My inability to see my own face when I was twelve years old greatly impacted my self-esteem. How was I supposed to discover who I was and feel proud of that person when I couldn’t even see who that person was anymore? For obvious reasons, I had to figure things out.
I had a lot of trouble with my complexion from the time I woke up. I had horrendous acne. My entire face was a mass of infection. I also had rosacea all over my face and neck. It was like my face had turned traitor on me while I slept my coma off. My complexion had been manageable when I had gone to sleep.
It was the craziest thing. It was awful, and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it.
My stepfather had a strict rule against me or any of my little sisters wearing makeup until we were at least 16 years of age. Of course, I wasn’t allowed to purchase or wear makeup even then. It was just assumed that I understood my new place in life; I would live with my parents until the day I died.
There was no need for me to worry about such things as marriage and children. I remember at one point my mother was actually discussing having me sterilized so I could never reproduce. I knew I had to escape from her.
I was expected to accept my parent’s plan and stay with them for the rest of my days as an old maid; in Hingham, Montana. My parents’ entire agenda made me cringe. I was NOT going to let that happen to me!
I spent my time as a teenager dreaming of the day when I would be free to take proper care of myself.
When I was in my early twenties I discovered a skincare line that was designed to do several things to a person’s skin. I wasn’t sure at that point if I really believed all the stuff they were promising, but I knew I needed to try something so I did. This was when I learned how to take proper care of my skin.
I remember trying to talk to my mother back then when I was using that first skincare line. She felt that it was not necessary to use simple soap and water on your face; she insisted that washing the face with soap and water would cause me to break out more.
This was what she had been telling me for years while my acne was out of control. I decided I would take my chances with the face soap.
I’m so glad I did.
I no longer use that first line of skincare products I started with twenty years ago. I now use a different brand.
I haven’t consistently used skincare for the last twenty years; it’s been impossible with all the changes my life has taken. During the times I have though this is what I have learned.
It has been my experience that, when it comes to skincare at least; it’s pretty basic. I think many of the products that are available over the counter can accomplish similar results to those I am about to describe to you. Please keep that in mind.
First, you want some kind of cleanser for your face. I recommend that you go to your drug store and see what each product offers as far as results.
In my opinion, you want to look for products that cleanse without leaving a film behind. I used a really nice bar that I used to buy over the counter so I know they’re out there.
You then want some kind of exfoliating agent.
The third is a moisturizer.
And finally, some kind of SPF to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
I also recommend that you avoid products in which alcohol is one of the primary ingredients. Alcohol dries your skin out worse, causing the situation to become more desperate.
Remember; when God made your body, he used 65% water. If you dry up; that’s when life can’t flourish. Water your skin and it will glow with radiant, new life.
These are the basic steps that lead to healthier, younger-looking skin from my experience. These are the steps I try to do to my face each morning and night before I go to bed.
You also want to keep the elasticity of your skin in mind. Because of this, it is recommended that you use your ring finger to spread the products over your face. Also, when rubbing your eyes, be careful not to be too aggressive. The skin around your eyes is very delicate and when it gets stretched it sags etc this makes you look older.
I also from time to time get something called a “peel” on my face. The original skincare I used twenty years ago also had a similar product. What I’m describing is something that will remove the top few layers of skin from your face. I only get one of these once a year or so, they can be pretty brutal if your skin is inflamed at all.
What happens is that once the top layers are gone, a lot of scarring also goes along with it. The new skin underneath is almost like a baby’s bottom; it’s so smooth and soft.
By changing the way you care for your skin in small ways you can make huge differences with consistency.
As always; I hope you are enjoying my new series, Beauty as a Blind Woman in 21st Century America. Please let me know if there are any topics I’m not already discussing that you want me to confront. Peace out.
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