Has your skin been telling you stuff?
No, I'm not asking if it has ever physically spoken to you.
What I am asking - is it breaking out? is it dry? is it too oily?
I am not a skin doctor, esthetician or any kind of skincare specialist, but with a lot of trial and error, I feel I've learned a lot of helpful tactics when it comes to caring for your skin. And no, I have never had absolutely horrible skin, but I broke out enough to want to do something about it. I am also not against medication, but I've tried it in the past, and it didn't work out. So, if you're still with me, here are some things I've done to help reduce acne and trouble spots.
Disclaimer: I still do not have perfect skin, but it's better than it has been in a very long time!
1. Cut nearly all dairy out.
Now before I get the Dairy Police on here, I want to make something clear. Some people CAN handle dairy. However, I do not. My body does not break it down well, ending in stomach aches and breakouts.
But Rebecca, how is it possible to cut dairy out? Well, it's difficult, especially at first. The cheese was the hardest for me because I was having it at every meal. I had switched over to almond milk long ago, so milk was never an issue.
Oh, and I sometimes cave. Just the other day, I had a big, fat cheeseburger and a peanut butter milkshake. The stomach ache and a couple zits were worth it.
2. Added in waaaay more vegetables.
I was never a vegetable person. Put a salad in front of me, and I probably wouldn't eat it. When I first wanted to start focusing on clearing my skin, I knew I needed to eat more vegetables, and it's actually not as hard or icky as it seems. My go-to veggies include mushrooms, spinach, peppers, onions, any type of squash and all the carrots.
3. Supplementing my diet with a greens powder.
Once again, before you turn your head up (because I first did, too), just keep reading. Opti-greens 50 from 1stPhorm is the bee's knees when it comes to a greens powder. You cannot go wrong with this stuff. How it's made coming straight from 1stPhorm headquarters, "...low temperature processed 100% organic grasses, non-GMO, non-synthetic botanical superfoods, phytonutrients, digestive enzymes and probiotics..."
Not only has it improved my skin, but it has significantly improved digestion and hair and nail growth. Bonus.
4. Have a killer skincare regimen.
This is really based off of personal preference and what has worked for you in the past. Personally, I have used Rodan & Fields for the last year and a half. My sister is a consultant (no, I don't get it cheaper), and I absolutely love the product. There are different regimens for different types of skin and obviously, by the photo, I use the blue regimen.
5. Keep stress levels down.
This used to seem impossible to me, and in a way it kind of was. I was desperate to find a way to combat anxiety I was feeling. I reached out to a new doctor, who took on a very holistic approach. I took a spit test to find out I view all stressors in my life the exact same way, be it homework or a bear chasing me. This was harming my body in more ways than I could have known. That issue is now fixed. I encourage you to visit a healthcare professional if you have trouble keeping stress low.
Another way I combat stress is through journaling and spending time in the Bible. Every morning I wake up, I pray and dig into the Bible. This is my saving grace and hope.
