My Current Skincare Routine

Since my acne cleared, I have been less aggressive with my skin care routine and went back testing new products for my blog to review. For instance, instead of using my full force regimen every single day, I've cut back some products to use once every two days to save money. And with minimal active acne to treat, the idea is to maintain clear skin while preventing potential pimples.

For most people though, acne is an ongoing battle. In my experience, there is no treatment that permanently clears your skin so that you never have to worry about acne again. The truth is, for people who are acne-prone, maintaining clear skin means always trying to prevent acne, even if your skin is already clear.

So here, I would like to share with you what I did to make sure my skin stays acne-free all the time.

I don't use the exact same products on my skin from when I still had pimples, but the basics remain the same:

• Exfoliating soap
• Gentle cleanser
• Toner
• Moisturizer
• Pimple Treatment products
• Sunscreen
• Makeup

This are the things that I usually put on my face. As I get older though, I will probably try to wean my skin onto whitening creams and anti-aging products to prevent wrinkles.

Here is my most current skin care routine that keeps my face 98% clear and under control:

NOTE: For reference, I have oily-combination, acne-prone, clog-prone, pigmentation-prone, redness/flushing-prone skin and still get zits every now and then. 

My Current Skin Care Routine

A.M. Routine:

• Wash face with soap (either Maxipeel Exfoliant Soap or GT Carrot Soap) 
• Cleanse face with Eskinol Cleanser with Dalacin-C (Clindamycin) to take out soap residue
• Apply Toner - (I use either GT Clarifiance Toner with WitchHazel if I'm having more than 3 pimples, I use Garnier OilClear Mineral Zinc if I'm experiencing more oily days, or Celeteque Brightening Alcohol-free Toner for pimple-free days and opt for whitening.)
• Apply Pimple Treatment Product (If I do have a pimple I usually dab IPI Salicylic Acid on pimple areas to dry it out. This is my secret to fight those nasty pimple/acne causing bacterias camping on my face for years. But for pimple-free days I usually skip this part.)
• Apply Moisturizer (for days that I feel my skin is a bit dry and amazingly not oily, I use GT Whitening Cream or Garnier Light Complete Day Cream. But for oily days or spending outside activities I opt for Celeteque Sun Care Matte Moisturizer with SPF 30. I love this moisturizer as it really stays matte on my skin.)
• Apply Sunblock. (I use La Belle Sunblock Gel which I really really love and the best sunblock gel that I've ever tried! This is my holy grail product when it comes to subIock! I also use Erase Sunblock Cream with SPF 40 if I run out of La Belle Sunblock Gel which is both not heavy on face that keeps you matte and fresh looking whenever you use it.)
• Apply Makeup (though, I only use either Milk Essence Whitening Beauty Series, Dianthus Instant White Body and Face Cream, Dianthus Skin refining cream w/ sunscreen, or Milky Dress Premium instead of using foundation on my face. I also skip face powders and foundation as it tends to clog my pores and produce more oils and whiteheads all over my face. Then I proceed to tint my lips and checks, eye liner and mascara, do my brows and a spritz of perfume.)

P.M. Routine:

• Remove makeup/sunscreen with soap (This time I use Maxi-peel exfoliant soap and make sure everything is removed)
• Cleanse face with Eskinol Cleanser with Dalacin-C (Clindamycin) to take out dirt and soap residue
• Apply Toner - (I use either GT Clarifiance Toner with WitchHazel if I'm having more than 3 pimples, I use Garnier OilClear Mineral Zinc if I'm experiencing more oily days, or Celeteque Brightening Alcohol-free Toner for pimple-free days and opt for whitening.)
• Apply Pimple Treatment Product (If I do have a pimple I usually dab IPI Salicylic Acid on pimple areas to dry it out. This is my secret to fight those nasty pimple/acne causing bacterias camping on my face for years. But for pimple-free days I usually skip this part.)
• Apply Moisturizer (I use either GT Whitening Cream or Garnier Light Complete Whitening Cream Night Restore.)
• Apply GT Bleaching Cream or Skinmate Shark Oil every other day. Most specially if I notice more blackheads and rough skin that I wanted to smoothen. Either of the two products, you can easily take out all those dead skin by massaging the product on rough skin areas in circular motion.
• Special Treatment for scars. I use Erase Scar remover. It always work wonders on my pimple marks. Just make sure to put a small amount and avoid sun bathing.

Other:

• Daily supplements: Evening Prime Rose, multi-vitamin, myra 400-e and use Cinnamon powder mixed on my drinks like tea, milk, coffee, shakes or juice.

Hygiene Habits

• Every day: Wash glasses with old cleansers. Wipe down everything with alcohol pad (cell phone, keyboard, mouse, steering wheel, desk table, computer or laptop, etc.) and wash your hands before touching your face
• Once every two days: Change pillow case cover
• Once a week: Clean makeup brushes and other beauty tools; Clean room
• Once every two weeks: Wash sheets and bed covers
• Once a month: Deep clean room and house

Cosmetics that I avoid

• Maybeline: Maybeline products is really not good to my skin. Specially the foundations, concealers and the face powders which I easily break out and freak out the day after I use their products. I feel so pretty whenever I use their product but after that I look like a monster. I just can't tell why on earth am I allergic to their products!
• Pond's: Same with Maybeline I wonder why I just can't use their products. I'm overly tempted to try out their Age Miracle Cream.  

My face after 3 days trying out Maybeline BB Cream.

SKIN CARE: How to fight pimples and acne from coming back

Yap! You're done with curing your acne and pimples. 

Now what to do from keeping them away?

What I did! 

 
Make a note
 
 Taking notes of your allergies is a must like food and products.
 Keeping track of things that triggers your acne is the best way to avoid it.
Some are allergic to fabrics and dust. 
While others triggered by food allergies. 
Yap so sad I'm allergic to peanuts and crustacean foods so I stay away from it.
 


Watch what you eat & drink
   I don't know if there's a scientific explanation about this but I have to avoid milk and foods that are too sweet for me. 
Eating too much of sweets triggers my oil factory and then follows cystic acne. 
That's why eating fruits and veges is the best way to eat desserts minus the creams and other sweeteners!
go for natural!




Studies found that high-glycemic foods and dairy products can cause changes in the body that lead to increased cellular growth and oil production, which can increase the chances of developing acne. 
Yikes! Better cut back on that cheddar. But, what’s a glycemic index?

The glycemic index is a measure of the speed at which sugar in food enters your bloodstream. 
High-glycemic foods are those that have the fastest blood sugar response. 
So, things like cupcakes and white bread are considered high glycemic.
 It’s important to note, though, that the glycemic index isn’t a measure of a food’s nutritional value, fat content, or anything else. 
It simply indicates how it will affect your blood sugar levels.


From Mark's Daily Apple stated...
Dairy is a common culprit. 
(I’ve always said that milk is meant for baby cows.) 
Women in one study who reported high dairy intake in teenage years were 44% more likely to have experienced severe acne. 
(Incidentally, full fat dairy isn’t as strongly implicated as lower fat dairy foods.)

That's why I'm still having my green tea mint.
One of the main green tea benefits for skin is in clearing out acne. 
 Many people have had success in curing their acne with green tea. 
Green tea contains catechins, which are natural anti-bacterial agents that suppress acne-causing bacteria. 
As well, the anti-inflammatory action of green tea helps reduce any swelling caused by acne. 

Aside from green tea I drink a lot of water. 
 Minimize eating oily foods and junk foods. Fatty liver can also be the culprit of your acne that's why we need a healthy balance diet.

Toxins and Liver Overload

Chronic acne is almost always an indication there is an imbalance within. 
This is the root of the problem, + even the purest products cannot heal this. 
The skin is the largest organ of detoxification. 
Whatever toxins not eliminated through the intestines + digestive tract will come out through the skin. 
This is why elimination is so important. 

The liver specifically is the organ which is most related to acne.
 The liver has many important functions. 
But one of them is filtration. 
The liver is the filtration centre of the body. 
It is like a wet sponge. 

 If it is overloaded, it will not absorb or filter anymore, 
+ the excess toxins will spill into other areas, 
+ most likely be purged through the skin as acne.
This is why sleep is important as the liver detoxifies between the hours of 1am + 3am, so sleep is important to help regenerate the liver. 

 Also, the liver governs a lot of hormone filtration 
+ is closely related to the emotion of anger which leads to stress that can also cause acne.

 

Hygiene!

 Aside from washing your face at least twice a day. 
Wash your hair thoroughly. 
Dirt and dust collected from your hair might be a contributing factor of your pimples. 
While most women wear makeup they forget to get rid of the makeup residue which is mostly the main reason of their acne problems. 
Sleeping while having makeup on is a big no no! 
Make sure to change your pillow every week.
And last refrain from using makeup as much as possible. 
Don't mind other people think about your zits and nodules. 
Your beautiful inside and out. 
Putting to much makeup or concealers to hide it can make it worst.

Honestly I'm not an expert and even I have my own struggles on how to keep away from it.

But I realized cleaning thoroughly is the best thing to do and using products that suits your skin type is the first step to have a pimple free face.

So here goes my Skin care.

Feb 20, 2013

PM Skin Care


 


• Use Eskinol with Dalacin (C 300mg) to clean your face with a cotton ball
I'm using this to take off those dust and dirt on my face. Usually I can use 3 to 4 cotton balls just to clean my face and neck.
I've been using this one for more than 2 years now.

• Salicylic Acid
I use salicylic acid as a second cleanser. Mixed it with eskinol and violaaaa! more dirt and makeup residue on your cotton balls.
You can also dab a little on a pimple it easily kills bacteria.

  

• Then use Etude Wonder Pore Freshner 
First, I'm using it without cotton to massage it on my face. 
Then with a cotton to take off those deep seated oils and dirt when I massage my face.



 • Garnier Oil Clear Mineral Zinc

To minimize my oily T-zone use it with cotton ball.
This one really helps tighten pores and absorbs facial oils.
 



• GT Witch Hazel Extract
Use this one with a cotton ball. 
You can see how it works when you see those dead skins. ^_^
It also helps taking off those dead skins and pimples from coming back.



• Skinmate Shark Oil
I'm using this one once or twice a week. 
I might experience peeling so it's better to use it during weekends.

I know! I don't like shark oil too .

But it really helps a lot when it comes to lighten my pimple marks.

I used it once a week to take off those old layers of dead skins on my face. 

Though you'll experience exfoliation just apply one drop and it already helps a lot.

Just make sure wear your sunscreen during the day and not to over expose from the sun.

• GT Bleaching Cream
I use this one every time I'm having a rough skin. 
You can see how it works when you see those dead skins peeling off.



• GT Moisturizing Cream
After GT Bleaching cream I apply ample amount of moisturizing cream.

 

• Bioderm Ointment
If pimples starts to grow zap it with bioderm. It will heal in no time.
It has Zinc Oxide, Benzoic Acid, Sulfur and Salicylic Acid.

I do still have zits and pimples occasionally during my red days.

But it easily heals in no time with Bioderm.

AM Skin Care



• GT Papaya Soap
Before I use to be a Bioderm soap user when I had my acne.
Now I'm more in whitening soap.

• Eskinol with Dalacin C (300mg) 
Use it with cotton ball you can see dead skins exfoliated.

• Garnier Oil Clear Mineral Zinc
This helps me a lot when it comes to oils.

• Etude Wonder Pore Freshner
Use it with cotton ball and and allow your skin to absorb the product.



So that's my PM and AM skin care. 
I made sure that before I made a post about it I use it first and observe it for more than a month testing it if it really works. I know how hard to find solutions. 
Trial and errors is always there.
I'm not saying that these products can actually cure your acne and pimples. 
What works for me may not work for you so it really depends on your skin.
And I know how it feels.
You have to be patient and take note of the things that won't work for you.

So If you're new to my blog and wondering how I look before when I was still a monster.

Let me remind you just be careful here take a look.

2010-October-20 
You can see all the blemishes, pimples and redness on my face very visible even with a low res camera. Look how depressed I am here.


And now!

2013-February-20

Ta da! 
It feels great to have pimple free face! 











UPDATE 
2013-July-4

Ta da! 
Without those huge pimples. Clean right?

That's all for this today.

Have a beautiful Wednesday!

SKIN CARE: How to cure pimples and acne

Since college I never experienced a massive attack of acne and pimples. 
I usually have clean and oil free face. But when I started working after college I experience some breakouts and blackheads. Although it might be due to my work where my work is mostly more in traveling. I never mind it until I realized it worst.

2010-October-20

Well, I was wondering if anyone knows how terrible my skin. 
After working three years I decided to quit my job. look for another one that is not stressful and still be able to relax during Saturdays and Sundays. And then! I went back to school for another course and going to a review for the board exam. How can I relax!.
Talking about work Monday-to-Friday, School Saturday(whole day)-to-Sunday(whole day and Review for the board exam Saturday(evening)-to-Sunday(evening). I want to die!
So here's my photo inside the class room. The stressful face!
I'm thankful that the phone camera is in low quality to make it less stressing.

 2010-November-18

And another one. Picture of me with my DPE classmate Miss Swimmer.
I really hate taking pictures because I'm ashamed of what I have (pimples!) T_T
I always hide or look away to make it all okey, still pimples over there!


 I started concealers to hide my pimples. Study make up and all the stuff. 
But still pimples and acne starts to grow wild. (~_~)
I really want to cry out loud for help. 
Every day is painful more pimples and zits.
All is red and chubby painful pimples all over my face.

I'm allergic to some sea foods and my favorite is chicken. T_T

My way of fighting acne and pimples:
Watch what food to eat.
I started to clean my face regularly after taking a bath and before bedtime.
Drink lots and lots of water everyday. 
And use products that is good for my skin and not making it worst. 
Look for products that is paraben free or harmful chemicals.
Take note of things, products and foods that could trigger your acne.
Always wash your pillows twice a week or as always.
Never touch your face with dirty hands.
Try to think calmly and drink green tea! I hate it before but now I love it.
Try Lipton green tea with peppermint. Love it.

 
Trust me it's not that easy as 123. Everything is trial and error.
I look for products that can cure my skin and honestly some of it drive me crazy. 
It made my pimples and acne worst (I don't have to put a picture for that! ToT) 



Finally after thousand times of trial and error here's my big fat smiling face.
Taken at the office while working.
After I pass the board exam finally pressure and stress is lesser. Yey! 
So sorry I was really happy that time when I notice my skin. ^_^
supper yey!

2011-August-18

I still have small pimples on my chin and on my right side of my face. But you can definitely tell my skin's improvement. Although I still experience minimal breakouts. (T_T) I still have monstrous pores and sadly oily face. 
You can't see it! I'm too far from the camera and thanks to makeup. (>_<)

2012-July-30

So here is my skin's update. No more breakouts, pimples and acne but I have uneven skin tone with my major oily T-zone. hehe! So far no more monstrous pores. The dark spots which I got from the acne and pimple scars are gone. Completely healed YEY!
Hope to see products that could help the remaining skin problems.

2012-September-10

So another skin update. I have minimal breakouts, due to etude pomegranate facial mask. Compared to previous skin update above I have no pimples and blemishes while here I got these more or less 5 pimples on my lower lip. (T~T) huhu I'll never use that pomegranate mask agian. Sigh. On the other hand, I managed to minimize my face oil factory using Olay Natural White Day Lotion (Rich) and Garnier ! yey3x. <(^_^)>
I'm still happy even though I got these bumps on my face. hehe
Uneven skin tone is still there but hope Olay and Garnier can do something about it. Talking about hoping. hehe hope so. <(^_^)>

 2012-Nov-8

So another skin update. Sorry about the light.
Mr. Sunlight is not cooperating that day.
BUT as you can see no more breakouts just an uneven skin tone but surely the pores....
 I LOVE THE PORES. hehe. I managed the oiliness of my face and I don't use foundations anymore just a loose powder and I'm good to go.
At last acne free and oil free skin I just hope this is just not a temporary state. ^_^
You know what I mean.

What did I do! in the morning

• Wash face use sulfur soap (mine I used Dr. Wongs Sulfur Soap)
• Pat dry face apply GT Clarifiance Witch Hazel Extract for toner
• Moisturizer (Olay Natural White Day Lotion Rich)
• GARNIER Whiten & Even Moisturizing Cream
• GT Moisturizing Cream with SPF 60
• Apply loose powder (mine I used Lewis & Pearl)
and your good to go!


Never sleep with your makeup on and make sure to clean your face to avoid pimples or acne growing.


What did I do! in the evening

• Remove impurities with Eskinol or cleanser

• Gently press my face with Garnier Oil Clear Mineral Zinc and then back to circular motion just like  (mind you this is not an oil) hehe it controls the oiliness of your skin.

• Skinmate Shark oil use bare hands then do the same thing like circular motion massage (but you can do this once a week or just leave it out)

• Apply moisturizer (Olay Natural White Day Lotion Rich)

• GARNIER Whiten & Even Moisturizing Cream

• GT Bleaching cream

• GT Whitening cream

• Bioderm ointment (this is what I LOVE!) 

it has zinc oxide, sulfur, benzoic acid, and salicylic acid just what I need. 

Now time to jump to bed! <(^_^)>

These are the products that I've been using until now for my night and day regimen.
 I'm not saying that these products can actually cure your acne and pimples. What works for me may not work for you so it really depends on your skin. Finding a product that works for you is like looking a needle inside the mall. And I know how it feels.
You have to be patient and take note of the things that won't work for you.


I'll be updating this post time to time so the products might change if they no longer works with me. I'll be making detailed individual post for each products soon.



Updated products used as of November 8, 2012.

Eskinol oil control for my facial cleanser with Clindamycin 300 mg capsule

GT Clarifiance Witch Hazel Extract for my toner 

GT Bleaching Cream & GT Whitening Cream (with Sunblock SPF15)

 

Erase Scar Remover

 Whitening Daily Face Fluid
NIVEA SUN

GARNIER Whiten & Even Moisturizing Cream

Olay Natural White (Day Lotion) Rich

Garnier OilClear Mineral Zinc

 Skinmate Shark oil

Bioderm ointment


Latest skin care here.