Msm And Vitamin C For Melasma
My Daily Melasma Routine
This morning I was cleaning off my bathroom sink and took a moment to look at ALL of the products I use to manage my melasma..there are A LOT of them! I have spent so much money trying out different products over the years, but I've settled into a routine that I like (for now) and seems to be managing my melasma quite well. My melasma is not going away…but it's not getting worse either…which is a win for me at this point. I thought it might be fun to share my current melasma routine with you.
Morning Melasma Routine:
- The first thing I do in the morning is wash my face with only warm water. I once read somewhere that as long as you wash your face thoroughly at night (and keep clean sheets) there is no reason to wash your face with soap again in the morning.
- Next, I mix a few drops of the Skinceuticals Vitamin C serum with my Valentia Brightening Moisturizer and apply it to my face and neck
- Then depending on what I have planned for the day, I do one of the following:
- If I'm going out in public, I apply the It Cosmetics CC Cream (SPF 55) and my make-up as usual.
- If I'm not going anywhere, I will apply the Cotz sunscreen on my face and be done with it.
- If I'm running out to the grocery store, I use the Elta MD tinted sunscreen along with some mascara. It's a great combination of makeup & sunscreen in one.
- If it's ridiculously hot outside I will put on the Obagi Sun Shield which not only blocks the UV rays, but also the heat from your skin.
Daily Melasma Supplements:
I take a lot of supplements. In total, it's about 15 pills, so I try to take them at different times of the day so my body can absorb them properly. Each day I take the following vitamins:
- Vitamin C – I take Vitamin C because it is a copper antagonist. High levels of copper are thought to contribute to Melasma.(Also makes the MSM more effective)
- ProBiotic – I personally believe my melasma is caused by gut issues, so I take a HyperBiotic pro-biotic to help keep my gut flora balanced.
- Heliocare – This is like internal sunscreen! I just started using it last week!
- Milk Thistle –Milk thistle helps to strengthen the liver. The liver is in charge of breaking down excess hormones, so it's very important that your liver is functioning properly.
- MSM –Great supplement to heal leaky gut
- Cod Liver Oil –High in Omega 3's & anti-inflammatory properties
- Vitamin D – Because I stay out of the sun, I have low levels of Vitamin D. The last time my blood was checked, my Vitamin D levels were drastically low, so I take a Vitamin D supplement to manage that.
- Vitamin B3
- Fiber Gummies –I take fiber gummies because I have a very slow-moving digestion tract
- Women's Multi-Vitamin – I don't currently take one, but I would like to. If you have a recommendation, please leave it in the comments!
My Melasma Diet:
I feel like the ONLY way to cure Melasma is not through hydroquinone cream or expensive Rodan & Fields Reverse regimen, I think it's through Nutrition. In fact, if you look at the women who have cured their melasma, they all did through changing their diet. The problem is however, changing your diet is hard and it takes a lot of willpower and dedication.
I am currently on what looks like a Paleo/Whole Food diet, I avoid alcohol, refined sugar, dairy, and gluten. It's hard and the longest span I've been able to go is 2.5 months without cheating. I'm currently on week 3 of being back on this diet and know that the only way to really get rid of melasma once and for all is by adopting this new diet once and for all.
Here's what a typical day looks like:
Breakfast: I don't usually eat breakfast, so I get by with a glass of lemon water and a cup of coffee with a 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil in it.(I know I need to stop drinking coffee.. I'm working on it!)
Lunch: I usually have a salad with chicken on it or a cup of homemade bone broth for lunch. I also try to drink Kombucha(for gut health) or green juice every day with my lunch.(I was also trying to eat one avocado at lunch (usually on my salad) but have read recently that avocados are high in copper, so I no longer eat the avocados)
Dinner:I usually have a protein like, Chicken, Turkey, Beef along with A LOT of vegetables. Things like brussels sprouts, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans and asparagus.
Water Intake:I could be better about my water intake, but I try to drink at least 64 ounces a day. I usually add lemon to it to make it taste better.
Exercise:
I hate to exercise. I've never been a huge sports gal and I don't enjoy sweating at all. BUT, because exercise is important for heart health and overall mood, I have recently taken up yoga….specifically doing this 30 Day Yoga Challenge..and I LOVE IT! The nice thing about yoga is that it also helps to relieve stress(which can be a cause of melasma) and gets my body moving. I've been doing it daily for 2 weeks now and plan to continue this new routine.
Evening Routine:
In the evening, I wash my makeup off with Olive Oil on a cotton swab and rinse with warm water. I then apply either aloe, coconut or castor oil on my entire face and leave on throughout the night. Each of these has their own healing properties and are great for your skin. I alternate using them so my skin doesn't break out.
I also use the Peter Thomas Roth Exfoliator 2-3x a week to get the dead skin cells off.
What's your melasma routine? I'd love to hear it! Leave me a comment!
Source: http://www.melasmadiaries.com/melasma-routine
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