Skincare Woes

Since I was 12 i've had an ongoing battle with acne. Throughout secondary school it would really get me down, I felt that I was the only person who looked terrible without makeup on so i'd slather on layers of foundation which just looked caked on. I tried Chinese Herbal medicine, antibiotics from the doctor, several creams/lotions and nothing seemed to work or even help a small bit. Other people would say 'you'll grow out of it, it's just teenage spots' or  'you can't even see them' (blatant lies). Once I reached 18 the acne on my back and chest disappeared but I still had facial acne all over and it would be cystic acne, blackheads and whiteheads. I'd given up hope of being able to get lovely clear skin so i'd just try to cover it up by wearing thick foundation and fake tan...only making it worse by living the uni lifestyle (plenty of drink and takeaways). I wish I had took a photo of my skin so I could compare it what it looks like now, but there was no way i'd let a camera in my face as I was so self conscious at the time. I think growing up my acne really did affect my confidence, I was always quiet and did not like any attention on me. I didn't allow anybody to touch my face (at all) and still don't to some extent which is why i've never had my makeup done by someone else or had a facial. Although my skin is much clearer now (I only suffer with a few mild blemishes) I still have that fear of someone else touching my skin - in my mind I feel like any contact will result in a breakout.

 

My clearer skin came as a result of Roaccutane when I was 22 after trying various other prescriptive antibiotics / the pill. My dermatologist at the hospital prescibed me Roaccutane for 6 months. I'm not going to go into this drug because I really wouldn't want to recommend it to anyone, it's VERY strong with so many negative side affects and don't even mention the monthly blood tests. If you think it may be suitable for you, speak to your doctor or if you want to know more just send me a message on twitter @robynmm8.

 

The point of this post was to give some hints and tips about the things that work for me that help in preventing breakouts. My skin isn't totally clear so i'd happily accept any of your suggestions, especially in terms of products (moisturisers in particular)! I did a post about my dietary skincare saviours previously, you can have a read here.

The four things pictured above I feel are vital in helping to control my acne (along with fish oil tablets which I discussed in yesterdays post). I drink at least a litre of fizzy sparkling water a day (I should drink more I know) I now prefer it to still water as it helps to fill me up. I have replaced my morning coffee with a morning green tea (doesn't quite sound the same does it?), but I honestly prefer drinking this now as I think i've just got used to it. I like the green tea with lemon as it seems to help more with clearing my skin, I can definitely tell a difference in my skin when I drink alot of this. Clarins Gentle Exfoliator (review here) is what I use as my nightly toner which aids in helping congested parts of my skin. Lastly, Hydraluron prevents my skin drying out too much it gives some nourishment before I apply my moisturiser which I feel helps to control my blemishes. If I didn't do/use one of these four things my skin would definitely notice. Other things I do which help include;

 

Drinking less booze

 

Washing my pillow cases at least once a week

 

Using a clean fresh flannel every time I cleanse my face

 

I try to give my face a foundation free day once a week

 

Scouring Caroline Hirons blog regularly for hints and tips

 

Eating alot of salmon and taking fish oil supplements

 

Eating less dairy / sugar (so hypocritical as I sit here stuffing my face with chocolate hobnobs)

(naughty)

 

There a few things which I plan to do which I think might help further; including taking a probiotic every morning, buy a decent moisturiser (open for suggestions?), taking vitamin D tablets, microdermabrasion?!.... i'm not sure if they will do any good but if I try them i'll let you know. If you must cover your skin with foundation I find the best one in terms of coverage is Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation as it doesn't feel heavy but still covers every little blemish, other foundations i've tried just don't compare.

 

Do you have any tips for helping to control acne? I would love some more tried and tested product recommendations? 



Skincare Routine

I've finally found a skincare routine which my skin seems to agree with. My skin is the clearest it has been in years, and I put it down to these little beauties as well as doing a few other things (which I mentioned in this post - link). It isn't perfect and i'm still searching for a good night cream and mask to use alongside these products, but I would recommend each of these items if you have oily/combination blemish prone skin like me.

 

Bioderma Crealine H20 Micelle Solution - Everyone and their dog uses Bioderma so I wont go into it too much, I don't use this on a daily basis as my main cleanser takes off my makeup well enough. However I do use this on lazy days or days I'm wearing a lot of makeup as it cleans the face so easily and doesn't irritate the skin. I buy mine from this ebay seller - link.

 

Emma Hardie Amazing Face Natural Lift and Sculpt Moringa Cleansing Balm - See my review here - link. My favourite cleanser removes every last trace of makeup, even waterproof mascara without any rubbing and tugging at the eyes. The product is so lovely, it feels nourishing and doesn't give the tight feeling you get after using alot of other cleansers. I apply a little balm on my face, let it sink in then use a damp flannel to remove the excess along with the makeup. I will double cleanse with this on the evening unless I haven't worn makeup in the day (usually only on sundays).

Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner - See my review here - link. My favourite skincare item of the bunch is this. It has really helped to brighten my skin and reduce the blemishes. I do use this everyday although Clarins advise using it once or twice a week.

 

Hydraluron - This is the serum I use both morning and evening after my toner. I've been using it for about two months now and it definitely makes a difference to my skin. It makes my skin more hydrated and allows any moisturising products used afterwards to work their magic. I will do a proper review soon, but for now check out Caroline Hiron's rave review here.

 

Ren Matte T-zone Balancing Day Fluid - The moisturiser I am currently using both day and night (yes I know it's a day moisturiser)....I haven't found a night time moisturiser which isn't too heavy for my skin so i'm still on the hunt. This product is good for minimising oiliness in the T zone and gives a good base for applying makeup in the morning. Out of all my skincare products this is the only one which I might not repurchase, I like it but don't love it. I don't feel it is moisturising enough as it is too light for my skin. I need something with a bit more oomph which also mattifies oiliness. Any suggestions for either day or night time moisturisers?

 

Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil - See my review here - link. I use this about once or twice a week as I feel it is too heavy for my skin to use on a daily basis. Before I go to bed I rub about 5/6 drops of the oil in between my hands before smoothing onto my face. When I wake up my skin feels so soft and has absorbed the product leaving my skin more plump and glowing in the morning.

 

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I am very happy with my current skincare routine but need to find a good night moisturiser that I can use daily which is hydrating but won't break me out. I am also yet to find a mask which I find to be effective (either for clearing blemishes or hydration/radiance - FYI I have tested REN & Origins masks which I do use regularly but they don't wow me. Any suggestions?

Skincare Saviours - Diet

My skin hasn't been having the best time lately after a few months of overeating and drinking. I recently moved into my own place which meant I have been eating out alot and all the wrong things. A few housewarming gatherings have meant I have consumed a few too many bottles of wine too. Although I am happy with my current skincare routine (post to follow soon), no matter what creams/lotions I used I had many big/painful spots that didn't seem to budge. I decided to try to work on my diet to improve the appearance of my skin. For the last four weeks I've changed 3 things in my diet which I believe has done wonders for my acne.

1. Replaced cows milk with non dairy (Soya / Almond) milk: 

I've read many articles which connect milk and acne, something to do with the hormones in cow milk creating more oil....now I don't know if I fully believe this but thought it was worth a try. I don't drink much milk anyway but whenever I fancy a cup of tea/coffee/ bowl of cereal I've been using an alternative. Non dairy milk also has a longer shelf life too, which is useful. Both Soya and Almond milk have their own health benefits too;

SOYA MILK - Made up of plant protein and essential fatty acids.

ALMOND MILK - Full of calcium and vitamin E.

2. Drinking green tea:

I've begun to enjoy the taste of green tea. It took some getting used to because I love my English Breakfast Tea with milk and two sugars. I discovered this blend of green tea with lemon and love to drink a cup every morning. The health benefits to green tea are endless, in skincare terms; it is said to help to fight inflammation, rejuvinate skin cells and fight free radicals. I have at least one cup a day.

3. Fish Oil Capsules:

I started taking fish oil supplements after reading Caroline Hirons blog - link On her acne cheat sheet she recommends taking fish oil to improve the appearance of skin....so I did. I take between 1 to 3 capsules per day with a meal. If you struggle with swallowing tablets you may not enjoy taking fish supplements, look at the size of these bad boys below.

Within the last four weeks the appearance of my skin has improved dramatically, the only problem is I can't pin point exactly which thing is reducing my acne or whether it's a combination of all three. I've also been using a new exfoliating toner so it also may be something to do with that! I'm just going to stick with what I'm doing, my scaring has faded and my blemishes have significantly reduced. I'm not saying these three items will get rid of your acne but they've helped me, so maybe worth a try!