Completely undressed. That’s the way I love my face. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy makeup–a lot. But my preference is a fresh face that doesn’t need anything to light up the room! So wiping off all my makeup and stripping down to skin I am proud of has always been a must–but seemed out of reach for years. Finally at 30-something years old, I figured it out.
Well…ahem… with the help of a few medical professionals, I should add. I should also add that in no way, shape, or form am I a medical professional. I’m simply a woman who has fought her stubborn skin for years before finally winning. Just so you know, I categorize my skin as “combination”…it gets dry in some areas (depending on the season and external factors) and can be oily when it has an attitude lol! Even with the finicky nature of my skin, this little regimen can’t be outdone. Here are the practices and products that truly worked to transform my skinny-skin-skin!
OnE
I gave up D A I R Y. No, not just a little bit–not on some days and not on others, completely gave it up. Eliminated. Zip. Zilch. Nada. I must admit that I developed a late lactose intolerance in my 20s, but I would still toil with the side effects of my intolerance for a good slice of pizza or a nice block of cheese (with wine, of course). At the tail end of last year after I returned from a trip to Asia where I had no trace of dairy and re-entering the states to indulgent sips of yummy, cream-rich cappuccinos, my system told me “no more.” My gastroenterologist agreed. I was in a lot of unnecessary pain and I wouldn’t feel as well as I do now had I not totally eliminated this from my diet.
I listed this as number one because I truly believe it is the key that truly unlocked my skin secret. I won’t go into what else I believe about dairy, but I will say that after research, I discovered more than a few interesting thoughts. Eliminating it from my diet also eliminated any and all breakouts, even during my most hormonal season.
tWO
I drink a ton of water–at least a gallon per day. Growing up, we never had much juice or soda in our home, so water has always been a go-to. I realize now that not having to “learn how” to make my water intake a priority does give me a jumpstart on this skincare game.
THrEe
I exfoliate at least 3-4 times a week with this light, gentle, salicylic-acid-based foaming scrub from Neutrogena. I usually only do this before bed unless a special circumstance calls for a mid-day scrub.
FoUr
I wake up and awash with this ahhhhhhmazing pigment bar. It’s literally a miraculous bar of soap wedged into this short and stout container. It comes with a set of three sponges and provides a heavenly lather. This soap has awakened my skin and made it so bright and glow-y.
fIvE
Bye, bye dark spots! This cream is everything! My dermatologist told me to trust that a low-cost, over-the-counter, mass-produced fade cream could do just a great a job (or better) as anything she could prescribe. She was right. This cream has helped me bid a final adieu to pesky hyper pigmentation brought on by old acne scars and dry skin patches.
SiX
Last and certainly not least, shea butter, baby. My mother and father always swore by natural shea butter, but I just didn’t “get it” until I tried it myself. I don’t really use a moisturizer much, so I usually dab a small amount in my palm to warm this butter up before spreading a thin layer over my face. I prefer the yellow shea butter that is softer, easier to manipulate–and admittedly greasier. So you have to be mindful of its greasiness if you ever decide to use it as a moisturizer as I have.
That’s my regimen–no too complicated, but yields great results for me. What’s your regimen? What are your go-to skincare solutions?
