Favourite Vitamin C Skincare Products

It is no secret that Vitamin C is one of the skincare ingredients that is known for brightening the skin, improving radiance, fighting free radicals (that cause premature ageing & damage the skin) and helps combat hyper pigmentation. Apart from its brightening properties, Vitamin C also has anti-oxidant properties and helps with collagen production (which keeps the skin plump). It all depends on the formula used, quality of the ingredients and the percentage of Vitamin C contained in the products. I have tried a good range of products that contain Vitamin C derivatives and I thought I should do a little round up since it appears that Vitamin C is the going to be on trend this year. There are different formulas for different budgets so there is something for everyone depending on your preference.


For reference, I have combination-oily skin which gets dehydrated pretty quickly. My main skin concern is hyper pigmentation and blemishes especially around my cheeks and that's the main reason why I use Vitamin C products because I know it helps improve the appearance of dark spots/hyper pigmentation. Vitamin C is derived mainly from citrus fruits which includes orange, lemons, tangerine, lime, etc. The active ingredient can be derived from natural sources or they may be synthesized molecules. I won't go into the nitty-gritty because I am not a skincare professional as such. Vitamin C can be incorporated into different formulas including serums, creams, masks, peels etc. It is an unstable active ingredient so it needs to be in the right formula to prevent degradation.


To make matters worse, Vitamin C is unstable with sunlight and in many other normal conditions so it usually loses its efficacy. This is why there are different derivatives of Vitamin C which are synthesized to work as the original but remain stable in normal conditions. Some derivatives of Vitamin C include L-Ascorbic Acid (purest & potent stable form & water soluble), Ascorbyl Palmitate (lipid soluble, highly stable but not as potent as L-Ascorbic Acid), Magnesium Ascorbyl Palmitate (collagen booster, antioxidant properties like the pure form of Vitamin C), etc. Vitaimin C and its derivatives makes the skin sensitive to sunlight which is why it is very important to use sunscreen whenever you use any products containing Vitamin C except at night. Right let's get into my favourite products that contain Vitamin C. Let's get into the post....

Institut Esthderm Intensive Vitamin C Cream* // Link //£64
The first product on my list is the Institut Esthederm Intensive Vitamin C cream which I have been trying out for almost two months. I am yet to try any product from this brand that has not lived up to my expectations and in many cases, surpassed my expectations. I particularly like their Intensive range because the products seem to have a higher concentration of ingredients which target problem areas more effectively. The Intensive Vitamin C Cream is defined as a soft lavish cream that is concentrated with Vitamin C (they have combined two stable Vitamin C derivatives) and targets dark spots and wrinkles. It also stimulates collagen synthesis, re-balances pigmentation and fights against harmful free radicals (which contribute to premature ageing).





I don't have wrinkles but I do have dark spots/hyper pigmentation on my cheeks which are the bane of my life. This is why I was very excited to try out this Intensive Vitamin C Cream. I love the packaging because it looks and feels luxurious. It even comes with a small spatula which makes it very hygienic to use and you know there are limited chances of cross contamination. The texture is possibly one of my favourite textures because it is very silky and smooth on the face. It provides the right amount of hydration that my skin needs and it does not feel greasy at all. This is why I am able to use it during the day and at night. I can wear my makeup straight after using it because it gets absorbed really easily on my skin.




The first thing I noticed is the natural glow my skin has with and without makeup which makes me happy. My hyper pigmentation marks are slowly but surely fading and I can see an improvement although I am also using other products. I would definitely say it provides an additive effect with the other products I am using. I do have to say that I feel like this product is very stable because I have not noticed any darkening/browning of the cream which usually happens when unstable ingredients are used (and it is oxidised by light/sunlight). I am still using this as my everyday cream and I absolutely love it. It is expensive but I do think it is worth it especially if you are looking to have brighter/glowing skin.  I have only used 1/4th of the tub and I am on Month 2. I have used this cream since I got it in January and it has really helped my skin and it is the only Vitamin C product that I have tried for the longest time in a row.


Oskia Renaissance Brightlight Serum // Link //£88 (Currently on offer in Beauty Bay for £66)
I had my eyes on this Oskia Renaissance Brightlight Serum for ages and I even popped into Space NK for a sample so I could see if my skin would love it. My skin loved it and I purchased it the next time a sensible discount code came up. I used the Caroline Hirons 25% discount code so I got it at a reasonable price. The Renaissance Brightlight Serum is described as an intensive daily correcting serum which combats hyper pigmentation, sun damage, dark spots and ensures a visibly brighter even complexion. I feel like I still need to do a full review of this product but for now, I am just going to give a brief overview. It has other brightening ingredients including Vitamin C. It has two types of Vitamin C- Vitamin C Phosphate and Vitamin C Palmitate. I love the gorgeous packaging complete with a pipette. I particularly like it because it is designed in such a way that you only get the exact amount of product you need and the pipette really helps with that. It is a serum as the name suggests and it feels slightly tacky on the skin when I first apply it. It does sink in within a short time which is great for when I am in a hurry. It does not sting or feel irritating on the skin which is amazing and I feel sensitive skin types may tolerate it. The results I have noticed is radiance to my skin. Whenever I use this the night before, my skin glows the next day and I love it. I top up the radiance with my other vitamin c creams and love the results. I am putting together my thoughts on products that work for hyper pigmentation so I will share my full thoughts on that post. They currently have it on offer in Beauty Bay for £66 here.


Murad Intensive C Radiance Peel* // Link //£55
Murad is another tested, tried and loved skincare brands and I have loved all the products I have tried from them. I already have a review of the Intensive Radiance C Peel which you can find here. Murad describe it as an intensive treatment that instantly brightens the skin to reveal a radiant complexion whilst helping to reduce premature ageing. I particularly love this product because it also exfoliates my skin and hydrates my skin. I usually apply it on cleansed skin and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off. It is an intense treatment as the name suggests so if you have sensitive skin, I will suggest trying it out lightly at first (and for shorter periods). It contains Glycolic Acid and Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate) which I think is just the best combination (in my opinion) for my skin problems. It stings my skin and it's something I have come to accept (at least I know it is working). I try and keep it on for as long as I can tolerate. When I rinse off my skin, my skin looks so radiant, healthy and glowing. I don't think I have used any other product which provides such immediate effect and this effect lasts for a few days. I would highly recommend this product if you want a product that both provides radiance, glow and exfoliation.

The Ordinary 
I know there is a lot of controversy about The Ordinary products which is such a shame as I enjoyed the products. I won't be addressing the drama for now but I do hope the brand gets business in order and asap!! Anyway, I have two favourite Vitamin C (including derivatives) products that I have enjoyed from the brand and they are targeted at brightening and giving the skin that much needed radiance.


The first product is the Vitamin C Suspension 30% in Silicone // Link //£5.80 which is described as a water-free suspension of L-Ascorbic acid (30%) in light silicones. It is designed to help reverse multiple signs of premature ageing as well as brightening the skin. There is another version which contains 23% Vitamin C but I read some reviews which were less than glaring and decided to stick to this version. I was really excited to try this out because I don't think I have tried anything with such a high concentration of Vitamin C. The first thing I noticed was the tingling sensation which I still feel depending on how my skin decides to behave. It contains silicone as the name suggests so it almost feels like you are applying a primer as it has that primer feeling. However, it's not one I tend to use during the day. I prefer to use it at night. It does not really give my skin a radiant or glowing feel I get from other Vitamin C products. However, I do feel like it has helped with some of the hyper pigmentation/ dark marks on my skin compared to the other Vitamin C products I have tried. It is one I definitely want to use for longer so I can see how well it works over time. You do have to exercise patience with using it as with any other skincare product that may take a while to see sensible results. If you have dry skin, I don't think you would like the texture because I feel it may be drying on the skin. However, I don't mind how it feels on my combination oily skin. If you still want to try it out, I will suggest using a thin layer because a generous amount will end up balling up on your skin (regardless of your skin type) and it's not a great look or feel. I experienced this balling up effect the first few times I used it and was almost put off until I started using thin layers and things got way better. For the price and concentration of active ingredient, I think it is worth a try. I would say start off with other gentler versions of Vitamin C before jumping into this intensive 30% strength.


The second product is actually one I absolutely enjoy and it's the Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10% // Link //£7.80. I used this all through December along with my other skincare products and I loved the results I got. The Ordinary describes the MAP 10% (as it is called) as a brightening hydrator with stabilized Vitamin C derivative. I definitely prefer the texture of MAP to the Vitamin C 30%. It feels more hydrating on the skin and I feel will work better with many skin types. I tend to reach for this in the morning because it works well as a moisturiser and allows my makeup apply really smoothly. It also works well with other skincare products like my serums, other moisturisers and sunscreen which is really important for me. With MAP, I definitely noticed an immediate and sustained glow to my skin. My dark spots appeared less visible and I was not breaking out as much. I combined it with the Azeliac Acid Suspension and Alpha Arbutin and my skin really looked fantastic despite all the junk I ate in December. I did not experience any tingling sensation with this formula to my delight. This is one of my favourite budget friendly Vitamin C products and I already repurchased it because I don't want to suddenly run out. I will highly recommend giving this a try if you wanted to foray into Vitamin C without breaking the bank.


There are other amazing Vitamin C products from other brands which I love but these are my current favourites. I know Body Shop makes fantastic Vitamin C products especially their Glow Boosting Moisturiser which I am tempted to repurchase because I absolutely enjoyed using it and finished my entire tub. That's all from this end. Have you tried any of these Vitamin C products? What are your recommendations?
*PR Samples + Affiliate links used, read my full disclaimer here

Magnitone BareFaced Cleansing Brush (First Impressions) + Bare FaceChallenge

You all know I am quite obsessed with having really good skin and would choose good skin care products and tools over makeup products. I love to try good skincare products and tools that promise to help me achieve this quest of mine- achieving perfect skin. I was very delighted when the lovely folks at Magnitone London asked if I would like to take part in their Bare Faced- Say No to Scopes Challenge for the month of May. Of course, I said YES and I can't imagine anyone saying No really as it’s a fantastic opportunity. I have heard so many good things about Magnitone London brushes so naturally I was happy to try it.  I would tell you how you can take part at the end of this post. For now, I just wanted to share my initial thoughts on the Magnitone London BareFaced Cleansing Brush* I recently received. I have only used it for three days so this is my very fresh first impression.

Overview of Magnitone London

First off, I really like the happy vibes I get from their website and even the information on the packaging of my Magnitone. They use really friendly everyday speak and I find it very welcoming like I am listening to a friend (I know it sounds silly but that’s how I feel). Magnitone London actually started off as Project ScrubbR in 2013 and was founded by two British men- David and Asher. Their aim was to create a beauty brand that encompassed beauty technology with healthy well-being and I have to say they definitely nailed it with their Magnitone London brushes. The first Magnitone London Brush known as the Pulsar was created in 2013 and quickly sold out after many rave reviews and as they say,  the rest is history. Since the Pulsar, they have developed other brushes including the Magnitione Lucid, Magnitone Lucid limited edition (in collaboration with Pixie Lott). In July 2015, they developed the Magnitone BareFaced Cleansing Brush* which I am delighted to be testing and the Full Monty was developed in October 2015. I love their story and I find it quite inspiring. You can read more about their story here.

Packaging

My brush arrived in a huge package which was a lovely touch because it meant there was no way the brush could get damaged in transit. The outer packaging had details of their social media channels and a funny quote at the bottom which I thought was cute. The Magnitone London BareFaced Cleansing Brush also came well packaged in its own box. The outer sleeve gives you a quick rundown of what you should see in the main box. The main box contains the Magnitone London Barefaced Cleansing Brush, a wireless USB Travel Charger, a splash proof Travel Pouch, an Active Clean Brush Head, 12 Month Warranty, Manual and a MyMagnitone Membership. I was kindly sent the Pastel Green design which is so spring appropriate and I love it. I don't think I have many things in this colour so I am happy to infuse some pastel loveliness to my stash.  There are other colours as well- Pastel Pink and Pastel Orange.The first thing I did was to charge the brush till it was completely full as per the recommendation on the manual. It does say charge for 24 hours the first time but mine was fully charged in a shorter time and I did not want to leave it charging just for the sake of it.

How does it work?

The Magnitone BareFaced Cleansing brush uses their trademarked Vibra Sonic technology to deliver results. The Vibra Sonic technology is essentially a combination of sonic oscillations and electromagnetic vibrations which is equal to a skin workout (for the face). It works by cleansing deep into the skin via the pores to remove impurities that may have accumulated on the skin. It promises to boost circulation and provide healthy skin benefits consistently. I am always keen to test our products with huge claims and while I don’t want to give away too much in my first impressions, I have to say I am really liking it so far. On my first use, my skin felt super clean and it was not stripped. I have tried it with my La Roche Posay Purifying Foaming Gel* and the Grown Alchemist Hydra Repair Cream Cleanser* and they work so amazingly well with it. I think the softness my skin feels is what has really endeared me to it in the initial stages and I am keen to stick to it. So far, I have not had any breakouts and fingers crossed it remains the same. Apparently, some people get an initial breakout when they start using cleansing brushes but that’s not happened to me and I hope it does not.

How I Use it

The Magnitone London BareFaced Cleansing Brush is designed to deliver an amazing clean within one minute and I stick to this duration. The good thing is it has a timer which beeps after 20 seconds indicating that it is time to move to another section. It is recommended to use for each 20 seconds on the cheeks, neck and t-zones. I used it that way but I prefer to just do one half of my face (mainly cheek area), second half and t-zones. I have not tried it on my neck or décolletage yet but will do as I have only had it for 3 days.

The ‘Say No to Scopes’ Challenge 

I already mentioned I was challenged by the lovely team at Magnitone London to try out the Magnitone BareFaced Cleansing Brush for 30 days. The challenge is called Say No to Scopes which essentially means that you get results from the first time you use the BareFaced Brush. These results will be clear to the naked eye such that there is no need for a microscope (hence the No to Scopes- get the drift!!). I am quite excited to do this challenge and I would be documenting my results in a diary style (with pictures hopefully). I would try my best to take the pictures in the same position (and hopefully lighting) so we can all compare together to see if it has lived up to all its claims. I have started off with a bare face picture of me. I was never into sharing bare faced pictures of myself but I just thought what the heck? I am loving my skin even if it is not perfect and I hope we all get to that point of loving our skins.

 30- Day Money-Back Guarantee

Have you been considering getting a Magnitone Cleansing Brush but you are not sure if it would work or not? Well, they are currently offering a 30-day money back guarantee which I think is incredible. This means if you purchase any of the brushes and you don’t get along or don’t get results, you can return it within 30 days. I think that’s commendable and how confident they are with the results you can get from their brushes. This offer is only available if you purchase any of the brushes this May and directly from the Magnitone website.

Competition

They are also holding an exciting competition where you can win some replacement brushes for a year from Magnitone London. Details can be found below and just make sure you are following them on Instagram so you don’t miss out on other offers.

1. Grab your nearest selfie taking device

2. Take a snap of your Buzz Fac (with your Magnitone Brush, of course).

3. Share on Instagram @MagnitoneLondon using the hashtag #BuzzFace

4. Stand a chance of winning one year’s supply of replacement brush heads.

One winner would be chosen every month. One year’s supply of replacement brush heads is equivalent to one pack of replacement brush heads every 3 months (so you get four packs of replacement brush heads). I think it’s an incredible offer and I would be entering myself.

Where to Purchase // Link //£70

You can purchase Magnitone London Brushes directly from their website where they offer free shipping on all orders. They are also stocked in other in-store and online retailers including Harvey Nichols, Boots, Feel Unique and Lookfantastic. You can follow Magnitone London on their social media pages for more information about any deals, offers or competition- Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. If you are into YouTube, you can check out their channel here. 

Overall thoughts

Yeah, that’s pretty much my initial thoughts on the Magnitone BareFaced Cleansing Brush*. I would be back with a more detailed review on my experience in 30 days’ time so that would be in June. Do come back and check it out as well. I hope you enjoyed this post and I would see you in my next. Have you tried Magnitone London Cleansing Brushes?

*PR Samples + Affiliate Links, read my full disclaimer here.

Lifestyle Changes to deal with Acne

I promised to talk about some lifestyle changes that I have incorporated to help deal with my Acne and I'm glad I am finally posting it. I already have my Acne Skincare Products post here and I would be updating it soon because some things have slightly changed.  It is very disheartening to know how much acne knocks the confidence of many young (and even older) people out there. I have had acne for a pretty long time on and off and it's only until last year that my skin  improved so much compared to previous years.  I made some lifestyle changes which really made a massive difference to my skin. My skin is nowhere near perfect but it has made leaps of improvement compared to how it was in the past. Most times, makeup could not even hide these spots/breakouts because they were just so obvious (you know the painful under-the-skin types, yep!!). I am now dealing with hyper pigmentation especially around my cheeks and I would be sharing some products that have worked for me in another post.  It's still an ongoing battle and I hope some day I would have cleared them all. These tips are based on my experience and I am aware that everyone's skin is so different so they  may or may not work for you (but I hope they do). I feel the most important thing is to understand what is causing your acne because that would help you deal with it better. I am also more than delighted to read any more recommendations or tips that have worked for you. Right, let's dive in...

Increase your water Intake and Ditch the Fizz

I have always loved water and I think I may have gotten this habit from my Mum who loves to keep hydrated. I would definitely order water over any drink now but that has not always been the case. At the peak of my acne (back in university), I was consuming a fizzy drink every day which was super unhealthy and addictive. If you love Coca Cola, you would understand that only few drinks can satisfy you as much as Coca Cola does (not even Pepsi comes close). I just loved Coca Cola but it did not love my skin back. There are a couple of studies that have tried to show the relationship between soda/fizzy drinks and acne but most of the results have been quite inconclusive. Personally for me,  it definitely worsened my acne. I think it also depends on what type of skin you have. I have many friends who consume sodas/fizzy drinks like everyday and their skin is as clear and soft as a baby’s bottom (life can be so unfair sometimes *deep sigh*). I noticed that when I increased my water intake and ditched the fizzy drink,  my skin looked much better and improved. I've had far less breakouts compared to when I was consistently drinking fizzy drinks and that's how I knew fizzy drinks exacerbated my acne. As I said, it all depends on experimenting with your skin. Besides, fizzy drinks/sodas contain a lot of sugar which cannot be healthy so either ways, you would be doing your body (and purse) a favour. On the other hand, water is so good for the body and the skin in general. Our bodies are made up of predominantly water so we need it for everything. I know you may have heard this before but aiming for at least 2 litres of water would do wonders for your skin. I drink way more than that and I have also been drinking Green Juices which are amazing.

Reducing my Dairy Intake

This is another grey area because a lot of people love dairy and dairy products and it does not affect their skin. I am one of those unlucky people who has very annoying skin that would respond in a heartbeat to dairy. I find that Cheese and Butter are the biggest culprits in exacerbating my acne. I am not even joking; I have eaten cheese in the morning and had breakouts in the evening (honestly, my skin is so annoying). At first, I refused to link it but I did quite a few experiments and the results were the same and that’s how I concluded that dairy was one of my acne culprits. I wish I could tell you some scientific background as to how this happens but I can’t;  feel free to Google it. My body generally does not agree to it and I am actually now lactose intolerant. I have drastically reduced the amount of dairy I take in (especially cheese) and I also try to avoid meals with cheese such as cheeseburgers (I miss you!!), ham burgers and pizza.  Does it mean I never eat these meals? Of course not!! Once in a while I slip up and my skin gives me some warning signs (one or two breakouts pop out on my forehead so I can't say I did not notice it) and I always heed these warnings. If you are one of those lucky people who are not affected by dairy, I am desperately jealous of you. Chocolate is also a mild culprit but I don’t have too much of it anyway so I don't miss it too much. Surprisingly, yoghurt and ice cream don’t break me out and I have no idea why but I don’t have a lot of ice cream though. On the other hand, Fries (I know it’s not dairy) also intermittently break me out especially if I have them a few times in a row within the same week so I try to space it out because I absolutely love fries. When I came to understand the important role of my diet in managing my acne, it made me very aware of what I was putting into my body. 

Wash your Makeup Brushes Regularly

I think this was definitely one of the biggest changes I made which yielded a lot of results. First off, using dirty makeup brushes is gross. If you use foundation and concealer or any makeup that's sticky/moist, it would most likely harbour bacteria on your brushes when they have not been washed in a long time. If you use these bacteria infested brushes (not the prettiest way to describe them but they are), then you stand the chance of introducing bacteria, dirt, grime, etc  to your skin. This may cause clogged pores which may result in breakouts/spots/acne.  I know that's a long stretch but there is a high possibility. I know many people who have used the same unwashed brushes for their makeup who still have amazing skin; I honestly don't know how they do it. Regardless, it always feels good to use fresh and clean makeup brushes.  I wash mine every Sunday (or worst case every other Sunday) and I have come to enjoy the process. Nothing beats the feeling of using clean brushes to apply my makeup. In between my wash day, I use a brush cleaner to wipe off any excess build up and it just takes a few seconds. For wash days, I use the Dr Bronner Magic Liquid Soap and the Sigma Express Brush Mat* which work together to give me clean brushes with the littlest amount of effort. I also wash my Beauty Blenders like twice or thrice a week because I cannot bear to use them when they look brown. I have a How to Wash your Makeup Brush post here.

Change your Pillow Cases Often

This is a really new lifestyle change for me and I am loving it.  I just realised that my pillow cases may have been harbouring some oils/dirt/germs  which were irritating my skin and causing me to break out. I discovered this because I noticed I was always breaking out on one side of my cheeks. I was perplexed as to why on earth this would happen and then realised that this was the cheek I slept on. That’s when it hit me that my pillow case must have been harbouring some oils, dirt or bacteria which were building up and irritating my skin. I went to Primark and Sainsbury's and purchased a few pillow cases and now, I hardly break out on that side of my cheek. I know this may seem like a lot to do but honestly, the few pounds or dollars you may spend on new pillow cases may well save your skin. I just try and rotate them every day or every other day and I am good to go. If you live in Nigeria and you don't want to spend too much money, you could pop into Aswani Market and get some affordable pillow cases (just ensure you wash them really well).

Side Bangs/Hairstyles touching your Face

Who would have thought this had anything to do with my breakouts? I use hair extensions to make my braids and weaves as they are easier to manage than my afro. Sometimes, I use some products on them  to keep them looking healthy as they don’t grow out of my scalp to receive any nutrients, moisture or shine. Some of these products may build up on the hair and could potentially cause some irritation if my hair touches my face. I find that if my hair style involves bangs and side sweeps, it means I have some hair touching my face. The  product build up on the hair usually breaks me out especially when the hair is consistently touching my face.  I am not sure if it is the oils or products in the hair or the actual hair extension that my skin does not like but it just leads to break outs. I try to put my hair in a silk night cap and use a fresh pillow case to prevent this. Most times,  I  prefer hairstyles that don’t involve side sweeps or bangs so nothing is touching my face. My skin feels better when I just have my afro because nothing touches my face and it's my real hair so no irritation caused whatsoever. If I have extensions, I prefer to opt for a middle part so that all my hair is swept away from my face. If you notice breakouts on only one part of your face or forehead, it may be caused by the hair style you have (or your sleeping position).

Wipe your Phone Screen Regularly

This was also another “eureka” moment for me. If you wear makeup or you just have combination or oily skin, you may have some dirt/oil/makeup residue left on your phone after a phone call. I know this may sound disgusting but sometimes my screen sometimes looks gross after I have made a phone call especially if I have a full face of makeup. I always wipe it afterwards if this happens because I love to have a pristine phone like everyone else.  Sometimes, I go the extra step and use a phone screen cleaner and a microfibre cloth which gets rid of some stubborn oils and even germs. Your skin especially near your cheeks will thank you for it and your phone will definitely look better. Honestly, this has really helped and I try never to use anyone else's phone to answer calls because I don't want any germs being transferred either ways. I find that even if you don't wear makeup, your skin's natural oils mixed with other environmental impurities may build up on your phone and still cause breakouts if you don't clean your phone. 

Remove your makeup at the end of the day/Cleanse your skin

To be honest, I have never had a problem taking off my makeup or cleansing my face every night. I just enjoy it and it makes me feel like I have no care in the world when my face is clean. The kind of cleansers or method you use is all dependent on what works best for your skin. There are different types of makeup removers including wipes (which I know is controversial but better than nothing), cleansing oils, cleansing balms, micellar waters, hot cloth cleansers and milky cleansers. It's also important to remember that removing your makeup is not the same as cleansing your face. If you wear makeup, it is good to do a double cleanse where you remove your makeup first and then go in with another cleanser.  Even if I didn't wear makeup, I still do a double cleanse  to get rid of any moisturiser/sunscreen/serums and any grime from the environment and then nourish my skin. I try not to use anything too harsh and I wash my face twice a day. A lot of people have said washing your face too much may exacerbate your acne but I think it all depends on your skin type. It has never been a problem for me. I always ensure I replenish the moisture and natural oils my skin may have lost during cleansing using a good skincare routine. I am not afraid of using oils on my skin at all as it helps balance out oil levels.  If you have the time to put on makeup, you need to carve out time to take it off (my personal mantra that helps me). If you don’t remove your makeup, then you can stand the risk of clogging your pores which can lead to breakouts. Sleeping in your makeup is not the best especially if you have acne/blemish prone skin. Also, your bedding and pillow cases may harbour some germ/dirt, etc  if you don't remove your makeup and may further cause breakouts even when you have cleansed your skin (if you don't change your beddings). I know I sound like a Mum now but seriously, it's so important to make an effort. One good tip is keep a small bottle of micellar water and cotton pads near your bed and that would help if you feel too tired to take your makeup off.



Investing in Flannels/Muslin Cloth
I have to say this is one of the best affordable changes I have made that has helped my skin so much. I have always had muslin cloths or flannels for drying my face after my skincare routine. However, I used one each week which was not doing my skin any favours as I was just reintroducing germs and bacteria to my face . It was undoing all the good work from my skincare routine. A few years ago, I popped into Primark and purchased a few more flannels for £1 or so and I have not looked back. Two years I ago, I discovered Wilko sells the softest flannels ever for 30p. Yes, 30p can you imagine that? Needless to say, I purchased so many flannels that right now I can go a whole month or two using a different one everyday. The key here is to use a clean flannel every day (you could use the same one morning and night or a different one in the morning and night). I prefer to use one every day both for morning and night and my skin loves it. Only very few things in this world can come compare to the feeling of a fresh clean flannel on your skin. The best part is it's so cheap. For £5, you can get 15 flannels which is insane and that should last you for two weeks before you wash them. If you don't take anything from this post, just try and get new flannels for use everyday and thank me later.

Find what works for you and stick to it

One thing I have learnt from my skincare journey is that effective products don’t necessarily have to be expensive. I have used products that have cost me an eye but did nothing for my skin. I have used many affordable and even indigenous local products that have absolutely worked. It is very tempting to want to try out many products. This may drive your skin insane and do more harm than good. No matter what; I would always give products at least one month for a trial. This is because it takes around 28 days for the skin to replenish itself or rejuvenate or any improvements to show. Of course, if a product is really bad for your skin, you need to stop immediately. I feel having a good skincare routine combined with these lifestyle changes has helped my skin over time.

Overall Thoughts
That's pretty much all my tips and recommendations. As mentioned earlier, these are just my experiences and changes that have worked for me. I am quite confident they would work for you but it is more important to find out the root cause of your acne and make the necessary lifestyle change. I still get hormonal breakouts sometimes but they are much less frequent than before where I used to get them for sure every month Mother nature appeared. Please do let me know any more lifestyle changes that have worked for you. What lifestyle changes have you made to deal with acne?