Skin 101

Hi guys,

As some of you guys may know, I work within a company that gives me access to endless skincare products and knowledge about them. Skincare is probably one of the most important steps in your daily regime and I know a lot of people tend to struggle with their skin - from those pesky hormonal breakouts to cystic acne to just the good ol' textured skin (looks pointedly at Rama). 

If you've ever read the ingredients list on a box of moisturiser, you'd find a whole bunch of gibberish mixed in with some elements that just seem too confusing to pay much attention to (I know I've overlooked it on more than one occasion). So I'm hoping this post might make it a bit easier for you guys to choose products best suited to your skincare type and concern. 

Your skin consists of three main layers: the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. The epidermis acts as a protector from external environmental factors while the dermis basically makes up the structure of your skin. It's where you can find blood vessels, follicles, glands, and the body's water supply, along with collagen and elastin. This is the layer you want to target most. 

The average skin cycle takes about 28 days - which is why it's important for those trialling new products to keep up the routine for at least a month. This allows you to see if results are actually showing up with continued use - of course, if you got a reaction then discontinue use. 

To make things a bit simple for everyone, there are three different skin types that we can all fit into; the oily, combination and dry skin types. If you tend to have an oilier skin type, the main distinguishing factors would be the presence of thicker-looking skin, enlarged pores, being prone to breakouts, and obviously oiliness throughout the day. In contrast, drier skin types may sometimes experience dry patches, small/invisible pores, tightness and matte looking skin. But don't confuse dryness for dehydration - they're two completely different things. The combination type houses two different types - the normal/oily or normal/dry which is a combination of all these factors. 

A typical skincare regime would include at least three main elements - cleansing, toning and moisturising. Basic, easy and quick. But if you're looking for it, more advanced skincare regimes include exfoliating, serums, masks, eye products, neck creams, instant gratification treatments etc etc. 

Skincare is such a broad topic that it would take pages for me to go completely in depth with it. So to make this experience slightly sweeter and more of an easier read, I'm just going to go through your essentials (sorry, guys). 

Ingredients to look out for:

Hyaluronic Acid (or sodium hyaluronate) 

Honestly my personal favourite, hyaluronic acid has saved my skin from my teenage-excess-sebum-producing-leather-looking skin days. Able to hold more than 1000x it's own weight in water, HA is probably one of the most important ingredients to look out for if you're constantly surrounded by free radicals (namely pollution, air conditioning etc) which lead to dehydration within your skin. Your body's supply of HA decreases with age, so it's important to regularly supply your skin with it to minimise the appearance of wrinkles, loss of volume, and loss of elasticity. 

Alpha-hydroxy Acids (AHAs) 

AHAs are naturally occurring acids that you can find everyday in products that you consume. They are a class of various acids that, when applied to the top of your epidermis, break apart the binds of dead skin cells on your skin to remove them, while increasing cell turnover which allows for the growth of new skin. AHAs include: glycolic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, mandelic acid and citric acid. 

Beta-hydroxy Acid (BHA)

While AHAs are made up of various types of acids, the only BHA is salicylic acid. Many of you may have seen this term in your cleansers as it works as a gentle exfoliant and antibacterial agent. Salicylic acid is derived from willow bark, making it a naturally occurring substance. It can penetrate into your pore unlike AHAs and gets rid of dead skin cell buildup within the pore. 

On a side note, if you have an aspirin allergy, please stay away from salicylic acid as this comes from the same family as aspirin. 

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, magnesium ascorbatol) 

One of the most popular ingredients in any skincare product, Vit C has been scientifically proven to remove those pesky fine lines and wrinkles. If you're looking to get rid of hyperpigmentation, stimulate collagen synthesis and protect your skin from free radical damage, then look for Vitamin C especially within your products. 

Vitamin A (retinol, retinoic acid, retinyl palmitate, hydroxypinnacolone retinoate) 

Ah, the mother of all ingredients - retinol. Retinol has been used in many night time skincare products for a while now, and the reason for this is because retinol can actually deactivate when met with UV rays. However, some clever person has decided to combine retinol with various other ingredients and have found a way around this (ferulic acid is one definitely). Retinol encourages the reproduction of skin cells and stimulates collagen production, which can definitely help with signs of ageing. 

Happy New Year!

Loooooong time no see my friends. Hope you've all been well.

I'm back with a post about the new year. First piece of advice for 2016? Make. Things. Happen. We’re often down in the dumps about not achieving what we want to, but are we really doing anything to make things happen? If you’re like me, you’re probably shying away from this question and mentally cursing about your level of procrastination. Well this year, let's stop waiting around for things to just work out. Take the initiative and make those changes in your life! Don't wait for anyone, don’t slow down for anyone, make 2016 your bitch! This might be just the push you need. Get the boy or girl, get your grades up, get that job! I honestly believe we can do anything we set our mind to if we want it enough.

Leave toxic relationships in 2015. From first hand experience, I know how difficult it can be and sometimes I do wish we were still friends, but I honestly am happier. All they did was drag me down and sabotage my happiness. You won’t know how relieved you will be until you drift from those people. If you're not the confrontational type - I sure as hell am not, slowly drift away from them, reply slower, talk less. Your happiness is the most important thing in the world, and don’t you forget it.

Be organised! Organisation is key to less stress. Grab a diary, buy a calendar, clean your room, organise your school work, buy a bunch of folders and set of highlighters, clean out any unneeded junk, write down everything you need to do or buy! In doing so, you'll be be more prepared, avoid panicking and have more time for other people and hobbies. It makes a world of a difference to your health and wellbeing. Don't forget to not overpressure yourself, you're only human, bad things happen. You'll get through it.

Get your priorities straight. Focus on more important things, and be aware and less focused on the petty things. Life is short, enjoy it while you can - cliche I know, but most cliches are true, no? Go into bad situations you’re faced with, with an open mind. Don't be clouded with negativity, sadness or anger when you're attempting to solve an issue. Bad situations are only as bad as what you make them out to be. Sleep on it and make sure you're relaxed and rational. Your attitude towards a situation has the power to shape the outcome - psychologically proven ;).

These are the foundations of most New Year resolutions, whether that be eating healthy, exercising more, getting your grades up or being happier. Make 2016 yours. I wish you guys all the happiness and success in the world. Don't forget, we’re only human; the above things will take time to learn but keep at it. Happy New Year! Make 2016 your bitch.

Rama x

21 Things I've Learnt In 21 Years

It's been a long long twenty-one years and there are some of the more important things that I've some to learn as I stumbled and crawled my way through life. 

1. Don’t wear yourself thin

Life gets busy, trust me, I know. My assignments kept piling up, and exam period always seemed to be looming ‘round the corner, and my mum just wouldn’t stop nagging me to ‘clean your room’ or ‘wash the dishes’ or ‘you’re always in your room come and spend time with us’. And before I knew it I was stretched so thin that the slightest thing made me snap - In this case, my brother bumping into me and me bursting into tears.

So, now I take a moment and do something I enjoy.

I read a book, or watch a movie or a couple of episodes of my favourite show, I listen to music, or simply take a nap. I just do something to relieve the stress. I don’t let it build up.

2. Sleep is important

I cannot stress this point enough. A minimum of eight hours is recommended per night. And I suck at fitting it in. But I’m trying, and I think I’m getting there. But it’s a struggle and every time I have an assignment or an exam (or literally every weekend) I mess it up. But, maybe one day it won’t be so bad and I won’t be such a grouch, and those puffy bags/bruises under my eyes will be gone.

Maybe.  

Oh No He Didn't

In which I ramble about boys and attempt to give empowering advice. 

Situation one:

So you’ve got a crush, he’s 6ft tall, has a good sense of humour and smells nice, WONDERFUL—except he doesn’t know you exist—oh no. DO NOT FRET I am here to save your day *really uncomfortable wink*

If there’s one thing I’ve learnt in my life it’s to live fast and do everything you’ve always wanted to. If you want something you need to go for it, you need to take leaps in your life that allow you to be happy. You really like this boy right? I mean you are stalking his instagram every two seconds and you are checking his facebook to see what he recently posted. If you can’t stop thinking about him and what he might be doing at this very moment THEN JUST TALK TO HIM GIRL.

Sit in front of the mirror for a second and ask yourself, what is the worst thing that can happen here? The only horrible thing I can think of occurring is him not replying and you know what, if that little snot nose boy doesn’t reply to you (excuse my French here) fuck him. If he chooses not to reply to a beautiful and confident young lady like yourself then he’s not worth your time. YOU TAKE YOUR BEAUTIFUL ASS AWAY FROM HIS INSTAGRAM AND GO FOCUS ON SCHOOL OR SOMETHING (you really should be focusing on school first lbr). 

A Letter to My 16-Year-Old Self

There was a time during our teenage lives where we were uncertain about almost everything – being unsure and desperate for guidance was how I carried myself during the first few years of teenager-dom. It wasn’t easy back then, and it still isn’t easy now. But I’d like to think that I’ve learnt a few things in the meagre three years between then and now.

Back then, I would’ve absolutely killed for someone older and more experienced to tell me what to do. And so I sought out other people for some advice – anything, really. But the thing is, I never actually took any of their advice. So in saying that, I’m doing myself a favour and sending out a letter to my 16-year-old self in hopes that she’ll take heed of it.

To my 16-year-old self,  

Sixteen. One of the most important ages a girl can turn – hell, there are even movies dedicated to teenagers turning the ultimate sweet sixteen. It’s the year everything seems to pile up, sometimes even threatening to overflow. There are times when you’ll sit in your room and just cry because everyone and everything seems to be so against you, but then there are other times where you’ll find yourself the happiest you’ve ever been and wishing you could relive that moment forever.

Turning sweet sixteen – the year you learn to drive a car (provided you get your license), the year parties and alcohol take over (for a select few, this might not be the case); it’s the year that exams start to take precedent, where friendships form and collapse; the year that you can legally have sex and discover things about yourself that you didn’t know before.

I’m not going to lie, turning sixteen was not easy for me. I cried, a lot – about everything you can imagine. Sixteen marked the end of my junior high school life, along with the start of that horrendous two senior years that you’re ultimately going to face. Sixteen was the year I lost some of my closest friends, but also formed a tight-knit friendship (that is sadly, now over). Your teenage years are all about trial and error. Remember that.

I made some stupid choices in my sixteenth year but that’s ok. Think of it as a learning experience; you’ll grow, you’ll mature, you’ll laugh at how stupid you were, but you wouldn’t be you if it weren’t for those particular experiences.

1.       Don’t let boys take over your world.

I’ve seen so many people crash and burn during the whole 15-17 year old age range. Sixteen is the year where you notice everything. You might’ve giggled over a few crushes back in the day with your friends, but this is the year where things get a little more serious. You’re more willing to experiment with your love life, which is absolutely ok. Talk to boys (or girls for that matter), get to know them, break hearts, have your heart broken. Just don’t let them take over your world. Don’t shut your friends out, don’t neglect your schooling, don’t abandon everything that makes you you, just for a boy.