I have a chicken pock scar right in between my eyes on the bridge of my nose. A little further down I have another scar that likes to make an appearance during the summer, this particular one was acquired when I was toddler when I fell head first into a bush of roses. That scar story sounds like the beginning of a fairytale somehow
“… and so the young princess fell into the blooming bush of pink roses…”
Some scars though aren’t as lovingly narrative or am I particularly fond of. That being the acne scarring and viral infection scarring I’ve been left with. It’s not news to anyone, but I feel it bears major repeating : Acne and Dermatitis scars suck. Anyone who has suffered from post pimple hyper-pigmentation knows this too true to be self evident. Acne scaring can affect every age, from the beginning of puberty right into adulthood anyone can be afflicted with them. With dermatitis, the wear and tear of swelling, itching and scaling can take its toll on delicate areas of your face such as you're eyelids, lips, cheeks and neck. ( all areas I've been affected)
Acne scarring manifests as red or brown marks - sometimes if you're acne was deep you’ll notice even a purple tinge if you're very pale- that can last weeks, and sometimes for the quite unlucky, months. Dermatitis ‘scarring’ on the other hand can weaken the delicate skin around the eye and lips. As a young adult who suffers with dermatitis, I’m in the lucky category that I am still producing collagen that can lessen the effects of the dermatitis on these areas. But I am, still left with the dry lines around my neck and even my torso is affected because my epidermal layer is so damaged and dehydrated. One of the major lingering affects of years of dermatitis is hyper pigmentation and easily inflamed skin.If you've been afflicted with dermatitis on your eyes like me, maybe you’ve noticed very fine lines around the lids and under the eye, and how sensitive they are to almost everything.
I do consider myself lucky as my skin is becoming clear in the brighter months of the year, meaning I can slowly allow my skin to get some natural Vitamin D to help the skin on my face - but of course I am wearing factor 50 when I’m out and about, even on grey days. As someone who has both types of scarring, I have been trying everything to help my skin look healthy again.
Telling you to eat grapefruit, use Johnson's Baby Oil and drink water is not on this list mind you.
But I am also a realist : I realise that some lines are not going to go unless I look to lasers and even *ahem* botox. I still laughed and enjoyed life when my skin was at its worst, so of course my laughter lines around the eyes are a smidgen more pronounced than others my age. And the purple scarring may not budge completely unless I were to look at Retin-A. But those high grade skin treatments will remain out of reach for the majority thanks to both the price, but also for those with sometimes infuriating, dermatitis and sensitivity. Most of us dermatitis warriors, will never enjoy a face mask completely relaxed, thanks to the underlying stupid worry of possibly reacting to it. ( I swear I am not bitter. Maybe I am sorta… I would really like to enjoy a spa day okay!)
That said though, there are still quite a few products, which thankfully are all non prescription, that do a pretty good job at smoothing out those scars, and helping evening your complexion. I’m now a month into scar healing, and I definitely my more pronounced scars on my chin are less obvious. To my eyes anyway. Which I guess is more important, as we are all our own worst critics.
Without further rambling, maybe I should, like, introduce some products that have been tested by myself, and some others which promise to fade scars overtime which I’ve investigated, researched, and pried into their online history of customer comments. Yea? Lets get to it then.
Bio Oil. - Tried & Tested
A legendary product that has divided many people on its lofty claims that it will diminish scars, stretch marks ( does it though? ) uneven skin tone, signs of ageing and dehydrated skin. So this miraculous oil, I can personally attest does indeed live up to most of its claims. I use this every morning and night after cleansing - I’ve been messaging it into my chin until my skin has soaked up all the oily goodness. I have indeed noticed a change in my skin tone, and certainly the scarring on my chin. I woke up just this morning amazed at how even my skin tone was, I usually awake to a few blotchy patches around my mouth and eyes. The stretch marks claim however I’m not too sure. Has anybody ever noticed a difference in their stretch marks from bio oil? If so, please let us all know, still hanging on to the moment I hear someone that it actually worked for. But for scars? It works a charm. I buy mine from pennys cause I’m cheap and cheerful like that, or in Meaghers Pharmacy in the Mater so I can avail of my employee discount.
Bio Oil - 8.99 Primark
Drunk Elephant - Reviews & Research
I only recently heard of Drunk Elephant, so when I came across this night serum that exclaims to “Refine & Regenerate” I was interested to know what was in it other than raspberries and chestnuts (Imagine that in your salad.. blegh. Desert though?) For all the sensitive skin folks out there, choosing a refining and regenerating product can be tricky. You can’t go for harsh products or you may react and your face may fall off. Over dramatic I know, but the fear is real.
The one ingredient I don't go near because of my delicate like-a-flower skin, is salicylic acid, it’s just way too harsh. So when I saw the Drunk Elephants night serum contain gycolic acid, I was a happy bunny to be able to add on to this list. Glycolic acid is less sticky, and certainly less irritating that salicylic. (And one of the most talked about ingredients for exfoliation currently, just by the way. ) What it does is rid your pores of blackheads, exfoliates your dead skin and also the magic trick, lightens your pigmentation. This wont be the only product I feature on this list with gylcolic, but this is certainly on the pricier side than say.. bio oil from pennys…I did reach out to Drunk Elephant about samples, as sample sizes are the best way to try out a new product without spending all your wages. Unfortunately the site doesn't samples, but instead they suggested going into my local Sephora ( I WISH ) and the folks there would be able to sort out a sample for me. When I do get my hands on a sample, I'll let you all know if it truly does what it claims.
After discussing what was happening with my skin, the amazing Clinique technician was able to suggest their 3 step Anti Blemish range. Me being me though, waited to buy the ‘travel size’ when I flew to Eidenhoven 2 weeks later. Since then, I have always kept a bottle of the Clinique Anti Blemish Solutions Clarifying Lotion ( what a mouthful ) in the house. Whats amazing about this bottle of liquid is it acts as so much more than just a ‘toner’. Taken away from the other two products in the Anti Blemish Range, it is an amazing stand alone product. This lotion exfoliates dead cells, unclogs pores, reduces excess oil, and according to the site - is formulated to soothe irritation and redness. I have been using the lotion again in recent months, after I cleanse, and have seen improvements in my skin texture and pigmentation around scared areas. I honestly think the improvement in my scarring comes down to the use of this lotion and bio oil.
But. I do have a qualm or two. The smell of alcohol off the product is strong, which would make a sensitive skin gal think it is not the product for them. But the technician insisted the alcohol used is “cosmetics grade”, makes it sound nicer, but is still alcohol. Also, the fact this product unfortunately contains salicylic acid, is why, it stings like nobodies business. Thos of us who have any crack, or dried skin, and decide to use this lotion that works wonders for scarring and texture, will suffer with the stingy-s for what feels like a lifetime, but is only 10 seconds in reality, afterwards. This ingredient is the culprit in why so many people complain of irritation after using it. But, do I recommend ? Yes, because this is about scarring and pigmentation, which it certainly works on. This lotion may be part of their 3 step Anti-Blemish solutions, but I happily recommend this toner as a solution for scarring too.
Drunk Elephant. TLC Framboos Glycolic Night Serum $90
Clinique- Tried &Tested
When I first started developing acne I was on cyclosporine. At the time my skin had no clue what it wanted to be. I was dry, I was oily, I was sensitive, I was congested, I was, basically a nightmare. I was running out of cetaphil cleanser, and at a loss of how to actually help and treat my skin, so I paid a visit to go ol’ Brown Thomas Beauty Department. I’m pretty sure I spoke to most of the skincare brands, but Clinique was the only one that stood out ( eh hello, dermatologically tested, obviously it stood out )
Clinique Anti Blemish Clarifying Lotion €25
Thats it for now! I've purposely only reviewed two products I've tried as these are my go to products right now for scarring problems. I hope you've found this information useful and had fun reading it. Have you ever used any of the products I've mentioned here? Tell us how you found the product!
What is your go to product for scarring and hyper pigmentation?
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