The pursuit of beautiful skin is a rather challenging task for a lot of women but nonetheless, our utmost mission as women. This drive – or rather – obsession, as the case may be, has led many women into making wrong decisions. For the average African woman, the quest for beautiful skin simply means a lighter complexion, which in most cases translates to skin bleaching,  even though they would never admit this reality.

The fastest selling skincare products out there either “lightens” or “whitens”, promising quick fixes like “whiter skin in 3 days”. It’s amazing how a well informed woman can believe that a skincare product can whiten her skin in three days! The sad thing though is that not only do these creams damage their skin, these damaged women expect skincare professionals like I to find the solution to their problem.
The sight of ruptured veins, beyond imaginable stretched skin (stretch marks) and terrifying sun burns still send chills down my spine. It is worrisome the length women would go for lighter or whiter skin, only to end up with eternal scars that make it impossible for their spouses to touch them.
This, unfortunately is true and what I get to see day to day on the job. Unfortunately for these women, the majority of damaged skin cases may never be solved as skin that has been over-stretched is hard to heal. Sadly too, this translates to early or premature aging of the skin.

Facts about your skin you mustn’t ignore:

Your skin is a living, breathing organism; as such has its limits

Skin lightening or whitening products contain steroids and harmful chemicals like hydroquinone which damages the skin especially when it comes in contact with the sun. So steriods- plus -whiteners- plus-sun exposure means dehydration of the skin, sun burn and aging of the skin.

Your skin needs moisturisers and oils to give it suppleness and needed moisture which lightening or whitening products do not contain. This excessive drying of your skin causes wrinkles and fine lines.

Your skin needs collagen to stay young. So for as long as you are substituting moisturisers for skin whiteners,  you are accelerating aging.

Your skin needs oils as vitamins A & E,  which are vital for the production of collagen are predominantly found in oils.

A lighter or whiter skin does not mean beautiful skin; a healthy skin does.

While some women are guilty of exposing their skin to whiteners, others over process their skin. I know ladies who wash their face with soap, use cleanser and toner and still scrub their face daily. That is too much for one face and soon, you are breaking into acne or rashes. Excessive washing and cleansing leads to excessive drying of the skin, which strips the skin of sebum and causes imbalance in body oil. Whether you have acne or not, choose between a soap or foaming cleanser to wash your face with and then use a toner. Less is more.

Why skin preservation?

I treat my skin like an egg – very delicately because I know that prevention is better than cure; and that by preserving my skin, am delaying the aging process for a youthful skin for longer. By preserving my skin, am in fact, saving on some serious cash as I wouldn’t resort to plastic surgery in the future. Once your skin adjust to preservation mode, it stays healthy and youthful for longer.

Tips to adhere

Moisturize,  moisturize! Always buy lotions or creams rich in collagen, Vitamins A and E with essential oils for lubrication and gloss. To stay young, I make my own cream.

I made this out of pure aloe vera gel, Vitamins A, C, E,  almond oil, coconut oil, carrot oil, lemon oil and lavender and rosemary oils. This cream is moisturising,  fights wrinkles and aging as well as give me radiant skin.

I stopped using soap a long time ago. I now make my own face wash and body wash from castille soap into which I add coconut oil, olive oil and almond oil and carrot oil. I wash my face with cotton pads for deep cleansing so I don’t use my finger.

Brightening face wash and body wash

To tone,  I simply diluted my Boots rosewater and glycerine with equal part water and I tone with cotton pad. For some reasons, glycerine and rose water is harsh on me but I need the healing, moisturising and age fighting properties in it so I dilute with water and it works perfectly.

This is me; I don’t expect everyone to buy into my regime but I advice you think long term before using anything on your skin. You do not need to be three shades lighter to be beautiful; your goal should be having healthy, radiant skin for the long term

I embraced natural skincare for years now and am quite pleased that I don’t battle acne,  rash, sun burn or stretch marks. My skin is toned with the right elasticity. So if ageless beauty is what you want, then embrace skin preservation.

Cheers!