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5 Natural Treatments To Remove Acne Marks / Dark Spots

Getting rid of acne after a long time of struggling from this condition was a relief. But no — the journey isn’t over yet! You’ll then have to deal with the skin discolorations caused by the healed acne lesions. Luckily, these discolorations or marks are not true scars and will eventually fade naturally but it may take 3 to 24 months, or it may take longer in some cases. Don’t get discouraged because there’s a solution to help you get rid of these acne marks or dark spots faster.

I have a long journey battling with acne before, my face was like a farm of zits. Yuck, yuck! But thanks, Baby Jesus, I have a clear skin now by using homemade acne remedies! However, before I get back to my skin’s former clarity, acne marks or dark spots was another challenge that I have to deal with. I know it will naturally fade away, but I just can’t wait while I can do something to get rid of it faster. I have listed the most of 5 home remedies that I used to resolve these issues.

Natural acne marks or dark spots remover

  • Baking soda

Baking soda for acne marks and dark spots

Image: Bigstock

Aside from using baking soda as acne remedy, this not-so-coarse powder works wonders when used to remove acne marks or dark spots. It lightens the skin while sloughing off dead skin cells.

Procedure:

  1. Prepare a teaspoon of baking soda and mix it with a small amount of water (enough to make a paste mixture). You may also use lemon juice to substitute water.
  2. Wash your skin and dry excessive water to leave it slightly damp.
  3. Apply while massaging it on the affected areas where acne marks are. Leave it for a minute or two. Always keep in mind not to leave it on your skin for a longer time as it may cause dryness.
  4. Rinse your face with lukewarm water, then dry it with a clean towel. Don’t forget to apply moisturizer afterwards because baking soda can be very drying in some cases. You can use your favorite moisturizer, but in my case, I love using a very small amount of olive oil onto my face and give it a loving massage in a circular motion which leaves my skin well moisturized.

Repeat this method 2-3 times a week.

 

  • Lemon Juice

Fresh lemon juice for treating acne marks

Image: Bigstock

Lemon juice is no doubt can help to lighten the acne marks or some certain dark spots. It contains citric acid, glycolic acid, and lactic acid which belongs to Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA). This improves the production of collagen that sums up into more healing of the infected skin. It also removes dead skin cells and making the skin healthy.

Unfortunately, I have a very sensitive skin but I must admit that it works and have made my acne marks become “somehow” lighter, so I included it here in my post. As far as I can remember, I have only used it for around 4-5 times, then I stopped using it on my acne marks because I can’t stand the stinging effect anymore and the redness that it’s causing on my skin. I bear those effects for all those times because I was hoping my skin will eventually get used to it, but I was wrong and just gave up on it. *Sigh. Just use it with caution, and if your skin isn’t sensitive as mine, this could work effectively with you.

Procedure:

  1. Squeeze the juice of a lemon into a clean small bowl.
  2. Clean your face as you regularly do and dry it with a clean towel.
  3. Dab a cotton ball into the lemon juice and start swiping it onto the affected areas.
  4. Leave it on your face for a few minutes then rinse it off with cool water.

Do this every 2 to 3 days.

 

  • Aloe vera gel / juice

Aloe vera for acne marks treatment

Image: Bigstock

Aloe vera gel / juice is a wonderful way to remove acne marks, too! It soothes the inflamed skin while regenerating the damaged tissue and moisturizing the skin which lets acne marks to fade. The cooling effect whenever I have it applied on my face is very soothing.

Procedure:

  1. Start this method by washing your face, then pat it dry.
  2. Break off a small part of aloe vera and squeeze off the pulp into your clean hands.
  3. Apply the gel-like pulp directly onto your face, focusing on the acne marks.
  4. You can wash it with cool water after 40 minutes or you may just leave it on your face overnight as your night cream to have that youthful glow in addition to removing your dark spots. 🙂

 

  • Honey

honey for treating acne marks

Image under cc license, shared by Andreas Levers via Flickr

Aside from being an effective anti-aging moisturizer, honey has antibacterial properties which help in clearing acne or pimples and reducing the dark spots they leave on the skin. If you have a sensitive skin like mine, this could be the great option for you without drying your skin. I always prefer using raw honey. And if you’re not allergic to lemon juice, you can combine a few drops of it with honey to make it more effective.

Procedure:

  1. Apply a thin amount of honey onto the acne marks, it will also be perfect if you’re going to apply it all over your face.
  2. Massage it in a circular motion.
  3. Leave it for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it with lukewarm water.

 

  • Castor oil

Castor oil for acne marks and dark spots

Image under cc license, shared by Pete Markham via Flickr

Castor oil is one of my favorite oil, and if you noticed, this has been my word of mouth. 🙂 I trusted this oil for so many effective ways it did on my part. From making my hair grow faster, having a moisturized skin, getting rid of acne which also includes removing my acne marks and dark spots and many more! While you’re using it to remove discolorations caused by previous breakouts, at the same time, this will help you prevent them from coming back and you will also get an even skin tone.

Procedure:

  1. Wash your face with a lukewarm water, or steam for about 10 minutes to open the pores. Pat your face dry with a clean towel.
  2. Take a small drop of castor oil onto your fingertips and start applying it gently onto your face.
  3. Give your face a massage in a circular motion, but the acne marks and dark spots should be your focus areas.

Do this twice a day. Once is okay, but twice is better. 🙂

Patience is the key

Whatever method of treatment you choose, please understand that the visibility of the results will take time but there are two things I am sure of: one, it will fade those discolorations faster than fading itself; two, it will definitely save you some bucks. 🙂 Additionally, the length of time that it will take for the acne marks and dark spots to fade will be depend on how dark it is compared to your skin tone. Patience~~ patience, okay?

So now, let me ask you

Have you decided which of these methods you’re going to try to remove your acne marks or dark spots? And if you have experienced with one of these treatments, can you share how was the result? Whether it works or not, I am open to hearing your thoughts. 🙂

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Basic Breakout Prevention List For Acne Prone Skins

asian girl pressing acne breakout on her face

Image: Bigstock

You must be someone who’s exactly like me when my face started to breakout during my 23’s. Seeking answers to questions why you’re having that annoying breakouts that’s popping in your face. Looking for acne advice and solutions here and there. I know how does it feels like, and that was so frustrating when you don’t know where they’re coming from!

To prevent breakout is a wiser idea rather than to act when it’s already there. Although you can’t control if your skin is genetically prone to acne or not, there are things you can do to avoid it before it happens. Because if you don’t prevent it, it could turn into a problem that will require you lot of efforts just to cure and clear it up.

Basic breakout prevention

These are the basic and very easy breakout prevention that you can do to keep it away from bothering you. And also to save your pretty face from having some unwanted decorations hehe, joke okay 🙂

Hands off your face

Keeping your hands off your face. Because if you keep on touching your face, it may cause your skin to breakout. Your hands are getting dirts while you’re doing or touching something, it’s just that you don’t notice it. Hands are one of bacteria’s breeding grounds, and this can lead to acne breakout.

Watch out your hair

Your hair can also be a cause for you to breakout. Hair can irritate your facial skin, so if you noticed you’re having breakouts from the area where your bangs is, try wearing a bobby pin to keep your bangs away from your face. Or you can try using a headband! These can help from keeping your face irritated and keep breakouts at bay. In some cases, the hair causes allergy which sometimes you can see some rashes-like forming on your face.

Way back when I was dealing with acne a few years ago, I always wear a headband to keep my hair off my face. Not only in daytime, but even at night time.. I always used the soft and made from cloth or gartered headband, so it’s not painful on my head or behind the ears when I’m sleeping. Though I’m not too comfortable showing off my wide and sharp forehead, I still preferred using a headband because I know it can lessen the breakouts of acne that’s popping in my poor face.

There are chances that some hair products you’re using could also be one of the reasons of your breakouts. Try not to use it for a while and see if your acne becomes less.

Sleeping habit

Not because you’re not going to face the crowd while you sleep doesn’t mean you don’t have to clean your face! Always make it a habit to wash and clean your face properly before going to bed to remove dirts and oils. If you don’t want to wash your face with water, there is a Cetaphil facial cleanser to help you clean your face even without using water.

And make sure you’re using a clean pillow and bed sheets on your sleep. A frequent washing and changing your pillow and sheets is an advantage to keep you away from acne due to the formation of dirts in it that may cause your face to breakout.

Skin care routines

In my previous posts, I shared about some homemade skin care remedies that had helped me get rid of acne breakouts. Check it out, and see if one of them will work for you. Sometimes, what had worked for another person may not work on your breakouts, acne, or pimples. It varies from person to person because everyone has different lifestyles.

I also tried some over-the-counter products but cetaphil, papulex, tony moly ac cleanser, and celeteque are one of the best face wash that works on my sensitive and acne prone skin. Give them a try, who knows, maybe one of this cleanser will also help you combat breakouts. And without drying the skin, these facial cleansers leaves the skin moisturized. Oh, speaking of moisturizing, though your skin is quite oily, you still need to moisturize. You only need to find which one is right for your skin.

And don’t forget to look for products with glycolic or salicylic acid in it, these ingredients are good in dealing with acne and breakouts.

Ooppss, don’t forget to only wash your face twice a daily, and that is once in the morning and the other one is in the evening. Because if you do wash it whenever you have a chance for the reason that your face gets oily, that’s a no-no! Because the more you wash your face and it loses the oil is the more it will produce more.

Watch your lifestyle

Think about your lifestyle, do you think you’re giving enough attention to your body? The food you eat may also be one of the reasons of your acne breakouts, examples are foods that are high in sugar and starch, junk foods, etc. Eat plenty of vegetables and include eating natural plain yogurt in your diet, it has probiotics that helps in reducing skin inflammations. I prefer Greek yogurt. 🙂

Drink plenty of water, 8-10 glasses a day will do.

Are you stressed? Don’t stress yourself. If breakout is causing you to stress more, it will only worsen your breakouts. Take time to relax and look at the positive side, having acne is not yet the end of the world, I know how you feel. I’ve been there, but I’m okay now. 🙂 Take a deep breath, inhale, exhale…inhale, exhale, yes like that! Add this into your everyday routine to make you feel relax and feel better.

Always remember that prevention is always way better than cure.

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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.

turmeric face mask

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?

yogurt and honey in a pot

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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

  1. Combine turmeric and yogurt in a small bowl. Add honey and add flour if you prefer using these with your turmeric face mask.
  2. Mix all ingredients well.
  3. If you think that you had done enough mixing, you may start applying turmeric face mask on your face.
  4. 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?
  5. Let your turmeric face mask stay for about 30 minutes or until it become dry.
  6. 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

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Avocado Face Mask For Acne Prone And Sensitive Skins

Avocado is proven rich in vitamin E. Products in the markets like shampoo, lotion, facial moisturizers,creams, masks and many others concerning beauty products are using it. But natural is always best and you are sure there’s no other chemical added in your beauty product if you make your own. In this post, I am going to share my story on how to make avocado face mask.

I always say wow to someone with a beautiful skin. But knowing they’re using a chemically based products is always making me think twice because I have a very sensitive skin. So I better stick with the products that’s friendly to my skin hehe.. and often times, I’m making my own using natural ingredients like this avocado facial mask that I am going to teach you.

A woman applying avocado face mask on her face (c) Bigstock

Bigstock.com

Why this avocado face mask is effective?

I can attest that avocado, when used as a face mask is a very effective facial mask for all skin types, especially for those with sensitive skins like mine. Avocado is known as rich in vitamin E, our skin benefits from it whether you eat it or you use it with your beauty routines like making your own face mask at home. Our today’s main ingredients for making facial mask is avocado and honey. This avocado face mask is boosted with oils like extra virgin cocunut oil and extra virgin olive oil with honey. I always want to use extra virgin olive oil rather than just using the one labeled with pure olive oil. Thanks God and finally, I’ve found an effective face mask for sensitive skin that suits me well.

With my experiments in making avocado face mask for my face, I end up using beneficial oils with my avocado face mask which I enjoyed the most. From the main ingredients avocado and honey, I started adding extra virgin olive oil as it is good in moisturizing skin and I had proven it’s effectiveness in my skin. And because I have a very sensitive skin that is prone to pimples and break-outs, I used to add extra virgin coconut oil to work as anti-inflammatory to prevent acne.

What you will need:

  • 2 tbsp. ripe avocado
  • 2 tbsp. honey
  • 1 tsp extra virgin coconut oil
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • small bowl
  • spoon

 

Making avocado face mask

  1. Combine ripe avocado and honey in a small bowl.
  2. Start by crushing avocado by using a spoon to form a paste-like mixture.
  3. You may now add the rest of the two oils, the extra virgin olive oil and extra virgin coconut oil. Mix the oils with avocado and honey thoroughly to make a paste-like mixture.
  4. Apply to your face using your fingertips and give your face a massage while applying the mixtures. Don’t forget to also apply it in your orbs and also put some excess mixture in your lips to also soften and condition your lips at the same time ^_^
  5. Let the avocado face mask stay in your face for 30 minutes.
  6. Rinse off the avocado face mask on your face with lukewarm water using your favorite facial wash.
  7. Pat your face dry with clean washcloth.

Yesss~~~ Now, you’re done and enjoy the instant result!

 

Note: Make sure to avoid it get in your eye area as it contains olive oil which is painful for the eyes.

 

Avocado face mask on my face

Here is how it looks like in my face. Green face like hulk haha 🙂 You could say “Ewwww!~~~ but I promise, it’s a “Wow” after you washed your face!

What is the result?

After washing the avocado face mask in my face, I always noticed that my skin gets more brighter, well moisturized and healthy looking! It feels so soft and supple. Ah, and my lips, too! Plus, because I have a very sensitive skin, I didn’t get any bad reaction from my skin, whenever I’m doing it, the result is always good and always a wow! It’s a very effective facial mask and a very effective facial moisturizer that won’t harm your skin!

I hope I inspire you today with this amazing avocado face mask. Try it and see it for yourself and say wow with the result! Please don’t forget to share it with your friends 🙂

 

If you already tried this avocado face mask, please tell us your experience if it works for you effectively or not. I’d love to hear from you! Comment section is just a scroll away! 🙂

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Right Way Of Using Virgin Coconut Oil Acne Treatment

coconut oil hair mask recipe (c) Bigstock.com

Image: Bigstock

Coconut oil is a miracle oil for having a wide range of benefits and uses which includes treating acne in the list. It works as antifungal, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antioxidant that helps in fighting acne to get a clear skin.

Using coconut oil acne treatment is another natural remedy that had helped and worked for my skin. If you saw my acne skin condition in my previous post the other day,  you will see that my skin now has improved and I am more happy now without stressing myself with acne anymore.

I mentioned in my previous post that I am covering up acne with makeup. When I started using virgin coconut oil acne treatment in my skin, I still do makeup to cover up and made virgin coconut oil as my moisturizer before putting makeup on my face. It protects my skin with natural SPF while helping me treat acne. It made my skin soft and moisturized.

How Virgin Coconut Oil works

The use of virgin coconut oil acne treatment helps in stopping the irritation and then, it can stop acne breakouts. This is because of the two essential fatty acids; the capric acid and lauric acid. They are refined antiviral and antibacterial ingredients in our skin. Virgin coconut oil kills germs that is causing acne on skin. And if the inflammation is removed, there is nothing for your immune system to react. Which means less irritations and less acne breakouts. It also have vitamin K and vitamin E!

Virgin coconut oil acne treatment will work best when you apply it to your skin and take it internally. Because taking coconut oil internally can reduce the amount of toxins that is relayed in your skin and help in clearing up toxins with bowel movements.

That time when I started using virgin coconut oil acne treatment with myself, I used both methods. The virgin coconut oil doesn’t taste bad, don’t hesitate to use it if yourself will benefit from it. It doesn’t smell bad if you use it with your face, just always be sure you are using the right coconut oil.

It does not clog pores, in fact, it is removing dead skin cells to help clear your clogged pores.

How to choose the right coconut oil acne treatment

To use coconut oil acne treatment, always use or buy the highest quality. The one labeled as Virgin Coconut Oil (Extra Virgin Coconut Oil) is the right one to use for acne but is more expensive compare to unrefined coconut oil because it only contains advantages with no disadvantage. The unrefined is a crude oil of coconut that is may be unhygienic and may contain dust particles that will clog sebum glands.

How to use coconut oil

Externally:

  1. Wash your face with luke warm water. It will open your pores which will make it absorb coconut oil easily.
  2. Tap your face with a clean wash cloth to dry excess water.
  3. Apply just a thin amount of virgin coconut oil on your face using your fingertips, giving it a massage in a circular motion manner to submerge the oil into your pores.

And you’re done!

Do it once a day preferably in the evening before bedtime.

Internally:

  • Take 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil everyday for 2 weeks. You may just take 2 tablespoons once a day or you may take it twice a day by 1 tablespoon in the morning and 1 tablespoon in the evening.

Reminders:

In some situation, some people who tried using coconut oil acne treatment get their condition even worser. It’s always a wise idea to find out first what’s the possible causes of acne in you. It could be your lifestyle, your diet, or hormonal imbalance, and any other possible causes. That would be easy for you to use virgin coconut oil acne treatment rather than using it just because it worked for other people.

Stay in touch and in my next post, we’re going to talk about using yogurt face mask to combat acne.

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How To Get Rid Of Pimples By Using Baking Soda Face Mask

Treating acne doesn’t have to be expensive just to get the best of treating satisfaction. Baking soda has been offering absolutely cheap and one of the easiest procedures when it comes to acne home remedies.

How to get rid of pimples or how to remove pimples are the commonly asked questions of people suffering from annoying pimples, breakouts and acne just like me before when I am struggling in dealing and covering up acne. Baking soda face mask is one of the homemade remedies for acne that I have been using to get rid of pimples due to breakouts after I switched from chemically based cosmetics to natural and home remedies for acne. It has an effective role on how to get rid of pimples and is helping to achieve a clear skin. Effective and won’t hurt your skin and your pocket!

A girl with baking soda face mask in her face, showing how to get rid of pimples

Bigstock.com

Baking soda face mask

The baking soda face mask is not only focusing on how to get rid of pimples or acne but your skin is also benefiting from removal of blackheads and preventing it. This mask is also congregating dry skin while it is drying itself and washes away dry skin as this mask was rinsed. This baking soda acne mask is balancing the pH level of the skin, it is known for neutralizing all kind of acids. At the same time, it is exfoliating the skin and removing excess oils and dirt that’s causing more breakouts. There are different methods of making baking soda face mask as home remedies for acne. Let’s make a simple, easy, yet effective baking soda face mask!

What you will need:

  • 2tbsps. baking soda
  • 1-2 tbsps. filtered water small bowl spoon

How to get rid of pimples

Step 1. Wash your face with your favorite facial wash and then dry it.

Step 2. In a bowl, combine baking soda and water to make a paste. Please just gradually add water to make sure that the mixture won’t be too watery and too thick. Just make a creamy paste mixture.

Step 3. Using your fingertips, apply the baking soda face mask to your face in a circular motion. Give your face a massage avoiding your eye areas while applying your homemade acne mask.

Step 4. Let the baking soda face mask stay for 15 minutes until it become totally dry.

Step 5. Rinse your face with lukewarm water, and then pat it dry with a clean face towel.

Step 6. Put your favorite moisturizer on your face. Baking soda has a drying effect that may dry your skin.

Voila! You’re done!

Reminders

  • Please note that while the baking soda face mask is in your face, you may feel a tingling effect in your face. Don’t worry, that’s okay. 🙂
  • And before doing a mask, always make sure that you are using Baking Soda and not Baking Powder! 🙂
  • Only use baking soda face mask twice a week.
  • Some skin types is not suitable for using this baking soda face mask as their home remedies for pimples. If irritation occurs, stop using it again.

I hope you find this post on how to get rid of pimples  with baking soda mask useful. Don’t forget to share it with your friends. 🙂 You’ll get updates of my new posts on my Facebook Page ( Jhem Says )  and on Twitter @jhemkitty. I’ll be glad it if you leave a comment below and share your experience on how baking soda face mask works for you!

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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.

acne

(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.

 

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