Day 52: Encouragement

This week has been thoroughly exhausting. I have not in the least gotten used to the state my face is in and I'm beginning to feel desperate for results. My skin just seems so upset with me and I guess it makes sense because I'm just as upset with it.

Today I sat down to pray and ask God if there is anything He would have me do, to make that clear to me. I don't want to do anything without knowing it is what he wants for me. After my prayer, I began searching for "what God says about acne."

Here are 2 remarkable stories that resulted for that search:
True Beauty talks about a girl who, through suffering from acne, learned to grow closer to her Potter (Jesus).
Clear Skin Diary talks about how a woman heard Jesus tell her He would heal her and her journey to that healing.

I find these stories so inspirational. If God believes I'm beautiful, I have to start learning to believe it as well. I guess I just need to keep praying for more faith and patience.

Day 45: The Darkness Does Not Overcome The Light

Yesterday, I took down the poster boards on my mirrors and waited for my husband to get home so that he could hug me while I looked at myself for the first time in 6 weeks. The experience has been jarring. I have a lot of hyperpigmentation marks in the area around my smile-lines and I swear when I first saw myself I thought I might faint. I've never had so many marks at one time and it honestly felt shocking and humiliating.

However, my husband and I got to talking and, as he assured me that things have definitely been improving, I realized something: Maybe shock and humility aren't negative things. I realized that I still desire to be perfect and pretty more than I'm desiring more important things. This is my problem. I cannot be who God made me to be if I desire superficial things more than I'm desiring to be a vessel for Him.

So this morning I got up and had to relive the shock once again in my bathroom mirror. A big part of me wants to start looking up home remedies for how to fade dark marks from acne and work to do all the restoration work myself. However, the actual active acne I have on my face is very minimal and not at all severe. I basically have 2-3 whiteheads and a bump underneath the skin that has been slowly going away for about a week. The rest is just uneven tone. Feeling scared and hopeless at the state that I'm in, I knew the only way I could keep going, knowing now what I actually look like, would be to fully rely on God.

I sat down with my morning smoothie and decided to catch up on some of our church's sermons that I had missed when we went to visit family in California. This sermon is the one I heard this morning. Honestly, I listened and made notes in my book during most of the message, but when I got toward the very end, something profound hit me:

God wants to restore me to the Light.

All of these fears and anxieties are just the darkness of the world. I am living in a dark, sinful place, but I am of the Light and I have to choose to be of the Light every day. God has made me the way I am for a purpose and a calling. He can use me today, no matter what I look like, to serve His purpose in restoring the world. I don't need to be afraid, anxious, or fearful of if I'll ever free myself from my "little skin problem;" I just need to really believe that He's got it under control. Just because I haven't seen the kind of improvement I've expected on my own timeline, doesn't mean God isn't working on me.

It is scary to realize what your true idol is, and yesterday I realized that my true idol has been the desire for perfect skin. I have put all of my time and energy into achieving that goal rather than giving it fully to a God that can do anything. I want it so bad that I'm waiting to get it before I feel I can really be used by God.

So I got down on my knees.

And I cried long and hard about the darkness that I've allowed to live inside of me.

I spoke to my God with real honesty and brokenness and a truly humbled heart.

I asked Him to forgive me for making such a superficial thing my idol and I asked for Him to use me just the way I am. I told him I knew I couldn't do it on my own and I prayed for the strength to be a part of His mission on earth and not my own. I want to be part of the restoration of the world and let God take over the restoration of my body.

He told me to rest and relax. He told me to share His message. He told me to stop being afraid.

This experiment has been the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, but I also think it has been the biggest learning experience. Only from true brokenness can restoration take place, and I have to believe that God is making me new on His timeline and not my own. I have to believe that there is something useful about my pain and brokenness today. I have to believe I am exactly what He made me to be and I have to let go of the need to be perfect.

Besides, when God sees me, He sees the perfection of Jesus, not the many imperfections of Kylie. So today I pray that I will walk in the restoration and Light of Jesus and not under my own control.

Day 39: Watch What He Can Do

Alright, so last week was probably the hardest week I've ever faced since I started this. However, I've noticed that a lot of deeper issues have come to the surface. I'm realizing that sometimes you have to go through the fire to purge out the bad and learn to focus on the good. These terrible, negative thoughts were only bringing me down and needed to be recognized in order to be healed. Sometimes the hardest thing about healing is admitting the truth of what you believe about yourself before moving forward to change it.

So after surviving Caveman Hell Week, I'd like to share a few lessons God has been teaching me:

-I am not what the world says I am; I am what God says I am.
-I am a beautiful creation of God, just the same as the mountains, flowers, and animals.
-I am forgiven. (...for thinking negatively, for not being grateful for my progress, etc.)
-I am covered by Jesus's righteousness and perfection and, because of Him, I am those things in God's eyes.
-I have a purpose for my life today, not later when "the conditions are right."(God can use me now.)
-I am made in God's image and he doesn't make mistakes.
-A happy girl is a beautiful girl. True beauty comes from real joy, not the appearance of perfection.
-I only need God's acceptance.
-Joy attracts joy; negativity attracts negativity.
-Every day is a new adventure and a new beginning.
-My soul chose my body. If my body is good enough for my soul, it is good enough for me.
-When I start loving my body, it will start loving me back.
-Grateful living is joyous living.
-Don't forget how far you've come.
-Appreciate the freedom from all the "products" and "routines."
-Do all things with a thankful heart. (Clean the house, cook and eat, pay bills, go to work....etc.)


One of my facebook friends posted this video today and it really struck me how beautiful all of creation is.If I'm a part of that, the one part that God chose to breathe his own breath into to create, I should be able to love and appreciate myself just the way I am.

Here's a helpful Joel Osteen sermon that illustrates many of the previous points:


This one is a woman (Teal Scott) I found on YouTube. I really like the point she makes about the healing process here:

(I'm pretty sure I hit a contrast point this past week.)

Next time you think you're beat, take a moment to realize that you're not a mistake. You are here for a purpose and you are exactly the person you were meant to be today.


Thank you to all the "teachers" who have helped God get these messages to me: online, in-person, and otherwise. :)

Day 34: Some People Have Real Problems

Extending this experiment has proven to be a lot more difficult than I imagined. The last few days I have felt like an emotional wreck! Blemishes seemed like they were popping up everywhere all over again and I could feel a few deep, painful cysts brewing. I got so freaked out by this that I let it take over me. Remember, when you can't see things you try to imagine what they look like. For example, when a large part of my cheek was feeling sore, I imagined that must mean there is a HUGE cyst there. I began to try desperately to "look without looking" using the reflections on my framed art on the walls. Long story short, I began to make myself obsessive and depressed all over again.

So here's the reality:

I have a few spots on my face.

...and then I started my period yesterday. (Sorry if you're weird and think typing this into a blog is somehow "inappropriate." It is part of a woman's life and it actually explains a lot of the madness that went on Day 31-33.)

After days of bursting into tears out of nowhere, I believe God brought something to my attention last night. When I was dealing with the perioral dermatitis, I said something out loud more than once. I said, "If I ever get rid of this thing, next time I get a big zit, I'm gonna thank God for that zit." So it happened, and what am I doing? Crying like a baby as if 2-3 zits are the end of the world! This thought made me realize a very interesting truth about the human experience: We tend to view our world from the perspective of ourselves at this very moment. In other words, all we know is that this moment is our reality and we tend to focus on anything that is directly effecting us right now rather than see "the big picture." I mean, why is it so hard for me to remember how much worse everything was when I started, and choose to focus on the improvement that has been made? Why would I expect PERFECTION in just one short month? Why would I ever expect PERFECTION?

Let's take this further: I got into a conversation last night with a woman who is helping a nonprofit start-up for youths. She told me that this organization went to Tanzania last year to help unite youths and their communities by teaching the youths to solve problems themselves in order to build confidence and later become productive members of their societies. Guess what problem the youths in Tanzania chose to work on?

They wanted to help provide poverty-stricken families with clean drinking water.

Wait, what?

That's right, they just want water. So they can survive.

Meanwhile, Kylie's over here crying over a few bumps on her face that will probably last a week or two tops. Wow, BIG PROBLEM.

So to close this post, I'd like to introduce you to Evan Ruggiero: (Ironically, someone I saw on Ellen this week when I was wallowing in self-pity.)



So maybe everytime my spots feel sore I should think of Evan... or the kids in Tanzania... or at least of something I'm grateful for. There just has to be a way to broaden my awareness away from just my one issue at this very moment.

Day 30: "The Fear"

As I come to the end of Day 30, I'm struck by a rather interesting realization:

Although I'm rather curious, I don't think I'm ready to look into a mirror tomorrow.

It might sound a little dramatic, but I don't know if I'm strong enough to see myself without regressing into my obsessive ways. I want to keep doing everything I can to keep my focus off of it and maybe there's a chance I can truly free myself from all of that.

Tracy (of The Love Vitamin) often speaks in her blog about having "fear" about acne. I think I'm in that same boat. I know that my husband has told me it has improved, but I constantly have this fearful anxiety that the worst of my acne bouts will return or that I'll suddenly get another perioral dermatitis breakout again. Plus, I know that the theory behind the caveman regimen is that your skin can regenerate itself during those 30 days, but I've read about people not seeing their best results until the 1 1/2 - 3 month marks. I happened to run my fingers over the skin next to my mouth today and I can feel a few clusters of small bumps and I don't want seeing them to make me think the project has been worthless. In fact, I think I'll do something that's the complete opposite.

I want to go back to not being so aware of my face. I think during my first week or so I did so much better than I have in the last 2 weeks. I think taking a more extreme approach like I had in the beginning of all this will really help me take the focus off my appearance again. I've got to try and keep from asking my husband what I look like a billion times a day, and I think I've been tempting myself too much by using the reflections in our picture frames. It's fine to look real quick from afar and flash myself a smile, but I think it has been getting a little closer and a little longer each time to where I'm so tempted to run to the bathroom, rip off my poster boards and get about one inch from the mirror to judge it all up-close. I just have to give this more time and up the ante.

That's right, I've made the decision to add a minimum of 2 more weeks of no-mirror time!

I'll still use a little water and my fingers to remove most of my "dead skin mask" tomorrow morning, but I don't think I need to use a mirror for that. I'll just do it and then go back to the original no-wash, no-mirror regimen for another 2 weeks.

Wish me luck. :-)

Day 25: No Turning Back

Well, hello Day 25!

With five days left of my experiment, I’m feeling pretty decent. I can’t say that my acne or skin problems are completely gone, (I have a few smaller ones by my mouth, chin and nose area according to my husband) but I’m feeling hopeful. My husband also tells me my breakouts come and go very quickly and aren’t nearly as inflamed as before. In addition to all that, I have definitely developed the “dead skin mask” which, I’m told, is most noticeable in the morning when I wake up. I’m not as bothered by this as I am the little breakouts. I guess that’s mostly because I can’t see them so it is hard to imagine how noticeable or unnoticeable they are.

I will say that, in regards to my no-mirror rule, this has become harder and harder to observe. I blame my curiosity mostly. I find that sometimes when I’m really unsure and need a boost, I allow myself to “cheat” a little. For example, I’ll use dark blurry reflections like those you’d find on the glass of a framed picture and stand far away from them and smile. I can’t see the details of my face, but I can see my happy smile and my eyes and it makes me feel better for some reason. I guess I don’t consider it actual cheating because I can’t examine myself the way I used to. I just find it beneficial to plant an image of myself happy and worry-free in my mind.

My emotional well-being has become a huge part of this experiment and, just like anyone else, I have good days and bad days. On the bad ones, I find myself feeling pretty self-conscious and aware of my face all day. I’ve noticed that I ask my husband a lot more questions about what I look like on those days. I think I’m just looking for a little assurance that it really isn’t terrible. Lucky for me, I also have a lot of lovely friends and family who have said they hardly notice any of my issues until I start pointing them out. On the good days, I continue to feel like I can open my eyes to the world around me without constantly looking inward at myself. I love the freedom of being able to get ready by simply combing through my hair and putting on something comfortable. I haven’t really felt “beautiful” or “sexy” at all during this experiment, but to be completely honest, I haven’t felt that way during the past 5 months. It would be nice to get my confidence back without having to use my makeup as a crutch; and although I’m sure this will take time, I truly believe that I am going to get to a point where I feel good about my true, natural self.

Almost there!!! :)

Day 17: Learning to Fly

If you fly often, you know what it feels like to take off and land. Next time you fly, try this:

Close your eyes when the airplane is close to landing. Keeping them closed, try to anticipate the moment when the landing gear touches the pavement. You’ll begin to notice even the slightest turbulence in your descent as the plane drops steadily to the ground. You’ll start to think in each moment that the wheels are just about to touch. You’ll think you know exactly where you are and what’s happening, but the reality is you don’t.

I’m becoming strangely familiar with this feeling. I find myself imagining my own reality and living in that version of my life. I feel as if by reaching the halfway point in this journey I’ve somehow reached my peak and now I’m heading into the descent.

It has been 17 days since I’ve looked at myself in a mirror, washed my face, or worn makeup. In some ways, I feel incredibly free. I feel that the notion of my experiment somehow provides me with some sort of explanation to the world as to why I would be running around in a state that is generally considered “unacceptable” by modern standards. In other ways, however, I find myself lost in my own vulnerable state, counting the minutes until I can go home, get in bed and check one more day off the list.

To the experiment’s credit, the actual “regimen” is very easy to follow. When I chose to jump in and trust God, I felt as if I only had to make the decision once. I committed to doing this challenge in several ways. I began telling friends and family about it, which I found made the commitment more solid in my mind. I knew if other people were somehow “in on it,” I would have to make it through the full 30 days. I committed to God by listening to His assurance that this would change me in many ways. I committed to myself because I wanted to believe I could be more than my appearance. From there, I just simply avoided putting anything on my face.

I am able to get out of the house much faster these days and, although it is still often on my mind, I am able to put myself out there at work, church, and other functions and feel the empowerment in it. I am not always comfortable and I’m often wondering what the people I’m talking to are seeing on my face, but I’m slowly finding that I am letting go of it. The truth is, once I’m out, there is no running away to compulsively “throw my face on.” I don’t have that armor anymore and I have to keep going through my day without it. It feels truthful, as if I have been hiding my true self this whole time, disguising the way God actually created me, trying to change and alter the design of a perfect Creator. When I think of it that way, it is hard for my flesh to argue against the Spirit.

So maybe the lesson is just like flying. I’m not a qualified pilot, so I would have no idea how to fly a plane if you threw me in a cockpit. In fact, I’d probably mess quite a few things up trying to figure it out. Instead, I’m sitting in the main cabin with my eyes squeezed closed putting all my trust in the One who’s flying this plane. I can try to figure out where I am, what’s going on, and when I’ll touch ground, but the truth is only my Pilot knows.

The Day 10 Slump

If you've never heard of the "purging period" with acne treatments, you've probably never had real acne. In my case, I find that the purging is the worst during week 2 and, unfortunately, it seems to be the same with The Caveman. I'm not sure if it is this purging period or the fact that the longer I go without the mirror, the more out of control I feel, but the past few days have been pretty rough.

Now that a lot of people know about my experiment, they seem eager to check in with me. This can be nice at times and often makes me feel like I have a great support group around me. However, during the past few days, it gets a little humiliating to have to put your spots out there to the people who basically want to examine your face to see if it is "working." Of course, I try to explain that I believe I'm in a purging stage, but most people don't understand that when they've never had serious acne. Needless to say, going to work this week has been a struggle and I find I'm fighting the urge to look in the mirror more often than before.

Conversely, I'm pretty grateful for the "no-mirror" rule because I can try to tell myself if I'm not seeing it, maybe it isn't there. I know that sounds weird, but I've spent a lot of time this week trying to replace the image in my mind of what I think I really look like. I try to imagine an image of myself completely clear and happy, without a spot to worry over. I've been reading a lot about how emotional health can effect treatment, so I've been trying to come up with smart ways to keep out of my Week 2 Slump as much as I possibly can.

Here are a few ideas I've either come up with or found online:

-read the Bible and pray often to seek God for hope, inspiration and help
-watch a lot of comedy
-smile and laugh as often as possible
-try to talk about other subjects that don't have to do with the experiment
-keep busy with work and home projects to keep my mind off of it
-(probably my favorite) when you feel a really low, stubborn mood, think of something that makes you laugh uncontrollably
Side Note: Once I spilled a water bottle all over myself while I was driving home from a long day. My response was a really slow and awkward, "Ooooh yummy..." as I wiped myself off. For some reason, every time I think of this, I can't help but burst out into laughter.
Yesterday, while in a really stubborn and grumpy mood, I was grabbing some Q-tips to refill my container and my hand hit the inside of the cabinet knocking a big pile of them onto the floor. How did I react? With a really angry, "Ohhh GEEEZ!" I paused for a moment and then repeated it in a squeaky voice like a 12-year-old kid in a 50's movie and began laughing hysterically.

So, in the spirit of laughter, here are some of my favorite YouTube videos:






DISCLAIMER: I know some of these aren't as clean as others, but I believe God has a sense of humor. :)

Wrapping Up Week 1

I had a feeling when I began this experiment that Week 1 would be the hardest part. I somehow knew inside that if I could just make it through my first week, the rest of the month would follow. Now, I can't truthfully say if that is actually the case because I still have to go through Weeks 2, 3 and 4 to really know; but I can say wrapping up Week 1 is a huge relief.
Oh, the highlights of Week 1...
Let's start with the most embarrassing, shall we?
So, throughout my first week without mirrors, washing or makeup; my sweet husband has become my walking mirror. As I prepare to leave for work, I flash him a big, "eyes-squeezed-tight" smile so he can check my teeth and I hand him a few Q-tips to knock any dead skin off my face that seems to be just barely hanging on. However, on a couple of these occasions, he will notice something else.
Now, before I go any further, I'd like to say that there are definitely a few marriage-changing events in a lifetime that will dramatically alter a relationship (pregnancy, childbirth, and maybe the first time one of you decides to pee with the door open). However, I will say that what happened this week was something I would have never predicted.

Ok, so here it is...

He popped my zit. That's right, my husband is now my esthetician.
Okay, so I know it sounds nasty, but think of what this poor man is going through! If anyone is going to be honest and tell me what I really look like, it has to be him!
So apparently, I had a blemish--I say blemish because I don't want to keep typing zit over and over and feel worse about myself--and it seemed quite ready to leave me. He was so cute about it! He was looking at my skin up close and right as his eyes grazed over my chin, he said softly, "Oh..." and of course I panicked and said, "What?" He paused, and then said in almost a friendly, sing-song way, "That one's reeeadyyy."

Okay, now pause.

This week, I took it upon myself to read Stop Picking on Me, an online book meant to education severe "skin-pickers" into eventually stopping this terrible habit. To describe it quickly and efficiently, it's sort like "Red Asphalt" for pickers.

Okay, now back to my lovely blemish.
So, because I had been reading Stop Picking on Me, I was hyper-aware of the consequences of "taking action" against my chin. Without sounding too panicked, I asked if maybe by some miracle he could just lightly knock-off the top of my blemish. He began to oblige and as he rolled the Q-tip across my chin, I could actually feel the impurities come slipping right out...painlessly.
Yeah, okay, TMI, but this whole experiment is about exposure! I mean, I can't hide it under makeup, I can't examine it in a mirror, and I'm not really running my fingers across it because I'm not putting anything on it! The only way I can describe this is through feel. --and hey, it didn't feel like we were digging or doing anything detrimental to my skin, it just felt like we were releasing what needed to be released. The best part about it is we've been able to laugh a lot about this "new step" we have taken in the relationship.

Okay, moving on to less "yucky" subjects.
As far as the psychological aspects of the process, I'm finding that God is doing a huge work in me. I'm beginning to feel a certain kind of freedom that I don't think I've experienced since I was a child. It is like I know I have no control, so I can't hold onto that anymore. I do what I need to do and I accept that no matter what I look like, this is where I am right now. I'm in a process of healing and I really enjoy it.
I've also had a lot of opportunity to share with friends from work about my experiment and, in turn, a little about God. I like to slip in there that I believe in God and his design. I like to tell people I'm leaving this whole "skin debacle" up to Him because I know He has the power to deal with it much better than I can. --and amazingly, people really seem invested in this with me! I feel like God has placed a support system around me that I didn't even know I had before this! People come and ask me how it is going and ask to look at my face and I just let them right in. I feel so liberated. I don't have to hide behind this "problem" anymore. I've just opened up and let the whole world into my healing process and it honestly feels beautiful.

So here we are... one week in and so much to share. :)
See you again in a few days!

End of Day 2 Thoughts

I started off today feeling pretty good.
The husband and I went to church and, although I felt pretty self-conscious walking in, the service was amazing. I began to hear God's encouragement in everything. From the songs we sang to the message we heard, I just knew He was reaching out to tell me not to worry because He's got this.

Some of the main points of the message that really hit me today were:
-He is working to break down our barriers. I have recently come to understand that one of my biggest barriers in my life is VANITY. From a very young age, I found myself checking things in the mirror more and more often to try to project the most "flawless" image possible. I would be embarrassed if I could actually tell you how many hours of my lifetime have been wasted in front of that stupid mirror.
-We do not labor in vain. God has planned our paths for us and all we have to do is take that first step in faith. The only way I can get through this experiment is with the help of God.

So, as far as my thoughts on the experience so far, it has been interesting. I've had to go to work both of these days without looking into a mirror beforehand. I basically put an outfit on, brushed my hair, and hoped for the best. The thing is, once I'm at work, there's nothing I can do to change my situation. I must put my face in front of people and do my job, so why bother breaking down over it? I'm not saying it is easy, it is actually really hard to feel like myself. I'm really trying to work through this, though. I've found that the more I laugh and smile, the more my anxieties over what people might be "looking at" are eased.
I will say that I'm very lucky to work with such sweet and supportive people. All of the coworkers I've told about my experiment have been really supportive of it. Many of them have tried to assure me that I don't look hugely different without my makeup. (Yeah right... but thanks, guys. :))

Some online people who have encouraged me are:
-Tara, a girl who has tried everything just like me.
-This girl who curses a lot, but makes me laugh... and has a point.

Well, that's all for now. I'll update again in a day or two.
I'm 1/15th of the way there! haha

Welcome to My Purity Pursuit

Hello, Friends.

Welcome to The Anti-Mirror Experiment, home of my own personal pursuit of purity.

Here you'll find blog posts documenting my journey to live as purely as possible.

About 2 months ago, I was in prayer and I felt as though God was leading me to pursue a path of purity. It has taken me a while to really discover what I think this means, but, in a nutshell, it has led me on this path of pursuing purity in every aspect of my life.
For example, after about 8 years, I've stopped taking birth control pills (which is scary for more than one reason), I quit using prescription skin medicines on my face (Differin and Clyndamycin gel), and I've stopped eating foods that make me feel TERRIBLE.
I'm working on deepening my yoga practice, spending more time outside, non-judgmental meditation, waking up and spending time with God in His Word, and trying to learn and follow who I believe God made me to be.

While journeying down this path, I came across a few unsettling side-effects. I developed a facial rash all around my mouth and near my eyes. It looked like bumps underneath red, flaky skin. I later discovered it was something called Perioral Dermatitis, which can be caused my many factors, including hormone changes. I began to think about how unhealthy birth control pills must be for you if they could cause such a reaction so quickly. After about two months of trial and error on several natural options, I finally discovered a routine that seemed to be healing and improving my rash. For about a week, I was so thrilled to watch my nemesis disappear! Manuka honey laced with Neem oil, Cucumber/Aloe Alcohol-free Witch Hazel, and California Baby Sensitive Skin Diaper Rash cream were going to be my new best friends! ...right?
Unfortunately, just as I thought I could see the light at the end of the tunnel, I noticed that everywhere I had treated my rash had begun to develop acne! The oils in my rash treatment had gotten rid of the rash, but clogged my pores and caused the return of that old problem I've been so familiar with. Trying to keep calm, I eliminated the neem oil and diaper rash cream from my routine and hoped for the best.
It has now been about a week and a half and, although I can see a little improvement, I find that I'm still obsessing over healing my face and somehow freeing myself from all of these pesky problems.
Then this morning I had an idea. A while back, while looking up natural alternatives, I discovered a skin routine called the Caveman Regimen. The idea is you don't wash, tone, moisturize, or really do ANYTHING to your face. I had originally planned on trying out this method, but kept thinking I should wait until I felt my skin was more acceptable to bear in public without any makeup. However, I realized this morning that God doesn't want me to do what is easy and comfortable for me at this very moment. This should be about growth... and isn't growth really only possible through some sort of discomfort? I mean, when it comes to God, I feel like He works so well in my life when I've come to a place of faith in Him and brokenness in myself. So I don't want to wait until this is easier or more comfortable because I believe God wants to heal me. I believe He wants to heal my skin, yes, but I also believe He wants to heal my psyche. I believe He wants me to worry about doing His work rather than worry about if all my spots are covered perfectly. If you think about it, isn't that the way humans were made? We weren't supposed to obsess over being as perfect as possible and, for that matter, if I believe in God and the purity of His own design, wouldn't that mean my skin should know how to deal with itself?
Long story short, the discovery of this seemingly-radical skincare routine has led me to believe that this might be the most pure answer I could find! Therefore, I believe a big part of my Purity Pursuit will be dedicated to my journey with the Caveman Regimen.

So here we go with the basics:
-Your skin has something called an "acid mantle" that helps protect and regulate itself. While we may think we are helping ourselves out by using all kinds of skincare "treasures," we are actually stripping off our natural barrier against bacteria and infection.
-Because we have all messed with our faces so much, it is said that your skin can regenerate and balance itself back out after about a month of the Caveman Regimen. So just like anything else, it won't fix everything over night.
-People report something called a "dead skin mask" that develops to protect their faces as the skin strives to re-balance and repair what has been done to it for so long. It is basically a build-up that your skin naturally produces during its efforts to get you back on track.
-Although I've read of people taking on different approaches to this regimen, I've decided that this will include not wearing makeup anymore. It is really scary for a girl who has been using beauty products as a crutch for about 8 years of my life. This video talks a lot about the issues many women have with getting rid of their makeup routines. (Tracy is also the author of the blog where I discovered the Caveman Regimen.)
-Because of my choice to quit with the makeup, I've also decided it would be beneficial if I avoided mirrors during the experiment. My husband and I went out this morning and picked up some black poster board and a notepad of colorful paper and he covered up the bathroom mirrors for me while I thought up inspirational mantras and found verses about courage in the Bible. I then posted them all over the black background to help encourage myself on this journey. I'm sure the board will be completely full by the end of the month. :)

-Lastly, just to clarify, some people do this regimen but still splash their faces with water once or twice a day. I have chosen to follow in Tracy's footsteps and try not to touch water to my face at all during this first 30 days. I want to give my skin the best chance I can to rebuild its acid mantle without any disruptions.

Anyway, I'll be documenting this journey and other pursuits of purity right here for everyone to see! Thank you for stopping by and I hope you find my discoveries enlightening, intriguing, or at least interesting. :) See you soon!