My last skincare post was about the new-to-me Instanatural Scar Gel and how it basically saved my face. My acne went from plentiful and painful to occasional and short-lived.
While a few things have changed since that post, my love for the scar gel and Instanatural in general has not. In fact, I now have another favorite product. But before I talk more about that, let me share the backstory.
Between early-January and mid-February, my skin started breaking out again. Not the way it did in February 2014, but more than it had in a while. No bueno! My diet + stress levels + general environment hadn’t changed much, so I was a little confused. Why was my skin doing this to me out of the blue?!
That’s when I decided that a change of some sort was in order. So the experimenter in me did a bit of research and decided to change things up a little and try a few new products.
New product #1 – Dove Bar Soap for Sensitive Skin
A while back, my mom/dad’s dermatologist mentioned how he recommends Dove Bar Soap for Sensitive Skin to all of his patients and especially to those who experience acne. When my mom told me this, I shook my head in disbelief. I mean, how could Dove Bar Soap help with my horrendous acne?!
A year or so later, a good friend of mine mentioned Dove again and said that it really helped clear up her skin. That’s just not for me, I thought!
Not sure what changed in February, but after doing some Googling, I decided to give it a try. So I now I only use a bar soap to wash my face. Who would’ve thought?!
Note – I still love the Desert Essence face wash I used for years.
New product #2 – Grape Seed Oil (I use a different oil right now but will be getting this one next time.)
When I decided to switch to Dove Bar Soap as my face wash, I realized that while its gentle on the skin and all that, it wouldn’t be able to remove all of my makeup. So back to Google I went, and that’s when I came across grape seed oil and how it can be used as a makeup remover. As I read more, I came to learn that due to its non-comedogenic properties grape seed oil is great for acne prone skin. And that got me thinking about using it as my go to moisturizer.
Anyway, I ordered a bottle, and when it came in, I got to work. First of all, I needed to see if it worked as a makeup remover. All I did was pour a nickle sized amount into one palm, rubbed the oil between my hands, and then massaged my face for a good minute or so. I then took a wet washcloth and gently used that to remove the oil. You guys! It worked. My washcloth was a hot mess, but my makeup came off! I finished the routine with a little Dove Bar Soap action and was good to go!
Then I had to decide exactly how to use the oil as a moisturizer. I decided that in the PM I would apply 2-3 drops along with a small amount of my Cerave moisturizing cream to my face. And in the AM, I would only use one drop along with a small amount of Cerave.
New product #3 – Instanatural Skin Clearing Serum
I originally ordered this not for it’s skin clearing properties but because it claims to help with anti-aging as well. I figured it was about time I started using something to help with that!
How does this play into your routine, Parita? How many products do you even use?
Fair enough! This is the first product I apply after washing my face. Then comes the scar gel (only on my scars). Then comes the tea tree oil (only on existing acne). And then comes the grape seed oil + moisturizer. See, not that complicated at all! 🙂
RESULTS!
I purposely didn’t talk about how these products are working for me individually because I made all three of these changes around the same time, so it’s impossible to tell how one thing is working in isolation.
Overall, I LOVE each of these products, and the changes are in fact working (fingers crossed!). Not only is my skin clearer but my dark spots are also fading. I read somewhere that grape seed oil can help with this issue but who knows. And any new acne that I do get goes away within a day or two as long as I stay consistent with the routine.
An additional benefit is that my skin is a lot smoother than it has been in the past. I know this because my makeup just glides on now…no more rough, dry patches! My skin looks/feels consistently moisturized and “glowy” (small amounts of grape seed oil will not cause your skin to look greasy!!).
Over the years, I’ve blogged A LOT about my acne prone skin and the different products I’ve tried. All I can say is that (for now) these products are reallyreallyreally working for me.
Tell me about any new products you’ve tried and loved recently!
No portion of this post is sponsored. However, there are a few Amazon affiliate links included. There is no extra cost to you, but I do receive a small commission on anything you buy through my links. Thank you for reading and supporting My Inner Shakti!
Sounds like you’ve found some legit products! I go to Blue Mercury here in town and started using the M-61 Power Cleanse Glycolic face cleanser as my every day go-to face wash. I love it! It’s mild, paraben-free, fragrance-free, gluten-free, hypoallergenic and vegan! It feels really light on the face and you don’t need a lot to get your face clean, which I love. Three days a week I use their M-61 Vitablast C Scrub and Mask. Again, I don’t need a lot, but it’s a great scrub so I can exfoliate about 3 times a week. My skin feels SO smooth after using it. Then when I get OUT of the shower or after washing my face, I use the M-61 SuperSoothe E Cream which is an oil-free moisturizer for my face. Recently I got a free sample from them of their Hydraboost Eye Serum which I put under my eyes on top of the moisturizer.
A lot of products? Yes. But I finally found ones that work! They aren’t cheap either, but they’ve absolutely helped my skin! I’ve been using them for a few months now so I feel like these might be it for me in terms of skincare products!
Aparna B. recently posted…Wake Up and Smell the Routine
Sounds like you have the perfect routine right now. It’s taken me years and years of experimentation but I think I’m getting there!
I’m glad you posted this. I remember wanting to try that scar gel last time you posted and I am going to order some today! Isn’t it funny how the simplest things (ex. bar of soap) can do wonders? I’m a big fan of jojoba oil at night. It has helped my dry patches tremendously.
Pragati // Simple Medicine recently posted…Funfetti Cake Smoothie
My mom is a huge fan of jojoba oil. She loves the stuff!
And you should definitely check out Instanatural and their line of products. I think you’d love them!
[…] I recently blogged about a new routine and products that are working wonders for me. Click here to read […]
I’m glad you found something that works and isn’t too time consuming. I had no idea grape seed oil was so versatile!
Kacy recently posted…FriYAYS # 7 – Ketchung!
It’s amazing! I also use a little on my hair on those dry days!
Ima 29 yo male with “back”ne Ive had my whole life, only discovered after all these years its dairy products that give me it. Go dairy free for a few weeks and see the results. Hormones in cows milk increase a certain protein in our bodies, growth factor one I think its called, it goes into overdrive because of the hormones they pump into cows and it causes our skin to produce too many cells which then clog up pores and cause acne. Its also a cancer risk, as increased cell division would be.
Hi Parita,
I think you have a very beautiful face and do not need to do anything to it. Thank you for taking time to read my comment. I am born and bred in Kenya and had very fair skin. But now living in the UK for 14 years, my skin has become drier and darker than my natural color and also have mild eczema which has also turned my skin darker.. Like you, I recently started drinking Apple Cider Vinegar after reading all about it on the internet. It’s been 15 days now – it is great for constipation, BUT my skin has become even more darker than before using it. A few months back I tried Amla powder and it had the same effect on my skin. At this moment, I am feeling very depressed – it seems that anything that is sour (Amla powder, Apple Cider Vinegar) causes my skin to darken (could this be a true fact?). From your knowledge and experience, I just wanted to know what I could do to reverse the effects and also what I can use for my dark skin. Please help. Your time and response will be greatly appreciated. You could reply to me on my email address. Many thanks Parita.
You have a very beautiful face and do not need to do anything to it. I am born and bred in Kenya and had very fair skin. Living in the UK for 14 years, my skin has become drier and darker than my natural color and also have mild eczema which has also turned my skin darker.. Like you, I recently started drinking Apple Cider Vinegar. It’s been 15 days now – great for constipation, BUT my skin has become even more darker than before using it. I tried Amla powder earlier and it had the same effect on my skin. At this moment, I am feeling very depressed – it seems that anything that is sour (Amla powder, Apple Cider Vinegar) causes my skin to darken (could this be a true fact?). From your knowledge and experience, what I could do to reverse the effects and also use for my dark skin. Please help. Your time and response will be greatly appreciated. You could reply to me on my email address. Many thanks Parita.
Your AVC fiasco blog is what got me here. I recently tried AVC as a topical and it was the worst beauty decision I’ve made in a while!! Im talking about developing huge cystic acne pimple within 3 days! I normally only get one or two of these pimples around the week before my period. But i developed 6 within a few days of trying AVC. And i just finished my cycle!! I wanted to cry. So i thought if AVC didnt work out for you as well, and this routine is- then maybe i should give it a shot!
I’m sorry to hear that your skin reacted poorly to ACV! Trust me, I get it. Please let me know if this new routine works for you. My skin and I are truly loving it!
[…] kept up with my pre-pregnancy skincare routine (minus the Instanatural Skin Clearing Serum, as it contains retinol) because it really does help […]
Hi Parita,
I really loved using Dove Bar Soap because it leaves my skin smooth and healthy. I like the soap because it contains milk that is good for the skin. My skin is nourished when I used Dove. Thanks!