Are we ever happy with the skin we are in?
I have always had a love/hate relationship with mine. Let me explain the hate side of that relationship...which started around the age of 11 or 12 when that first pesky break-out occurred. At first it was a spot or two, around the t-zone, common at that age....but that was my hormones lolling me into a false sense of security because when the acne kicked in, my oh my, did it kick in.
I suppose the only saving grace for me was that my face was not the worst hit, that was saved for my back.
My teens were years dotted with visits to the doctor for topical or oral antibiotics, along with every lotion and potion known to man...and lots of well meaning advice from everyone (that is everyone with beautiful skin who never knew what it was like to wake up to blinder of a spot that would oh so carefully position itself somewhere down the centre of your face...just to make sure no-one would miss it).
And what about those pimples which would love to make an appearance at the most inopportune time, like the high-school dance, or when I was bridesmaid at my sister's wedding, and let's not forget about my 21st birthday. That was an extra special number on my chin because my hormones obviously knew it was an extra special occasion.
So that well meaning advice? It's your diet...it's your skin care...don't lean your face against your hand....change your pillow cases every day...wash your hair more often (once a day wasn't enough???)...it's hormonal and you will grow out of it. Well guess what, I'm 49 (only just) and I'm still waiting to grow out of it.
Finally, after three courses of Accutane (a nasty little drug which I will talk about at a later date) my skin seems to have finally cleared up, well at least my face has because those pesky hormones have decided to have a final onslaught at my back!!
So if that's my hate relationship with my skin, what is the love? It's not too lined (but that's starting to change), it hasn't scarred through the continual breakouts, and it has been very forgiving of everything I've thrown at it and on it over the years. Apparently methylated spirits isn't a recommended toner...but yes...my desperate teenage self even tried that.
One thing that has been constant for me is my "no oil" policy in any skincare regime. My friend has always been the oil-free product, and I was certainly told by my dermatologist not to use any oily or greasy moisturisers and body lotions when on Accutane.
But here in lies the rub - oily skin does not mean wrinkle free skin. It does not save you from dehydrated skin, it does not free you from that crepiness that one day snuck up onto your neck and chest and refused to leave its new home. I mean, seriously, what's that about? As if I didn't have enough stuff to worry about like chicken wing arms, middle age spread and cellulite.
You see, it's hard to find skincare products that cover all needs for me which is to reduce the crepe, and not exacerbate the breakouts. I'm caught somewhere between my teenage self and the crypt...and it ain't fun.
And then, a few months ago, I decided to change my skincare regime overnight all due to a plastic bead and the thought of a suffering Flipper (or Nemo...or insert the name of any cute sea creature from your childhood memory). You see, I had been reading articles about different countries banning the use of microbeads in skincare products such as facial and body scrubs. Why is this? you ask. Well...the many articles tell me that they never break down, they get into our waterways and eventually end up in the ocean with all the other plastic rubbish, and New Zealand is behind the eight-ball in getting on board with this ban, but apparently it is coming.
So when my facial scrub containing microbeads finally ran out, I went to my local supermarket and looked for a better option...all set to do my bit for the environment...and was frankly quite astounded when there was only one product I could find that contained an alternative. For an extra bonus, it was a New Zealand product, and for an extra, extra bonus, it was a cruelty free product. Essano Rosehip Gentle Facial Exfoliator.
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| Essano Rosehip Gentle Facial Exfoliator |
On visiting the web-site for Essano, I discovered this product replaces the microbeads with ground down rosehip seeds. Do I like it as much as microbeads? Probably not as much but I think that has more to do with the sensation of microbeads on my skin. When you have oily skin, you tend to crave that texture that feels like it is removing old skin cells, dirt and oil. Does the Essano do the job? I believe it does, because I see the same results. Will I continue using the product? Absolutely, because the end of microbeads is nigh. And now that I know about the environmental impact, I just can't bring myself to go back to using said product. Plus I was going to have to wean myself off that type of facial scrub eventually.
Then my day time moisturiser ran out...so back to the Essano range. And there I found it, Rosehip Pure Defence SPF15 Moisturiser. Hmmm...rosehip oil and vitamin E (very rich for oily skin) but the site said this particular moisturiser was recommend for my skin type, so I decided to try it...and I liked it. The web-site also says that the rosehip oil is very mild and should replicate the natural PH balance of your skin. I have found it does not leave a greasy residue...so I am happy to continue using this product as I like the way my foundation goes on over top. No separating, no patches.
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| Essano Rosehip Pure Defence SPF15 Moisturiser |
Then my night time moisturiser ran out...so back I went to Essano, but unfortunately all their night time products are noted as not being suitable for my skin type. However, remember that crepiness I mentioned? I made a bold move to purchased a product recommended for normal to dry skin - a collagen repair serum which is not only cruelty free but also vegan (if that is something that is important to you). I'm using Rosehip Collagen Repair Serum at night...and love the silky feeling. Is it working? To soon to tell. I am using my daytime moisturiser over this at night...but the combination is not moisturising enough so I'm still on the hunt for a more hydrating product. But I would continue using the serum underneath as I do love the sensation of the product on my skin.
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| Essano Rosehip Collagen Repair Serum |
Then my facial cleanser ran out...so hello Essano...what have you got? Quite a bit actually, but there was one product that really interested me. Micellar Water...used by the French for years and everyone else for the last two or three. Where have I been that I have not heard of this wonder product? What is Micellar Water? I hear you ask (or maybe not if you were more up with the play than I was). It is Soft Water with Micelle molecules that are meant to attract dirt and oil away from your skin. I use this with a cotton pad, and when it comes to removing my pesky water-proof mascara, I just soak the pad in the product and hold gently against my eye for a short period of time, and the makeup comes off really well. Do I like it? Yes. Will I continue using it? As long as my skin doesn't react! So far, so good but it's early days since I've come off the Accutane and I am only a few weeks in with this product.
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| Essano Rosehip Gentle Facial Cleansing Micellar Water |
So why Essano, especially as every product contains the dreaded "oil" word? Well, for one thing, my skin is reacting really well to this skincare - maybe the oil is light enough to hydrate and not clog my pores. I like that it's New Zealand made, that it's cruelty free and that it's affordable. I can buy it at my local New World, but it's also available in Pak'n' Save, Countdown, The Warehouse and pharmacies. It's available in Australia (you would have to check out the web-site for those stockists). I can pick up these items for a very reasonable price when my supermarket has occasional in-store promotions on the products. And many of the products are made of natural ingredients (plant based) so it's good to know what I'm putting on my skin and down the sink. Now this is not a paid advertisement...but I am having a wee bit of a love affair with this product at the moment and wanted to share the love...
Now if I could only get my night time moisturiser sorted out. Any recommendations?
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Good read Ginny, however I'm still trying to see those 'lines' your talking about lol? Yo have beautiful looking skin so whatever you doing its working! Loving the tone of your hair too!
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