like most women, i've always struggled with my complexion. it never seems to compare with the flawless complexion that society tells us we're supposed to have "naturally". first of all, i would like to call bullshit on that myth because i have never come across one woman that is completely satisfied with her complexion. so, after 26 years of trying every foundation, product and dermatologist known to man, here are my tips to fake or create flawless skin:
1. foundation
it took me 10 years before i found a foundation that met all of my needs. some of my criteria includes: must be long-lasting, must not clog my pores, must not irritate my skin, must match my pale skin. you would think that wouldn't be hard to find, right? wrong. but alas, i have found it:
estee lauder's double wear foundation matches my skin perfectly, doesn't clog my pores or irritate my skin, and it lasts the entire day. it's not the cheapest foundation out there (it's around $30), but i promise you it's worth the money.
2. moisturizer
it doesn't matter what your skin is like, your skin needs moisturizer. you may think that because you have an oily complexion that you don't need to moisturize, but trust me, you do. your skin can actually break out if it doesn't have enough moisture.
cerave makes my favorite moisturizer. it's the only moisturizer that doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy, and continues to moisturize your skin all day. it's also a great pick if you have sensitive skin like myself.
3. vitamins
i've never been vitamin crazy, but when it comes to my skin, i do find that they help. some people have success with taking biotin or prenatal vitamins, but i prefer taking vitamin a. i don't take vitamin a daily, but i do take it when i find myself breaking out. accutane, the common/controversial drug used to treat acne, is basically a very high dosage of vitamin a. when i buy vitamin a, i make sure to buy it in the smallest dosage available because it can be dangerous when taken in high dosages.
4. birth control
personally, i think this is the most important factor in skin care. before i changed birth control, i never really considered my birth control playing any role in my skin. yes, my doctor had told me the pill could help with acne, but since i didn't have severe acne, i didn't give it much thought. it wasn't until i switched to the nuva ring that my skin did a complete 180. i am by no means saying that the nuva ring is a cure-all, but i did see a dramatic difference in my skin after getting off of the pill. the problem with the pill is that i believe it drys out the skin to the point where it actually causes acne. i have yet to find a person who thinks that the pill has helped their skin, although doctors continue to make that claim.
at the end of the day, i highly suggest seeing a dermatologist if you have any concerns about your skin. there seems to be a misconception that you should only go to a dermatologist if your skin is falling off or if you might be at risk for skin cancer. this is so far from the truth, it actually makes me laugh. a dermatologist can prescribe you better, higher quality products that target your specific problem.
another fun fact about dermatoligists: they can cure a pimple. yes, you heard right. let's say you have a pimple that simply won't go away or you have an important day coming up where you need to be pimple-free. pick up the phone, call your dermatologist and ask for a cortisone shot. you will go in, the doctor will take a needle (okay, a needle coming towards your face isn't fun, but your pimple is already the size of the sun, so you can't even feel it) and insert cortisone directly into the pimple. within hours your pimple will be half of it's size, and by the end of the day it will be completely gone.
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