Tips for Clearer, Brighter Skin

No make up, just a layer of tinted moisturiser and a touch of mascara

"You have nice complexion!". I often get told that and it always surprises me. Why? Because I am my own worst critic. When I was a teenager I adored MTV VJ Donita Rose (I still do) and I thought she was the epitome of beauty. I never felt I was pretty enough for the world because I didn't look anything remotely close to the girls on television. When I was growing up I had many insecurities about the way I looked. Now that I'm 25, if I could go back in time I'd have many things to tell my teenage self! But for today I'd like to share some advice on looking after the skin because I'm not one of those people who has naturally flawless skin.

1. Love the skin you're in.

Loving God includes being thankful for the things He has given you and part of being grateful means taking care of His blessings as you understand them to be an amanah (responsibility). The physical appearance is indeed an amanah. For example, looking after your skin is your responsibility. Don't you think it's much better to make an effort to have clear skin than to cover your skin with layers of chemical-ladened make up that only leads to more breakouts later on? 

2. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day to get rid of  toxins in your body that can cause pimples and blemishes. 

It sounds like a lot but I actually drink 3 - 4 litres a day. How do I do this? I always have a bottle of water with me when I'm out and I drink every 30 minutes or so. It sounds like a hassle but trust me, it's worth it. In order for the cells to renew it needs water and if you're dehydrated you'll not only have dry skin but you'll also have a lot of toxins in your body. These toxins can cause pimples and blemishes.

3. Limit your sugar intake

"In some individuals, a high-sugar diet increases the overall levels of inflammation in the body, which will cause acne." (source: Beautylish) I find it hard to say no to chocolate and sweets but to be honest, when I stay away from them or limit them in my diet my skin looks so much better. Lesson learned.

3. Take a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil or virgin coconut oil before breakfast. 

There are many benefits to these oils. For instance, they help to cleanse the blood from toxins. If you don't like the taste of extra virgin olive oil then a good alternative is virgin coconut oil but if you don't like the idea of swallowing oil then get them in the form of capsules. I've been taking Catalyst's Virgin Coconut Oil in softgel capsules and my skin does not feel as dry as before. I have combination skin so moisturising my skin is a bit tricky as I can't use a moisturiser that will make my skin too oily. Consuming extra virgin olive oil or virgin coconut oil helps to even out the oil production by addressing the problem internally. 

4. Use paraben-free skin care products if not both organic and paraben-free. 

It's not enough for a cleanser to be "natural" or made with "fruit extracts". If it contains parabens then it is bad for your body and your skin! I find facial cleansers with parabens to be quite dehydrating so I've stopped using them altogether and switched to a paraben-free brand. If you don't want something expensive then I recommend Cosway's Bioglo Goat's Milk Facial Cleanser which is pH balanced and paraben-free. I also love the beauty cream which only costs RM 13.90. I use it as a moisturiser and so far it's my favourite moisturiser because a) my skin is soft and moisturised, not oily b) it's affordable!

5. Take supplements that are beneficial for your skin
Primrose oil, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, the list goes on. The latest trend today is the stem cell supplements. To be honest, I was quite cynical about it because there are many stemcell products out there that promise great results. Surely not all of them work the same way, right? When I had the opportunity to try Catalyst's Ambience I was curious to see what would happen.

The results after one month?

Brighter, clearer skin! Alhamdulillah. As you can see, I still have minor blemishes but I feel that's realistic and it's nothing that bothers me too much. The best thing is Ambience has not only made a positive difference on my skin but I feel more energetic, less lethargic and my immunity is also stronger as I don't catch colds as easily as before, alhamdulillah. I also don't get cramps during "that" time of the month anymore. I think that's pretty amazing.

Catalyst's Ambience contains collagen (great for skin and hair - especially if you're experiencing hair loss), CoQ10 (an antioxidant), astaxanthin, L-Glutathione, aloe vera, sea cucumber, acaiberry, Agaricus blazei Murrill (builds the immune system, among other things), apricot and grape seed just to name a few.

Now that I know these supplements do work I take Ambience and virgin coconut oil everyday to maintain good health and clear skin, inshaAllah. But of course, I still drink 3 - 4 litres everyday! That's a must for me even during Ramadan. If you have any questions about Catalyst you'll have to contact the expert, Ailana. She introduced me to the products and I love them, especially the Hair Treatment Series which I blogged about here.

I hope you find these tips useful. However, if you still have any serious skin problems after trying out these tips then I suggest you see a dermatologist. It's always good to explore your options and see what works best for you. Good luck :)

Useful link: 10 Foods That Clean Your Facial Skin