Hello everyone! In this post, I want to share my journey of my skin progression ever since I started my journey to skincare around two and a half years ago. This is a special post for me since I will be sharing personal insights with the hope that it would benefit people reading it.
No fancy terms or complicated routines, just real experiences that anyone can relate to. This is the story of how I went from skin struggles to achieving progress on my skin. Get to know my “My 3-Year Skincare Journey.
Quick declaimer: as the owner of the website I have tracked down some of the products and services mentioned. Therefore, when using the links on this page to make a purchase I may get a small commission. See Full Disclosure.
Awakening to Skincare
Before I got into skincare, I honestly thought it wasn’t something I needed to worry about as a black woman. My mom has always had great skin without using any fancy products, so I figured I’d be the same.
In my late teens, my skincare routine was as basic as it gets – just washing my face with regular soap and slapping on whatever African moisturizer was lying around. I didn’t pay much attention to my skin, even though I’d occasionally get pimples. It wasn’t until I started seeing black women on social media talking about their skincare routines that I realized I might be missing out.
One day, I looked at my skin and thought, “Maybe I should start taking better care of this.” So, I dipped my toes into the world of skincare by trying out some affordable Korean face masks. They were cheap, and I either bought them myself or received them as gifts. It wasn’t a lot, but it felt like a start, and I was excited to give it a try.
Embracing Skincare
Around the same time, one of my sisters introduced me to some products from Holland & Barrett, and she told me they were natural and good for the skin. I thought, “Why not?” and went to their store to get some advice from their staff.
The salesperson recommended Dr Organic products, including face scrubs and moisturizers, thinking they’d be perfect for my skin. Little did I know that this was the beginning of a rollercoaster ride for my skin.
This has marked the beginning of a three-year adventure filled with ups, downs, and lots of lessons along the way.
Turning point: Navigating Unexpected challenges
My turning point happened right in the middle of the pandemic when my skin took an unexpected nosedive for the first time. Suddenly, I was dealing with acne and breakouts that ranged from bad to worse, leaving behind those annoying dark spots.
As I mentioned in my bio, things were getting out of hand. Back then, I didn’t know much about skincare. But there was a day when I looked at myself in the mirror and saw my reflection, and I was faced with the reality of my deteriorating skin.
That was the moment when I realized that I needed to step up my skincare game. It stung a bit when my mom, out of love, started pointing out that my skin needed some serious help.
A Costly Misstep
I was eager to fix things, but I made a big mistake. I started using this organic scrub twice a day, thinking it would help. But boy, was I wrong! Just because it said “organic” on the label, I thought it couldn’t possibly harm my skin. But it did – big time. That’s when my skin turned into a complete nightmare.
The main issue was, I had no clue which products would work for my dry and sensitive skin.
So, I decided I’d had enough. I reached out to a skincare expert because I needed real help. I told them about my skin issues, and they suggested I try the Sk:n products. Believe it or not, that was the first time I ever used proper skincare on my face. But strangely, it made things worse. I even got blackheads, something I’d never dealt with before.
Emotional Struggles and Skincare Trials
Back in those early days, my skin struggles really got me down. I felt devastated, to say the least. I didn’t even want to step outside because I felt so ashamed and embarrassed. I thought I looked ugly and like nobody would want to be around me. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, and I felt every bit of it.
As I searched for a solution, I tried different products, but they just didn’t live up to what I hoped for. It was pretty disheartening. I even went back to the expert who had given me advice in the first place, only to tell them that the product they recommended was a complete dud.
They then suggested I try the Medik8 cleanser, but even after using it diligently for weeks, my skin didn’t get any better. This experience left me feeling really down, and I stopped seeking their advice for a while.
*Just to be clear, I’m not saying you shouldn’t talk to an expert. In fact, I totally recommend it. They really are the best people to go to for help. My story is just about the things I went through.*
At one point, my mom suggested I try traditional African black soap because it’s known for being good for dry skin. Well, I made a mistake – I used it every single day, hoping for a quick fix. But that actually made my dry skin even worse. I eventually figured out that using it just twice a week worked better.
Even though I knew deep down that washing my face only twice a week wouldn’t get rid of all the dirt and stuff on my skin, I stuck with it. On the other days, I just used water to clean my face. Looking at my dry skin every day was really tough, and I remember crying about it pretty much every day.
Committing to Change: Taking Control of My Skincare
A Determined Decision:
It was during this challenging phase that I made a decision that would alter the course of my skincare journey. I realized there weren’t many resources tailored for people with dry and sensitive skin like mine. That’s when I decided to take matters into my own hands. I embarked on a journey of self-research, using the experiences I had gathered thus far.
It wasn’t just about improving my own skin; it was also about creating valuable content that could help others. This is how my website came to life.
I must admit, it’s been a journey of constant learning and growth and it still is. Even though I wasn’t a skincare expert by any means, I was determined to gather as much useful information as possible and share it on my website. My motivation wasn’t just personal improvement; it was also about helping others navigate their own skincare challenges and learn from my experiences.
Setting Goals:
My primary goal was to learn more about my own skin and its unique needs. Simultaneously, I aimed to provide value to those who were going through similar struggles. Even when my own skin wasn’t in its best state, the blog became my driving force, pushing me not to give up. It was about persisting and continuing the journey, together with others who were on a similar path.
The Journey Begins (During):
Building the Routine:
As I have mentioned, after the initial disappointment, I took matters into my own hands. I began researching my specific skin condition, and although I couldn’t find a wealth of information, I did manage to grasp some essential skincare principles that would prove to be transformative but also valuable for the blog.
It was around this time that my sister, who also has sensitive skin, introduced me to the CeraVe Brand, particularly their cleanser and moisturizer, as well as the La Roche Posay sun cream. She mentioned how much she liked them and encouraged me to give them a try.
These products turned out to be a game-changer for me, and I silently thank her every single day. I still rely on them as my core skincare products.
Additionally, I discovered the Hada Labo brand and The Ordinary 5% Lactic Acid, both of which have had a significant impact on my skincare journey. I use them faithfully every day, and they’ve truly transformed my skin for the better over time.
Trials and Triumphs:
Throughout these three years, I experienced my fair share of ups and downs. There were moments when my skin showed signs of improvement, and I felt on top of the world.
But there were also days when it seemed like my efforts were in vain, and I couldn’t see any progress at all. There were even moments when I contemplated giving up on everything, including my blog.
Around a year into running my website, I decided to take my commitment to skincare to the next level. I enrolled in a natural skincare course, which I am currently pursuing. It’s been another aspect of my journey, a testament to my dedication to not only improving my skin but also learning and growing in the field of skincare.
MY MAIN MISTAKES
Lessons Learned: Insights from my 3 years skincare journey.
Discovering Skincare Wisdom:
In these three years, I’ve picked up some vital lessons on the road to better skin. The most important one? Stick with it! Consistency, patience, and not giving up are super important in this skincare journey. Don’t expect overnight miracles; real progress takes time. It’s also crucial to get to know your skin and what it needs.
Even though my first try with a dermatologist wasn’t perfect, I still recommend seeing experts. They know their stuff when it comes to skin issues.
Currently, I find myself in a place where I’m content with my skin, but the journey doesn’t end here. I’m still committed to enhancing and caring for my skin. So far, what I’ve learned is that the path to healthier, happier skin is a continuous one.
oh by the way; check MY SKIN NOW below 😉
