Easily Fade Dark Spots At Home

DISCLAIMER: I am not a dermatologist, this is simply what has worked for me for years and I thought it would be fun to share with you all.

If you've ever popped a pimple or a zit, you know what it is to have a dark spot show up on your face as a reminder that you've been naughty by popping it. There are a lot of products out there that claim to fade dark spots but most of the ones I encounter use some sort of bleaching agent. This can lead to stripping, flaking, redness, ashy-ness and/or dryness which is just adding to the problem of the dark spot and to uneven skin tone.

I thought I would share some tips about what I do to fade dark spots from acne naturally. These are the products I use:

L-R: Witch Hazel; Aveeno Daily Moisturizer; Tea Tree OIl; Vitamin E Oil; Vitamin E capsules

I picked up most of these items from Earth Elements which is an excellent place to get natural beauty and health products at affordable prices. See my post on their store and contact information by clicking here. These are the steps:

1. Calm The Skin: Zits and Pimples are really irritated skin. You need to apply something that will cool and calm the skin by getting rid of irritation. I like Witch Hazel for this because it doesn't dry out the area and works really quickly.
2. Get rid of Bacteria : Any bacteria will prolong the life of the pimple/zit. To make sure that it's the end of the nasty beast on your skin apply Tea Tree Oil to it. The good thing about this oil is that it's a dry oil (meaning it evaporates and doesn't make you look oily) and will not clog your pores.
3. Moisturize: The former zit/pimple is still skin and it still needs love so to encourage it regenerate/produce fresh skin you need to make sure it is moisturized, supple and healthy. I like this Aveeno Moisturizer because it doesn't have anything in it to irritate your skin and is specially formulated to help produce collagen
4. Supplement: Because we live in a very polluted world, the vitamins and nutrients we get from regular meals have a lot of work to do. If we want to take care of a specific problem with our skin usually we need to supplement our diets. I find that Vitamin E Oil or Vitamin E capsules give me a healthier complexion when I use/take them. Another great vitamin for skin is Vitamin C which helps to brighten your skin and Vitamin A which is great for collagen production and makes your skin look fresh and plump.

And that's it! I find that if I do this maybe two/three days in a row, the dark mark fades drastically and in its place instead of dealing with a dry patch I have healthy skin. 

What has worked for you in the past? Will you be trying this out? Leave me a comment and let me know

Til later,

*Jane

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Review : Biore 4-in-1 Detoxifying Cleanser

Guys, I finally found it. The last missing piece to a skincare routine that completely works for me. Finally! My skin has calmed down so much and I am getting daily compliments on it from random strangers. Love it!

I blogged earlier in the year that I tried and fell in love with the Olay ProX face brush and that it has made a significant difference in controlling my breakouts and improving my skin texture - that was great but this, this is my skin soulmate.

My skin can be really sensitive and it has a hard time absorbing topical products resulting in clogged pores. Add tropical heat to that and you can count on sweat, smoke and other pollutants throughout the day. So whilst I was cleansing with the brush, I also needed something a little deeper to help encourage my pores to open up and get rid of all the toxins and extra things my skin was holding onto. Those tiny little bumps that signify clogged pores and the whiteheads that often accompany them have now disappeared and I am as happy as a clam.

Let's get into the review now shall we?

Packaging

The cleanser is currently available in two different packages. The only difference is on the label but the name is still the same. It is is a white opaque bottle with a blue wide spout for pumping as it is a foaming cleanser. There is also, thankfully, a clear cap to protect the spout and to catch any product that may try to escape. You get 6.7 Fl Oz in the bottle, which is a lot more than I normally get in a bottle. The pump and the spout are an excellent pairing and you only need one pump for your entire face. I haven't experienced any spillage or leaking and I have traveled with this cleanser more than once so I think the bottle is pretty sturdy. You can also pretty much pump from any position, upside down, right side up etc. The only improvement that could be made is to have little grips or indentations on the side of the bottle because it does tend to slip if you grab for it with wet fingers.

Use/Application

I wet my entire face with water, use one pump and apply this with my fingers onto my face and neck. There is a slight cooling sensation - nothing to irritate you but you do notice it. It foams up pretty well and I rub it in lightly with my fingers so I can make sure that it gets everywhere. The foam doesn't get out of control and it does a great job of staying put on your face. I rinse it off with cold water thoroughly and then go onto the next step in my routine.

This removes makeup, sunscreen and any oils I may have applied to my face in one quick step and despite the fact that it is foaming my skin never feels tight after I wash my face. I have not experienced any irritation whatsoever or any product buildup along my hairline, ears or neck which can happen if your skin is easily irritated or sensitive. It has a barely there smell and doesn't leave behind residue or scent or that nasty white cast that some cleansers can. I use this with my cleansing brush most nights but in the morning I use it with my fingers so don't feel that you need to have a brush for this to work for you I just like the feeling of knowing I got a good deep clean in one step especially if I am removing makeup.

I can't think of anything Biore needs to do to improve the formula of this product at all.

Pricing

This was one of the cheaper products on the shelf coming in at about $800 JMD (under $1000) and it was more product than a lot of other cleansers. I bought this back in February when my other face wash finished and I think I'm barely halfway through the bottle. I love that you get so much product but I know that as soon as this is finished I will be going out and buying this again. I've already had to stop myself from stocking up and just hoarding it. In fact, I'm getting anxious just worrying that I won't be able to find it again *deep breath*  but I will practice self control...I think. 

This is worth your money, and the fact that it is affordable makes it an even sweeter deal. Don't hem and haw, just buy it you will like it.

Results

Fantastic. Clear skin, unclogged pores, great smooth texture, even complexion, and it has helped with balancing and controlling oil. I really really like this. I have the old packaging and I sincerely hope the formula has not changed with the new packaging. The blurb reads thus:

I can't say that anything that it claims to do is false or doesn't ring true for me. They've done a wonderful job with this product and Biore, you guys should be applauded. I did not even know you guys did anything other than pore strips! Bravo!

Final Thoughts

It's been quite a few weeks and I am still in love. I saw results within the first two weeks of using this and I continue to see results. My skin has returned to its former glory and dare I say, is even better than it used to look. I will be buying this again and again and again, I've already recommended it to a bunch of people and I will be trying out other Biore products I see on the shelf now.

Till next time lovelies, and remember if you have any questions you can always leave me a comment or get me on Facebook. 

*Jane

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Review: Simple Kind to Skin Smoothing Facial Scrub

I purchased this product a couple months back because my skin was acting out like a crazy banshee. I was drawn to it because of its claim to be uncomplicated, fragrance-free and it contained rice granules as the exfoliating element.

SIMPLE SMOOTHING FACIAL SCRUB

 After more than six weeks of use, these are my thoughts:

Price point

This was on the more economical end of the spectrum. I believe I paid around $800 JMD for this at the New Kingston Pharmacy in the New Kingston Shopping Centre. You get approximately 2.5 ounces of product. If you use this daily it can last you between 8-10 weeks. I think this is pretty reasonable so no complaints there.

Packaging

It comes in a tube where you squeeze the product out at the end. The cap comes off so you can definitely get all the product out so that there is no waste. You can also control how much comes out and the packaging is pretty reliable. I have travelled with it and it has not exploded or leaked out. The tube is a muted green colour that seems favourable with packagers of more natural products with a matte texture that helps with a grip if you are using it in the shower.

Use/Application

This is not a lathering or cream-y product. It's quite watery like those lotions you get in the perfume gift set at Christmas and the smell reminds me of purelene original formula lotion and the bottom of a rice bag. The graules are pretty small and uneven. This is very good for every day exfoliating as the granules clean the skin of dirt and grime and unclog pores excellently. The rice granules also act as an oil controller. 

Performance

As I said, this does not lather at all nor does it moisturize and this is quite odd to get used to but you do need very little as the granules go a long way. As long as you avoid your under eye area, you won't see any broken capillaries in your skin as it is pretty gentle on the skin despite being exfoliating. As far as improving the texture of my skin, this was a failure. I did not notice a difference and this did not help with getting rid of zits or clearing blackheads.

Conclusion

I think this product is fine as an accompanying product to a regular cleansing face wash but not as the main product. If you have pretty clear skin and you want to control oil from time to time then  this will work well, otherwise it does not have enough of an effect to spend your money on. I give it 6 out of 10 because of its excellent price, how gentle it is on skin, the fact that it controls oil so well and the amount of product you get for the price. I dislike the texture, its lack of antibacterial properties and its lack of effect on the texture of my skin.

I may repurchase it in the future but I won't be in a rush to do it. Have you tried this out? What did you think?

Till later,

*Jane

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Clear Up Your Skin At Home

Summer is fast approaching and those hot days outdoors mean less makeup and more skin. If you've been laxing and neglecting your skin care routine, here is a quick way to help your skin recover in time for the next cook out, beach day, outdoor wedding or backyard barbeque you have planned.

Day One
Take care of the background - Pillows, cell phones, combs, scalp and even shower caps can transfer grease, bacteria and dirt onto your face causing breakouts and acne.

• Put on a new pillowcase every three days (also, try not to get your underarms onto your pillow, the deodorant can rub off and then rub onto your face). Your skin sheds and you don't want to be rubbing up on that dead skin for longer than necessary
• Steam/Sun your actual pillow once a week. This will help to decrease the bacteria in it Do you have a dryer? Throw it in there. No dryer? just take off the pillow case spray with febreze/baking soda and put in the sun for at least four hours.
• Wash your combs and brushes - the bacteria and build up of grease can be transferred onto your scalp and then down and around onto your hair line and then result in breakouts
• Wash your hair regularly, build up can get transferred onto sheets, headrests, your hair line and a bunch of other places close to your face
• Wash your shower cap every time you wash your hair
• Clean your phone/tablet/computer - finger-to-face transfer - enough said

Day Two

De - gunk. Prepare to be grossed out. Think of your skin like a blocked up toilet that you need to plunge out the gunk that is there. This is a two-step process.

1. Put on a clarifyng/purifying face mask - You can try the queen helene mint julep mask, an egg white mask, an avocado mask, an aspirin mask. Any of these have the ability to clear your pores. Wet your face, slather it on and relax.
2. After you thoroughly remove the mask, pat your face dry and apply an anti-bacterial oil to the entire face and neck overnight. I recommend tea tree oil or argan oil. The pure, virgin kind. You can get these for affordable prices at Earth Elements. 

Yes, this works for oily skin as well as it does for dry skin. Those two oils have the ability to not get greasy but to also reduce irritation, unclog pores and moisturize the skin. It's very important to keep your skin moisturized even while cleaning it. This will make it recover quicker and prevent it from going crazier.

Day Three

Go after the remainder. So you've started to unclog your pores by drawing out the impurities from deep inside with the mask. Now, you need to open up the pores for treatment. This is simple and feels quite indulgent.

1. Boil some water and pour it into a basin. Sit with your face over the basin, with a towel over your head. The steam can be intense so take a break every minute or so.
2. If you have pore strips apply to your nose
3. Close your pores by spraying cold water onto your face and then apply moisturizer

You should see a noticeable difference in your skin. For added results, break one or two capsules of vitamin E and apply to your face before you got to sleep at night. Your skin will thank you for it. Try this routine once a month or the week before a big event like a wedding or a photoshoot.

Try it out and let me know what you think.

Till later,

*Jane

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Take It Off! (Lazy Girl's Guide to Good Skin Part 1)

I've been guilty of being too lazy tired to wash my make up off when I come in from a night out, and that smear of cream blush on my pillow case always mocks me the next morning promising that I will almost certainly be seeing a new pimple by the end of the day. Without a doubt, putting on makeup is more fun than taking it off. BUT like, all other good hygienic habits, it must be done. So, of course I had to devise the laziest way to take it all off at the end of any kind of day. *Disclaimer - I'm not a dermatologist, skin specialist or medical professional. This is just what I think from my own experience*

Here we go:

Work Day :

Whether you're a super busy run-around person or you sit behind a desk all day, the optimum time to take off your makeup is as soon as you get home. Why? The longer your skin has to breathe with absolutely nothing on it, is the longer it has to recover on its own. Remember how it feels to take your shoes off and wiggle your toes? That's what you're doing for your face.

Make it easy by putting a pack of makeup remover wipes close to where you put down your bag or take off your jewellery when you get in, and you're less likely to forget to do it. After you've wiped it all off, on your next trip to the bathroom splash your face with some water.

Gym/Workout:

Always always always sweat make-up free. Makeup and sweat is a horrible combination for your pores and will leave you super clogged. Yes, I know you still need to look presentable at the gym, but for the sake of your skin, please wipe off your face make up (foundation, blush, bronzer, highlighter) at least. If you don't want to go completely bare leave on your eye makeup, make sure you're wearing waterproof mascara and that your eyeliner is on your top lid only, otherwise you will end up with raccoon eyes. Plus, foundation on your gym towel just looks like dirt, or worse...skid marks.

Make it easy by slipping a pack of makeup remover wipes into your gym bag. Reduce smears by wiping off your foundation and blush before you change your clothes. Never mind if you look like you're missing a little colour. Working up a good sweat will make you flushed and glowing naturally.

Night out on the Town:

You're finally home and your feet ache and you can barely stand but you slathered on the makeup earlier and you need to wipe it off. Typically, we go heavier with the makeup at night and are even more lackadaisical about taking it off when we get in.But this is exactly why we need to do it. Heavier makeup requires a two-step process especially if you're gonna be too lazy tired to wash your face.

Take a makeup remover wipe or two and wipe everything off as best as you can. Wipes can end up leaving your face slightly sticky so you can always substitute the second wipe for witch hazel on a cotton pad. The second step is a face oil. Didn't see that coming did you? An oil, in its virgin form like tea tree oil or argan oil will do alot for your skin. The moisturizing properties will help to combat the dehydration from any alcohol you consumed or any smoke that was in the air while the anti-bacterial properties will nix any remaining dirt that could be clogging your pores. Get your oils here if you live in Kingston, Jamaica.

My favourite make-up removers are:

  

Neutrogena                                        Simple                                                   Ponds

                                                                                                                     (Keep this in the fridge)

DIY- Makeup Removers I like:

- Witch Hazel & Rose Water

- Olive Oil and Witch Hazel

Fave Eye Make-up Remover:

Neutrogena Oil-free Eye Makeup Remover

Remember ladies, just washing your face doesn't remove your makeup. Your best bet is to use a make-up remover (store bought or DIY) and then to wash your face. I don't recommend using an exfoliating scrub after you've used a makeup remover. A cream cleanser or other regular cleanser will do the job without irritating your skin.

If you want a step-by-step breakdown on how to make your own makeup remover leave me a comment and I'll get right on it. 

Till later,

**Jane

PS - Can we take a minute to just swoon at the loveliness of cream blush at night? Especially in candlelit areas? Swoooooon!

P PS - Yes, I'm starting a new series of posts, and aren't you a smarty pants for noticing.

  

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Skin Care Routine

No, I won't claim to be a demi-dermatologist and declare that X potion and Y serum will get you the best skin of your life but I do know what works for me, and I know this because when I do slack off I see the repercussions on my face in the mirror in the morning. 

Simply put, routines work and to get the actual best skin of your life you need to find one that works for you and stick with it until the day you die. Or at least, until you find something better.

Firstly, figure out what kind of skin you have - best bet for this is to wash your face with water in the morning and at the end of the day determine whether your skin is dry (then you have dry skin); oily (then you have oily skin); or combination (dry in some areas, oily in others). And please for the love of all things sane, do not confuse oil with sweat - they are NOT the same thing.

Alright then, when you're done with that you will need to get products that will 'solve' your problem or at least control it. I have combination skin, and I get breakouts when I am stressed or when its my time of the month. I also tend to get breakouts if I am dehydrated or I have consumed extra sugar, or as gross as it sounds - I forget or am neglectful of my skin post-workout. 

For make-up removal I use baby wipes, or makeup remover wipes from either Neutrogena or Simple. For nights when I go heavy on my eye makeup with dark colours I will also use Ponds Cold Cream to get off the makeup or Neutrogena Eye Makeup remover in liquid form
.

For a cleanser I use the St. Ives Green Tea Cleansing Face Wash, or the Loreal 360 face wash for Combination Skin or Normal Skin. I make sure my face wash has salicyclic acid to help control any pimples. If my breakout is bad I will get maybe four pimples on my entire face. I wont pretend to be one of those kids in a proactiv ad , it does not get that bad for me. So if you have hard core acne issues, see a dermatologist. For my cleansing routine I wet my face with water, and then wet the Loreal 360 scrublet (heaven-sent  I tell you!) and pump out a dollop of face wash, apply to my cheeks, forehead and chin and then rub in gently with the scrublet. Then I rinse.

For toning and acne control, I will alternate between using rose water with witch hazel and the Clean and Clear Astringent for sensitive skin. I use the one for sensitive skin because my skin is dry in some places and astringent can dry out your skin because of the alcohol it contains. I pour some onto a cotton ball or pad and swipe over my face and neck and behind my ears. (For girls with hair long enough to grow past your ears its important not to neglect that part of your body because oils and dirt can get trapped there).

Moisturizing is the quickest part of the routine, and by far the one I have to convince myself to do because I constantly forget it. I let my skin air dry - I think its a happy compromise between the schools of thought that you should pat not rub so you don't draw your skin and get wrinkles, and the other school of thought that you should rub your skin dry in an upward motion to fight gravity. I use the Oil of Olay Complete moisturizer with SPF for daytime and at night I will alternate between using tea tree oil and Oil of Olay Night Effects Night Cream. The tea tree oil moisturizes and gets rid of any bacteria that might be on my skin, and the night cream moisturizes and fights wrinkles.

My eye cream is a recent addition to my routine since I hit my twenties. My family seems to get wrinkles and crepey lids and I prefer to prolong that as much as possible because my eyes are by far my favourite feature.I use the Neutrogena Healthy Skin Eye Cream. 

And that's it! When I have a particularly stubborn pimple I will use queen helene clay mask to dry it out along with tea tree oil. I don't really do facials unless I am supremely bored or I convince myself to spend money at a spa. I don't pick my pimples, instead I try to wait it out and dry it out, and 9 times out of ten it goes away without leaving a mark.

Drinking lots of water keeps skin issues at bay. if you're having a particularly rough time with acne though, it's important to see a dermatologist to see if prescription strength medicine will be your answer. 

Till next time,
Jane

PS- let me know if you want a video to see exactly what my skin care routine is. I will be happy to post!

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Post-Workout Skin Care

source 

Sweating in the summer heat can lead to clogged pores so its super important to give skin the proper care after your work out to prevent blemishes and black heads. I've narrowed it down to five easy steps that even the sorest muscles can pull off after a serious work out:

Step 1
www.thelovewemake-thelovewetake.blogspot.com

Rinse your face and neck with warm water thoroughly


Step 2 image home

Lightly exfoliate using a scrublet, or wash cloth to get rid of any crystallized salt in the pores

Step 3 image home

Wash with a face wash that contains salicylic acid

Step 4

Swipe witch hazel or an astringent across your entire face and neck, include your ears and your hairline

Step 5 image home
Thoroughly dry your face and apply a lightweight moisturizer.


And you're done!!!

Till Later,
Jane

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