*Article may include affiliate links Suffering with Acne If you’ve followed me for some time, then you know acne and I are fake friends! Acne is always hanging around, trying to be buddy buddy with my skin, and i’m always the one to say “girl bye!” Based on my previous acne post back in February of this year, I started using topical medications along with other recommended skin care products. To say the least, it hasn’t been as effective as I thought it would be. Through my trials and errors I’ve realized that my acne is simply present because of my hormonal imbalances. Many females experience hormone imbalances, some involving increased estrogen levels, while others deal with increased androgens and testosterone levels. I haven’t had proper blood work done as of yet to really pinpoint which levels are higher than others but I am trying to take natural androgen and DHT blockers for the time being. I discovered that my skin produces a lot of oils, more than most people, and the only thing that seems to naturally work is increasing my water consumption. Though my skin has seen better days, I am sharing with you some of the vitamins I am currently taking to help decrease my oil and acne production. I shot this video back in August, and I still currently take these vitamins. It isn’t doing much harm, nor is it giving me DRASTIC results but in a way it eases my worry about not taking action on my acne. I will have an in depth update on the progression at a later date, while I try to sort out my acne and hormone imbalances. Products mentioned: Zinc: http://go.magik.ly/ml/6avc/Vitamin A: http://amzn.to/2fGMSS6Ole Henriksen for hyperpigmentation: http://go.magik.ly/ml/6avg/ProBiotics: http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?B=585…
The battle for clear skin has been a battle fought with great tenacity and has built great candor in this war. Suffice to say, I have made great progress!! If you are not sure what my current regimen is, please be sure to take a peek here. What did I do?For the most part, my skin is transforming to a butterfly, as my dead skin sheds. At first I was not too happy about the Retinol peeling my skin as if I was inherently born a reptile, however now, I understand that it serves a genuine purpose. I can’t disregard the fact that my eating habits have had a huge role in this transformation either. Ever since I have been trying to stick to an increase in green foods, my skin has been a little more radient as well! I will have an update on my daily food intake to provide you with a snapshot of what life may look like for me with this new “lifestyle change” foodwise. Olehenriksen has also been super helpful the past month as I have been using their oily skin program and that probably has something to do with my glow! Is your skin 100% clear?Not in the least bit. In fact I am getting new cystic like acne postulates on my chin, which I will be tracking as I am not sure if they are forming due to a reaction to makeup or something I am consuming. BUT buttercups, I can actually count how many friends I have on my face which is a HUGE improvement. I will be back in three weeks with another update on my skin. Until then, keep shinning!
Is my Acne clearing? This journey to healthy skin has been nothing but a roller coaster. From clear days and smooth skin to rocky roads on my face, it can truly be mentally draining not knowing what to expect. Recently, I have changed my skin care routine once again. With that being said, I don’t know how to answer this question honestly anymore. If you haven’t read my post on how I cleared my skin last month, be sure to check right here! What am I doing now? My current routine looks like this: Morning- Tropikal Bliss Facial cleanser (with spin brush) Witch Hazel Toner Benzaclin (spot treatment) Moisturizer (literally any moisturizer) Night- Tropikal Bliss Facial cleanser (with spin brush) Witch Hazel Toner Retinol (tretinoin) How does this clear my acne faster? According to various sources, our skin goes through phases and regeneration. When you use retinods (like my night cream), it speeds up the healing process. This means that your cells regenerate and peeling can occur, which is happening to me. This retinol cream breaks through the barrier of your old skin and surfaces the bacteria aka the acne. Retinol’s typically unclog pores and reduce sebum production which explains the frequent patches of dry skin that occur on my face after the usage of this product. Retinols process of cell turnover increase the chance of purging in those who use this product. What is purging? Purging occurs when your acne starts to resurface in clusters. Those people, like myself who are new to using this cream, frequently experience purging. This meaning I have acne popping up on my face where I use to have acne. It’s quite sad because I thought that all of my acne was gone but after two weeks of this product I have a train of pimples forming along my jawline once again! It’s somewhat discouraging but purging usually occurs for 8-12 weeks (almost 3 cell turnovers 21-30 day cell regeneration cycle) after initial use. After this period is over, I am supposed to be left with glowy smoother skin. How do I treat the newly form acne? I spot treat like a mother lover! That’s where the Benzaclin kicks in. I will say that the benzaclin helps to have the head surface quickly when pimples arrive but its just tough to look at on my skin. Bottom line? This whole process is a killer on my “mental”. Watch below to see what I mean.
It’s been roughly a month and a half since I have started using Tropikal Bliss’s super enzyme kit. For my initial review be sure to hop on over to my original post to be up to speed. I have ritually used these every day and every night without missing a day (actually I missed a whole day when I was deathly sick with the stomach bug BUT only one day)! I have realized that consistency is key with this product to ensure great results! I have seen a dramatic difference in my overall glow and most importantly texture of my skin. After the first two weeks my cheeks and jawline (which are typically problem areas) were much smoother to touch. My pores also have decreased in size and it just makes my face look healthier. Hyperpigmentation Below you can see the timeline of photos that depict the hyperpigmentation and the fading overtime. Granted these photos make my spots darker than they are but I promise you this kit has lightened them. Even if it was lightened by 1% it has still lightened so the claims are still true that attest to glowing skin. Come through glow up come through! Acne As I stated in my last post about acne, I have super complicated skin. When I say complicated that simply means that only Jesus could save this face of mine and rid me completely of acne. That’s not to say that this didn’t do its job because it did but of course I still do have acne. However, this whole kit is a life saver because when my hormonal acne comes through it literally clears up within two days sometimes even overnight, and I am not sure how it does it! I don’t really worry about having lingering postulates and small zits because as soon as I apply that toner honey, it dries up my acne quick fast and the blemish control cream zaps that bad boy away! What’s my favorite out of the bunch? Hand’s down it would have to be the toner. It smells so yummy and it keeps my oily skin fresh feeling. Did I mention that it smells great? If you can’t tell already I am a sucker for awesome smelling things that work wonders on my face. Unfortunately I am almost out of this so I definitely will have to buy this product in the mere future. If I had to choose another it would also be the cleanser because it’s not too harsh but it gets the job done! All of these products have a great shelf life if used correctly and goes a long way because you don’t need much of them to accomplish the task of clear skin. I also figured out why my skin burned from the cream that I mentioned in my last post and its was for two reasons. 1. I didn’t let the previous serum you have to use before the cream dry which caused a tingly sensation when I applied the blemish control which I wasn’t too fond of. And 2. I noticed that the cream was burning/drying my existing acne which caused the weird sensation. So as a tip try to avoid applying this to pen wounds which I was negligent about which in turn caused me a little pain. All in all these products are not too harsh for the skin. Would I recommend this to a friend? Um….would you accept a promotion from your job that requires less hours and more money? There you have it simply put. I have never found a product that has given me such great results and its only been 1.5 months. Imagine what my face would look like if I used this for a year (which I plan on doing)? Once you find a good regimen stick to it! This kit typically retails for about $138 bucks which is quite pricey but well worth it. They do sell the items separately so if you are looking to start small just try out the toner and the blemish cream for starters to see how they work. In my opinion you probably would get the most out of this product if you use them all together. But Tropikal Bliss you get an A in my book. Just change the smell of your cream and it’ll be an A+ Photos are in chronological order:
Again on this healthy skin journey, I have decided to jump on the bandwagon in order to get that fierce skin hunny *snap snap*. Now if you haven’t seen already, charcoal has been the latest rage as it has amazing healing qualities. Those including teeth whitening, mold cleaning, toxin removal and so much more. I thought that it would be an amazing idea to join the super power forces of both bentonite clay and my activated charcoal! Check out how I use my bentonite clay for my hair in the post here. Mask Ingredients:1/4 Activated Charcoal1/4 Cup Bentonite Clay3/4 Cups Water(Feel Free to add any oils like tea tree, jojoba, or peppermint!) Outcome of mask: I must say the outcome left my skin ultra smooth. Unfortunately it did not remove my white heads but some of my black heads were removed which is always a plus! I always like to follow up with a toner whenever I do a mask to restore my pH balance. I suggest trying both the properties together if you are looking to minimize pores and improve skin texture. Have you seen my first attempt at using charcoal by itself? If not watch below! Searches related to: Should i wear my glasses on my wedding day? │ why do my glasses give me a headache?│ Can glasses change the size of your ears?│Does wearing eyeglasses cause one to be dependent on them?│what is my glasses prescription if my contacts are? -Ads By Koees
Since puberty my, face always resembled a crater. I am able to joke about it now because it took time to grow confidence in my skin In grade school people would often times rub on my forehead to grease their hands if they were ashy, no joke. It’s sad because I have tried billions of products from over the counter medications to prescribed and recommended products from dermatologist. On this next skin venture I am most hopeful that this time there will be some types of progress. First let me tell you a bit about Tropical Bliss. Tropical Bliss is a company that prides themselves on organic ingredients that are deemed to be most effective. I am currently trying out their Fruit Enzymes collection. This special line was developed for people who suffer from acne, discoloration and wrinkles like myself. With the exception of wrinkles, acne and discoloration have been the villains in my life. If you take a look at their website they explain in depth the different fruit enzymes and natural organic ingredients that use to treat these symptoms. One of the best parts about this set are that is animal cruelty free and 100% vegan! Face mapping Face mapping has been an ancient technique used to understand why breakouts occur on specific portions of your face. According to face mapping, majority of my breakouts are hormonal as they occur on the jawline and mouth areas. I have not changed anything in my diet in the last three months but my acne has gotten worse in the last month and a half. Granted because my acne is hormonal I should be seeing a doctor to do various test on hormone levels, HOWEVER I am still going to give this Super Enzyme set a try! What you get in the set Purifying Cleanser This active purfying cleanser thoroughly deep cleanses the skin and remove excess oil & surface impurities to prepare your skin for further treatments.* Tightens the pores, deeply scrubs, moisturize and purifies the skin* Regulate the sebum production Clarifying Toner This clarifying toner contains a powerfull blend of fruit enzymes, acids, organic botanical complex and nutrients to exfoliate and remove excess oil and damaged skin.This is a very effective facial toner, expecially recommended for greasy and acne prone skin.* Remove dulling flakes and reduce oil secretions that clogs the pores.* Prevent breakouts* Diminish pigmentation and dry up blemishesIt will prepare the skin to be more receptive to further treatments and leaves it fresh & clean Resurfacing Serum The Resurfacing Serum will dramatically improve your skin condition.Our Aloe Vera based peel contains a blend of natural Fruit Enzymes including Pomegranate, Papaya and Pineapple which have been proven to effectively minimise the appearance of wrinkles, age spots and fine lines. They work by loosening the glue-like bonds of the stratum corneum there by gently exfoliating the dead, dull skin cells.Loaded with 15 % of Papaya & Pineapple enzymes, and Licorice extracts, it will significantly exfoliate your skin, dry up blemishes, improve acne scarring, hyper pigmentation, age spots, wrinkles and seborrheic keratosis. Blemish Control Cream * Keeps the pores clean and exfoliates dead skin cells* deeply hydrates for a glowing and younger looking skin Night Brightening Serum – Stimulates new cell generation giving the skin a fresh, youthful appearance– Tightens and tones the skin with its high concentration of vitamin e and antioxidants– Slows the development of wrinkles, creases and signs of aging– Softens the skin, reduces infection and is effective in treating burns– Alleviates many skin conditions including acne, eczema and psoriasis More info on face mapping here How does it smell? To say the least all of these products smell super yummy. With blends of papaya and pineapple I take pleasure in wiping the substances on my face. The only drawbacks is the Blemish Control cream smells awful! Like old laundry that has been sitting for two weeks but everything else trumps the bad smell. It’s not too potent and has the right hints of freshness. Drawbacks I am unsure if this is just the enzymes working its magic but my face burns frequently after putting on the blemish control cream. Now most of you would discontinue use however I understand that these products do include acid so perhaps the tingly feelings are the acids found in the products working its magic. Not sure if I can also consider this a drawback however I have also found more breakouts around my mouth and chin since the start of this product. It could be a possibility that this product is purging my skin of the underlying bacteria growing underneath my skin that produces the whiteheads. I will be able to tell you soon enough though to rename this as a positive effect instead of a drawback. Here are the picture from day 3 and day 7. What are your thoughts? Day 3 Day 7 You can begin to see the patches lifting on my skin. Not I do realize that the lighting is different so in my next updates I will try to keep the lighting consistent. Byday 3 you can see my acne drying out which is a good thing! Just waiting on the spots to clear. What do you use to clear acne?
I have stalked Gloria Ann (in a healthy way of course) on youtube for quite sometime. So it was only fit for me to ask her to experience the wonders of Our Shea-Bar products. Watch her beautifully made video below! Our Shea-Bar allow you to mix and match the ingredients which ultimately helps you to create your own personalized product. Make your own mixture here!
My external skin care regimen has been great. I haven’t had any lazy makeup removal nights, astringents have been a holy grail product and moisture has been key for my skin renewal. As far as internal strategies for skin care…I have been lacking.Yes, I have been taking the works with water packets which haven’t been too far of a stretch from my normal food intake regimen however the actual foods I have been eating have not been the healthiest choices. This entire week my job has been providing free lunch, and if you all know my I can never say no to free. Of course with most companies free food consists of the chips and the cookies and low and behold I have indulged in the chips and the cookies. My skin is super sensitive to the types of foods I put in my body so all the fatty oils and excess cookies cause my face to breakout. I will have to say that although my breakouts were minute, they were not as bad as previous breakouts. I think I can contribute my mild breakout instead of the severe breakout because of the Works with Water products. Below you will find the pictures of both sides of my face. Can you see any differences? (View discretion advised lol) Day 2 Day 6 I definitely feel that by day 5 my skin did begin to feel more smooth but I can still see the scars. Perhaps the next few days will reveal the new skin! Try your own Works with Water products here.
By Peter Jaret For the rest of the article read here Oils produced by the body help keep skin healthy. But too much of a good thing can leave your face looking oily, which no one wants. Excess oil can also lead to blemishes and acne flare-ups. “Fortunately, there are definitely plenty of ways to cut down on oiliness,” says Andrea Cambio, MD, medical director of Cambio Dermatology in Cape Coral, Fla. Options range from over-the-counter cleansers to prescription lotions and cosmetic treatments. WebMD interviewed dermatologists from around the country to find out how they advise patients with oily skin. Here’s what they recommend. Cleansers Cleansing your face in the morning and at night is the single most effective way to manage oily skin, dermatologists agree. “Always use a gentle cleanser, since harsh soaps can trigger the skin to increase oil production,” says April Armstrong, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of California, Davis.” Also, gently wash your face using your hands; a washcloth or buff puff can actually stimulate more oil secretion. If a basic facial cleanser doesn’t do the trick, try a product that includes an acid such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or beta-hydroxy acid. Acids help cut oiliness. “Many products containing these acids are marketed as acne facial care products. They’re great for people with acne, but they’re also fine for people whose problem is just oily skin,” Armstrong tells WebMD. “Since some of these ingredients can be irritating, buy a small size to see how your skin responds. People often have to try several products before they find the one that works best for them.” When washing your face, use warm water, not hot. Extremes of temperature can also irritate skin. Toners Some people love the feeling of splashing on a skin toner, which can help further reduce oiliness. As with cleansers, products that contain salicylic acid or other acidic ingredients are most effective at removing oils. But dermatologists are divided on whether to recommend them to everyone. “I’m not a big fan of astringent toners because they tend to irritate the skin and can lead to more oil production,” says Cambio. “Still, if people like using them, I recommend applying toners only on oily areas of the skin, such as the forehead, nose, and chin. Avoid using them on areas that tend to be dry or you’re likely to create dry patches on your skin.” That’s worth remembering for all your skin care regimens. “There’s a myth that some people have dry skin, some people have oily skin. In fact, most people have combination skin, oily in some places, dry in others,” says Ellen Marmur, MD, associate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and author of Simple Skin Beauty: Every Woman’s Guide to a Lifetime of Healthy, Gorgeous Skin. Medicated Pads Another option is medicated pads with salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or other oil-cutting acid ingredients. “Medicated pads are a favorite among my patients with oily skin,” says Marmur. “You can carry them in your purse and use them on the run to freshen up your skin and remove excess oil.” Blotting Paper Cosmetic blotting papers offer a great option for removing oil because they don’t dry out your skin. “Patients with oily skin really love blotting paper, because it’s convenient and easy to use,” says Armstrong. Apply to oily areas, such as forehead, nose, and chin. Don’t scrub your skin with the sheet of blotting paper. Instead, simply press it against the oily area long enough to allow it to absorb oil, usually 15 to 20 seconds. Some blotting papers are lightly powdered, which further reduces shine. Masks and Clays Applying masks and clays to the skin helps draw out oils and cleanses pores. But like cleansers and toners, masks can also dry out the skin. “My advice is to apply them only to problem areas,” says Rebecca Kazin, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute and director of Johns Hopkins Cosmetic Center. “And use them only occasionally.” Masks and clays are great when people are getting ready for a big event, Kazin told WebMD — a wedding, a birthday dinner, a big presentation. Moisturizers “People who have oily skin often steer clear of moisturizers, worrying that they’ll make their skin look even shinier,” says Kazin. That’s a bad idea. “Even oily skin needs to be moisturized to look its best,” says Kazin. To avoid an oily sheen, choose an oil-free moisturizer. Vary the amount you apply depending on whether the area tends to be dry or oily. Oil-free Sunscreen “Traditional sunscreens can pose a problem for people with oily skin, since they tend to go on pretty thick and can block pores,” says Armstrong. Even so, protecting skin from ultraviolet radiation is absolutely essential. Sunscreen gels are less likely than creams and lotions to make your skin look oily. And there are a variety of new oil-free products have been developed for oily skin. The latest innovation: facial powders laced with SPF protection. Some of the newest products offer SPF 30 protection, enough to ward off sun damage in most situations. Adapt Your Facial Regimen How oily your skin looks can vary season by season, week by week, even day by day. “Oil production is influenced by hormones, by mood, even by the weather,” says Cambio. “Some people have problems with oily skin only in the summer, when they’re sweating, for example, but not in the winter.” To keep your skin healthy and looking great, it’s important to be aware of how your skin varies so that you can adjust your regimen accordingly. “You may need cleanser with glycolic acid or beta-hydroxy acid every day during the summer but only now and then during the winter,” says Kazin. “That’s important to know, since overusing these products can cause skin to dry out.” Talk to Your
So I am going to admit it; I suck when it comes to commitment. To reminisce on my failed attempts, let’s take a brief stroll down memory lane shall we?… About ten years ago, I did ballet, then 2 yrs after I stopped I became the FASTEST WOMAN in America of course!!!…. Not! I stopped the following year. A few months ago, I started a skin challenge then ultimately, I gave up after a couple weeks. (you can check my earlier blog post for that) This time, I am going to change this inconsistent life style! .. I have recently discovered a new technique that may help my ‘greasy T-Zone always shinning face’ It is called the oil cleansing method. This may seem a bit bizarre at first but bare with me. The OCM is simply this: Plaster your face with grease and make it sit! Okay okay, so it may seem grotesque but let me explain…Most times when your face is producing oil, it is due to the lack of natural oils in our skin and out skin is trying to make up for it. With this method, oil isn’t being stripped from your face as regular products would. My oil mix consists of 20% Castor Oil 10%Tea tree oil 20%EVOO 20%Jojoba oil 30%Grapesedoil I let this mix sit on my face for a few minutes while I massage my face and relax. The goal is to let these naturals oils sink into your pores. I then get a warm wash cloth and place it over my face until it is cool. I repeat wetting the washcloth with warm water 3 times. Lastly I wash my face with cool water and massage a dime size amount of grape seed oil as a moisturizer. I do this every other night. I can honestly say I see the difference. I will probably switch my formula fairly soon as time progresses. Note: Everyone’s mixture may not be the same. For more oily skin you may want to have more castor oil in you mix. Castor oil has properties of cleaning and healing which is why it is found in oil mixtures for the OCM. Most Natural oils are good for this method but be sure to the research on the oils you ass to your mix before you start conjuring of your mix. For more information, check out “The Oil Cleansing Method” site or http://www.acne.org/messageboard/OIL-CLEANSING-METHOD-Hi-t141871.html
CIA EDWARDS
Christain Therapist. Trauma Coach, Author. Helping high-achieving women heal past pain, deepen connections and lead with peace
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