How To Cover Up Red Acne - DIY Green Corrector

Looking perfect but can’t hide that red spot, Acne , or pimple  peeping out through the foundation layer? Applying more foundation or concealer over it makes it look even more apparent?? Learn here how to hide the REDNESS of the acne, flawlessly.

Read the post about corrector here  : CORRECTOR

In my makeup basics series, I discussed about using corrector to neutralize the flaws.

Here I will discuss how to cover up the red acne using a green corrector. OOPS !! Don’t have a green corrector?? Don’t worry we will make one at home. It is very easy to conceal a pimple with makeup.

A simple DIY Green Corrector

You will need: 

• A true green color eyeshadow
• Concealer
•  Q-tip or a Concealer Brush

I used the Light Green Color 

Method:

• Depending upon the size of the acne you need to cover up take small amount of concealer on back of your palm or any plastic palette. If you have few acne to cover up, I advise you to go one at a time to avoid the wastage of product as concealer may dry quickly.

  

  Concealer 

  
  
• Take a tiny bit of green color eyeshadow beside the concealer.

  

  Concealer and Green Shadow

  
  
• Now mix the two by mixing smallest quantity of green into the concealer and darken as per requirement. You can use a Q-tip or a Concealer Brush or your finger. Stick to the basic rule – for darker red color of acne You need a little extra green color, and lighter red colored acne will require lighter colored corrector. But the thumb rule of mixing green color to the concealer is that the color green should make the concealer green colored. Don’t add too little of eyeshadow that it doesn’t show up and turn the concealer green.     
  
  

  

  Green Corrector
   (looks a little blackish because of lighting issues)

• Woila!! We have our very own green corrector.

Application Process:

• The Most Important point to remember is to apply this BEFORE the foundation.

  

  Red Acne

  
  
• Having them mixed together, now dab the corrector the corrector in a small quantity directly on the tip of the acne. You can use a Q-tip or a brush for precise application.
• Take good care that you don’t move the color out on skin too far away from acne (as this will make your skin look green).

  

  Green Corrector Blended
  ( I blended it a little too far as there was some redness in entire area which wasn't captured by camera)

• Now with your finger tip dab the product and push it on the skin and blend it on the edges.  You will notice that the green will immediately take away all the redness.
• It’s time to hide the green colored patch. Apply your regular skin colored concealer on top of this green patch with a light hand. Remember to just dab the product rather than tucking and pulling.Dabbing will make a layer over of concealer OVER the corrector. Tucking, pulling and blending with MIX the corrector and concealer. Use your fingertip for this step.

  

  Concealer added on the tip of Acne

  
  

  

  Concealer Blended (no foundation applied) 

• Now follow it with usual foundation and set the whole face with powder so nothing moves out of its place.

Last words:

I know people will be very skeptical of using an eyeshadow and mixing it with concealer. But I will urge you to try this once at home. If you use a good concealer, the corrector isn’t going anywhere. And moreover try it out on day a day you are not going out, Who knows you might just like it. For me, It really saved me few bucks, as green corrector isn’t available easily and moreover considering the price tag I would rather stick to using an eyeshadow. And it has never failed me, I wear it often when I breakout and it never gets noticed. 

Notice how the Redness and Appearance of acne has vanished, The tiny hint of green still visible will be washed away when foundation is applied.

Hope this would help you to Conceal / Hide a Red Acne or Pimple.   Do try it out once for fun and let me know how you liked the results.

Stay Beautiful :)

Shweta 

How to deal with Acne Scars

Hi,

Disclaimer: This post is only aimed at the reducing dark brown pigmented scars which are left behind after a pimple or even after mosquito bite. I follow this regime and find it effective. Please consult a doctor.

I get a lot of queries regarding reducing dark pigmentation marks left behind from acne. Here I share my regime. I get occasional acne which leave marks. Even mosquito bites gives me acne sort of cysts which leave dark brown marks behind.

Why do acne cause these marks? Because skin gets hurt because of chemicals produced during the acne healing process. Production of melanin is just a way by which our skin protects itself from getting hurt and heal itself. For the same reason we get sun tan.

Steps to deal with Acne Scars: 

Skin Care routine for Dry skin with Acne

Hi Friends,

What can be more frustrating than oily skin with acne ???? No points for guessing .. Its Dry skin with Acne .. 

Dry skinned people can not even make out what is aggravating acne on their skin as they think that oil is the main culprit for forming acne. 

I would insist on reading the article here to clear doubts about How acne is formed - 

http://shwetasarawgi.blogspot.in/2012/12/what-is-acne.html  

Now that we know that oil, dead skin and bacteria play major part in forming acne, the question arises that where does oil comes from in dry skin? We all have some form of oil in our skin whether it dry or oily. Plus excessive oil from moisturizers add to this oil. Some people with dry skin get so desperate to soothe their skin that they use very rich moisturizers with heavy grease that can clog pores. Dry scaly skin adds on to the dead skin accumulation.

Now coming onto the products to use for treating acne.

Same as my last post over acne : http://shwetasarawgi.blogspot.in/2013/03/skin-care-routine-for-acne-prone-skin.html

The key ingredient in fighting Acne are :

• Benzoyl Peroxide, and 
• Glycolic Acid 

Morning Routine:


Cleansing : I would suggest using a Benzoyl Peroxide face wash ( my preference is Benzoyl Peroxide 4% Creamy Wash). Dry skinned people can even use some Facewashes specifically meant for dry skin like:

• Lush Angels On Bare Skin 
• Cetaphil cleansing lotion for sensitive skin 
• Dove Beauty Moisture Face Wash 
• Oilatum cleansing bar 

Toning : Toning is important for acne issues. Otherwise in general I suggest to avoid Toning for dry skin. Don't use Alcohol based toner at all. My best pick would be rose water for dry skin. You can slo try

• Biotique Bio Honey Water Lightening Freshener, 
• Dabur Gulabari, 
• Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner. 

Spot Treatment : Use a Benzoyl Peroxide ointment as a spot treatment. I prefer Persol gel (5%) for beginners, Then slowly move to Persol Forte Cream which is 10% Benzoyl Peroxide with precipitated sulphur 5%. But Persol Forte should be used later when you get used to 5% concentration.
Apply this ointment just on the spots and let it dry. You can skip this step if your acne is not very annoying.

Sunscreen : Apply Sunscreen According to your skin type. Don't avoid this step. It is extremely Important step.



Evening / Night Routine :

Cleansing : Same as Above.

Toning : Same as Above.

Glycolic Ointment : This is the time to use a Glycolic based ointment. My personal favorite is Glyco -A. It is cheap and effective. The best Glycolic based ointment I have ever used. I use this every day. It is an excellent excellent excellent exfoliator, keeps open pores, black heads , white heads at bay. And the best part is it isn't expensive. I dont have to burn a hole in my pocket to get salon worthy exfoliation. I recommend this to everyone no matter what their skin type is.
Apply tiny pea sized amount to entire face , avoid going too close to eyes. rub it into the skin and let it get absorbed for 2-3 min.
Glycolic is very effective for dry skin as it helps in shedding that dry scaly skin better than a physical exfoliator.

Spot Treatment : Same as above.

Moisturizing : This is the most important step for dry skin. The market is flooded with so many moisturizers. Choose one which is non-pore-clogging. My top picks are :

• Cetaphil Daily Advance Ultra Hydrating Lotion (for Dry to Very Dry Skin) (pharmacy) 
• Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion (pharmacy) 
• Oilatum Cream (pharmacy) 
• Oilatum Lotion (pharmacy) 

There are numerous excellent products in market. Choose any according to your budget and availability.

Other Skin Care Routine:

• Avoid pricking any Pus acne. the pus will spread to other parts and cause new pimples. 
• Squeezing pimples will leave scars. 
• Scrub twice a week. Gently in morning. The day you scrub avoid using Spot Treatment (Benzoyl Peroxide) immediately after that. 
• Start using spot treatment as soon as you see a acne surfacing. 
• Stop using spot treatment as soon as acne clear off. No need to apply it on heeled skin. 
• Continue Using Facewash with Benzoyl Peroxide as a preventive treatment. It will help new acne from forming. 
• Once acne have cleared You can alternate between Benzoyl Peroxide and Glycolic Based Facewash. 
• Glycolic based ointment will help with lightening acne scars. Continue using it everyday. 
• Try this Routine for atleast 2 weeks if still you dont find acne getting better consult a doctor and get antibiotics prescription. 
• Moisturizing is integral part of dry skin routine, try and wash hands before applying moisturizer. 
• Always consult a doctor if condition remains unaffected or worsens. 

Stay Beautiful :)

Shweta

Skin Care Routine for Acne prone Skin

Hi Friends,

In today's hectic and erratic lifestyle many of us suffer from Acne break outs. Acne are annoying and stubborn. They always keep coming back.

Here is my take on what we can do to keep acne at bay.

Following Cleansing Toning Moisturizing routine is just not enough when you have to fight acne. I always suggest to consult a Dermatologist before following any skincare regime. The ingredients mentioned here are very safe and mostly suitable to all. These are ingredients which are found in our most loved beauty care products which are very expensive.

The key ingredient in fighting Acne are :

• Benzoyl Peroxide, and 
• Glycolic Acid

Benzoyl Peroxide :

It helps removing clogging dead cells which contribute to causing both white heads and black head. As an exfoliant it removes the oil, dead cells and clogs, after they form. It also helps healing all the inflammatory acne by increasing the turnover of the cells on top of the pimples. Benzyl Peroxide has antibacterial activity against acne causing bacteria. P. acne, the acne causing bacteria is an anaerobic (which means it needs an oxygen free environment to grow and multiply). But the oxygen that benzyl peroxide makes inhibits P.Acne’s ability to cause pus pimples. 

At concentration of 2.5% to 10% it can be used as leave on spot treatment to heal individual pimples. It can be used as a preventive treatment when used in a cleanser.

Benzyl peroxide, because it’s a peroxide have bleaching properties, it can bleach certain colored hair and certain colored pillowcases, so one needs to be a little careful.

Ointments (all pharmacy) in India : 

Brand Name	Composition	Company	Packing	MRP Rs.
ADICURE 2.5 gel	Benzoyl peroxide  2.5% w/w	ADLEY FORM.	15gm	N.A.
ADICURE 5 gel	Benzoyl peroxide  5% w/w	ADLEY FORM.	15gm	N.A.
AKNEROXID gel	Benzoyl peroxide  5% w/w	BOOTS PIRAMAL	20gm	35.00
AKNEROXID gel	Benzoyl peroxide  10% w/w	BOOTS PIRAMAL	20gm	45.00
BENZAC AC gel	Benzoyl peroxide 2.5% w/w	GALDERMA	20gm	52.50
BENZAC AC gel	Benzoyl peroxide 5% w/w	GALDERMA	20gm	59.00
BREVOXYL cream	Benzoyl peroxide 5% w/w	GLAXO	20gm	N.A.
PERSOL gel	Benzoyl peroxide 2.5% w/w	WALLACE	20gm	40.00
PERSOL gel	Benzoyl peroxide 5% w/w	WALLACE	20gm	45.00
PERSOL FORTE cream	Benzoyl peroxide 10% w/w, precipitated sulphur 5% w/w	WALLACE	20gm	50.00

Facewash in India:

• Pan Oxyl creamy wash (pharmacy) 
• Clean and Clear BP wash (pharmacy)
• Benzoyl Peroxide 4% Creamy Wash (pharmacy)
• Proactiv Renewing Cleanser

Some Benzoyl Peroxide products from International Market:

Benzaderm Gel, Clean & Clear Persa-Gel, Clearasil, DDF Benzoyl Peroxide Gel, Fostex, Glytone Acne Gel, Neutrogena On-The-Spot, Oxy-10, Oxy Lotion Vanishing Acne Medication, PanOxyl, ProActiv, SoluGel 4, Zapzyt Acne Treatment Gel, ZoDerm, Brevoxyl, Proactiv etc.

 Glycolic Acid: 

Glycolic acid is AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid). Glycolic is water soluble, it’s very effective at gently and smoothly dissolving the excess dead cells on the surface of the epidermis. Glycolic acid is used to improve the skin's appearance and texture. It reduces wrinkles, acne scarring, open pores and hyperpigmentation and improves many other skin conditions.

Once applied, glycolic acid reacts with the upper layer of the epidermis, weakening the binding properties of the lipids that hold the dead skin cells together. This allows the dead cells to be exfoliated, exposing live skin cells. By removing the dead cells, we increase the cell turnover and it reduces the appearance of scars and pigmentation.

Glycolic acid is available in various forms like Face wash, ointments and peels. Its strength varies from 2% to 70%. The milder strengths are available in over-the-counter products while higher percentages are used by dermatologist in their offices as chemical peels.

Ointments in India:

• Glyco - A (12% Glycolic acid ointment), (pharmacy)
• H20 - Sea Results Overnight Perfecting Peel,

Face wash in India  :

• AHAGLOW Skin Rejuvenating Face Wash Gel (pharmacy)
• Ducray Keracnyl Foaming Gel (pharmacy)
• REJUGLOW Facewash Gel (pharmacy)
• Glycolite Skin Lightening & Rejuvenating Face Wash (pharmacy)

Glycolic Acid In International Brands:

Malin + Goetz 10% Glycolic Acid Pads, $48, available at Barneys; Peter Thomas Roth Glycolic Acid 3% Facial Wash, $32, available at Sephora; Cane + Austin Retexturizing Treatment Pads, $60, available at Nordstrom. Clean and Clear cooling daily pore Toner, Avon - Anew Clinical Advanced Retexturizing Peel, 

Neutrogena Complete Acne Therapy System etc.

Morning Routine:

Cleansing : I would suggest using a Benzoyl Peroxide face wash ( my preference is  Benzoyl Peroxide 4% Creamy Wash).

Toning :  Toning is extremely important for Oily / Acne prone skin. Although Oily skinned people can use Alcohol based toners but I would suggest not to use anything that can aggravate skin. My picks are

• Biotique Bio Cucumber Pore Tightening Face Freshener,
• Nivea Oil Regulating Toner,
• Biotique Bio Honey Water Lightening Freshener,
• Dabur Gulabari,
• Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner.

Spot Treatment :  Use a Benzoyl Peroxide ointment as a spot treatment. I prefer Persol gel (5%) for beginners, Then slowly move to Persol Forte Cream which is 10% Benzoyl Peroxide with precipitated sulphur 5%. But  Persol Forte should be used later when you get used to 5% concentration. 

Apply this ointment just on the spots and let it dry. You can skip this step if your acne is not very annoying.

Sunscreen : Apply Sunscreen According to your skin type. Don't avoid this step. It is extremely Important step.

Evening / Night Routine :

Cleansing : Same as above , Here you can also use a Glycolic based Facewash if your acne is cleared and you just want to clear skin ( but personally I like using Benzoyl Peroxide facewash only). 

Toning : Same as Above.

Glycolic Ointment : This is the time to use a Glycolic based ointment. My personal favorite is Glyco -A. It is cheap and effective. The best Glycolic based ointment I have ever used. I use this every day. It is an excellent excellent excellent exfoliator, keeps open pores, black heads , white heads at bay. And the best part is it isn't expensive. I dont have to burn a hole in my pocket to get salon worthy exfoliation. I recommend this to everyone no matter  what their skin type is. 

Apply tiny pea sized amount to entire face , avoid going too close to eyes. rub it into the skin and let it get absorbed for 2-3 min.

Spot Treatment : Same as above.

Moisturizing :  (Optional) Use a moisturizer according to your skin type. My picks for Oily / Acne prone skin :

• Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture Combination Skin,
• Biotique Bio Chlorophyll Gel.

Other Skin Care Routine:

• Avoid pricking any Pus acne. the pus will spread to other parts and cause new pimples. 
• Squeezing pimples will leave scars. 
• Scrub twice a week. Gently in morning. The day you scrub avoid using Spot Treatment (Benzoyl Peroxide) immediately after that. 
• Start using spot treatment as soon as you see a acne surfacing. 
• Stop using spot treatment as soon as acne clear off. No need to apply it on heeled skin. 
• Continue Using Facewash with Benzoyl Peroxide as a  preventive treatment. It will help new acne from forming.
• Once acne have cleared You can alternate between Benzoyl Peroxide and Glycolic Based  Facewash.
• Glycolic based ointment will help with lightening acne scars. Continue using it everyday.
• Try this Routine for atleast 2 weeks if still you dont find acne getting better consult a doctor and get antibiotics prescription.  

Stay Beautiful :)

Shweta 

Myths around Acne

There are few Myths around acne for long. Here are few of those myths and an explaination for them

Myth #1: Acne can’t be cured

Acne is lifelong and it can’t be cured be cured, just learn to live with it. FALSE. Today it has become very easy to treat acne; there are very effective treatments available. Like for mild acne there are topical treatments like, topical antibiotics, benzyl peroxides, exfoliants like salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and even the traditional topical treatments like sulfur and Resorcinol. For more severe acne, there are oral medication like, oral antibiotics, birth control pills and ultimately, Accutance, if the other treatments haven’t worked. Accutance will work 100% of the time because Accutane stops oil and if you don’t have oil, you don’t have acne.

Myth #2: Acne is a disease of teenagers

FALSE. Women suffer from acne also in their later twenties, thirties, forties and even fifties. Some women even have acne right into menopause. The reason for this change can be: 1) more women in the workforce where they experience untraditional stresses; 2) air pollution; 3) make-up.

Myth #3: Covering acne with makeup will aggravate it

FALSE. As long as it’s marked either water-based or oil-free or non-comedogenic which simply means it won’t clog your skin. Acne blemishes can be covered make-up.

Myth #4: Picking pimples causes dents and scars.

Dents and scars are caused by very deep picking of the skin. A scar is a depression in the skin, underneath the surface, or a bump above the surface of the skin, but what picking pimples does do, it causes flat stains, discolorations, dark spots on the pimple, around the pimple, and these are even more difficult to treat than the actual pimples themselves. So the reason not to pick pimples is so that you don’t get these dark stains which are so annoying and so hard to get rid of.

Myth #5: Food causes acne

Foods which are considered forbidden are chocolate, nuts, caffeine, colas, fried foods, pizza. According to well-controlled, statistically-valid studies, those foods don’t cause acne but there are always exceptions to these studies. But this relationship between eating those foods and breaking out with pimples the next day has to be from ever, if these foods causes acne once or twice, then there probably is no relationship. The only exception is iodine. Iodine is contained in seafood, and certain green vegetables like seaweed, spinach, and medications like thyroid medications. Iodine causes pimples, but not the day after you eat it. It’s the accumulation by eating these foods day after day that suddenly causes acne. So the bottom line is, if you’re prone to acne, try to avoid iodine-containing foods.

Myth #6: Antibiotics are forbidden

Rather the antibiotics prescribed for acne will not weaken the system, it cures the infection in it, and they’re perfectly safe if used as prescribed.

Myth #7: Washing face after perspiration will stop acne

On the contrary, acne is caused because when we sweat, we tend to wipe our face and all the dirt and oil gets rubbed into the skin and clog pores. Washing face prior to any activity which causes sweating is beneficial in this regard.

* This blog is based on a article by a dermatologist from NYC.

Stay Beautiful :)

Shweta

Back Acne

At times we get acne on our back, which are frustrating as we cant reach them, they take more time to heel, unhygienic as they get rubbed by our clothes because of which they can spread, and leave nasty scars.

Lets see what we can to treat them :

• Dandruff is the prime culprit in causing back acne. Try using “selsun” or "nizoral” medicated shampoos to treat your dandruff and while washing hair let the foam come down the back and gently rub it on the acne.
• Visit a doctor and get anitibiotics, because skin of back is thicker than the face, which means acne is more deep rooted so its less likely that any topical wash/ ointment can be that effective.
• Try Salicylic acid 2% or 10% glycolic acid, stronger medication can penetrate deeper. 
• Avoid back being rubbed harshly like with bagpacks and stuff like that, wear light clothes because additional pressure and rubbing from your backpack has to make your back even worse.

Stay Beautiful :)

Shweta

My Skin Care Routine

My skin is very unpredictable, it changes with season, places I reside and water hardness. It behaves best when I am in my home town, Water there is very soft and probably i have been accustomed to the weather there. We cannot have all the good things all the time :-/ .

My current skin care routine is what I would like to share with you, as I have recently moved back to India and my skin had to face some drastic weather changes. It took me around 2 months to get my skin accustomed to these changes. But now it’s doing pretty well. So here is my Basic routine.

Foreword:

I am living in a very humid climate down south (no winters), my skin had been very dry earlier, i had acne breakouts instantly as we reached here. Oiliness (majorly because of humidity), open pores, white heads and black heads became a regular problem.

I had a talk with my dermatologist before I started with this regime. I suffered from all the dreadful effects of the key ingredients, majorly skin redness, peeling and burning sensation as few ingredients were new to me and for others concentration was increased. I took all the possible precautions and overcame the effects.

I have been using Glycolic acid peel (35%) since last 3 years and my skin loves it. Glycolic acid peels refreshes my skin, exfoliates, removes tan, white heads, blackheads and kept my skin soft and supple over these years. I was particularly impressed by the way it has kept my skin wrinkle free. (Touch wood).My Doc here, asked me to continue with my fortnightly glycolic peel regime along with an additional lower concentration (10%) daily usage.     

I used Salicylic acid 2% as an active ingredient in my face wash every day since last three years. Juggling between two products of major skincare brands. My Doc here asked me to increase the concentration to 12% ointment to be used once a day for 2 weeks.

Benzoyl Peroxide is a new component my dermatologist added to my skincare regime. She asked me to use 10% benzoyl peroxide directly onto the acne as spot treatment. This was to be used once a day for 2 weeks in a row.

Hydroquinone was given to me as an anti-scar solution for the nasty mosquito bite scars I had developed in initial days of my stay. (I guess mosquitoes were lured to a fresh supply of blood and therefore decided to bite me more than anyone else in home). I have been applying this on the scars of my hands and legs with definite improvement, but I have yet to see them gone.

My Routine:

Morning:

Step 1. Face wash (Garnier Pure Anti-Blackheads Deep Pore wash, I bought this one in U.K., but I have found exact product in India too, see here. It’s probably one of the best face washes I have ever used; it contains Salicylic acid and Polyethylene particles.)

Step 2. Toner ( Rose water or Alum, Depends on the weather, if it’s too humid I like using alum for not more than 1 min and it takes away the oiliness for few hours. Otherwise, Rose water)

Step 3. Sunscreen (Lotus 3-in-1 Matte Look Daily Sunblock)

Step 4. Salicylic acid Ointment (Salicylix SF 12*, it’s a 12% concentration ointment, it caused me lot of burning sensation at first, but my skin got use to it, if someone who is new to salicylic acid this high concentration is not advisable. I use it as a spot treatment on my occasional acne, whiteheads and blackheads).

Step 5. Moisturizer ( De Tuinen aloe vera hydraterend Day & Nacht, bought this from Amsterdam, and I love it, its light and moisturizing)

Evening (before bed time):

Step 1. Face wash

Step 2. Toner

Step 3. Glycolic Acid Ointment (Glyco-A*, its glycolic acid 12%, to be used on entire face. I don’t see a lot of difference with this product but other products better in conjugation with this one).

Step 4. Benzoyl Peroxide Ointment (Persol Forte Cream*, this is 10% benzoyl peroxide with added benefits of Sulphur 5%, to be used as spot treatment on acne, I used this over my open pores and whiteheads, this caused me extreme peeling and dryness, but when the dead skin peeled off, it reduced the appearance of open pores by 90%, blackheads too are totally eliminated, but whiteheads still persist but have reduced to an extent. I have stopped using this product after two week exactly and I don’t have any breakouts later. But again it is a very high percentage for new users or one with sensitive skin).

Step 5. Hydroquinone Ointment (Lomela*, this is 2% concentration ointment, it has reduced the mosquito bite scars, but I guess I need a higher percentage to get rid of them. I scrub my hands and feet mildly with a pumice stone while in shower to remove the dead skin. And have used Glycolic Acid peel 35% twice in past one month, I haven’t used it on my face, but I guess it’s good to use on acne scars as well, but u have to be very careful with this, it should not be used on open wounds or sensitive skin. Plus it should not be used along with Benzoyl peroxide as it can cause extreme burning, redness and peeling).

Other Skin care stuff I use:

1.  Lakme Winter care lotion and Botique Morning Nectar Lotion as my body lotion.
2. I have used Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Gold Ultra Restorative Capsules Intensive Treatment and loved it, but can’t afford it usually.
3. I have used H2O Plus Sea Results Overnight Perfecting Peel, it was the first product which introduced me to Glycolic acid, loved it, but it’s kind of mild for me now.
4. I occasionally use Biotique Fruit Face pack and Biotique Milk Protein Face pack.
5. Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream (not available in India) is the best cream I have ever used; I have asked a relative returning from US to bring it for me.
6. I don’t use any fairness product and I am strictly against it.
7. I have given up on treating my dark circles as they are hereditary, I still use Biotique Almond undereye cream before makeup if my skin is very dry. 

P.S. Anyone who wants to try the above stated products should try it on their own risk, this post is solely my skincare routine and i don't advice anyone to follow it blindly. 

* marked ointments are prescribed by my Doctor and can be found only in medical stores.

Stay Beautiful :)

Shweta 

Solutions for Skin Problems

First and foremost, I will really recommend visiting a dermatologist before trying any of the higher concentration of the ingredients mentioned below.

With that been said, I would like to introduce the chemical exfoliants. Chemical exfoliants are skin care products that are applied to the skin to help dissolve away extra dead cells that have accumulated that should have fallen off long ago. They work by chemically dissolving the glue between those cells. You see, your skin cells are a little bit like a brick wall, where the bricks are the skin cells and the mortar holding the bricks together is like the glue between the skin cells, and the chemical exfoliants dissolve either the glue, so the cells fall apart and fall off, or it actually dissolves the cells by themselves. These are helpful in treating major skin problems like Open pores, Acne, scaring and hyperpigmention.  The most important types of chemical exfoliants are Glycolic acid and Salicylic acid. Lower percentage concentration of these “acids” can be applied on regular basis and are outstanding in treating all major skin issues. Higher concentrations are used by the dermatologists  in their offices as chemical peels.

The most Important Active Ingredients to look for in skin care products while fighting Open Pores, Scaring, Hyperpigmentation, Acne, BlackHeads and WhiteHeads are

• Glycolic Acid
• Salicylic Acid
• Benzyl Peroxide
• Hydroquinone

First three of them are excellent exfoliators . Esp. first two are the very helpful to all skin types and can solve most skin related issuestreatment of fine wrinkles, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne.  Benzyl Peroxide is an exfoliator, Antibacteria (in a sense), and a bleach. Hydroquinone is used for depigmentaion.

Glycolic Acid: 

Glycolic acid is AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid). Glycolic is water soluble, it’s very effective at gently and smoothly dissolving the excess dead cells on the surface of the epidermis. Glycolic acid is used to improve the skin's appearance and texture. It reduces wrinkles, acne scarring, open pores and hyperpigmentation and improves many other skin conditions.

Once applied, glycolic acid reacts with the upper layer of the epidermis, weakening the binding properties of the lipids that hold the dead skin cells together. This allows the dead cells to be exfoliated, exposing live skin cells. By removing the dead cells, we increase the cell turnover and it reduces the appearance of scars and pigmentation.

Glycolic acid is available in various forms like Face wash, ointments and peels. Its strength varies from 2% to 70%. The milder strengths are available in over-the-counter products while higher percentages are used by dermatologist in their offices as chemical peels.

Salicylic Acid:

Salicylic acid, the most common BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid), is lipid or fat soluble so it can penetrate deeper into the epidermis and exfoliate slightly below the surface of the epidermis. It is a little more brittle; it has a narrower therapeutic range because it only becomes effective at about 1 ½ or 2 percent it tends to be a little irritating. However, salicylic acid is the old workhorse for the treatment of all types of acne (including blackheads and whiteheads) and open pores.

Lower percentages of Salicylic acid works best in conjugation with Glycolic acid, as glycolic acid exfoliates the dead cells, so it’s easy for salicylic acid to penetrate deeper in the pores and unclog them.

Benzyl Peroxide:

It helps removing clogging dead cells which contribute to causing both white heads and black head. As an exfoliant it removes the oil, dead cells and clogs, after they form. It also helps healing all the inflammatory acne by increasing the turnover of the cells on top of the pimples. Benzyl Peroxide has antibacterial activity against acne causing bacteria. P. acne, the acne causing bacteria is an anaerobic (which means it needs an oxygen free environment to grow and multiply). But the oxygen that benzyl peroxide makes inhibits P.Acne’s ability to cause pus pimples. 

At concentration of 2.5% to 10% it can be used as leave on spot treatment to heal individual pimples. It can be used as a preventive treatment when used in a cleanser.

Benzyl peroxide, because it’s a peroxide have bleaching properties, it can bleach certain colored hair and certain colored pillowcases, so one needs to be a little careful.

Hydroquinone:

Hydroquinone is often called a skin “bleach” but it really doesn’t bleach skin, when you put it on your skin it doesn't dissolve pigment, hydroquinone is really a very effective ingredient at making the bodies pigment cells, the melanocyte,  stop making new brown pigment. So, it doesn’t really drive the old pigment away, in a condition where you’re making too much pigment it just stops the body from making excess brown pigment. If you want the brown pigment you already have to go away, that has to come off the skin as the skin cells that have the extra pigment fall off. That naturally occurs on the twenty-eighth day of any skin cells life and that’s called exfoliation and you can actually accelerate exfoliation with glycolic acid and retinoids and make those cells come off sooner to help take away the darkness. Hydroquinone is available over the counter at 2% and by prescription up to 4% and when it’s used as directed it’s a very safe and effective way of helping reduce excess pigmentation. 

Precautions: 

• Consult a dermatologist before using any skincare product. 
• Patch test to check for allergies.
• Skin irritation, mild stinging, redness, flaking, and dryness can be caused. 
• If any of the above stated problems increases immediately wash the product and apply a calamine lotion and consult a doctor. 
• Sun sensitivity is one major effect of these. Sun screen use is a must. 
• Don’t use for more than two weeks in continuation. After two weeks take a break for two weeks and can be reused later. 
• Don’t apply on cuts and open wounds. 
• Don’t apply near eye and mouth. 

Concentrations and Reactions:

• Glycolic acid and Salicylic acid are generally safe, can cause some flaking or mild flushing. Sunscreen use is a must. Starting concentration for Glycolic can be from 2% and can be taken upto 10-12%. For Salicylic 2-2.5% are ideal for use, if tolerated can be used upto 12%. 
• Benzoyl peroxide may cause redness or irritation when first applied to skin, though the skin does become acclimated to it. Start with 2.5 % concentration, and then move upto 5% and then 10%. Benzoyl peroxide may cause dryness of skin; you can remedy this effect by using moisturizing facial products. It may also cause reddening of the skin, which can also be alleviated by calamine lotion. It is a powerful bleaching agent that can leave stains on your clothing, towels, and sheets. Be sure the benzoyl peroxide is completely dry on your skin, before it comes into contact with anything else. It may also bleach your hair, so keep your hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes from making contact with the acne product. Benzyl peroxide works best in conjugation with glycolic acid. Sunscreen use is a must.
• Hydroquinone like most other skin care ingredients can under some circumstances cause a little bit of irritation and if that happens if you stop using it the irritation goes away. Used best with glycolic acid, which accelerates exfoliation process of the darker skin cells. Sunscreen use is a must.

Afterword:

These chemicals are generally very safe effective treatments. These are extensively used in the skincare products available over the counter. Just a little awareness and time is needed to understand these miraculous products. always read ingredients list before buying any product.  

List of products and a proper skin care regime will be in another post.

Stay Beautiful :)

Shweta