In high school and college, I really struggled with acne, just like many others my age. My breakouts often showed up as big pimples on my cheeks or a fine rash of bumps across my forehead. I believe my acne was caused by a combination of factors, with diet and hormones being the biggest culprits. The pimples made me incredibly self-conscious, and I tried countless acne treatments to clear my skin. I even visited a dermatologist and got a prescription cream. While the cream helped, it made my skin extremely sensitive and prone to sunburn, which I hated. So, I was determined to get clear skin made simple.
Growing up on the lake, my parents always made us wash off the lake grime with a bar of yellow Dial soap. This soap became a staple in my routine because it made me feel the cleanest. One time in college, I ran out of face wash and decided to just start using the Dial soap on my face. To my surprise, after a few weeks, I noticed a huge improvement in my skin. My acne was clearing up!
I know that Dial soap doesn’t have the cleanest ingredients, but it’s simpler and cheaper than many acne treatments out there. However, what works for me might not work for everyone, as everyone’s skin is different. Today, I still use the bar of yellow Dial soap to wash my face every night. I even use it as a spot treatment for pimples by applying a little soap directly on the pimple and leaving it on overnight. The soap can dry out your skin, but as long as I moisturize afterward, everything is fine.
Post-Acne
After my acne cleared up, I was left with dark spots and acne scars on my cheeks. This is where my current skincare routine comes in! I believe in keeping things simple and cost-effective so that I will actually stick to them. I usually shower at night, and while I’m in the shower, I wash my face with the yellow Dial soap. Afterward, I pat my face almost dry and apply rosehip oil.
Rosehip oil is good for reducing acne scarring, fading pigmentation, smoothing fine lines, calming blemishes, and nourishing dry skin. But recently, I’ve started making my own oil mixture to use after washing my face to try and get the added benefits from a few different oils. I started mixing equal parts of rosehip oil, jojoba oil, and olive oil and applying that to my face every night.
Olive Oil, rich in vitamins A, E, D, and K, nourishes the skin, helps it heal faster, and keeps it moisturized.
When buying these oils, I make sure to choose high-quality brands with minimal ingredients. I’ve linked the ones I use, but if you’re shopping in-store, just check the ingredients list for purity.
Clear Skin Made Simple
I apply this oil mix to my face after every shower and sometimes use it on my legs and arms too. Occasionally, I also love using Lalena’s Oil on my face—check out my previous blog post about my eczema journey to learn how amazing Lalena’s is. For the rest of my body, I usually stick to organic cold-pressed coconut oil because I love its scent and how it makes my skin look. I’ve never had issues with it staining my clothes or sheets, but I’ve read that it should wash out easily if it does.
In the mornings, I start my routine with Vitamin C oil. It can slow down early skin aging, prevent sun damage, and improve the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, and acne, giving my skin a nice glow. If I’m going out, I apply Schwally tinted sunscreen on my face. It is made from grass-fed beef tallow, organic avocado pulp oil, non-nano zinc oxide, and organic unrefined beeswax. There are minimal, good for you ingredients and my face hasn’t burnt after using it, an overall win! I like the tinted version better because the regular version will leave a white cast on your skin and I don’t like looking like a vampire lol!
I love keeping my skincare routine simple, and luckily, my skin loves it too! What products are you loving in your routine right now? Share your favorites in the comments below!