Before I endured the struggle that is endometriosis (details of this uterine disorder can be found in my “Moi” page), I endured irregular periods. The horrible pains during my cycle should of tipped me off that something wasn’t quite right but no one tells you that a cycle isn’t supposed to be so debilitating that you can’t move or function from all the pain.
The other crappy part of the cycles were the cystic acne that would embarrassingly develop on my chin and around my nose. I still remember the guy I had a crush on in junior high calling me “zit chin” when a particularly large zit had appeared overnight. I could’ve been called worse but at that age shiz like that was mortifying to me.
Anywho, because my hormones were having mood swings and because I ate like a spoiled child that only wanted sweets, my skin endured much torture. It was able to heal from each attack until I reached college when my skin started to show acne scarring. As the years passed, this continued along with skin discoloration.
I didn’t take good care of my appearance for a long time. I concerned myself mainly with work and trying to prove I wasn’t useless in this world. I’ve gone through a few products trying to find something that doesn’t make my face and acne worse. Like I said in a previous post, my skin is sensitive. Some products dried out my face or caused irritation.
During a shower I clean my face up with St. Ives Apricot Scrub and for removing make up and cleaning my face after a long day I use Alba Botanica Hawaiian 3-in-1 Clean Towelette wipes. But for the discoloration and repair from stress I’ve started using:
- Alba Botanica Even Advanced, Sea Plus Renewal Night Cream (fek’n ‘ell that was a mouthful) – got this for $9.39 on Amazon for a 2 ounce container
The product details explain that this product is to be used before going to bed after cleaning your face. The product claims to help “break up uneven skin pigmentation and dull spots” as well as fortifies the skin, plumps it, and “minimizes the effects of sun, stress and time.” All this occurs after 2 weeks of usage.
I was taking pictures every day at the start but the changes in the beginning weren’t extreme. I decided to show you when changes were more apparent and it turned into a Saturday (6/16 = the first day I started) & Wednesday pattern.
I’ve been growing fond of Alba Botanica. The fact that they’re using 100% vegetarian products, don’t test on animals, and are pthalates/sulfate/paraben-free puts me at ease. And I pray they aren’t lying to me because my skin responds so well to their products.
There’s one other product I wish to share. For the days I feel like my skin needs a literal pick me up I use a collagen face mask called MEDIHEAL Collagen Impact Essential Mask (EX. 25ml Pack of 10):
Doesn’t smell weird which is a plus. After leaving it on for 20+ minutes, I massage it into my skin with the mask and then allow my face to dry. Afterwards, it does it’s work and later on I don’t look so haggard. ^-^
xox,
Jenn
Methodical Magpie 