Firstly, there are a few things that I feel are very necessary in anyone's treatment routine! These are Repetition, Discipline, and Patience. Without these things, your skin has a very slim chance in improving in the slightest. You need a routine for morning and night, and you need to stick to it.
Secondly, there are a few things that are essential to a skincare routine. There are other supplemental things that can be helpful, but you NEED to incorporate these basics into your routine for results you can be pleased with. These include Face Wash/Gentle Scrub, Toner, Moisturizer, and Spot Treatment. Some supplemental things that I include and believe make a difference, though not as essential are Pore Strips, Face Masks, and a more abrasive scrub (all to be used sparingly).
WASH
In terms of Face Wash, I use Equate Blackhead Clearing Scrub. This is a very mild, non-abrasive scrub. 
I suggest using warm water before and during application of this wash, then using cold water to wash the product off your face. This opens your pores to be sufficiently cleaned, then closes them once cleansing is done to. This can help reduce the appearance of pores greatly, along with helping build a slightly more protective barrier for your pores during the day!
TONE
In terms of toner, I make my own! This toner is a mixture of lemon juice, witch hazel, water, and rubbing alcohol (here is a link showing you how to make it: DIY TONER). Always use something such as cotton rounds to apply toner! And NEVER reuse these pads after their first use!
ZITS
In terms of spot treatment, I suggest keeping two different ones on hand for nightly use ONLY. I use Clean and Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment (2% Salicylic Acid) and Clearasil Vanishing Acne Treatment Cream (10% Benzoyl Peroxide). Always use a Q-tip to apply this to large pimples and large pimples ONLY.
To apply this product, squeeze a small drop of whichever spot treatment you choose onto a Q-tip, and simply place it in a dot over the pimple. DO NOT RUB IT IN. I would change out the Q-tip with each dot. Not doing so COULD cause cross-contamination of the zits! (I have no idea if that can actually happen, it is just a good idea for those of you who are germaphobic). You should look really silly if you have multiple spots to cover, but since all you are doing is sleeping, AIN'T NOBODY GONNA CARE. Upon waking up, you should either go on and wash your face or just rinse it with warm water if you plan to wash your face later that morning.
The reason I suggest having both a Salicylic Acid treatment and a Benzoyl Peroxide treatment is for the fact that Salicylic Acid is fast-acting and can help with those huge, annoying monster zits, but can also make your skin peel where the product was applied after continued use. Benzoyl Peroxide, on the other hand, is slow-acting, but very effective if used continuously, and DOESN'T make your skin peel! It should be used on medium-small sized zits that are stubborn and resistant. It is up to you to choose which one you will use when! But whichever one you choose, be wary of which zits you deem worthy of spot treatment! Overusing either of these can have very ugly results and will most-likely worsen your skin's condition!
MOISTURE
In terms of moisturizer, I rarely use it. My skin, being oily, and the time of year increasing my oil production, does not require supplemental moisture to remain healthy! But when I do moisturize, I use Clean and Clear Acne Control Moisturizer (.5% Salicylic Acid).
This product has a very nice, non-greasy feel and leaves the skin supple and beautiful. I use this one so that even during use of this, when I am not using spot treatment, I can still get a little bit of Salicylic Acid worked into my routine without the peeling repercussion. Having oily skin, though, this item does increase my oil production during my use of it, as does any moisturizer, so I have to be careful about when I apply it!
Moisturizer is a very important thing to include in your routine, though! Your skin often lacks the moisture it needs to thrive and survive! It is your job to quench its thirst! Find one that works for you, and use as often as needed!
NOW FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL PRODUCTS
In terms of removing makeup, I use Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes. I strongly support the use of makeup-removing wipes! It is important to remove your makeup at the end of every day! Failing to do so could lead to pore cloggage, increased oil production, and even breakouts! These are an essential to anyone who wears makeup!!!
I strongly support removing your makeup as soon as it has served its purpose for the day! Doing so will relieve your skin of its mask and let it breathe, which is, obviously, a good thing. For example, I come home from school and immediately remove any makeup I have worn that given day! I ain't got no one I'm tryin' to impress here at home!
In terms of skin relief, I treat myself, at the end of every week, to a SPA NIGHT. On these nights, I use a variety of interchangeable products that I choose based upon the condition of my skin. THESE ARE NOT PRODUCTS TO BE USED DAILY. These include...
-Witch Hazel
-Pore Strips
-Abrasive Scrubs
-Masks
I will go through all of these items and describe what I use them for/why I use them!
Witch hazel is an astringent that is often found in toners. This product reduces inflammation, cleanses the skin, and is very soothing and calming on the skin! I use it in place of toner if I happen to have slight discoloration or splotchiness to my face, and this helps reduce it.
Pore strips are very useful for removing blackheads and de-clogging the pores on your nose and face. I try to limit my use of these because they do absolutely nothing for pore size! In fact, they often enlarge my pores and make them very noticeable! The main reason I use them is because looking at my pores and imagining all the dirt and nastiness that has built up in them throughout the past week makes me gag, and I will do anything to get rid of that grossness. Thankfully, these strips work fantastically well, and using them once a week is enough to subdue the gag.
Abrasive scrubs can be very useful for people experiencing flakiness or slight pore cloggage. Scrubs that are more strong and rough can rid the skin of such things, but can cause inflammation for people with sensitive skin, so be careful! I like this St.Ives Apricot Scrub because it smells great, and is very intense and effective!
Masks can be super fun and useful in spa nights! I use only one mask per week because they are very intensive and can easily damage your skin if not used in moderation! I use a clay mask to "purge" my pores (I know. It sounds disgusting!), and a cucumber peel mask to calm my face. The clay mask is nice for people with skin too sensitive to use pore strips or abrasive scrubs on, because it does generally the same thing, but much gentler! The cucumber peel mask helps to relieve any redness and/or remove uncomfortable oils jammed deep inside those pores! I, personally, like the cucumber peel mask more than the clay because it is more geared towards what I need, though both can be useful!
 |
| These can be found at the CVS for very cheap, and they are very good quality! I highly suggest!!! |
Lastly, any skincare routine should incorporate a lip balm, because having a well-taken-care-of face would be completely idiotic to have without supple lips to match! Search tag "lips" for more info!
In Closing, having a good skincare regimen can only take you part of the way toward beautiful skin! Incorporating a healthy diet, exposure to fresh air, and exercising every day takes you all the way there. The key to any routine is repetition! Don't scare your skin by shocking it with new products without giving the ones you are currently using at least 2-3 weeks to show what they can truly do for you! Have hope and trust in your skin that it CAN and WILL eventually heal.
No comments:
Post a Comment