Pizza Face.

Today's lesson is on ACNE. Yes, I know, what does acne have to do with style? Well, generally, when someone looks at you they give you the full head to toe look (at least I do). They start at your shoes and work their way up... leaving the last stop at your face (and hair, that's a different post though). The last thing you would want to stand out about your face is acne. Acne truly ruin any look. I'm honestly not trying to sound like a complete bitch (not that I ever try! Hah!) but acne is such a downer and really sucks. It can bring destroy your self esteem and confidence (and we all know that true style starts with confidence). Plus, no one wants to have to use make up to cover up acne (which in turn would possibly cause more acne, such a vicious cycle!). So here's my little story in hopes that it will help anyone out their with acne.

I'm the the first to admit that I've had to deal with acne since high school, at which I would just cover it up with lots of foundation (it worked because in all old pictures of me I look like I had clear skin!). Then about a year after high school all of the acne magically went away! I don't know if it was because 1.) I moved to San Diego and they have magical air, 2.) I was stress free, or 3.) I started using Proactive. It was probably a combination of all 3. After a few years on Proactive and moving back to Los Angeles, I still had clear skin. Eventually, I decided I didn't need Proactive any more and stopped using it... and no more acne! I was cured.

Lately, I started getting acne again (because I'm a chronic face-toucher)! I sure as hell didn't wanna fork over the cash to start using Proactive again so I went to a long lost semi-disliked friend, Tea Tree Oil (I initially tried Tea Tree Oil in high school but hated it because it smelled gross).

Yeeearrrssss later, I'm back. I started using Tea Tree Oil on my face and let me tell you, seriously, I noticed a difference the next morning! Less inflamed, smaller and obviously going away. I am in love. The smell isn't as offensive as I once thought it was, maybe it's because now my brain is associating it with clear skin : )

Now, let me clarify (hehe, get it... "clarify" = "clear skin" LOL ok last corny joke, I swear!) I'm not saying that I wake up every morning with model perfect skin that everyone should and does envy, but here is my morning face routine that seems to be working pretty darn well for me.

(from left to right)

1. I wash my face in the shower with St. Ives Apricot Scrub Blemish & Blackhead because I love how it smells and it exfoliates just enough, not too rough, not too weak.

2. Then I wipe my face with Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil Facial Pads. It's definitely a smell that not everyone can get accustomed to, but it works wonders. I promise.

3. Then I slather on Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch 100 SPF Sunscreen TWICE every morning just to make sure I didn't miss any thing. I put the first layer on, then after it dries (do something meanwhile, like getting dressed or do your hair), I slather on another layer. Don't be stingy with sunscreen, it's easier to prevent wrinkles then to get rid of them.

Then I put on my make-up if I'm wearing any that day... at the rate I'm going... I may not need to any more! Hopefully!