Hey guys! Welcome to today’s blog post :)
For the past few weeks, I’ve been sharing with you guys mostly concerning skin care. Beginning with my journey with acne and my skin care routine. Well, we continue in the same tangent this week, whereby I’ll be sharing with you guys, some skin care do’s and don’ts that I have learnt on my journey. This will be the last segment in our little skin care series, so yahhh let’s get into it!
Let’s begin on a positive note. What are the skin care do’s?
1. SPF is your BFF
In last week’s post, I shared with you guys that sunscreen application is the most important step of your skin care routine. Oh, btw SPF stands for Sun Protection factor. When you look at a bottle of sunscreen, it has a number like SPF 30 or 50++. This indicates how well the sunscreen protects the skin against the adverse effects of sun exposure on the skin, e.g. sunburn.
Sunscreen helps to give a protective barrier to your skin which later aids in helping the ingredients used to treat certain skin conditions work effectively. Let’s say, you are treating your skin of hyperpigmentation or acne scars. Sun exposure makes these scars darker hence more difficult to treat. Also, some of these treatments make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so in order to protect your skin, while simultaneously being able to use these treatments, use sunscreen, it helps!
Find a sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white/grey cast, the recommended amount to apply in the morning is along the length of three fingers (index, middle and ring), and remember to re-apply every 2-4 hours. Refer to my sunscreen recommendations in my previous post here.
2. Be gentle
As you handle your skin, be gentle. This applies to how you wash your face, exfoliate and even the products you use.
A long time ago, there was a lot of hype about electric facial cleansing and exfoliating brushes. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on one, since I had heard great stuff about it. I used it for a while, but over time I stopped using it, it was harsh on my skin. I actually still have it, but I don’t use it anymore.
When it comes to skin, I’ve noticed being gentle is much better than being too harsh or intense. When cleansing, honestly gently massaging with your hands is enough. Ditch those apricot scrubs which have large and rough particles. These can cause micro tears on your skin, which can over time cause long term inflammation. Instead, switch to a chemical exfoliant or a physical scrub with smaller and smoother particles that gently exfoliates.
3. Hygiene
Something I have learnt is that at times we should sweat on the small stuff, because the small stuff eventually builds into the bigger picture.
If you’re not in the shower, remember to wash your hands before beginning your skin care routine. This ensures you don’t transfer the dirt from your hands to your face that you’re working so hard to clean and maintain its health.
Also, change your pillowcases at least once a week, and if you use make-up, regularly clean your brushes and sponges.
4. Use lukewarm water
This might be the perfect temperature to wash your face. Hot water may be a bit too harsh on your skin.
It’s interesting because constantly using hot water can make your skin oilier. How this happens is, when you use hot water, it strips moisture and natural skin oils, leading to the production of excess sebum to replace the moisture and oil that has been stripped away. Since it’s produced in excess, it can lead to your skin becoming oilier than usual. Stick to lukewarm, almost cold water for your face.
5. Be patient and have fun
It’s a journey and there’s no defined timeline when you’ll reach your skin care goals. It’s a journey of trial and error, but in it, you’ll learn so much. In the midst of it, remember to be patient and have fun!
Be patient in studying your skin to know what it needs, be patient in giving products a chance, be patient when your skin condition doesn’t seem to be changing. It’s a journey and in time, your consistency will pay off.
Remember also to have fun! Don’t be afraid to try new products or techniques. Skincare is fun :).
Now, let’s move to the don’ts :(
1. DIY treatments
DIY in this case, refers to DO-IT-YOURSELF. Here, I’m talking about those masks, scrubs or treatments that you can make at home, with ingredients mostly from your kitchen.
If you’re looking for long-term and sustainable results, and treatments that get to the root cause of your skin issue, DIYs are just not it. Why? Because they simply don’t work.
I’m speaking from experience. Your girl has tried them all, the lemon juice, bicarbonate, cinnamon, honey, sugar, turmeric, nutmeg, oatmeal, apple cider vinegar… you name it!
Some of these ingredients can be extremely damaging on your skin barrier, especially the lemon and bicarbonate. I know you’ve been told that when you apply it on your skin and it stings, means it’s working, lol! Nope! It’s damaging your skin! And don’t get me started on how much turmeric stains everything.
Instead of using these ingredients on your skin, take them in through your food. They are actually really good for overall health which will eventually translate to healthy skin.
I’d only try DIY just for fun, but to treat something, nope.
2. Picking your skin
Here I mean, constantly touching your face or popping pimples. I know it’s sooo tempting to do so, cause you just want to touch it and get it off your face, but this makes things worse. Constant picking causes you to transfer dirt from your hands to your face, into your pores, thus causing more and severe breakouts. Also, popping a pimple that’s not ‘ripe’ yet, can cause severe scarring, that’s more difficult to get rid of than that which would have formed if you just left that pimple alone to go down on its own.
To help, try pimple patches. I’ve never tried these, but you can get them here at Clean Skin Kenya. Something that helps me is also dabbing a little lactic acid on the break out before bed. By the next day, it’s gone down tremendously and eventually the scarring isn't as bad, at times I don't scar at all! I also got the lactic acid from Clean Skin Kenya.
3. Sleeping with make-up
I’ve mentioned before that I don’t usually wear make-up, except eye liner or mascara. An even with this, I always ensure I get it off my face before going to bed. Sleeping with old make-up can lead to clogged pores. Clogged with old make-up, plus dirt and excess oil, which yes, you guessed it, causes more breakouts.
At times, you may be too tired to do a full evening skin care routine, instead use micellar water, or a lightweight oil like jojoba or sweet almond oil to take that makeup off. I’ve also read that makeup wipes are not recommended, since some of them have alcohol, that can be extremely drying to your skin.
The point is, remove that make-up before turning in for the night.
4. Using black soap (everyday)
This may come off as a surprise, because black soap has been hyped up for years. But over time, more research has been done, and more people have come forward to share their experiences. The thing about black soap, is that when used excessively, especially on the face, it can cause excess dryness, which eventually leads to the overproduction of sebum, making the skin more oily then prone to more breakouts.
Some people have also experienced more sensitivity on their skin after using it, others have also experienced their skin burning. For me, the first time I used it, I broke out very badly, so it did not work for me.
If you want to try it out, go for legitimate brands, who have listed all the ingredients on the package, use it like 2-3 times a week, not everyday, and if it's having negative side effects on your skin just let it go. :)
5. Comparing yourself
Lastly, and probably the most important one, don't compare your skin with anybody's, we are all unique and on our own journeys. What may work for you, may not work for me or vice versa, and that's ok.
Be patient and enjoy the journey. Also, take what you see on the socials with a grain of salt, there are filters, there's photoshop and angles. Having texture, blemishes, scars and large pores on your skin is totally normal.
Anyway friends, that's what I have to share with y'all today.
This is the last post (for now) related to skin care, I hope you've enjoyed this mini series we've had going on for the past few weeks and learnt a thing or two.
Remember to subscribe down below, like and share this post with someone who would need it.
I'll see you in the next one!
xoxo.
BK.
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