Since I was last here...

A lot has changed in my life and my skin. Back when I started this blog, I was working for several high-end skin care lines and cosmetic lines being sold at retailers like Sephora, Ulta, Nordstroms and many Medi-Spas. Since then I have gotten out of the industry for a few reasons and been a house girlfriend, equine photographer and worked for a magazine. I miss the cosmetic and skin care world, but for some reason I keep getting railroaded here in Las Vegas. I think if I moved to another state, I might start back up.....until then, I will just love cosmetics, beautiful colors and skin care from a consumer standpoint.

As for my skin...What a nightmare!

I have always had the driest skin; I would use my Grandmother's night creams in High School because I needed the extra moisture! I would only break out here or there, but nothing major. When I was in Aesthetics school I was one of the few who didn't break out from the constant facials we got in class and the experiments we all did on our skin. My teachers exclaimed how extraordinary it was considering I have health problems and am on many medications. I learned how most chronic patients have poor skin tone and clarity due to the chemicals being put in their body from medications, not to mention break outs. But not me!

Two years ago, I switched some of my medications and was put on Methotrexate, which is a cancer medication, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus (SLE) medication and it works for Lupus (which is what I have) by lowering the immune system. The side effects of this medication are insane and it is one of the most dangerous out there, and pages and pages long - ranging from hair loss and red eyes to liver damage and lung damage. It also causes acne. Nasty acne. Life altering acne. Ok...maybe not life altering, but I am pretty self conscious.

I now have acne on my chest, my back, neck and my face. Gross icky acne. What is different about Methotrexate acne is I will get a 'spot' and even if I don't pick at it, it will become almost a boil in some cases. It will also cause scabbing and flaking around it once it has started to heal. My Doctors say that Methotrexate doesn't cause acne, but it is even on the drug information the pharmacy gives me that it does. I now also have very oily skin at age 30, which is never fun.

So now that I am no longer affiliated with any skin care companies I will be posting my reviews of the many many products I have been trying over the past two years to deal with my never ending internal acne. I have been on the search for the Holy Grail of products for years now and have had many hits and misses!