Winter Skin Care

My skin has changed SO MUCH over the last few years, it's kind of crazy.  5 years ago my skin was oily, pimply, and generally gross.  I don't think I saw a pimple free day from the age of 13 until 18.  I am so glad that once college hit my skin decided to mature and those days are now behind me.  

It took me a long time to figure out how to care for this new skin.  One thing I've learned is that it's important to stick to the most natural products possible.  Not only are they a lot better for your skin, most of the time they're cheap or you can make them yourself.  Get rid of the harsh chemicals and your skin will thank you!  I also try and keep things really simple.  I don't spend more than 10 minutes a day on skin care, and I if I make it more complicated than that, I simply won't do it!

1. Noxzema.  This stuff is AMAZING.  I have been using it daily for probably 3 years now, and it's wonderful.  It's a very basic cleanser, but it gives such a nice, deep clean, and leaves my skin feeling soft.  It's never drying, and it's one of the few things I can use year round.   I just love it, and can't say enough about it.  

2. I know it looks like pee, but I promise it's not.  I use a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and water as a toner, and it's fabulous.  The smell takes some getting used to, but I really don't feel like it's that bad.  ACV seems to suck the life out of pimples and works to prevent new ones.  I haven't had a single large, nasty zit since I started using it, and I don't think it's a coincidence.  

3.  My skin has gotten a lot drier in recent years, and I soon found that I needed a moisturizer.  I love how light and smooth this one from Burt's Bees is.  

When I'm breaking out or just need a little extra moisture, I reach for the coconut oil.  Just a teeny bit rubbed all over my face before bed does the trick, and I wake up to nice, soft skin.  Coconut oil not only moisturizes, it's anti-microbial so it kills all those pimple causing germs.  My husband has even used this on his scalp, where he occasionally gets eczema-like sores, and it's amazing how much it helps.  I've also used it on my hair, lips, and cuticles.  

For exfoliation, I love St. Ives Apricot Scrub.  I keep it in the shower, and scrub with it about twice a week.  Another product I've been using for years and can't live without!

I really should use Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay more like once a week, but it's kind of a pain to remove, so I probably use it about once a month.  Even though it's annoying, it works wonders!  I mix it with ACV and you can literally feel it sucking the junk out of your pores.  My face is so clear the next day, it's a bit amazing.

What are your must haves for winter skin care?

On My Skin Care

I recently finished the book Skin Rules, and while most of the information wasn't anything new, I did learn a lot about protecting your skin from the sun.  It also got me thinking about how much my skin care routine has changed over the years.  I thought I'd share mine, and I'm curious to hear what your routine looks like!

Makeup Removal:

Physician's Formula Organic Wear Makeup Remover

I've used a variety make makeup removers, but this is what I've been using lately.  It does the job pretty well without stinging my eyes.  I think after this is used up I'll just go back to using water since I'm using a lot of organic makeup now that comes off easily!


Cleanser:

Noxzema Clean Blemish Control Foaming Wash

I've been using Noxzema for over a year now and love it.  It gets my skin nice and clean and feeling great.  It's the perfect amount of cleansing and moisturizing for me, and I use it every morning and evening.











Sunscreen:

Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid-Lotion Sunblock

I put this on every morning, whether I'm in direct sunlight or not.  It's a great product that's nice and light, my skin hasn't broken out using it, and it doesn't make my face oily.  Total win in my book. :-)






Moisturizer:

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF 30

 I picked this up after finishing Skin Rules because it has an SPF in it.  I really love this; it protects my skin, provides just enough moisture, and evens out my skin tone quite nicely.  I don't use it every day because my skin gets oily with too much moisturizer, but when I do, it's great. :-)

Burt's Bees Natural Acne Solutions Daily Moisturizing Lotion

When I need a little moisture right before bed, this is what I reach for.  I love all things Burt's Bees, and this is no exception.  Great product.





Exfoliation:

Olay Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System

I'm still on the fence as to whether this actually works.  I bought it after hearing such amazing things about the Clarasonic because it was cheaper.  Sometimes I feel like my wash cloth does a better job at exfoliating than this does, but I like to use it when a wash cloth isn't readily available.

Baking Soda

Yes, baking soda.  Use 1 tablespoon, and mix with enough water to make a paste.  Rub on face.  Repeat once a week for baby soft skin (no joke).

So that's my super simple skin care routine!  It usually takes me about 5-10 minutes every morning and evening, and as long as I keep it up, my skin stays (mostly) clear. :-)

What does your skin care routine look like?

(Almost) Ten

November 30th of this year, I will mark 10 years with diabetes.  I usually don't make a big deal about my diaverseries.  I remember the day, I remember how many years it's been.  But I never really do anything special.

However, I really, really want to this year.  10 years feels like a really big deal.  I deserves to be celebrated.

This year has been especially rough for some reason.  I've had a lot of mental breakdowns over the D the last 6 months, which is something I haven't experienced since diagnosis.  Part of it has to do with getting married and turning my thoughts towards family planning.  But part of it is just that it's been almost 10 years, and this isn't getting any easier.

So here's my problem: I don't have a clue what to do to mark the occasion.  The time will be even more special since just a few days before my diaversery, my husband and I will celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary.

A have a few small things already planned for the month, since November is Diabetes Month, but I want to do something for ME.  Maybe get a pedicure (which I've never had), or buy something I've wanted for a while, or have a day full of my favorite things.

So what do you think? What do you do to commemorate your diaverseries?

Date Night

Top and Belt: Thrifted

Skirt: Old Navy Outlet

Shoes (not pictures): Kohl's Sandals

Earrings: Claire's

Ring: Etsy

A few quick photos via my ipod to document last night's date night. :)

I thought this top had died. See, last year, sometime around Christmas, it got covered in grease stains. I tried everything to get them out. Until I found THIS. It was a miracle.

This is a skirt I got from the outlet mall we went to in Maine. I was a little unsure about it, but my husband talked me into it. So glad he did. :)

So I've been having a really terrible week as far as diabetes goes. It's *ahem* that time of the month, and my blood sugars are letting me know. Two nights ago I had an all out breakdown. I was a crying, blubbering mess. I couldn't deal with it anymore, just ready to throw the meter at the wall and be done. So yesterday, my  husband came home with a rose and told me to get dressed up, we're having a date.  Being able to get out of our stuffy, non-air conditioned apartment in a new skirt was just what I needed. :)

Innocence

I was leaning up against a pole in the pavilion when a small child caught my eye.  She was staring intently at me, so I turned and smiled.

"What did you do to your arm?"

I was sporting a pump site on my arm that day.  "You mean this?" I said, pointing at it.

She nodded.

"Well, I have diabetes.  This thing gives me the medicine* that I need to keep me healthy.  It comes out of this." I said, as I pulled my pump from my pocket.  "This is an insulin pump."

She continued to stare, unsure.

"Does that make sense?"

She nodded quickly, and went back to her coloring book, apparently content with my answer.

I smiled, and turned my attention back to the yelling coming from the dunk tank about 10 feet away.  It took me a minute to realize what had just happened, and then I found myself wishing that everyone were content with such a simple explanation.  That that is really was just that simple.

*I know this isn't the most accurate term, but through the years it's proven the best way to explain what insulin is to young kids.