Hello hello! So today I wanted to talk to you about my updated skincare routine. I've actually dreamt about writing this post for so long but I really wanted to wait until my skin was completely back to normal before I wrote it. I've always been fortunate to have clear skin with just hormonal break outs once a month at the time of the month. If you follow me on social media or read my blog a lot, you'll know that in September, my skin completely changed. I got the weirdest under-skin spots all over my cheeks and jaw line which was very unlike me. At first, I put it down to stress, if you read my honesty post, back in September you'll know that I was feeling so anxious and was going through a lot of emotional stress too. I tried to change a lot of things in order to fix my skin, I started to drink more water and even cut dairy out of my diet (dairy is back now don't worry). I basically tried everything I could to stop these weird rash like spots and couldn't figure out where they'd come from or what was causing them. I felt the lowest I'd ever felt about my skin. Let's discuss...
I wondered if it was un-clean make up brushes, bacteria from my pillows or maybe even sweat from the gym (grim I know) but I seriously went through everything it could have been and then realised, well actually, I'm not doing anything different so if I was allergic to milk or my pillows, surely I'd have broken out by now? I went to my doctor who basically knew nothing and had to go online to tell me what was wrong with me: she told me I had acne and turned me away with a steroid cream. I knew it wasn't acne and felt let down by my GP. My Mum suffered with acne and we knew mine wasn't acne so instead, I decided to go to a brand I trust more than anyone when it comes to skin, Kiehl's.
I wondered if it was un-clean make up brushes, bacteria from my pillows or maybe even sweat from the gym (grim I know) but I seriously went through everything it could have been and then realised, well actually, I'm not doing anything different so if I was allergic to milk or my pillows, surely I'd have broken out by now? I went to my doctor who basically knew nothing and had to go online to tell me what was wrong with me: she told me I had acne and turned me away with a steroid cream. I knew it wasn't acne and felt let down by my GP. My Mum suffered with acne and we knew mine wasn't acne so instead, I decided to go to a brand I trust more than anyone when it comes to skin, Kiehl's.
I went to their Regent Street store and had pretty much given up. By this point, I was feeling incredibly down about my skin, I couldn't understand why, out of nowhere it had got like this, I'd been eating well, exercising a lot and trying to drink a lot but the doctor did say stress can lead a big part in it so as of October, I promised myself to start getting more sleep, relaxing more and just not letting myself get so stressed. The one good thing the doctor did do is tell me that yes, stress really does play a big part in it which probably explained why my skin flared up and I was struggling with agonising stomach pains back in September. I love and trust Kiehl's because their products are natural, I think this is so important with skincare because I don't want to put anything on my face that's going to make me break out or irritates my skin. My skin was good with Kiehl's before which is why I went back to them. I think speaking to a skincare specialist is better than speaking to a general GP when it comes to skincare.
I sat down with a skincare expert at Kiehl's and explained everything, she ran some tests and told me my skin was dehydrated, in fact, she put something on my skin that tests the water levels of it and I was shocked (as was she) at how dehydrated my skin was. I always thought I had normal skin. She explained that skin can change over time and because I'd been all stressed and broken out, I stopped using moisturisers because I was petrified that they'd make my skin worse, but what had happened is because my skin was so dehydrated, it was creating excess sebum and therefore, leading to spots. I took it all in and thought well, worst case scenario, it doesn't work. But I know my skin well so I sat there and thought, surely my skin is going to sort itself out, it can't stay like this forever when it has been absolutely fine for the past 21 years. I felt bad for ever moaning about one tiny hormonal spot. These spots were like completely under my skin, small, rash like and basically just all over my face. I felt so uncomfortable taking my make up off but even putting make up on because they seemed to look more prominent with make up over the top.
I walked away feeling confident but knowing that I had a lot of work to do to make my skin and well-being go back to normal. I really do want to highlight that for me, (everyone is different) I think drinking more water and relaxing more were key. I am the worlds biggest stress head and I never have time off so I think my body was kind of saying to me: Chill out Em. I'll talk you through the products I took away from Kiehl's and now continue to use. I'm so happy to say that my skin is completely back to normal now, I'm feeling happy without make up on, I go to the gym again without make up on and I don't rush to cover up my face as soon as I wake up anymore like I did over those months.
Kiehl's Calendula Deep Cleansing Foaming Face Wash - I wash my face with the Kiehl's cleanser when I wake up and when I go to sleep. I'm happy to say I've been doing this routine since October and my skin is very happy now. That means I've been doing it for four months and I'd say it completely cleared and went back to normal after about 6 weeks of using these products (and drinking more water/generally taking better care of myself). The cleanser puts moisture back into my skin and after 3 months, I'm running out so I certainly need a new one because I hate the thought of being without this now. Time to re-order. You can buy it online here and here.
Ultra Facial Toner - I ditched the rubbish face wipes for a while whilst going through my skin trauma but actually, as my Mum said, they'd never effected me before so why would they now? However, I do still use them to take my eye make up off and never really feel like my make up has been washed off properly when I've cleansed, even twice, so after I've cleansed twice, I now put this toner over my skin with a cotton pad, this really feels like it's getting rid of all the impurities finally and again, keeps my skin hydrated. The Ultra Facial Oil-Free toner is meant to reduce excess oil on the skins surface and leave it instantly fresh and healthy. It has Cylindrica Root Extract and Antarcticine in it which smooth and hydrate the skin. It's alcohol free too so it doesn't strip the skin of it's moisture. It's meant to control shine on the skin for 24 hours too. I love this as an added 'make sure all my make up is off' step mainly though. You can buy it online here.
Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Oil - I've used this for as long as I can remember and it's been my holy grail item and product of the year for probably the past 3 years. I did a full review of it here if you want to find out more but honestly, it's a wonder potion. It's funny but as soon as I stopped using it for a prolonged period of time, that's when my skin didn't look too nice anymore. I'm so glad this is back in my life because I just know my skin agrees with it. It's basically a powerful little bottle, packed full of natural ingredients which work whilst you sleep to reduce redness, imperfections etc. You wake up with your skin restored. It leaves you feeling so hydrated too. I cannot rave about this product enough. My wish is to have an endless supply. It's worth every single penny. Online here.
Kiehl's Daily Reviving Concentrate - This is basically the day time version of the Midnight Recovery Oil, they work together hand in hand. This natural concentrate makes such a difference to my make up application, I feel hydrated and glowy all day. It's like it works on my skin throughout the day and protects it, whilst keeping it super hydrated. It aims to make you look more radiant and awakened all day and I would say it certainly does that. For me, I just wanted to make sure I was hydrated all day with something natural. This has ginger root, sunflower oil and termini oil in it to improve dullness, skin texture and fine lines as well as support the skin's natural defense system. I never really look into the science behind products but I know this is bursting with natural goodness. I spilled my first bottle of this all over my bag and I was so upset to say goodbye to it. I'm so happy it's back in my life now. I put 1-2 drops on every morning and I'm ready for the day ahead. I find it absorbs and works way better than my moisturiser. You can get it online here.
Kiehl's Hydro-Plumping Re-Texturizing Serum Concentrate - It took me a while to get into this serum but now I'm into it I don't ever want to stop using it. You can apply this one morning or night but I tend to do it on a morning before I put my oil in, I find it penetrates into my skin a lot better that way. All I'll say about this product is, give it a Google and read the reviews, people rave about it which is why I decided to give it a go. It's designed to improve the overall appearance of the skin's plumpness and smoothness but also hydrates. I wouldn't say this product is essential if you're trying to keep costs down but it still does give amazing results and I've been using this over my moisturiser some days. You can buy it online here.
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream Moisturiser - Last but certainly not least, moisturiser is obviously key. I've gone through two of these already (I need a bigger pot!!!) but this is the loveliest, light-weight gel moisturiser and it keeps my skin feeling so hydrated - once my night oil has sunk in I put a tiny bit of this on just for extra hydration if needed. It doesn't feel wet or sticky, it just hydrates and sinks straight in. It's oil-free so it intensely hydrates without being greasy. You can get it online here.
I know that sounds like a lot of steps and it does work out to cost quite a lot but when it comes to my skin, I believe in using the best, natural products that work for me and I know Kiehl's works for me. If you're trying to save money, you could just use the cleanser and the night oil with a moisturiser. I absolutely adore Liz Earle moisturisers too. I've always felt confident without make up on (and taken this for granted) and when my skin went bad, I found myself covering up to go to the gym and once, I was so upset with the rashness that I actually slept in concealer which is not like me at all. I felt so bad about my skin over that really stressful period, cried so much and realised, I needed to change it. I would say though, lifestyle choices are key too, drinking more water, sleeping more, relaxing more. My Mum however did tell me that she tried everything for her acne and in the end, a bar of antibacterial soap and antibiotics did the trick, everyone is different and everyones skin is different but I'm so glad I've managed to finally get into a really good routine with products and feel confident again with my skin. I hope this helps you if you've had a random under-spot break out like I did but honestly, go and chat to someone at a skincare counter (don't feel pressurised to buy, go to someone who actually knows about skin rather than someone who wants to sell you things!). I thought mine was never going to get better and in time, it did!
Have you ever had random, underneath spots that appeared? Do you like Kiehl's? Do you like the sound of these products? What's your skin like? What are your favourite products? I'd love to know!
Lots of love, Em x
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