Here it is. The Chinese Medicine article. If you know me personally, you know that I am unable to shut up about Chinese medicine. I have struggled with acne and rosacea since freshman year of high school and nothing (I mean nothing) has worked for me. I started with the run of the mill Mario Badescu drying cream, Kheils, glossier skin care, etc, etc. Nada. Then I decided to pull out the big guns and go see a dermatologist. I followed her regimen of clindamycin and some special moisturizer religiously only for my skin to get WORSE. Around finals week last summer, my skin was the worst it’s ever been: I figured maybe a different dermatologist would be able to solve my problems. No such luck. After filling my body with antibiotics and a topical cream called soolantra (which again, only made my skin worse) I raised the white flag and accepted that I would have to deal with bad skin forever (I also invested in some more full coverage foundation, the glossier skin tint was simply not cutting it anymore). 

Then on a trip to Montreal, a family friend recommended Chinese Medicine to me. I figured I had nothing left to lose so I went to see her. Marjie told me to cut out sugar, dairy, fried food, caffeine, and chocolate. She also told me to brew and drink some really gross tea (you can find the recipe here). I was so unbelievably desperate for some kind of solution so I figured what the hell. I’ll listen to this Chinese Medicine Lady and do exactly what she says. It’s month 4 of this insane diet an I am here to report back

The first month was amazing. My skin hadn’t been so clear in 2 years. I could leave the house makeup free with no qualms whatsoever. Life was good.

Right around month two, my skin started breaking out a bit again. I was annoyed but it was still better than it had been in a while. I attributed this change to eating too many RX bars (which include dates, a very “hot” ingredient). My skin fluctuated a lot that month but I kept on keeping on. Eventually, I decided to take matters into my own hands and order Cleanse Powder from the Beauty Chef which is meant to clear up your skin. It had all the ingredients my Chinese Medicine doctor told me to add to my diet (quinoa, fennel, barley, kale, etc.) so I decided to give it a go. Again, initially I was really happy with the results then my skin stated fluctuating again. 

Eventually, I realized my stress levels and my skin health are pretty closely related. Unfortunately, the only way to reduce stress-related acne is to be less stressed. As a junior in high school with my lifestyle, this is pretty impossible. Although the stress is a pretty big factor, I know that it’s not the only thing making me break out.

Chinese Medicine has not by any means solved all my skin problems, but it has made my skin better. It’s also given me a sense of control. I was so sick and tired of handing over my body to dermatologists who wanted to put chemicals on and inside my body until something happened. I’ll definitely feel better: I’m less tired, bloated, and I feel really good about nourishing my body. It’s also shown me that I can be super disciplined when I want to be.