Did you wake up in the morning and you find yourself staring at the mirror wondering where all that acne came from? Was it something you ate? Or maybe it’s the products you have been using? I know that hopeless feeling and it doesn’t make matters any better by stressing about it. The stress you have been under is a likely culprit, particularly if you have always used the same products and your diet has remained the same. In my case, I eat relatively healthy. I say relatively because I do indulge from time to time. I used to live a vegan lifestyle by choice and I live a gluten-free one not by choice. I have also dealt with allergies my whole life that can result in unsightly hives, and trust me the face is not always spared. Other than those small hiccups I have always had a clear complexion.
I decided I wasn’t going to run to the dermatologist (I have my derms cell phone number and house number always on hand… crazy, I know). I do suggest you go there if you have severe acne. It cannot always be treated the way I am treating my mild acne and you may want to prevent permanent scaring that cystic acne often causes. So here I am looking in the mirror, happy to not have a wrinkle in sight, but agitated because I think pimples are, well, gross.
So what did I do when faced with this beauty crisis? I decided to source the best natural skin care products and natural methods I could find. I searched the net (who doesn’t do this) and consulted a naturopath and esthetician. The first recommendation I received, and it’s actually good for your body in general, is a glass of warm water, lemon and chia seeds every morning. This elixir is an added boost of protein, Omega 3 and vitamin C. It helps to detoxify and alkalize the body.
Here is a list of the products I am currently using in my war against stress acne; hoping to soon regain my clear complexion and glow. The products listed are dermatologist approved (by my derm of course…I couldn’t resist sending a text message!).
Eminence Organic
This skin care line was suggested to me while I was in the midst of getting my six-week maintenance wax at Chi Spa (quite the list of celebrity clientele). My esthetician, who also happens to be the owner, couldn’t believe my ‘perfect skin’, had been blemished; she recommended a few products from Eminence Organic Skin Care.
I immediately saw results from the Bright Skin Licorice Root Booster-Serum. Within a few days my complexion was brighter and the hyper-pigmentation has begun to heal and fade. This product contains African root extract, an antioxidant and Licorice root, which brightens the skin. It’s also loaded with other ingredients that tone the skin and slough off dead skins cells and speed up skin renewal. If you are into what celebrities buy – Madonna, Cher, Jessica Biel, Jennie Garth, Megan Fox, and Goldie Hawn join a long list that stand by this brand and its products.
Derme E Soothing Facial Treatment Oil
Most people don’t realize the best way to treat acne is not by drying your skin out. Starving your skin of moisture is not a good idea (dry skin produces more sebum which clogs pores) and it further aggravates your skin. Dry skin will also make you look dull. We all want nice clear glowing skin. This product is full of soothing oils such as lavender oil (antiseptic, heals scars), kukui oil (rich source of Vitamins A, C, & E), grape seed oil (anti-inflammatory, cleans out pores) and borage seed oil (contains Gamma Linolenic Acid which promotes healthy skin growth). It treats your problem skin while also providing the right amount of moisture. I like to mix this with my Oil of Olay Sensitive Skin Moisturizer.
Alba Botanica ‘Ancedote’ Deep Cleaning Astringent
I found this product when I was browsing the natural beauty section at a health food store. It’s formulated with Willow Bark Extract (a natural form of Salicylic Acid) that tightens pores and clears breakouts very quickly. Overtime it diminishes scars and fades hyper-pigmentation. I will caution, you will feel a bit of a burning sensation while this deep cleaning astringent goes to work. It doesn’t last very long and you will notice a nice glow to your skin after each use. I use it twice a day, but plan to scale down to once a day (evenings) since my skin is beginning to calm down again.
