What My 51 Year Old Self Would Tell My 19 Year Old Self About Skincare
Looking back on my skincare habits as a late teen makes me cringe. All the don’ts apply.
- Going to bed with makeup on after a party.
- Not cleansing my face properly.
- Not following product instructions.
- Constantly touching my face.
- Trying to pop my acne pimples.
- Continuing to use a product after an allergic reaction; well because “it’s so popular and everyone is using it!”.
I wish I had pictures to show of the condition my skin was in; but pictures without makeup was absolutely forbidden for me because I was painfully ashamed of the acne marks and breakouts. I used to think it was punishment for those few occasions of not taking off my makeup before bed. Wearing makeup to bed certainly didn’t help but the truth of the matter was it was due to the hormonal changes taking place in my body. The unpredictability of the breakouts made it that much more difficult to treat, and at that time, resources were very limited with few medical options by dermatologists. The treatments were too harsh for my sensitive skin.
I would have liked to have told myself:
- Baby girl, have more confidence.
- Be fearless.
- Be more discerning about what is applied onto your skin.
- Don’t try to be like everyone else.
- Try to find what works for you, then stick to it.
- You are beautiful with your severe acne breakouts, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, eczema and sensitive/reactive skin.
- Love your skin first and the rest will follow.
We have all been there and as we learn more, we do better. Today there are so many resources and information about skin types and skin issues. I want every teen and young man or woman to know you are not alone. There is no such thing as perfect skin. We can only strive to listen to our skin’s needs and adjust accordingly, doing the best we can do each day.
My skin journey eventually brought me to delve into the world of Kbeauty (even taking me to Seoul, Korea for skincare research) where I have experienced skin successes. My skin today is still sensitive; I still have hormonal acne (though, not quite as severe) and eczema is something I have finally been able to control after trying different remedies and sticking to what works for both my face and body.
A few of my my favourite skincare hacks at the moment are: (Click on bold for more details.)
- Moistfull Collagen Emulsion from Etude House. Lightweight in texture; super hydrating and you only need a small amount to last all day long. A bottle lasts at least 6 months of everyday use.
2. Benton’s Fermentation Essence. Fermentated ingredients is very popular in Seoul Korea at the moment. I am really into their essence and eye cream because they are packed with vitamins and 80% fermented galactomyces filtrate which are great ingredients for firming, nourishing and treating fine lines.
3. I love layering products that hydrate my skin but are light in texture. Thank You Farmer’s True Water Deep Serum and True Water Deep Cream are a great combination. The serum is light and watery in texture and leaves my skin hydrated with a dewy glow, recommended for all skin types.
The Cream can serve as a primer under makeup and lasts all day long. It can also be used as a sleep mask to hydrate skin overnight which is an extra two in one bonus.
4. For my body, I have to be cautious about ingredients in body lotions because of my eczema. Pyongyang Yul’s Body Lotion is what I am currently using because it is gentle enough for all ages (children and adults) and contains Lonicer Alflower extract with is very soothing to the skin. I also like that it is hypoallergenic, and free from parabens, synthetics fragrances, colorants, mineral oil and urea which is important for sensitive skin types.
5. Exfoliation is so key on our journey towards great skin. For normal/dry skin; it is recommended that we exfoliate 1-2 times per week and for oily/combination skin; 2-3 per week can go a long way towards reduction in acne breakouts and removing pesky blackheads/whiteheads. Thank You Farmer’s Back To Iceland Peeling Cream is made with Iceland moss extract grown in the cold Northern hemisphere widely known for it’s immunity strengthening and anti-inflammatory effect. This peeling cream also contains plant-based cellulose to help the skin regain a healthy cycle of cell turnover through exfoliation leaving skin smooth and soft.
How to use:
Apply a generous amount evenly to clean, dry skin, avoiding the eye area. Massage in using circular motions and rinse off with warm water.
For more information on Kbeauty skincare click here:
Dispatch From Seoul – The Bare Essentials Of Traditional Korean Skincare
