98 Days - Bridal Breakouts - The Sequal

For those of you that have been following my misadventures of wedding planning, you might be asking yourself, "Hey, Rach?  How is that epic breakout going?"* Well, I will tell you, friend, I went back to Proactiv recently.  I used Proactiv for several years when I moved down to DC and had very positive results, but after three years, I discontinued use when my skin started to dry out and I became concerned about premature wrinkles from a thirsty epidermis.  However, with just a few months until the wedding and my skin deciding to add some pressure to the pot, I decided I needed to go back and see if Proactiv could help me out again.  

I've been back on Proactiv for about a week and the results have been somewhat positive.  I'm clearing up, but I have definitely noticed that my skin is super dried out and I need to moisturize often.**  There doesn't appear to be a happy medium in skin care right now.  I've decided to decrease use of Proactiv to once a day and will monitor the situation daily.  I also looked up dermatologists in the area, just in case.  

*For those of you that were not wondering about the epic breakout of May 2010 and were thinking, "TMI, Rach." Sorry you feel that way.  I'm open to a fault and its all a part of wedding planning.

**This might be a good reason to pamper myself with a facial at a spa, but money is always tight and the house down payment that is in our savings account is not going to pay for itself.  Six dollar masks from Lush will have to do the job for now! :) 

128 Days - Break outs and the transitive property

Wedding planning on our budget causes me stress.

Stress causes me to break out.

∴ My skin hates me.*


For my married friends, you know that wedding planning isn't always pretty. Four months away from the big day and I am in the midst of the not-so pretty stage.  I am getting to the root of the problem by starting a more structured skin care regimen that will hopefully help me get rid of my current break out/the never-ending break out.  Each day I make sure I am drinking 64 oz of water to keep myself hydrated. Also, in the morning, I use a gentle face wash, followed by a balancing toner, and a facial moisturizer with SPF 20.  In the evening, I am taking the same steps, but also using a spot treatment.  I am using a calming and clarifying mask from Lush twice a week and using a exfoliating treatment once a week.  Our bathroom has turned into a one-stop med spa, except I don't get a hot stone massage at the end. (sadface.)


I am also doing my best to manage my stress from work and wedding planning.  I am taking evenings off to do other activities I enjoy, like cooking and knitting.  I have also started my walking regimen again.  I walked three miles after work last Friday and three miles on Saturday morning.  I also walked the six miles home from work yesterday. (It's not six miles normally.  I took a wrong turn. . . )


Since starting this more structured regimen a few weeks ago, my skin is beginning to look clearer.  I am hoping that by managing my stress levels and focusing on other activities, I will be able to prevent future break outs.  


So, you can probably tell that I have done my research on skin care, but I'd love to know if anyone has any miracle treatments.


*Mrs. LaBarge, my high school math teacher, would be so proud of my real life application of logic proofs!