Breakouts suck.
I'm sure this is something we can all agree on. Whether its a single breakout or full on acne it's never fun. I've had the pleasure of suffering - legit SUFFERING - from both and it sucks. Sure you can grab your MAC full coverage foundation, slather it on and prey people don't notice but that won't stop you from being insecure all the time!!
I've tried it all, and it wasn't until about 3-4 years ago that I finally discovered the different ways or steps to eliminate breaking out for GOOD.
So in order to help my fellow ladies (or men!), here's my guide to getting better skin. Whether it's to eliminate breakouts, remove dulness, or reduce wrinkles, all of these tips can be used in some capacity to cater your skins needs.
Eliminate Dairy
This is probably the most important tip I can give. I don't think many people realize the affect that dairy has on your skin. When I was 21 I decided to cut out dairy almost completely. I had suffered from acne on my forehead and I tried every trick in the book; acne cleansers, gel moisturizers, spot treatments nothing was working. Frustrated, this was my last resort. After almost 3 weeks of living a dairy-free diet, my acne was reduced to just a few breakouts and within 6 weeks my acne was completely gone. Now mind you, I still get the occasional pimple but in terms of acne, it's gone!
I mean you can google "dairy and skin" and you'll get pages and pages of articles telling you how cutting dairy out, saved their skin. Seriously, if you suffer from severe breakouts cut out dairy and watch your skin do a complete 180.
Eliminate Processed Sugars
I took this one from my moms book of advice. She's a little bit of a health nut and understands that your body reacts to what you put in it. Processed sugars "cause your insulin levels to spike, which leads to a burst of inflammation throughout the body”. This inflammation leads to not only breakouts but WRINKLES. Talk about a double whammy. After I eliminated dairy to rid myself of acne, I also took the step to reduce my sugar consumption by half. Not only is my skin clearer then ever but my energy levels are out of this world. Trust me, I know how hard it can be to curb that salted caramel mocha with extra whip, but your clear and healthy skin will thank you later!!
Stay Hydrated
This is a common tip to better skin, you know it, I know it, the whole world basically knows it. And we've all practiced it at some point, so I won't go on about this point. ...
Drinking your daily intake of water flushes the body of harmful toxins, promoting healthier skin, not to mention it also improves circulation another added benefit for your skin. So start chuggin'!
Hygiene , Hygiene, Hygiene
I can't stress this enough.Wash your damn face . I don't care if your too lazy, or you have a friend sleeping over and you are scared to show them your bare face, or you just got home from a wild night out and don't feel like it. (As Shia LaBouef would say) Just. DO. It.
I wash my face twice a day, morning and night - It's a way to prep my face for the day and to let my skin rejuvenate over night. I've built myself a routine with cleanser, toner, moisturizer and the occasional exfoliation. This not only keeps my face clean and pimple free but it also just feels good. I can tell you that nothing feels better after a long day of wearing makeup then watching it all wash down the drain!
Your skin goes through a lot through out the day, the environmental toxins, the pounds of makeup you put on your face, you touching your face after touching almost everything. It's gross, and you skin needs a break, to re-hydrate and BREATHE. Start building regime and get in a routine, so that two months from now it'll feel weird NOT to wash your face.
(In addition to washing your face twice a day, make sure keep up the cleanliness and remove added build-up by changing you pillow case every few days!)
Invest in Skin Care
Invest in the change you want to see ~~ But seriously. You get what you pay for, and I think that's a fact we all are afraid to admit. You can cheap out on many things in life, but when it comes to skin care you shouldn't, especially if you want to see long term effects. I spend a hefty penny on my skincare but the money I spend doesn't go unnoticed.
But wait.... I'm NOT saying that you should go into Sephora and drop 300$ like no ones business on a bunch of random products. Do your research. See a dermatologist. Get an experts opinion, and then go shopping. Everybody's skin is different, so it's important you realize your specific problems and then take the appropriate measures to fix them.
Facials Are Your Best Friend
Aside from investing in great skin care I've also made an effort to invest in a good facialist that I see one or two times a month. Even though I'm consistent with my skincare regime.
Why? Think of a facial as a deep clean, like when you go to the dentist. Yeah, you brush your teeth everyday, but somehow there still manages to be build up over time. The same thing happens with your skin. Over the span of a few weeks your skin can get clogged and it's important that you de-clog it as soon as possible. A good facial will extract all the impurities and leave you with a smooth glowing complexion. If your looking for a few good ones, drop me a message and I can give you a few recommendations here.
Let Your Skin Breathe!!!
I'm all for getting dolled up and caking your face, but sometimes your face needs a break. And I'm not just talking about overnight. Make it a priority to spend a few days a week to be make-up less. I know, you're probably gasping at the fact that I just said that but YOU CAN DO IT. If thats too adventurous for you, try a couple days a week, reducing the amount of makeup you use. I literally make it a point to spend at least 2-3 days a week without any makeup, and sometimes its actually liberating! And the other times I just feel like a potato. But totally worth it!