Making Makari Work For Sensitive or Acne Prone Skin

Photo Credit: Makari

A string of messages and e-mails from people telling me that Makari is giving them amazing skin lightening results has prompted me to write about this. I am so thrilled to hear this for several reasons!

I just tweeted about this, but today I was thinking about my initial experience with Makari Night Cream and the Makari Caviar Cream. When I used these products, I did not have a proper regimen that ensured clear pores and regular cell turnover (exfoliation). I think I used a scrub like two or three times a week and that was it. Mind you, I have oily, acne prone skin so using a scrub wasn't enough to help keep my pores clear.

I know these things now. However that doesn't take away from the fact that Makari Night Cream and Caviar Cream are just not desgined for sensitive, or acne prone skin. Their just not - the ingredients are too emollient.

But these success stories got me thinking. With the rock-solid regimen I currently have, perhaps my skin could tolerate Makari? With all the knowledge I know about comedogenic ingredients and importance of clear pores, Makari may have second chance with me.

I really emphasize on 'may try it' since I am unbelievably content with my current regimen. I mean it is perfect in all aspects - I hardly ever break out (from products that don't clog my pores, as well as rx retinoid nightly), I have maintained an even skin tone, and I see a lightening of all my freckles. So I probably won't tamper with it, but I do know that if I tried Makari I could definitley go beyond my natural birth color.

In order to make comedogenic products actually 'work' for your skin means you need a regimen that has gentle yet consistent exfoliation. Constant clearing of pores and keratinocytes either manually or through a retinoid/BHA/AHA is key.

Specifically for acne prone skin types, BHA (salicylic acid) is great at clearing pores. The best BHA product out there is without a doubt the Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid. I've mentioned it several times. It is fabulous, works great under sunscreen and actually clears up acne (and prevents it too). It is one of the only salicylic acid products out there that has the correct pH, so it actually is used by the skin. It actually exfoliates within the pores, instead of just sitting on your skin causing irritation.

A lot of people who use high PPD sunscreen (you know the really greasy European ones) almost always use an rx retinoid at night and/or a BHA product to keep their pores clean, so they can actually use these heavy duty sunscreen without risk of clogged pores.

Four out of the six people who I have been communicating with use the Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid alongside Makari Day Cream or Night Cream and find that they are not breaking out, and in fact it's strengthening their skin lightening results. Obviously cleaner, exfoliated pores = better efficacy of a skin lightener. Acne marks, dark to black spots and other hyperpigmentation issues are all treated by exfoliants alone to some degree.

I think on top of using an rx retinoid, or BHA/AHA product, limiting the application to every other day or even 4-5 times a week can help. Since having properly exfoliated skin allows for greater absorption of the product, you can get away with using a skin lightener like Makari just a few times a week and still get results. It obviously won't be as strong or fast, but it does decrease the risk of a breakout, especially if you are also keeping your pores clear at the same time. You have to be consistent but this method can work.

Even though I credit most of my acne clearing from Retin-A gel, I never fail to give credit to AHAs or BHAs since they are great as well.

I've yet to try a BHA product as good as PC's 2% BHA Liquid. For Canadians - Neostrata has some great AHA/BHA toners but still they do not seem to work as well as the Paula's Choice. In the summer time I occasionally like to use a BHA product either in the AM or PM to help keep my pores extra clean. I tried the SkinBiology LacSal serum and liked it, but found it to be a bit greasy. So, in all honesty Paula's Choice BHA Liquid reigns supreme in salicylic acid treatments.

I think with either an rx retinoid, AHA product or a BHA product, Makari has the ability to be tolerated and useful. Of course this may not work for everybody, but hearing these positive results from other people got me fascinated and excited. There is no doubt Makari is a strong skin lightener that works at lightening skin up in shades, but unfortunatley not all of us can withstand it. Introducing an rx retinoid , AHA (or even better) a BHA can help if you are prone to acne.

Here's a link:  Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid

=D