📲 The Internet: A Blessing and a Burden
In the age of social media and online influencers, it seems like there’s a solution for every problem—skin included. I would spend hours scrolling through YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, watching influencers rave about the latest “holy grail” product. 🙌 Every video convinced me that THIS would be the miracle my skin needed.
The problem was, there’s just so much information out there. For every person who swore by a product, there was another saying it ruined their skin. 😵💫 I felt overwhelmed and even more confused than when I started. Was I supposed to focus on hydration? Exfoliation? Barrier repair? It was like trying to put together a puzzle when half the pieces were missing—or worse, didn’t even belong to the same puzzle. 🧩
That’s when it hit me: what works for one person might not work for another. God reminded me of Psalm 32:8 📖, where He promises, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” I needed to stop relying solely on the internet and start seeking God’s guidance for my specific situation. 🙏
🧴 Skincare and Soul Care
The first thing I learned is that outward changes require inward work. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Similarly, if you don’t take care of what’s happening beneath the surface, no amount of cover-up will help. 💕
I prayed, “Lord, guide me to what will actually work for my skin.” But God wasn’t about to hand me glowing skin on a silver platter—I had to learn consistency first. Every time I jumped from one product to the next without giving it time to work, it was like He was saying, “Kristen, if I show you the answer now, you’ll just quit on it like you’ve been doing.” Ouch. 😬
This lesson applied not just to my skin but to my spiritual life as well. I realized I had a tendency to seek quick fixes in my faith—praying for immediate results instead of allowing God to work in His timing. Just like skincare, spiritual growth requires patience, discipline, and trust. 🌱
🎢 My Skincare Rollercoaster
Before God led me to the right routine, I tried everything:
- Chemical Peels: I thought they’d wipe the slate clean. Spoiler: they didn’t. 😓
• Turmeric Soap: Two weeks in, I gave up.
• Beef Tallow: Yes, I rubbed cow fat on my face. Don’t ask. 🐄
• Dial Soap: Great for hands, not for faces. 🧼
• Korean Skincare: Finally, some progress! 🇰🇷
When I discovered Korean skincare, I started with Anua’s Heartleaf Pore Cleansing Oil and Foam Cleanser. Double-cleansing helped control my oily skin, and I learned that moisturizing—even for oily skin—is essential. That’s when I added CosRX Snail Mucin Essence 🐌. Yes, it’s made from snail secretion but trust me—it’s magic. ✨
But I still needed help with my dark spots and breakouts. And that’s when God stepped in.
✝️ The Game-Changer: Tretinoin, Remedy, and Trust
God led me to Tretinoin, a powerful prescription retinoid known for increasing cell turnover. It helps with acne, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. But here’s the catch: it required a prescription, and my busy schedule didn’t leave much room for dermatologist visits. 😩
Cue divine intervention: I stumbled upon Doctorly on YouTube. One of the doctors not only explained Tretinoin’s benefits but also created an online store where I could access it. Talk about God removing obstacles! 🙌
Through the same source, I found Remedy, another amazing product that helps reduce pore size and improve skin texture. Remedy combines retinol, salicylic acid, and niacinamide—perfect for tackling uneven texture, blackheads, and sebaceous filaments.
Now, I alternate between Tretinoin and Remedy every night—and consistency has been the real game-changer. Even when I’m exhausted, I’ll get up at 2 a.m. to make sure I stick to my routine. 💪
📷After lots of trial and error (and prayer), here’s where my skin started to change once I found a routine that worked for me:
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