Skin concerns: Cystic acne, rosacea, redness, inflammation and a compromised skin barrier.
"I'd just about given up." Tanae
For years, Tanae struggled with her skin. What started as acne after finishing high school gradually developed into more persistent, inflamed breakouts, particularly around her cheeks and chin.
She tried everything she could think of, from visiting dermatologists and doctors to prescription treatments and professional LED sessions. But instead of improving, she felt her skin was becoming increasingly irritated.
"I had tried literally everything, like, I've been to a dermatologist, doctors with prescribed things. None of it works. It just made it so much worse."
Eventually, even the skin clinic she was visiting suggested that their treatments weren't working for her skin.
Feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to turn next, Tanae confided in a friend who had been visiting Fresh Face Skin for years.
Her friend encouraged her to book a skin consultation with Amelia.
And in late 2019, Tanae began her Fresh Face Skin journey.
Understanding Tanae's Skin:
Why We Started With Less
When Tanae first came to us, her skin was experiencing a combination of acne and rosacea, with significant redness, inflammation and sensitivity, particularly across her cheeks.
Her skin barrier was also compromised, meaning her skin was struggling to retain moisture and protect itself from external irritants.
Rather than immediately targeting her acne with multiple active ingredients, our first priority was to help her skin feel calm, supported and comfortable.
Our focus was on restoring lipid (oil) balance before introducing more targeted products.
Stage 1: Calming Inflammation & Supporting the Skin Barrier
The first 6–8 weeks
We began with a simple 2-step skincare routine using our Soother Cleanser & Treatment.
Our goals were to:
- Help calm visible redness and irritation.
- Support and strengthen the oil content within her skin barrier.
- Improve skin moisture and skin comfort.
- Allow her skin time to settle before introducing additional ingredients.
For Tanae, this meant simplifying her skincare rather than adding more.
And importantly, allowing her skin the time it needed.
"My skin, it took a little bit, obviously because it was so inflamed. It was so angry."
During these initial weeks, consistency was essential. We wanted to establish a foundation of healthier skin function before introducing anything that might overwhelm her already reactive skin.
Stage 2: Gradually Introducing Targeted Skin Support
Once Tanae's skin had begun to settle, we gradually introduced two additional products.
Hydration Booster: To improve hydration and provide additional skin barrier support.
Healer Treatment: To support skin healing to the acne-prone areas and reduce skin redness & inflammation.
Her routine during this stage included:
We continued with this approach over the following months, focusing on consistency, improving skin comfort and gradually reducing the appearance of inflammation and breakouts.
And slowly, Tanae began noticing changes.
"Honestly, in a couple months, it was so much better."
The Moment Other People Started Noticing
As Tanae's skin began to improve, it wasn't just the visible changes that made a difference.
It was how she started to feel about herself.
For years, she had felt uncomfortable leaving the house without makeup.
"I never went anywhere without makeup because it was so embarrassing and people would stare."
As her redness and breakouts began to settle, people around her started commenting on how healthy her skin was looking.
"People were noticing... people around me were saying your skin looks so good. And that was just like a huge, huge thing for me."
For someone who had spent years feeling self-conscious about her skin, those small moments meant so much.
It wasn't about achieving perfect skin.
It was about beginning to feel comfortable and confident in her own skin again.
Years Later: Keeping Her Routine Simple
Since beginning her journey with us in 2019, Tanae has continued using Fresh Face Skin as part of her everyday skincare routine.
While her initial routine was designed to settle significant inflammation and support her compromised skin barrier, her current routine focuses on maintaining those results.
Her current morning routine:
- Soother Cleanser
- Hydration Booster
- Healer Treatment applied to individual blemishes when needed
- Soother Treatment
Her current evening routine:
- Soother Cleanser
- Soother Treatment
- Night Shield Complex - pulling back if a skin flare occurs
What Tanae's Journey Teaches Us About Acne & Rosacea
When acne and rosacea are present together, knowing where to start can feel incredibly overwhelming.
It's natural to want to immediately target clearing the breakouts, but when the skin is already inflamed and reactive, the skin needs a 'less is more' approach.
Often, the first step towards healthier skin is creating an environment where the skin can begin to feel balanced again.
Tanae's journey highlights the importance of:
- Understanding the skin needs, before choosing products.
- Supporting a compromised skin barrier.
- Strengthening skin lipids (oils) first then introducing targeted ingredients gradually.
- Staying consistent and being patient - allowing time for the skin to rebalance.
- Seeking professional guidance when you're unsure what your skin needs.
Every skin journey is different, and what worked for Tanae may not be the right approach for everyone.
But her experience is a reminder that there can be another way forward, even when you feel as though you've tried everything.
A Message From Tanae
"Honestly, it has changed my life."
Looking back on her journey, Tanae hopes her experience encourages someone else who may be feeling the way she once did.
Someone who's tried countless products, feels overwhelmed by conflicting advice or has started believing their skin will never improve.
"If you feel like you've given up, because you just don't think anything is going work..."
Her message is one of hope, based on her own experience.
"Honestly, I hope that my skin journey is inspiring to at least one person out there."
Start with a conversation and move forward with clarity and confidence.
Information provided is general in nature and is not intended to replace personalised professional advice. Individual skin responses and results may vary. If your skin concerns persist or worsen, please seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
