Have you ever had small annoying bumps that aren't inflamed but never go away? I did too! They were so annoying and no matter what product I used, they never went away. It's like I was cursed with these bumps. Heck, I even tried the 10-step Korean skincare routine in hopes that I would finally get the clear, glass skin that we all long to have, but to my dismay, all it did was irritate my skin and multiple the bumps. From having them on my forehead area, they spread to my cheek. So, I tried getting a basic facial in hopes they can get extracted but the aesthetician said I needed a more expensive treatment, and I didn't want to pay extra for something that I wasn't sure if would work. But one day, I woke up and found the key to finally getting rid of my bumps.
WHAT EXACTLY ARE THESE SMALL BUMPS?
First, for those who have no idea what I'm talking about, these small bumps are scientifically known as subclinical acne. They are superficial acne trapped just below the skin and are caused by a number of reasons including hormonal imbalance, stress, substandard cosmetic products, pollution, among others. They are non-inflammatory acne which explains why they are often skin-colored.
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HOW TO GET RID OF THESE SMALL BUMPS?
For this routine, there only three steps. You may decide to stick with some of the products that you're currently using but I can't attest to what the effect will be.
STEP #1: Cleanse with Cetaphil
Cetaphil is known for its gentle and non-comedogenic properties, which means it will not clog your pores. However, there is a catch. Some of you may already know this but doesn't do it anyway. For cetaphil to work better, I use the non-washing technique. Instead of using water to wash the product off, I use facial tissue instead. This way, I know that the dirt is being taken off my skin because I can see the transfer on the tissue. I do this only at night and just wash my face with water in the morning. I find that overcleansing clogs my pores more.
STEP #2: Use Calamansi (Calamondin) to Exfoliate
Edit (05/27/20): I have recently seen a Twitter post by a dermatologist saying that calamansi shouldn’t be used on the skin because it is too acidic and can potentially burn your skin. So while this method worked for me and some people, I suggest that you think twice before trying it. Do it at your own risk.
I think this is the most important step of this routine. This trick also worked for my sister in getting rid of her acne. In case you don't know, calamansi is a citrus fruit widely grown in the Philippines. It has natural AHA properties and it's good that it's organic. When using this, I squeeze the juice on my palm then apply it directly to my face using my fingers. I leave it on for 10 minutes, no more no less, then wash it off using water. I do this every night.
We don't have access to calamansi, can we use other citrus fruit like lemon? Honestly, I tried using lemon before but I find it too acidic to be applied directly to the skin. So no, I wouldn't suggest you do it. As for any other citrus fruit, I have not tried them yet so I can't really give my opinion.
STEP #3: Moisturize using Aloe Vera Gel
I personally use the Nature Republic Aloe Vera Gel, but I think other brand will work, too. In fact, if you're familiar with Mumuso, I made a review of its aloe gel before, and I believe it's a cheaper alternative for Nature Republic. I really love aloe gel because it actually helps hydrate my skin and it's non-sticky. I apply this in the morning and at night.
STEP #4 (OPTIONAL): Pamper with Clay Mask
Clay mask helps suck out the dirt trapped under the skin, so it's a good way to get rid of subclinical acne too. I currently use the Volcanic Clay Mask by Innisfree and I love it because it has no scent and doesn't feel like it's sucking the moisture out of my skin. However, I used to use the L'oreal Pure Clay Mask in the Detox and Brightens variant. It also works well but it has strong scent. I think any clay mask will do as long as it suits you, and if you're currently using one, you can probably stick to it too.
And that's it! This is how I cleared my tiny bumps on the forehead. However, may I remind you that while this routine may have worked on me, it might not have the same effect on you. I strongly suggest that you do a patch test to see if it will have any adverse effect, especially due to the calamansi being acidic and might irritate your skin.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment below. :)
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