My Fibro Face

Dear Purple Butterflies, 
 
This is an updated blog that I posted in November 2021 in which I discussed healthy ways to take care of your skin. 
 
Here’s The Rub:
When I was a teenager, I would get the occasional blemish, as most young people often do. I remember my friends were very big on laying out by the pool in the summertime and I always opted out of this activity. Being a fair skinned person, I wasn’t too keen on sitting out by the pool, even if we did have suntan lotion on. In addition to that, many members of my family had history of skin cancer, so I wasn’t about to take a chance. 
 
My Skin Concerns:
It was in my mid-twenties that I noticed a change in my skin. Even with routinely washing my face, I began to break out. It also didn’t help that I would get extremely stressed out. It’s amazing what having a chronic illness can do to your completion! I looked up facial completion and fibromyalgia. While reading 16 Photos That Show How Fibromyalgia Can Affect Your Skin from The Mighty, I found that I experience a lot of random bruising, and redness/blotchiness, (in the past it was written off as rosacea), shows examples of issues I’ve experienced. 
 
A Forty Year Old Teenager? 
In addition to those symptoms related to Fibromyalgia, I still have trouble with occasional break outs especially around a certain time of the month. Even though I didn’t have pimples like this as a teenager, I often refer to my face as such when I don’t have a clear complexion. As a woman in her mid-fourties’ it’s rather embarrassing! Much like my suspicions with my Fibro symptoms, I have always had an idea of why this was happening. I decided it was time to finally see it in black and white. Going back to my internet homework, I discovered Hormonal Acne. Reading this branch off from www.mycleavelandclinic.org, I found answers to my questions. With all of this in mind, I took a couple of days to find a facial wash and makeup that could help me. 
 
Keeping My Face Safe: 
Were you aware that some beauty products can be dangerous to your health?  
I’m so excited to share with you all the treasures I uncovered for this very important subject! It may be July, but did you know that the entire month of November is National Skin Care Month in the U.S. In addition to this, I recently found the best website for healthy makeup to use. Environmental Working Group or EWG VERIFIED™: A New Standard for Your Health, is a new site that I stumbled upon while researching if my skin care and makeup products were still safe.  EWG's Skin Deep’s site offers ratings on products including makeup, nails, face and body, personal care, hair, fragrance, babies and moms, men, and sun. For example, if you search Cover Girl foundation, it is rated anywhere from moderate hazard to high hazard. They have a great resource of helpful hints and rates suggestions that everyone can go by! Here is a link to know how Learn how Skin Deep® works. 
 
I’ve completely started fresh with new makeup products. Here is a list of my new go to’s along with the EWG rating:

• Neutrogena All-in-1 Acne Control Daily Scrub (2016 formulation)
• Clearasil Stubborn Acne Control 5in1 Daily Pads
• Bobbi Brown LUXE SHINE INTENSE LIPSTICK, Red Stiletto
• Too Faced Melted Matte Liquified Matte Long Wear Lipstick, Wine Not? (2018 formulation)
• Nyx Professional Makeup Angel Veil Primer, Avpr01 M
• Nyx Professional Makeup Can't Stop Won't Stop Contour Concealer, Cswsc07
• Nyx Total Control Drop Foundation, Tcdf07
• BH Cosmetics Take Me Back to Brazil Palette (2019 formulation)
• BH Cosmetics Floral Blush, Caribbean Coral (2019 formulation)
• BH Cosmetics Liquid Linen, Shelby (2019 formulation)
• Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara 

How many of you already use these products? By spreading this awareness, I hope you can find everything you are looking for. Please continue to stay safe purple butterflies! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog today! If you’re enjoying my blogs, why not subscribe to my website? My blogs will go straight to your email. It’s free to sign up! Tell your friends! Tell your friends to tell their friends!
 
Till next time! Be well!
 
~ Rachel