Affordable Acne Treatment : anti-acne products and doctors
Why affordable treatment? Because I have struggled to pay.
My family wasn’t wealthy. During university, I supported myself by teaching Chemistry and Biology, working as a banquet waitress, and selling computers at IT shows. I completed my NUS Biomedical Science degree in 2.5 years instead of 3 to save on semester fees, and I had to take out a student loan to cover tuition.
My acne journey began at age 15. I started searching for affordable acne treatment in drugstores with budget-friendly anti-acne products like Neutrogena, Proactiv, and Clean & Clear—none of which worked. I then tried mid-range brands like Body Shop and Clinique, followed by expensive options like Dermalogica. Still, nothing helped my acne.
I visited a beauty salon, which only made my condition worse. After spending over a thousand dollars on products and facial packages, I stopped going following several painful extraction sessions. My package went to waste, but I had no choice. Eventually, I turned to doctors for help.
Dermatologists vs Aesthetic Doctors
Throughout my acne treatment journey, I consulted several doctors, mostly GPs since dermatologist costs were beyond my budget. Dermatologist consultations typically cost at least S$100, while GPs and aesthetic doctors charge between S$25-40. Dermatologist products are also more expensive because these specialists require an additional 6 years of training after medical school. Aesthetic doctors are primarily GPs who perform procedures like lasers, Agnes treatment, botox, and fillers.
A notable example is Niks Maple Clinic, where Dr. Ong practiced. Many people mistake GP skin doctors like him for dermatologists. The multiple chemical peel sessions at Maple Clinic left my skin extremely sensitive, and I disliked how the Niks products felt—like a thick layer coating my face. I stayed with Niks Maple Clinic for over 6 months more than 10 years ago before realizing the treatment wasn’t working for my acne.
The 3 doctors who have helped me in my acne free journey
Throughout my acne treatment journey, I consulted several doctors, mostly GPs since dermatologist costs were beyond my budget. Dermatologist consultations typically cost at least S$100, while GPs and aesthetic doctors charge between S$25-40. Dermatologist products are also more expensive because these specialists require an additional 6 years of training after medical school. Aesthetic doctors are primarily GPs who perform procedures like lasers, Agnes treatment, botox, and fillers.
A notable example is Niks Maple Clinic, where Dr. Ong practiced. Many people mistake GP skin doctors like him for dermatologists. The multiple chemical peel sessions at Maple Clinic left my skin extremely sensitive, and I disliked how the Niks products felt—like a thick layer coating my face. I stayed with Niks Maple Clinic for over 6 months more than 10 years ago before realizing the treatment wasn’t working for my acne.
The second phase in life when I was really poor
The second time I experienced financial hardship was after being fired from my job. Feeling jaded and believing my career was over, I invested my savings into starting a business full-time for 1.5 years. I failed, lost all my savings, and ended up owing my parents money.
The stress during this period caused my acne to flare up dramatically. My entire face was covered with countless closed comedones—so many that friends asked if I had a rash. This time, my aesthetic doctor couldn’t help me, and the procedures no longer worked. Being so poor made every pump of the $100+ hyaluronic acid serum painful for my wallet. There were no suitable alternative products I could use, and I was afraid to try new products that might worsen my acne.
After 1.5 years, I closed the business and returned to employment. Fortunately, many doctors provided excellent testimonials, and I received three job offers.
Best Anti-Acne Products were Born
A little shameless here to claim that Skinlycious has the best anti-acne products since I’m the founder. But Skinlycious products have worked the best for me. And it’s because of Skinlycious products that I can still maintain my acne free skin. I’m still using every product in the range now. The testimonials from satisfied customers also affirms that Skinlycious products are great. Of course, everybody’s skin is different and there will be some who are unsuitable for my products. But my products have worked for many others, and quite a number of them were like me who have undergone different treatments with doctors and tried many products.
Having gone through many aesthetic procedures like lasers, microdermabrasion, blue light therapy, chemical peels, I can confidently say that the best treatment for acne is still medication, correct skin care products and patience. Through this process of formulating Skinlycious products, I’ve also discovered that many ingredients could make my skin oil up or even leading to bad breakouts. Thus, firming my belief that using the right skin care coupled with the right medications and prescription, would be the best acne treatment. Major plus is that it’s a much more affordable acne treatment than procedures like lasers or agnes treatment.
2nd Spot Treatment developed with customers
Over the years of interacting with other acne sufferers, I’ve also learnt that some people couldn’t tolerate salicylic acid, which is present in our first spot treatment (Anti-Acne Solution now renamed Glow Exfoliant after some formulation change).
I’m really pleased that in 2018, I worked with a small group of customers who couldn’t tolerate our first spot treatment(acid-based) to develop an alternative spot treatment(vitamins-based) named Blemish Corrector. It took us 8 months of testing many ingredients and fine-tuning the texture.
We now offer two types of starter kit with 90 days money back guarantee. If our mini kit doesn’t work for you, we will refund you. I know the pain of spending so much on acne treatments and not getting any results.
The Clear Skin Essential Starter Kit (left) contains both spot treatments. I always encourage everyone to try both spot treatments to find which treatment best suits their skin as each spot treatment results varies from a different person. The mini kits would last about 5-10 days. By then, you should be able to see some improvements like less redness, less oiliness, existing acne getting smaller. It’s not a miracle. Patience is needed. For total clear skin, 2-3 months is needed. The Clear Skin Complete Starter Kit (right) is an extension of the essential kit whereby you get to try our full range of products.
For pre-teens, teens, pregnant ladies, milder acne, those who cannot tolerate initial peeling and dryness, or those allergic to aspirin / salicylic acid, we suggest trying the Blemish Corrector as spot treatment along with the Calming Cleanser and Hydrating Serum.
For more serious acne, blackheads and those who would like to have faster results, we suggest you try the Glow Exfoliant as spot treatment along with the Calming Cleanser and Hydrating Serum.
Jun Qi’s Cystic Acne Cleared with Skinlycious products
Special thanks to these other doctors
– Dr Sng L. C, Rowell Clinic
When I was working in the pharma industry, she saw my skin condition and asked me if I would like to take Diane 35 (contraceptive/hormone pill) for my acne. I took it for 3 months and there was no improvement, so I stopped. Nonetheless, I really appreciate the discount on the drugs.
– Dr Judy Chen, Pariqua Clinic
An equipment company loaned her a blue light emitting machine. Usually, the equipment companies will loan the doctors to try out their machines. If the doctors like it, they buy it. Blue light therapy is known to help improve acne condition. Dr Chen offered free blue light therapy treatment for me as she wanted to test out the machine. For two weeks, I would head down to her clinic during lunch hours and try out blue light therapy. There weren’t any significant improvements to my acne after the intensive blue light therapy. Needless to say, she didn’t buy the machine and returned it to the company.
– Dr Leow C.G, Jade Medical Clinic
Dr Leow carried Skinlycious products in her clinic for a while but has since stopped. She’s a very caring doctor with patients at heart.
About the Author
Jasmine Kang
Founder of Skinlycious – a one stop skin care solution for acne and acne-prone skin. A science geek, who has struggled with acne for 14 long years. Armed with decades of acne-fighting experience and bioscience / pharmaceutical knowledge, she seeks to find solution for her own acne-prone skin. She also takes immense joy in helping people regain confidence by solving their acne woes. Her secret ambition is to rid the world of irritating acne.
