Hello, world. Here I am in all my glory.
If you've read this blog for any period of time, you probably understand that I've had a bit of trouble with my face.
Normal people struggle with acne while they're in the middle of their awkward teenage years. Then they grow up, go to college, get jobs, and their face looks like Kate Hudson's or that of a newborn baby.
I have never been normal.
This probably explains why acne hit me at the age of 19 and never let go.
Until now.
I've been holding off on sharing my new face regimen because, honestly? I thought it was a fluke. I've tried a lot of acne remedies over the years, and I figured this was one of those solutions that would clear my face up, but only temporarily. I didn't want to share something that didn't wind up working long term.
Now I'm seriously afraid to jinx myself, but it's been months, and my face feels and looks healthier than ever.
I refuse to bestow before and after pictures -- this is not a Proactiv commercial, and I am not a glutton for punishment -- but I am instead gifting you with my secret.
Because if this works for me, it could very well work for you.
And there is no sense keeping it to myself.
At night:
- "Wash" my face with 3 parts Castor Oil and one part Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I realize this sounds disgusting. Because, really, should you be adding oil to an oily face? Um, yes. I put about a quarter-sized amount of this concoction in my hands and rub it all over my face for a good 20 seconds or so, then place a warm washcloth on my face and leave it there until the washcloth reaches room temperature. It's like a cheap spa treatment.
- "Tone" with a lemon slice. Um, this burns, especially if you have breakouts. But it works. Just rub the lemon slice (I think I cut my lemon into eighths) all over your face. There will be pieces of lemon on your face, and you will probably be embarrassed because you look a little bit like a loser. BUT YOU WON'T TOMORROW WHEN YOU WAKE UP AND YOUR FACE IS CLEAR.
- "Moisturize" with sesame oil. You could also use avocado oil, but my grocery store had sesame oil, so that's what I use. FYI, the stuff reeks. But you're not going to care because it works. Nickel-sized amount, rubbed all over.
- I do have a prescription that I use in the evenings before I go to bed.
In the morning:
- I take shower, but don't wash my face. Instead, I just tone and moisturize as I did the night before. I follow with a separate topical prescription.
Every other night (Monday, Wednesday, Friday):
- After washing my face with the oils, I put a little bit of sea salt into my palm and mix it with a little olive oil. Rub them together and gently (because it does scratch a bit!) massage on face. This exfoliates the skin. Then I follow with the rest of the regimen.
Remember, I've tried a lot of solutions over the years. Some worked okay, others not at all. This one rocks my socks off.
Also, the nerd in me kind of loves making the different concoctions. It's like a science experiment!
So, there you have it. Questions? Comments? Your own face regimens? Sound off below.
11 comments:
I love your face care regime. I forgot about the oil cleansing method and you reminded me! I think I might give it a try again.
I like the lemon toner idea. I have been using diluted apple cider vinegar as a toner and then dabbing my blemishes with a tiny bit of tea tree oil.
Acne struck me when I was 19 too, well I had it bad when I was like 12, it went away and came back terrible when I was 19.
I use this bar of soap called African Black Soap, I get it at Whole Foods and it's amazing. If I get a really bad breakout I'll use that twice a day and it's gone in 2 or 3 days. The dermatologist also put me on Retin-A but I really don't think it does anything but dry me out.
I may have to try this oil cleansing method, I've never heard of it and I am intrigued!
i think this sounds genius! i use coconut oil on my face and looove it.
Annie, how much of this do you think is because of the oil cleansing or because of the presciptions? I.E. if you stopped using either would it continue to work?
Also, because it is oil have you experienced any staining on either your clothes or pillows or anything else? In addition to the acne, how's the texture of your skin?
I've been using a Clay bar soap for a few monthes and really like it but I notice that when I eat a lot of sugar/far/processed food my skin responds instantly with breakouts before any evidence on the scale or otherwise. Interested in your thoughts.
This is interesting! I don't have a problem with acne so much anymore but I do get the occassional breakout. I had a terrible problem with it as a teen and yeah, my face generally cleared up but my skin still sucks. It's red, blotchy and oily in all the shiniest of places. I've tried different things but nothing works. I might give yours a go although I might be too lazy for it and I don't know where you get the oils at (what section of the grocery store?). I'm glad you've found something that works for you - how incredible!
Yes! I just started getting acne as a 20 year old and it's ridiculously frustrating! I've read a lot of positive things about the oil cleanse, but it's great to see a real-live person who's done it. I'll have to try it :)
Um, I totally need to try this. My face has been acting up lately too. How old am I? Oh yeah, 22. Geeze.
Wow, this is incredible. I am using it. Thank you? How do you appropriately show gratitude for a live-changing suggestion? (:
i loooove your blog!
Just so you know, I'm totally going to try this. No joke. This is so out of my comfort zone, and it makes absolutely no sense to me, but that's what makes it sound like fun. : ) I'll let you know my results in a few weeks!
Hi Annie!
I remember you sending me this regimen over a year and a half ago. (Yes, I remembered), but I was about to go on accutane so I never tried it. Acne has attacked my face again and I am going to try this. Is this something that still works for you?
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