Hello my loves! VERY EXCITING VIDEO TODAY :) I wanted to wait a while to film this to make sure my skin wasn’t just going through a “good phase” but that it was clear for a consistent period of time so that I could share exactly what had been working. Well the time has come!! If you’ve been following me for a while, it’s no surprise that I’ve been dealing with a lot of skin breakouts this past year and it affected me tremendously! I was the “cleanest” I had ever been (in terms of diet and products I used), but my skin looked at it’s worst. It affected my desire to film, socialize and honestly I just felt like a total alien. On the days that I DID film, I of course wore makeup (mineral) and camera lighting can be quite forgiving.
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About a year and a half ago I discovered the high raw vegan diet and read about all the amazing benefits it can have for your health, including your skin – and being curious and open minded, I decided to try it! One of the recommendations by all the experts was to ditch the skincare products and allow your body to heal naturally. I was a little apprehensive but decided to give it a try. I was of course expecting to have the most amazing glowing blemish-free skin of my life… but what I got was quite the opposite.
As mentioned in the video, some people experience amazing results right away, but for others it can take a little longer. Whether it’s really a “detox” or not is arguable, but nonetheless introducing a new diet / lifestyle can take some getting used to. Personally however, the combination of a new diet, totally new beauty routine and some stressful personal stuff I had going on at the time resulted in tons of breakouts – I was so unhappy dealing with it.
Is it to say that this diet gives you acne? No… to an extent. In my experience, it also depends on YOUR body and on SO many other factors apart from food, such as stress levels, skin care and your over all feeling of well-being. Taking on such a major change with both diet, lifestyle and beauty became a little too overwhelming. Also remember what works for one person might not work for you. For example I noticed a big decline in breakouts when I stopped eating lots of dates and bananas, they were my staple for a while, but they just broke me out like crazy. This could be due to their lack of water and high sugar content. Some people however do well with this combination. It's all about experimenting and seeing what works best for YOU.
As of today, after a good few months now of my skin being almost consistently blemish free (some discoloration and acne scars remain but they will fade in time) I finally feel like myself again!! SO THANKFUL :)
I am using some really amazing skin care products now, taking Zinc and Maca supplements and most importantly have eased up on being “so clean” with both my diet and the skin and makeup products I use. But with that said, my diet is still probably super clean in comparison to average but that’s just because I love to eat healthy anyway as it makes me feel good – BUT what I mean is, I am not eating only fruits during the day or super low fat like before. I still eat plant-based, eating till I’m full, never counting calories, and it keeps me energized and lean.
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As mentioned in the video, some people experience amazing results right away, but for others it can take a little longer. Whether it’s really a “detox” or not is arguable, but nonetheless introducing a new diet / lifestyle can take some getting used to. Personally however, the combination of a new diet, totally new beauty routine and some stressful personal stuff I had going on at the time resulted in tons of breakouts – I was so unhappy dealing with it.
Is it to say that this diet gives you acne? No… to an extent. In my experience, it also depends on YOUR body and on SO many other factors apart from food, such as stress levels, skin care and your over all feeling of well-being. Taking on such a major change with both diet, lifestyle and beauty became a little too overwhelming. Also remember what works for one person might not work for you. For example I noticed a big decline in breakouts when I stopped eating lots of dates and bananas, they were my staple for a while, but they just broke me out like crazy. This could be due to their lack of water and high sugar content. Some people however do well with this combination. It's all about experimenting and seeing what works best for YOU.
As of today, after a good few months now of my skin being almost consistently blemish free (some discoloration and acne scars remain but they will fade in time) I finally feel like myself again!! SO THANKFUL :)
I am using some really amazing skin care products now, taking Zinc and Maca supplements and most importantly have eased up on being “so clean” with both my diet and the skin and makeup products I use. But with that said, my diet is still probably super clean in comparison to average but that’s just because I love to eat healthy anyway as it makes me feel good – BUT what I mean is, I am not eating only fruits during the day or super low fat like before. I still eat plant-based, eating till I’m full, never counting calories, and it keeps me energized and lean.
How did I do it?
1. Patience
I knew this diet was the best for my body, but my anxiety and stress around why my skin was acting up did not help. The stress that came from worrying was worse for my body than any “bad” food or makeup product I put on my skin, plus was most likely hindering the positive effects of the healthy food I was eating. Relaxing, trusting and believing is so important.
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3. Supplements
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4. Nutrition
I love to eat lots of fresh plant based foods, not just because it’s good for my skin but because it makes my body feel good, gives me energy and keeps me lean without calorie restricting. Something I do avoid though are dates and bananas (and too many sugar-concentrated foods) as they are not very rich in water and I notice they irritate my skin. I will of course eat them from time to time in small quantities but NOTHING like before where I would literally make an 8 banana smoothie haha J live and learn!
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5. FEELING GOOD / Eliminate Stress
I know this is easier said than done, but to say this is important is an understatement. Ever notice when you're stressed, you experience more breakouts, hair fall, tiredness etc? Stress is no good for us and I strive to live as stress and drama free as possible, surrounding myself with good energy from positive people and environments. When my skin was at it's worst, my stress was very high. I think it's pretty obvious that the sight of your face totally red and irritated would make you stressed, but I was also dealing with a few things in my personal life that really took a toll on me. When that problem started to disintegrate, so did my breakouts - they kind of went hand in hand. When it comes to feeling good, this is an area where we all differ as we’re not all passionate about the same things. I personally love eating healthy, exercising, wearing makeup, doing my hair sometimes, wearing cute clothes or a beautiful perfume, pampering myself with a bubble bath and face mask... you might enjoy this too or have other "pleasures" but whatever it is that makes your soul happy! I honestly got into a bit of a cleanaholic-mode for a while where I was so bummed about my skin and was too afraid to put makeup on it, too afraid to put any products on it and literally just wanted to cry every time I looked in the mirror. My life turned into skin-saving mode and it wasn't fun. I eventually managed to pull myself out of that hole and started switching my mindset. As of the last few months, I’ve really been getting back into my groove and it's such a relief to not stress over little things again.
So I’ve definitely learnt A LOT about skin care throughout the last few years and as I know a lot of you guys are going through the same thing, I just hope you stay positive and confident – even though I know it can at times be so frustrating. Be open minded and try different things, but remember what works for one person might not work for you. What I do know works for A LOT of people, including myself are GREENS – especially green juices due to their high alkalinity. I made a video on it which you can watch here.
Additional Quick Tips:
So what shall we call this? Annie's biggest beauty experiment of all? As a beauty and health blogger, I try A LOT of new things, but this would have to take the cake - vegan cake haha :) Well I am very happy that I have gained so much insight on health, diet and mindset this past year but most of all that I have my healthy skin back!! CELEBRATION!
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I will be doing a few more skin care related videos in the future as I know this is a topic you guys are quite interested in, and I've definitely learned a lot! :) Please leave me your comments / questions or personal stories about acne below, I always love hearing from you guys. Hope you found this post and video helpful!! XOXO
I knew this diet was the best for my body, but my anxiety and stress around why my skin was acting up did not help. The stress that came from worrying was worse for my body than any “bad” food or makeup product I put on my skin, plus was most likely hindering the positive effects of the healthy food I was eating. Relaxing, trusting and believing is so important.
2. Skin Care
As mentioned, I totally went all natural and hardly used any products for about 8 months.. as much as I wanted it to work, it simply didn't. It might for some, but not for me. It’s important to note that it doesn’t have to be these EXACT products, as we might not have the exact same “skin chemistry”, but the products mentioned is what’s really been working for me. Cleansing your skin off excess oil, debris and any external pollution is very important. Treating your skin with either Benzoyl Peroxide or Salicylic Acid (also Retin-A) is optional but can be very effective. Restoring balance and light moisture is also good. I love occasional treatments like the scrub or mask mentioned. I also have some great DIY ones if you search back in my videos :) It’s important to not overdo it though as that could backfire (just like underdoing it can) so my advice is to experiment until you find your happy balance.
As mentioned, I totally went all natural and hardly used any products for about 8 months.. as much as I wanted it to work, it simply didn't. It might for some, but not for me. It’s important to note that it doesn’t have to be these EXACT products, as we might not have the exact same “skin chemistry”, but the products mentioned is what’s really been working for me. Cleansing your skin off excess oil, debris and any external pollution is very important. Treating your skin with either Benzoyl Peroxide or Salicylic Acid (also Retin-A) is optional but can be very effective. Restoring balance and light moisture is also good. I love occasional treatments like the scrub or mask mentioned. I also have some great DIY ones if you search back in my videos :) It’s important to not overdo it though as that could backfire (just like underdoing it can) so my advice is to experiment until you find your happy balance.
3. Supplements
Zinc is a skin savior!! It’s a totally natural element and although it’s not as strong and effective as antibiotics, it still works really well – minus the medicine of course. Tests have shown that zinc can kill acne causing bacteria and is a powerful antioxidant which helps reduce inflammation and sebum production. Highly recommend doing some research into it. Maca is another amazing little skin hero. Maca is actually a root that belongs to the radish family which is grown in the mountains of Peru and has been called the “Peruvian ginseng”. It’s very rich in vitamins such as B, C, E and is high in calcium, zinc, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and amino acids. It is really good for balancing out hormones in women, thus optimizing energy levels, mood, SKIN and general health.
Note: I've heard from a few viewers that biotin, as I mentioned briefly in the video, can be an irritant and actually worsen breakouts so keep this in mind - it might be one of those supplements that work wonders for some but are terrible for others. I haven't heard of any bad effects from either Zinc or Maca though so those I would definitely recommend. They have worked really well for me.
SKIN CARE ITEMS MENTIONED:
FACE BRUSHES:
SKIN CARE SUPPLEMENTS:
Note: I've heard from a few viewers that biotin, as I mentioned briefly in the video, can be an irritant and actually worsen breakouts so keep this in mind - it might be one of those supplements that work wonders for some but are terrible for others. I haven't heard of any bad effects from either Zinc or Maca though so those I would definitely recommend. They have worked really well for me.
SKIN CARE ITEMS MENTIONED:
- Juice Beauty Blemish Clearing Cleanser
http://amzn.to/1JJZFJw - TreeActiv Anti Acne Treatment Sulfur Mask
http://amzn.to/1N0DqA9 - Peter Thomas Roth Therapeutic Sulfur Masque
http://amzn.to/1N0DIHi - BPT3.1 Tea Tree Oil Acne Treatment & Moisturizer
http://amzn.to/1JK07Yc
FACE BRUSHES:
- Clarisonic Mia 3 (purchased at Sephora)
http://amzn.to/1ih1vqZ - Spin Brush by Vanity Planet
http://vpwow.com/annie - Vanity Planet Site Wide Code: ANNIE
SKIN CARE SUPPLEMENTS:
- Zinc
http://amzn.to/1JK1ndP and http://amzn.to/1JK1cPW - Maca Root
http://amzn.to/1JwbZJW
4. Nutrition
I love to eat lots of fresh plant based foods, not just because it’s good for my skin but because it makes my body feel good, gives me energy and keeps me lean without calorie restricting. Something I do avoid though are dates and bananas (and too many sugar-concentrated foods) as they are not very rich in water and I notice they irritate my skin. I will of course eat them from time to time in small quantities but NOTHING like before where I would literally make an 8 banana smoothie haha J live and learn!
I know this is easier said than done, but to say this is important is an understatement. Ever notice when you're stressed, you experience more breakouts, hair fall, tiredness etc? Stress is no good for us and I strive to live as stress and drama free as possible, surrounding myself with good energy from positive people and environments. When my skin was at it's worst, my stress was very high. I think it's pretty obvious that the sight of your face totally red and irritated would make you stressed, but I was also dealing with a few things in my personal life that really took a toll on me. When that problem started to disintegrate, so did my breakouts - they kind of went hand in hand. When it comes to feeling good, this is an area where we all differ as we’re not all passionate about the same things. I personally love eating healthy, exercising, wearing makeup, doing my hair sometimes, wearing cute clothes or a beautiful perfume, pampering myself with a bubble bath and face mask... you might enjoy this too or have other "pleasures" but whatever it is that makes your soul happy! I honestly got into a bit of a cleanaholic-mode for a while where I was so bummed about my skin and was too afraid to put makeup on it, too afraid to put any products on it and literally just wanted to cry every time I looked in the mirror. My life turned into skin-saving mode and it wasn't fun. I eventually managed to pull myself out of that hole and started switching my mindset. As of the last few months, I’ve really been getting back into my groove and it's such a relief to not stress over little things again.
So I’ve definitely learnt A LOT about skin care throughout the last few years and as I know a lot of you guys are going through the same thing, I just hope you stay positive and confident – even though I know it can at times be so frustrating. Be open minded and try different things, but remember what works for one person might not work for you. What I do know works for A LOT of people, including myself are GREENS – especially green juices due to their high alkalinity. I made a video on it which you can watch here.
Additional Quick Tips:
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid picking at your skin - it might be tempting, but it's not worth the bruising / inflammation / scarring... trust me haha
- Eat a vitamin, antioxidant and mineral rich diet - lots of fruits & veggies
- Take note of your digestion - it is closely linked to your skin
- Keep your makeup brushes clean
- Find time to relax and have fun!
So what shall we call this? Annie's biggest beauty experiment of all? As a beauty and health blogger, I try A LOT of new things, but this would have to take the cake - vegan cake haha :) Well I am very happy that I have gained so much insight on health, diet and mindset this past year but most of all that I have my healthy skin back!! CELEBRATION!
HAIR
Sleeked back pony using Giovanni Eco Chic Styling Gel
FACE
- Becca Ever Matte Shine Proof Foundation (Tan)
- NARS Creamy Concealer (Biscuit)
- Tarte Contour from "The Sculptor"
- Cover FX Blotting Powder (Medium)
- Bare Minerals Bronzer in The High Dive
- 100% Pure Blush in Healthy
- 100% Pure Blush in Healthy
EYES
- Sigma Warm Neutrals Eyeshadow Palette
- Eyeko Eye Do Liquid Liner
- Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Dark Brown
- Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Dark Brown
- Eyeko Tinted Brow Gel
- Bare Minerals Lash Domination Volumizing Mascara
LIPS
- Tarte Lipsurgence in Bare
- Tarte Power Pigment Lipstick in Glisten
- Tarte Power Pigment Lipstick in Glisten
TOP
By H&M
I will be doing a few more skin care related videos in the future as I know this is a topic you guys are quite interested in, and I've definitely learned a lot! :) Please leave me your comments / questions or personal stories about acne below, I always love hearing from you guys. Hope you found this post and video helpful!! XOXO