When we moved and I started staying home, I made some cutbacks.  I convinced myself that I could maintain my skin with a combination of drugstore cleansers and coconut oil.  And it worked.  For a while.

But much like the issues I faced with Proactiv, it worked until it didn’t.  And when it didn’t?  Holy Bananas.

I’ve been in this situation before.  Just after we got married.  My skin was out of control.  I’d tried what seemed like everything and dropped entirely too much money on products that just didn’t work in the long run.  That’s when a friend suggested Clinique Acne Solutions. 

I loved that stuff.  My skin had never been better and it stayed that way.  It worked for me.  I even made a whole video about it (hello, awkward youtube joey).  But yet, it made the “cut” list when I was budgeting for one income.  Why?

Sweet Kristin was nice enough to send me a bottle and a half of the Clinique cleanser she wasn’t going to use now that she’s using the Rodan + Fields Unblemish (which she loves!)  We were discussing our skin, and while I’d love to try the R+F, I know that Clinique works for me, and it’s a bit on the cheaper side.

Over the weekend, I hit a breaking point.  I was nearly in tears over the state of my skin.  Is there anything worse than just not feeling good in your own skin?  And I went back on the Clinique website and reminded myself exactly how much it costs.

I spend at least that if not more every few weeks searching for something that might work.

When I was using the system consistently, I would have to repurchase it every 5-6 months.  I could practically smack myself for ever getting off it.

So keep my before pictures in mind (I know, I’d rather forget them, too).  But I’ll check back in with you in a few weeks to show you the condition of my skin.  

Do you suffer from acne?  

Do you feel too old for this sh**?

What works for you?