

  2. Be gentle. Wag mong awayin ang balat mo. Use your fingers, not harsh scrubs.

  3. Sun protection is non-negotiable.

  4. Don’t pop pimples. Nakaka-tempt, pero that leads to more scarring.

  5. Drink water, eat well, and sleep. Skin is a reflection of lifestyle rin.

Products That Really Helped Me (Hindi Sponsored, Bes!) 🛍️

  • Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser

  • Vanicream Moisturizer

  • Paula’s Choice BHA

  • CosRX Snail Mucin

  • The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin + Niacinamide

  • Biore UV Aqua Rich Sunscreen

Every skin is different, so patch test always and listen to your skin.

Final Thoughts 💖

Clearing my acne in 30 days was not magic—it was consistency, gentle care, and knowing when to step back. Hindi kailangan ng super mahal na products. What you need is a routine that works for YOU.

To anyone struggling with acne right now, please don’t give up. I've been there—yung iyak sa harap ng salamin, ayaw mag-selfie, takot tumabi sa tao. But believe me, clear skin is possible. One day at a time, besh.

If you made it this far, thank you for reading my journey. 💕 If you have questions or want to share your story, comment below. Let’s support each other. ✨

Love,
Your Skincare Beshie
Skin Diary PH


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