Love Island All Stars finalist Millie Court opened up about her pre-villa battle with cystic acne – and how she stopped the painful breakouts in their tracks
You’d never guess from looking at Millie Court that, up until recently, she was battling with skin issues. Watching her during last night’s All Stars final, where she ultimately placed second with her American beau after losing out on the title to Samie Elishi and Ciaran Davies, Millie was the picture of holiday health. With her glowing, tanned skin, many women will have been envious of her flawless complexion. Us included.
But would you have guessed that until recently, Millie had acne breakouts so bad that they caused her to feel anxious about leaving the house? The 29-year-old explained her skin journey in a brave video posted to her TikTok just a few weeks before she headed into the All Stars villa.
“I once suffered from severe, cystic acne. I was in my twenties, going through heartbreak, and my skin paid the price for it. I decided to get the implant [contraceptive] in my arm, which also my body didn’t agree with, but I didn’t realise it at the time. I was self-conscious and anxious to leave the house,” she voiced in the clip, sharing photos of her skin at its worst.
“After spending money I didn’t have on special treatments and skincare, I realised it had to come from within. Once the implant was removed, my skin got so much better. But fast forward to more recently, and going through heartbreak again, the acne returned. I was sick and tired of doing gut tests and good diaries. I decided to go on Roaccutane, an extremely strong drug that was mentally challenging. It’s not for everyone, but thankfully, it worked for me. “
READ MORE: Love Island winner Samie Elishi reveals the £16 sell-out secret behind her luscious lashes
What is Roaccutane?
The strong treatment Millie refers to is a prescription medication for severe acne, usually prescribed after other topical options are exhausted. Roaccutane is the brand name most people in the UK use for isotretinoin, and it works by dramatically reducing the amount of oil your skin produces, which in turn helps prevent blocked pores and the kind of deep, painful breakouts that can cause scarring.
Because it’s such a powerful drug, it’s only prescribed under specialist care and comes with strict monitoring and rules around side effects and pregnancy prevention, but for many people, Millie included, it can be life-changing when nothing else has worked. Side effects, however, range from extreme skin dryness to joint aches and nosebleeds, so those taking it are closely monitored.
The treatment isn’t a guaranteed ‘one course and never acne again’ solution for everyone. Many patients see their acne clear completely and stay clear for years after finishing a course, which is why it’s often described as life-changing. That said, some people do get breakouts again over time, especially if their acne is very hormonal or severe to begin with
Of this, Millie says her attitude is much healthier: “Some say it could return, but I hope it doesn’t. If it does, so be it. My skin is so important to me now, and I’ve come so far from the insecure girl I was.”
Millie’s skincare saviours
The two-time Love Island finalist shared her morning skincare tips in a separate video titled ‘My skincare routine as someone finally off Roaccutane’.
Garnier Vitamin C Brightening Serum
now £8.45
She says she applies this to clean skin in the morning. “I go in with this first this. It’s so nice, I love it”. With a 4% vitamin C formula that combines niacinamide and salicylic acid, it’s great for refining pores and boosting skin luminosity.
Dr Leah Facial Moisturiser
£27.50
“My skin can get really dry after the Roaccutane, and it’s stayed quite dry,” Millie explains. A moisturiser like this one, with naturally hydrating oils and properties, will comfort skin and stop flakes.
Garnier Vitamin C Daily UV 50+
now £8.67
As the star says, “If you’re not using SPF every day, you should be” – and this one is great if you haven’t found one you like. With added vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, it brightens and plumps while giving protection from rays (yes, even winter rays).
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Berry
now £18.90
“As a Roaccutane girly, lip products are your best friend. You can put this on at night time if you want and it stays on until morning,” Millie says.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
