There’s nothing more frustrating than having bad skin. Growing up I was hit with the acne stick, which meant while other girls were flaunting their spotless selfies I was sitting at home on the family PC painstakingly erasing every blemish with Microsoft Paint.
I tried everything to clear my skin…even Proactiv. The thing with Proactiv is that sooner or later you'll discover the writing is written on the towels. Yes, every single one of my mothers fluffy towels became covered in bleach coloured patches and the colour of my foundation went from warm beige to Michael Jackson Ivory.
Ermmm…not good!
Although I’ve now out grown my worst skin stage my skin is still far from perfect. However in the last 6 months I’ve found something that actually WORKS for me.
You all know that I’m no beauty expert, however, when a product gives you the confidence to rock bare skin in front of a boy you really like I consider that newsworthy.
Yes after years of doing the wake up and make up routine, this new skin care regime finally helped me to relax, banish the pimples and the insecurity...
So what the hell is this bloody great skin care regime? Well step this way pretty lady…
First might I say it actually helps to have a skincare regime. When I first moved out of home I fed my face with whatever I could afford, it wasn't until I invested the time and little extra money into a daily routine that I started noticing a big difference.
My Skin Diet
Dolce & Gabbana shades: less squinting means less wrinkles in the long run. Bare Minerals liquid foundation from Mecca (more about this later) Aloe Vera Gel smooths and softens after fun in the sun. Last but not least may I introduce to you the Skinstitut skincare range...my little miracle workers.
I envy those girls who can simply wake up splash their face with water, apply some vegan moisturiser and go. To keep my skin under control I need a cleanser with a little more kick but not so much that it bleaches my face. You know what I'm talking about?
Step 1. Skinstitut L-Lactic Cleanser. It's still got all the good stuff your skin craves (goji berry, seaweed, vitamin B & E) but with the safe amount of L-Lactic acid to banish those blemishes. This cleanser is perfect to use daily!
Hot Tip: Alternate your face wash routine with a gentle cleanser (above) and a tough scrub. This glycolic scrub below is amazing for unblocking pores and deep exfoliation. It is also perfect for acne prone skin. Warning: Do not use everyday! Even the best scrub will quickly dry out your skin which can result in further breakouts.
Step 2. Moisturise! To the dismay of some beauty experts I just skipped 500 steps. Honestly after years of trying EVERYTHING I think that unless you're getting a professional facial (um heaven) then it is not necessary to put a billion tubes of crap on your face. Toners, peels, you name it will just strip your face of all it's natural oils, save yourself some money and simply stick to the essentials.
A good moisturiser is essential. For my skin type I opt for the Skinstitut dry skin moisturiser. It's smooth and creamy but not too thick which means that it won't clog your pores.
Added extras: Age Defence SPF 50+ no excuses, if you want to keep your skin looks fresh and fabulous for years to come you must use some type of sunscreen. Rejuvenate Serum your after sun lover helps to smooth and hydrate your skin after a big day at the beach.
The best thing: All Skinstitut products are 3 for $99 so you can finally afford quality skincare for a fraction of the price of other brands.
Make up! I once left a thick layer of L'Oreal foundation on for 2 days...2 days!! I had just started seeing this really gorgeous gent and was too afraid to let him see me bare faced. On the night of the second day I could feel every congested pore and every pimple, it hurt to move my face! If you've ever had bad skin you'll understand the mountain of anxiety that comes with it.
I'm telling you right now if you want to improve the condition of your skin you need to stop covering it with crap. When I was in Paris I discovered this liquid foundation by Bare Minerals. The best thing about it is that it goes on and dries like a light mineral power but it gives the coverage of a great liquid foundation. Perfect for concealing acne scars and redness and at the same time letting your skin breathe. Sydney ladies you can purchase this for only $38 at your closest Mecca store, I get mine from Mecca Bondi Junction and they even match your skin colour for free!
Last but not least...water. It's a no brainer really. Drink and glow bombshells, drink and glow!
Ok now I'm ready for my close up...
To me my skin in this picture is mind-blowing. Yes I'm wearing a thin layer of Bare Minerals foundation and if you look close enough you can still spot the little bumps on my forehead, however I couldn't be happier with the results I've experienced over the last 6 months.
The best bit was when I went to the dermatologist to get more Skinstitut cleanser last week.
I put a big bottle of the scrub on the counter and contemplated getting a second bottle while I was there in case of emergency and then the lovely lady behind the counter stopped me.
"Is this for your skin?" she asked kindly.
"Ah, yes" I said feeling self conscious about the fact that I had no make-up on and was quite red and sweaty from my run.
"I need whatever cleanser is good for acne prone skin." I added quietly to ensure no one else could near me.
She looked at my face and shook her head.
"But you don't have any acne, you have lovely skin" she said reaching for a less potent product.
Strangely I was overcome with emotion. Unlike some of my beautiful friends, no one has ever told me that I have good skin. It has always been obvious that I struggled with breakouts and those days that they didn't stare a little too long at my forehead were good days for me.
Now people comment on my complexion and although my instinct is to still put my hand up to my face to cover my chin, I know all that insecurity is slowly fading away.
Just because this skin care routine worked for me doesn't mean it will work for you, but take it from a girl who's been in your shoes and tried everything...this might be exactly what you've been praying for. It was for me.
Check it out for yourself: www.skinstitut.com
Paige x
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