Skin Update #2 - Roaccutane/Accutane

Hey guys! Apologies for the massive break in blogging. Life took over and I would just like to leave the topic at that. :o)

I thought I would give you a little update on my skin since my last one back in September.

Since then, I've been on a couple of antibiotics, which didn't help me at all; and I decided to go back to the doctors and put my foot down and ask for something that was definitely meant to work, because I was absolutely sick of getting 99% of the side effects in each of the antibiotics prescribed to me.

Before I went in, I did my research, and found Roaccutane. I looked up all the side effects (and there are a whole LOT) and decided I would be able to handle most of these, at least the common ones anyway.

Roaccutane's side effects are so severe and it itself is so potent that it's used as a last resort, and it is EXTREMELY difficult for you to get on to it because of this. I didn't think I would be able to get onto it, from reading all the stories of the people of the internet.. from the videos I watched and the photos I saw, their acne seemed far worse than mine.

I remember sitting in the doctors office and telling her I am absolutely done with all these other treatments, and that none of them worked on my skin at all.

And just as I had almost gathered up the courage to ask her about Roaccutane, she turned to her computer and said 'I think it's time to refer you to a dermatologist. I think it's time for you to go on this drug called Roaccutane..'

And that was that. I've been on it for just over 4 months now, and I've experienced quite a few of the side effects that come with it, but my skin has definitely, vastly improved because of it.

Now and again I will post a review or a recommendation of a product that I have tried and tested that helps to combat the side effects I have experienced with Roaccutane, and if you have any questions about the drug itself or would like more details about the whole process of getting on Roaccutane, please drop a comment below and I will see if I can make a detailed blog post about it (^__^)

Till next time, stay awesome guys! :o)

Skin update #1 - Lymecycline/Tetracycline

Aloha my lovelies~ Today I thought I'd talk about what I've been doing for my skin lately.

Last time I posted about my skin, it was in a really bad state. You can click here to read the full post. After asking many people for advice, and them telling me to see my dermatologist, I gave in and made an appointment. I explained to her how painful it was and how I'm sick to death of battling with my acne on a daily basis; it's been about eleven years now, and I still haven't gotten rid of it, no matter what I tried. I had already been on antibiotics when I was around sixteen, and that messed my skin up even more, which put me off going to the doctors for it until now.

She decided that it was time to put me on Roaccutane, which is a last resort drug that is extremely harsh and you have to jump through a million hoops before even being considered to be put on it. I had to book a blood test to see if I had the all clear, and in the mean time she prescribed me something else to take as the time until I get Roaccutane will be quite long, and she wanted me to see if anything else that was left (that was less harsh) would work on my skin instead.

And guess what she gave me? Yup you guessed it.. more antibiotics.The first set she gave me when I was sixteen was an antibiotic called Tetracycline and some topical creams containing Benzoyl Peroxide and Differin in. It dried out my skin, my eyelids were rough and dry, and it LITERALLY cracked my lips. LITERALLY. It even made them turn bluey purple. 

It didn't help that I had no good idea about skincare back then either. She never told me to wash it off properly in the morning, she didn't explain what the ingredients were - I just assumed it was like a moisturiser like a nivea cream I had that had some added bonus ingredient in to get rid of the spots. It didn't occur to me to look up the ingredients or research them either, as I had a lot of bad things going on in my life which took centre stage instead.

But now that I know a lot more about skincare, I can battle anything that comes my way when it comes to any skin-related side effects when taking antibiotics.

But alas, as prepared as I was for those side effects, it was not to be. At least not with this one anyway. My dermatologist prescribed me some antibiotics (which is similar to tetracycline) called Lymecycline. I took these for two weeks exactly, and I had no skin related side effects apart from a little dryness, but that was easily combated with a heavier moisturiser. 

The reason I had to stop taking these was because I was having other side effects that I couldn't handle. These included headaches, dizziness, and itchy skin. I was itchy on my face, arms, legs, torso, back. It was ridiculous! When I would pray and stand up after prostrating, I would be so dizzy I would fall side ways and end up hitting myself on a wall or a sofa or even the fan!

If you know me personally, you'd know I suffer from migraine attacks very frequently, but less so than before. Because of the fact that they had been getting less, I was very happy - but then I would get a different type of headache which lasted a lot longer and was painful in a different way, and the only thing I was taking that was different was the antibiotics.

Anyone who has had migraine attacks like mine will agree with me that you wouldn't wish them on your worst enemy, and I did NOT want to have any more headaches than I could take, so in the end I had to stop taking the antibiotics.

I managed to get another appointment with my dermatologist and she told me to stop taking the Lymecyline and prescribed me another antibiotic which is also in the same family of drugs, but I will post about  how I'm getting on with that in an other skincare update, seeing as I've only just received them, so I can't really tell you if I have any side effects yet!

Whewww, sorry about the length of this, I didn't realise I had so much to say! I might post another update in about two weeks, or maybe earlier depending on if these antibiotics work or not - hopefully they will, that way I won't have to go on anything harsher! (^__^)

Let me know in the comments below if you like posts like this, and/or if you have any questions about any of the topical creams or antibiotics I've used, or anything else related to this post - I'll try my best to answer it :o)

Updated Skincare Routine for S/S 2013

If you remember a couple of months ago, I posted a Chitchat post on how bad my skin had gotten. Just to refresh your memory, or for those who don't know about it.. it was so painful I could not sleep because of it.

I got various comments on that blog post, but the general theme was to go to the dermatologist and to stick to natural things. I haven't really been to the dermatologist (mine is useless) but I did end up going for more natural things, less harsh things, and things intended for sensitive and blemish prone skins. 

And now that my skin has almost recovered from that awful breakout, Alhamdulillah, I thought I would share  my skincare routine again (^__^)

[Clockwise from left]

Cleanser:
The Body Shop's Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash
I've used this cleanser for years. It's really good for oily skin, and I decided to go back to it to eliminate all the excess sebum that was clogging up my pores. It works everytime, and I will always go back to it.

Scrub:
St Ives Naturally Clear Apricot Scrub (Blemish Fighting)
This. Is. Amazing. It's MILES better than the one I tried before, which was a bit meh. Its granules are much rougher which is exactly what I like in a facial scrub - I think this has got to be the best exfoliator I have ever tried, and yes! It is better than the original formula! It's texture reminds me of this superdrug mask I reviewed ^^
This helped to slough off all the dead skin cells and random dry patches that also clogged up my pores. It left my skin as smooth as a baby's bum. I use it every other day now. :D

Moisturisers:
Holland & Barrett's Aloe Vera Gel
This saved my whole face. This has got to be the single most important thing in my skincare routine. It healed all my spots, it calmed down my redness, it moisturised and softened my skin really well. I thoroughly recommend this if you had a bad breakout like I did, it will save your skin - I just cannot live without it now.

Simple Kind to Skin Light Hydrating Moisturiser
I don't love this as much anymore, but I have been using this so I thought I'd put it in. It's really good if you have oily skin but my skin just isnt that oily anymore. I'm thinking of trying the rich version of this when it finishes.

Skin Wisdom Youth Protect Eye Treatment
I've already put up a review of this eye cream, which you can read here. It's a pretty good eye cream for its price, better than the simple one anyway. Can you guess who made this? :P

Lipbalm:
Nivea Lip Butter in Caramel Cream
Sigh. I jumped on a bandwagon. My Nivea Hydrocare was running low when I bought this that's why, I swear! *shifty eyes* Sigh. I just wanted to know why everyone was dying over it, okay?
I still don't see it though. I mean it's alright.. it does the job. The smell reminds me of caramel popcorn *drools* which is a bit of a pain in the bum because when I put it on before bed, the smell always makes me crave it!

So yeah. I decided to keep it simple and gentle. I haven't been using any masks either. Although that will soon change, I do miss using them. Also, apologies for the long hiatus (yet again) I needed a bit of a break :o) Glad to be back though! (^__^) Missed you guys ;D

Disclaimer: All products featured were bought with my own money. All opinions are my own, etc, etc, etc.. ^^

Witch Blemish Stick Review

When I was younger, and my skin first started playing up, one of the first things I tried was the Witch Blemish Stick. 

It didn't work for me. At all. But that was because it was the only thing I used. I didn't know that I had to wash my face with a certain cleanser or use a certain cream for my face and I hadn't even heard of the term 'exfoliation'. However, if I had known all that back then, I probably would have been using this for years by now, it is that good!

The Witch Blemish Stick contains Witch Hazel extract, a strong antioxidant and astringent, with the latter being vital in the fight against acne in oily/combination skin, and is a popular ingredient in many skincare items.

The product itself matches the blue packaging, but applies clear. It's smell is quite strong but fades away after a couple of minutes on the skin. The packaging is sturdy and the screw-on cap ensures that the lid won't pop off and ruin itself if it falls or the contents of your bag.

'Witch Blemish Stick helps to break down excess oils and fights bacteria that cause spots.'

After using it a few times a day for approximately two weeks, I can confirm wholeheartedly that this is true. Excess oil on my T zone has been massively reduced, and on top of that any redness in that area has been toned down quite significantly - always a bonus in my books; I detest the redness around my nose, it makes me feel very self concious and this has helped combat it very well!

Another thing it claims to do is that it 'gets to work instantly' - and instantly it does! As soon as I apply it to the affected area, my skin feels tingly and even stings a little bit - a sign that it is working, for me atleast. If you have sensitive skin, I'd do a little patch test, and advise you - just like it says on the packaging - to use it with caution.

I find that when applying it to my face, I have to rub it in with my fingers to warm it up a little to make sure it melts completely into my skin. If I just dab it on, it tends to leave my skin flaky and rather tight - not a good look. Trust me on this.. I learnt this the hard way. xD

You can pick up this little beauty at Superdrug for half price (£1.35) at the moment! Bargain. I recommend you get your hands on it while it's on offer, you won't regret it! (^__^)

Disclaimer: All products were bought with my own money unless stated otherwise. All opinions are my own.

Beauty Tip: How to Clean Your Make-up Brushes ☼

Taking care of your brushes is very important. Because they come into contact with your skin on a daily basis, they are bound to take up your excess oil and acne-causing bacteria -and nobody wants that, because even though you will have a clean face in the morning before you put your make-up on, the bacteria on your brush from the day before will be transferred from your dirty brush, and wreak havoc on your skin, no matter how much you wash it!

For my brushes, I tend to take a dollop of my tea tree oil facial cleanser (review here) in my wet palm, wet my brush, and swirl it into my palm. I then hold the brush head under the open tap until it runs clear. If it seem's to be taking too long (this is usually the case when you use a foundation brush), then repeat the process.

Every few washes, I use baby shampoo instead, just to keep the bristles soft so they don't irritate my skin.

So which brushes do I wash how many times?

♦     Powder/blush brushes: Every 2-3 days 

♦     Foundation brushes: Every time you use it!

♦     Eyeshadow/eyeliner/lip brushes: Again, every time you use them, because obviously,
(a) the eye shadow powder will mix, and
(b) eye liner and lip brushes get hard after you've used them.

♦     Synthetic/duo fibre brushes: I recommend using a mix of baby oil and baby shampoo to wash these if you're using a cream product.

Once you've washed them, gently swirl the wet brush onto some tissue paper to get rid of excess water, then reshape so the bristles are in the shape you bought them in - some brushes come with a brush guard which you can slide over to help maintain their shape.

I wash mine before bed, and leave them lying on a couple of layers of tissue, so they will be dry and ready by the morning for me to use ASAP. (^__^)

Hope this helps any newbies out there ☻

Disclaimer: All products were bought with my own money unless stated otherwise. All opinions are my own.

Fruity Face Mask: Combination/Oily Skin

From the fridge to your face, home made masks are great fun to make and are an excellent way to deep cleanse your complexion. So I thought why not put together and share some of my recipes with you? (^__^)

Today's face mask is designed specifically for combination/oily skin. Don't worry those who are not of this skin type - I have another two face mask recipes that I intend to post up soon ☺ 

This mask includes the following ingredients:

•  1 egg white - makes your skin tighter, more lifted, and reduces visible pores. It is also very good at reducing the amount of oil on your face. (I suggest using organic eggs, as they do not have any traces of artificial hormones, herbicides, or pesticides)
  
  
•  2 tablespoons natural yoghurt - this contains a lactic acid (a natural, alpha hydroxy acid) that helps to smooth and exfoliate your skin and tighten pores. It is also has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, which help reduce the amount of nasties lurking on your skin that like to cause spots!
  
  
•  3/4 medium sized strawberries - these beauties contain a natural alpha hydroxy acid called salicylic acid that can help slough off dead skin cells. Not only that, but they help tone skin, lighten any pigmentation problems, and keep your skin smooth and supple.

Method:

1. Whisk the egg white until frothy, then add in the yoghurt.

2. In a seperate bowl, mash up the strawberries with a fork, and add to the other mixture and blend well.

3. Wrap a towel or some tissue around your neck - you don't want your clothes getting dirty!
4. Apply to your face and sit back and relax for 10 minutes. If you'd rather not use your hands, I suggest using an old paddle style foundation brush instead.

5. And lastly, wash off with warm water!

Your mask should end up looking like this:

I would have put up a picture of me wearing it but it's kind of hard when you wear a hijaab :P

Let me know what you think if you try it (^__^)

All Round Good Guys: Green tea ☺

Naturally rich in antioxidants, green tea helps to protect our bodies from free radicals - naturally occurring particles in the body that are associated with an increased risk of major diseases. 

Being exposed on a daily basis to pollution, smoke, and excess sunlight leads to an increase in the amount of free radicals in our blood, and the potent antioxidants found in green tea help to combat these, promoting good health and saving us from those pesky free radicals that keep going after our DNA, which leads to cancer, blocked arteries and blood clots!

Green tea has also been known for its ability to prevent bad breath and tooth decay.

It can help reduce tension headaches (something which I can definitely vouch for).

It helps burn fat, stabilize high cholesterol levels, control blood sugar levels, thus preventing diabetes and strokes. 

It helps boost your immune system, prevents and reduces acne (TRUTH!), it even has an ingredient (Catechine) which helps destroy bacteria which causes food poisoning in the stomach!

So.. anyone want a nice hot cup of Twinings? 

Disclaimer: All products were bought with my own money unless stated otherwise. All opinions are my own.

Current Skincare Routine: For Oily/Combination Skin

Hi. I'm Mary. And I've suffered from horrible skin problems for over 8 years. I've tried a million things in a row, and I've finally found a skincare routine that works - thank the Lord! 

Now my skin, as you can tell from the title of this post, is oily/combination. It used to be really oily once upon a time, but over the years it has become less oily around the cheeks and I am now left with just a very oily t-zone.

When my skin is feeling particularly oily:

Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash by The Body Shop

Tea tree oil - the wonder from down under as I like to call it - originates from Australia, and has been used for centuries for healing. It treats acne, wounds/cuts, burns, even dandruff! It is anti-fungal, antiviral, and antiseptic making it an excellent treatment for acne, as one of the main causes of acne is bacteria typically found on our skin that used the sebum (oil) on our skin as a nutrient for growth.

After I use this face wash using my S&G Mini Mitt, the oil on my skin is greatly reduced, and the little tightness I feel in my skin is gone after I moisturise. I can say that this, hand on heart, has definitely helped my skin become clearer over the years. I may try other cleansers but I will always fall back on this - it is that good!

Dark Angels by Lush

When my t-zone is feeling a bit more oily than usual, I take a little bit of Dark Angels in my palm (about a pea sized amount), add some water to form a paste, and put it across my forehead, nose, and chin. I then wait a couple of minutes before washing it off. This really gets rid of the oiliness! A recent purchase; and to be quite franks, I don't know how I've lived without it!

And when my skin is feeling a tad on the dry side..

Aloe Calming Facial Cleanser by The Body Shop

I use a little of this on my trusty Mini Mitt, giving extra attention to the dry patches on my cheeks. Once I've patted my skin dry, I use a lighter moisturiser - but only out of habit, because you don't really need to after this, as it does not leave the skin tight like the Tea Tree Oil cleanser does.

Simple Kind to Skin Cleansing Facial Wipes from Boots

Although it's not a cleanser, I thought I'd give this an honorary mention. 

We all get lazy sometimes, and when we do we reach for something quick and simple - facial wipes. Now, I've tried a few different make-up remover wipes but none have ever come CLOSE to these! 

My eyes are kind of sensitive, and if I used anything even slightly rough (Nivea wipes.. I'm looking at you!), my eyelids become sore and red and they hurt like mad! 

But these? Never once have my eyes been hurt by them, even when I'm wearing the most stubborn of mascara on my top AND bottom lashes. Nope, not once. Although I don't use them much because I don't get lazy with my skin a lot to be honest, but when I do I've always come back to these babies. 

They really are true to their name!

Anyway, that's enough babble for one post! Do let me know if anyone has any questions about anything :-)

Disclaimer: All products were bought with my own money unless stated otherwise. All opinions are my own.