With potentially only 3 months until I hit my goal of 100 pounds lost (assuming there are no snags, but I'm SURE there will be), I've started thinking about other habits I could set up in 3 months. Why not throw a bunch of new positive habits at my life and see what sticks?
Finding a Sun Damage Remedy
I was definitely the happiest with my skin clarity/smoothness when I was using a retinoid. Of course, I haven't done this for 5+ years as I was trying to conceive, then pregnant, then breastfeeding. I won't go back to it again until I am finished nursing the last child, so that could be potentially another 5+ years in the future. And I'm 35, wrinkles on my forehead are starting to show permanently, and sun damage on my face/chest/forearms is becoming pretty apparent.
A long while back I bought a vitamin C serum to try, and 3-6 months of it is supposed to show a noticeable improvement because it's an alpha hydroxy acid to act as a chemical exfoliant, and also because vitamin C in specific amounts/pH builds collagen. For collagen-building benefits though, it absolutely must be done daily. I DID actually notice a significant improvement in 3 months, but then got relaxed about it and stopped.
I've created a homemade version, and will take some before and after pictures... for science! But I will only show close-ups of my face if there's a difference, so you'll have to be patient. Since it's homemade, and hella cheap, I'm just going to use it all over... after pregnancy and weight loss, my skin might thank me.
I mostly got my information off of reddit, and backed it up through research in random corners of the internet. These are the products I will be using:
For practically a lifetime supply of serum, $23
The Recipe
20% Vitamin C Serum
Anything in the range of 10-20% will work to enhance collagen production. It is recommended to start at 5% for a week, then 10% for another week, then 15% for a week, before getting up to 20%. Anything over 20% is not more effective and also tends to cause irritation. At least use it in the morning, because it helps very slightly to protect against sun damage, but always use sunblock otherwise you are undoing what the serum is trying to accomplish. Wait at least 15 minutes after applying for it to absorb before using any other products over it. Vit C oxidizes quickly, so store in dark bottle and make a new batch every 5-10 days (if it starts to get a brown tint, it has really gone bad).
5%: 0.5tsp LAA, 8.5tsp water, 1tsp glycerine
10%: 1tsp LAA, 8tsp water, 1tsp glycerine
15%: 1.5tsp LAA, 7.5tsp water, 1tsp glycerine
The Actual Regimen
Morning
A Special Thank You
I'd like to send thanks to Laurren, who requested that I post the recipe on the blog... I hadn't thought anyone would be interested in it. She just started a natural beauty blog, In the Pursuit of Beauty. Check it out!
Finding a Sun Damage Remedy
I was definitely the happiest with my skin clarity/smoothness when I was using a retinoid. Of course, I haven't done this for 5+ years as I was trying to conceive, then pregnant, then breastfeeding. I won't go back to it again until I am finished nursing the last child, so that could be potentially another 5+ years in the future. And I'm 35, wrinkles on my forehead are starting to show permanently, and sun damage on my face/chest/forearms is becoming pretty apparent.
A long while back I bought a vitamin C serum to try, and 3-6 months of it is supposed to show a noticeable improvement because it's an alpha hydroxy acid to act as a chemical exfoliant, and also because vitamin C in specific amounts/pH builds collagen. For collagen-building benefits though, it absolutely must be done daily. I DID actually notice a significant improvement in 3 months, but then got relaxed about it and stopped.
I've created a homemade version, and will take some before and after pictures... for science! But I will only show close-ups of my face if there's a difference, so you'll have to be patient. Since it's homemade, and hella cheap, I'm just going to use it all over... after pregnancy and weight loss, my skin might thank me.
 |
| Wait... don't actually put it in the sun like this. |
I mostly got my information off of reddit, and backed it up through research in random corners of the internet. These are the products I will be using:
For practically a lifetime supply of serum, $23
- L-Ascorbic Acid Powder
- "LAA" is the only form of Vit C that will work for this purpose
- pH test strips: 0.0-6.0 Ph Range
- Baking soda
- (optional) Amber glass spray bottles
- to store/dispense Vit C because it must be protected from light
- (optional) Glycerine
- 10% Glycolic acid lotion
- this is a more potent AHA than Vit C, but without collagen-building benefits
- CeraVe Moisturizing Cream with Pump
- this is a very hydrating lotion because of ceramides and hyaluronic acid
- Witch hazel (for use as a toner)
- Round cotton face pads (for applying witch hazel)
- Strong sunscreen (haven't decided on my favorite yet)
The Recipe
20% Vitamin C Serum
- 2tsp LAA (Vit C)
- 7tsp water (distilled is best, but I'm using filtered)
- Dissolve fully
- Add 1 tsp glycerine and dissolve by shaking (this is only used to thicken... if you don't want it, use 8tsp water in the 2nd step instead)
- Check pH, add baking soda if needed to bring up to at least 3. A pH of 3-3.5 works.
Anything in the range of 10-20% will work to enhance collagen production. It is recommended to start at 5% for a week, then 10% for another week, then 15% for a week, before getting up to 20%. Anything over 20% is not more effective and also tends to cause irritation. At least use it in the morning, because it helps very slightly to protect against sun damage, but always use sunblock otherwise you are undoing what the serum is trying to accomplish. Wait at least 15 minutes after applying for it to absorb before using any other products over it. Vit C oxidizes quickly, so store in dark bottle and make a new batch every 5-10 days (if it starts to get a brown tint, it has really gone bad).
5%: 0.5tsp LAA, 8.5tsp water, 1tsp glycerine
10%: 1tsp LAA, 8tsp water, 1tsp glycerine
15%: 1.5tsp LAA, 7.5tsp water, 1tsp glycerine
The Actual Regimen
Morning
- Witch hazel, as toner (wait briefly to dry)
- Vit C serum (wait 15 minutes until lotion)
- 1 drop lotion on face (I'm mostly oily, so I only need a tiny bit if using sunscreen)
- Sunscreen all over exposed areas (wait 15+ min before going outside)
- Witch hazel toner (wait briefly to dry)
- Vit C serum on body only
- Glycolic acid lotion on face, neck, back of hands and forearms (let dry) (use only at night because it can cause sun sensitivity, or just use the Vit C serum instead)
- Lotion on face, neck, hands, forearms... almond oil on body's dry spots.
- Make fresh Vitamin C Serum
- I will also wear a hat with a wide brim out on hikes and whilst gardening, even though it looks silly. I hate wearing hats, but I still burn after a couple of hours (even after re-application) through any sunscreen I have ever tried. If you know of a great one, send me your sunscreen recommendations!
- If it works out well, then after 3 months I will consider adding hyaluronic acid. That is the only important ingredient from the store-bought serum which is missing from my homemade one, but there's a little in the lotion.
A Special Thank You
I'd like to send thanks to Laurren, who requested that I post the recipe on the blog... I hadn't thought anyone would be interested in it. She just started a natural beauty blog, In the Pursuit of Beauty. Check it out!
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