In this era of overly edited Instagram posts, I became obsessed with trying the best beauty treatments before I was even a teenager. I tried some of the trendiest ones, only to find that the best option for my skin care was more accessible than I thought.

Chemical Peels

The recent explosion of perfectly contoured, poreless skin gave me the impulse to try a chemical peel during one of my monthly visits to Heyday, a salon chain based in New York. My first experience with a lactic acid and 15% salicylic acid chemical peel came with unexpected results.

The aesthetician cleaned my face with a stinging probiotic enzyme cleanser bound to sweep away the most stubborn bacteria. It stung like fire but I persevered in the name of beauty.

I had to keep looking if I wanted long-term, cost-effective skin care.

The next step involved applying a layer of this “magical” peel on my face. At first, it felt like a few fire ants crawling on my skin and stinging each pore. I tried my best to push through the pain for about 10 minutes before the assistant applied an alcohol-based cleanser. 

When I was finished, my skin was surprisingly soft and blemish-free. Although the facial cost a substantial $150, the noticeable effects afterward required constant maintenance through weekly cleaning. I had to keep looking if I wanted long-term, cost-effective skin care.

Hydrogen Therapy

On the recommendation of a friend known for his meticulous skin care regimen in Mumbai, I visited the Rejua Energy Center, regularly frequented by Bollywood celebrities. Hydrogen therapy, which is administered at this center, promises a range of health benefits in addition to reversing aging.

I waited in anticipation in the hydrogen therapy room — which looked more like a surgical center — while the technician wrote down my name on a cylinder that converts hydrogen gas to hydrogen water. The cylinder was connected to tubes that were inserted into both of my nostrils. 

During my first inhalation, I believed that I was overwhelmed with all the water I inhaled. Gradually, my respiratory system relaxed while I waited patiently for one hour. After the waiting period, I felt noticeably lighter and anxiety-free.

Commercial applications of inhaling this product have not been endorsed by experts, and there is little evidence that hydrogen-infused water is healthier than regular water. However, a study published by the National Institute of Health suggests there are some therapeutic effects of consuming hydrogen-infused water, rather than inhaling it. Patients suffering from liver tumors and being treated with radiation therapy have had their symptoms alleviated and quality of life improved by adding hydrogen-infused water to their diets.

LED Light Therapy

During one of my worst breakouts of the year, I felt prompted to visit Heyday again for some skin care relief.

The aesthetician administered the regular probiotic cleanser. After surveying the state of my inflamed breakouts, she administered what is popularly known as LED light therapy. The procedure involves covering one’s eyes with two black eye protectors and being put under the light as it promotes healing and skin rejuvenation. 

The procedure was more successful than I could have imagined.

The LED light was administered from equipment that covered my whole face with rays as I endured the procedure for a few minutes. The aesthetician was kind enough to make small talk with me in an effort to soothe my anxieties.

The results were not immediately visible, but the next day, I noticed that the inflammation had gone down considerably and revealed a layer of closed inflammatory wounds. The procedure was more successful than I could have imagined.

Studies conducted in the 1990s by NASA discovered the healing benefits of LED light therapy as they used it to help astronauts treat their wounds. Further studies have proven light therapy to be both safe and effective for the skin. Given my own experience, I would have to agree, but the optimal treatment is even more straightforward and accessible.

Exercise, Diet and Hydration

After spending years investing in as many beauty products and treatments as I could find, I wondered why I needed so many artificial remedies to preserve my skin’s health.

Why spend hundreds of dollars on short-term treatments when you can heal your skin naturally? Skin has the ability to regenerate itself and slow down signs of aging through a combination of factors that support the healthy functioning of the body as a whole. 

Any form of physical exercise will stimulate the flow of oxygen to the blood vessels beneath the skin. This allows the skin to be refreshed with a supply of nutrients and oxygen, both necessary for the multiplication and proper functioning of skin cells. 

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables and plant-based food results in an abundance of antioxidants, which support the rejuvenation of skin cells and the eradication of inflammation. Fruits like blueberries, apples and strawberries are rich in anthocyanins that help in the reduction of inflammation. 

Hydration is a key element in flushing out toxins from the system and ensuring that the protective layer of skin is intact. Furthermore, a healthy sleep cycle of six to eight hours allows healing and detoxification at a cellular level. 

Natural skin care at home works over a long period of time and is not as intrusive as the previously mentioned therapies. Ultimately, there are a variety of treatments and decisions to choose from. Utilizing commercial skin care options can be a coin toss, so if you’re in need of quick and effective solutions, natural skin care is your best friend.