Baby Steps to Better Skin- Update

So far, hmmm….

Face Cleanser: I’m using the AMBI Complexion Cleansing Bar for now. When this bar runs out, I’ll see how much better my face is. If I still have pimples, I’m going for a liquid cleanser with salicylic acid.

Face Moisturizer: I’m not on this yet, because I’m still treating my dark spots with AMBI Fade Cream. As soon as they’re all gone, I’ll decide what to use.

Body Lotion: My skin reacted negatively to E-45 so I stopped it. Right now I’m using Vaseline Cocoa Butter. It doesn’t really give my skin enough moisture, but I’ll stick with it until I finish this bottle. Then I’m getting AMBI moisturizing lotion with Olive Oil and Shea Butter.

Exfoliating: The gloves are working just fine!

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Baby Steps to Better Skin – Update

I broke out, no thanks to coconut oil. My face appeared to be getting better for a bit, and then wham! Pimples even on parts of my face where I’d never had them. I’m not having that thing anywhere near my face ever again. Will think up something else for the scrub; maybe substitute with olive oil, or get another recipe altogether. Sad much.

Baby Steps to Better Skin- Update

So far, so good! I’ve been cleansing and moisturizing as planned, and my face looks better already. Still not as light and bright as it used to be though, but we’re hopeful!

Baby Step 4: Moisturize

This one is a bit more challenging, because I have no idea what moisturizer I should use. I’ve never liked the idea of using body lotion on my face. However, I need to start moisturizing my face asap. So, I’m going to use coconut oil. In the past it would not have made sense to use any oil on my face, but my research has shown that coconut oil has many benefits (some of which I’ve seen on my baby’s skin whenever I’ve applied it to rashes or allergic reactions), so I’m hoping it will work for my acne as well.

@AcneSkinSite says, “Coconut oil is known to work the best for acne. Whether they are zits, pimples, blackheads or whiteheads, it’s a remedy for all.” Some experts also say using oils on your face will help your skin regulate its own oil production.

My sister-in-law is a beautician and she makes pure coconut oil at home. I’ll buy some for my face for a few days and see how it goes.

Baby Steps to Better Skin

Right now I’m darker than I’ve ever been in my life. While fishing for culprits with my BFF, it occurred to me that women really do invest in skincare more than I ever have. As my best friend pointed out, I have no beauty regimen; neither do I have any trusty products to keep my skin healthy and bright. For a very long time- about 7 years- I used no moisturizer or cleanser on my face; nothing at all. Just shower, apply my usual “barely there” makeup, and go.

I believed I didn’t need moisturizer because I have an oily face. And as for cleanser, well…I just couldn’t be bothered. I use Dove Cream Bar and I consider it to be a cleanser. Soap is a cleanser, but the problem is that it is too harsh. But Dove Cream Bar is not soap; it is a cleansing bar, one-quarter moisturizer. So I felt I was getting good cleansing and moisturizing in one.

Anyway, I had an experience which would later change my point of view. 6 years ago someone gave me a gift- Mary Kay Timewise 2-in-1 cleanser set. It contained a cleanser and a moisturizer. The instructions were to apply the cleanser to a wet face, rub in a circular motion for 2 minutes, then rinse, pat dry and apply the moisturizer.

By the time I was half way through the set, my skin was visibly clearer.

Unfortunately, I was convinced at the time that I could not afford to continue with the product, so when it ran out, I stopped. However, I recently realized a couple of things about that experience.

1. Mary Kay products may be great, but my skin most likely improved because I was taking time to cleanse it thoroughly. 2 full minutes!

2. Again, I doubt that particular moisturizer had special powers. My skin improved because I was moisturizing it, period.

I’ve also learned a few things from other experiences. I’ll be sharing these eureka moments with you as I begin a journey to responsible skincare. Welcome to Baby Steps to Better Skin!