Beauty Tips For Body Care
I posted here a lot last year/beginning of 2019 as I navigated my skin issues. Wanted to follow up.General gist of this post: How I cleared my hormonal cystic acne and balanced my painfully sensitive/allergenic skin with seven products under $20 for a total monthly budget of about $30/month (minus sunscreen).Skin type pre progesterone only birth control: Normal, leaning dry. Occasional eczema and rosacea.Skin type post progesterone only birth control: Combo, leaning dry. Severely dehydration prone (so it seemed combo leaning oily). Severe hormonal cystic acne on chin (extremely painful) and KP along jaw. Much more frequent issues with eczema and rosacea.Ingredient issues: Hives with fatty alcohols. Botanicals are very iffy. Silicones are fine depending on composition but can be problematic. Honey and propolis cause cysts. Cannot touch a drying alcohol or fragrance with a 10 foot pole. Basically most things will give me rosacea at best and a straight up allergic reaction at worst.The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser -You guys. This cleanser changed my skin. I know a lot of folks here are sort of meh on cleansers as long as they are the appropriate pH, but apparently my skin hates even the most gentle surfectants and any cleanser I used daily was causing severe irritation, eczema, and rosacea flares but not using a cleanser daily was giving me cystic acne. Apparently, for me, everything rides on having the right cleanser and The Ordinary Squalane Cleanser is it. Within a week of use, my skintone was brighter and more even. My pores were not angry and hungry for moisture. Any rough spots or textural issues basically disappeared. This is the only cleanser that I ever put on my face now and I have not experienced any episodes of dehydration or sensitization since using it. If I need to remove makeup (rare), I use straight oil of some sort (not picky, usually chia seed or whatever "extra" oils I have on hand). I have been using this since release.The Ordinary Mandelic Acid -Cannot say enough good things about this exfoliant. I can use it generously, and daily. The ability to use an exfoliant daily has dramatically changed my skin. With the exception of a hormonal flux one week out of the month, it's resolved the KP along my jaw and I rarely (if ever) have any textural issues on my forehead now. Brightening, somehow hydrating, smoothing -- I love it. My sister comments on my "glow" all the time and it cracks me up. I have been using this for about six months. I noticed results about one month in.Paula's Choice 2% BHA -I use a drop of this this daily along my eyebrows -- I wear big glasses and I think they contribute to breakouts along my eyebrows. This resolves it. I just get the travel size and it lasts me the year. I also use it on my nose a few times a week. I have been using this for almost a year.Differin Gel -I love you, Differin. Please never leave me. Differin, in combination with a non-irritating routine, has completely resolved my hormonal cystic acne on my chin. I only use it on my chin. I have been using Differin for about 9 months -- I have not had a single pimple on my chin in at least 4 months. I stopped having cysts entirely after 3 months of use. I do not use any other exfoliant on my chin and regret it the few times I have tried. Other than that, I have no issues with irritation or dryness that can't be remedied by my moisturizer.The Ordinary Marula Oil -I also love you, Marula Oil. I use Marula Oil daily on my irritation and eczema prone spots -- so forehead, and apples of my cheeks. I have not had any irritation on my forehead since using marula oil. I was terrified it would cause breakouts, and I suspect it might on my chin, but it's a god send everywhere else and I think its contribution to my skin health has reduced breakouts. I have been using this for at least six months.Timeless Squalane, and Sebamed Clear Face Care Gel -These two combined are my moisturizer. Chickpea sized dollop of Care Gel + 1 drop squalane, mix in hand, apply dots to face, rub in. Extra Care Gel where needed. I love this combination -- it took me awhile to get the ratios right to get that sweet spot of moisturization without pilling but now we are best buds. I have been using this combo for almost a year.Erin's Faces Peptide Sunscreen -It's a sunscreen that doesn't pill and doesn't irritate my skin. I live in a chronically low UV index location and I am very rarely out during the day, so sunscreen isn't a huge concern in my routine. I generally want what little sun exposure I get. This is the one product I use that is not budget friendly, but I am happy to pay the price for this one for as infrequently as I need it, because it lasts a very long time for a very good product. I have been using this for about three months.Lifestyle -I rarely wear makeup. This wasn't to help my skin, I just don't. Thought it would be worth mentioning because my cleanser needs are different, though I really do find any straight oil followed by my cleanser is plenty on the days I do wear makeup or sunscreen.My husband has a milk protein allergy and dairy is a migraine trigger for me, so my dairy intake is minimal to none. Other than that, I do not restrict food groups (including sugar), but I do eat a lot of fruits and veggies. I am liberal with plant based fats in my diet and generally get enough fluids.Vitamin D absolutely improved my skin. I relied on supplements a lot while I was getting things sorted out and issues cropped back up very quickly when I would run out of or get lazy with my Vitamin D supplements. This is still true today. I also relied a lot on zinc picolinate in the early days but don't seem to need it anymore. I also take fish oil, probiotics, and magnesium glycinate daily. I also have two servings of collagen powder daily -- this is mostly for protein and I have no idea what impact it has made on my skin. With the exception of collagen, all of these supplements have been prescribed by and are monitored by multiple physicians (yay chronic health issues!). Talk to your doctor before adding supplements.Anyway! I really appreciate all the things I learned browsing this sub and thought I would contribute with some lengthy reviews. Feel free to ask questions. I might be comfortable sending B/A pictures in PM, still deciding.
Girls Blog 2015
Submitted by asteribear
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