Habits for Good Skin + Skincare Products Update

Skincare request continues to be my most requested post. Trust me, it is not that great. Nor it is rocket science. 😉

I have done a detailed skincare post this January (It was the first post of this year!). So, please read that before you read this. I will wait here. Link 😊

Done? Good. Now, here are a few things that I am doing because thankfully, it is getting better. I am always prepared that my skin will do downhill during summer. But, it didn't this year. 

(I just have a couple of tiny bumps along the hairline because I slept with The Body Shop Shea Butter Hair Mask and Coconut Oil. These are experiments I will do to test products before I recommend them or suggest alternative use. So, this cannot stop coz I don't lie with you)

So, I thought of sharing a few updates in my skincare products. 

But, a change of a few habits is the prime reason. You need to do a little every day. This post lists the good skincare habits and the next part of the post with Product Update.

Good Skin Habits

Fixed hours for sleep. This was more out of compulsion instead of habit. In 2017 summer, my skin was at its worst. The phase lasted until I changed my company where I no longer work from home. Therefore, I get up every morning by seven. Automatically, I am sleepy by 12 in the night. My husband is still a night owl so, I do stay awake after two am most times. Interestingly, every time I do that for more than a couple of night, I can see that my skin gifts me a tiny pimple or two. I do not like to stay awake late now because it does not seem worth it anymore. I think it has something to do with digestion, better absorbing of the nutrients I consume, healthier repair while I sleep….you know.
 
Avoiding red chili powder and garam masala powder in food. I am Bengali who eats a mix of spicy food and simple food. I am married to a Rajasthani who loves things hot. I was ensuring that everything made at home was having heap full of chili powder and garam masala. I was not realizing that it was harming me. This year from Goa, I picked up a lot of spices. I was using them instead of the powders and I could feel a difference in my health. I decided one day to slowly remove chili powder and garam masala powder. I use them only in the non-powdered form so that I get the flavor but do not eat them. I still eat out where I do not have control over what goes into my food. Nevertheless, at least my body better receives my nutritious home-cooked meals. I try to use more of cumin, coriander, and turmeric in my food - they are great for your body. If I need to add heat in my food, I prefer black pepper - amazing ingredient but underrated in India. I powder pepper, cumin, coriander at home.
 
Eat seasonal. Those cauliflowers are tempting but I say no to them on Friday evening farmer's market visit. You end up with fewer chemicals in your body. Follow Rujuta Diwekar for no non-sense diet gyans.

Avoid Sun and Pollution. I reach office before 9 when it is not too hot and leave after 5. I do use sunscreen but it is better to avoid a few things. When I need to out in the sun, I do so looking like a bandit when I step out. 😷

Don’t let the sweat sit on your skin. Sweating is good but there is no reason for letting it sit on your face. I have been doing it for years. After I reach office, I make a beeline to the washroom - face wash, moisturize, eyeliner, lipstick. Does not take more than 10 minutes but so so so good for your skin. I know it is not possible for everyone but please make this habit if you can.

I try to worry less and let go of things. Watercoloring is helping for now.

Products:

• I usually switch between Kama Ayurveda Rose Jasmine Face Wash and Just Herbs Skilksplash. But, discovering that there is no Neem in their Neem Scrub, I have got some distaste for them. My current bottle was not over but I got the 200ml bottle of Just Herbs Silksplash. Silksplash is better for acne compared to Kama Rose. I have also tried the Kama Ayurveda anti-acne facewash but it is very drying. 

• Regular with Acids. Even though I am dead tired, I try my best to use glycolic acid at night. I use Pixi Glow. I tried Dr. Sheth's Gulab Glycolic as well. Going to stick with Pixi Glow for now and I have got the back up as well. I got a few more acids from The Ordinary. 

• Added Vitamin C to my regime. Using The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% for two weeks now. It has a gritty texture, so, as suggested by The Ordinary website, I mix it with my moisturizer. In my case - rosehip oil. I am using LifeFlo now but going to start The Ordinary from next week. 

• Delhi weather was bone dry last month. Using only Nuxe Reve de Miel and I do not think I am going to use anything else. I can see why people are addicted to this. 

Love, 

Shayoni

PS: Pic from March: Notice the small marks on the forehead and pink spots on cheeks. All gone now.