Hey ladies!

I am about to go on a 60 day "beautifying process" in which I will attempt to get my skin to be as clear and one-toned as possible. Right now I do not suffer from any acne but I have noticed large pores around my nose and about an inch under my eyes. I also have some redness there on occasion as well as dark circles (I'm a student- this is to be expected :P)

So does anyone have an awesome facial care routine they would like to share?

Any products (not too too expensive please) that could help to correct:

-large pores
-redness, tone
-under eye circles
-moisturizer that is good for sensitive skin

Thanks guys!

I have super sensitive skin too and I LOVE The Body Shop...I use their tea tree oil products: face wash and mask and also Aloe Day lotion. I've used it for almost 10 yrs and they cleared up my skin nicely compared to all the harsh products the dermatologist prescribed years ago. I also like to use regular cocoa butter...just a little on my face...as a night moisturizer.

It may be old fashioned but I use Pond's Cold Cream every day as soon as I get out of the shower. Leave on for about 5 minutes while you apply body moisturizer or whatever else you do. Then tissue it off rather than rinsing... this way not only has it cleaned and moisturized the skin, but the residual film acts as your moisturizer for the rest of the day. Some people don't like it because it feels waxy to them but I find it makes my facial skin really soft and nice looking. Like you, I'm not an acne sufferer but I do have some large pores... that is genetic and can not really be changed. Probably the best way to reduce it is to get a monthly extraction done by a professional. Never squeeze pores at home unless you know exactly what you're doing and have properly prepared the skin, of course.

I don't wear any concealer or foundation because the Pond's keeps everything looking pretty good. It may also be beneficial to you to apply a hardening mask once a week, but avoid anything with granules or microbeads in it because those often end up exacerbating any existing redness more than they exfoliate. Some of them are pretty cheap, under $20.

Drink a ton of water, take a multivitamin and omega fatty acid supplements, and get as much sleep as possible. That will reduce the circles. Also remember to never sleep in makeup (if you go the cold cream route, it also functions as a makeup remover and is perfect for sensitive skin).

Good luck!!!

-large pores - you can wash you face with the ice (I use regular one from my refrigerator).

-under eye circles - I think the best care is getting enough sleep.

I'm a bit of a skincare junkie so I wanted to add my 2 cents

My skin is dry/normal, and can be sensitive to harsher products.

I personally don't wash my face in the morning beyond splashing some cold water in the summer maybe. I find my make up applies much better when my skin hasn't just been washed. So I do 99% of my cleansing and masks in the evening.

I alternate between washing my face with my Clarisonic with the Origins Checks and Balances face wash (I've found this amazing for redness, despite it not being sold as an anti redness product) and Castor oil steamed off with a muslin cloth. I used the face wash for ages before I had a Clarisonic though and it works just as well.

I alternate because I feel my skin benefits from both. My skin has been much more normal than dry since including the castor oil. I haven't had any breakouts using the oil, partly I think because I still use a proper face wash too.

I am a big fan of clay and charcoal masks. Atm I am using Simples deep cleansing mask which I'm really liking. I am very anti scrubs and exfoliators like St Ives!

I don't use a toner every day, but when I do it is always Sanctuarys Pore Refining Toner-Made my pores go from being larger than I'd like to barely visible. Mostly I love it because whilst most pore refining toners have alcohol in, this one doesn't! <3

I'm still on the look out for an eye cream and moisturiser I love, but I would recommend Olay Classic beauty fluid as a good one to try. Eucerin is another good brand for moisturisers targeted at sensitive skin and redness.

I've been using cetaphil for a while now. Never found anything better. Very gentle but cleans well. You can find in the pharmacy. I have oily skin with larger pores and find that with a clay mask every now and then work wonders

http://www.cetaphil.com/

Wow guys, thank you.

I need to try some of these products. I am 20 and I feel like I am somehow aging faster than some of my 30 and 40 yr old friends! I do not take care of my skin and I am going to start now.

Thanks guys for the advice!

I do not have large pores or acne, I am the normal slightly dry type. I do NOT wash my face with soap, too harsh, a mild cleanser will do or , as suggested for your skin something like Cetaphil or Pond's but regardless of skin type. use moisturizer , you can get non oily ones. I would not go without moisturizer anymore than I would go without brushing my teeth or using deodorant. A moisturizer during the day and night cream at night and an occasional mask, check around at the beauty counter or drug store for ideas.

I had my dermatologist tell me never to use a mask, it is like putting clay on a stucco wall then trying to wash it off. Cera-ve that is out now in the drug stores is what he recommends, the cleanser and moisturizer. I don't use that. I use shiesado and have for years. Now for exfoliating I have used baking soda for a long time and love it. Just pour some in your hands and make a paste out it and rub it on and rinse well.

I have large pores and have just learned to live with it, but I do want to try some of things suggested here!

@Bargoo- I definitely have been trying to use moisturizer everyday but the one I currently use is hurting my sensitive skin. It is Neutrogena oil free and I thought it wouldn't be harsh on my skin but it kind of stings! Any suggestions for a less harsh brand?

@ckatgo- I have heard that as well! I wonder if there is a mask that doesn't suffocate the face as much.

I too have large pores and redness problems.

I have found it hard to get good quality without paying a little more. However, the pricier stuff tends to usually last longer.

I swear by Cerave moisturizer ( blue & white bottle). It is the best for sensitive skin and oily combo skin that I have found. You can get it almost anymore(Walmart, kmart, walgreens, etc). It's around $11 for a huge pump bottle.

Clarisonics are expensive, but I bought one for myself on a credit card and I love it. The problem I have is that I get lazy and don't want to wait the two minutes for it to finish washing my face twice a day. But, when I did do it, HOLY AWESOME. Smooth skin like a baby's you know whattom. Pores were a lot smaller, too.

I occasionally use this awesome charcoal mask by Origins(the only charcoal one they make). It is awesome for getting loose the gunk in pores. It's a little over $20, but lasts a long time.

Wow...I wonder how much I spent on beauty products in the last year even. Let's not think about it !

You are right about the price. I need to check out this Origin stuff... maybe I can find it cheaper on Ebay or something...

Clarisonics... hmm, well my birthday is coming up.

Oh don't even get me started, haha. I have spent waaaay too much on beauty products. They could probably shoot a Hoarders episode in my bathroom with all of the "supplies" I have :P!

I was having about the same problems as you last summer when I started the routine I have now, and my skin is generally very good barring some pre-TOM mild breakouts. I use a Clarisonic (serendipity907 mentioned this), which is a MIRACLE, as far as I'm concerned. Just feeling my skin as I'm washing the cleanser off makes my skin without it seem slimy in comparison. I use it in conjunction with the Philosophy Purity cleanser, Help Me retinol lotion and Hope in a Jar moisturizer. My skin has never looked so nice This, though, is in comparison to my old routine, which was just to take off my makeup with a cleansing wipe at night, so I'm not sure how much is the products and how much is the routine, but I'm not going to mess with it

Beauty.com sometimes has coupons you can find to get a good discount on their origins products. I really wouldn't recommend buying cosmetics off of ebay...too many times I have gotten disgusting knockoffs and things that seem to have been used.

The clarisonic makes a smaller Mia which I think is $99 instead of the original which costs a little over $200.

Haha, omg. I could join you on that hoarders thing. One of my problems is I buy a lot of things to try, and I get bored of them really easily, so I have a lot of basically full or even never used things that are in my bathroom and clogging up 6 drawers, some rubbermaids, and my makeup table in my room. I continually give stuff away, but it still piles up

One of my obsessions is nail polish. I don't even want to add up how much I spent on nail polishes. I have over a hundred bottles for sure, and I take pride ( and a little shame) that I could probably name most of the colors without reading the label. *currently wearing 'the one that got away' from the katy perry opi collection-lol!!!* oh my goodness.

Hi! I live in England so I don't know about American products, but I'm a beauty therapist so I hope I can help! The most important thing is to get a range of products for your skin type - oily/dry/sensitive etc. Dermalogica are quite pricey, but do a great ultracalming cleanser. You don't have to spend a fortune though, the most important thing is to cleanse, tone and moisturise your skin everyday, in your case with a soothing range of products. Exfoliating will help to keep your pores clear, but as you're sensitive, maybe do this a couple of times a week rather than daily to avoid erythema. Masks don't have to be clay based and drying, there are some great soothing ones around that you can use once a week as a treat, or you could just use a pore targeting mask where you need it rather than over your whole face. And of course - drink loads of water!