I'm Seriously Thinking of Revamping my Skincare Routine

After reading a blog post or forum post (I really can't remember which), I started to think about revamping my skincare routine. The post basically says that using anti-acne products and medications such as benzoyl peroxide only makes your skin dependent on it. This would result to rebound breakouts if you stop using the products (which is actually true in my case).

When I was still consulting my dermatologist, I was very thankful for the products she prescribed. However, once I stop using or even taper using them, I get rebound breakouts. It seems that my skin is dependent on these products for survival. If my skin was a drug addict, anti-acne meds were its heroine (LOL! What an analogy!)

But then if I stop using them, I would again look like a witch. But the blog post said something like the skin will definitely look scary again before it gets better. If you don't depend on these pricey products, your skin will heal itself naturally (just like the way our antibodies fight against antigens inside our system)

Good Lord! I am so torn. If I heed the advise from that blog post, my skincare routine would only include a mild cleanser like Cetaphil (for cleansing in the morning and evening), a sunblock of at least SPF 50 in the morning and a moisturizer in the evening. I would have to let my pimples dry/die naturally which will take about 3-5 days (or even 7 days). As for the post-acne spots, I would just have to wait for weeks or months for them to lighten. Or I could just use a double purpose whitening moisturizer and sunblock to somehow help lighten the spots. Since I am getting older and I don't get as much pimples as I did before, I might actually consider trying this. People, wish me luck!

Here are some products I am planning to try:
1. Cleanser - Cetaphil
2. Sunblock - Nivea, Cetaphil, Acnes by Mentholatum

Not the same packaging as the ones sold here in the Philippines but has the same concept.
Price is around PHP350.
This one I think is a bit pricey (around PHP900+ according to MIMS).
My BF and his family will be going on a vacation in HK and I am planning to ask him to get this for me.
This sunblock got great reviews in sasa.com and is actually tinted.

3. Moisturizer - I will be sticking with my Olay Total Effects.

My Skincare Regimen

To give you a little background, I have oily acne-prone skin (which started to manifest as early as my freshman year in high school = when I was 13). And yes, I still do get the occasional bumps especially before my period starts. It is a chronic disease for me with remissions and exacerbations (LOL).

I've been visiting dermatologists practically my entire adolescent life! I believe I've tried 3 but kept on coming back to Dr. Judy Evangelista even if her clinic is miles away from my home. Well yes I am satisfied with the results but somehow those pesky cystic pimples keep on coming back (mainly because of GENETIC MAKEUP, stress and hormonal imbalance --- in my case that is). I really have to stress genetic makeup because both my parents suffered from acne during their days. So yeah, a big share of the blame goes to them. Haha! My oldest brother also suffered from major acne. On the other hand, my other elder brother was more fortunate and only suffered from acne for a few years during his teens.

So after all these years, I've grown sick and tired of dealing with pimples, enduring painful acne procedures, and going back and forth to my dermatologist here in Pampanga (while all the while I was attending college in Manila). I really don't care about them that much anymore. And thankfully, they've decided to take the backseat and spare my face from their routine beating.

Here are some majorly stupid theories on this heavenly phenomenon:
(1) Well they probably just got fed up of popping up my face.
(2) My face isn't that conducive anymore for acne growth as it was back when I was a teen (ok this theory is really gross! haha!)

Whatever the real reason is, I have now accepted whatever I have on my face --- oily skin, uber large and visible pores, post-acne discolorations and some minor bumps all in. I just stick to my skincare routine and pray that they finally finally rest their case.

So just like any normal person, I cleanse, tone, and moisturize my face every single day (morning and evening) of every single week of every single year that I have so far been breathing since (LOL).

In addition, I apply sunblock after moisturizing in the morning. I do not reapply throughout the day because... I just don't (haha!). I exfoliate using a mild facial scrub once a week (this is ONCE a week not ONE DAY in a week --- because one day would mean exfoliating twice a week, one in the evening and one in the morning). Why am I being so technical about this? Haha! I also apply anti-acne gel (Adapalene) to my acute cystic pimples just to dry them up a bit faster.

Oh well, I am also planning to add a once-a-week facial mask application to my routine. I am hoping to try Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque which I believe is available at Healthy Options. Another thing I would like to try is a post-acne mark lightening/fading cream. Although I don't have any idea which product to get.

Here are the products that I use as of the moment:
1. Teranex Bar Soap - I divide it into 3 equal parts to make it last longer (can last me up to 3 months).


2. Clean and Clear Toner - any Clean and Clear toner variant works well for me. Before this, I was using the regular one (blue liquid in clear bottle).


3. Olay Total Effects Moisturizer (Blemish prone/oily) - I love it for its salicylic acid (may be a bit drying for certain areas of my face tough).


4. Nivea Refreshing Fluid Protect SPF 30 - does not dry to a matte finish. Not very ideal of oily skinned folks. Will be replacing it as soon as I can.

(photo from kikay.exchange.ph)

5. Differin (Adapalene) Gel - works better than Benzoyl Peroxide (for me at least)


6. Clean and Clear Facial Scrub - I was too lazy to take a picture of my tube so I just got this from the net. It's not the exact variant that I use by the way.

Update: Instead of the Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque, I purchased a Black Charcoal Peel-Off Mask from Saizen.