Don’t fuss over every spot and line
Over the past week, I’ve been feeling a bit blue over my face. No, except for a hormonal pimple on my chin, I’m not breaking out horribly. It’s not an intense feeling but at certain moments, especially when I examined my skin in the mirror, I would just feel like letting myself go, and forget all about my skin care regime. I even had a nightmare that the skin on my face is beyond redemption! HA.
I think this came about because I only realized recently that my skin is genetically thin and this is why it’s predisposed to developing pigmentation, which has been the problem that plagued me for years. It’s also been made worst by the fact that I only started wearing sunscreen diligently maybe only 5 – 6 years ago. Before then, I was not so consistent and the worst was that I used to visit high altitude places without putting on proper sun protection. So I’ve always been on the search for the miraculous product or treatment that can eradicate my brown spots – but never found it.
Then, I remembered what Chizu Saeki wrote in her book “The Japanese Skincare Revolution” and that made me feel a tad better:
Don’t fuss over every spot and line on your face. It isn’t as if their presence diminishes your worth as a woman. Most brown spots and lines can be erased with patience, and, at any rate, the overall demeanor and luster of your face are far more important in determining the impression you give.
Of course, it’s nice to have good skin…But keep in mind that flawless skin isn’t everything. Beauty isn’t something to be plastered on from the outside; it’s fake unless it also exudes from within.
So if you’re like me and have been unhappy with certain aspects of your skin, try to embrace these beautiful words from the Japanese skincare guru. I think it makes a lot of sense because I’ve met girls who have imperfect complexion and yet, they came across as pretty to me because of the way they smiled, or talked or carried themselves. Of course I’m not saying that you should let yourself go as in not taking care of your skin, but don’t be too upset if you can’t attain THAT flawless skin. Yes, it would be nice but you can live well without that as well.
Okay, so much for my skin reflection today. Come back tomorrow for more skin obsessing! *wink*
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Yup, totally agree. I’m happy if my face does not have major problems. I don’t need to be flawless. Life is more than looking good on the outside. ?
Cool entry. I liked reading this. You’re not the best Singapore guru for nothing.
Haha… how opportune to see this! I must agree with you. Its easy to magnify every imperfection we have without seeing what otherwise makes up the whole package. Most of the time, what we perceive as “imperfections” aren’t even spotted by others! Thanks for the reminder ?
I’m glad I read this, as I’ve been feeling blue about my breakouts lately>< Like one after another.. I just felt like the more I try the worse they become… sigh~ thanks for the good post! I'll keep reminding myself!
Oh agree with parisb.
I told a skincare SA that I have need something for my nose. But she was puzzled, and asked what’s wrong with it. I had brown sun spots. She didn’t even noticed them.
We tend to magnify our problems. hehe…
i agree with u…there are times i just wana to have “brand new skin” no scars or anything imperfect… sigh.. i forget to just be grateful at times. A person is more than what’s on the outside.
Erm, their presence doesn’t diminish my worth as a woman, but it decreases my slef-confidence…T.T
These days I rarely look into the mirror unless I do my regimen & shower.
I am so guilty of this! I removed my moles on my nose and no one noticed, some dont even know I have two moles! And now I have to get rid of the brown spots of my nose, chicken pox marks, milla seeds, …… ?
It is very difficult not to moan and groan when you have imperfect complexion but you are right, it is the overall package that counts and especially having glowy skin that comes from within.
such a nice quotation, the words ring true! have you considered visiting a dermatologist for the spots? i have thin skin which easily develops pigmentation too. even though i hate sun and use sunscreen like a nutcase, i thought if ever the spots become huge age spots, i’ll just go to the dermatologist to get them removed.
Ai…I’m no guru lah…just beauty obsessed. Heh.
Because we tend to scrutinize and look at ourselves closely. Other people rarely stare and scrutinize our face…
I know what you mean…like the last time I visited the derm and he was puzzled what I needed to remedy.
Haha…I do too…to change skin!
Ya, sometimes I look at others with flawless skin and I wonder why can’t mine be the same.
Awhile ago, I met a lady with many pimples, but I actually found her very pretty, especially after talking to her.
I have had one major spot lasered off and a few small ones too. The big one is gone but need to be careful cos it might come back. The small ones were not removed though…I have to do it again if I want. I also had a few sessions of IPL but since then, my skin has turned sensitive and dry so I’m avoiding those treatments and put them as last resort.
Actually the last derm I visited adviced me against it too…asked me to use products instead.
I understand how you feel cos that’s how I felt…like the spots never go away. But sometimes I think, it’s just something I’ve learnt to accept. If I feel good, they don’t look too bad. ?
i’m often dismayed not by the condition of my skin… but by how much EFFORT i have to put in to have good skin; some people i know have it so easy grrr! but having said that, i guess i’ve come a long way from my BAD teenage acne days to the clear skin i have now, i have some scars but i tell myself that this is the best i can do (i refuse to do IPL etc. coz i’m convinced these procedures will ‘thin’ my skin)…i just wish i didn’t have to work so hard for it!
totally agree! my face is always plague by redness and i never knew that i had rosacea. have been laughed at many times for having a red nose:( i was quite demoralized to the point when i really gave up on skin care as nothing i apply, works. but i figured that at least the friends that stayed with me are true and do not judge me by my appearance ? slowly as i gained more confidence, i began reading up and is more well informed about my condition. there’s not really a cure for rosacea, but i can basically calm it down or use products for sensitive skin. i have fun venturing into diy facial masks. (have been using green tea powder+manuka honey+oatmeal. really a great combi for soothing and hydration :))and though my face is still red/pinky, i’m not as bothered by it as much as i do when i was younger. learning to get past it and not worry so much about how i look. need to keep a happy mind for a healthy skin! haha
Hi, I’ve been getting your entries in the mail and reading them everyday #k8SjZc9Dxk#k8SjZc9Dxk Do you ever have a problem with breaking out from sunscreen? I have yet to find the HG sunscreen. Recently I’ve bought Shiseido and my skin is hating it…so many whiteheads…and I’ve tried something gentle and organic like Kiss My Face SPF 30…my skin doesn’t like it either. Is there any hope for sunscreen-hating skin types like me? ?
I know what you’re saying. Sometimes I look at women who are fair and have spotless faces and I wonder, how did they achieve that and why can’t I? But, at least take heart that your skin is at least behaving even though you have to put in more effort.
There’s beauty in everyone…so we need to see the positives in ourselves rather than focus on the small negatives. Actually, now that you mentioned your rosacea and how your friends stay true to you, I now remember that my husband married me even though I had a big age spot on my face.
Btw, for your redness, you might want to consider using a makeup base to correct the color (if you want to). Some base colors like green if I’m not wrong is supposed to correct redness.
Yes, I have had breakouts using sunscreens before. One of the reasons was that I didn’t cleanse my face properly.
I’ve tried one of Shiseido’s sunscreen and found it a tad greasy. Don’t know about Kiss My Face. You’re not alone though…I’ve heard of many who detest sunscreens too. But why do you hate these sunscreens? Are they too greasy for your skin or because they cause your skin to breakout? Btw, what’s your skin type and age group?
Agree with this ? I’ve recently started to notice small lines on my face and I get very upset! ? This is a good thought to mull over ?
Oh how apt! I’ve been feeling down since last night because I have two ginormous pimples ? Thanks so much for the inspiration!
I do fret & hated my brown spots. Wished I had taken extra more care during the hormonal changes few years back. Now I religiously use a serum & sunscreen for my face. I haven’t got much worrying wrinkles yet maybe because my face is oily & my face is chubby. I think the more you think about your wrinkles & your imperfections the more you get upset. Stay happy & healthy always is the best remedy!
We have to see more positives…that our face still looks fine with small spots and lines.
Hope you’ll feel better. Take heart, the pimples will go away!
Yes, agree. Staying happy and focus on the positives in our lives!
I hate sunscreens b/c they make me break out or greasy or my skin becomes sensitive to it ie. become red or inflamed. I have yet to find a HG status sunscreen. It used to be Neutrogena Dry Touch sunscreen for awhile, but my skin started getting really red after a year’s use (must be the high alcohol content in it).
Well, I’ve been washing off the Shiseido SPF 55 with the Fancl Mild Cleansing Oil, which I thought would do a superb job since it has such good reviews of thoroughly taking off the makeup. Am I not cleansing for enough time or do I need more? After I started using the Shiseido SPF and BB cream, I started getting acne and whiteheads. I’m not sure if it’s one of them mor both but I have laid both off for now and my skin is getting better, so one or both of them must be the culprit here.
My skin type is combination and age group is early 20’s. Please help me!
I can’t remember which one is it, but I was told that one of Shiseido’s sunscreen requires a special cleanser although I think a good oil cleanser should suffice.
My guess is, the acne and whiteheads would mean that the combination of both is too much cos you mentioned you have combination skin. Do you also use a moisturizer on top of these two products? My experience with Shiseido’s is that it feels a tad greasy on application. If I were to use it, I would skip any further moisturizing.
My suggestion is that if your skin breaks out with most of the sunscreen, try products from Vichy or La Roche-Posay. Both are developed for sensitive skin in mind so may suit your skin better.
I’ve tried La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL and the texture is good. Plus, no alcohol. The sunscreen protection is great too. Another one I tested, but didn’t use is Vichy UV.Activ. Feels like a lotion and appears to provide good protection. I suggest you ask the SA for assistance. They’re usually quite helpful and knowledgeable.
Did you use the Shiseido SPF 55? Because that one leaves your skin matte, maybe dry for dry skin types. I didn’t buy the special cleanser that is used to take it off b/c I thought any cleansing oil would suffice. No, I just put the sunscreen and bb cream on top.
I also bought the Vichy stick spf 60 to use for my eye area and lips but I guess I could try to apply it to my face..
Do you usually throw away products that dont’ work for your skin? Seems such a waste…Shiseido isn’t exactly affordable ?
No, if the sunscreen don’t work on my face, it might work on my hands so I don’t throw the product out.