How I Cleared My Adult Cystic Acne Naturally By Trusting My Body
Acne was a source of deep sadness, pain, and frustration in my life. If you’re reading this, you can probably relate. Today, I’m opening up and sharing my journey—including some vulnerable details—about how I healed my cystic acne at its core. You might be surprised that it wasn’t with fancy products, elimination diets, or endless supplements. I tried all of those things without success. Eventually, I began to understand and treat the spiritual and emotional causes of acne, which led to amazing results. The real healing happened when I stopped fighting my skin and started listening to it.
I’m here to inspire hope and new possibilities and offer my expertise to help you find lasting change with your skin.
This article is a blend of my experiences and responses to questions asked by others going through cystic acne. Keep reading to explore a new way of looking at your skin, one that goes beyond conventional treatments and addresses the emotional and spiritual roots of acne.
Who Am I?
My name is Anne, and I facilitate somatic therapy and mind-body healing. I’ve been lucky enough to support clients around the world on their journeys of healing, growth, and creating lives that truly light them up.
I take a mind-body approach, which means I help people utilize the wisdom and connection between their body, mind, emotions, and spirit. When we learn to understand and embrace these connections, it guides us toward lasting healing, expansion, and creating a life that we love.
I’m so glad you found your way here.
I tried to fight my acne for years with a host of external treatments, believing that would solve it. It didn’t. You don’t have to do this alone. I’ve been there, found what works, and would love to help you too. If you’re ready to connect and explore a way forward with your skin’s true potential, click the button below. 💛
“I came to Anne feeling defeated by my acne, but I left with a new perspective. My acne is gone, but more importantly, I’ve stopped fighting my body and started listening to it. I’ve found a deep sense of self-love and trust, and that has made all the difference.”
Here’s My Story
Throughout my life, I've faced my fair share of acne, but it all came to a head in 2011 when I was 25. This was about a year after I had a copper IUD placed, married Steve, and launched our own business. Suddenly, I found my face plagued by painful and embarrassing cystic acne, concentrated on my jawline and chin. This intensity of acne was a new experience for me, and I quickly slid into a dark emotional space. I felt like I couldn't leave the house without makeup, and the saddest part was that I was so ashamed I didn’t even want Steve to see me bare-faced. I wanted to hide behind makeup, my hair, and in darkness.
At that time, I didn’t fully recognize that I was grappling with some level of depression. It was completely out of character for me, and on top of that, I felt guilty for being preoccupied with such superficial matters. I would tell myself, “It’s just my skin! There are so many others out there facing far more serious problems.” Yet, for me, it felt like a serious issue, and I was desperate for a solution.
What I Blamed My Acne On
Desperate for answers, I turned to research. With a lifelong interest in holistic health (thanks to my mom!), I spent countless hours exploring every possible cause of my acne. I sought out holistic practitioners, experimented with new treatments, and invested time and money chasing answers.
Here’s everything I blamed my acne on—and what I tried to fix it:
Me and my husband, Steve. He guides this somatic healing work too, and he is brilliant at it if you feel more drawn to his energy. :) While we help individuals with a range of health challenges, Steve has a special niche with chronic pain, digestive issues, and lymph challenges.
Candida overgrowth → Did a strict 30-day cleanse (incredibly restrictive and difficult)
Touching my face too much → Became obsessive about avoiding it.
Sleeping on my hands → Tried sleeping with my arms by my side.
Leaky gut → Took gut-healing supplements and made dietary changes.
Copper toxicity from my IUD → Had it removed
Hormone imbalance (estrogen dominance) → Tried balancing hormones through diet and Chinese herbs.
Stress → Meditation, yoga, and relaxation techniques
Too much ‘heat’ in my body (from a Chinese Medicine perspective) → Adjusted my diet to include more “cooling” foods.
Adrenal fatigue → Took adrenal support supplements.
Parasites → Tried parasite cleanses
Inflammation → Followed an anti-inflammatory diet.
Clogged pores and bacteria → Used various skincare products, complicated routines, and expensive facials. Spent SO much money, but they didn’t lead to lasting results.
Dietary factors (dairy, sugar, grains, greasy foods, etc.) → Followed strict elimination diets and cut out sugar. Also tried “green drinks” loaded with superfoods (spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass), bone broth, and fermented foods.
Some Additional Things I Tried
NutriBody Analysis → Promised to identify deficiencies but didn’t lead to results.
An overwhelming amount of supplements → For detoxing, balancing hormones, and gut health—but nothing made a lasting difference.
Acupuncture & cupping therapy → Supportive for overall wellness, but didn’t significantly impact my skin.
DIY remedies:
Apple cider vinegar toner
Oil cleansing
Turmeric “bombs”
Dry brushing my face
Laser peel → Extremely painful and expensive, with no lasting results.
Makeup as a mask:
I became obsessed with finding the thickest foundation possible to cover my acne. I remember standing in Sephora, asking the sales associate, “What’s your thickest foundation?”—desperate for anything that would make me feel less exposed.
Here’s The Important Lesson I Learned That Changed Everything
I was seeing my acne as a problem and making it mean something wrong about myself.
For years, I saw my acne as the enemy. Like most of us, I was taught to view it as a flaw—a sign that something was wrong with me. I blamed my skin and made it mean something about my worth. Looking at it through this lens only chipped away at my self-confidence.
But what if the very thing you’re trying to get rid of is actually here to guide you?
At the time, I couldn’t see it. I just wanted clear skin. I tried everything—from intense cleanses and supplements to painful laser treatments. Each failed attempt only made me harder on myself. I spiraled in the cycles of hope and heartbreak.
But then, everything shifted.
“My relationship with my acne is shifting. I’m beginning to feel more compassion and acceptance towards my skin, and I just want to understand it rather than fight it.”
I realized that my skin wasn’t the enemy—it was communicating with me. My acne wasn’t just a problem to solve; it was an invitation from my body. A signal urging me to pay attention to the emotional side of myself I had been suppressing.
I had so many feelings I was trying to control, manage, or push down. But deep down, my soul felt suffocated. My acne became the catalyst for change—it forced me to face the parts of myself I had been shutting down.
The surface-level acne was indicating something much deeper going on within myself.
When I finally opened up to my emotional side and engaged with it productively, I started taking care of myself in a whole new way. Because of that, I started treating myself differently.
I became gentler with myself.
I listened to my body instead of battling it.
I began to nurture deep trust in myself.
When I finally stopped fighting my skin and started listening to it, my acne began to heal. But more importantly, I healed.
For years, I had been carrying the weight of frustration, shame, and self-judgment, trying to control my skin instead of understanding it. When I finally gave myself permission to feel, to listen, and to offer myself compassion, everything changed.
Your skin is asking for the same.
This work goes far beyond skincare routines or surface-level fixes—it’s about shifting your relationship with yourself. And sometimes, the best way to understand this is to experience it for yourself.
That’s why I created this 17-minute guided meditation—to give you a glimpse of what it feels like to connect with your skin in a new way. It’s a simple but powerful practice to help you release the frustration, shame, and resistance you may be holding, and instead, meet your skin with tenderness.
This meditation is not a quick fix or a substitute for deeper healing, but it is a gentle first step. A way to begin feeling into what’s possible when you shift from fighting your skin to listening to it.
As you explore this new way of relating to your skin, you might start to notice something…
What if your acne isn’t just something to fix, but something with a message?
What if, instead of being an obstacle, it’s actually an invitation?
“I never thought my acne had anything to do with my emotions—especially after everything I’d tried to fix it. Working with Anne helped me trust myself, listen to my body, and see my skin with more compassion. My acne began to clear, but the greatest gift was realizing that everything I needed to heal was already within me.”
A New Lens: Acne as an Invitation
This is exactly what I help people do—shift from seeing acne as an enemy to recognizing it as an invitation. Instead of searching for something to blame—whether it’s hormones, food, or bacteria—I guide them to recognize the deeper behavioral and emotional cycles that are contributing.
This isn’t about making your emotional side the problem. Quite the opposite—it’s about seeing the discomfort of the acne as a purposeful invitation.
Why?
Change doesn’t usually happen when we’re too comfortable. There’s often a sense of pressure or tension that moves us to pursue what we really want.
I believe that acne, as uncomfortable as it is, serves this purpose. It’s shining a light on something being withheld that wants to be expressed or experienced.
Here's what you may be doing:
Hiding from being seen or sharing your true feelings.
Sabotaging your joy.
Being hard on yourself with unrealistic expectations.
Numbing out or shutting down because feeling is too vulnerable.
Undermining your true desires.
Keeping others at a distance to avoid rejection.
Discounting your intuition and not allowing it to guide your choices.
Putting yourself in boxes to feel safe.
I’m now able to confidently leave the house and post photos on the internet without wearing makeup!
The tension of holding back in these ways doesn't feel good in your system or your spirit. It takes a lot of energy to manage and can create discomfort both physically and emotionally. Luckily, your acne is bringing this to your awareness.
The potential for real growth and transformation is within reach - it's ripe for the picking! But when we view acne as a problem to eliminate or fix, none of that potential can happen. You don't get to harvest the growth and transformation you desire underneath it all!
So why would your body want to eliminate the acne, when it has your best interest at heart?
Ready to see the amazing potential your skin has in store for you?
Acne is not a punishment—it’s a call to step into a new way of operating with your emotional side…and with yourself as a whole. Your body knows how powerful you are, and it’s sending you that invitation.
Instead of treating acne as a problem to fix, I'm here to help you shift your perspective, listen to your body, and take care of yourself in a whole new way, one that aligns with what your heart desires.
If you’re feeling that nudge to reach out but also experiencing hesitation, you’re not alone. Many people feel this before taking the first step. But as Jonathan shared, listening to that quiet pull can be life-changing:
“Looking back at the moment I first reached out for help, I remember the hesitation of taking this leap. If I could share one piece of wisdom with my past self, it would be this—listen to that nudge of intuition. Don’t resist or try to intellectualize what you’re feeling. Be honest with yourself about what you truly want, and trust that this journey is worth it.”
If you’re ready to embrace the invitation your acne is offering, I’d love to help.
Let’s have a conversation with the incredible wisdom your body has been waiting to share. On this call, we’ll explore what’s holding you back and help you step into a clearer, more energizing path forward.
This isn’t about solving everything at once—it’s about taking a first step toward clarity, relief, and a new relationship with your skin. Many people I’ve worked with say this first conversation was a turning point in their healing. Imagine feeling at ease, knowing your skin isn’t the enemy but a guide to something deeper.
Let’s explore that together. This is a relaxed space to share what’s going on, see if this approach resonates with you, and discover whether working together feels like the right next step.
I’d love to hear your story and help you find a path forward. Choose a time below that works for you, and let’s begin. I’m excited to meet you! ↓
