My Skin Won’t Cooperate with Me, but Phyla Will
My honest review of the new products from the skincare brand.
I can’t lie; I’m in one of the most stressful stages of my life, and my skin is visibly reflecting that. From heartbreak, financial instability, running a magazine, and the impending doom that is our country and world, I can’t wrap my head around how people are managing to still have a youthful glow. Over the course of over ten years, I’ve tried everything under the sun to fix the long-term effects of suffering from teenage cystic acne and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
As a teenager, I did two rounds of Accutane, which was intense. It cleared my skin completely, but a few months later, I developed ice pick scars, then soon after, PCOS-causing hyperpigmentation on my neck—both of which are still present. During the pandemic, I also tried chemical peels and microneedling, which only worked temporarily. In January 2024, I began Phyla Skincare.
Phyla products are made to eliminate acne, fade post-acne hyperpigmentation, and restore the skin’s microbiome. The products have phages and are abundant microorganisms that are natural acne killers. Acne is caused by the overgrowth of harmful bacteria, and Phyla’s phages eliminate those bacteria as well as prevent them from coming back.
So far, I’ve been using the Acne Phage System, which consists of the pH Balancing Gel Cleanser, the Acne Phage Serum, and the Anti-Blemish Moisturizer + 5% Niacinamide. After almost four months of use, I’m finally seeing improvement in the evenness of my skin tone, no more whiteheads or clogged pores, and an overall lighter feeling on my face. After less than two weeks, I had to stop using the pH Balancing Gel Cleanser because it was causing me to break out more.
The active ingredients include green tea extract, ceramide, and zinc. I thought I was breaking out as a form of the cleanser, getting all of the toxins out, but the breakouts never stopped. I have very sensitive skin, and anything fragranced—even natural fragrances—does not cooperate with it. However, I have heard green tea extract is suitable for some people’s skin types, and mine is a combination but more on the oily side. So, I’m now sticking with my Panoxyl face wash before applying serum and moisturizer.
However, the Acne Phage Serum and the Anti-Blemish Moisturizer + 5% Niacinamide are working magically. The hyperpigmentation on my neck is one of my biggest insecurities, and several dermatologists have told me the only way to eliminate it is to get laser treatment, which costs over $1,000. Do I look like I’m made of money? That’s literally rent. Because of that, I’ve settled for my home LED light therapy neck and face mask after I apply the serum and before I apply the moisturizer.
I use Phyla every other night, alternating between it and the Dr. Idriss Major Fade Serum. I haven’t been getting much sleep, but I will say that since starting Phyla, my face looks significantly more radiant and less dull, especially considering the season. However, the dermatologists were right; almost nothing worked on my neck. The hyperpigmentation scars are deep, and only a laser seems to eliminate them. My skin fluctuates often.
On some days, my neck looks clear, and on other days, it looks unbearably bad. The Acne Phage serum and the Anti-Blemish Moisturizer + 5% Niacinamide are gradually improving my neck, but once a new scar forms (almost daily), it takes weeks and even months for it to fade. That being said, I’ll give the neck area more time if there is more improvement.
I’ve wanted to incorporate Phyla into my morning routine, but I always hesitate to do that with any skincare product. Even if I wear SPF, having that many products on my skin while in the sun makes me fearful. Since my skin is oily, wearing that much product in public might make me look like a glazed donut—and not in a good way. I may see faster improvement if I use Phyla more often, so that’s my next step with the products. It’s one of the few products that I feel I can use consistently and for a long time.
