I'm the guy who's very concerned about how my skin looks. The guy who moisturizes every time. You know that guy who is a skincare freak but doesn't know that he is? Yeah, it's me. Not necessarily the guy who does all the face-masking, sunscreen, body scrub et all kind of skin care. Just the guy who would do what he has to inorder to ensure a flawless exterior.
And this year hasn't been an easy ride for me. Infact, in the last two months, I can't begin to share what making sure that my skin cares has put me through.
And you know what, I don't think I do too much or own a lot. It just feels like a lot to everybody else, especially my siblings because not one of them has half the care for this sort of thing as I do.
Truly, I've tried my hands on different products which I make sure are suitable for my skin but when I can no longer find that particular product once I've exhausted it or if it was not suitable for me, I go for something else. So, if I say that I've used, in the space of one year, over seven differnt moisturizers, do not be alarmed. It's mostly been trials and errors, really.
My skincare products simply comprise my range of moisturizers, body oils(which serve as moisturizers) and my soap.
Two weeks ago, I went in search of the St Ives products. I was going to get them. I didn't even know there was many of them as I learned at the store, and boy, were they expensive. Inspite, I was prepared to get the range of products just as far as they give me the desired results. I wasn't asking for too much, just clear skin. And in that moment, I don't think too much what it costs. I want them affordable but I realize that these things don't cone cheap. And yes, although expensive doesn't equate quality, I'd still opt for what would be efficient not minding the cost. Appearance and out-look does matter.
People assume that because I'm dark skinned, i can use just about any product and achieve a silky, shiny, flawless skin. Around here, if a product doesn't make you bleach, then it's good. They fail to realize that there are other reactions as breakage, acne, eczema and the rest reactions.
Cocidentally, I went on Facebook and people and skincare enthusiasts were on about a particular Vaseline and how it worked wonders for all skin type. Learning also that it was made with cocoa, and haven used a moisturizers made of same flavour, I thought it would do the work. So, I got it, even though it was pricey. Sometime early last month, I noticed my skin was breaking. I don't know what it's called but I had this white patch forming at my cheeks and being someone who puts in all the effort to make sure I don't look just anyhow, with me having healthy skin, it make me conscious of myself.
My pals from the gym, the neighbourhood and even my mum was making remarks about how I was getting veby dark in my face. In addition, I had developed white patches across my face accompanied by acne. I wasn't exactly sure what was wrong with me but I sort of made connections from when I started the new product until that day.
In frustration, I went online on whatsapp and made a post about how the product wasn't living up the hype. Two of my friends on my contact list then replied that I had been using it wrong all along. Apparently, it is a body lotion and not to be used on the face. That was like the last straw for me. I decided to just begin baby oil, which as you may know, is not just healthy for all skin type but efficient in treating skin issues.
However, that wasn't okay by me.
So, I spoke to my sister who barely has a skincare plan but has got glassy dkin and she said for me to keep up with the morning routine of taking a glass of water first thing in the morning and then washing my face thereafter. For a moisturizer, she suggested coconut oil amd that's what I've been using since. I can say for a fact that it is skin-therapeutic. Its helped restore my complexion back to being uniform and has helped with the reactions. It's beautiful for my entire body plus it helps with the glow too. The only thing is, I feel like my skin is so soft, like a baby's behind. And I fear that if I tug at it a little too hard, it might come off. Lol. In the knowledge of that, I am looking to see a dermatologist inorder to learn more about my skin and what is suitable for it, or not.
The interesting part? The solution to my skin problem costs about five times less than every other product that I have used.
The journey was insane but I've arrived at what works and that's all that's important right now. As, for my face, I use the coconut oil, and for my body, I go with my dettol cool soap and my Vaseline cocoa radiant body oil. No, not ten products. Just these two/ three and my skin cares.
This post is a response to the Kiss prompt for week #132.
Pardon me for yhe lemgthy read, please.
Images used are mine
Thanks for stopping by.
SOKA🖤