SKIN CARE GAME CHANGERS

"When one door closes, another one opens." I once used that quote to describe my skin condition, when one pimple heals, another one pops out. It is so frustrating to to make your skin clear of any acne or pimples. I sure hope that I'm not the only one with this problem. I've come to a point in my life where I just accepted that I am part of that percentage of people who has a very acne prone skin.

Over there years, I've been trying a couple of different ways and products to help my skin clear out and I think that I found some very helpful items that I want to share with you.

First of all I would like to give you a little preview of what type of skin I have. I would say that I have always had a pretty oily skin especially on my T-zone area. I've had those days wherein when I walk pass by a mirror I literally see my face glowing, and not in a good way. The shine is just all over my face and when I wash it with just water I can feel like it is not really doing anything to lessen the oil on my face. The water just slides down to my face just like when you try to wet a greasy pan or something.

More recently because of the things I've been using, my pimples are a lot more manageable unlike before and it now takes a bit of a longer period of time before I start to oil up after I wash or apply make up to my face.

Anyway, on to the things I've tried. Just a little bit of disclaimer, all the things I'm about to mention worked well on me but I wouldn't say that it's going work a hundred percent the same way to you because we may have a different skin type or condition. But I still think that they are worth to try.

The first on my list is the good old Apple Cider Vinegar Toner. I think it has been about a year now since I started using Apple Cider Vinegar as my toner, day and night. What I do is either I use a cotton pad to apply it or if I have more time I would spray it directly to my face and let it air dry. Now I know that the smell is not at all appealing in any way but it works. Besides the smell is only for like five seconds or so. As soon as it dries you won't be able to smell it anymore, don't worry your face won't be smelling like feet all day.

I'm not really very precise when it comes to mixing the vinegar with water, I most likely just use my "tantsa-meter" skills, if you know what I mean. But to be sure, I googled the measurement for anyone who likes to try this out. I'll put the link below if you're interested in reading more about it, but I saw on dontmesswithmama.com that you're suppose to mix 1/3 part vinegar with 2/3 part filtered water if you have normal to dry skin. While for oily and acne prone skin, you mix 1/2 part vinegar with 1/2 part filtered water. You could also add in some essential oils if you prefer it that way but personally I just use it as it is. I use the Apple Cider Vinegar by Bragg by the way if you're wondering. A benefit of using ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) toner is that it regulates the pH level of your skin after it has been stripped off whenever you wash your face with some strong formula. It is also a rich source of alpha hydroxy acids that increases blood flow and minimizes pores. I will also put the link of the article where I found other benefits of using ACV as a beauty remedy.

The next item is the Marionnaud Face Brush. I'm sure you've seen this at your local Watson's store together with the other face brushes and travel size containers offered by the brand. It is basically a soft bristled brush that it suppose to clean your face more thoroughly. You can say that it is the cheaper alternative for those clarisonic and vanity planet facial brush which I've been eyeing for so long now but they are too expensive for me. While for this face caleansing brush, I paid Php 199.00. Now don't be fooled, not because it's cheaper doesn't mean it doesn't work. The first time, I was actually surprised how soft and gentle it feels on my face and after washing I instantly felt that my skin is cleaner than usual and like it's more fresh than ever. I just have to say that when I first used this, my skin did react to it a bit. I had some bumps and some parts of my face were more red than usual. I almost did not want to use it again but when my skin became more familiar and used to the feeling, I saw how the bumps cleared out day by day and my blackheads and whiteheads on my nose area has become less and less. I seriously experienced a drastic change in my skin when I started including this brush in my nightly skin care routine. I think that this product is worth to try especially if you're like me who is obsessed with having a clean face. You just have to remember to use light hands whenever you use this or every time you clean or touch your face because too much force may not be beneficial.

(I couldn't get a decent picture of mine so I just used this photo by @makeupmanila)

The last item that I would like to share and that I've been loving is the Green Therapy Apothecary Tea Tree Oil. It is a 100% natural essential oil that claims to treat acne lesions. Surprise surprise, I got mine at the Watson's area of SM Department Store Cubao. I was hesitant to get it at first because it was lined with the oils or scent you put in a burner, I was not sure if it were meant to be used for the face or not. But since I've been looking for a good tea tree oil I asked the sales lady about it, which is not really like me. Anyway, I ended up buying it which I am not regretting at all. For 15ml, I paid around Php 200.00. I've had mine for more than two or three months now and I just reached the half of the bottle. I think that the dropper it comes with makes it more hygienic and more "tipid-friendly" because a little goes a long way with this product. I use it as a spot treatment, I apply it directly onto my pimples with clean fingers. I don't not feel any kind of stinging or anything when I use this. As for the smell, I don't really know how to describe it but it is not too strong and not too gentle but not pungent. It smells like your usual treatment oil, does that even make sense? Anyway, for small pimples, it just took me overnight to notice that they are starting to dry down while for bigger ones, it would take one to two weeks to heal. I think it also helps for the scarring, I noticed that the marks left after the pimples are completely gone are lighter and not as noticeable compared to when I was not yet using any tea tree oil. To speed up he process I sometimes apply it even in the morning when I am just at home and will not be staying under the sun.

I hope that this post will be helpful to you even just for the slightest bit.

Everything that we do is a journey and I know you know that it truly is a struggle to find the things that will work on you, everything is trial and error. The important thing is that we learn from every step we take and grow from it until we finally reach our goals. Also, life would be easier if we help one another, so if you have any tips and tricks regarding skin care you might want to share, go ahead please and help a sister out.

Articles:

DIY Facial Toner with Apple Cider Vinegar – Restores pH, Great for All Skin Types (http://dontmesswithmama.com/diy-facial-toner/)

10 Surprising Beauty Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar (http://www.top10homeremedies.com/kitchen-ingredients/10-surprising-beauty-benefits-of-apple-cider-vinegar.html)

#AppleCiderVinegar #TeaTreeOil #MarionnaudFceBrush #SkinCare #GameChangers