A new direction

A new direction

Sunday, August 2, 2015

Something strange happened recently - after over twenty years of being accustomed to my dry skin, I was informed whilst on a trip to see a skin specialist that my face has decided to change things up and go all oily on me. You can imagine my initial surprise after being told that my skin had become oily despite still appearing dry in patches (which I was later informed was more due to congestion rather than actual dryness), and then my mind turned to the hundreds of pounds worth of skincare that I have lying around that is tailored specifically for very dry skin. Despite this woeful thought, I was visiting said specialist for a reason, and that was the trouble that my skin has been giving me for a good few months now. At first I thought it was all down to stress during my final year; exams and essays tend to bring out the bigger blemishes. However, weeks and even months passed since my last exam, graduation has come and gone, and I've still been unable to kick the bothersome bad skin despite bringing out my biggest skincare weapons. So that's how I ended up at a skincare clinic and subsequently was informed that my skin had decided to shake things up a bit. 

During a thirty minute session, I was introduced to two brands previously unfamiliar to me: Image Skincare and Jane Iredale. At first I was still slightly unconvinced - how could my skin have become oily without me even realising? I this a scam?! - but I decided to follow the advice given by the lovely lady talking me through the problems wreaking havoc on my skin and do exactly what she said. Surprise, surprise, she was right and I was wrong - after only a few weeks of following her strict guidelines when it came to skincare and base makeup my skin was looking so much better. Of course, as with many extreme changes to a skincare routine, things did get worse before they got better, but after hiding out for a week or two things started to go my way and my skin has never felt better. 

So, what are these strict guidelines I had to follow? Easy - use only the skincare she gave me - Image Skincare Clear Cell Clarifying Gel Cleanser, Image Skincare Prevention+ Daily Matte Moisturiser SPF 32 and Image Skincare Ormedic Bio-Peptide Creme (as well as a more potent spot treatment that had to be prescribed but I can't remember the name of...) and stop using any foundations/concealers/powders that were not mineral base and switch to products like the Jane Iredale Glow Time Full Coverage BB Cream and the Jane Iredale Amazing Base Loose Mineral Powder SPF20. As I said - easy - except when you're a beauty/skincare addict and you want to try every new release under the sun like myself. Despite woefully packing away my NARS Sheer Glow, Radiant Creamy Concealer, and my new favourite Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel, I was determined to stick this new regime out and see what would happen.

Two months later, and although I still have a few lingering problems, the majority of my problems have faded away - no more uneven forehead, no more gaping pores on my nose, and no more confusing mixture of oily and dry skin blotted all over my face. My skin has never felt more balanced, and although I am missing some of my favourite products, I'm staying strong because the last thing I want to do is go backwards. The only skincare that I still use outside of the ones prescribed are the occasional dash of Bioderma and my trusty Body Shop Camomile Waterproof Eye and Lip Makeup Remover, and the only other base product I've dabbled with (all other makeup - eyes/lips etc. is fine) is the Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue (more on this to come), as the lovely lady who assisted me with all of this recommended them as another brand that would be fine to use. 

The awful state of my skin was really starting to grate on me and my self-confidence so I'm so glad I took the plunge and went with something that would've been completely outside my comfort zone before (I mean a foaming cleanser - really?!) Although I'm not 100% there yet, the texture and overall appearance of my skin has come on leaps and bounds, so I'm excited to see how things continue to improve.

I x