As promised, here are some solutions I discovered in the quest for overcoming the skin dilemma. Basically, to achieve these solutions we must get down to the root of the problem:
Which internal and/or external factors cause the breakouts?
Internal factors include :
- hormones = "heaty-ness",
- oil secretion,
- pH on the skin
External factors include :
- climate + dust,
- allergy to particular chemicals (especially from cleansers/toners/moisturisers),
- clogged pores as a result of dust and/or dry skin accumulating
- aggravation from pinching/self attempted facials
(Note that this classification and suggested solutions is based on my own experience not from a research I did! Though I'd recommend you embark on some research to validate this information)
To target this problem, I'd like to break it down to 3 strategies :
1. Diet
2. Skincare
3. Hygiene
1. Diet
Although certain dermatologists say your diet does not affect your skin, I think that is a lie! Growing up, I noticed particular food caused my skin to get more oily and breakout.
Eg : cheese, chocolate and nuts
I do understand the craving and social pressure to eat junkfoods/cheesy/oily food though, especially when you hang out with friends. The choice is up to you on how much of these foods you seek to remove from your diet.
What I did was to add beneficial food into my diet that mysteriously controlled my breakouts + reduce oil produced in skin. Subsequently, my mind reduced the cravings for unhealthy foods as these new intakes in my diet filled my stomach. Remember: Drink water! 8 glasses a day! It flushes out the bad toxins that causes breakouts. Also, ever tried eating an apple first thing in the morning or korean kimchi in between meals? They work wonders.
If the basic stuff isn't effective (it did help me to a certain extent, but not enough), time to up it. A big thanks to my mum for experimenting all sorts of health food on my until the right one was found! I drank
ma-Cam every morning and collagen every night. The results were immediate. My skin reduced in oil, pores grew smaller and acne stopped appearing. As a result to less oily skin, I had less blackheads and whiteheads as well. Although these products are a bit expensive, it is a more natural way as compared to medicines from dermatologists. In the past, antibiotics I ate from dermatologists only worked for a month or two, and then the breakouts returned. In contrast, results of these products (ma-Cam and Colla-plus) were long-term to the point that my skin balanced itself and stopped breakouts for good. When my skin started to stabilise, I reduced the amount of ma-Cam and colla-plus I took and so far, so good!
2. Skincare
This one is tricky. As different skin respond to different chemicals, I'd suggest you search for a skincare product that is compatible for your skin. The normal priced ones were not effective enough for me, so I had to try the expensive ones which thankfully, worked really well on my skin =). For a combination skin like mine, I'd advice you to still adopt a skincare routine ( cleanser + toner + moisturize ) BUT keep in mind - it has to be suited for a breakout oily skin type.
- The cleanser must be gel cleanser (avoid foaming and milk cleansers for now) as gel cleanser cleans more thoroughly and removes oil.
- Toner must be suited for your skin problem; for mine it was sensitive + oily + acne prone so I went for a soothing toner. (Sensitive skin are those which appear reddish easily for no reason.) Toner sanitizes your skin and creates a more even distribution of colour.
- And the final touch, moisturizer. Initially, I avoided moisturizers due to bad experience (some can cause breakouts!) but the beautician recommended a mattifying moisturizer suited for oily skin. Why are moisturizers important? The repair your outer layer of the skin, making it a more reinforced barrier against external factors which could clog pores. The moisturizer that is suitable for your skin will reduce pore size and make your skin less oily. With this final touch, my skin was well on its way to balance its pH factor. ps: your skin recovery is incomplete without moisturizer, trust me.
The skincare product that worked well for me is Sothys. Its French, and I have since developed a biasness towards French skin products ;).
Note : from left to right : gel cleanser, milk cleanser (start using it after your breakouts clear), soothing toner and moisturiser. (this moisturiser isn't the hydra-matt moisturizer I used on my breakouts. I'd recommend Hydra-matt. Then again, consult your beautician)
3. Hygiene
Germs and bacterias spread acne/blackheads/whiteheads. These germs/bacterias come from unclean towels, unclean pillow sheets, fingers that are itchy to pinch and dust in the air.
Solutions :
- avoid makeup as much as possible. and clean your makeup brushes
- change your towel every 3 days
- wash your pillowcase every week
- avoid pinching out blackheads/whiteheads/pimples. These spread acne like disease.
- wash your face the moment you get home, especially in a humid/dusty environment.
I've had the habit of pinching since 10 years old, like serious habit. However, I eventually overcame that temptation at the age of 20! Tip for those itchy fingers out there :
- Go for professional facials once every two weeks (for serious skin) and gradually to once a month. Make sure these facial centers don't force out every pimple (that isn't ripe) because this causes your face to scar. I'm a budget person, and found a facial center that offers rm50/session for students! And they do a good job on not scar-ing your face. It's called Zenzi Face.Body.Spa in ss19, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia :
http://www.newpages.com.my/en/company/438234/Zenzi_Face.Body.Spa.htm
Zenzi beauticians used Sothys (how I got to know the product) and since going for facials, my skin actually. recovered. yay!
- If you still need to pinch out those blackheads on your nose. Here's a tip I discovered. Use facial cotton pads dabbed with toner to pinch them out instead. Cotton pads prevent our bacteria-filled fingers from touching the skin, and toners sooth + sanitize your pores resulting in reduced bruises/inflammation of pores. Try to cut down your pinching frenzies in stages, and I PROMISE you, your skin is well on way to recovery.
Well, those are the solutions I've discovered so far! Hope they work for you too and all the best in your quest for beautiful skin. You are not alone in this <3
Disclaimer : The products and solutions recommended may not work for everyone and I am not paid to advertise on behalf of any companies.
Sincerely,
Tracy Wish
