Starting My Proactiv+ Journey

I've been struggling with hormonal acne for around 6 or 7 months now. It all started last year after my family holiday to Las Vegas, I started getting those massive and really painful under-the-skin kind of spots, clusters of white heads on my cheeks, my jawline and my chin, which was sometimes really itchy and super painful. It got to the point where I was very self-conscious of my skin and I would become obsessed with buying new products hoping that they would clear it up - Nothing helped.

'oily, dry and acne prone skin'

As a teen my skin wasn't too bad. My skin type is very oily so blackheads are just the norm for me but spots weren't really a big issue. I came off from the contraceptive pill about a year and a half ago, so I feel that what I am dealing with now is my 'true skin' - oily, dry and acne prone skin. I know my acne is only mild and not severe, however it is still itchy, uncomfortable to touch and I'm being left with a lot of scarring. I was recommended a product called Acne.org by a friend last year so I placed an order and had it shipped from America just after Christmas, 2018.

This photo was from around Christmas time 2018 before I started using Acne.org. This picture isn't the best but at this point my skin was sore and itchy and I would wake up with a new break out each day.

This photo was around 2 months of using Acne.org. The inflammation had gone down but I was left with very dry skin and a lot of scarring. I would still have flare-ups but it was manageable.

This was my skin 2 days ago. I still have scarring and the painful spots are starting to slowly re-appear.

For the past 3 months I have been using Acne.org, which has really calmed down my skin and in the beginning it did slow down the appearance of new spots. However, now I am left with a lot of scarring and my skin is extremely dry from the strength of the product and the peeling effect. I've notice a difference after 3 months but I also feel that Acne.org is not a product you can use for years to come. I have noticed in the past couple of weeks that the painful spots are starting to come back. Maybe my skin has become immune to it? I have no idea.

I made the decision to purchase Proactive+ as I have read good reviews about it and seen the advert on TV like a million times. You choose your skincare plan on the website and you are automatically subscribed to a monthly plan. You can choose either a 30 day supply or a 90 day supply. I went for the Complete Face Plan, which is a 30 day supply, this is £29.99 but there was a 25% off offer when I purchased mine. This plan included - Skin Smoothing Exfoliator, Pore Targeting Treatment, Complexion Perfecting Hydrator, Re-Texturising Toner and the Mark Fading Pads x5. I also added the Green Tea Moisturiser and the Skin Purifying Mask to my order and the total came to just over £40.

Proactive+ promises 'smooth, clear and healthy-looking' skin. If I'm not happy with the product, I can return the product within 60 days for a full refund, whether the bottles are full or empty!

My kit just came through the post today (wednesday 3rd) so I will be using it as of today. This is literally my last resort, I have high hopes for Proactive+ and I really hope it sticks to it's promise. I will keep you posted.

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Where have I been?

I think its been almost 3 years since my last post saying I wanted to blog more, which went completely out of the window. I decided to stop posting to the blog simply because I had nothing to blog about! I was focusing on my studies at university and just wasn't making the time for it.

That is all I have been up to during all of this time. I completed my Foundation Degree in Fashion Design, which I loved! I completed my studies at Nottingham Trent and FINALLY graduated with a 2:1 in International Fashion Business!

(Myself (left)  and a fellow Grad gal)

Since my graduation, I've been in a bit of an awkward limbo of searching for my dream job but also wanting to make money and go travelling. I see others my age going places and living their own dreams and some days I beat myself up about it and think 'what's stopping me from living mine?' and the simple answer to that is that it's me.

I'm trying this new thing where I don't compare myself to others and I just stay in my own lane and in my own pace, that way nobody can get in my way.

I have always had issues with anxiety, confidence and self-esteem for a few years and this has always prevented me from stepping out of my comfort zone. I'll watch opportunities come my way and then go, and I'll then think to myself 'I could have done that but it's too late now' or 'I'm not good enough to do that anyway'. Some days I get lost in my thoughts and it gets me down but most days I can brush it off and get on.I know this is not a healthy and positive mindset and I know this needs to change. 

I'm trying this new thing where I don't compare myself to others and I just stay in my own lane and in my own pace, that way nobody can get in my way. I am living each day as it comes. I'm not setting myself a plan as such, but setting myself goals instead - this blog being one of them. I just find that setting realistic goals is much more kinder to yourself than a long-winded plan, which when one thing fails - ALL FAILS.

My main goal is to live a physically and mentally healthy and happy life.

I am giving myself a solid year to get into a healthier and happier mindset by implementing healthy habits into my life. A healthy habit to me, is doing something to make yourself feel better physically or mentally, so that could be big or just little things like going to the gym, putting on a face mask, taking on a new hobby, keeping a journal, diary or a blog, recycling unwanted clothing, meditation or yoga. Everyone will have their own version of 'healthy habits' and those are just a very few of my own. 

What are your healthy habits? 

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