🎃Its pumpkin season! . . And no, that’s not what makes @nolaskinsentials pumpkin enzyme mask one of my favorite gentle exfoliators . . From acne scars to hyperpigmentation this mask never fails me. With a little going a long way I have a feeling that it’s going to be pumpkin season for awhile! . . Vegan , natural , effective and affordable , that’s what makes @nolaskinsentials pumpkin enzyme mask one of my year around favorites 💕 . Try it , you’ll love it ! And if you don’t give it to me . . Tip : Keep your pumpkin enzyme mask in the fridge to extend its shelf life, it also feels soo good on your skin when it’s applied chilled . . Not sponsored or an advertisement . . . #clearskintips #skinpositivity #acne #freethepimple #acneproblems #acnehelp #acneprone #acneproneskin #acnejourney #selfcare #skin #skincare #skinpositivity #acnecommunity #advice #inspiration #selflove #positivethinking #positivlife #wordsofencouragement #wordstoliveby #selflove #beauty #noaccutane #vegan #veganacnesufferers #natural #myskinmatters #nolaskinsentials #nolababe #hyperpigmentation #acnescars

One thing that I didn’t do during my skincare journey was take pictures often. I knew that it would cause me to be obsessive in a already stressful situation. I’ve been obsessed with my skin for over a decade and only I could make that change to help myself grow and improve mentally so that I could give myself time physically . . While learning how to be patient with my skin I learned that being obsessed about something that takes time makes it feel longer . One night I was impatiently watching my pasta boil. I couldn’t believe that this penne had the audacity to boil slow knowing that I was hungry , I mean it over cooks any other time😂. My grandmother looked at me and spoke about a life changing proverb that I want to share with you. . “A watched pot never boils” . I remember waking up every morning and rushing to the bathroom to see if anything changed , staring in the mirror silently complaining before bursting into tears. I became obsessed ! I just needed to see some kind of improvement, proof that this wasn’t my future, proof that I wasn’t helpless . My face didn’t transform into cystic acne overnight and I had to realize the impossibility of it clearing up overnight as well. . Time heals . Be patient, time is one of the main factors in results. . Credit : Poor Richard’s Almanack - “a watched pot is slow to boil” . . #skinpositivity #acne #freethepimple #acneproblems #acnehelp #acneprone #acneproneskin #acnejourney #selfcare #skin #skincare #skinpositivity #acnecommunity #advice #inspiration #selflove #positivethinking #positivlife #wordsofencouragement #wordstoliveby #selflove #beauty #noaccutane #vegan #veganacnesufferers #natural #myskinmatters

When you have acne they see that you’re suffering but not how you’re suffering or how hard you’ve tried . . . #skinpositivity #acne #freethepimple #acneproblems #acnehelp #acneprone #acneproneskin #acnejourney #selfcare #skin #skincare #skinpositivity #acnecommunity #advice #inspiration #selflove #positivethinking #positivlife #wordsofencouragement #wordstoliveby #selflove #beauty #noaccutane #vegan #veganacnesufferers #natural #myskinmatters

I don’t care about what I may look like to you . . You shouldn’t care about what you may look like to me . . All that matters is that you’re a good person to your self and to others because there’s a whole lot of good looking bad people in this world . . #skinpositivity #acne #freethepimple #acneproblems #acnehelp #acneprone #acneproneskin #acnejourney #selfcare #skin #skincare #skinpositivity #acnecommunity #advice #inspiration #selflove #positivethinking #positivlife #wordsofencouragement #wordstoliveby #selflove #beauty #noaccutane #vegan #veganacnesufferers #natural #myskinmatters

Yesterday I went to pick a leaf off of a tree and as I was reaching for it one fell off and landed in my hand 🍎 🍏 I instantly thought “let nature take its course” . This made me think about how badly I wanted to pick at my scabs from a healed pimple earlier 🍎 🍏 When a scab is ready to go it will. This also means that it will have a chance of leaving a less noticeable scar 🍎 🍏 Don’t disturb what is happening naturally, It doesn’t always help, especially if you attempt to do so too soon 🍎 🍏 This fall, pick pumpkins and apples and not your face . 🍎 🍏 #skinpositivity #acne #freethepimple #acneproblems #acnehelp #acneprone #acneproneskin #acnejourney #selfcare #skin #skincare #skinpositivity #acnecommunity #advice #inspiration #selflove #positivethinking #positivlife #wordsofencouragement #wordstoliveby #selflove #beauty #noaccutane #vegan #veganacnesufferers #natural #hormonalacne #patience #myskinmatters

Keep On Swiping 👉🏽👉🏽👉🏽👉🏽 . For the Visitors and my new followers 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽 . . Hi my name is Kiana , I’ve suffered from mild acne since I was 11 years old and developed severe cystic acne in July of 2016. This experience had a major impact on my physical appearance and it completely changed my way and perspective of life. Everything I would usually do on a day to day basis I did differently or didn’t do it at all . . I invite everyone who finds themselves interested into my journey. You will find my most trusted and favorite skincare companies tagged here in this video. In my highlights you will find all of my current skin care products. You can also find some of them here in my posts if u swipe after the “before and after updates.” . . 💕A special thanks to @sarah_skinstory for always educating the community on her new skincare findings and accutane knowledge, I’m sure if I ever decide to take that route I’m well prepared . . 💕Another special thanks goes to @mynameisjustp for inspiring me to be a better person not just to myself but to others , with words that move my soul into an infinite land of happiness we are so lucky to have u here . . 💕My last special thanks goes out to @myfacestory , when your back from your break I would like u to know that I’m so thankful for u always keeping us updated on new skin goods with honest reviews, I also want to thank u for educating the community about the wonders of @banishacnescars which started my skincare journey and left me with amazing results . . #skinpositivity #acne #freethepimple #acneproblems #acnehelp #acneprone #acneproneskin #acnejourney #selfcare #skin #skincare #skinpositivity #acnecommunity #advice #inspiration #selflove #positivethinking #positivlife #wordsofencouragement #wordstoliveby #selflove #beauty #noaccutane #vegan #veganacnesufferers #natural #hormonalacne #patience #nolaskinsentials #banishacnescars #myskinmatters

When “What happened to your face? ” becomes “What have you been doing to your face? ” My Skincare Routine is in my highlights💕 . . It’s hard to fight acne when it’s hormonal and genetic but it’s not impossible. I made the decision not to go back to a dermatologist after countless professionals worsened my condition and I live with no regrets . . I decided to use my spare time to not only learn about skin care products but their ingredients individually. I studied how ingredients worked with each-other not just how they worked on my skin independently because it’s more than likely that your moisturizer has different ingredients than your spot treatment and it’s more than likely that you never thought about the Ingredients going against each other . . After endless pages of knowledge I have not only learned about ingredients I learned more about MY SKIN. All acne prone skin is different, even with the same condition it needs an individual approach . . I’m healing my skin naturally without a dermatologist, without the popular “acne fighting ingredients” like Benzoyl Peroxide, sulfate and salicylic acid. I never thought I could give these products up but then I realized I knew nothing about these products and they were doing more harm than good for me personally . . What heals one person can hurt you. Knowledge is key , never stop reading. . . 📸Pictures are from July 10th 2018 and September 24th 2018 #skinpositivity #acne #freethepimple #acneproblems #acnehelp #acneprone #acneproneskin #acnejourney #selfcare #skin #skincare #skinpositivity #acnecommunity #advice #inspiration #selflove #positivethinking #positivlife #wordsofencouragement #wordstoliveby #selflove #beauty #noaccutane #vegan #veganacnesufferers #natural #hormonalacne #patience #nolaskinsentials #banishacnescars #myskinmatters

“I didn’t want to build a cocoon and wait it out, I just wanted to be a butterfly” - Lines from my diary. #myopendiary🦋 . . Life has a funny way of teaching you things. I learned that if I always looked for the easy way out that I would always encounter a harder lesson that I wasn’t prepared for. I learned that the lack of patience can result in a lost of time money and energy. I learned that the person I wanted to be had to be built, it’s not given and the person that I currently am is just the foundation. I learned that If I didn’t give myself time that I would never be a butterfly. . . Give yourself time, for anything and for everything. One amazing thing about being human is that you can always be improved, you can always alter something about yourself and all you need is your mind. . . “It’s all in your head” What you think about yourself is what u create. If you want to see something beautiful in the mirror, keep in mind that YOU are beautiful. . . #positivity #selflove #insparation #time #acne #acnescars #acnescars #acnehelp #confidence #vegan #veganacnesufferers #beauty #diary #acnecommunity #freethepimple #hyperpigmentation #acnescars #hormonalacne #patience #nolaskinsentials #banishacnescars #myskinmatters

I had to distant myself from my own family before I was able to love myself #MyOpenDiary🦋 . . People can be toxic and stunt your growth in all aspects of your life. I had to stop believing that I needed to have certain people around in order to feel alive because in reality I just didn’t want to be alone. . . Being the youngest, being “different” and into the things that a “typical black girl” wouldn’t be into I was vulnerable, the butt of every joke. I was told not to take it seriously but then It dawned on me, I didn’t find it funny, they got all the laughs and all I got was a complex about myself. . . I get it ! We all joke around but when a joke is making fun of an insecurity it’s no longer a joke it’s BULLYING. My OWN mother told me that she only had me for my father but my father choose a drug over me and I became the daughter of a crackhead, a daughter without a father, a damn laugh. My mother would tease me about my kinky hair, my big feet, and the shape of my body. I wish I could say that was all but she didn’t do this alone she encouraged other family members to get a laugh. Dopamine whores! I could of sworn that she was supposed to be teaching me to love those things, the things that I had no choice in, the things that I inherited from my crackhead father. When acne entered my life, which I inherited from my mother she told me I’d grow out of it like her and when my acne got worse she told me that she would be happy when I would finally grow out of it. . . Why do I choose to be distant from my family? Because they tried to carry this tradition into my adulthood, because they are people, human beings with a choice not to respect you and disrespect will not be tolerated from any generation. I will not surround myself in a atmosphere that negatively effects myself as a spiritual being. My self love is self taught and I worked long and hard to build myself up as a woman that can love , forgive and be loved. I’m not bitter ! Some people just don’t grow, they’re stuck in their own ways and I’ve outgrown them and changing every single day. . . Not everyone is right to be in your life and sometimes what’s making you unhappy is closer than what u think. .

It’s finally been THREE MONTHS !! When I tell u that patience is key, it’s everything because during this journey I thought that my breakouts would never end. . . . *I have never used accutane* . . . I honestly believed that my skin would be discolored and textured for at least another year but as soon as my acne began to calm down I tackled it with the @banishacnescars starter kit and followed up with the OG bundle from @nolaskinsentials and now that my skin is completely calm I’m continuing my natural skin care journey with @the_sheashoppe African black soap and acne control serum. . . . When you start to loose hope in your journey remember that change takes time, sometimes the worse before the better. . . . . #acne #acnetreatment #acneproblems #acneproducts #acneprone #acneproneskin #acneproneskincare #selfcare #skin #skincare #skinpositivity #acnecommunity #freethepimple #clearskintips #selflove #beauty #noaccutane #vegan #veganacnesufferers #veganacnetreatment #hormonalacne #patience #nolaskinsentials #banishacnescars #myskinmatters

Out of all the problems in this world, I can honesty say that I’m grateful that one of mine is JUST acne. . . . I’m privileged enough to be able to cry in the mirror of my own home when there are people who are homeless. I’m privileged enough to be able to hide in my room during a breakout when there are children being dragged out of their homes beyond their will into sex trafficking. I’m privileged enough to be able to cut food out of my diet because they cause acne or don’t fit my lifestyle when there are people who are starving and being starved. I’m privileged enough to live a life I once never wanted because of acne when there are people who had their lives taken from them. I’m privileged enough to be able to change my skincare routine and buy new products whenever I want when there are people who are trying to make one bar of soap last between the entire family. I’m privileged enough to be able to get an education so that I can share my thoughts in this post with you when there are people who never held a book. . . So yeah , having acne can feel unfair sometimes and while none of these problems are my fault or even yours I feel a whole lot better when I think about how privileged my unfair life really is . . . . #acnecommunity #acne #acnetreatment #acnescars #acneproblems #selflove #hyperpigmentation #severeacne #cysticacne #treatment #vegan #veganacnesufferers #skin #imperfect #imperfections #clearskintips #inspiration #freethepimple

Mind your damn business 😭 If your going to use my meme give a girl credit 👌🏽 . . . . #acne #acnescars #acnecommunity #acneproblems #cysticacne #severeacne #pimples #skin #clearskin #blemishes #memes #acnetreatment #acneskin

Just let the change be for the better 💕 . . . . #acne #acnescars #acneproblems #vegan #veganacnesufferers #cysticacne #severance #acnecommunity #inspiration

When I felt that it was finally time to open up about my life with acne, I didn’t tell one person, I told the world #myopendiary🦋 . . My family, my friends and my significant other all got introduced to “The Kiana suffering & healing from acne” through these post just like you guys . I couldn’t tell anyone without feeling venerable, ashamed and naked. It’s hard, I know it but it’s not impossible, I proved it. . . #acne #acnescars #acnetreatment #acnetransformation #hyperpigmentation #skinpositivity #veganacne #veganacnesufferers #blogger #skin #skincare #acnecommunity #acneproblems #acneproneskin

Who doesn’t love a good update ? I know I do , Hello people who use and those who abuse Instagram 👋🏽 . . This is a 78 day or 11 weeks and 1 day difference. Not even three months yet even though it felt like years, I almost started looking for a retirement home. . . Using all natural products and NO ACCUTANE. There is no journey that happens overnight that’s why it’s called a journey. I love myself today yesterday and tomorrow just not on my period but that doesn’t mean I don’t cringe when I see pictures of my outbreaks. Just remembering the pain of having clusters of cyst gives me shivers 🙅🏽‍♀️ . Still a Long way to go but honestly I’m fine just like this, I’m not in pain anymore and that’s good enough for me. If it gets any better than this yeehaw and if it stays like this........ yeehaw! And don’t you forget that I still don’t give a flying duck wearing Gucci boots what anyone else thinks and you shouldn’t either. . . . . #acne #acnescars #acnetreatment #acneprone #acneproneskin #skincare #skin #progress #vegan #veganacnesufferers #hyperpigmentation #scars #pimples #skinpositivity #acneproblems

You too can make a change in this world just by shutting your mouth when you have something negative to say about someone. . . Before you speak on anyone’s condition or situation ask yourself, how would I want to be treated if this was me? How would I want my Mother my Father or My significant other to feel if they were in those shoes? One day, a long time ago while in high school we had a substitute teacher. It’s sad that I don’t even have to get into this because we all know that substitute teachers almost never get the respect that they deserve. As a welcoming my classmates unleashed a circus act from hell. Why? Because she wasn’t their teacher or even a “real teacher” as many saw it. I felt like everyone forgot that she was human just like everyone in that class. I used to join the immature chaos that surrounded me but it was one thought changed my character forever. One day I thought about that substitute teacher being my mom or my grandmother and made myself upset. I would have been livid if someone I deeply cared about returned home hurt, stressed and overwhelmed because of a person eager to show off for their friends. I never got to know anything about that woman, if she preferred teaching history or English or even if she could speak a different language, I just know that I never saw her again. #myopendiary🦋 . . #story #storytime #diary #thoughts #highschool #awareness #bullying #acne #acnetreatment #cysticacne #acnescars #love #journal #memories #vegan #veganacnesufferers #acneproneskin #beauty #animals #zoo

I remember when I would only I wear plain clothes, usually all black so that I wouldn’t draw attention to myself. I thought if My clothes didn’t stand out that no one would notice my acne. I can’t believe that I cared this deeply about what people thought, people that I didn’t know, people that didn’t know me. We were just strangers with faces in each others eyes . I was ambitious when it came to blending in, with a face that broke out and broke necks. I’m certain that I’m not the only one who has tried something like this. I gave up my creative side, anything that would get me closer to being invisible . My favorite color happens to be black so this was no big deal but oh how I wish I would have worn that blue dress or those yellow shoes before I outgrew them. . . Time goes on , regardless if your living or not You can be 100 years old or died 100 years ago. . . . #acne #acnescars #acneproblems #acneskin #selflove #summer #skincare #acneappreciation #acneawareness #bareskin #beauty #acneprone #vegan #clothes #happy #blog #blogger #black #inspiration

My favorite thing about this very special community is that people like us and alike come together to share our stories and tips while encouraging each other though our different journeys. My goal is to normalize acne, there are too many clear faces promoting acne products, beauty standards are too high and almost unrealistic and looking in the mirror shouldn’t be harder than breathing. I’m here for all of you and I thank the ones that are here for me. . . . . #acne #acneprone #acnescars #acnesuffers #acneproblems #skin #beauty #vegan #veganacnesufferers #community

For breakfast I always have fresh fruit and or veggies. Today I’m having some organic berries and bananas with some coconut water. . . I feel so much better when I start my day off with a healthy meal knowing that I’m giving my body the nutrition that it needs to take on the day. . What do you eat for breakfast? . . #berries #fruit #vegan #breakfast #clearskintips #cocunut #nutrition #healthyfood #organic

A continuation from my previous post . 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽 . I use the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay (bentonite clay) & the activated charcoal mask by @banishacnescars mixed with the brags Organic Apple Cider Vinegar To detox my skin once every 2 weeks. This combination really pulls the Impurities out of my pores while targeting my pimples helping them come to a head while shrinking them in size. . . Twice a week i use a pumpkin enzyme mask to gently exfoliate and target acne scars/ hyper pigmentation. I like to use @banishacnescars pumpkin enzyme mask when I have more active pimples, I feel as though that their ingredients help more with my actives. I also use @nolaskinsentials pumpkin enzyme mask that gives me similar results to @banishacnescars different ingredients but still amazing results! This mask came with the OG bundle that I’m testing out on my skin and I have nothing but positive results. . . I’m using @herocosmetics Pimple patches on my actives (at a head ) for faster healing and I wish I’ve found these sooner! . . I’m still juicing ! Celery, lemon, ginger and occasionally some carrots! . . . DISCLAIMER* There is slight a lighting difference. I have used all of the products for over 2 weeks. I’m not paid to use/promote these products. I’ m not a dermatologist. I don’t know if these will work for you but they work for me. If you are interested in any of these products please do a patch test first. . . #acne #acnescars #acnesuffers #acneprone #hyperpigmentation #blogger #mask #nolababes #banishacnescars #skinpositivity #skincareroutine #skincare #clearskintips #beauty #pimplepatch #celeryjuice #juicing

👉🏽2 WEEK SKIN UPDATE During these 2 weeks my skin has had its ups and downs. My before picture was better than my skin during the two weeks but my after picture is better than my before picture and my skin during the 2 week. I actually have to do another post for my masks etc. because you can only post 10 pictures lol! 🤷🏽‍♀️😂. SKIN CARE REGIMEN 👇🏽 . Glycolic Cleanser (Night&Day) @nolaskinsentials . Which Hazel Toner @thayersnatural followed by a few sprays of Witches Brew toner to target acne @nolaskinsentials (Night&Day) . Spot treatment with diluted (with @thayersnatural Witch Hazel) Tea Tree Oil (Night) . Hyper pigmentation vitamin C Serum @nolaskinsentials followed by the vitamin C cream moisturizer @banishacnescars (Night&Day) . Iconic Elixir (Only at night) @nolaskinsentials . Clear Face SPF 30 sunscreen @neutrogena . . . *DISCLAIMER* There is slight a lighting difference. I have used all of the products for over 2 weeks. I’m not paid to use/promote these products. I’ m not a dermatologist. I don’t know if these will work for you but they work for me. If you are interested in any of these products please do a patch test first. . . #acne #acnescars #acneprone #acnesuffers #acneproblems #acnetreatment #skinpositivity #skincareroutine #clearskintips #blogger #vegan #veganacnesufferers #nolababes #banishacnescars #beauty

The only things that acne changed in my life was the things that I allowed it to change. I let acne live my life and I just watched while being crippled and in agony. There wasn’t a motivational speech that could uplift me, there was no hug that could comfort me and there was no smile that I could fake. Along with the other terrible things that I felt, I felt hopeless but mainly because I was so focused on making a change in my appearance that I was neglecting my true self . . Growing from this experience, I have not only been humbled but I got to know myself on a deeper level. I learned that I was able to hurt and destroy myself without opening my mouth, without even moving a limb. Just standing in the mirror doubting my future and replaying mean comments over and over in my head. I literally was giving a silent stare and a memory complete control of my life. It’s easy to doubt your future when you constantly find yourself at square one but I tell u what, sometimes when u feel stuck you have to mentally keep yourself moving. The energy that you put into this world is the energy that you will preserve. You cannot expect to feel positive speaking negatively about yourself or your life regardless of the reason. If you struggle but still want to be happy, confident and brave just to fake it till it feels real. There is no such thing as wasting time working on yourself even if it feels like you got nowhere you made the effort, that’s improvement. I know that It’s easy to let rude comments tear u down but who is in charge of you after that rude person goes to sleep at night while you’re up crying? If something truly hurts you try my trusty steps. 🤗 1.Accept that your feelings was hurt and tell yourself how it made you feel. (Sometimes you don’t feel as bad as you think you do) 2.Remind yourself that this is your life.Take 10 deep breath’s and with every exhale tell yourself that you are in control 3.Shower yourself in love (Tell yourself every positive thing you can think of even if you don’t feel it. (I like to try it and different accents so I can laugh at myself) 4. *optional* if your going to cry, cry, but when your done get up and try the first three steps.

Skin Update! . . This is my skins 1 month progress, as you can see I’m clearing up and still breaking out. My skin is still very oily but very soft. . . Possible Factors to my current break out include: Birth control could be helping or worsening, I’ve been eating lost of junk food/fried food, I only use my hands to wash my face and rarely a brush, I’ve fallen asleep recently without washing my face,I’ve just had my period,Its hot in New Jersey and I’ve been sweating a lot and I haven’t been getting much sleep. . . . . My current skin care regimen includes @banishacnescars pumpkin enzyme mask and vitamin c cream @bioreus charcoal scrub cleanser and spot treatment with diluted tea tree oil(sometimes the benzoyl cream by @cleanandclear )I’ve also been juicing (celery juice) I will be working on some of the flaws that might be causing my current break outs and see how things look in 7 days ! Still thinking about #accutane still researching and watching you guys 🙃 . . ❗️❗️❗️UPDATE I NO LONGER USE THE CHARCOAL CLEANSER AND THE BENZOYL CREAM SINCE SWITCHING TO NATURAL SKIN CARE . #acnescars #acne #acneprone #acneproblems #acnesuffers #vegan #veganacnesufferers #clearskintips #skincare #skincareroutine #skinupdate #banishacnescars #juicing #celeryjuice #cysticacne #severance

I love this woman, her oily skin and every thing else that’s wrong with it. Just know it’s alright with me 🤗 . . . . #selflove #blogger #acne #acneprone #acnescars #acnesuffers #acneproblems #vegan #veganacnesufferers