Click here to read part one. Click here to read part two.
This festival was unlike any party I had been to in high school or overseas. It changed my life. I had always had a bit of a free spirit, but suddenly my free spirit had a place. Here was a few hundred peaceful people gathered together in this incredibly beautiful forest, by this amazingly gorgeous ocean, listening to great music, enjoying dancing, art, food, and truly enjoying each other and their life for this one magical weekend. And this was all happening in my hometown! Not down the road, or in a farflung country… my hometown!
I’ve since been very attached to Powell River, as I have been back there to work every summer at a fun little kayak shop, and discovered a whole new side of the town that I never knew about in high school. Every summer I enjoy the Diversity Festival, as well as other outdoor gatherings like it, dance my face off, and it is, without a doubt, these moments in my life that I truly feel the most alive. I think this was a pretty important discovery.
As much as I loved these weekends of festival magic, there was one thing that I hated about them… and it was that I was always so anxious about how my skin looked. Camping was one of the only times I was without my face wash and my benzoyl. It was hard to sneak away from your friends to find somewhere to slather on your meds and cover up your spots in secret, especially when the only facilities were outhouses! I was ultra aware about how my old foe, acne, infringed upon my favourite moments, and I was resentful. I wanted to be a free spirit after all! I didn’t want to be tied down to anything, especially not this face washing and makeup routine and the fearful attachment that comes with it.
Cue this past winter. It’s the new year of 2010 and I’m still wasting my winters doing something aimless until I can go home to Powell River for the summer to dance up a storm and live the good life. I’m in Vancouver this time, working in a cool pub on Commercial Drive. Benzoyl Peroxide has long stopped working, and my acne problem is growing slowly but surely.
All of a sudden sometime after Christmas, I began breaking out worse than anything I had ever imagined. It started on my forehead and spread all the way down my face until I could hardly recognize myself. I thought it was the face wash I was using, so I ditched it – praying for my skin to go back to normal. But it just continued to get worse, and worse, and worse.
I was beyond traumatized.
I don’t know what triggered it exactly or what all the causes were of this sudden worsening of acne… but you can imagine I poured over every little thing it could possibly have been. I tried creams, supplements, anything. I was desperate and lost. I piled makeup on and carefully placed my bangs across my forehead, just wanting to hide my head. I managed to look okay in public, but this made it worse because on the rare occasions when I’d break down and tell someone what I was going through, they could hardly believe that I wasn’t completely overreacting. I hid it as best I could. They didn’t understand that underneath the carefully placed mask, I felt like a monster. I cried when I went home to wash my face and look in the mirror.
I knew what needed to be done, and I knew that it needed to be done naturally. I wanted to bring my body to a state in which acne was not going to come back like this ever again, and I knew that no drug with it’s insane side effects were going to do that. You can read more about why I decided to go natural with treating my acne in this article here.
I quit my job and I moved back to my beloved hometown for the summer and started my new, healthier life, while trying to work through all the emotions that this bout with acne had put me through. I had never experienced anything like this before, and I was forced to realize where these feelings of low self esteem and self worth were stemming from. If you want to know more about my emotional journey, you can read about in this article here.
2010 was a crazy year for me. It was really tough. I had to realize that I was not superhuman and that there was no shield around me. Bad things could happen and I need to learn to accept and work through them, instead of let them destroy me. My ego was ripped apart and I’m still in the process of rebuilding it as self esteem, and it’s been a pretty amazing journey.
I hate acne. So do you. So does everyone. But in a way, I’m glad that I’ve had it. I never would have experienced the growth that I have unless I had to go through a personal crisis such as this. I would have just gone on living my semi-charmed life until something worse came along to destroy it.
Believe me, acne taught me more about myself and what I’m capable of than any solo backpacking trip ever could.
I’m back in Vancouver now, a year later, looking to the future. Fear still follows me sometimes, but I’m optimistic. I refuse to do any more waitressing gigs, or meaningless jobs just to get by. I’ve realized that I’ve continued to sell myself short throughout my life, still stuck in the mindset that I am capable of anything but that no one will take this cute little girl seriously… so why try? No more of that – I want to help people and I want to empower people to exile their acne and change their lives for the better, and that is what I intend to do.
Thanks for reading my story – I know it was long.
It is my sincere hope that you stick with me and keep reading my blog. I don’t want you to give up because there is hope for you and everyone out there. I know that you all have the strength and courage inside you to bring the life you always wanted into reality.
Peace and happiness my darlings 🙂
If you’d like to know even more about my personal life, interests, and day to day life, click here to read a follow up article in which I answer all kinds of questions about me!
Also, don’t forget to subscribe to my blog so you never miss a new article!
41 Responses
Thanks for having this website. It’s great to be able to read a success story, it makes me feel more hopeful, especially on days like today when all I do is wallow in self pitty and repeatedly check the mirror. It’s a slow process for me getting into a more holistic diet and cutting out eating garbage. My main problem is I dont know whats causing my acne then I try every method possible to get rid of it and dont stick to it long enough. Waiting for diet changes to show a difference definately takes patience.
It can be tough for sure, but don’t just wait for diet to take effect.. you’ll get better results if you put effort into improving all areas of your health. It all works together to elevate you to health and clear skin… so don’t give up! Get exercise, sleep, sunshine, and lots of stress free playtime as well 🙂
I just found your site a few days ago through Seppo Puusa and I am really happy I did. You’re very inspiring and brave for sharing your experiences! I’ve suffered from acne more or less 15 years and I’m still battling, but through changes in my diet and attitude (plus started exercising regularly) I am starting to see a little light at the end of the tunnel. It’s encouraging to see how others have succeeded with quite similar methods. 🙂 Keep up the good work and keep your spirits up! 🙂
Hey Saana, welcome to the site! I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Don’t worry, there is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel!
Hi!
So funny that I stumbled upon your website. I am also a fellow CSNN’er and Vancouver/West Coast girl. Like you, I have fought the on and off battle with acne, and self esteem issues. To find this page was like a breath of fresh air! I have tried literally EVERY product on the market to clear my skin. I wish i could take the thousands of dollars I must have spent and on useless (not to mention painful) products and donate to a good cause. I became a chef 10 years ago and have always thought I was pretty informed about healthy eating and living until I hit my late 20’s and was always sick, severely depressed, and breaking out wore than ever. That is when I decided to go back to school and like you, become a RHN. The course has changed my outlook and changed my life. I and still on a journey to fully understand the inner working of my body, mind and spirit……I am a work in progress. I just wanted to commend you on this awesome and inspiring page. So nice to read a story that I can really relate to. Starting tomorrow I am going to challenge myself to 30 days of meditation inspired by you:) Keep up the amazing work!
Hi Jessica!
That’s so awesome, have you already finished the CSNN course? Or still working on it? I’m about halfway through the correspondence course… plugging along. And where do you live now?? In Vancouver? Anyway… I’m really glad you found my site and we have some things in common. Good luck with your meditation challenge, I’m just about done my thirty days, about to start my second month 🙂
Thanks for sharing your story. That must have taken some courage!
I felt like I was reading my life story at the same time. Lol.
I used to feel exactly the same way, and believe it or not, my skin was even worse. I had somewhat of the opposite ‘complex’ however. 🙂 I’m pretty tall, (5’10”) and had some body dysmorphia, thinking I was ‘huge’ or something. That + low self esteem = eating disorder. With God and raw foods, I’ve finally found the truth about nutrition, loving myself and others, and especially learning from all lessons we go through. Just like you, I wouldn’t take any of it back. Those years have helped me develop into the person I am today. I’m glad you’ve turned out to be such a beautiful and inspiring person as well.
Anyways – Thanks. 🙂
P.S. I’ve really been thinking about going to the exact same school for the RHN certification in Canada!!! How funny. lol.
Hi Amanda! It’s crazy what our own minds can do to us.. I’m glad you came out the other end alright!
And you should definitely do the RHN thing at CSNN… I’m really enjoying it! It gives you a great all around sort of education, without taking too much of a one sided stance on anything. They give you lots of information to make up your own mind (as this field is pretty wrought with opinion), which I like about them. I’m taking the course by distance education, which takes some discipline, but I’m getting it done!
Great story Tracy! I just finished reading all 3 parts. I had no idea you traveled around the world like that!! That is pretty sweet and something I hope to start doing before 2012 strikes. You look fantastic right now and you are right in that acne teaches us A LOT. I am honestly grateful that I suffered with acne for almost 6 years. It is a great learning experience and one that is hard to beat.
Now you will just have to do a primal/paleo experiment for 30 days and see what happens 😉
I’ll get to the primal experiment sooner or later 🙂
Anyway, get out there and travel if you haven’t already! It’s amazing. I thought I heard you say somewhere around somewhere or other that you’re going to be moving out to to California? Is that right? Where are you planning on heading to?
Yes, I am currently planning on moving to California. As soon as I am making enough money from my blog I am gone. I truly believe 100% that it will be sometime this Summer. I have an AWESOME plan on how to go about doing it. I am quitting my 40 hour per week job tomorrow and am ready to LIVE.
I plan on moving to the SF Bay area because their is a small college, Bauman College that I would like to apply to and hopefully attend. Its a 15 month nutritional program. Their guidelines are quite similar to the primal/paleo way of eating which is what really intrigues me. They are 100% against gluten and are all for grass-fed beef.
Diane S, a paleo nutrition leader is traveling across the US teaching paleo nutrition courses. This is what I would LOVE to do. So, why not go for it?
I can’t wait to see what happens over the next few months let me tell you!!
Your story is incredible! Im from Sydney btw.
I over acne but im left with some brown marks got any tips?
You’re gorgeous btw come back to Sydney 😛 Please!
Thanks Jay! Sydney was lovely, I actually do plan to get back to Australia sometime soon 🙂
Check out this video to answer your question https://thelovevitamin.com/521/how-to-get-rid-of-acne-scars-and-hyperpigmentation-naturally/
Hi Tracy, I’m back to read more! I just want to say your website is blessing and couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I’ve been using BP for at least 5 years for my acne, which helped the symptoms but never cleared me up. Last October I decided to go holistic and ditched BP. I tried all sorts of holistic home remedies (OCM, tea tree oil, ACV and the list goes on). I stuck with these regimens for a few months and my entire face broke out with painful acne. I went back on BP again with no other choice. In February I completely changed my diet (low glycemic, no caffeine, soy, dairy, or gluten). Seriously, within a month my acne is completely gone. It’s amazing how the body works when you give it the right foods to make it happy.
I would love your suggestion on something. I have lots of deep red marks left over and would like to stop using BP because I know it’s contributing to my inflammation. I’m currently using BP once a day at 1/3 fingers length amount (drastically less than you know who’s site recommends). Since I’ve changed my diet and I’m clear should I simply stop using BP since the root problem is dealt with? Do you think I’ll experience a breakout by quitting cold turkey? I really want to stop using this product as soon as I can.
Anyways, thank you for all you do. You have a wise soul and a beautiful spirit!
Hi! Thanks for all the support! 🙂
That’s so great that you’ve managed to clear your acne! Way to go.
I can’t say for sure if you’ll have a breakout if you quit cold turkey. Your skin does get used to these strong chemicals and then can have a bit of a withdrawal freakout, but whether that will happen for you or not, I have no idea. I’d still recommend probably just weaning off it, but you can shorten the wean time… maybe have it completed within two weeks? Haha I understand if you’re impatient! I’m an impatient person too…hehe… make sure you use aloe to soothe your skin afterwards 🙂
I am impatient as well! I’ll go ahead a do a mini wean to be on the safe side. I’m excited to try the new aloe vera you found. Thanks again for being so helpful.
Both inspiring and hopeful. Your story should be carved in stone and recited to all of us who have acne, and many more. I don’t wanna overdo the compliments, but I feel the need to express my thoughts and feelings on this incredible project.
Peace!
You are amazing! Your so similar to me in so many ways. I have always been tiny and skinny and hated being called cute when i was younger, i dream of travelling the world and it is my main ambition in life, i went to canada by myself when i was 19 for the summer and i have acne. You are so brave sharing your story for the world to see. And you are really pretty and ambitious, a true inspiration! I hope to live in Vancouver one day too, hopefully in two years time. And I want to go to this festival, you make it sound so wonderful! 🙂
Hi Bo!!
Welcome to the blog!! 😀 Where do you live now? The west coast of BC Is WONDERFUL… and so is the festival I wrote about, I just went to it again a couple weekends ago…. amazing 🙂
Hi Tracy! (:
I loved your story! It’s so inspirational and I know that with your tips I too can have clear skin. I just found your site about a week ago in search of some information to get rid of my acne for good.
I am a triplet and my brother, sister, and I started getting acne around the age of 10. I am now 18 and still suffer from acne although it is not as bad as it used to be. My mom is really into health and fitness which is really helpful. We all go to the gym and exercise regularly and I sometimes do yoga as well. We only shop at Trader Joes and a small health food store called Vitamin City. All of our food is organic, we only buy grass fed beef, raw milk, we juice with carrots, cucumbers, celery, and add some apple cider vinegar. We also juice wheat grass as well. I stopped eating breads, but would only have spelt and brown rice but after a while I figured that it was probably affecting my acne. So, about a week ago my sister and I started a wheat free, gluten free, and dairy free diet. I’ve been eating so much more vegetables and I’ve noticed I feel better! Also, I made some sweet potato tots the other day they were delicious! I’m really into baking so I like to make recipes that are gluten and wheat free of course. I use coconut flour, almond flour, tapioca flour, and/or arrowroot instead and agave, xylitol, or stevia to sweeten it.
So, I am hoping that by making these changes with my diet as well as taking fish oil and fiber/flax regularly and getting some sun will clear up my skin for good! I’m just worried that even if I do all of this that I’ll still continue to have acne. Thank you so so so much for your story, the 7 steps, and all your articles! (:
Hi Tracy,
I just discovered your blog and while I’ve experimented with many of the things you talk about and live the healthy lifestyle you describe, I still deal with acne.
I felt like I was reading my own life story. I am Canadian too, grew up on the East Coast and just moved to Ottawa. I totally understand that “cute” issue. I prefer to be called slender, not skinny. BIG difference haha. I dreamt of travelling the world while I looked at maps for hours on end as a child. Moving to Ottawa meant leaving my first serious and long term boyfriend behind.
Now I need to find that group where I belong and deal with my skin once and for all. Thanks for sharing. I’m sure it wasn’t easy. I admire your confidence 🙂
Hi Meghan! Welcome to the blog… cool to know we have so much in common 🙂
Hi there! Tracy, I read in some part of your blog that you are student of Holistic Nutrition? I love that! Can I know where you study it? Great blog 😉
Hi Ursula!
It’s through a Canadian private college – Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. 🙂
Hey Tracy,
I´ve been reading your website for sometime now but this is a first time that i leave a comment.. I read your story twice now and the more i read the more i love you, really i meant it..
I have struggle with acne for many years still now i am 31 and i still have them, i also have many scars on my face but i lean to love them as they are part of who i am.. I use to be so stress about it as i was a performer, but i lean that the more i stress the worse its become..
I decide to change my job, being more with myself and do a lots of meditation which is help a lots and luckily i got an amazing partner who loves me the very most in the world..
Thank Tracy for your blog have make me smile every time i came to visit..
Love
Hi May! I love to hear from lurkers 🙂 Thanks for letting me know that you’re enjoying the site. Transformation from hating ourselves to accepting ourselves isn’t easy and I’m not fully there yet, but it feels great to make small steps towards greater awareness and healing!! Doesn’t it? Lots of love ! oxox
Hi Tracy,
I just finished reading your life story and I wanted to thank you for putting it out there. It has given me the hope and motivation I need to get off this Acne.org BP Regimen that I have been doing for 7 years now. Acne has controlled my life for too long now and keeping me from doing the things I want to do in life. I can’t wait to read more of your articles!
Hi Ben! Welcome to the blog and I wish you all the best with your journey to clear skin!! 😀
Tracy.. I’ve just finished reading through a lot of your website and your 90-page ebook. It seriously could have been written by me, except that I’m 19 and my skin is already severe. I can relate to you so much.. I signed up to do your candida cleanse (THANK YOU for how cheap everything is) and plan on beginning the entire plan in another week or so. I just wanted to let you know that I love you and your website, and I really hope this works for me!! I’m going to keep a record of it all, so I’ll be sure to keep you updated. Thank you so much!!!
Awesome 😀 can’t wait to see you on the cleanse!
Oh my god, I have a lot of reading here! 😀 I don’t even know how I found your blog, but I’m really glad I did because it opened my eyes. I don’t have that severe acne but it makes me feel horrible anyway. I’ve learnt how to ignore it and it works on my better days but you and your history made me think about it in other way – I don’t have to deal with it, I can get rid of my acne and that’s what I’m gonna do with help of your blog. I’m gonna make myself comfortable to look at the sky, no more feeling embaraced by my skin condition. I don’t want to think that people find me ugly and disgusting.
You made me feel more confident that I actually can do this. I’m motivated and optimistic.
I am also sorry for my English. I’m from Poland, Europe.
I appreciate that you decided to share your history. Thank you.
Yay! Good luck Paulina! I’m sending lots of love your way.
Hi Tracy,
I was wondering if you have any acne scars, my acne doesn’t look worse than yours but now it is healing i’m scared of scars.
Hi Kelvin – Some people just have skin that scars easily, and others don’t. I’m really lucky that my skin doesn’t seem to scar very easily, and I don’t really have any acne scars. You’ll have been able to see from past acne if you have easily scarring skin or not, which should you tell you if there is anything to be worried about. My suggestion is to use manuka honey on any of the scabs/wounds etc as they heal… it really helps it heal skin properly and not scar
Hye tracy. Tq very3 much for creating and sharing all information about acne. Right now, I understand about acne and causesnao acne. Its come from our diet right.
My skin right now very worst and terrible because of detoxification. Before this, I used all products in mrket but it doesn’t work. I also go to dermatologist and he give me antibiotics I guess and skincare products. At the first place, my skin very clear. But,after i stopped used, my acne come back and worst. I hope and want to seriously use natural products. Tq so much. Lots of love.
P/s-sorry for my broken english. Anyways, i from malaysia.nice to meet u. 🙂
Hi Tracy. I’ve been following your blog for a few months now and I have several questions for you. What was your unhealthy lifestyle like before? Were you drinking, smoking, not getting adequate sleep, etc? What did your diet actually consist of? I’ve read that you ate a typical Western diet, but what exactly does that mean? I’m just curious because you went from having mild acne to having severe acne and that’s quite terrifying. I’m 28 and I’ve had mild acne for 16 years. What’s terrifying is the thought that what happened to you could happen to me. I totally applaud your site and the strength it must have taken for you to share your journey, but I have some serious concerns. When I first stumbled upon your blog and bought all of your ebooks, I remember thinking that I could walk away from your site with flawless skin. Unfortunately that hasn’t been the case. In fact, I have almost walked away with a near eating disorder, specifically orthorexia. I went from a happy wife and mother to a woman I didn’t recognize. I mean it got so bad that at one point I sobbed in front of my husband and son at the dinner table explaining that I was terrified to eat anything for fear that it would lead to a pimple. Obviously this isn’t your fault and I clearly have anxiety tendencies, but it was alarming nonetheless. I just wonder how many other girls and women have found themselves in the very same situation because of their determination to clear their acne through diet and without the use of pharmaceutical drugs. I’ve read more holistic websites than I care to admit and I’ve come across a common theme; if you have acne you are broken/unhealthy. Basically the idea is that while acne is common, it’s not normal. That really messed with my emotions and my mental health. I do enjoy the guest posts on your blog, but Esther’s post really bothered me. I definitely don’t think that young girls should be staring at photos of women with perfect skin as motivation. That just seems damaging to me because what if they never achieve that flawless skin like Esther or those models who have clearly had their photos airbrushed to perfection? It just seems like it could cause even lower self esteem in those that already have insecurities. I’ve also noticed that your ebooks do not contain any scientific references. I read your disclaimer so I understand that you’re not a doctor, but I just wonder about the validity of some of the acne causes you speak of, particularly the candida cause of acne. Actually, that 7 day challenge was really what tipped off my fearful eating. I mean I became afraid of fruit! How ridiculous! It’s actually rather embarrassing to admit that in my journey to clear skin I ended up totally neurotic in a matter of 3 short months. I have another question. How long did it take to clear your skin? From the photos it looks about 6 months, right? March to September? I know you’ve said that you didn’t take Accutane and actually made a YouTube video explaining why you didn’t take it, but I just wanted to point out that it might look really suspicious to some readers. I’m not accusing you, I’m just noting that the time line seems to coincide with a typical Accutane course. Also, in your progression photos did your skin improve drastically because you stopped picking or were the photos showing how your skin improved with all the supplements and diet? That brings me to another question, do you plan to take all of the supplements for the rest of your life? I don’t mean to pry, but do you ever plan to become pregnant and if so, are you going to stop some of the supplements? I just wonder how all of these lifestyle changes fit into long term plans. I also want to note that a lot of your blog implies a cure to acne when rather what you might mean to say is that you put your acne into remission. A cure just doesn’t exist for acne at this point. If it did none of us would be searching for natural ways to treat and prevent it. I just wonder if you stopped all of the supplements and slacked on your diet do you think your acne would come back or do you honestly feel you have cured it? I have taken away such useful information from your website, so thank you for your dedication to creating a blog encouraging people to live a healthy lifestyle. I just wanted to share my concerns with you and ask a few questions in order to clarify some things 🙂
Hi Amanda, thanks for sharing your concerns.
In regard to what my lifestyle was like before… I ate a ton of greasy restaurant food every day (worked in a restaurant), drank a lot, didn’t have a regular sleep schedule, was in a semi-unhealthy-kinda-stressful relationship, was stressed at my job, I took the morning after pill a bunch of times prior to the big breakout which messed with my hormones, and I was also switching skin routines all the time which was irritating my skin.
I’m really sorry that things didn’t work out for you so well and that things went more towards anxiety and fear in regard to health. I totally understand this is a common problem amongst acne sufferers and their health and I experienced it myself from the onslaught of info on the internet. It is a really big problem with the internet & media in general – not just people with acne, not just people with health problems, but people in general (parents are terrified of things happening to their kids etc…). Anxiety is probably at an all time high due to information overload, and the focus on the negative.
It puts me in an awkward position for sure, since I understand this is a problem. But what can I do right? Even though I went through some tough times in regard to fear and anxiety about food and acne, I am still immensely grateful that I learned about treating acne naturally. It’s really been a positive for me, and I get emails all the time from people who have been helped. Just because anxiety can get in the way doesn’t mean this stuff shouldn’t be shared. It’s the same with… say… weight loss… or anything really! Yes, people can get anxiety about this, and obsessive, and go overboard with their diets… does that mean that health and nutrition in regard to weight loss and keeping fit just shouldn’t be taught at all? I do really try to emphasize that diet isn’t everything and it’s totally okay not to be perfect.
For me I’ve managed to actually move my way out of that fear and anxiety about food, and now I have a really nice balance of eating well but being relaxed about it… taking a few select supplements but only in low doses (for maintenance…. I don’t know if I intend to use them forever. If I get pregnant I will just stop the ones I can’t use).. and yes my skin is still clear. I don’t have any fear at all anymore. So it can be done. Read more in this article about how I got over my food fears: https://thelovevitamin.com/13901/repaired-unhealthy-relationship-with-food/
As for how long it took to clear my skin… it was three months from March to June. I didn’t take Accutane or any conventional treatment or anything that I said I didn’t use. I understand that if it didn’t seem to work for you so well it’s easy to get skeptical about such claims…I wish I could tell you why it wasn’t working for you but I don’t know the details of your situation. Acne is indeed complicated, and sometimes it’s not as straight forward as we’d like.
Whether or not I think this is a cure or not… I’d say it’s about half of a “true” cure. Because sometimes you just need to correct an imbalance and nudge your body back on track and that’s going to make you stronger and able to “hold” clear skin, even if you are not so strict or dedicated after the initial part. For example, correcting a gut imbalance, or a hormonal imbalance or something (or if a big part of the problem for you was irritating your skin with chemicals… stop doing that and that’s going to hold forever). However, yes, if you do slide right back into completeley ignoring your health in all ways for long enough then there may be a good chance it’ll come back. But for example, I am no where near as strict about my health stuff as I was, and I’m still clear. I take low doses of my supplements but yeah if I got pregnant, I’d just go off them and wouldn’t expect any kind of disaster to strike.
Anyway, hope that answered some of your questions x
Thank you so much for responding and answering my questions! I truly appreciate it. It certainly helps to get a better idea of what your old lifestyle was like. I didn’t mean to come off with an attitude that you shouldn’t share your experience. I absolutely think you should and I know you’ll continue to do so, which is awesome! I just wanted to kind of put my experience out there so that others who may be reading your blog don’t feel like an utter failure. I think it’s all too easy to wonder what you’re doing wrong when things aren’t working out like you planned or expected. It’s easy to internalize things and feel at fault. I honestly did not anticipate becoming fearful and anxious of food. It really took me by surprise. I’m pretty sure the stress over what to eat just exacerbated everything. I do agree that there is an overwhelming amount of information on the Internet and it’s so hard to decipher what is accurate and what is not. In my early days of researching acne causes I remember typing into Google “does diet affect acne” and oh my goodness! It seemed like everything was in one way or another linked to causing acne. I didn’t know what to eat at that point. I definitely think it’s amazing that you focus on overall health, so I’ve received some really great information in that regard. It’s hard not to be fearful of the natural stuff as well as prescription medications, especially since not all herbs and supplements are well studied. I suppose that is partially why I’m not perfectly clear (I have mild, non inflammatory acne) because I haven’t tried fermented cod liver oil and Estro block for fear of possible side effects. I just don’t want to mess with my hormones until I find out where I stand (I asked the NP at my gynecologist office if she could check my levels and she told me it was pointless unless I was going through menopause. Obviously I’ll be asking my doctor next month instead of just taking the NP’s word for it). I tried following a paleo style diet, but found out through an allergist that I’m allergic to nuts, so that left me with meat, vegetables, fruits and seeds. Not much to really eat and terribly difficult to live a normal life visiting friends and family for meals. How do you manage that part of your life, eating and such? Do your family and friends know that you keep to a fairly strict diet? I noticed that you’re petite (I mean no offense) and I have definitely found it difficult to follow strict diet guidelines and keep my weight up (I’m 5’7 and 115 lbs). I don’t drink, never have, or smoke or eat fast food. I’m pretty certain my acne is a combination of stress and hormones (which is why I focused so much on diet since it greatly affects hormones, but then so does stress) because I’ve only ever had perfect skin while on an oral contraceptive, which I stopped due to migraines. To say combating acne is tough is an understatement. It’s the hardest freaking thing to deal with! It’s frustrating and exhausting trying to find the root cause. I do imagine that’s how weight loss must feel for others trying to get to their ideal body weight. My heart breaks for all individuals whom are overweight and/or struggling with acne. As acne sufferers it’s always there in our minds. It sucks. Sorry to vent, especially since my acne is so not bad at all. I suppose 16 years of acne will do that to a person though and at some point you get fed up with the breakouts. Anyways, thank you for answering my questions and being so open and candid on your blog. I think it’s incredible that you’ve opened up your life to others and have committed to helping people through your experience. It’s funny because even though I don’t know you I feel like I do in a sense. Thanks for all of your knowledge and insight into natural acne remedies 🙂
Hi Tracy,
I have been visiting your website for a while now. My first visit was in fall 2011, like in november if I am not mistaken. Haven read lot of your posts, I started to change a couple of things but couldn’t tolerate the emotional pain of acne. So while I was changing my nutritional approach I took some medications and keep spend a fortune in skin care products. I totally get what it is to feel like a monster, I have said those exact words at my worse acne time. I was coming home every night and cried, I was calling my mom every single day crying about my skin. I was in panic, I was lost, I was desesparate. I felt guilty for complaining about something that wasn’t threatening my life… I fail to go through this so went back on the pill. And here I am at crossroad again, very soon to stop the pill. I have already ditch my expensive skin products and I am very happy with jojoba oil. I am actually feeling way more connected to me this way. I am not in war anymore with the little pimples that I still get, so I feel more ready to go into this journey of naturally clear skin! I
Am sure that if acne is returning it will be painful, but this time I will stick to your blog, and stick to myself by listing to what my body is telling me.
Thanks a lot Tracy
You are very inspiring!
Thanks Valerie! Just a quick note before you quit the pill, check this out first: https://thelovevitamin.com/769/can-you-wean-off-the-birth-control-pill/
hi i really like your story and how you have come so far and i myself i have acne pretty bad and i hate my self for it i cry all the time because of it and all my family tell me im beautiful but i tell them i dont see it and when they mention acne it makes me nervous and i just wanna cry all over again and its hard to shoe myself anywhere knowing what i look like