Beauty Tips For Body Care
I shared this list a little bit earlier today with r/AsianBeauty and many users loved it. I thought that r/SkincareAddiction users might benefit from it too, so I'll also post it here! Hoping someone finds this useful for helping clear up their acne a bit :) A little background about me first: I got into AB at the beginning of July last year (2015). You might remember this post if you were involved in the community at the time. The point is, my skin likes to be babied. It doesn't like being poked, picked, scratched, rubbed, chafed, or abused. I've had acne since I was 12 years old. Yes, 12. I was still in 7th grade at that time. My acne was mild then, but it has noticeably progressed over the years, and became hormonal during high school (around my junior year, IIRC.) I always thought that using products that would dry my skin out would clear up my acne for good. I abided by Western skincare practices, and used an exfoliating face wash, astringent toner, and light moisturizer, followed by a benzoyl peroxide spot cream. If I didn't have a spot treatment, I would dab rubbing alcohol or tooth paste on my pimples. Did that type of routine work? Yeah, but only for the first week... and then my skin would become terribly dehydrated, flaky, sensitive, and red. I was on my high school swim team, and I would have practice every weekday for about 2 hours. As soon as I got out of the pool, I would reapply my makeup and go home instead of washing my face since I was so embarrassed of my acne. I would frequently sleep in my makeup and wouldn't wash my sheets more than once every two months. I would pick my skin almost daily, and then not wash my face after picking for sometimes hours. Basically, my skincare habits were terrible and unsanitary. I didn't consistently follow my routine, and I slept in my makeup.So fast-forward a few years... I'm now in my early twenties and I have a well-established skincare routine that centers around AB and AB practices. The most clearly-defined Asian skincare practice being to keep my skin hydrated, even if it's oily. I follow my routine religiously, and when I don't, I sheet-mask or use an extra amount of my Mizon Snail Recovery Gel Cream ;) Since sticking with my routine, my acne has significantly cleared up and my skin has become brighter, glow-ier, and smoother. I just wanted to share with the community that I've noticed simple things over the past year or two that have immensely helped keep my skin clear. Here they are (finally):Do not pick, squeeze, scratch, or dig at your pimples or skin if you can help itKeep track of your progress with picking at your skin with an app; stay accountable for pickingIf you've got a pimple or whitehead that's about to pop or come out, wash your hands/sanitize them first and then LIGHTLY pop the pimple; immediately put a hydrocolloid bandage on itKeep your sheets (and especially your pillowcase) clean; wash them at least once or twice a monthDo you morning skincare routine daily and don't skimp on the sunscreenDon't reapply powder makeup more than once in a day; instead, blot with a tissue or paper towel or toilet paper and then lightly swipe or dab over it with a makeup brush or sponge that has nothing on it to fix the finishIf you wear makeup, wash it off nightly and continue with your nightly routineIf you really can't do your entire routine, at the very least: cleanse with a cleansing water/wipe and put your active or prescription on followed by at least one moisturizer or emulsionTry to be cognizant of your hand placement during the day, and keep your hands away from your face as much as possible, especially if you haven't washed them or used hand sanitizerResearch the ingredients in all the products you would like to buy BEFORE you buy them and take note of the ingredients your skin is sensitive toWrite down your current routine somewhere and record your skin's progress using pictures, qualitative analysis, or quantitative analysis (by this, I mean count the number of pimples on your face at a point in time and record it) and try to determine whether or not your skin gets better or worse when a new product is introduced or an old product is thrown outIntroduce only one new product at once, and use it for at least 2 weeks before introducing another new product (because who am I kidding? Patch-testing takes way too much patience when it comes to acne breakouts... if I breakout after a new non-active product has been introduced, I'll know the product doesn't work for me and I'll stop using it)Be patient with active products and prescription products; they can take weeks or months for your skin to adjust to, depending on their strengths; don't give up if they cause an initial purge or breakoutTailor your day-to-day moisturizing routine depending on how hydrated your skin feelsPay attention to your skin a day or two after using a sheet mask; if it looks like it's bright and clearer than usual, use another sheet mask that week; if it looks dull or the texture feels "off," give your skin a breather and wait until the following week to use another sheet mask (YMMV for this one: I've noticed I get tiny whiteheads if I sheet mask too often in one week)Go to sleep around the same hour consistently and don't mess with your sleep schedule if you can help it; my skin breaks out when I don't have a regular sleeping schedule; try to get the same amount of rest every night (that could be 5 hours of sleep or 8 hours of sleep; just keep it CONSISTENT)Wipe down surfaces your face or hands touch regularly with a sanitizing wipe (phone, car steering wheel, hand sanitizer bottles, desks, laptops or cases, closet doors, handles, bathroom counters, etc.)Use prescription oral medications if your acne is hormonal (e.g. spironolactone, birth control, accutane, etc.)Can't emphasize this enough, but use sunscreen daily if you're going out (even to work or school)Suggestions from other users:If you think your acne could be hormonal, make an appointment to see your doctor. Don't be stubborn like I was and needlessly suffer with acne. It has made a huge difference in my skin's texture, softness, and of course clarity. I wish I had started taking spironolactone years ago. (from u/marmot33)I would also like to add drinking lots of water, I noticed my skin gets very congested if I'm dehydrated (from u/feverrayz)washing sheets/pillowcases: You really should be doing this once a week, especially if you use hair products. So much dirt and oil builds up, not to mention sweat and facial products. My tip: flip your pillow over every night (clean side!) And change it once a week. And get some silk ones! You'll thank yourself when you're old like me. (from u/misspiemisspoke)If you're a chronic picker (like me) I'd recommend getting acrylic tips! They might not be for everyone, but I've found being physically unable to pick my skin is the only way I stop. Team no self-restraint over here haha. (from u/AnthonyJCrawly)instead of popping, get some lancets from a pharmacy. they're basically teeny scalpels and make a nice clean cut that heals better than the tear of a pop. lancet are about 8$for 100. (from u/IWankYouWonk)My tip: Wash your hands well before bed and if you put handcream on make sure that it's not something that will make you break out if you accidentally transfer some of it to your face while sleeping. (from u/pennypoppet) I probably have more somewhere stored deep in my brain but those are the suggestions that come to mind at the moment. Keep in mind, these are things that I've personally noticed over the last year that have improved my acne. I'm currently 85% clear and am in love with the texture and brightness of my complexion. I still have a little more progress to make with becoming totally clear, but compared to a year ago, my skin is doing fantastic and I couldn't be more grateful to this community and the wonderful source of knowledge its users have been :) All hail the snail! P.S. If you have any other simple tips you'd like me to add to the list, please leave them in the comments!
Girls Blog 2015
Submitted by nattweeter
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