Behind The Glam : How I Cleared My Skin
- Innasya Mackenzie
- Oct 29
- 5 min read
If there's one thing I've learnt this year, it's that there's more to skincare than simply the products you use. The glass skin we all so desperately want is achieved by a combination of products, gut health, lifestyle choices, and lowering our cortisol levels (reducing stress).
My skin journey over the last 8 months:
How I Cleared My Skin: Products
Remove Your Makeup
For a true clean face, you need to be double cleansing. Always start with a cleansing balm.
Trinny London | Enzyme Balm Cleanser Be Your Best
Shop Here $64.00
Removes makeup easily without needing to scrub.
Urban Jungle | Melt Me Softly Cleansing Balm
Shop Here $36.00
The Urban Jungle Cleansing Balm has been in my routine for years. Easily removes makeup without stripping the skin.
RMS Beauty | Kakadu Clean Cleansing Gel
Shop Here $67.00
The face wash I use every morning to clean my face. I also do a lymphatic drainage massage while I wash my face.
Trinny London | AHA/PHA Gel Cleanser Better Off
Shop Here $55.00
The face wash that lives in my shower.
Fuel Your Skin
Learn what your skin loves and incorporate it into your routine. Everyones skin is different therefore everyones skin reacts differently to different ingredients. Learn what your skin loves.
My skin loves:
Chanel | N°1 De Chanel Revitalising Seum
Shop Here $250.00
When birthday shopping at Chanel Beauty I received a sample of the Chanel N°1 De Chanel Revitalising Serum and my skin fell in love with it! My makeup sits so flawlessly on top of it.
Bubble | Cosmic Silk Hydrating Milky Toner
Shop Now $34.00
A new addition to my daily routine. Focusing on hydrating, plumping, and smoothing the skin.
The Ordinary |Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner
Shop Now $21.00
Brightens and exfoliates the skin (without needing to scrub). Glycolic Acid removes dead skin cells and promotes cell turnover which in turn creates brighter, smoother skin and allows products to absorb better into the skin.
Not only do I use this on my face but also on the back of my arms, under arms, anywhere I have texture, or dark spots and on my scalp once every week or two.
Hydrating Your Skin
No matter your skin type, your skin NEEDS hydration.
Charlotte Tilbury | Charlotte's Hollywood Skin Secrets Immediate Eye Revival Patches
Shop Now $99.00
Perfect for a self care night or the perfect prep for full glam makeup. These eye patches are cooling and leave your under eyes brightened and revived.
Charlotte Tilbury | Magic Eye Rescue
Shop Now $96.00
My all time favourite eye cream. Not only am I getting ahead of wrinkles but I find that using an eye cream has helped reduce creasing in my concealer.
Charlotte Tilbury | Charlotte's Magic Cream
Shop Now $106.00
Hydrating and the perfect base for makeup.
Trinny London | Bounce Back Intense Peptide Moisturiser
Shop Now $102.00
Super hydrating and very well loved by my skin lately. It does have a stronger scent though.
Ms Morning | Dawn Break Moi-starter™ (ALL-IN-ONE)
Shop Now $67.00
Another moisturiser in my routine that my skin loves.
Kissable Lips
We can't forget the lips. For the softest lips, you need these products. They're hydrating, don't have an overpowering smell and are NOT sticky!
Elizabeth Arden | 8 Hour Cream Intensive Lip Repair Balm
Shop Here $37.00
I will never shut up about this lip balm. Truly the best lip product I have ever used. My lips have never been softer and if I ever get chapped lips (which is never because I use this every day) this repairs my lips within 2 days.
Dior | Lip Glow Oil
Shop Here $65.00
Super hydrating and not sticky!
Ole Henriksen | Pout Preserve Peptide Lip Treatment
Shop Now $30.00
A new addition to my routine and i'm fallen in love. They're super hydrating and the shades are gorgeous.
We’ve talked products - now let’s move beyond the surface and dive into the habits and mindset shifts that truly transformed my skin.
How I Cleared My Skin: Gut Health
Food is fuel. What we eat energises our bodies and nourishes us from the inside out.
For Clear Skin
Avocado
Tomato
Sunflower Seeds
Berries
Green Tea
Broccoli
Carrot
Leafy Greens
Dark Chocolate
Pumkin Seeds
Blackcurrants
Orange and Yellow Vegetables
For Brighter Skin
Carrot
Eggs
Cheese
Citrus Fruit
Potatoes
Beetroot
Lean Red Meat
Garlic
Fatty Fish
Chia Seeds
To Support Collagen Production
Bone Broth
Chicken
Oysters
Garlic
Almonds
Egg Whites
Pumpkin Seeds
Fish
Citrus Fruits
Berries
Drinks That Are Great For Clear Skin
Water
Lemon Water
Green Tea
Herbal Tea
Pomegranate Juice
Coconut Water
Cucumber and Mint Water
Berry Smoothies
How I Cleared My Skin: Lifestyle Choices
After making a few small changes to my lifestyle and creating new hobbies and habits, I noticed an improvement in my skin.
Sleeping on silk pillowcases every night and washing my pillow cases at least once a week (something i've done for years but thought it important to add in)
A daily walk, outside in the fresh air. Not only is this great for your mental health (which will therefore reduce stress hormones) but it also strengthens the immune system, improves blood flow and blood sugar levels, and helps reduce hormonal acne thanks to the sunlight exposure and Vitamin D. Vitamin D acts as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory. It also reduces redness.
Get your beauty sleep. 7-9 hours of sleep per night is recommended for good skin. While you sleep your body releases growth hormones that repair and renew skin tissue, fights inflammation, hydrates, and rebuilds collagen.
Buy non-comedogenic (pore-clogging) makeup products.
For a full list of acne-safe products see this list. If you really feel like your makeup products are the problem switch to lightweight, oil free products and always double cleanse!
Patch it, don't pick it! Keep your hands off of your face. I've even made an effort to train myself to never lay on my hands (and yes I say train because it was a habit I had to break). I've been a huge fan or the Skin Control Pimple Patches for a few years now and have even got my whole family obsessed. They are a staple in the monthly grocery shop!
How I Cleared My Skin: Lowering Cortisol Levels & Reducing Stress
Cortisol is not the enemy everyone makes it out to be. It regulates blood glucose and metabolism, helps manage stress, controls blood sugar, and reduces inflammation. But too much cortisol can be bad. High cortisol levels can lead to weight gain, mood disorders, high blood pressure, and skin changes.
We don't necessarily want low cortisol levels, but we also don't want high cortisol levels. Somewhere right in the middle, a 'normal' amount is what we're aiming for.
How can we achieve that?
Set healthy boundaries and cut out negativity
Get enough sleep
Exercise, but find a routine that works for you (don't push yourself)
Mindfulness and Meditation (If you're interested I would encourage you to research meditation and the positive affects it has on the body and mind - super interesting)
Practice breath work
Eat a healthy balanced diet
My skin is glowing (maybe i'm a little bit of a perfectionist but I think there's still room for improvement) and it's all thanks to everything I've just shared with you.
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