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If you’ve been dealing with PCOS acne, you’ve probably been told by doctors and specialists that it is hormonal.

Which can be true, but you sometimes don’t know if it really is your hormones causing the acne or perhaps bacteria.

This was me last January 2025, I struggled with a massive acne outbreak and thought it was my hormones doing “it’s thing” and regulating as I have been on an holistic health journey (for just over a year at the time).

But after weeks turned into months, I knew something wasn’t right. I felt like I had tried everything I possibly could with the knowledge that I had. I needed professional help with this.

My doctor told me that my acne would be healed by Christmas and I really didn’t believe her that it would be possible, because of the state my skin was in. But, I could already see changes from July and things only improved from there. By Christmas, my skin was how it was pre acne outbreak, if not better!

The left was when I noticed my acne flare up and the right was going into the healing phase which I thought was impossible at the time.

So, What Was Causing My PCOS Acne?

There were four things that I thought initially caused my acne breakout

I attended a family wedding and had a make up artist do my make up. I thought perhaps my skin was sensitive to the make up that she used on my skin. Or the brushes she used weren’t clean, although everything looked clean and I really loved the make up artist!
It was a really stressful time in my life, I was stressed more than usual and life pressures. LIFE you know.
My home pillow cases needed to be cleaned which I do often. But I thought maybe it was the cleaning materials used when washing them.
Sleeping on foreign pillow cases when booking accommodation… I really hope hotels wash the bedding properly after each stay…

So these four things were on my mind and I was running between each of them. My gut health was pretty normal since working with a nutritionist from February 2024, I knew that the signs were all good on that front.

There are signs that your gut health can play a part in having acne outbreaks.

It was during one of my appointments with my nutritionist, I mentioned to her that I was really struggling with my acne and it was affecting my self esteem at this point. I had extremely bad acne in my teenage years and now to go through acne again as an adult was humiliating and kept me isolated. Let’s be real, people stare.

The way my confidence levels changed once my PCOS acne was healed showed for sure!

The First Steps To Healing My Acne

My nutritionist suggested I set up an appointment with her colleague who is a doctor, and specialises in dermatological care.

Being in Cape Town and her being based in Johannesburg, no biggie. Her team set up a virtual appointment and everything was done online in March 2024 with ease.

We wasted no time – I explained my acne outbreak to her and she recommended a complete product change for my skin routine, along with retinol and topical lotion.

Having worked on my gut health with my nutritionist for so long, I was anti taking oral medicine for my skin and it was really refreshing that the doctor respected my wishes and understood my PCOS healthy journey that I was, and still am on.

The doctor explained to me that having PCOS and elevated androgens, my skin was prone to being more oily. And this excess oil created the “perfect” environment for an overgrowth of Cutibacterium acnes. This is an anaerobic bacterium that thrives in oily, clogged pores.

So for all that time, I didn’t realise that my acne outbreaks weren’t just hormonal and having PCOS, but caused by a combination of things:

Hormonal imbalance
Excess oil production
Bacterial overgrowth

After the doctor had explained all of this to me, I went shopping online right away for my new skin product routine. Rookie era was when I had bought new stock of my old products not too long before my appointment with my skin doctor… Luckily for me, I sold and GAVE some of my product to my sister so that nothing went to waste.

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For those feeling adventurous and have more time to explore South Africa and Africa, get some inspiration from our blogs below.

Perhaps considering a 5 day trip to the Victoria Falls, or a trip up South Africa’s West Coast to Langebaan? I am sure you have heard of Churchhaven and Kraal Baai, two spectacular beaches inside the West Coast National Park. For those who are time restricted, you can base yourself in Langebaan and do day trips from there.

My Exact Every Day Skincare Routine

These are the exact products that I used every day since working with a specialist in dermatological care.

I am still using these products today, and eliminated the topical lotion as I no longer have acne to deal with.

Two of the products required scripts and the others are available in local stores or found online at stores like Dermastore, who deliver throughout South Africa.

I usually purchase from Dischem as they often have good discounts.

5 Products That Healed My Acne Outbreak:

1.) Cleanser

I had never heard of this product until my doctor recommended it. I always thought I needed a product that had tiny harder pieces in them to remove all the dirt properly from my pores. But I was wrong! This product is so soft and silky on my skin and cleans my pores perfectly!

I use the PH formula cleanser in the morning and evenings and it helped remove oil buildup, keep pores clean without stripping my skin and helped control the environment where the bacteria was thriving.

At first it was difficult to imagine how a new skincare routine would heal my acne. Patience and routine were everything during this acne time.

2.) Vitamin C Serum

I had never used any serums before and felt super fancy with this one – perhaps the products name too 😉.

The Vitamin C Serum that I use is Vichy Liftactiv Vitamin C Serum and apply this onto my skin in the mornings, after using my PH Formula Cleanser.

Having pigmentation from hormones, especially during the summer months when out and about in the sun, my pigmentation always goes a few shades darker in certain areas.

This vitamin C Serum helps with the acne scars, pigmentation and supports skin healing.

3.) Moisturiser

I use two different moisturizers in the morning and evening and I can feel the difference between the two products.

La Roche-Posay Effaclar H Iso-Biome

I use this in the morning after applying my PH Formula Cleanser and Vichy Liftactiv Vitamin C Serum
Feels thicker on my skin, like a layer of protection, ready to take on any elements coming my way
Cooling sensation after a night of applying retinal and topical lotion (will get into that soon)

CeraVe Facial Moisturising Lotion PM

This is my evening moisturizer after washing my face with PH Formula Cleanser
The consistency is more runny than my morning moisturizer but feels light on my skin before heading to bed
Keeps my skin hydrated for the night considering the retinol and topical lotion which leaves my skin super dry

4.) Sunblock SPF 50

This has become my morning NON NEGOTIABLE! I used to buy sunblock before and wear it whenever I knew I was going to be in the sun. But now, I will not leave the house without applying sunblock to my skin – face, neck and ears!

As mentioned, I had bad pigmentation areas on my forehead that I wanted to lighten and it really has become the lightest its ever been.

Using topical lotion and retinol can be quite harsh on your skin, especially mine. I had to change my routine days due to my skin being red and flaky, which is a side effect, but I had to slowly introduce these products to my skin and then turn up the level when my skin was ready.

I am currently using the La Roche-Posay Anthelios Hydrating Body Lotion SPF50+ which also comes in a paper tube. This has lasted so long and I use it every single day. I really am enjoying the consistency of this sunblock and knowing that it is a SPF50+ is a bonus.

5.) Targeted Acne Products

These two were the products! The holy grail products. The reason for my skin looking the way it does now!

PS: You will require a script from a doctor for these two products.

As mentioned, I had to navigate the routine so that my skin could get used to these products. At one point my skin was really red, inflamed and flakey. Oh and SO itchy!

Dalacin T topical lotion

This is the product that helped kill that cutibacterium acne on my face. I used this product until I finished it (+-3 months depending on much you use daily)

Aklief

I am still using this product on my skin and really happy with it.

Overall these two products, combined with all the above products, is the reason I got over the acne outbreak and got to where I currently am with my skin. I am so happy!

My skin hasn’t looked and felt this good in years!

What Actually Healed My Acne?

It wasn’t just one product. It took time, understanding the cause, specialist appointments, purchasing new skin products, investment in my skin & consistency.

If you are struggling with acne as an adult and feel like you have tried everything, make sure to reach out to a specialist as you might be missing something. Just like I was.

You don’t need to struggle alone because there is help out there. You just need to do some research and put time into making the change.

Disclaimer: This article was written for educational purposes only and my very own experience in dealing with my acne outbreak while having PCOS. It is important to consult a professional for your own analysis of what is going on with your skins as each case is unique from person to person

FAQ

Is PCOS acne always hormonal

Not always. Hormones can play a major role, but oily skin and bacterial overgrowth like Cutibacterium acnes may also contribute to breakouts.

Did skincare alone heal your acne

No. Healing involved specialist care, prescription products, consistency, and understanding the cause of my acne.

Can bacteria cause acne with PCOS

Yes. Cutibacterium acnes thrives in oily, clogged pores, which can be more common with PCOS and elevated androgens.

Were prescription products necessary

For me, yes. Dalacin T and Aklief made a big difference, but every skin journey is different.

How long did it take to clear your acne

I began treatment in March, noticed improvements by July, and by Christmas my skin was back to “normal”.

What is your biggest acne healing tip

Don’t struggle alone. If your acne is persistent, consider seeing a specialist – you may be missing an important piece of the puzzle.

How I Cleared My PCOS Acne: Products & Skincare Routine That Actually Worked

So, What Was Causing My PCOS Acne?

The First Steps To Healing My Acne

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