It has been almost 3 months since I last checked in on my skin condition and I just reorganised my skincare items, so I thought why not take some time to do a post to keep track of my skin's progress.
Somewhere in between late May-June, I actually embarked on my first Oil Cleansing Method (OCM) regime with hemp seed oil, and tried out a minimalistic/natural skincare regime for about a month. OCM was great in the sense that I could actually feel those sebum plugs coming out when I massaged the oil all over my face. However, my face was still quite clogged and spotty. It was also very dry and I couldn't apply my foundation without having it cling on to my dry patches. Not cute, I know.
I stopped the previous regime since it wasn't working for me and got back to using Skinlycious' products again but my skin was still dry, red-looking and spotty. Ughs. It was slightly better for a while and I went off to China for 2 weeks in July. My skin was being pretty obedient for the first 2 days, then it started going wonky again right after that. My skin was drying up, I had new spots everyday that would itch like there's no tomorrow. Came back to SG, looking worse than when I left! (Major sad face)
Anyway I stumbled about the no!no! skin device on SIA's inflight shopping magazine and decided to purchase this tiny (but trust me. It's strong) Light and Heat Energy (LHE) zit zapper on my return flight. It was SGD245 and I was on the verge of giving up on my skin. Just thought hey, it sounds good so why not take the plunge and try it. As all my friends/bf/family already know, I'm a major sucker for anything that would help with my skin. No matter how pricey it would seem, if I am able to afford it, I'd try it.
I also bought Banila & Co.'s Clean It Zero (Pink-Normal) makeup cleansing balm and IT IS SERIOUSLY AMAZING. Only SGD20 at Shilla Duty Free! (Regretting right now that I didn't purchase more...) It's like oil-cleansing, but less messy and as effective. It smells great, removes make up well and sebum plugs would also come out if you massage it into your skin for at least 2 minutes. My skin has been loving it thus far, hasn't reacted negatively towards it so I'm really glad! They do have other versions of the Clean It Zero, but I chose the most basic one, just in case.
I also started Q-switch Laser Sessions at an aesthetics clinic which gave me really good results. Active pimples are healed, clogged pores and old brown marks (Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation, PIH) are significantly reduced. Of course it's only the first few sessions, so I still have a few brown spots on my left jaw but I can apply just a thin layer of foundation and I'm good to go. Save so much time on concealing! My pain tolerance is really quite up there, so the doctor administered higher powered shots on me. For those who can't tolerate pain very well, the doc will adjust the power level accordingly! My doctor commented that my clogged pores are more or less gone now, except for a few small bumps which is normal to get. Now it's just to focus on removing the PIH! Will update again on my Q-switch results, and I really can't wait for the progress too!
What I found that have helped was a couple of things (besides the laser). First, I'd mist my face with a Thermal Spray (currently using Uriage but have purchased La Roche Posay to try) then drop one drop of tea tree oil (TTO) on my palm and pat it in together with the thermal water. That really helps to calm down ANY irritations (read: itchiness) and it definitely does kill any horrible P.acnes bacteria on my skin. I have also started using sheet masks as the doc has commented that I actually have DRY skin (woah really?). More of like Combi/Oily - Dry on the outside, Oily inside - sort of complicated situation, hence the outbreaks pfft.
I've also made a major skincare routine overhaul after I came back from China. So here goes:
AM
Face wash: Cetaphil/Physiogel Cleanser
(Mist face with Uriage Thermal water, with one drop of TTO)
La Roche Posay Effaclar K+ - this one I'm still testing, so far so good hasn't given me any clogged pores and seem to refine my skin texture
Doctor's moisturiser
Spot treat with Vichy Hyaluspot Treatment
PM
Face wash: Simple Oil Balancing Exfoliating Wash - didn't expect to like this but it's doing a good job at keep my oil-water balance so it's a keep for now :)
Alternate between Innisfree Super Volcanic Clay Mask and Aztec Indian Healing Clay
(Mist face with Uriage Thermal Water with one drop of TTO)
MBD Sheet mask (will go into that in a bit)
Effaclar K+
Laneige Sleeping Mask
Topicals: Epiduo/Differin
Of course I'd also zap spots with the no!no! Skin device and it really helps to bring down the infection especially if it's those kinda pesky blind pimples. I might have over applied my epiduo at times, and I'd end up with slightly obvious brown spots on the spots the next day so I'm keeping that in mind. TO APPLY IT SPARINGLY. I'd apply a thin layer on areas where spots are prone to occur, then spot treat those red spots/bumps/PIH. Please do not follow my method, as the web stated to apply just a thin layer. I IZ KIASU.
My Beauty Diary Masks
This is one of the ever popular sheet mask brands out there and I'm only jumping onto the bandwagon now. I DID purchased them a few years back but felt like they didn't really do anything much for me. So far, I've tried the Imperial Bird's Nest, Aloe, Luffa and the Black Pearl Total Effects (mask sheet is black). My favourites are the Imperial Bird's Nest and Luffa!!! I've even bought a spare box of the IBN to keep because I've been masking almost daily for the past 2 weeks! Luffa was a surprise because I bought it before and it didn't seem to do anything to my skin. I was hoping that I'd love the Aloe vera one but unfortunately, it makes my face itchy and some clogged bumps would appear after :(
Yes I tried the Aloe one yesterday and it gave me the same bumps so I'm giving them away for sure. I've actually also purchased the Naruko Snail Repair Mask and they gave me bumps too! No go for these two, if you've clog-prone, acne-prone, sensitive skin like me. Although the aloe vera one had glowing reviews from redditors, it didn't work out well for me. I'm gonna try the apple phenol one next, and either stock up on the IBN or Luffa ones because Watson's and Guardian are having a 2 for SGD27 promo now!
I do need to mention I use clay masks daily too after washing my face at night, then I'd use the sheet masks after. I find that it didn't dry out my skin, but instead purified it of the impurities as I do get quite oily in the evenings. I let the clay masks sit for a shorter time if I find that my face is less oily that day! I know it might seem like a little of an overkill to some but it has worked in keeping my skin relatively clear so far. I'm planning to reduce the masks (clay & sheet) to about once every 2 days once my skin stabilises itself.
That's all I have for this update, till the next one and hopefully with great skin. Hang in there everyone who's facing a similar condition!
With love,
A