Saturday, February 2, 2013

My Acne Story

 Like every other person in the world, I have acne troubles. Due to the fact that I have EXTREMELY sensitive skin, I can't rely on going out to buy just ANY acne product. Proactiv worked for a little while, but eventually my skin became "immune" to it, I guess. #WOMP

Senior year: NO foundation/powder  =)

As I've gotten older and experimented with different skin regimens, I find that one PARTICULAR regimen worked WONDERS for me. During my senior year of H.S.I would wash/scrub with baking soda, "moisturize" with FRESH aloe vera juice/gel and coconut oil every day. It not only reduced the size of my pores, but it lightened my acne scars AND basically obliterated my acne problem...for the moment. 
When I went away to college, I had no access to fresh aloe juice/gel and the bottled version just wasn't working. Eventually I began to break out again, but it was less than before. This carried on until about last year when I finally realized that I was allergic to one of the ingredients in Cantu Shea Butter, which was causing my jawline/ neck area to break out so, regretfully, I had to discontinue the use of my most favorite hair product... =(
College: result of Cantu allergy
I've had a few episodes of cystic acne show up on my chin and once on the bridge of my nose. I also had some popping up on my butt as well =O *gasp* [I know, right?] I googled how to get rid of them, but there really is no definitive way to get rid of a cystic pimple except either ATTEMPTING to drain it or SLATHERING it with salicylic acid. I would always try to pop it like a regular pimple [BIG mistake] only to find that it contains about 3 separate heads which just wound up bleeding and hurting. Waiting for them to heal and scab over was beyond embarrassing cause I was walking around with this big CRATER in my face, tryna cover it up with makeup, only to draw even more attention to this flaky skinned, concealer covered lump on my face. -___- 

Cystic pimple on my nose. I actually liked this pic so i had to photoshop it so no one could see it---->>>




I haven't had any recent episodes of cystic acne, thank GOD, and I think that that is mainly due to my overall lifestyle change. I eat more raw fruits and vegetables than I did when I FIRST got to college, I do bentonite clay masks weekly, and I definitely workout more. The sweat from working out helps to rid my body of  toxins, the bentonite clay mask absorbs even more toxins, and the clean eating/ drinking habits helps flush my body of toxins as well!
I've also been doing weekly bentonite baths, and I've recently done a full body mask with it. I'm hoping this will keep my acne at bay in ALL areas of my body (booty included). Aside from the health benefits of pulling toxins from my body, these baths are extremely relaxing and rejuvenating after a long day's work!
I think it's safe to say that bentonite clay has been the answer to all of my skin prayers. It cleanses and tightens my pores, and reduces the size of any current pimples I may be having. I'm thinking of buying some aloe vera juice and using that to make my mask instead of using just straight up water. I was also thinking of using lemon juice with it, so I'll definitely post that experiment as soon as it's done. lol Another thing I was thinking of squeezing into my regimen was this homemade lemon scrub. I've done it once before, and it DID reduce the size of both my pimples AND my pores, it left my face feeling squeaky clean and it didn't cause another breakout so I think I'll definitely be trying that again.


So as of now, my skin regimen is:

  • Scrubbing/ Washing with Baking Soda
  • Fresh Aloe Vera Juice/gel and Coconut oil to moisturize
  • Bentonite clay masks once a week, always followed up by coconut oil.
  • Bentonite clay baths once a week
This is what works for me, and it took me a while before I could tell what my skin liked and what it didn't like. What I've definitely learned is that my skin does not like acne products...ONLY home remedies! So I think I'll just go with the flow and stick to what I know. The only thing I'm trying to do is lighten my scars at this point, and I'm certain once I start doing the lemon scrub, that it will help out with that. 


HAPPY SKIN IS HEALTHY SKIN!
=D

2 comments:

  1. I think u should continue doing what has worked best for you. I know heyfranhey raves about the oil cleansing method. Have u heard of that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I've heard of it and I started to do it, but I need something more efficient...cause my heavy handed behind will run outta oil with the quickness

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