acne treatments

September 27, 2014 by Jhem Arzaga 6 Comments

Get Rid of Acne and Blemishes Instantly With Aspirin Mask

Image: Bigstock

Did you know that being sick is not the only reason to use aspirin? You probably think that it only works for fever and flu, and for relieving some minor aches and pains. But the truth is, it can also do more other than that! The salicylic acid in aspirin makes it a very effective beauty saving tool, too! The solution is easy– aspirin mask! So, if you suddenly have that stubborn pimples, it can help you reduce the inflammations and redness, at the same time, it also dries up pimples instantly! Even Dr. Oz loves the aspirin mask, too and brought his version of this mask on his show!

The first time I heard about this aspirin mask, I never let second thoughts discourage me from trying it! That was when my face was decorated and fully occupied with breakouts, pimples, acne…whatever you want to call it. I was that too desperate to get rid of those unwanted things in my face, because the more it populates, the more I’m losing self confidence!

How to make an Aspirin Mask

You will need:

1-2 tablets of aspirin
drops of water
spoon
small bowl

Steps:

Wash and clean your hands with anti-bacterial hand soap.
Use a spoon to evenly crush the aspirin tablets until it turns like a powder and put it in a bowl.
You can now gradually add drops of water in a small bowl where your powdered aspirin is. Make sure you’re not making it too watery.
Use spoon to mix it all together to make a paste.
Now you may start dipping your forefinger in your aspirin mask and put it over your blemishes.
Let it stay to work on your blemishes or pimples for about 15 minutes.
Rinse it, and you’re done! You’ll feel and see the difference!

The first time I tried this aspirin mask, I really had bad acne all over my face. So I decided to just crush and powdered 2 tablets of aspirin and instead of making a paste-like mixture, I decided to add more water to make it somehow watery by tapping the mixture all over my face. Covering it one by one won’t be that easy because my face looks like an acne-farm that time! 🙂 It gives a tingling feeling, but that’s bearable. I even leave it on my face overnight! And when I woke up, checked my face in the mirror and I was amazed– “Omg, they’re gone!!!!”.. Its majority has vanished and dries up overnight! Though there’s still some pimples left, they’re not as bad as how it looks like the night before I used this acne mask. The redness on my face was also gone, and that’s expected because aspirin mask helps in reducing redness. All I know is that it works! It’s not only me, but many people also shared their aspirin mask review on acne.org and this mask got a high positive ratings.

But please be aware that if you’re allergic to aspirin, this aspirin mask is not for you.

August 20, 2014 by Jhem Arzaga Leave a Comment

Best Face Wash That Works On Acne and Sensitive Skins

Best face wash that will suit your skin type is sometimes hard to find. Look no further and see the list of best face wash that works for all skin types especially to those with sensitive skins!

Assuming that you are looking for a best face wash that will help you with your pimples or acne, you’re in the right place! I know the feeling of someone who’s been too desperate just to get rid of pimples. I was once like a very desperate girl when it comes to stopping my face from breaking out. I had tried too many facial wash, some were expensive while some were not.

Can you imagine spending your money for an expensive facial wash but then it turns out like it just gives you more breakout? Oh well, that’s pretty disgusting! A pricey facial wash that works won’t make you regret buying it. But a cheaper one that also works is a good choice!

What is face wash?

Face wash is essential in cleaning your face to remove dirts, makeup, oils and impurities. This helps in unclogging pores and preventing skin conditions like acne. But face wash has different results from person to person.

Anyway, let’s have a recap on what I consider as best face wash that I had used before that had helped me in getting rid of pimples. Though I was using these facial wash, I never forget to pamper myself with my homemade face masks as well.

4 best face wash that works on my sensitive skin

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser – This is one of the well-known cleanser for being gentle to skin, mild and soap-free. At the same time, it’s moisturizing the skin and doesn’t clog the pores. It is very convenient because you can use it even without using water to wash your face after applying it, just use a facial tissue and you’re good to go! It’s not too pricey and they have a smaller size available which you can put in your travel kit when you’re on the go. You can purchase it online or get it in local stores near your place.
Image: Cetaphil.com

Papulex Moussant Soap Free Cleansing Gel – This face wash was in a gel form. It’s a little pricey but I didn’t regretted buying it. Papulex Gel Moussant’s active ingredients are nicotinamide that helps in reducing skin inflammation, patented ABA technology which stopping P. acnes bacteria from linking to skin cells, and zinc PCA that helps in decreasing sebum production over time. They are offering free samples! You may visit their website and get a free sample of this product to see if it will work on your skin before deciding to buy it if you’re happy with the result on your skin.
Image: Papulexasia.com

Dr. Tony Moly AC Control White Foam Cleanser – I love this one, it’s good in removing impurities and making skin softer and refreshed. It also helps in whitening your face and targeting marks caused by pimples. Mild to sensitive skins like mine and for all skin types. It’s active ingredients were portulaca extract, purslane extract, and sulfur extract. You can purchase it online or visit their local shops.
Image: Tonymoly.com

Celeteque Hydration Facial Wash – This facial wash is a cheaper one compare to the mentioned above, in short, it’s affordable! It helps in restoring the proper skin’s moisture balance while cleansing the skin effectively without drying it. Scent-free and hypo-allergenic which is really good for acne prone skins. You can get this face wash online or in their local shops near you.
Image: Celetequedermoscience.com

How long to see the results?

I personally tried all the mentioned face wash at a time, the shortest period that I used each of it was around a year. Though you won’t get that magical effect instantly, it works overtime. Patience is what it takes, but it won’t take many months before noticing the effects on your skin. Every person’s skin and acne condition is different, some will see some changes within weeks while some will take a little longer before noticing the changes. It’s good to see that your skin isn’t breaking out more and more while using a certain product, which probably means that it will get better over time.

Final words

I love all those facial wash products I mentioned above, I consider them as the best face wash that had helped me in my downtimes during my acne dilemma. I highly recommend these products to anyone who’s been suffering from acne and pimples, most especially to those with sensitive skins like my skin. 🙂

I hope you had read my previous post on how I deal with acne, and see how bad my looks turns out because of acne. I’m just so glad that I didn’t give up , that’s why I found the best face wash that matched my skin type! Come on, try at least one of it and see which will work for you!

Have you used any of the face wash that I mentioned above? If yes, please do share us your experience by leaving a comment below! Let’s help other readers have other ideas with what I consider as best face mask! 🙂

Oh, wait… Before I forget, I’d like to say that I am not paid to do this post. All words and recommendations with these face wash products are from my own opinion from my experience when I used them.

August 16, 2014 by Jhem Arzaga Leave a Comment

Combat Acne With Turmeric Face Mask (Effective and Natural)

Did you know that turmeric can help you get rid of acne when used as face mask? This yellow wonder herb is not only for cooking, it has so many uses when it comes to beauty benefits. Don’t worry about the color, it won’t stain your face!

Turmeric face mask is another homemade remedy that can be use to treat acne. It’s not only for good for cooking to give our food a taste that will satisfy our appetite. but also to give benefits to our body.

In my previous posts, I had shared some of the homemade acne treatment that I had tried to combat the acne on my face. And today, making turmeric face mask is our new topic.

Bigstock.com

I’ve personally tried this turmeric face mask with my face. I did experiments to see what’s better. In my first try, I used flour with my turmeric face mask. These are turmeric powder + yogurt + flour. The mixture is thicker when it dries in your face. And it feels rougher in my face. So I come to think, what’s the purpose of adding flour in turmeric face mask? I think flour has no other benefit when used as face mask aside from making the mask more thicker.

In my second try, I made my turmeric face mask a little easier… I used the combination of turmeric powder + yogurt, and yes, it’s still a turmeric face mask! These 2 ingredients (turmeric powder + yogurt) is enough for me. I prefer using just the 2 ingredients in my turmeric face mask because I’d like to make it simple but the benefit is just the same. And it’s much better.

My second experiment becomes my favorite method and ingredients for this mask. And later on, I decided to add honey on my turmeric face mask after reading possitive reviews and seeing so many people using honey with it! And I’m glad I did!

How does turmeric face mask work?

Bigstock.com

Turmeric– As the main ingredient in this face mask, it helps in treating acne and helps in reducing acne scars when used regularly. It’s because turmeric is working as anti-inflammation; antifungal; antibacterial; and antiviral from the benefits of curcumin(it’s what makes turmeric a gold colored spice). For those people with oily skin, you sure can benefit from using turmeric face mask because it helps in regulating the production of sebum.
Oh, it also has an antioxidant property which will helps in saving your skin from premature aging!

Yogurt– It has lactic acid that helps in promoting a healthy skin while zinc are working on acne. The anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties (and many others) of yogurt makes it a good weapon to combat acne and skin infections. Yogurt also removes dead skin cells, skin discolorations, and works as natural moisturizer and combats premature aging.

Honey– It helps in preventing infections while speeding up healing, woah~~~it sounds good for acne victims, yeah? Honey is also an effective moisturizer and an antioxidant.

Okay, enough! And let’s start!

What you will need:

1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp yogurt (plain/Greek yogurt)
1 tbsp flour (optional)
1 tsp honey (optional)
small bowl
spoon

Steps in making turmeric face mask

Combine turmeric and yogurt in a small bowl. Add honey and add flour if you prefer using these with your turmeric face mask.
Mix all ingredients well.
If you think that you had done enough mixing, you may start applying turmeric face mask on your face.
Apply it on your face using a spoon. It’s okay if you apply it using your fingertips, but it may leave stains on your nails. You won’t want it to stains on your nails and hands, don’t you?
Let your turmeric face mask stay for about 30 minutes or until it become dry.
When time is done, rinse your face with lukewarm water. Gently dry it with washcloth and check if there’s some residual yellow colors on your skin.

And you’re done!

Reminder:

It is advisable to wear your old clothes when you’re going to use turmeric face mask as it may stain your clothes.

Need not to worry about the color, I promise it won’t stain your beautiful face! If you see some yellow colors caused by turmeric in your face, just use a cotton swab or just use a washcloth and gently scrub it. It won’t be difficult to remove, I guarantee that!

Have you tried or used this turmeric face mask to combat acne? Or did you add other ingredients aside from what I mentioned above? Please do let us know your experience by leaving a comment below. We’d like to know so we could have additional ideas.

xo, Jhem

August 1, 2014 by Jhem Arzaga 9 Comments

Confessions About Dealing and Covering Up Acne With Makeup

No one wants acne. Though it is treatable, acne is still a curse of adolescence that’s affecting its sufferer not just physically but also emotionally and mentally.

A girl is shock looking in the mirror with acne on her face. (c) Bigstock.com

Image: Bigstock

Acne had taken a big part in my 20’s. I remember the times when the only routine for my face was toner + moisturizer + press powder and I’m done. Life is so simple like that, acne free and stress free. I can go out with confidence even with my naked face way back then, not until when I started having blemishes and worry much about the unstoppable breakouts that’s continuously popping in my face! I was 23 when this disaster started to build up in my face, that was when I was inspired by the advertisement of a popular facial cream in TV, and just around a week of using it aiming to get a better skin with a pinkish white glow like it was advertised but it turns out to be a disaster in me, a frustration, and regret. I realized that it’s not for my skin type but I am amazed by women having a good skin who’s using it. I was so stressed because of that, I am pretty sure it worsens my condition to break out more..

With my obsession with finding a solution for my breakouts and how to get rid of acne, I had tried different facial wash, prescribed creams, lotions, and astringents from my dermatologist. Going to dermatologists is a bit costly but by that time, what I only wanted is to get rid of acne effectively so I only depend on their prescriptions. Some things had helped but it didn’t treat it at all.

Treating acne

My dermatologist prescribed me an acne lotion that I have to apply on my face after applying the astringent, my skin’s reaction is not helping. I had those red patches in my neck and collarbone, which is another reason to attract judgmental eyes. Though the medication had lessen acne in my face, they find a new place in my back haha, they really won’t just leave me alone! He said I am doing it wrong, what he had said upsets me and I just stopped using it! I don’t like the itchy red patches that it caused in my neck!

Pictures of my acne irritated skin with red patches in my neck and collarbone.

My acne is clearing up with the astringent and acne lotion but the red patches in my neck and collarbone are another story.

After that, I switched to using natural remedies in treating acne. It made me more comfortable thus it’s not harming my skin unlike when I used the chemically based prescriptions that had caused me skin peeling and red patches. I also sticked to products that is friendly to my skin.

Concealing and effects of acne emotionally and mentally

People look at me differently when I had acne on my face. Some may think that it’s about poor hygiene that’s why I got it, but that’s not true, in fact, I care so much for my body. I once heard someone talking to her companion referring to me said “Eww, her face is so dirty!”. I can’t blame them for thinking whatever they wanted to, I just don’t like the feeling that someone is looking at my face like I wasn’t clean enough for myself.

There was a time when I went to swimming with my friends and other groups, I can’t help it when the water had washed away my face’s cover up, the guy who’s a friend of a friend told me, “Your face is embarrassing.”! Those were hurtful words that made me feel like I’m an alien in front of them. I was humiliated in front of my friends! I didn’t talk back but deep inside of me, I felt too bad which caused me to socialize less to avoid hearing words I don’t deserve.

When I am out or in public places, let’s say taking a jeepney ride as an example, I feel the eyes of the passengers are into my face. Some were having sneaky and repeated glances at my face while some were looking at me face to face. Their eyes look disgusted by my presence. I feel so small, and that makes me feel sad. If I could just disappear in front of those people, I’ll probably would!

I would be lying if I say that acne didn’t affect me emotionally and mentally. Because the truth is, it lowers my self-esteem. I don’t feel beautiful. I began to lose the confidence of going out without covering up. I find a good concealer that will help me hide my acne somehow! I get too shy when talking to other people and I used to have my bangs covering a certain side of my face trying to cover up.

Anxiety takes place. I become too paranoid about the way I look and the way people look and think of me. I’m also not leaving the house without covering up, I don’t want other people to see how terrible I look with my bare face to avoid hearing rude comments that will make me feel bad even more.

Left and right side of my face having acne

This is my face’s left and right side picture from my last acne breakouts.

I really hated looking like I have acne, I felt like I am indifferent. Concealing become the best option for me to gain my confidence back. At first, I don’t know how to use it properly, I think I overdid it and it didn’t look good on my face because it was so obvious like I was wearing a mask! Oh my gosh! I’ve been through many experiments with concealer in my face before I learned to make it look more natural with a makeup. It’s such a hassle at first, but as it becomes a part of my routine, I get used to it, and I enjoy doing it now!

While I am taking the medication from my dermatologist, I stopped using concealer and just leave my face with only acne lotion. But still, I am not happy and confident because I look terrible. And when I stop the medication and heal my face from peeling and red patches, I switched back to using concealer again. And I just didn’t stopped by just using concealer, I learned how to do makeup that will at least transform my looks into somehow presentable.

Some may think that I was too exaggerated in telling my story with acne, but I’m just telling the truth. It’s just the way that condition had made me feel that time. Acne was like a curse that I never ever want to happen again, I’m praying that it had totally left me alone.

How makeup made me feel

Makeup and covering up has helped me feel better. It has helped me gain back my confidence and made me feel happy when I look in the mirror. I remember those times before when I am passing through the mirror and took a glance at myself and I felt bad about my facial skin. I was very self-conscious though. And I roughly spent half an hour or more doing my makeup in front of the mirror making sure I’ll feel good when I see myself passing in the mirror and when I am with the crowd and don’t feel like I’m unwelcome and indifferent dirty creature.

Some may say that wearing makeup is not a real beauty. But let’s face the fact that it’s not done with the intention of faking beauty. In dealing and concealing acne with makeup, your main intention is to protect yourself from judgmental eyes, insensitivity and ignorance of others., or your own feelings. If makeup is making you feel good about yourself, what’s wrong with that? It’s not hypocrisy either, it’s just making you feel good about yourself and that’s all that matters.

(Left) When I was just starting to get used to using concealer and make up, imbalance because my neck doesn’t match my facial color. (Right) I think I had improved my concealing ability with makeup here.

Over time, I enjoyed doing makeup. I become more passionate with makeup now. And on positive aspects, I look at makeup as an art. Yes, for me, makeup is an art. It changes the way you look. It changes the way you feel.

But I am not doing makeup every day, I am letting my face rest when I’m at home, our skin also needs to breath. Home is where the most comfortable place for me to stay with just my bare face and no makeup at all. I remember when having other people in the house aside from my family, I still cover up haha.. Nowadays, I am happy with my skin. I’m thankful that my skin is getting better now and recovering from acne. My face is almost totally healed now and I am loving my skin more and more because I am not having breakouts anymore even I always stay awake late at night.

I can go out with my bare face now without covering up with makeup and I’m more confident having a clear skin now. But I still do love doing makeup, it’s just not I’m doing it everyday now unlike before when I was suffering from acne and blemishes. I do make up not for anyone, and not to impress the crowd but to make myself feel good and happy.

How about you, how are you dealing with acne? Do you also feel good when you are wearing makeup to cover up?

On my future posts, I am going to share the treatments for acne that I have used and currently using to have an acne free skin. Don’t forget to like my Facebook page (Jhem Says) or follow me on twitter @jhemkitty to get updates of my new posts.