I'm back with my 12 week update as promised. Not much has changed in terms of my routine (except the addition of my new beauty gadget of choice, the PMD. I'm smitten), but my skin is looking better.

Skin Care Routine

My skin care routine is multifaceted. I believe in a holistic approach to health; all aspects of a person must be addressed: mind, body, and spirit.

1. Stay positive about the health of my skin. Multiple times each day I state my skin affirmations, express gratitude for, and pray about the health of my skin.
2. Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water and green tea
3. Stay Active
4. Reduce and manage stress
5. Get adequate sleep
6. Use skin care products with simple, natural ingredients
7. Exfoliate regularly, but don't overdo it

Morning Routine:

Step 1:  Wash my face using my beloved Clarisonic and either the normal skin or normal to oily skin Desert Essence face wash.

Step 2: Allow to air dry (if time permits) or blot dry with a clean cloth towel or paper towel.

Step 3: Once face is dry, spray face with aloe vera juice (or occasionally green tea). Allow to air dry.

Step 4: Once aloe has dried, mix a few drops of flaxseed oil together with 1 scoop of Philosophy's Turbo C Booster in the palm of my hand and pat into face. Done!

I know, I know! No sunscreen??? No... I avoid the midday sun, wear protective hats when I know I will be in the sun for extended amounts of time, and eat a diet high in photoprotective nutrients. I am not recommending this to anyone else; just sharing what I do.

Update! I finally found a sunscreen that doesn't make me look purple, clog my pores, or have ingredients that scare the bejeezus out of me! Yay! Say Yes to Carrots SPF 15 has been a Godsend. 

Nighttime Routine:

I follow the exact same steps for my nighttime routine. Nighttime is also the time I do a turmeric mask or use my new bestie, the PMD.

Once or twice a week, I apply a turmeric mask to unwashed or lightly washed dry skin in the evening and leave it on for as long as possible. I then follow my usual routine before bed. Once a week I use the PMD or should I say plan to use the PMD? I have only used it once so far, but so far I am a fan!

Progress

For the most part, it seems my skin is still on the upswing. The only times I experienced breakouts were when I allowed myself to get overly stressed and when I went hog on candy, which tended to coincide.

I think there's an improvement between my first photo and the most recent, but I'll let you be the judge:

So what do you think?

Hopefully over the next six weeks, I will see a reduction in those pesky post inflammatory hyperpigmentation marks and a smoother texture will emerge! Stay tuned!