You’ve tried every serum, cut out dairy, and spent way too much time (and money) standing in the skincare aisle reading ingredients you can’t even pronounce—and your breakouts? Still. Not. Budging.

Girl, I’ve been there. And after 20 years of trial and error, I want to spill the actual tea on three things I really wish I knew sooner. These are the things that made me stop chasing “miracle” products and start seeing real results.

What Is Cystic Acne?

Cystic acne is one of the most stubborn (and painful) types of acne out there. It forms deep beneath the skin’s surface and shows up as large, red, swollen bumps that never come to a head—just hang around, hurt like heck, and often leave dark marks or scars behind.

Unlike whiteheads or blackheads that sit closer to the surface, cystic acne is more of an inflammatory condition, usually tied to internal imbalances like:

• Hormones (especially estrogen and androgens)
• Blood sugar spikes and crashes
• Stress and inflammation
• Poor detox and sluggish digestion

So if you’ve been piling on spot treatments and wondering why they don’t work… it’s because they can’t reach these deeper breakouts. Cystic acne needs an inside-out strategy—not just another cream.

Healing it means looking at your body as a whole, and that’s exactly what we do here.

3 Things To Heal Cystic Acne

1. Azelaic Acid

If I could go back in time and only change one thing in my skincare routine, it would be this: I wish I had started using azelaic acid years ago.

While it doesn’t get to the root cause of the issue, it’s my number one product to help heal the damage that cystic acne creates.

Seriously, this ingredient is so underrated. Most acne treatments are overly aggressive, especially when your skin barrier is already damaged (hello, stinging, flaking, redness). Azelaic acid, though? It’s one of the few treatments that actually works without wrecking your barrier.

Why I’m obsessed:

• Fights acne-causing bacteria
• Reduces inflammation and redness
• Fades post-acne marks
• Helps with skin texture and tone
• Totally safe for sensitive, acne-prone skin

My top azelaic acid picks:

• Garden of Wisdom Azelaic Acid 8% – gentle and super affordable
• The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% – a little stronger but still barrier-safe
• Paula’s Choice 10% – Can use this as a spot treatment only since it also has salicylic acid in it
• Anua Azelaic Acid Serum – Another fav, I like to use this product in the morning as my treatment step
  

Pro Tip: Start slow. Apply once a day, or even every other day, and see how your skin responds.

2. Daily Raw Carrot Salad

Okay, this one might sound a little random at first, but stick with me: a daily raw carrot salad is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support your skin.

Most women struggling with hormonal acne are dealing with estrogen dominance, which means your body has more estrogen than it knows what to do with. That hormonal imbalance is a major acne trigger, especially along the jawline and chin.

Here’s where carrots come in:

Raw carrots contain unique fibers that help bind to excess estrogen and carry it out of the body.

How to make it:

• 1–2 raw carrots, peeled into ribbons or grated
• A splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
• Sea salt + olive oil or MCT oil

That’s it. Simple, easy, and actually helps move the needle.

Bonus Tip: Eat in between meals as a snack away from food to get the most out of its detox-supporting powers.

3. Take Acne-Healing Supplements That Actually Support Your Hormones

Supplements used to overwhelm me—there’s so much noise out there. But once I learned to focus on healing from the inside out, I stopped wasting money on stuff that didn’t move the needle.

Now? I keep it simple and powerful.

I take these acne-healing supplements (Limitless Duo) daily and they’ve been a game-changer for my skin and hormones. Pick two from the link above, I go for the power of 3 and the xcelerate lite coffee tub. Here’s why I swear by them:

• Help balance hormones naturally
• Support liver detox, which is crucial for clearing skin
• Contain key nutrients for glowing skin, like zinc, DIM, and milk thistle
• Promote regular digestion (yes, your gut and skin are besties)

Heads up: I only recommend supplements I’ve personally used and seen results from. These are ones I trust and recommend to my clients too.

Ready to Stop Guessing and Start Healing?

These three shifts—azelaic acid, raw carrot salads, and the right supplements—were total game-changers for me. And the best part? They’re gentle, effective, and actually help your body work better, not harder.

If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start healing your acne from the inside out, check out The Clear Skin Blueprint—my go-to guide with 10 acne hacks I wish I’d known sooner.

Because clear skin isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things.✨

Rooting for you always,

Ally