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Today, December 21st, marks the first day of winter. I don’t know why (especially since I live in Southern California), but it has felt like winter for a while. Maybe not physically, but definitely mentally and emotionally.

I also feel like so much has happened since my fall update. While I still haven’t had any extractions since March (sad day), I was able to get two chemical peels before Los Angeles shut them down again. I had been thinking that my acne was gut related (in addition to quitting the pill) and therefore connected with my ulcerative colitis diagnosis (UC) from earlier this year. While I do think they were connected, there was something else at bay too.

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Lunya Silk Pajamas | Ugg Boots | Lunya Hair Scrunchie

Early fall I had my hormones tested and I honestly wish I would have done it sooner. I found out that I had high DHEA, which can show symptoms similar to high testosterone. Hello high oil producing, acne causing, angry skin! My OBGYN is a hormone specialist as well (I purposely sought a hormone specialist out) and she has been helping me with supplements and suggestions. I am trying to eat GF and DF at least 80% of the time. To be honest, I get back to being more strict after the holidays - hah! I also started taking DIM in addition to Vitex. I had heard of DIM before, but didn’t want to add it in before consulting with a doctor. I plan on at least touching on Vitex in the near future, but know that I’m currently taking Designs for Health Femguard which has both Vitex and DIM, in addition to other things. My doctor also suggested that I begin getting regular acupuncture to help regulate my hormones as well. My acupuncturist specializes in women’s health. I’ve tried to do weekly visits (since October) when I can and also have added in cupping the last 3 times, which is also said to help with acne and regulation.

Thankfully we moved into a new apartment (I mentioned that last time) that has better air flow which I think has helped heal my skin; however, I think the winter is a great time to nourish and heal skin. * knock on wood * but I think my skin is looking the best it has looked since this time last year. (Last fall is when my face truly erupted) I still have some mild scarring, but overall it is doing pretty well. In addition to the new place, I’ve been trying to keep stress out of my life as much as possible. The acupuncture helps with this too! I’m still using my humidifier nightly which helps my skin not get so dry and angry. A UC update is that my inflammation levels are now NORMAL, so not only is my body doing better, but I also got to drop from 2 to 1 medicine. I feel like this has helped my skin immensely as well.

Product wise I have some new things too! When I started seeing my acupuncturist she gave me some herbs to put on my face. It is a mixture of huang lian, huang bai, zao xiu, and da huang. The herbs all specialize in “pulling the dampness” out of the face, which really helped my acne since they were more like really inflamed pores that turned into sores. I use that in the morning and at night. Early November I started using benzoyl peroxide every other night and have seen good results from that as well.

I think that is pretty much it for the newness, so here’s my morning and evening routine spelled out!

AM ROUTINE

Splash some water on my face, then dry it off and apply my acupuncturist cream on troublesome spots. I let this sit for 15 minutes.
One Love Organics Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser. I wash the cream from #1 off then proceed to wash my face with this OLO product. Sometimes I wash it twice with it, as I make sure to get the oily cream off entirely.
ICE. I just grab an ice cube from the freezer and continually move it around my face for about 2 minutes, making sure to hit the troublesome spots extra. Don’t leave it on one spot for too long, or it will burn you. I have an ice roller, but use ice cubes to keep it clean and such. (per my esthetician.) I use my cute BKR ice trays!
This is the part that changes the most. Sometimes I don’t put anything on it. Sometimes I apply Primally Pure Baby Balm (get 10% off with discount code ELLEMULENOS) on as a moisturizer. Probably once a week I use Primally Pure Clarifying Serum (get 10% off with discount code ELLEMULENOS) with my gua sha.
Sunscreen. I don’t use this if I’m just sitting in my house; however, if I have plans to go outside, it goes on! Hats help too but should not be supplemented instead of sunscreen!

PM ROUTINE

One Love Organics Vitamin B Oil Cleanser. I only do this if I wore makeup or sunscreen that day, otherwise, I just use the foaming cleanser alone vs double cleansing. I also really like the Primally Pure cleansing oil as an option too! Try it for 10% off with discount code ELLEMULENOS.
One Love Organics Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser. Same as AM!
I use my acupuncturist herbs again at this point, same as the AM.
One Love Organics Easy Does It Foaming Cleanser. I wash my face again, just to make sure the herbs are all off my face.
ICE. Same as AM!
Corrective Skincare LA Benzoyl Peroxide. It is an acne medication that helps with resurfacing.
***OR***
Corrective Skincare LA Peeling Pads. These are a mixture of Salicylic Acid (2%) and Glycolic Acid (10%) formulated to improve texture, fade discoloration, reduce the appearance of fine lines and help fade scarring caused by acne by promoting skin cell turnover.
Primally Pure Baby Balm. I use this as my under eye cream! I did a whole review of it here. If my skin is feeling very dry, I may put it all over my face at night, but only if I used the peel pads. I don’t put a moisturizer on after benzoyl peroxide.

EXTRAS:

Facial Tools. I use a gua sha stone and a jade roller. I also use a Nu Derma High Frequency Wand every other night on troublesome spots and about once a week all over my face.
Face masks. I use Primally Pure face masks around once a week. My current favorite is the plumping mask, but I reviewed them all here. Get 10% off with discount code ELLEMULENOS. I also still love the Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel. For a more budget friendly option, I use this one.

Winter is historically cold and drying, so be sure to pamper your skin as so! The PP baby balm is so luxurious and keeps the moisture locked in, so that’s one of the reasons it is my favorite right now. A humidifier is another great winter buy if you don’t have one already. IT will help your skin too! I wrote about their benefits here. Last but not least, make sure to use products that won’t strip your skin’s barrier. That is one of the reasons I use Primally Pure’s face masks. They are nourishing, while clarifying!

I don’t touch on makeup a lot here since my focus is skincare, BUT I wanted to say that I’ve been trying out Ilia translucent powder and really like it! I’m also obsessed with this brush for my tinted moisturizer and concealer. I use this brush for my blush and this brush for my loose powder. Here is my makeup routine:

Jane Iredale Dream Tint in 01 Light

Hynt Concealer in DC01, but I may switch to DC00 next time

Ilia Multistick in Ladybird for blush

Ilia Translucent Powder in Magic Sands

Lily Lolo Pressed Blush in Coming Up Roses

NYX Eyebrow Gel in Chocolate

Jane Iredale Lash Extender

Thrive Causmetics Mascara

Alima Pure Eyeshadow in Champagne and Taupe

Jouer Powder Highlighter in Citrine

I can’t believe the spring update will be next! I posted the spring update in 2019 right when the lockdown was happening. Hopefully this coming March will be better than last March. See you then! If you want to talk beauty before then, I send out a beauty update newsletter once a month. Sign up to receive it here! See you then XOXO