Flawless Skin Does Not Have To Cost A Fortune

We all want that flawless skin that leaves our skin glowing with and without makeup. Most of us have tried all sorts of creams, soaps, skin enhancers and all the above. For some of us, we spend a fortune on our skin routine. Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology, says black women may have more problems with dry skin than women of other races. Scientific studies show, for instance, that black skin does not retain as much water as white skin. In theory, that may cause skin to feel dry. One 2007 study found that black and white women tended to have dryer skin than Chinese and Mexican women, especially as they aged.

Recently, I have been stopped a couple times by some ladies — asking what products I use for my skin. Their faces to my response always look doubtful while some look perplexed at the simplicity of my answer. Most think I am lying. Sadly, I have no proof at that instant, so I thought I would use this platform to share the secret behind my "almost" flawless skin.

Clean & Clear Daily Exfoliating Wash, Vaseline and Working Out. I promise you, it is as simple as that, for me anyway.

Benefits of using Clean & Clear Daily Exfoliating Wash

• This oil free formula daily facial wash contains tiny micro-beads that gently exfoliate to remove excess oil, dirt and dead skin cells.

• It also unblocks pores to prevent spots from forming leaving you with beautifully smooth and clear skin every day.

I use Vaseline Petroleum Jelly - Original. I am dark in complexion (incase you missed it lol)— so moisturising is not an option for me, it is a necessity, for most of us anyway. Here are a few advantages of using vaseline:

Protects and locks in moisture to help dry skin restore

• 100% pure petroleum jelly. Triple-purified. Purity guaranteed.

• Gentle on your skin, hypo-allergenic and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)

• Reduces the appearance of fine, dry lines

• Helps protect minor cuts, scrapes and burns

• Protects your skin from windburn and chapping

BEST FOR: DRY SKIN

250ml £2.99

How does exercising benefit your skin?

Dr. Doris Day, MD , Dermatology, says....

If you exercise enough to break a sweat, you are doing your skin – and for that matter, your whole body — a big favour. Perspiration, in addition to cooling you off as it evaporates, is the body’s very efficient waste removal system. Toxic by-products of your bodily processes, including urea and ammonia, are excreted when you sweat. Urea is a moisturizer that helps to soften the skin. It is even added into many skin care products. In addition, sweat activates the production of sebum, a fatty substance that is your skin’s built-in moisturizer. That’s another reason your skin is softer and moister after a good work-out. Sebum, produced by the sebaceous glands in the skin, tends to decline with age but you can maintain as peak a supply as possible if you’re active. This is a tremendous benefit of exercise for your skin because sebum helps keep your skin from losing water, protects your skin from infection, and boosts your immune system.

Another benefit to exercising is, by increasing blood flow, exercise helps nourish skin cells and keep them vital. According to professional dermatologists, blood carries oxygen and nutrients to working cells throughout the body, including the skin. In addition to providing oxygen, blood flow also helps carry away waste products, including free radicals, from working cells. Contrary to some claims, exercise doesn't detoxify the skin. The job of neutralizing toxins belongs mostly to the liver. "But by increasing blood flow, a short period of intense activity of a specified kind of exercise helps flush cellular debris out of the system. The best way to think of it as cleansing your skin from the inside!

So there it is ladies. My best kept secret. Well, not so much of a secret. I was just tired of spending hundreds of pounds on products that promised me a melanin glow only to get normal skin.

NB: Picture was taken with a phone camera and no filter was used. I used an eyebrow pencil to fill in my unruly eyebrows. Other than that, no makeup was applied to my face. I also use Clean & Clear Daily Exfoliating Wash my face everyday.

If you got that natural glow, kindly share with us your products and routine!