(Just for those who have read my blog for a long time, I’ve done a post similar to this years back, but wanted to re-write it and make a more updated post for people reading… )

One thing I have always struggled to keep is a clear complexion. I am sure some who read that may not believe it – since it is actually one of the things I am often complimented on. Clear skin tho is something I have had lots of trial and error with…

One thing that I really battle with are hormonal breakouts.

It has been a struggle since I got married. Oddly enough as a teen I did not struggle with this.

Add to that pregnancy… and my hormones have been just all over the place.

With my last pregnancy even more so. I’m not sure why when pregnant with Owen I broke out so much… but it was by far the biggest battle I ever faced with keeping a clear complexion. I was at a loss and tried every possible method to clear it up. In that case nothing seemed to work – it was purely hormones… and after lots of discussions with my midwife back in NC… I now know I did all I could… and often times the only cure is to be put on birth control.

That is something I was not comfortable with…. and so after Owen was born I began searching for ways to really pamper my face… and take care of it. Even though I understood and knew that many facial breakouts can’t be 100% fixed with products you put on the surface of your skin… I was going to try my hardest to find the best ways to help it out.

While I did this before him in areas… it wasn’t consistent… I would often times waver back into a cheaper method of cleansing and hydrating and almost immediately id break out.

For almost a year now I have been very happy with my skin. While there are times I do break out (like once a month, or twice in my case – crazy cycles!) – its much less of a battle now, thanks to the products I have found.

So to wrap this up :) – here are a list of things I use DAILY.

1) A daytime facial cleanser
- I use Pure Anada’s Scentless cleanser
- & recently started using Kelly Teagarden Organic Facial cleanser
(I get to giveaway some on She {hearts} It next week! – its expensive but works very very well.)

- Those facial cleansers I use ONLY in the morning.

2) A night time facial cleanser
- I use Organic Jojoba Oil
- I buy mine from Trader joes, but you can purchase it online.
- I use this method using the oil to cleanse with at night. This method removes ALL my make up btw.

3) A good facial moisturizer
- I use 3 kinds right now. Yes 3 ;-)
- At night I use my friend Nichole’s Organic Lotion Bar.
(Its slightly greasy but honestly it works amazingly well! I apply it right after doing the oil cleansing treatment. This way my hands are warm from the wash cloth I used to steam my face… having warm hands helps the lotion bar rub in much smoother and softer)

Before having her bar, I used what is listed below, for both night and morning.
- In the morning I use
~ Rainwater Botanicals Oils with their facial cream – I mix it together.
So one squirt from their facial cream (lotion) – and 4 drops of the oil into my palm. I mix it together with my fingers, then apply it all over my face. IT WORKS BEAUTIFULLY!!!

4) For breakouts I use
- Goat Milk Stuff’s Tea Tree Oil Lotion Bar
(Just rub it on like lotion onto breakouts)
- More severe breakouts (although this has not happened in a while)
I use A Hydroccortizone Stick (1%) – The one I have is Dr. Bobby’s, which is no longer in business… but you can find some on amazon that are similar. Don’t use this for long periods of time. Don’t use for longer than 7 days max. It however works great. Esp for stubborn areas that continue to break out.

5) To exfoliate
- I mix Pure Sweet Almond Oil w/ Honey Granules (Its a sucanat w/ honey mixture – great for baking too btw)
- I only do this once a week, if that… and always rub it on in the morning, softly in a circular motion, IN THE shower, then let the warm water steam for a while after it washes off.

6) For Makeup
- I use Pure Anada’s Mineral Makeup & Shadows 100% – Its the best make up I have ever used. I’ve been using her make up for almost 4 years now I believe. Maybe 3? I forget. Years any how. I would recommend it highly to anyone… and while the cost up front may be a bit much, it honestly will last you way longer than any store make up!! Its well worth the cost & the owner is amazing.

- Make up for me is one of the most important aspects of keeping a clear complexion. Not because it covers, but because its on your face ALL DAY.

Hope this is helpful for some. One thing I love about the products I use, is where they come from. Besides the Hydroccortizone stick, & jojoba/almond oils all my products come from smaller businesses. Run by great women! They are natural, safe and good for you too :)

All this being said. My skin is not perfect.

In fact tomorrow I’ll probably wake up for 4 new breakouts ;-) – No ones skin can be perfect… but one thing I do know is that my face has never felt so good. It does not feel tight… it does not feel dry… it feels healthy…

—- THIS WAS NOT A SPONSORED POST —