How I Finally Stopped Hiding My Skin

If you've ever looked in the mirror and thought, 'It's too late for me; the damage is done,' this episode is for you. Because I promise you, it's not too late. You can rebuild collagen, lift sagging skin, and change the way your skin looks and feels at home, all without injections or surgery.

Today, I'm walking you through exactly how to reset your skin with powerful treatments, strategic layering, and a little bit of time. Let's break the myth that it's too late, because it's not.

Let's discuss the emotional aspect of skincare. We aim to discuss topics that people often avoid talking about. You know, when you are not looking your best, if you have some acne, some things happening, cystic acne, it really does play a horrendous, it put a horrendous weight on you because you feel when you're walking around at the bank, in the grocery store, that everybody is staring at what you have going on.

Yup.

Chances are, nobody is noticing it, nobody is seeing it.

No.

However, we are our worst critics, like we've said a million times. And it doesn't matter how you feel inside; it can ruin your whole day, or even your entire week. It's just, it's troubling.

Yeah, well, and this is something I can speak rather in depth about, because, you know, I had grade three, there are only four grades of acne, I had grade three acne. The only thing that luckily, I was blessed not to have a bunch of cystic pimples.

I had a whole plethora of whiteheads, pimples, blackheads, all that kind of stuff. But luckily, I didn't have too many of the ones that can cause scarring and things.

However, it is indeed demoralizing. It makes you just feel like you want to hide, you know, you don't want to be a part of society, you don't want to go anywhere where, you know, there's bright lights or something like, “Oh, yeah, can we go out, you know, for lunch or out to this? Let's sit outside this coffee shop?” “Let's not; let's go inside.” So I can like hide in the shadows and cover myself up with makeup and things like that.

And like, you know, even with acne, because that's what I had. Even if you cover things up, you still see all the bumps.

You do.

It's like, even if you have, and I know, I feel so bad for a lot of people, like, you know, you even see on social media on TikTok and all these shorts and all this kind of stuff and people and you see most of the time they're selling makeup products, but you see how bad their skin is.

Yeah.

And it's like, Oh, number one, I feel like the makeup is probably contributing to that.

Right.

That's a catch-22. That was like, yeah.

It really is.

You have to use it for as long as you can, but you can't just use makeup to cover up. You also have to be treated at the same time.

You need to establish a regimen that will improve your skin while gently covering it. And then, as it lessens, you start easing off the makeup, and before you know it, you won't have any makeup anymore.

And so, like, I would have anywhere from 25+ pimples on my face at a time. I remember getting really bad headaches on my forehead and all that kind of stuff.

And yeah, you know, I'd have to put all the heavy makeup on when I'm going to work.

Okay. So now I don't wear, I don't even own a foundation.

Right.

Right? I do own a little cover-up stick just in case. Still, most of the time, I just like to put a little bit around the eyes to make sure you don't look like you're sleepy, especially on camera.

However, I don't wear any foundation. I'm thrilled about that because the second portion of this, why people wear makeup, is similar to concerns like wrinkles and other similar issues.

The more makeup you put on, I think, the worse your wrinkles look.

Right.

And that's one reason to reduce the use of makeup. However, you can't do that if your skin isn't smooth, glowing, and healthy. Therefore, you should first focus on improving your skin.

Absolutely. Because makeup can become a kind of shield.

It is a shield.

You know, it's something that, you know…

You hide behind it.

It's a go-to that we hide behind. See, I'm similar to you, but in a different way. So I am plagued with occasional cystic acne.

Yeah.

I never had a lot of those small white heads and blackheads, and that sort of thing. But the cystic acne and cystic acne are still, like you said, so demoralizing because it takes a long time sometimes for them…

Weeks. It can take weeks.

…to heal. Regardless of what you do or use, it takes some time.

It does.

It takes some time to heal that.

And even if you get rid of like the big bump itself, sometimes you've got like that dry skin and all that stuff still has to heal. As you may know, the bump may have gone away. Bacteria may be killed, but you've still got that mark you've got to contend with until it's gone.

And you have that PIE, which is Post-Inflammatory Erythema. Redness erythema. That is likely to be a persistent issue with cystic acne, as it is often inflamed and prone to recurrence.

So it takes, you know, some time for that to go away. So that is when makeup can help camouflage.

Yes.

But when you have a big bump, and things like that, you try to cover it, but you can't. So, but you try.

You try. You try, you hide, and you do the best you can, but you know, there's a way forward.

Let's discuss that way forward. Let's discuss what we can do or recommend for someone who is using makeup as a form of armor, allowing them to start rebuilding their confidence and establishing a good regimen, where they can hopefully move beyond that.

Yeah. And you know that that is the key. I realize that you've got to hide. Well, you've got to hide, but while you're hiding, spend as much time as you can, like at home with a clean face, right?

For instance, if you have to wear your makeup to work and plan to come home and spend all night, take it off. Take off your makeup as soon as you get home. Don't wait till you're ready to go to bed.

Go upstairs, take your makeup off. Maybe you can do a treatment. Perhaps you can do a peel. Maybe you do an LED mask. You could start with an IPL session, do something, apply the appropriate products, and then establish a good regimen.

As I've found, it's always the same regimen we recommend, but even if I were to pick just two key products, we need to exfoliate with an acid daily. So, like any of the cleansers, I think this is the easiest and most low-irritation way to remove dead skin.

And if you get that dead skin off, all of a sudden you get your skin looks smooth. And you know, your pores are more refined looking, and you get that healthy glow about you.

Even if you still have some marks, even if you still have some pimples and other issues, just the texture of your skin is better. So, even if you just wash with this and then put on your makeup, it's going to lie so much nicer.

Exactly.

Another key product is a retinoid.

Yeah.

A retinoid is what will make your skin turn over more quickly.

Yes.

It will also stimulate collagen and elastin, as well as other beneficial effects. Therefore, it will involve a lot of work underground. And it's also going to clear out your pores, just like retinoids help shed the pore lining, which is what you want to get out. Then your pores can tighten.

So, again, going with that, it's like having smooth, exfoliated skin, which speeds up the turnover and healing process. Just those two products alone can get you started. And, of course, we want you to use antioxidants.

If you're dealing with hyperpigmentation, something like Fade Bright, which contains antioxidants, is a great place to start. Antioxidants, along with repair enzymes, can help support your journey.

But like I said, just two little products like that. So simple, even when you're hiding behind your makeup, it will still look better.

One central point that we should discuss is the fact that try not to pick, poke, touch, or keep our hands off of it. If you are applying products, make sure to cleanse your hands first, as you don't want to touch anything.

I am a face toucher, you know, like I'm not saying I'm a picker, but I'm saying like, you know, rest my hand on my chin all the time. I'm, I'm like that type, you know, I'm touchy-feely with my face all the time. So I always have to be mindful of that. For instance, if I have something going on, like, 'Oh, don't touch.'

Well, and like with acne, I was just going to say like, like me, when you would have like 25 bumps, like when you feel that, like I would do that all the time, but I think, and it's like, so bump, bump, bump, bump, bump, bump, bump.

Like the thing is, is like, you know, acne goes through a cycle, right? It's like a five-week cycle. So even if you're not treating it, there are times when it looks better, right?

So, but my problem was like, say those bumps healed. It was looking good for a minute. Then I can't stop touching that, right? Cause I'm like, “Oh, it's so smooth.” Oh my God. I would feel it’s feeling better.

Just because it was smooth.

And the next day, I wake up, and there are new ones. That cycle is constantly going, so it has nothing to do with what I did yesterday. But the more times that, you know, you've touched a million things and you're touching now, five weeks from now, all that stuff you're touching all over your face is going to start showing up.

So it is essential not to do that. And like for picking and popping pimples, I get it, right? I get it. I'm telling you, I had like 25 on my face at any time. I get the desire to pop little whiteheads and clear that out. And sometimes, okay, do it.

It can be necessary sometimes.

Make sure your hands are clean, wash your face correctly, and do things like that. Apply a drying lotion or a similar product to help the wound heal.

However, often, using a product like the Salicylic 15 Peel or even the Salicylic 3 Minipeel and applying it while the area is closed can help those heal and dry up much more quickly than if you were to pop them repeatedly.

The Salicylic acid will penetrate the area. It will kill the bacteria. It's anti-inflammatory because Salicylic Acid is essentially an aspirin-based compound, which reduces inflammation.

And if you just did that once a week, which is where peels and similar treatments come in, that will help your skin look much better than if you picked. And now you've got like a little crusted area here and here and here and here and here, like a little mini scabs from everywhere you picked.

And then sometimes it's still oozing, don't do that. It looks worse. It seems worse when they're like Chemical options are going to work so much better for that.

So, those are good ideas, or even Serum 15 if you don't want to do peels.

Absolutely. So, the first steps toward freeing yourself from this are establishing a good regimen, avoiding contact with your skin, and not letting it affect you as much emotionally.

You know, shift that focus to functioning, not just what's happening. And let's try to be consistent; a series of peels can also help.

It speeds it along, right? However, as we mentioned earlier, that's acne, which typically takes five weeks to clear up. It's a five-week cycle. What's on your face now started five weeks ago.

Yeah.

Okay. When you start using products like acids, retinoids, and peels, you accelerate the cycle by removing layers of skin more quickly.

Something that was going to be released next week and the following week came out sooner; your skin may look worse.

Okay, let's add a little more coverage this week. You're likely to have probably two to three weeks where it might be ‘eh’. But if you can get past that, you will notice a dramatic, you know, smoothing increase in healing.

And when all those pimples are gone, you may have a couple of little marks left.

Right.

Retinoids can help with that because they accelerate the turnover of your skin. That means you'll heal more quickly.

Right.

And then, once that's all healed within, I would say it takes about six to seven weeks, or so, after being really focused, you should be able to go makeup-free.

Like that's going to be healed, those marks are going to be gone. And then you can apply your bronzers, blushes, and eye makeup, along with all the other products. But you won't have to hide behind makeup anymore, so at least for acne.

So stay the course for five to eight weeks.

Yep.

And just, you know, be diligent.

Take your pictures. You will see the changes happening.

Yeah. That's excellent news.

And you know, and I understand, like we can't always, that's one scenario, acne, right? If you have wrinkles and similar issues, it will take a little longer than five weeks, but you will notice your skin looking smoother and healthier.

Consider putting on less makeup, just a little bit of cover-up to brighten your face. It's really easy to just, you know, a little dab at your eyes and just around the eyes, just a little bit down the front of your nose.

I'm no makeup expert, but there are lots of great videos.

Makeup has come a long way, too. Now they have some powder foundations that are a little less, so you're not applying a liquid foundation, then a powder foundation, and then a setting powder, and then a setting spray.

Yeah, setting powders are no good for wrinkles.

Right, so I mean…

Baking.

Some foundation powders are nice and light, mineral-based, which might work better at hiding certain imperfections than a liquid or a powder. So, probably less is more.

Less is definitely more.

And if you have pigmentation, which is similar to the last one, we could explore that. Obviously, that's going to take some time to go.

That's where, you know, you want to get into peels. You want to use your melanin inhibitors every day. Acids for sure. Retinoids for sure. You know, peels like Lactic, Mandelic, Jessner’s, things like that.

Those are going to stimulate the pigmentation. And of course, you know, you can still use your little concealer.

Sure.

I also like the COTZ SPF, specifically the Flawless SPF 50, which comes in two different colors. It comes in a light tint and a richly tinted version. That, for me, is like makeup.

Yeah.

You know, you put that, you put your SPF on, and there's that light tint. And I feel like it's not a cover-up, but it does help even out your skin tone. And then, yeah, of course, if you feel like you need a little bit more, if you have terrible pigmentation, go ahead and cover up with that makeup while you're treating.

But like the peels, the LED mask, all that kind of stuff is going to really speed up and get rid of that. Before you know it, you will feel comfortable without makeup on like that.

Yeah. Let's briefly discuss the devices, as I firmly believe the blue light in our Illuminate Mask helps with the acne cycle.

Oh, for sure. Oh, I have something to share with you. There's one right here.

Absolutely.

Right. So this comes in red, infrared, yellow, and blue.

Yeah.

Red and infrared light are also excellent for acne healing and anti-aging. Yellow is suitable for pigmentation, and blue is beneficial for acne because it has a healing effect and kills bacteria.

And it also controls the oil. So, if you have incredibly oily skin, that's where blue light can be particularly helpful.

So, putting something like this on for at least 10 minutes a day, the timer increases to around 30 minutes.

Yes.

However, 10 minutes will really help with acne and oily skin.

I will do the red, and then at the end of my red, I'll do at least 10 minutes of blue. I try to squeeze that in there.

Yeah. Yeah. That's perfect. And I'll do that on occasion, too. Well, I know we were going to start recommending our DNA repair enzymes, and blue and violet light waves activate those.

I think we'll be sending people to the blue light frequently. So at least for a good 10 minutes.

Absolutely. Absolutely. That is, it's great. I've been in a small acne cycle before and started using that, and it helped tie things up, lickety split. I strongly recommend that.

Yeah. Yeah. That's a super call. And of course, so what else?

Our Regenerate is definitely something.

EGF. Yeah. This is particularly beneficial for conditions like cystic acne. It helps to deflate them very quickly.

And of course, it's the epidermal growth factor that is making your epidermis regenerate very quickly. So if you're using something like an acid, either your acid cleanser, Serum 15, or a chemical peel, something like that, to help get that down and get the dead skin off, and then using Regenerate to enhance the obviously regeneration of new epidermis, you're going to get a quicker turnover and heal things quickly.

We're talking about healing a pimple in a matter of a couple of weeks, which usually takes months.

Yes.

It can take eight weeks or more to complete a task. Sometimes you're still left with like a hard bump, but we're talking about like healing it completely with things like this.

And it also depends on how healthy you are at that specific time.

That's very true if you're suffering from an illness.

If you’re fighting something, you know, if your immune system is down.

Sinus infection, COVID, whatever you have.

That absolutely plays a significant role.

Yes.

And how your skin recovers.

Yeah. Yeah. Because, you know, your skin is your largest organ, right? So, if you are not feeling well, your skin will show it.

Emu oil is also a great option, as it possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Antibacterial. So, if you need extra moisturization, especially when targeting a specific area, such as after getting a pimple or similar issue, I suggest using a Q-tip.

Yeah.

Take either the Salicylic 25. As I just mentioned, consider purchasing a small sample or the 5ml bottle. If you're experiencing a cycle of acne that occurs every so often, dip the cotton ball in the solution, make sure it's not dripping, and gently dab it directly on the affected area. It's going to frost immediately. Leave it on for about five minutes.

Right at the blemish. Avoiding excessive contact with the skin.

Yeah. Try to get it everywhere, as it will dry up very aggressively.

Yes.

And then, perhaps, like a flake, a layer will flake off, almost like a scab, but that's an excellent way to heal something quickly. Only do that once. That's a helpful tip, but do it only once, no more than once a week, and it will help dry out an active blemish.

So, if there is someone out there watching this who is feeling down because their skin isn't how they want it to be...

Yep.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

There is. And don't, you know, I tried all the over-the-counter stuff too.

Yeah.

You know, many products in those aisles promise to deliver but often fail to do so. And that's because everybody just thinks one product is a miracle.

It's not one product. It's unfortunately, it's not.

And let's say you do have acne. There are very specific things. Like we, we need our salicylic. We need like the AB cleanser.

We need salicylic acid to penetrate the pores. We need a higher percentage of acid. There's a plus 10% to exfoliate. So you have less dead skin to clog those pores.

Then we have recommendations like epidermal growth factor, which helps things heal more quickly. It's an acne treatment.

Then we have vitamin B, which is super healing. It helps with your barrier. It helps heal again, acne. It's meant for acne. And then the retinoid.

If you're using those four products every single day and you have acne, it's going to heal that. You just have to make it through four or five weeks. Go ahead and use your makeup, but continue to treat it.

Let's touch on the fact that you shouldn't just use any makeup, right? I'm not recommending any particular brand, but something like mineral makeup is likely the best option, as it avoids heavy foundations.

They all have ingredients to help them spread well. Some things will clog your pores.

Yeah.

Not a good idea. Use like a mineral powder. You know, we used to carry, was it a glow mineral?

Glow minerals.

Glow minerals. And there's, I think, like Jane Iredale or something like that. There are several different brands.

I would choose any one of those over a liquid foundation if you have acne.

Another tip is to ensure that you clean your makeup brushes regularly.

Oh gosh, yes.

Yeah. Right. Because we don't realize you don't think about it. And it's like, you know, you're putting that on, and let's say you do have a blemish and you're, you know, covering it with a particular brush.

And then, you know, you want to make sure that you're cleaning those. So when you get past that, you're not going to, you know, kind of spread that around.

What if you pop something and there was a little bit, something on there, and you use that on your cheek, and then you all over your face. I mean, just think about the, let's see, you're like my mommy vision.

You know, I like, I foresee the future of every little thing you make. That is precisely something. Same thing with your pillowcase, all that kind of stuff.

There are a whole bunch of things, but this is what's getting you through it.

Yes.

And yeah.

We understand the emotional side of it.

I understand. I understand more than anyone. I mean, I know it so well that it inspired me to start a company over it.

That's why we're here today.

Yeah. I get it.

Honestly.

I understand. I've been there.

I know. Me too. I think that's why we have such a passion for these products and helping people. It's because we've been there. And when you're on that side of the fence, you know, how you feel when somebody calls you up and says, “Oh, do you want to go here and there?”

And you're just like, you go to the mirror and you're like, “I don't know. I just took my makeup off. I don't want to put this all back.”

You know, it's troublesome, but you know what? If you stay the course, you get these high-quality products, including retinols, Regenerate, and exfoliation.

Yep.

Stick to the course.

That blue LED.

You'll get past it.

You will. Call us if you need someone to come right with.

100%.

We’re here.

We're here to hear you. We are here to offer a pep talk…

Walk you through.

…and help you select the right products.

Right. Right. And it's, it's simple.

Yep. Keep your chin up. We'll be here to assist you.