How About a Skin Care Thread?
 

Someone in the make-up thread mentioned the important point that we can paint on whatever we want but our best bet is well cared for skin. Wanna talk about that?

I have old smokers skin. I did have some acne when I was a kid and still have the odd zit. I have some sun damage. So in a nutshell ... it's dry, with a tendency to blotch flaky and/or oily spots, with black heads on my nose and cheek hollows and dark circles under my eyes.

Many years ago I was an Artistry rep and used the full line (approx. the cost of a payment on my Sunfire). I was never very happy with it's effect on my clogged pores.

I fell off the "I care how I look" wagon for a few years.

When I realised I was wrinkling ... I surveyed some friends and started Noxema and Nivea. Too harsh for everyday use ... and to be perfectly honest ... I didn't do it everday.

I still had clogged pores and black heads.

Since then I've fooled with scrubs and cetaphil (the kids used it for acne).
Right now I'm onto Biore Pore Perfect Warming Blackhead Cream Cleanser ... or something like that ... a day cream from Dove and Nivea at night. And I am doing that twice a day.

I think my blackheads are disappearing but now my pores look big. I guess I'll see what happens as time goes by.

I'm finding skin care to be a constantly changing journey ... very much like weightloss actually.

I use the Biore pore cleanser and ANEW RETROACTIVE+ Youth Extending Cream SPF 25 Day from Avon.

I just got some new facial stuff Serious Skin Care Serious About Your Skin from HSN.com

I'm one for blackheads on the nose, big pores, oily skin and the occasional breakout. Because of my oily skin, I use Noxema astringent with salicylic acid--it keeps the oil to a minimum. I don't use foundation--just powder from time to time (am going to Ulta today to pick up some Bare escentuals). My biggest problem is the crease of my left eye (yeah, just one eye). That eye seems to open more than the other and my eyeliner always bleeds into the crease. Lately, the fix has been a little foundation on my eyelids, followed by oil absorbing power and THEN my shadow and eyeliner. At Ulta, I'm going to look for the Urban Decay Potion Primer to see if that works better. I'm also going to look for something like Proactive for DD's acne.

I use the Clinique 3 step system. They match it with your skin type and then you are good to go. I love the stuff my skin feels so clean after....its been helping. They even have a system if you are acne prone (like me). For day to day I use the aveno face lotion with spf 15 or if i know ill be out all day i use the neutrogena face lotion with spf 30

I use a Walmart brand version of Neutrogena - very light and gentle to clean with.

I started using Loreal Advanced RevitaLift Face & Neck Day Cream about a year ago and I can totally tell a difference. I think my skin is better than it has ever, in my whole life. Now maybe it is a combination of all of the water I drink, the healthy diet that I eat and the cream, but I think the cream is great. I don't bother with foundation anymore, I don't think I need it anymore.

I tend to use Lush products in the winter and Biore in the summer. Right now I use Biore pore scrub, ice cleanser, and astringent, followed by jojoba oil at night. I also use Lush Tea Tree Water before going out since makeup melts off my face in the summer.

When it gets cooler, I'll use aquamarine cleanser in the morning (it looks gross- pink roll with seaweed wrapped around it and is for "mature" skin, but it works great on my sensitive 19 year old skin!) and coal face at night.

I've always had super oily skin - but now - like my ovaries (he he) my skin is drier. In the summer I use Avon PoreFection cleanser and the mask once a week. It has bentonite and you can feel it sucking the oil out of your pores and it really minimizes them. In the winter (I work outside a lot) I use Aveeno for sensitive skin cleanser - and the moisturizer with SPF during the day. I just started using some Avon eye cream but I never use moisturizer on my face at night - yuck.

I use the ProActiv cleanser (and that's it) everyday and then I wash my face a second time with either the Aveeno Daily Cleansing Pads or the L'Oreal Dermo-Expertise Ideal Balance Foaming Cream Cleanser. I alternate every other day with those. If my skin is feeling dry, I used the plain old Olay day moisturizer with SPF 15. I have acne prone skin and it's usually pretty oily. I get blackheads on my nose pretty bad, and I've noticed that the Aveeno pads really help with those (the rough side).

If you're headed to shoppers drug mart already... they carry the neostrata skin care line which my dermatologist reccomended to me awhile ago... and which has seriously lightened all of my cystic acne scars. I'm so glad I found it. (they have different parts of their skin care line for diff skin types)

I have PCOS and Insulin Resistance, and along with that my hormones have been out of whack. Thus, I have terrible pores, oily skin, terrible acne, blackheads and cystic acne.

Ive tried every medicine perscription and over the counter, and not much has worked for me. None of the acne or pore minimizing creams etc from regular stores (Walgreens etc) to the fancy dept store counter products (Lancome, Clinique) have ever worked. Ive also tried Arbonne and Proactiv.

So, I found that Retina basically just tore up my skin. The antibiotics Ive been on for so many years, they dont work. The topical antibiotics cause reactions that drove me crazy.

The only thing Ive found that works well is a Panoxyl bar, which is just a bar with peroxide in it. But when its TOM or Im stressed out, nothing stops the cysts or acne from happening.

Anyone have any advice? I dont know where else to turn, Ive been to my primary care and a dermatologist, they just throw Retina and other creams and pills at me that havent worked.

Skincare is my favorite subject! I've been an esthetician for 8 years and love it. I used to work for a dermatologist, which I loved, but now I work in a salon.

For those of you battling blackheads and oily skin; try products with alpha hydroxy acid in it. Even drugstore brands carry them now. Try using them every other night or every third night to get your skin used to it, and then work your way up to every night. Also, those home microdermabrasion kits are pretty good. Pretty much any skintype can use them except for sensitive or acneic skin. You should always use sunscreen anyway, but be especially sure to use it if you use any of these products, because they do make you more sun sensitive.

Something I recommend highly is going to an esthetian for a facial. She'll tell you exactly what your skintype is and what to use on it. She will probably recommend her own line of products (or whatever they sell at the spa), but you can ask for samples and try them out before you try them. If you find they're too expensive (and often, they are very expensive), you can take her recommendations and buy comparable items at the drugstore.

eander-I had cystic acne as a teenager. My parents are sort of the hippie types and didn't believe in taking me to a dermatologist. My mom did take me to a nutritionist who ran a bunch of tests based on urine, saliva and blood samples. He discovered that I am lactose intolerant and have a wheat allergy. I quit eating both and within a month my skin cleared up. That was a LONG time ago, but I still can't eat any dairy, although wheat doesn't seem to bother me. I don't know if that's something you'd be interested in, but it may be worth a try.

The skincare system I use is Obagi, which is a doctor prescribed line. It is fantastic! I'm 40, but it's made my sun-damaged and wrinkled skin look like a 25 year olds. I've been very pleased with it.

Well, sorry I've blabbered on. Like I said, I'm really into skincare!

I use proactiv and neutrogena to get my mascara off. My skin has cleared up greatly, except for when I eat bad, it shows up on my face Im still paying for that slice of pizza I had a week ago.. :(

I have been using the Avon Anew products. I have been slathering cream at bedtime and again during the day all over my face for weeks. My husband keeps telling me that I don't need it. I have never had any skin problems, but after losing almost 25 lbs my face is starting to deflate like a balloon. I am sure all of those puffed out wrinkles are going to start showing any day now!

Seriously, I did have some wrinkles just under my eyes. I also had some wrinkles on my chin, damage from a very bad sunburn I had 20 years ago. After using the Anew products for just a couple of weeks they are no longer noticeable.

I have to share... without chemicals, I am enjoying the best skin of my life! I've been using DHC. They are a Japanese skincare company that now has catalogs here in the US and a website. After trying everything else, expensive and inexpensive, I swear by this stuff.

I had blackheads, combination skin, acne, dry skin, fine lines around my mouth and eyes... basically hormonally destroyed skin (I recently had a hysterectomy). In less than a month, I am noticing virtually no acne problems (I do occasionally skip my evening cleanse) and, for the first time in forever, no blackheads! Not one!

Their olive oil lines have been awesome for me. I use the Deep Cleansing Oil, the Mild Soap, and the Mild Lotion to cleanse. To moisturize, I use the Olive Virgin Oil (I love the name!), the intensive eye cream and the nightime moisturizer. Their travel sets, if you want to try their basic lines, are only $35 and they include four free samples with every order and catalog request, too.

Unlike harsher products, I didn't need to adjust to the products at all and I didn't have that initial break-out other companies claim is just their product working on old dirt.

I also switched out my mascara for Neutrogena lash tint. It cleans off easily and has saved me from using harsher eye make-up removers.

Hey Lafayette,
I got some DHC samples and used them for about a week. I love the eye cream and I liked the cleansing oil, even though it seemed weird to use oil to cleanse. I used the night cream and broke out and got terrible black heads! I wonder if it was too creamy for my oily skin, but it did say it was for all skintypes. I was really impressed with the other products, though, and will order the eye cream. I think I still have a sample of some sort of enzyme cream to try.

Do you order online? Do they have good customer service?

I ordered online the first time. I couldn't figure out how to get the website to deduct the 4% discount for my second order so I called their 800 number. The woman who answered was very helpful and even recommended some samples for me when I complained about my dry skin. I have also received several $10 coupons from them, which helps!

The night cream is definitely thick. I also have the Rich Moisture lotion that I use when that or the Olive Virgin Oil (giggle!) would be overkill. It's much lighter and absorbs quickly.

I hestitated about cleansing my face with oil, too, but I tried it and it felt so great I had to order more. The mild soap doesn't leave your face dry and tight, either. They do have products formulated for all skin types. You can check the catalog or website or call them for suggestions. I was going to order the acerola products but the Customer Service Rep said they were better for oily skin.

Good luck!

I have a couple of almost cysts on my cheeks since I started using the Biore stuff. I've gone back to cetaphil for the time being. I do like what the Biore did for my nose and chin ... maybe I'll have to try patch cleansing .... what a chore!

I use the DHC line also and love it. I have dry/sensitive skin and I love the fact that they are not "perfumy" and just basic skin care. I haven't had any problems with them and at 52 use the products for aging skin.

I also LOVE the eye shadow - goes on great and stays on great.
Lori

I'll have to try the DHC make-up next. I am currently using an eye shadow I got at the Bare Escentuals store. The rest of the "regimen" is too much for me... swirl, tap, buff, clean the bathroom counter because there's powder everywhere! I swear, my next bathroom will have a foundation-colored vanity.

Cetaphil dries my skin too much. I admit, I tried it because it was on sale. Do you think Biore caused the cysts, Susan? I tried it as a blackhead cure and my face was almost raw- but I still had blackheads.

I was wondering if anyone has had a microdermabrasion (sp?) before, and how did they like it??

Also I have so many blackheads on my face I cant stand it anymore, what would you ladies recommend? Ive used to Biore Strips before but they werent that effective and it kina hurt taking it off!!

Lafayette ... I'm reluctant to say that Biore did it ... I don't know about those claims about pulling dirt from sooo deep beneath the surface (I think someone mentioned that).
I'm in a funny hormonal stage of life so I'm reluctant to decide what causes what.
Maybe it's just my turn to have a horrible red bump on each cheek :o

Intellectually, I know that blackheads are just clogged pores and that a constant routine of cleansing will keep the tops soft and improve their look. But, yes ... I'd like them gone pronto! never to return.

I'm trying the spot cleanse for a few days. It's not as much of a pain as I let on. A dab o'this here, a dab o'that there and jump in the shower. We'll see. Maybe I need a nice quiet afternoon on the internet to explore the possibilities.

Some "uncommon" remedies:

For blackheads and redness, I take uncovered 3 or 4 aspirin and a few drops of water (literally, just a few drops, they dissolve fast) to make it into a grainy paste. Some people mix it in camera canisters but I just do it in my hand for spot treatments or a little cup for full facials. Also, mix in some aloe which will sooth and keep it from flaking off. Put it on the affected area for 10-15 minutes, but don't rub! It's too abrasive. When you rinse, your skin should be less red and make blackheads gone! At least it worked for me, and I have stubborn blackheads! I have friends who use it for acne as well for spot treatments, but that never worked for me.

steam bath- Boil a large pot of water with a few drops of lavender and/or tea tree oil. Once it's boiling, turn off the stove and put your head over the pot and a towel over that. Stay there for about 10 minutes (move the pot to somewhere you can sit over it if you have any kind of back problems). It opened up my pores and a lot of my blackheads disappeared. You can follow with some kind of cleansing regime and then COLD water rinse. Do not do this, obviously, if you have any kind of health problem that could cause you to quickly fall asleep, lose consciousness, or lose your balance.

Stacie, I tried the Mary Kay microderm abrasion- make sure you use the moisturizer afterwards! My skin felt wonderful and it was not as harsh as I'd expected but I prefer the kinder, gentler DHC method of cleansing and moisturizing.

I think the aspirin idea sounds interesting. I have a friend who swears by old fashioned tooth paste for drying up acne, too.

I, of course after bragging, got a pimple last night. I also skipped my nightime cleansing and moisturizing in favor of an awesome book I couldn't put down. I think it might have been just an infected hair folicle. Honestly, I never thought I'd be combatting both acne and fine lines in my 30's!

Susan, is there a good place to get a facial by you? I used to treat myself to one every 3-4 months (I've since turned too cheap and too busy). It really helped to have an "expert" ask what I was doing wrong. Plus, the combined it with a mini-massage that made me feel totally pampered.

About 8 weeks ago I had an appt for a pedicure ... ended up working a double shift and missed it! And of course I've never called to rebook.
I've often thought about a regular facial. It's be nice to have my eyebrows professionally done. I normally just hide them behind my glasses. They're not too bad.

We went to the fair tonight and I met an Avon rep. Believe it or not ... she's the first one I've come across in the year since we moved here!
Any favourites?

Bump cuz I was thinking about this today.

Me, too! I just got my hair and eyebrows (and maybe my lip but I'm not admitting anything) done last night and was thinking about playing around with my make-up.

Susan, you may want to call DHC's customer service number and ask what they'd recommend. I have very dry skin but I know they have lots of options for oily skin as well.

As for Avon, I haven't ordered in years but their Mark collection aimed at younger girls had great lip gloss that was mint-flavored. I loved it!

I have pretty good skin. I have no idea what "type" it is. I love Lush products and other random things my friend gives me to try (mostly products from Japan. She's a make up artist.) I love Coalface from Lush, which I use everyday.

I use Shiesido make up remover and eucerin AHA moisturizer. I do mini facials every Sunday night as a way to prepare for the week.

Rosecea anybody? Anyone?

I'd love to find something (other than the laser) to make the already broken blood vessels a bit less prominent. MetroGel made my skin peel off, and that's pretty much all that anyone recommends.

Late last night (when I should have been sleeping) I came across the The Oil Cleansing Method. This morning I tried it with plain old olive oil from the kitchen. It feels great! The science kinda makes sense. I don't think I'd try it if I had adolescent oily acne.
If you put oil cleaning method in a google search you'll find info and technique.

Margaret? I'm going to go hunting about rosecea. I have a friend who has that and I think she'd be interested in some holistic methods.

I have super oily skin---about every half hour it looks like it had a run in with the Exxon Valdez. Seriously, I'm powdering and blotting CONSTANTLY. Any ideas?

Check out the DHC website. I love their stuff and their Olive Virgin Oil (that's really the name!) is purified so you don't get break-outs like you can from the stuff in your kitchen.

I have very dry skin but I have read that very oily skin can be the result of skin trying to naturally hydrate itself. Call the DHC 800 number and get some free samples! One of the catalogs had a story from a woman whose oily skin freaked out when she moved to Georgia. The Olive Oil worked for her, contrary to all logic!

Good luck!

I cannot believe how dry my skin has become from cleansing with pure plain old olive oil! And it is cleaning my pores. Next, I'm going to try castor oil and sunflower oil mixed. I kinda think I'm on to something here.

As for the rosacea? ... my friend avoids spicy foods and alcohol and just uses very gentle soap. Sorry, I'm not much more help.

Just popping in with my 2 cents after seeing the thread on the main page.
I am a "green cream" believer. Have been using it for a while and my skin looks wonderful. At 52 my skin looks better than it did at 30. greencream.com

I love my Mary Kay products. Since the birth of my kids its the only product that keeps my whole body clear!

I got pretty lucky and inherited my grandmothers skin. The women is like 76 and she looks like a 50 y/o or a sleepy 40 y/o. The only thing she has ever used is Ponds Cold Cream. I have used that before, but it was so heavy that I couldn't stand it. I would like something that goes on and disappears. My skin is very fair and even with sun screen I burn, so I know I need to be more proactive about skin care. I am using a firming night cream now, but it is heavy too. Other than being sensitive to the sun, my skin is normal. I have been looking at products in the store and the neat ones are geared towards oily or dry skin. I have tried some of them, but they do weird stuff. I am only 27, so I don't think I need any of the fancy wrinkle creams. Any suggestions on something that is light weight and will help prevent aging? (even the stuff that says it goes on with no residue leaves a film. It feels like it's not absorbing into my skin or something.) I am a grad student, so the budget is pretty tight.

DHC was mentioned a lot above, and I also use this line. The Deep Cleansing Oil, the Washing Powder, the Acerola line as well as other various items! My DH also uses it - the same items that I do. Great stuff. I also play around a lot making skin care at home! I found this "recipe" awhile back and it's fantastic - basically a yummy alpha-hydroxy treatment:

Papaya Peel

1 cup fresh pineapple
Half-a-cup fresh papaya
1 tablespoon honey

Puree fruit together. Add honey and mix into a smooth paste.

Pineapple and papaya contain natural enzymes and alpha-hydroxy acids that remove dead skin cells while the honey moisturizes the skin. Steam your face a little to open pores. Leave mask on 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse completely.http://www.squidoo.com/CompleteSkinCareTherapy

I know when I'm eating a diet of whole foods, high antioxidant fruits and veggies, whole grains and essential fatty acids and not eating excess sugar, my skin is nearly perfect. Literally from the inside, out. If I start straying, besides my waistband and rings telling me so, my skin changes. Texture and color. Like Candogirl mentioned above, heredity plays a part, as does lifestyle. But I think diet is HUGE. At least for me it is.

Have you tried Accutane yet??

I've used the oil cleansing method and it works really well for me (I have combination skin - fairly oily in the t-zone and very very dry on my cheeks. I also have rosacea.) I use a combination of 1 part castor oil to 3 parts olive oil. The reason I don't do it right now is that I got tired of going thru a fresh washcloth 2x a day in getting the stuff off my face. But it did work really well.

I also use Finacia for my rosacea rather than metrogel. The metrogel was too harsh, I think. The Finacia does a lot better at keeping the red down.

Mostly I try to use natural products on my face as much as possible. I'll use masks made of eggwhites and honey to moisturize, oatmeal mixed with avocado to exfoliate and moisturize, etc. There are a ton of things you can mix and apply to your face that are natural and work really well. I grow my own herbs and make my own toners and rinses as well. It saves on money as well as making me feel that I"m living a more natural life style.

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