Advice to my 16 year old self – Your skin will get better, take a deep breath.
Like I said before, my skin was really problematic and I had a tough time getting through the day with all the acne on my face. Especially when I was 16 years old or so, my skin was a complete wreck and people of that age never wore makeup in India – neither did I. I went to school looking like that everyday and it really took a toll on my confidence.
It was only during my 2nd year of college that I started understanding how to take care of my skin. I’ve learned a lot from then and I’ve come up with a routine that my skin likes. So, here’s what I do:
I first wash my hands with soap and water before even touching my face. I then splash some warm water on my skin so loosen all the grim and dirt. Then I take a tiny portion of my Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective White Skin Brightening Exfoliator and exfoliate my face in circular motions. Then I follow up with The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash (I usually exfoliate only at night – in the morning, I only use the face wash).
I PAT my skin dry. Then use toner on my face with a cotton ball. After this, I take my Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective White Deep Moisture Clarifying Cream or Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate and pat this on my skin. I don’t rub the moisturzer – I just spread it on my hands and pat in on my face.
Lastly, I use Kiehl’s Lip Balm #1. When it comes to face masks, I use the Kiehl’s Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleansing Masque atleast 3 times a week.
I know that for a person who believes in holistic approaches, I use a lot of chemical products on my skin, but I’m working towards how I want to treat my skin using all natural products. This has been my skin care routine for the past 8 months. It has really helped keep my skin calm.
Please note that these did NOT clear up my skin. The Clinique Acne Solutions Clearing System is what actually worked to clear my skin. The products mentioned above only helped keep my skin calm and not bring back the acne, along with getting rid of my scars.
HOWEVER,
I’m still not completely satisfied with this routine. I want to take another go at natural skincare. I’m going to gradually try and move into it this time.
So, first I’m going to ditch my face wash and go for Raw Honey instead. I’m going to do this for the next 3 months and see how it works. Meanwhile, I still will review the products in my current routine along with updates on going natural!
A few things that really gave a boost to healing my skin were:
1. Drinking green tea.
2. Using clean sheets, pillow cases, comforters and towels. I change my sheets and pillow cases, once every 3 days. I change towels on alternate days.
3. Cleaning the containers of all the products I use. I take a tablespoon of Dettol Antiseptic Liquid and mix it in a glass of water. I use this water with a tissue paper to clean my moisturiser container, face wash bottle and every other skincare product container I use.
4. I refrain from touching my face after using moisturiser. I also keep my phone away from my skin
5. If I ever do have to touch my face, I was my hands before I doing it.
I know all this sounds quite obsessive, but if you have problematic skin, you all can understand how much we don’t want to go back there, I don’t want any bacteria touching my face and infecting clogged pores (this is why pimples are caused – in one sentence). If you can suggest a routine that keeps the skin sane, please do so in the comments. It would really be great to know what worked for your guys. Stay Beautiful!
– M.
Unearthed Beauty 