Remember when I wrote about MAC Strobe Cream, and how I really like it as a moisturizer that also gives you a nice glow? Well I still like it, but will be returning it today:( I hate returning products, but I do it if I know I won’t be able to use the product anymore. I am pretty sure the Strobe Cream is causing me to get cosmetic acne. You can read about cosmetic acne here, and learn what ingredients to avoid in skin care products. I haven’t changed anything else in my skin care routine, but after a few days, the Strobe Cream has caused me to get small pimples every day that I’ve used it. I haven’t used it for three days, and my pimples have gone away. This is still a good product to use if you aren’t acne-prone, so I would still recommend it for people with normal to dry skin that don’t get acne.

The difference between Cosmetic Acne and Hormonal Acne
There are several different types and causes of acne. Based on my experience, my hormonal acne shows up as bumps under my skin, which are sometimes also red. Not that you are supposed to pop pimples, but these types of pimples can’t be popped. These pimples also take a long time to go away - maybe two weeks.

Cosmetic Acne is more superficial, and shows up as whiteheads, or a clogged pore that can be popped, not that you are supposed to pop it! I can use a pore-clogging product, and end up with a few pimples the next day. When I stop using a pore-clogging product, within a few days, my skin goes back to normal.

Only test one new product at a time
I love trying new products, and used to buy all sorts of skin care products and use them all at once. It’s impossible to tell what is and isn’t working when you do this. Instead, if you buy a new cleanser, for example, do not use any other new toners, moisturizers, sunscreens, makeup, etc. at the same time. I recommend only introducing one new product to your regimen at a time. If you start breaking out after a few days, then discontinue using the product, and see if your breakouts subside after a few days. If they do, then the product is probably clogging your pores. If you are like me, and are hoping the product isn’t really the culprit, you will start using the product again once your breakouts go away, only to find pimples magically reappear a few days later!

If you are trying a new product that is supposed to help with wrinkles, it will probably take at least a month to see results. So during that month, don’t start using any other new products, or it will be hard to tell if the first product is really working!