Dermaflannel Results - Skin Care Update - Dairy Update

This is a bit of a wordy post, but I hope it will be helpful to people struggling with skin problems, and I've tried to throw in a few pics to break it up a bit

If you've read any of my previous posts, you'd know I've been suffering from various levels of problems skin. It has really yo-yo'd in state since I was eleven, but I believe I may have nailed a skin care and diet routine which is nourishing and healing for my skin, and I'd like to share my results with you.

I've always wanted to do a dramatic skin transformation results post, but have never had enough improvement to justify one, so I put the idea on the back burner for a while, and it wasn't until I stumbled across some photos I took around the time I wrote the Dairy Disappointed post, which I published nearly a year ago, and was shocked how much my skin had improved!

Before I share my results with you, maybe you'd like to know what lifestyle changes to achieve this improvement?

First, and I really do think most important, is your diet. Not only do you feel different on the inside, it shows through your skin. I can't stress enough, I have not embarked on some strict 'dieting' scheme, just eating less sweets and junk food, more veggies and fruit. You know the deal, it's not rocket science!

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I have also found an incredible difference eating full fat dairy products, which I know to some of you would seem like a no-go. I don't exactly know the in's and out's of the science behind it, but it's something to do with the skimming process which reduces the fat in dairy products which alters the produce and some peoples digestive systems can't process the enhanced food. Also many companies add extra sugars to low-fat foods to make them taste decent, which kind of counter acts the reduced fat part!

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Once I had my diet pinned down, I wanted to (gently) tackle my acne scars. They were red-raw and bumpy, and even the best concealer couldn't hide them, and my make up would end up cakey and didn't grant me any confidence. The opposite of what I wanted to achieve!

I had banned any nasty scrubs as I knew now these irritated my skin, and wanted to try some BHA and AHA products, but I had limited funds, I then stumbled across the Dermaflannel. It promised to achieve similar results to those acid products but was suitable for people who couldn't use them (or who were on a budget) I asked for one for my birthday this year and haven't looked back.

The Results

I have actually decided to share the worst side, as I felt it had more improvement. It's also the side I sleep on the majority of the time, although I'm not sure how much of a impact this has.

I also noticed when comparing the photos that I have more of a defined jaw, which is probably another result of diet improvement.

As I'm sure you can see, I still have improvement to make, but I felt what I had been doing in the last three months had made such an improvement I was confident and trusting enough to share these slightly grim photos from my past.

What skin care improvements have you noticed recently?

Do you think it's a good idea to track developments?

On a side note, my blog will be a year old on the 25th May, how does a blogger celebrate this?

Whats On My Dresser

I've recently moved back to the town where I grew up (bye bye London), and although I miss many things about living in the city, I have gained a lot more living space returning to Sussex, along with a lovely dresser courtesy of my future Mother in Law.

Up until now I've never been able to do a 'Whats on my dresser' post as my various cosmetics have been scattered around my room or crammed in to a drawer looking like an utter mess, so I thought I'd share my new pride and joy with you :-)

So here it is!

I'm normally a rather messy-room person, but I have taken a lot of time and care into keeping my new dresser tidy. I try to keep only the essentials out as to not cause too much clutter, and it's easier to keep neat that way.

Yes I did make our bed especially for the photos, although in our defence we were up and out quite early as we were car shopping. A hefty investment living in the countryside- no night buses here, sob sob.

My jewellery tree I got from  my Sister in law a few Christmas's ago, and I love it for keeping all my favourite and more delicate pieces on. The red spotty print is right up my street, and I love how I can display my most treasured items without having to constantly wear them.

My best loved pieces are my Pandora bracelet, which almost everyone I love has bought me a charm for; and my 21 heart-key necklace which was a gift for my twenty-first birthday.

These products are the ones I use most regularly, and the cheaper alternatives to products I've used in the past (as I'm trying to save a few pennies). 

I'm not going to expand on what the products are as they are not of great interest; moisturiser/day cream, night cream, face oil, micellar cleansing water, deodorant, vitamins and my one luxury product at the moment- Darphins balm which I apply on my lips before bed for a super nourishing treatment!

My favourite section of my dresser- Fragrances! (Notice the cute little heart dish I also got for my twenty-first, adorable!)

I only have three fragrances as the moment, but I definately want to expand my collection, I love choosing a scent to compliment my mood, my outfit or even the weather!

In my accumulation so far is Benefit - Gina, I'd wished I'd saved the box for this as it's an adorable little house and helps the fragrance last longer. I also have the miniature which is great for my handbag.

Dolce and Gabanna - Intense, which featured in my wishlist post and I ended up treating my self too.

Last but not least Dior - Miss Dior EDT, my Mum bought this for me when she went on holiday at the airport (good ol' Mum) and when I left my old job they gave me the miniature EDP which is in the box behind. It's such a sweet box I should really include a picture of it...

I'm such a sucker for packaging!

I should also quickly mention in the pictures above is a dermaflannel which I got for my birthday but have yet to try out!

Finally the last section of my dresser; my wicker basket.

It has a few odd and ends in it like nail varnish remover and dry shampoo, along with my everyday make up and essentials like cotton pads and buds.

My makeup brushes I keep in a drawer as they caused too much clutter, and I'm going to do another 'whats in my drawers' post so you can have another good old nosey through my stuff!

Where do you keep your everyday go-to items?

Are you a neat freak or are your cosmetics a cluttered chaos?

Dairy Disappointed

I have unfortunately suffered from what can only be described as 'problem' skin a bloody big problem since I was about eleven, and although I have tried many, many treatments from creams and ointments from the drugstore, to prescribed topical lotions, and pills, even Roaccutane (which I would not recommend to anyone) from my GP and Dermatologist. 

It has luckily got considerably better since my teenage years, only 'breaking out' during that time of the month, but the red bumps and soreness have never diminished *sigh*.

Recently I have considerably upped my game when it comes to my skin care routine, which I will divulge into later in my blog, and through my exhaustive research into what products are most effective for treating and nourishing blemished skin, is what you put into your body effects whats on the outside of your body too, i.e your skin!

This may seem like common sense 'eat greasy food, have greasy skin', but I'm not talking about that, I've seen many bloggers exclaiming how much their skin has improved once they removed dairy from their diet.

Humans are the only animals who consume the milk of another animal (whether it be a cow, goat etc) which is kind of gross, considering it's purpose is for baby calves. And the possible reason for it causing acne (urgh, there, I said that dreaded word) is from a natural hormone that the Mumma cows produce. A natural hormone for COWS, not humans!

I really don't want to become one of those people who avoid eating certain things because of something the read on the internet, which they weren't allergic too, and I'm not preaching to everyone to start a dairy free way of life, as it's not necessary for most people. But for me desperate times calls for desperate measures, and I am now going to embark on a dairy/milk free diet.

Here are some cute pictures of cows, as I don't want them to feel unloved!

Whats the most extreme thing you've done to get better skin or hair? 

What are your top tips for perfect skin?

Images from http://farm8.static.flickr.com, http://www.collapseboard.com, http://www.siliconrepublic.com, http://earthhopenetwork.net