Beauty Tips For Body Care
Hello SCA! The title does not do my issue justice. I will try to explain my situation as briefly yet concisely as possible, but, bear with me, it is a long road.Background I started my menses at age 9 and, around the same time I believe, I developed what I now know was cystic acne. It was all over my face, particularly on my cheeks along with regular pimples on my forehead. I believe this acne was partly genetic (dad said he had something similar) and partly hormonal. These cystic pimples hurt so much and made me feel so ugly. I would pick and squeeze and that would just leave me with massive scabs all over my face. I followed this routine of picking for years (only in late 2016 did I make a serious initiative to stop). To top it off, after I got these scabs, I would use a random drugstore foundation to cover it up. I felt so ugly all the time. No one in my class had acne, let alone acne as bad as mine. I would sleep in my makeup and never wash it off because I wanted to wake up pretty. I never moisturized either. I did this until I was about 17, especially in front of my boyfriend when we first started dating because I never wanted him to see how ugly my skin was. I began using makeup wipes to remove makeup after my 17th birthday IIRC. Also, for a short period of time, I used milk of magnesia as a primer under my foundation because it stopped my face from being oily, despite me knowing it was too basic to be put on skin. I did not care, though, I just hated how oily it was...It never occurred to me that my skin was so oily and clogged because of something I was doing. I thought my skin just hated me.So, sleeping in makeup, picking habitually, never washing my face, never moisturizing, not reading ingredients, using milk of magnesia, and whatever else I cannot remember led me to how I am now...Today I have very enlarged pores, particularly on the cheek area around my nose. It feels like every single pore on my face is a closed comedone - so bumpy, and stubborn, too. My pores get clogged extremely easily (possibly because my skin sheds very quickly and clogs my pores before I can get it off?). I struggle to find products that work, and, the worst of it, I am not very observant. Meaning, I am very bad at teasing out what exactly my skin needs, what type it is (tried my best to figure it out, though), if my acne is hormonal or not, what ingredients affect what.In mid-late 2016, I got sick of having ugly skin. I still picked my closed comedones and SF for hours maybe once a week or every other week, along with the random couple everyday (haven't done that for a few weeks though!). I found SCA and began researching what to do for what. I do not get very many pimples anymore, and cystic acne flare ups happen maybe once a month. I do not even care about the cystic acne anymore, I want to get rid of all these stupid bumpy whiteheads and enlarged pores. I want to have smooth skin that does not cause tons of shadows when light is shined on it.What I Have Figured Out About My Skin It is a stubborn piece of crap. I have tried clay masks (Aztec Healing with ACV and Origins Charcoal) and seen zero results other than my skin feeling nice for a couple hours afterwards. My acne does not seem to be hormonal anymore, just kind of shows up when it shows up. Ranges on type depending on the day and products I use from what I can tell. My cystic acne is localized on my cheeks and jawline.Skin Type Combo-oily and dehydrated (I need to drink a lot more water). Acne prone. The driest parts of my face appear to be right under my bottom lip on my chin (especially the left side), the corners of my nose, and my philtrum. The oiliest is most definitely the center of my forehead. It gets super oily no matter what but especially if I go outside. My cheeks appear to be more in the normal range but I think they are a little bit on the drier side.Photos From tonight, right after OCM+QHMLM+OCM (first time using the mask) and foaming cleanser afterwards, before moisturizer.Left Side of My Face / Right Side of My Face / ChinCurrent Routine I definitely feel like I am over-drying my skin with the volume of products I'm using, so please feel free to tell me what to omit and where and when.AM:Wash hands Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser Foaming FormulaNeutrogena Oil Free Acne WashNeutrogena Pore Refining Toner AHA and BHA Formula(If active pimple is present) Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Gel Max StrengthGarnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Gel Creme for Normal / Combo SkinClarins UV Plus Broad Spectrum SPF 50PM:Wash hands(If I was wearing makeup that day) Neutrogena Oil Free Makeup WipesNeutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser Foaming FormulaNeutrogena Pore Refining Toner AHA and BHA FormulaStridex in the red box(If active pimple is present) Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Gel Max Strength(If active cystic acne is present) Vicks VapoRubGarnier SkinActive Moisture Rescue Gel Creme for Normal / Combo SkinI also shave my face every few weeks because I do not like the look of peach fuzz.How I Think I Could Change My Skincare Routine Thus Far I believe I am over drying my face because after my routine, my skin usually feels quite tight and dry, however the moisturizer seems to even it out for the most part. I am not sure what to omit or cut back on, so I would really appreciate some feedback there. Perhaps a different toner?I do not wear foundation anymore. I only wear concealer over scabs or acne scars. I am interested in using OCM for makeup removal in the future, however.Retired Products I used Tretinoin cream for a couple of months but saw absolutely no change in my skin.I used the Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser Creamy Formula and Vanicream moisturizer for about a year before I discovered what fatty alcohols are and that they were probably clogging my skin. I noticed many closed comedones on my chin and took both of these products out of my routine. I began using Stridex in the red box and continuously inspected that area. Sure enough, after a couple of days, pretty much all of those whiteheads had vanished.Products Recently Purchased / On The Way Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque, Snow River Mineral Oil, De La Cruz Sulfur Ointment, PA Resist Pore-Refining Treatment 2% BHA.I have only used the QHMJM once, which was today, along with the mineral oil. It was a cool mask, but it did not appear to do anything notable to my skin. I have done OCM a couple of times.Seriously, guys, I really need some help. Products recommendations, critiques, insight, anything really is very much appreciated.Thank you for taking the time to read this and helping me.
Girls Blog 2015
Submitted by undreamy
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