On the Road to Acne-Free Skin | What's in my kit?

From left to right: Special Cleansing Gel, Multi-Active Toner, Oil Control Lotion, Skin Prep Scrub, and Retin A (prescription only) Discovering Dermalogica was the best thing to have happened to me, on my journey to better skin. Pricey? Yes. But worth every penny. I won't go into the science (you can find it all here), but just know that I would gladly go Tom Cruise on everyone, hop on a couch and quack like a duck, if anyone wanted to know just how much I love this brand. When it comes to changes in climate and humidity, my skin takes a regular battering. Airplanes, air-conditioners and city pollution don't help either. This does. I have yet to find anything else that works in all weather conditions. I'll be honest and say that in the past I have strayed, only to return with a face pocked full of scars and blemishes. The final product is my secret weapon, the piece de resistance, the chef-d'œuvre... retin a. It's not something you can waltz into any old pharmacy and buy but if, like me, you've suffered greatly from the after effects of your teenage years, I'd definitely recommend talking to a dermatologist about your options. In the UK, you can only get it on prescription, I wouldn't recommend you getting it otherwise. It's been four months since I started using it, and now that I've gotten over the purge phase (you're skin gets uuber red, dry and you break out more than you did to start of with); I can see a difference. The scars have almost faded and my pores have shrunk to an acceptable level. But I know there is still some way to go.

The problem with retin-a, is that it makes you more susceptible to sunburn, so I have to use SPF 50. Most people in Bangkok see this as the norm, but my friends in London find this extremely comical, considering my skin tone. But I have the last laugh! I barely wear makeup these days, and I have more 'good skin days' than bad, so it's all fine with me. To all my acne-survivors out there: Have you tried retin-a? If so, how did it work out for you? I'm at the start of my journey, but I'd like to hear yours...