Instagram has become my late night insomnia go-to where I bounce around different profiles looking at cosmetics, skincare, food, and places that just inspire me. It’s how I’ve found several lines that I wouldn’t have otherwise like Banish which was created specifically to treat acne scars using vitamins and micro-needling which has just about everyone singing its praises. I know I’ve talked a lot about it before, but it’s basically a little roller with a bunch of pointy needles sticking out of it that you roll over your skin to create micro channels of wounds that signal to your body to heal itself by making new skin (like when you cut yourself and new skin forms.) It also triggers collagen production so it helps with sagging skin too.
Right after you roll, you want to use something pure and beneficial because it will penetrate deeper than it normally would (which actually reminds me of a poke cake– remember those!) C, E, Ferulic is what comes in the kit which is a vitamin combo made famous by a Skinceuticals serum that I used for years until I saw noticed that its 1st ingredient was water and it’s 4th was Propylene Glycol – something I try to avoid in skincare. (Not to mention the Skinceuticals serum is $165 whereas a Banish kit with a roller and C E Ferulic is $70.)
So here’s the thing…
Banish is doing what most experts agree is great for changing the skin: micro-needling, vitamin c, charcoal and enzyme masks, and natural oils to hydrate and calm fussy skin. They’re just using safe, natural ingredients in a system that’s easy to use and works so you can see changes within the first few times you use it.
My routine
Because I believe in the power of a charcoal mask, I start there. I had been mixing up my own which is a messy pain in the ass, so I was happy to use this one $29 that’s a powder made using green clay, charcoal, zinc, vitamin c, algae, and DMAE to really draw out toxins and calm breakouts. I mix about a teaspoon with water to make a paste and wear it for an hour or more. It’s easy to remove and works amazingly well.
After this I make sure there isn’t a trace left so I use witch hazel on a cotton pad to get my skin completely clean.
Let’s Roll
The roller I’ve had for years isn’t like this one at all. I thought it would be better to buy a professional one with longer needles so I could really get deep down, but the problem is that I don’t have the numbing cream that Dr’s use so it hurts too bad to use (and I’m actually really good with pain.) Banish sent me their medium size roller in the kit and those needles are long enough to do what they’re supposed to do without causing so much pain that you won’t want to use it. (You should have redness but not bleeding and it should be uncomfortable without really hurting.) I start with my forehead and roll sideways in small areas back and forth about 10 times until I get the whole thing, then I go up and down all the way across, then diagonal. I begin with light pressure until I get used to the feeling, then I push down harder to make sure I’m making as many channels as I can. I do this section by section over my whole face which takes about 5 minutes.
Afterward, I use 4 drops of their C, E, Ferulic and rub it in well, then nothing else.
I did this 3 days in a row when I first got the kit, but my goal is 2-3 times a week. I could see after the 2nd time that my skin looked better, less dull. I don’t have breakouts right now but I do have scaring and pigment issues from being pregnant which I know won’t completely be resolved until after the baby is here. But damn it, this system works and not just for acne scars, it works to get your skin looking better because it actually creates new skin. Dullness, uneven pigment, fine lines, and just plain blah skin can all be greatly improved pretty quickly using a roller and the vitamin serum (you can get the whole scoop HERE from Dr. Oz’s segment about the wonders of Vitamin C.)
So basically you’re creating new skin that’s pumped full of vitamins so it looks bright and clear
I got to try out a few of their oils too. Their Rosehip Hibiscus $39 is a light serum mixed with rosehip and other vitamins (A, C, E, B3) that you can use in place of a moisturizer if you’re on the oily side. It calms inflammation and brightens (among many other things), and it’s one of my favorite oils to use. Their 100% Grapeseed Oil $15 is a win for oily or acne-prone skin because it’s so easily absorbed that you won’t feel it on. If creams and lotions feel too heavy for you, this would be a great solution. If you’re on the drier side, check out the Avocado Oil $15, which is a little more hydrating but with the same skin clearing benefits.
And all products are buy 3 get 1 free right now
If you have scaring, Banish is a great place to start but I think it’s also worth a look if you’re ready to get your skin looking better in general even if scaring isn’t your issue. Google the wonders of micro-needling and vitamins (especially C) and see if one of their treatments might be a match for you.