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Month 1 – Less Sugar + Dairy

written by Parita Leave a Comment

If you follow me regularly (ish), you’ve heard me talk about 1. my skin woes and 2. how I’m working to improve the condition of my skin both from the inside out and the outside in.

After my work trip to Vancouver in early December, I came home and told my husband that something needed to change, because aside from it being a vanity thing, my face hurt. My blemishes were deep and painful, and honestly, I was just so sick of feeling helpless about it. Something needed to change!

I share a bit more about the what and the why in this post. The abbreviated version of it all is that over the course of a few months I started noticing a trend after indulgent weekends where I consumed a lot of sugar and dairy (more so than usual). My skin would errupt with new (and painful) breakouts every single time.

I thought I would be fine because I’m on birth control and have a pretty solid skincare routine. But no such luck. So immediately upon returning from Vancouver, I decided to cut way back on my sugar and dairy consumption.

Before I share my one month ‘results,’ let me define ‘cut way back.’ I didn’t eliminate the two completely, but rather looked at the opportunity to eat them as “worth it” moments. In the case of dairy (specifically cow’s milk cheese), I purposely only used 75-80% of what I normally would’ve ate. I have yet to eat a meal out that includes dairy. In terms of sugar, I’ve only really had processed sugar foods 2-3 times in the past month. And again, when I did consume them, I ate 75% of what I would have in the past. For example, earlier this week, Vishnu was having a bowl of a new-to-me ice cream I’ve been wanting to try. Instead of eating half the pint, I served myself 3 small spoonfuls. A worth it moment that didn’t go wrong!

Ok so the results…

My skin looks the better than it has in a very very long time (knocking on all the wood!). I do have a couple of blemishes that are making their way out but have not had any new ones since the holidays. My skin is also less red, irritated, and textured overall. I feel like I finally have a glow of some sort. I do, however, still have acne scars that will obviously take time to heal (if ever).

Present day skin – no makeup/no filter

And just to show how this compares to my skin a few months ago or as recently as Thanksgiving, here are a few close-up pics. Note that I am wearing makeup in most of these, so my skin may not look that bad, but trust me…it was!

October 2018
Early November 2018
Thanksgiving 2018

Speaking of healing scars, I should also mention that I’m using the new Drunk Elephant retinol (started on December 28th). I want to give it some time before sharing my views, but I will say that this stuff is very potent. I started using it every other day, but upon noticing how dry and flaky my skin looked/felt, I went to every three days. That was still too much, so now I use it twice a week (at night). I have high hopes that this stuff will help fade my scars but will give it some time before shouting my excitement from the rooftop! More to come!

I’m going to keep this way of eating up and will report back on the condition of my skin in a couple of months. Wish me luck!

Written on January 16, 2019 Related:Skincare, Uncategorized

Three Changes I’m Making for (Hopefully) Clearer Skin

written by Parita 1 Comment

If you look back at my blog archives over the past eight years,you’ll find a countless number of posts about my experiences with acne.  Everything from what I’ve tried to combat it to the lifestyle changes I’ve implemented.

In the last year alone, I went to a dermatologist (who wanted to start me on a $500/month prescription), started birth control, and switched my entire skincare routine over to Drunk Elephant.  And while the condition of my skin has improved dramatically and the number of breakouts I get has decreased quite a bit, I still feel like there’s more I can do. I say this because I still break out every now and then, and it’s painful, and as vain as it sounds, it’s not pretty.

Before I go into the exact changes, let me address what I’ve noticed in the last 6 months or so. Every time I indulge a little (or a lot!), specifically with cheesy and sugary foods, my skin responds very negatively. For example, after our weekend in Traverse City where I drank lots of wine, ate lots of cheese, and had two desserts in one day, my skin went nuts.  The same thing happened after Thanksgiving weekend because I ate mac n’ cheese for 4 days straight.  And again after Vancouver (re: four nights straight of wine and dessert).

I’m thinking you know what two of my changes are!  If you guessed significantly reducing the amount of cheese (I don’t really consume other forms of dairy) and sugar I eat,you’re right.  Looking back, I think if I moved the needle even 80%, I’d see a huge improvement. 

My third change is implementing a sleep routine.  Of course, Mr. Kaiden may throw this off a little, but I know I can do better.  For example, instead of falling asleep on the couch, I should just go to bed.  I’m also hoping that by creating a bedtime routine, I’ll be able to fall asleep and stay asleep for most of the night.  I’ve read a lot about how sleep impacts skin health (along with everything else), so I’m putting it and myself to the test!

Those who know me well may be thinking, “But Par, you LOVE cheese and sweet stuff.  Are you really just giving it up cold turkey?”  Trust me, I’ve been toying with this exact thought for a while now.  My answer is this…for the next month, I’m giving up cow’s milk cheese and refined sugar. After that, I’m going to reevaluate how my skin looks and feels and take it from there.  To be honest, I think my days of eating multiple slices of pizza are gone, but that’s what it’s comedown to.  I can’t deal with my skin looking like it did when I was 15. 

With that being said, after this one month period, if there’s something I want to try, I will allow myself a bite or two of the good stuff.  I mean, life’s too short to totally give up the stuff you love!

So here’s the plan for the next month at least…

  1. No cow’s milk dairy
  2. No added/refined sugar (super dark chocolate a-ok!)
  3. Operation ‘get better sleep’ – put a routine in place and no handheld devices for the hour leading up to bedtime

I know lots of you are interested in these kinds of experiments because many of us struggle with adult acne.  I’ll revisit this here on the blog in a month to share my progress.  Hopefully I learn some good stuff!

WISH ME LUCK!

Written on December 19, 2018 Related:Skincare, Uncategorized

Where I Am Now

Where I Am Now

written by Parita 10 Comments

If you’re a long time reader, you know that I like to conduct personal experiments/challenges.  Whether they’re food or fitness related or about something else entirely, I enjoy trying something new and then sharing it on MIS.

The thing is – as much as I enjoy sharing about what I learned and what the results were, I don’t normally follow up after the first update.  So today I thought I would share more about where I am now in terms of some of my more recent experiments.

Where I Am Now

No Added Sugar Challenge

A few months ago, I took on a no added sugar challenge because I wanted to reign in my sugar consumption.  It went well…not perfectly…but well.

Since the end of my challenge, I’ve noticed a difference in my cravings.  While I do still enjoy my occasional sweets, I don’t have to have something every day.  WIN!  In fact, my favorite sweet treats are still frozen grapes and dates + PB + a few chocolate chips.

Coconut Oil Experiment

I recently incorporated coconut oil into my beauty routine.  So far, I’m LOVING It.  My skin feels sooo soft!

In addition to using it as a body moisturizer, I’ve been applying it under my eyes as an anti-aging solution and on my eyebrows to help promote some hair growth.  While I can’t really report on how well the anti-aging is going, I’m happy to report that my eyebrow hairs are growing in!  It’s not super obvious, but I can truly tell a difference.  WOO HOO!

New Skincare Routine (acne related)

I blogged about my new skincare routine a month ago.  And for once, I’m happy to report that my face is still doing ok.  In fact, I just ordered more InstaNatural Scar Gel and Desert Essence face wash (and yes I order the refill size bottle!) today.

Hoping with all my might that my new routine only helps my skin get better with time…or at least not worse!

In terms of what’s next on the personal experiment front, I just started 30 day “control your reaction” challenge.  More on this soon!

Tell me about something new you’ve tried lately!

No portion of this post is sponsored.  However, there are a couple of 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!

Written on October 28, 2015 Related:Health, Self

Instanatural scar gel is my clear skin secret

InstaNatural Scar Gel + My New Skincare Routine

written by Parita 19 Comments

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged about my acne dilemmas.  And there’s a very good reason for that.  Over the past 3ish months, my acne has gone from prominent and painful to nearly nonexistent.

Yes, that’s correct!  I have (for the time being at least) cured my face of constant breakouts.  Of course, I’m still prone to the occasional pimple here and there, but it’s not a regular thing anymore!  And the pimples I do get disappear in days versus weeks.

I honestly don’t know what to attribute this wonderful and exciting development to.  My mom and Vishnu think it’s because I’ve been working on reducing my stress levels.  Personally, I think it’s due in part to that and in part to my new skincare routine. And in particular, a new product I added to my regimen – the InstaNatural Scar Gel.

Insta Natural Scar Gel

Before I tell you all about this magical potion, I have to share how I came across it.

At the end of May, Vishnu suggested I use Mederma (a scar lightener) on the scars I have on my legs from the Tough Mudder race I ran last year.   I said I would look into it but never did (oops!).  When he realized this, he took matters into his own hands and did a little research on scar gels/creams.  That’s how he came across InstaNatural.  And without telling me, he bought a bottle.

When it finally arrived in early June, I asked Vishnu if he thought I could use it on my face too.  Ultimately, I decided to give it a try (because why not?!) and started with a couple of the more prominent scars on my face.  Over time, I started applying a thin layer to my entire face.  And I kid you not when I say that it has made all the difference in the world.  Not only are my scars (both new and old) fading, but my skin is smoother and brighter than ever before.

You guys know I’ve tried everything under the sun to address my acne – I took antibiotics and used a prescription grade cream, I tried going dairy-free, I used Proactiv, and we can’t forget about my ACV fiasco.  And this is just scratching the surface.  I’ve been experimenting for YEARS!  And now, I have finally found something that is the real deal (for me)!

InstaNatural Scar Gel is made with Epidermal Growth Factor which helps speed the healing process.  It also includes green tea, moisturizers, etc.  Whatever it is, it’s truly magical!  And while the price point compared to the size of the bottle is on the higher end of the spectrum, I can vouch for the fact that the product goes a LONG way.  I’ve had the same bottle for almost four months.

The gel itself is light brown in color and has a runny but spreadable consistency that absorbs quickly into the skin. I use one full pump for my entire face.  Some reviewers say the smell is off putting, but I honestly don’t smell anything at all.

Here’s exactly how I incorporate it into my skincare routine

My New AM Skincare Routine

  • Wash my face with Desert Essence Thoroughly Clear Face Wash
  • Apply a thin layer of InstaNatural Scar Gel to my entire face
  • Dab a drop of Tea Tree Oil to any existing bumps (and ONLY to those areas)
  • Apply two pumps of Trader Joe’s Oil-Free Moisturizer to my entire face

My New PM Skincare Routine

My PM skincare routine mirrors the above with one small change.  Instead of using the Trader Joe’s Moisturizer, I apply a nickel sized amount of the Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream for Dry/Sensitive Skin to my entire face before bed.

Clarification – I also use coconut oil every PM around my eyes, on my eyebrows, and on my lips.  

I’ve been taking pictures of my face to monitor the progress, and if I wasn’t such a wuss, I’d share them with you guys!  But trust me when I say that my skin on June 12 looks completely different than it does now.  In fact, when I went home this past weekend, my sister thought I was wearing makeup when I wasn’t!  If that’s not something, then I don’t know what is!

I’ll post an update in a few months to share how this new product and routine are going.  Fingers crossed that I don’t have to add this to my long list of acne experiment failures!

Let me know if you decide to try this scar gel.  While I can’t guarantee that it’ll be just as life changing for everyone, I do think it’s worth a try!

No portion of this post is sponsored!  However, there are a few affiliate links sprinkled throughout. Thank you for reading and supporting My Inner Shakti!

Written on September 30, 2015 Related:Skincare

Acne Update: Jojoba Oil + Tea Tree Oil

written by Parita 23 Comments

One of the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is look in the mirror and evaluate my skin.  I’m mostly looking for one thing – new acne.

Recently, I’ve been pretty happy with what I see.  For the first time in a long time, my skin is doing ok.  And it kind of freaks me out.  I’m so happy my skin is finally calming down, but I don’t want to get my hopes up.  That’s what almost 20 years of dealing with acne will do to you!

Anyways, I want to share more about what I’m attributing to this recent positive phenomenon.

The first thing is undoubtedly my dairy-free experiment.  I can’t wait to share more about how it’s going (coming soon!).  While travelling a few weeks from the end of November through the beginning of December, I didn’t stick to my goal of staying away from dairy.  It was partly circumstance and mostly my own doing!  But I’m back to it…with lots of lessons learned.

I believe the second factor that’s helping my skin is a new simplified moisturizing routine.

Before I share more, here are a few things to know:

  • After going to a dermatologist, I took antibiotics for four months and used Tazorac gel for almost nine months.
  • The pills and topical creams/lotions/gels worked for a couple of months (it got worse before it got better).
  • In October, a few months after I was off the antibiotics, I noticed that even with Tazorac my skin was still breaking out.

That’s when my experiment loving self started doing some research.  Both my cousin and countless articles on the internet suggested jojoba oil as a great option for people with acne-prone skin because it’s the closest to human sebum (it tricks our skin into thinking it’s producing enough oil, balancing oil-production), it’s non-comedogenic, it’s loaded with vitamin E and other useful things, etc.

And so I thought – let me try this!

My nighttime routine consisted of 4-5 drops of jojoba oil applied to my entire face and a pea-sized amount of Tazorac applied on the affected area.  During the day, I used Trader Joe’s Nourish moisturizer and a very small amount of the Tazorac.

As the weather started to change (yes, even down here in Miami), I started getting dry patches on my skin.  This led to severe peeling, aggravated skin, and more acne.

After my trip to DC, when my skin was at it’s worst, I made the decision to stop using Tazorac cold turkey.  In it’s place, I decided to give tea tree oil another chance.  However, instead of applying it directly to my skin, which I think caused more harm than good, I now mix it in with the Jojoba oil and my daytime moisturizer.

Facial oils

So this is what my new routine looks like…

  • Daytime: one pump of Trader Joe’s Nourish moisturizer + two drops of tea tree oil mixed together and applied to the entire face (being extra careful around the eyes)
  • Nighttime: five drops of jojoba oil + three to four drops of tea tree oil mixed together and applied to the entire face (again, being extra careful around the eyes)

It’s hard to explain in words what a difference this change has made.  In a nutshell, my skin is less oily during the day, breakouts are at a minimum (and the ones that pop up every now and then go way more quickly than they ever have before), and during a time of month when things are usually super bad, my skin is calmer than ever.

Like I said, I’m kind of freaking out!

I honestly can’t say if this tweak would’ve made a huge difference had I not given up dairy, but I’m happy to report that together these changes are making a huge difference.

The one thing I’ve learned on my journey is that everyone is different.  What works for me may not work for the next person (as evident by my ACV disaster).  With that being said, I’ll share my progress over the next few months with the hope that my story may help someone else!  If anyone knows how painful (in so many ways) acne is, it’s me!

Here’s to clearer skin (fingers crossed)!

Do you suffer from acne?  What does your skincare routine look like?

Written on December 22, 2014 Related:Health, Skincare

Acne Update

written by Parita 16 Comments

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged about my acne issues. If I’m not mistaken, the last time I talked about my skin problems was around the time of the big ACV fiasco. It literally pains me to think about it.

With that being said, I want to begin this post by saying that skincare, like almost everything in life, is very personal. For example, ACV works so well for some people but not so much for others (like me). Unfortunately, there is no magic formula!

However, since October/November of last year, my skin has been doing ok acne wise. Some weeks are better than others, but overall, the blemishes are pretty much always there. I’ve been trying to keep my skincare routine pretty simple by washing my face twice a day, keeping it moisturized, and using Proactiv Repairing Treatment at night. On the dietary front, I’ve upped my water intake quite a bit and tried to reduce my sugar consumption (key word tried). Even with a fairly consistent routine, things have been so-so. Not horrible but not great either.

I’m sure you can imagine my concern when our trip to India rolled around – hot, humid, sticky weather conditions combined with lots of pollution. My ultimate nightmare! I honestly expected the worst, which in my mind equaled lots of flare ups.

Well, I am so happy to report that the worst case scenario never became a reality. Over the course of our two weeks away, the condition of my skin actually improved. I was stunned and couldn’t stop thinking about the whys. Here’s what I came up with – I used very minimal makeup about three times total during the entire trip, we consumed very little in the way of dairy products, I stayed away from chocolate for the most part, I used a new to me face wash for the entire duration of the trip, and finally, I swapped the Proactiv lotion for pure tea tree oil***.

tea tree oil

Since I didn’t want things to go back to the way they were pre-India, I made a few tweaks to my post-India routine. I’m still using the Cetaphil Dermacontrol face wash and tea tree oil twice a day (fingers crossed that I never have to use Proactiv again). I’m also consistently moisturizing my face both in the morning and right before bed (currently using Cetaphil Dermacontrol Moisturizer). Unfortunately, back to work means back to my makeup routine so that is something I couldn’t change. However, when possible, I wash my face after getting home from work. I think that’s helping.

cetaphil

Hmmm…what else? I’m still drinking lots of water and trying very hard not to consume a lot of sugar. And a new focus of my mine is to cut down (not eliminate altogether) the amount of cheese I eat. While the switch to almond milk was a painless one, this is going to be hard. I love cheese. A lot. We’ll see how this goes…

It’s been a little over a month since we left for India, and I’m cautiously optimistic. Fingers crossed but things are finally looking decent – no new flare ups, a smoother texture overall, and no midafternoon oiliness.

I think I may have found MY magic formula. I’ll keep y’all posted!

***From what I understand, tea tree oil can be applied directly to the skin or mixed with water and then applied with a cotton ball. I prefer the former, and fortunately, my skin can handle it. If you have sensitive skin that does not respond well to new products, I would start with the oil + water mixture first and go from there.

Oh and be patient.  I noticed that it took the tea tree oil a good week to do it’s thing.

Acne or not acne, what’s your skincare routine like?

Written on September 11, 2013 Related:Health, Skincare

All Natural Scrub

written by Parita Leave a Comment

I have sensitive, acne prone skin.  That’s no secret.  And I also currently have dry skin.  No matter how much I moisturize, some part of my face still flakes.  One day it’s my chin, another day it’s my cheeks.  I don’t even remember what it’s like to have “normal” skin. 

Since the moisturizing lotion isn’t taking care of the problem, I researched other probable reasons why my skin is so dry.  Of course, the weather has a lot to do with it, as well as my forgetfulness on the water front.  Another reason may be the lotion I’m using, and I’m currently looking into that.  And the final reason that hit home was proper exfoliation…or lack thereof. 

I don’t exfoliate regularly…oops!  Apparently, this is really important.  Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells, prevent blemishes, and unclog pores.  An exfoliating scrub is a moisturizer’s wingman.  It helps the latter do its job more effectively!

Enter a homemade, all natural exfoliating scrub that was featured on most of the sites I looked at.

Now, I’m not sure why I went the homemade route – maybe it’s because I’m Indian and grew up using homegrown remedies, or because I’m cheap and lazy and didn’t feel like making a trip out to the store, or because I loved the idea of concocting something in the kitchen and seeing if it really works.  Probably a combination of all three!

In any case, I absolutely loved this gentle scrub!  It left my skin feeling softer then ever.  And I was shocked and happy to find no lingering flakes.  Another big plus is that it was easy to make, and I’m 99% sure most people have all of the ingredients in their kitchens. 

scrub 003

Looks like I have applesauce all over my face!

Sugar Scrub
1 tsp. olive oil
2 tsp. honey
1 tsp. milk
2 tablespoons sugar

Mix together all of the ingredients and form a paste.  Apply the paste to your (clean, makeup free) face and gently rub in a circular motion.  Rinse off with warm water. 

Note: These proportions will give you about 3-4 uses.  You can store the leftover scrub in the refrigerator for up to a week.

scrub 001

I plan on exfoliating with this scrub at least three times a week.  I’m interested to see if it helps reduce my acne over time.  Fingers crossed!

What are your favorite homegrown remedies? 

Written on December 22, 2011 Related:Beauty Products

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