a Big Mistake People Make When Trying to Heal Acne
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make in their acne-healing journey is not giving anything enough time to work before moving on to the next thing. In today’s fast-paced world, we expect quick fixes, but acne doesn’t work like that.
The Skin Cycle
Your skin doesn’t change overnight. It takes at least one full skin cycle (roughly 28-40 days) to even start seeing results from a new routine. And for deeper acne, gut imbalances, or hormonal shifts? You’re looking at months, not weeks.
Healing acne is about repairing systems within your body- your gut, hormones, liver, stress response - not just slapping on a new serum or cutting out dairy for a week. These deeper imbalances don’t resolve overnight, which is why constantly jumping from one trend to another keeps you stuck.
Where Most People Go Wrong
1. Giving Up Too Soon
Many people try a new approach for a couple of weeks or months, don’t see immediate results, and assume it’s not working. Acne healing is a long game. Most successful acne protocols take AT LEAST 6 months to see significant progress, and sometimes longer for deep-rooted issues like gut imbalances or post-birth control acne. For example, I barely started seeing results with my case after a year! And that doesn’t mean that things aren’t working in the process.
2. Switching Routines Too Often
Constantly changing skincare products, trying new supplements, or tweaking your diet every few weeks confuses your body. Acne is an inflammatory condition, and too much change can actually stress your skin out even more.
Instead of switching things up every time you see a breakout, focus on consistency with a well-thought-out approach and give your body the time it needs to adjust.
3. Following Trends Instead of Science
From cutting out entire food groups to over-exfoliating your skin, acne trends often do more harm than good. Healing acne isn’t about doing the latest thing you saw on TikTok - it’s about addressing what YOUR skin and body need.
Trendy acne “fixes” like harsh detoxes, extreme elimination diets, or aggressive skincare can actually weaken your skin barrier, damage your gut, and worsen breakouts in the long run.
What to Do Instead
✔️ Stick to a plan – Work 1:1 with someone who can help guide you and choose a solid routine that addresses root causes and commit to it long enough to see real changes.
✔️ Be patient with breakouts – Sometimes, healing acne gets worse before it gets better. This doesn’t mean what you’re doing isn’t working. Your skin may need time to purge, rebalance, and repair.
✔️ Focus on the foundations, not quick fixes – Instead of constantly looking for the next supplement or topical, prioritize blood sugar balance, stress management, gut health, and a solid skincare routine.
✔️ Stop comparing your journey to others – What worked for someone else may not be what YOUR skin needs. Acne healing is individual, and real progress comes from understanding your unique triggers and sticking to a strategy tailored to you.
Because real healing? It takes time. But it’s 100% worth it.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER - All content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for advice and recommendations provided by your healthcare provider.
