How to even out your skin - for real this time!
Us girls at Project Vanity don’t claim to have perfect skin. If you’ve read our greatest beauty regrets, then you’d know that we have our own share of beauty problems just as much as the next girl. But what we do have are solutions to our skin problems amassed from years of research that comes along with being beauty addicts. Despite not being blessed with the genes for it, we can confidently say that we have great, healthy skin and that we all take a proactive stance when it comes to keeping it that way.
And given that you’re here reading this, we're sure you are more or less the same! If not, then don’t fret because it’s never too late. Here’s what we learned over the years on how to even out your skin for realsies!
Consult with a dermatologist.
You’re already spending so much in trying to find the products that work for you, so why not see a doctor and get expert advice? They have years of technical know-how and experience up their sleeves, so they should know better than anyone how to solve your skin’s woes.
Think of it this way: if your body is sick, you consult a physician to know which treatments and meds to take. Practice the same attitude with your skin! If you have incessant skin problems that just won’t go away, don’t self-medicate, and seek expert advice instead. It will be more favorable to your skin and your wallet in the long run.
Find a regimen that works for you, and stick with it.
Really stick with it as if your life (or skin if you want to be technical, but that’s really just the same thing) depended on it because consistency of application is key. Your skincare products don’t have to be all high-end. While we can’t deny that luxury brands have better access to the latest, most potent ingredients, we’re all too familiar with the phrase “hiyangan lang ‘yan” (It’s all about compatibility). There’s no exact formula to beautiful skin, so it will be a different journey for everyone. Again, don’t discount a professional’s help so you don’t have to go in blind!
Something we cannot advocate enough is for you to know your ingredients. Which ones are scientifically backed up to work on your specific concern? Even in beauty, it pays to read the label! We’ve started sharing which ingredients work best to combat oil, pimples, and aging, and expect that it won’t be the end for this series.
Exfoliate regularly. Know your AHAs and BHAs.
Alpha Hydroxy Acid (aka, AHA) and Beta Hydroxy Acid (aka, BHA) are where it’s at when it comes to real deal exfoliation. You might have only read of the terms just now, but you might have heard of its other names - glycolic acid, citric acid, and lactic acid (AHAs) or salicylic acid (BHA).
AHAs target the topmost layers of the skin and are primarily used to reverse sun damage. They have great humectant properties (meaning, they’re great for holding in moisture!) which would benefit dry skin types best. BHAs, on the other hand, have the power to cut through oil and are thus a favorite when it comes to treating oily and troubled skin types. While they can be used together, we do recommend trying one at a time and slowly combining the treatment as they can both be potent exfoliants and overuse can result into skin sensitivity.
Don’t just cure, prevent.
Don’t pop that pimple. Don’t take sleep for granted. Don’t forget to hydrate. Don’t sleep with makeup on. And for the love of all that’s holy, don't ever skip applying SPF.
If you stop bad skin habits early, then you may just be lucky enough to not have to suffer through days, weeks, months, or even years of trying to undo the damage.
If nothing else works, there’s laser.
Both Revlite's and Picosure’s popularity have steadily increased over the last year, and for good reason. If you’ve seen them at work on tattoo ink removal, then just imagine what it could do for your dark spots! Laser treatments work by using beams of high-energy pulse lights to disintegrate melanin deposits (or tattoo ink) and to stimulate natural collagen production to improve your skin tone and texture. Not only is the process highly effective, it’s quick and you won’t have to deal with any downtime as well. The only downside is that it’s really freaking expensive at about P7,000/session (or slightly cheaper if you avail of promo packages).
Investing in getting your skin into its best condition can give you a sense of pride beyond #nofilter selfies. It makes it so much easier to confidently head out without makeup, and even saves you from having to use up a lot of product to cover up imperfections. I hope you learned a thing or two from this, and that you share practices you swear by to achieve artista levels skin in the comments below!
