In August, I ran out of my supply and I got it into my fool head that since I was nearly 37 years old I had NO need for acne medicine anymore. Look at all the money I’d save! So I quit it cold turkey,

Bad idea.

Two weeks later I was hollering uncle as I put layer upon layer of concealer on. But I was still cheap, so I went to the local pharmacy and bought a store-brand system that touted itself as better than Proactiv. It was $14.99 (after the Extra Care Bucks) for the 3-piece cleanser/toner/lotion package. I started the regimen twice a day and hoped for the best.

Three weeks later, I was at wit’s end as NOTHING was changing at all. So I went to the Cherry Hill Mall and bought the 3-piece Proactiv set from the kiosk. Fifty-five bucks. I’m now operating at a $15.00 financial loss. Happily, I re-started the Proactiv and hoped for the best.

A week ago I discovered that my skin had the texture of a dry Froot Loop. Not good at all. I completely fried it with all of the acne product and the pimples, while smaller, were dry and irritated. Even my beloved Hope in a Jar wasn’t working.

So I went back to a regimen a former coworker (Hi, Robin!) suggested many years ago when I experienced the same situation.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize!

I stopped putting everything on my face — Proactiv, Hope in a Jar, even my makeup (very hard when you’re breaking out). I washed with just a tiny drop of Neutrogeena cleaner on a buff puff to take off the flaky skin. I purchased Cetaphil moisturizer and tea tree oil (another $18.00 or so). Twice a day I mixed one drop of tea tree oil into one squirt worth of the Cetaphil and gently spread it on my face.

And whaddya know? It worked! My face got softer again and the pimples faded. Success! Eventually I’ll work the Proactiv products back into the routine but for now I’m finding that simpler is better.