3 Secrets to Clearing Acne Without Medication (No Accutane / Tretinoin)

Summary

This video shares the personal journey of overcoming adult acne for over nine years without resorting to medications like Accutane and tretinoin. The speaker details the side effects of these treatments and their decision to focus on internal health, diet, sleep, and stress management. They introduce a secret weapon, vitamin B5, and discuss its benefits for acne-prone skin. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of skin hygiene and provide tips on reducing makeup use and proper acne care. The video aims to inspire hope and offer practical advice for those struggling with acne.

Takeaways

• 😔 The speaker struggled with adult acne for over 9 years and experienced severe side effects from treatments like Accutane and tretinoin.
• 💡 They decided to stop using these medications and instead focused on three fundamental changes for skin improvement: diet, sleep, and stress management.
• 🥗 A significant dietary change involved reducing high glycemic foods and dairy, which can potentially trigger acne due to hormonal imbalances and insulin spikes.
• 🍏 The speaker emphasizes the importance of consuming natural, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, and green tea for their antioxidant properties.
• 💧 Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water is highlighted as a basic yet essential practice for overall health and skin clarity.
• 💊 The introduction of a 'secret weapon', penic acid (vitamin B5), is mentioned as a supplement that helped reduce acne by improving skin moisture retention and barrier repair.
• 🛌 Stress and lack of sleep are identified as factors that can exacerbate acne, with the speaker sharing personal strategies to manage these aspects of life.
• 🧼 Skin hygiene practices, such as cleaning tools and showering before bed, are recommended to minimize skin irritation and bacterial transfer.
• 🚫 Reducing makeup use and allowing the skin to breathe is suggested as a way to promote healing and prevent further acne breakouts.
• 🤲 A 'hands off' approach to avoid touching the face and keeping the hair up is advised to prevent irritation and the spread of bacteria.
• 👍 The video concludes with encouragement to view these lifestyle changes as self-care for overall health, not just for treating acne.

Q & A

What were the side effects the speaker experienced while using Accutane?

The speaker experienced severe side effects while using Accutane, including dry eyes, trapped lips, hair loss, and mood swings.

Why did the speaker decide to stop using Accutane?

The speaker decided to stop using Accutane because the side effects, particularly mood swings and dry eyes, were affecting their quality of life, and they felt the drug was doing more harm than good.

What is the FDA's recorded data regarding Accutane and mental health issues?

From 1982 to 2000, the FDA recorded 37 reports of suicide, 110 hospitalizations for depression or suicidal behavior, and 284 cases of depression among people taking Accutane.

What is the speaker's view on the relationship between Accutane and mental health?

The speaker believes that Accutane could potentially cause mental health disorders, despite the dermatologist's insistence on no scientific correlation, citing the drug's known risks and the FDA's recorded data.

What is the 'secret weapon' the speaker used to help clear their skin?

The 'secret weapon' the speaker used is a vitamin B5 compound called pantothenic acid, which they took in supplement form to improve their skin's moisture retention and barrier repair.

What dietary changes did the speaker make to improve their skin?

The speaker avoided high glycemic foods and dairy products, and increased their intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. They also swapped out sugary snacks for natural unprocessed foods like blueberries and apples.

How does the speaker incorporate green tea into their routine for skin health?

The speaker drinks powdered green tea every morning as part of their tea time ritual, which they believe helps with stress reduction and provides antioxidants beneficial for their skin.

What is the speaker's approach to managing stress and sleep for better skin health?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of regulating stress and sleep cycles, aiming to sleep before 11:00 p.m. and recharge with extra sleep if they stay up late. They also incorporate exercise into their routine to help release stress.

What are the three rules the speaker follows for skin hygiene?

The three rules for skin hygiene the speaker follows are: keeping all tools that touch their face clean, showering before bed, and avoiding face touching by keeping hands away and hair up.

How does the speaker suggest reducing makeup use to improve skin health?

The speaker suggests reducing makeup use by taking advantage of hormonal cycles to gradually transition to wearing less makeup, using oil-free sunscreen and spot concealers when necessary, and minimizing social gatherings that encourage heavy makeup.