Peach, Not Strawberry

By -

I had beautiful skin while growing up - no pimples, just clear white ‘Himachali’ face. I never understood why my friends created a fuss about pimples in school. During those TV commercials in which girls screamed on spotting a zit, I simply gawked at their pretty dresses. I never paid attention to the problem, product or pimples. Good old days! But sadly, my skin went a drastic change in my early 20s. Hormonal change and constant travelling took a toll on my skin. It started with pimples around the chin, and it was then I understood how much trouble a tiny zit can cause. It pricks like a thorn and punctures your confidence, to say the least. I was the same girl who was lovingly called ‘Peach’ by one of my mother’s friends, but then, with so much pimples and marks, I resembled a strawberry. Damn, I hated it! 

The problem started with pimples around the chin during the rainy season. I thought it was the humid weather which was causing the trouble, but to my dismay, it aggravated with time. I couldn’t comprehend what was wrong and I started following all the random advices thrown at me. I applied weird face packs without checking my skin type. I even bought all the 'pimple cure' products available in the market. I was desperate to get my old look back, but I never bothered to dwell on the basics. I drank many bottles of Safi to kill the so-called germs in my blood. But, nothing worked!

It was not only pimples that led to the anxiety. Sometimes, when out of frustration I pricked them, the marks stayed longer than the pimples. I felt totally helpless. In fact, it put a dent on my self confidence. I avoided social functions and slipped out of the frame when someone tried to click a picture. Even when I tried to apply cream in winters, it was painful. And who doesn’t know the feeling when just a day before an important event pimples shout - I am back, I am back! This feeling became my constant companion. Then, it was in 2006 when I became friends which a boy who was studying Dermatology, that I understood my problem. He told me all about the ‘whys’ and ‘whats’ of pimples and the importance to know all of it before attempting the pimple-rescue-mission.

Whys - 
Why I had pimples?
Why it started at a later age?

Whats -
What is my skin type?
What I need to do to get rid of them?
What is a perfect skin care routine?
What products suit my skin type?

It was after answering those questions, I was able to deal with it. With my hormonal changes, it was normal to had pimples, zits and skin rashes, and I needed proper medical attention to get rid of them. Also, following a proper skin care routine was very important. At one stage, things got really ugly and I suffered from Multiple Abscesses. It multiplied the pimple problem and I started having pimples on my cheeks as well. I had to take the complete course to treat it and then, my problems started to recede. It’s not completely gone but it is way better than what it used to be. After going through all this, I started following a proper skin care routine. It took me a while to find the right products for my skin. I experimented with many brands for many months to finally find what I needed. A good face wash to clean all the pores and dust. I have dry skin, so regular soap was a big no-no. A moisturizing cream that complements the toner. Also, I learnt to stay away from chemicals. Natural products are better and they don’t have side effects. A concoction of banana and honey is more effective than a banana face pack available in the market. Sticking to natural, herbal and chemical free products, like like Garnier Pure Active Neem Face Wash is the key to healthy looking skin. 


In a sentence - the right solution to all the problems is to follow a healthy routine, use right products and stay happy. I wish, when my rowdy hormones would come back to their normal self,  I will get my old look back. 

*This post is written as a part of Garnier campaign, check bit.ly/GPABlogLinkIndiBloggerActivity and bit.ly/GarnierPureActiveNeemWebsite
**Images for Collage - here and here

Comments

  1. RajlakshmiJanuary 31, 2015 at 9:38 PM

    Even I had clear skin while growing up, but since I moved to Sydney, the rate of acne has increased. It's indeed a headache... I use neem pack too but of different company.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalFebruary 2, 2015 at 12:12 PM

      Which one? Neem products are really very good. My mother uses neem paste for her skin. It is wonderful!

      Delete
  2. Ravish ManiJanuary 31, 2015 at 11:39 PM

    Very clean post. Loved the metaphors - peach & strawberry. All the best for contest :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. BushraFebruary 1, 2015 at 7:07 AM

    Lovely post dear! I am loving that face wash too! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ankita February 1, 2015 at 1:03 PM

    Himachali complexion is a blessing!!! and pimples on chin are so painful..

    Nice post! all the best :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. ManiparnaFebruary 1, 2015 at 3:03 PM

    Peach and strawberry! Perfect examples Saru :-D All the best babe... :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. RamakrishnanFebruary 1, 2015 at 9:00 PM

    Made wonderful reading and a definitely a good marketing push for neem based products !

    ReplyDelete
  7. RachnaFebruary 2, 2015 at 1:07 AM

    Pimples, I tell you. Good luck, Saru.

    ReplyDelete
  8. ekta khetanFebruary 2, 2015 at 1:50 AM

    This looks like story of my life..my skin changed post 30th and I am so not loving the change :(

    www.hautekutir.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Arpita DashFebruary 2, 2015 at 9:10 AM

    I love the name of your post... Ohh pimples I hate it too.... All the best for the competition.. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Saru SinghalFebruary 2, 2015 at 12:09 PM

    Seriously! It's a nightmare.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anita SabatFebruary 3, 2015 at 11:39 AM

    Very nicely & creatively expressed, Saru. Can identify :)
    Much difference between Peach & Strawberry! Though we love eating strawberries, we don't like looking like one!
    Best wishes for the contest!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalFebruary 5, 2015 at 11:09 AM

      Yeah, we don't want a strawberry look. Thanks for your wishes, Anita.

      Delete
  12. Sindhu Devi KFebruary 4, 2015 at 7:29 AM

    Nice article Saru :) You have narrated it very well how annoying pimples can be!
    All the best for the contest :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2015 at 12:41 AM

    If only I got a himachali face and be called peach not strawberry... It would be a dream come true..

    Loved the metaphors and the picture. It says it all:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Saru SinghalFebruary 5, 2015 at 11:12 AM

      You bet! It will be a dream come true.

      Thanks for reading dear. :)

      Delete
  14. Rahul BhatiaFebruary 5, 2015 at 6:45 PM

    Agree ladies:) Best wishes for the contest Saru!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Saru SinghalFebruary 5, 2015 at 6:54 PM

    Thank you so much, Sir. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. AseemFebruary 6, 2015 at 5:56 AM

    Nice title and the accompanying pic :). If only, everyone had a Himachali face, life would have been so simple :P.

    ReplyDelete
  17. NajmunFebruary 6, 2015 at 2:25 PM

    Loved the post , and so much more love for the title :P It piqued my interest !

    ReplyDelete

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