Story Time: My Skin *Update*

It's crazy to think that almost exactly a year ago I was struggling heavilyyyy with my skin. It had been a constant burden in my life and it really took a toll on my mental health. If you read here Story Time: My Skin you'll find that I had recently discovered that I had eczema, and I was in the first stages of getting my skin back on track.

Now a year later, I figured it had been enough time for a full skin update. If you follow me online or in person, you already kind of know that my face is 10000 times better. I've found what triggers my eczema and regularly going to the dermatologist to update the products he's given me. I still use the prescribed creams and face wash that he has given me because it not only has cleared most of my acne but I've found that it takes care of the eczema flare ups that I see occasionally. I wish I had a full regimen of clean products that I have implemented already but for now, I still do what the doc ordered. (Hopefully soon I can switch)

Around the same time I also started with a new series recommended by my derm to help with acne scaring and dark spots: chemical peels. He explained that the series of four, once every three months, would help even out my skin tone, lighten my dark spots, help with acne control, and lessen the scars that I had gotten with years of bad skin. Currently writing this as I peel from my final treatment, this one seems a lot less intense than prior ones. I googled why I wasn't peeling nearly as much as prior treatments and it explained that my skin cells were much healthier and that I didn't need to get as much dead skin off. That gave me such a relief!

---

Current thoughts on my skin:

Skin regimen: Pretty simple.... I used a prescribed Sodium Sulfacetamide 8% Sulfur 4% (sounds scary yikes lol) to wash my face two times a day. Using warm water, I just lather a small amount into my skin for about 10-20 seconds. Although sounding like a science experiment, the wash feels very gentle and never dries out my skin. Then I use Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Unscented Toner with a cotton ball all around my face. Use alcohol free and unscented if you have sensitive skin. I use it because its gentle, gets all the excess makeup off my face and has actually helped with the redness on my cheeks and nose. Then I use a face roller to depuff around my eyes and cheeks. Lastly, I use Eucerin Daily Hydration Lotion SPF 15 as my daily moisturizer and massage into the skin and neck. This has actually been a great all over moisturizer as it is gentle on the skin and is very light. I usually use it after showering. I've tried to keep my regimen pretty simple, knowing the products I have are consistent and helpful to my overall skin.

Chemical Peels: Getting a chemical peel is probably the fastest facial you'll be able to get. They take a wipe and use some sort of glycolic or salicylic acid and rub it all over your face. It definitely burns for a few minutes but calms down. You basically look like you have a bad sun burn for a few days and then the peeling begins. My first few sessions were pretty gnarly, with my face peeling like crazy. This last session, I'm only peeling slightly on the surface with some areas not even peeling at all. Overall, my skin looks great a few weeks afterwards. I have small breakouts right after but they aren't too bad. I've found it's reduced the amount of acne I have over time and makes my skin tone look more even. They have been a great jumping off point after working on my skin.

So happy with my results!! ↓↓↓

What's your skin journey? Have you tried chemical peels? Let me know what works for you!

Xo, Claire

#skin #skinregimen #acne #skinissues #personal #storytime