How I Got Rid of Hormonal Acne: My Honest Journey
By Joanna Vidal
Hi, beautiful people!
Today, I want to share my personal experience with hormonal acne—how it started, how it affected my confidence, and how I finally overcame it.
Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor or medical expert. I’m simply sharing my personal journey in the hope that it might help or inspire someone going through something similar.
How My Acne Started
When I was a teenager, I had clear, glowing skin. I only had mild pimples occasionally, which healed naturally and didn’t leave dark spots. I didn’t use any skincare products—just soap and water.
But everything changed when I turned 23, around September 2015.
People said it was hormonal imbalance—“you’re becoming a lady,” they told me. I also moved from a cold climate to a much warmer area, and I believe the drastic weather change played a role in triggering my breakouts.
At first, it was just one pimple. Then it started spreading—and before I knew it, my entire face was covered in painful acne.
I felt so ugly and lost all confidence. Friends and coworkers kept asking me what happened to my face. It made me feel even worse. I started avoiding people, covering my face, and staying quiet.
What I Tried (That Didn’t Work)
I researched everything I could. I tried all kinds of remedies and over-the-counter products.
I even took antibiotics for a few weeks, but they didn’t help—in fact, my acne got worse and more painful.
That’s when I realized I needed professional help.
Seeing a Dermatologist
After two months of trying on my own, I went to a skin specialist. She was shocked when I told her I’d only been dealing with acne for three months—it looked much more serious.
She recommended an 8-month course of Accutane, a powerful treatment for severe acne that helps balance hormones. She also warned me:
• It wouldn’t be easy.
• It would require regular blood tests and monthly check-ups.
• It would cost a lot.
But I was desperate—so I said yes.
My Accutane Experience: The Real Truth
The first few months were really hard.
Accutane dried out my whole body—especially my lips, eyes, and nose.
I felt tired, emotional, and even a little depressed at times.
Some months, it looked like I was getting better.
Then the next month—boom—another big breakout.
The doctor had to adjust my dosage several times. My face hurt from the breakouts, and I worried constantly about scarring.
Still, I kept going. Every month, I showed up for my check-ups. I also experienced joint pain, and my doctor advised me to exercise to help manage my weight and side effects.
Finally, Some Progress
By the 5th month, I noticed a difference—fewer breakouts, clearer skin.
By month 6, my skin was glowing. I felt so much better and thought, Should I stop now?
So at the beginning of month 7, I made the decision to stop early, even though I hadn’t completed the full 8-month course.
Life After Acne
I was nervous that my acne might come back—but thankfully, it didn’t.
It’s been 6 months since I stopped treatment, and my skin is still clear. I now maintain a consistent skincare routine to keep it that way.
A Message for Anyone Struggling With Acne
If you’re dealing with acne—especially hormonal acne—I want you to know: you’re not alone.
It’s not easy. It takes time, effort, money, and patience. But the feeling of being confident, happy, and at peace with your skin is absolutely worth it.
If you’re determined, don’t give up. Seek help when needed. Be kind to yourself. And trust the process.
I would like to recommend you to check also my blog about: How I handle my acne treatment!
Below is my picture before treatment (November 2016):
Below are my pictures from first to middle month of my treatment.
"extremely gross" :(
Finally, this is me after 6th months until early April 7th month of treatment.
(as I said I didn't continue my 8 months medication but my skin was so clear and glowing)
Let’s Connect!
If you have any questions or want to share your own acne journey, leave a comment below—I’d love to hear from you!
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