Hey peoples, welcome to part 1.2 of my skincare routine! Here I’m going to list the products that have helped me tackle those pesky spots, as well as the masks I’ve been consistently using that have given me positive results, while keeping my skin plump and healthy. I know some products I mentioned are hard to come by, but I do list alternatives I have found for each item. By this point you probably think I use a lot of stuff when really, I only use these items when needed.
Ciracle Red Spot Cream
My friend was abroad in Seoul, South Kore teaching English, and brought this for me the couple of times she came back to Toronto for vacation. What intrigued me about it was that it was a cream that mainly targeted post-acne scarring, aka hyper-pigmentation. A lot of my hyper-pigmentation had already disappeared since I first got this product, so I use it mainly on pimples that have recently been popped. I’ve definitely noticed it helps speed the healing, and it makes sure there is no dark red mark after the dirty deed has been done. I have tried many products to help with hyper-pigmentation, and this has proven to be the most effective for me. I also love this product because it calms down my skin if it’s really inflamed, helping to shrink some pimples and reduce redness in the surrounding area. Once I’m at the end of my night skincare routine, I’ll apply a thin amount of this cream all over the needed areas of inflammation or hyper-pigmentation, and wait until it sets in a bit before going to bed. I always wake up with clearer skin after using this product. I will do whatever it takes to get this product, now that my friend is not my delivery girl anymore! (One of it’s main ingredients is zinc oxide, a commonly used ingredient in baby rash creams and physical SPFs. I have given those a try, and it does work, but not as well as how it is formulated in the Ciracle product).
Drugstore Spot Treatments: Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment, Olay Fresh Effects {Spot Zinger!} 2-in-1 Salicylic Acid Acne Spot Treatment
Out of the two, I prefer the Olay one – it reduces the size of the zit and the redness around it also diminishes. The Clean&Clear one works, but personally I find it doesn’t work as well, plus it leaves dry flakes on your skin if you overdo it (let’s be honest, we all do it). I keep the Olay one at my boyfriend’s place, and the Clean & Clear at home. I also have the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, but it’s pretty much left untouched. Why? I don’t think it works at all. I prefer the Ciracle one (mentioned in my Skincare Empties post).
UPDATE: Now using the Lush Cosmetics “Grease Lightning” and it does an excellent job at calming down any inflamed skin and healing your skin from those pesky spots. (mentioned in March Monthly Favourites)
Innisfree Super Volcanic Pore Clay Mask
I will treasure this mask. It makes me so sad that it’s not available in Canada so easily, because it’s affordable and GOOD! While I was away in humid Hong Kong with my boyfriend, I bought this to help out with some spots I developed on our 15 hour flight (plus I’ve been wanting it for forever). To my utmost pleasant surprise, the redness and size in the spots reduced drastically when I spot treated them overnight. Aside from the volcanic ash in this product, it also has zinc oxide (like in the Ciracle cream, amazing at helping with inflamed skin). After applying this mask to my entire face, my skin also feels less congested, and more even toned. An alternative to this is Bentonite Clay (with Apple Cider Vinegar/water/rose water etc.), which I actually use to make tooth powder.
Manuka Honey
As expensive a honey it is, it works. If I use it all over my face, I make sure I leave it on for a good hour. My skin afterwards is soft and even toned, and the painful feeling in cystic or superficial breakouts disappear. I’ve used this as a spot treatment over night, which works just as effectively, but make sure you’re not one to move too often. Otherwise, lay a towel down. I bought the highest quality one because, well, why not. If I need something to work, I’m getting the best option for it. I’ve seen plenty of reviews of people using a lower star one, though, so it’s your choice and wallet of what you’re comfortable spending. The brand I have is Manuka Health New Zealand (Platinum *****).