How I Detox My Face

So as I've mentioned before I have absolutely horrible skin. I got the lovely combination of extremely oily, sensitive, acneic skin which is pretty much the bane of everyone's existence. I've undertaken a long, long struggle in my life to find products to keep my pesky problem skin at bay and I've come up with a pretty good regimen. Every once in a while, my face explodes with breakouts for weeks on end and there's little I can do but treat them retroactively. I've developed a two-day detox for my skin and I'm gonna share it with you in the hopes that if you develop a smattering of spots, this might help you too!

For starters, I stick to my regular skincare regimen and supplement with extra-strong acne fighters. Every day in the morning I wash my face with Clearasil Morning Burst detoxifying cleanser, tone with Neutrogena Pore Refining toner, treat with La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo and moisturize with Clinique Dramatically Different moisturizing gel. In the evening, I wash with Neutrogena Naturals fresh cleansing + makeup remover, treat with Origins Spot Remover pads and moisturize with Clinique Moisture Surge (original formula).

Every day that my skin is misbehaving I add a few steps aside from the Detox. In the evening when I'm in for the night, I remove all my makeup with Simple Skincare oil balancing wipes and tone with Formula 10.0.6 So Totally Clean Sensitive Skin toner. During my evening routine, after the Spot Remover wipes, I add DDF's salicylic acid Acne Control Treatment. Those things help calm my face and help it on its way back to normalcy. If the situation is really dire, I move on to the Detox.

Tips for the Detox:

1. Do this on the weekend when you have time to let masks sit on your face. 

2. DO NOT STOP MOISTURIZING. If you're gonna wait a while between your mask and your normal routine, moisturize after the mask in addition to what you normally do. 

3. Try not to pick your face. Popped zits are harder to deflate than unpopped ones (I know from experience). Plus the medications can really burn exposed skin. 

4. Do this once a week MAX. This routine can be seriously drying, especially if you have combination skin. I probably wouldn't recommend this detox to anyone with dry skin.

Detox Day 1: I start on Friday mornings when I usually don't have class or work, but Saturday and Sunday would work too if you don't plan to attend church. When you wake up, remove all oil from your face using Simple Skincare oil balancing cleansing wipes. Then, generously apply The Body Shop's Tea Tree face mask. This is a fantastic mask loaded with tea tree oil to suck all the impurities out of your skin and help soothe painful cystic acne. Let sit for up to half an hour (it says 10 to 15 minutes but it's gentle enough to let it sit). Remove with a soft wash cloth and warm water, and follow with a swipe of gentle toner (I use Formula 10.0.6's  So Totally Clean Sensitive skin toner) and moisturizer if it's going to be a while before you moisturize (I like philosophy's Take a Deep Breath). 

Detox Day 2: Do the same as Day 1 but replace the tea tree mask with Origins' Clear Improvement Active Charcoal mask to clear pores. This mask is great to follow the treatment mask because it digs down deep into your pores to get out impurities and helps balance oil. It says to open the pores with a warm towel before applying the mask. I usually skip this step, but it may be more effective if you do it this way.

These products I mention are pricey, but there are ways to save. For all the Clinique and Origins, see if you have a Cosmetics Company Store in your local Premium Outlets. These are Estee Lauder-owned stores and have lots of overstock, discontinued and limited-edition products for 20 - 30% off the retail price. There are also less expensive swaps for some of these products. The DDF treatment can be swapped for any 2% salicylic acid acne treatment. The Moisture Surge can be swapped for Garnier's gel moisturizer. I don't really like to compromise on the Effaclar Duo because it contains LHA, but if you're strapped for cash any 5% benzoyl peroxide acne medication will do. The tea tree mask is hard to find a swap (this might do), but see if you can use coupons and points at Ulta to get a discount. This charcoal mask is a super inexpensive alternative to the Origins mask. The Spot Remover pads can probably be replaced by something like Neutrogena's RapidClear pads, but these contain more salicylic acid and no witch hazel, so they may be harsher on the skin.

Good luck with your crusade against acne, and remember, I totally feel your pain.

xoxo <3