I have terrible cystic acne from polycystic ovary syndrome - here are the 6 skin-care products that helped treat my acne

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Boscia

• I've been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome - and its cystic acne sidekick - for almost a decade now. As many as 75% of women with PCOS remain undiagnosed, and like me, have to find ways to treat their acne without medication.
• I've spent a lot of time testing out all kinds of topical treatments for cystic acne that comes with PCOS because the hormonal disorder can create too much androgen in the body, increasing oil production in the skin and leading to acne.
• Ever since I spotted my first painful and unpoppable zit along my jawline, I've been curating my own routine of products designed to target acne-causing bacteria and oil production. These are the six I use nightly.

Even though I've had polycystic ovary syndrome and its cystic acne sidekick by my side for 10 years, I wasn't diagnosed with the hormonal syndrome or able to gain control over my cystic acne until recently.

After nearly a decade of testing out what felt like every product on the market from high-end to drugstore and boutique brands, and even had a brief tryst with DIY skin care, I've finally curated a nighttime skin-care routine that kept my PCOS-inflicted acne at bay without additional medication.

To be clear, the fastest fix for any type of hormonal acne is actually medication prescribed by a doctor, and anyone who has questions or concerns about their own skin condition should talk to their doctor first - especially if they think they might have PCOS. But 75% of women, according to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, have undiagnosed PCOS, so you might not even know the root of your acne. I was personally dealing with cystic acne for years, but wasn't diagnosed with PCOS until recently.

Unlike normal acne, the cystic kind is much more severe and painful - and in my experience, takes forever to heal. "Adult and teenage acne are both caused by the same elements including increased sebum production, acne-causing bacteria, and slow cell-turnover peppered with underlying inflammation," says Dr. Shereene Idriss, board-certified dermatologist.

Instead of choosing products that are specifically marketed as acne-fighting or based on your skin type, I've found greater success in products with simple, but powerful ingredients that gently fight acne-causing bacteria and encourage the turnover of new skin cells. "I tell patients to wipe their slate clean and simplify their skin-care routine. Less is more when you're trying to control an active breakout," says Dr. Idriss.

Ever since I spotted the first painful and unpoppable zit along my jawline, I've been curating my own routine of products designed to target acne-causing bacteria and oil production. Six steps might sound like a lot for a nighttime routine - especially when you just want to go to bed - but each of these has a specific purpose and visibly improved my acne-ridden skin.

Here are the six products in my nighttime skin care routine that kept my hormonal, PCOS-induced acne in check:

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