#20thingsat20

[skinknowledge]

20 skin things I've learnt at 20

Number 19 EVERYTHING effects your skin. I'm just going to write a little list off the top of my head of the factors that impact your skin: -diet -age -gender -weather -stress levels -genetics -skin type -humidity -sleep schedule -exercise -physical health -mental health -skincare products -make up -medication -hormones -supplements -menstrual cycle -washing detergents -hair products -bedding -lifestyle -what touches your face -shaving It's virtually impossible to manage all the factors that can impact on your skin and effect your acne or skin problems, (although I do try 😂). I very much like to feel like I'm in control of my skin, but in reality it's pretty impossible. Unless you become a skin obsessed recluse not doing anything with your life. So please don't blame yourself for your skin problems, because, as we can see from above, there is such a variety of factors that are impacting your skin. You can't be in control of it all. Don't be so hard on yourself. You are not to blame for your acne.

[skinknowledge]

20 skin things I've learnt at 20

Number 15

You are becoming a better person because of your skin problems.

When you have acne it sort of forces you to become empathetic. Especially when you’ve gotten past your worst skin, and you see someone suffering with acne like you did, you feel for them, you know the emotions they're feeling and the struggle they’re going through.

When you have problem skin and all you want is for people to look past your appearance and appreciate you as a person, you begin to do the same to other people.

You see others skin problems and you know that struggle so you are more caring towards them. You understand.

You become a person that looks past what society deems as flaws. When you see a girl out and about with massive pimple, you find her endearing, and appreciate the strength it must have taken for her to come out and face the world.

Acne gives you strength, and it allows you empathise and see the strength in others who are also struggling with their skin.

[skinknowledge]

20 skin things I’ve learnt at 20

Number 17 

Be mindful with make up.

Your face eats whatever you put on it. That's why we use all these skincare products because your skin absorbs it and all the benefits and your skin improves or reacts in a certain way.

However we don’t really consider make up in the same way.

It is one of the first things people learn when they get problem skin, is to remove your make up properly and not to put too much thick, greasy make up on.

I highly recommend switching from a liquid foundation to a powder one. 

Most people are concerned about the lack of coverage from a powder, in comparison to a liquid foundation. However powder foundations tend to sit on the skin more, rather than liquid foundations with just get sucked up by your skin and pores.

I don’t wear make up anymore (other than special occasions) for the sake of my skin.

Make up can be a massive acne trigger for some people. But I also understand that makeup is something people rely on or enjoy wearing so going barefaced may not be an option. 

But can I encourage you all to be barefaced as much as you personally can. Taking it off as soon as you can. Choosing not to put makeup on when you go for a walk or to a lecture. 

It can actually be really empowering. I now get some enjoyment out of showing the world my bare face. Yes there is hyperpigmentation and yes there's some pimples but that’s what a real face looks like. I do not have to paint my face to be acceptable for society. And the more of us that do it the more people will realise that this is what real faces are and that we are beautiful.

[skinknowledge]

20 skin things I've learnt at 20

Number 8

Oily skin; don’t be afraid of using oils.

I am guilty of this. For me I associated oil with greasy skin and blocked pores.

Whereas oil can be an effective moisturiser and even spot treatment.

Tea tree oil is my go to spot treatment. I use it am and pm every day. It is important to dilute oils like tea tree oil and essential oils as they can be to strong for your skin.

Tea tree diluted with aloe! Perfect.

Oils can penetrate deeper into your skin than creams so you get the good ingredients doing their thing at the root of your problem.

So for example tea tree oil is antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. So putting it on a spot with help kill bacteria and help the redness at the root of your spot.

But it’s not just tea tree oil. There’s so many amazing natural oils that help do different things!

Rosehip oil helps with hyperpigmentation

Jojoba oil is a great moisturiser and make up remover

Neem oil is often said to be useful on cystic acne or pustules.

Go explore the world of oils. Just because you have oily skin doesn’t mean you should be scared to put oil on your face.

[skinknowledge]

20 skin things I've learned at 20

Number 1

Patience is key with any skin care problem.

When something unsightly crops up, usually at the worst time too, I know that instinct to want to get rid of it there and then. But that’s not realistic. And if you (do I what I did) and slather loads of products on in an attempt to destroy it overnight, you will make more problems for yourself.

Below is my rough time scale for how long things should go, with a bit of encouragement from skin care products.

Whiteheads: 2-5 days Black heads: 2 days - 1 month Milia: 1 week -a couple months Deep pimples/ blind pimples: 1 week - 1 month Eczema/ dry skin: 5 days - 2 weeks

Please don’t do what I did and damage your skin by desperately using ultra strong products, and a different product each day to try and get rid of a pimple.

I hope these time scales reassure you, but everyone’s skin is different and they can of course vary.

[skinknowledge]

20 skin things I've learnt at 20

Number 14

Don’t be so hard on yourself.

Your skin problems are not your fault. You’ve been dealt a bad hand. Do not hate yourself.

Yes there may be some things your doing that aren’t helping your skin. But your skin problems are not punishment for anything. You are not a bad disgusting person.

Don’t be so hard on yourself.

I’ve found that your best skin comes when you’re your best self.

When you’re managing your stress levels, enjoying life, eating well, exercising, drinking enough.

Become your best you for your best skin.

[skinknowledge]

20 skin things I've learnt at 20 Number 12 A skin diary is a great idea. This is something I have only recently implemented into my own routine. But I love it. It's really simple. Each day I mark how well certain factors have been on a scale of 1-10. I'm no artist but I draw a face and mark on where my problems are. It's a great tracker. I can see what different factors do to my skin. I can see the areas on my face that are my problem areas. All clearly and summed up in one place. My favourite thing about it is I can see how long problems take to go. Because whenever something crops up I freak and I'm like I want it to go, when will it go. Well now I can look at my skin diary and see that 'ah last time I had something similar it was gone in 5 day'. That's very reassuring to me. You learn a lot about your skin. And it's fun, I enjoy it, it's a little project. Give it a go, you'll learn about your skin and can get bit creative. Mines really basic but it can give you switch it up. If anyone does one please send me a photo I would love to see what you guys come up with.

[skinknowledge]

20 skin things I've learnt at 20

Number 13

You do not have to wear make up.

I frequently get these urges just to buy things. I just want the satisfaction of purchasing something. I used to buy makeup. Makeup looks pretty. It’s often marketed and packaged better. YouTubers review makeup and do makeup tutorials. It was like the world was telling me I, as a young female, should spend my disposable income on make up.

It may seem obvious but; make up will not do anything for your skin. All it is, is a mask over problems. Makeup doesn’t treat your pimples. Makeup in no way helps your skin. But I found my skin getting worse so I was buying more makeup to cover up my acne.

I think in our society today it feels like makeup is a necessity for all woman, and some males, and others in between. I just want to remind you…

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WEAR MAKEUP.

Sure if you want to and it gives you confidence go for it. But what I’m talking about is the people like me, who felt so ashamed of their skin that they HAD to cover themselves in make up for the world to accept them. No. You are you. You at your most natural is perfectly acceptable to walk down town. You don’t have to ‘put your face on’ in order to be able to leave the house.

I just want everyone to know that there is an option. You can be barefaced and go about your life. Don’t feel like the world is forcing you to mask yourself.