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The routine that's making my skin happy

Kari

Veteran

Lately I've been incredibly pleased with how my (sensitive, over-reactive, acne-prone) skin has been behaving, and I've received a lot of out-of-the-blue compliments on my complexion, which makes me feel absolutely over the moon. (Growing up, I had a *lot* of visible skin issues, and while they are less volatile now than when I was a teen, it's still something I'm rather insecure about.) The other thing that's amazing is that for the first time in years, none of the topical treatments I'm using are prescription items. So in case it's helpful to others with skin issues, here's the routine that is successful for me right now:

Night: cleanse face (and remove makeup) with jojoba oil on a cotton ball, very gently rubbed on my face. Gently massage oil into face with fingertips. Remove eye makeup only with a tiny bit of this on a Q-tip. Remove excess oil by patting gently with a washcloth. Apply a thin layer of tea tree oil over face, concentrating on the T-zone.
Once a month I'll apply an Aveda clay masque. I'll also use this on spots only if I feel a potential breakout in an area.

Morning: During shower, wash face with unscented Mychelle cleanser. If I'm feeling oily, a couple mornings a week, I'll apply a thin layer of Clear skin serum after I'm out of the shower. About once a week, sometimes twice, I'll use an Aveda botanical exfoliant on a cotton ball and apply it to my face, concentrating on the areas where I tend to get blackheads.
I apply Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 55 Dry-Touch Sunblock, and after it dries, proceed with my usual makeup routine.
And that's it.

This sounds like a lot more work than it actually is when I write it all down, but it feels very low-key and simple compared to the days when I had a plethora of prescription treatments at hand. My skin is responding so well to the gentle treatment - I still experience some minimal breakouts, but they are easy to control, and my facial skin is also looking more healthy and hasn't been prone to over-drying or eczema in a long while. Hooray!

What's working for you these days?

General

29 replies

Latest reply was from rae

Elly

Veteran

Absolutely nothing--- although I am pretty sure mine is stress related and hormonal, which is unfortunately hard to treat. I guess I will make a derm appt. I had beautiful skin (although oily) as a teen and only started having problems only years after I had completed puberty by all other visual signs.
It isn't really severe, but probably moderate because I get pretty painful inflammation. I also try to take very good care of my skin because I have poor circulation and am at a greater risk of picking up nasty infections when I have skin irritation.

Glad to hear that your regiment is working well for you. When I was younger I had great luck with botanicals.

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

Good for you! Really thrilled you've found something that works as it's such a depressing and distressing issue. Yes it does sound a lot on first reading but looking through again it's not that much. Very interesting and so impressed you've kept going until you found a good solution for you.

I had pretty dreadful skin growing up. I think it was partly down to a mild dairy intolerance. Two children and less dairy seem to have solved the worst of it, but I still don't have very good skin so will ponder your routine further... Thanks for posting it.

Lynne

Veteran

Kari, you are always glowing and beautiful in your photos. glad you've found a routine thats working for you.

Jjsloane

Veteran

Congrats on your compliments. Makes me think maybe mine is not working as well as I think since I'm getting none?? My skin has always been pretty normal, with minor breakouts and a brief bout of Rosacea in my early 30's. Now I'm just trying to keep the dark spots and fine lines at bay while not getting redder. I use Philosophy cleanser in the morning followed by a serum and Philosophy Turbo C powder (for the redness). SPF daily moisturizer (switching brands to use up a huge sample purchase from Sephora's summer skin kit). At night I clean off the makeup with Korres Milk Protein and then use Alpha Hydrox followed by a heavy night cream and eye cream (currently Boots and Ester C respectively). My skin feels soft, not dry and no breakouts in I can't remember how long. I know I could use a peel from the dermatologist (for some of the spots), but I'm just not ready for that drastic move just yet.

Midwest Girl

Kari - you obviously have hit on the right regime for your skin, because it always looks glowing in your photos. Although my skin was very oily in my younger years, I'd say it's more in the normal range now. My routine consists of rinsing off my face with warm water in the morning and applying Olay moisturizer with SPF 15 (I intend to bump the SPF to 30 next time I buy more). At night, I wash my face with Cetaphil facial cleanser and then apply ROC deep wrinkle cream with Retinol. The ROC is a new step for me that I've only being doing for about two months. I really wasn't expecting anything big with it, but just last week I noticed that my skin looked much smoother and fresher. It was enough of a difference that I thought--Wow when did that happen? I don't like complicated skin care routines, but I do care about skin and want it to look good, so I'll probably continue with this routine until my skin warrants a change.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

That's SO GREAT, Kari. And as someone who physically saw your complexion a few weeks ago - it looks magical! I know that you have battled so I am extra happy for you.

My routine is Cleanse and Moisturize twice a day with Impruv. Scrub a few times a week with Babor. Strong sun block every day and regular facials. Never sun tan. Very simple and easy.

bj1111

Veteran

angie, the manufacturer has discontinued impruv and i can't get it in my neck of the woods. previously i'd pop to the drugstore to get it. now, can't find it even on line.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Really? Oh dear. That's bad news. I purchase mine from Amazon.

rosee

Veteran

Great News Kari!
Glad you're liking MyChelle, I really like a lot of their stuff too (especially White Cranberry cleanser for acne skin). DEFINITELY try the MyChelle Sun Shield SPF 28 -- it's made with zinc oxide which is a natural sunscreen and is actually good for oily and acne skin (zinc helps heal zits and skin irritations). I find I am very sensitive to chemical sunscreens and many are hormone disruptors (don't get me started...).

http://www.iherb.com/MyChelle-.....11076?at=0
(Use "RUG268" if you want a $5 discount with this retailer).

I actually do very little with my skin and it seems to behave better. I use Nutribiotic cleanser Sensitive Skin formula (and it's real cheap too) as an all-over cleanser -- sometimes I wash my hair with it too.

http://www.iherb.com/NutriBiot.....13314?at=0

I use oils too such as Kosmea Organic Rosehip oil, or SIbu Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil for general skin nutrition -- they help prevent wrinkles and are actually healing for breakout prone skin.

http://www.iherb.com/Sibu-Beau.....23572?at=0
http://www.kosmea.com.au/aspx/.....px?pID=276

Kari

Veteran

Elly, I'm sorry to hear that you're having difficulties with your skin. I'm in my mid-late 20s and this is probably the first time since I was 12 that I *haven't* had trouble, so I sincerely sympathize, and hope that you (and your dermatologist) find a solution that works for you.
I should mention that in addition to the regimen mentioned above, I also take an oral contraceptive (Yaz) partly for the fact that it eliminates much of the hormonal breakouts that I used to have. (When I briefly went off of them a couple years ago I started getting a lot of cyst-like breakouts around my jawline, which apparently tends to be related to a hormonal imbalance. When I got back on the pill it went away and hasn't come back. I know that isn't an ideal situation for everybody, but right now, it works for me.

Jjsloane, that does sound like your routine is working well for you. You know, I've actually never considered getting a chemical peel because it sounds so harsh to the skin - but I do have some scarring and discoloration on my face from acne. Actually, I've noticed that the scarring has become much less visible since I started using the jojoba oil at night. Just an idea.

Midwest Girl, that sounds like a very smart move. You mentioned that you only rinse your face in the morning and cleanse at night, and that struck me because it's similar (though reversed) to what I'm doing now. Previously I would cleanse my face both in the morning and at night, and I'd only moisturize if I was feeling dry. Also, I'd exfoliate every morning with a nubby washcloth. About 6 months ago I went in for a facial at a spa for the first time, and the aesthetician commented that she thought I was really over-stressing and over-drying my skin, and needed to be more gentle in terms of how often I was cleansing, and which products I used. I took her at her word and started using these products instead of the harsh prescription treatments I'd used in the past, and it's been working so well since making a switch.

Thank you, Angie - that just makes me smile. I'm so glad that my skin is finally looking the way I've always hoped it would!
Out of curiosity, how often do you get your facials? I have only had the one earlier this year, and I was thinking of going in at the beginning of fall. I really liked the results from last time.

Rosee, thank you for the additional suggestions! I actually haven't tried any of those products - and I especially appreciate the discount code I like the idea of the MyChelle Sun Shield, but I'm afraid SPF 28 will probably be too low for me - I have very pale, *very* burn-prone skin. (Also, one of my friends' sisters, who is in her early 20s, was recently diagnosed with pretty advanced melanoma, and it's made me even more cautious about sun damage.)
I think the MyChelle products are great! Funny enough, last time I went into Whole Foods to pick them up, they had them in a locked case and had to walk me to the checkout line with my products. Apparently there has been a huge rise in theft in this skincare line. Yikes!

Carole

Veteran

Kari-Thanks for sharing your successful new skin care program. I can totally relate to your frustrations with your complextion, and the delight in having found something that works. I never had any skin issues until my 30's and then suffered terrible cystic acne that left scars. I was so embarrased and struggled to find a solution.

My routine now consists of using a gentle skin cleanser, Neutrogena at night followed by a cream from the Dermo called MD Forte III which is a glycolic acid type product. I leave that on at night and don't wash my face in the morning. Just use the skin cleanser again at night and the cream. I was over cleaning my skin before and drying it out, causing my skin to rebel. I also added a "Forever Young" suncreen moisturizer recently and am really happy with that. It's super light and doesn't clog up the skin.

Kari

Veteran

Carole, it sounds like we are in the same boat. Having grown up with acne-prone and oily skin, it just never occurred to me that I *could* over-cleanse my skin. Like you, since I've cut back to one cleansing per day instead of two, my skin has seemed to be much happier and less reactive.

I can't stand to wash only at night, though - if I don't cleanse in the morning, I just feel oily all day. Same thing with washing my hair! So I moisturize with the jojoba oil at night instead.

crwilson

Veteran

This is really interesting - thank you for sharing Kari. I've always had acne prone super sensitive skin, and it's been acting up again, much to my distress. Nothing seems to be working for the painful cystic acne along my jawline; I know it's hormonal, but I don't want to take any hormonal birth control because I don't like the other side effects for my body. My pregnancies have been the only time in life that I've had good skin, which again affirms that there's probably something weird going on hormonally. In any case, I might give some of your methods a try. Did you get the jojoba oil and tea tree oil at a natural health food store, or did you get something specially formulated for your skin?

When you went for a facial, did you go to a spa that sold skin care? I'm desperate, but I don't want to get talked into a whole line of skin care that the facialist just happens to be selling. (And, I'm desperate, so I could very easily get talked into all sorts of products if I thought they would work.)

StacyJo

(website)

Jojoba Oil is fantastic! I use it as well and my skin is looking better and better. My routine is fairly simple. In the morning I use a bit of baking soda with water as a gentle scrub and follow up with jojoba oil. In the evenings, warm water and a little more jojoba oil. 2x a week I'll do a major Oil Cleaning method with linseed, olive and jojoba oils. What is totally amazing is the little wrinkles are going away I actually got carded at the grocery store when I went to buy some wine woo hoo!

Kari

Veteran

Christine, I'm sorry that you are having a bad flare-up right now. I had a bad breakout around my jawline the one time that I went off hormonal birth control, and have been back on it ever since. But I know that doesn't work for everybody.
I just pick up the jojoba oil or tea tree oil either at Whole Foods or PCC. these are the specific brands that I've been using in case it helps:
http://www.auracacia.com/dspCm.....ra%20Cacia
http://www.desertessence.com/jojoba

The spa that I went to for my facial does sell skin care products, but I definitely didn't feel talked into buying anything from the woman who did my facial. She took a look at my skin, and I told her what I was using, and she recommended some products that I might want to take a look at - most of which the salon actually didn't sell, but it at least gave me a starting point.
One strategy I picked up from my dad - who gets very frustrated when someone is pushing him to buy something - is that you can *always* come back to buy something later. Even if you're feeling desperate, go home, research the recommended products online (and maybe scope out better deals elsewhere), and just think about it for a few days, especially if it's something that is quite pricey.

Christine, I hope you don't mind my asking, but have you seen a dermatologist to consult about some non-birth control treatment options for the cystic acne around the jaw line? I definitely think that would be worth checking into, as I know how physically and emotionally painful that is!

StacyJo, I've never gone fully into the Oil Cleansing Method, but after seeing how beneficial jojoba oil has been to my skin, I'm tempted to try it out at least once or twice to see how it goes.
That's wonderful that your skin is looking even younger! What a great boost/compliment!

StacyJo

(website)

Kari, it's so easy and the best part of it is that I've reduced my expenditure on regular skin care products (which promptly go into my wardrobe budget!). The baking soda scrub may not be for everyone and I had to experiment on the baking soda/water proportion, however, once I got that down, my skin is loving it.

Kari

Veteran

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll have to give it a try sometime to see if it works for me.

rosee

Veteran

Kari, something that raised concern for me when I read the above comments is that you are on Yaz. I have also been on birth control pills in the past and now refuse to go on them due to several health reasons (you could pm me if needed). I will say that the rebound acne after you go off it is absolutely horrible. I've found other ways of dealing with all the health related issues since and my skin has never been better (very sensitive, slightly oily and acne prone -- I'm now 42).
Yaz particularly concerns me b/c it has been in the mainstream media several times due to attempts to recall the product due to serious health problems for those taking it including death. I know women who have had some of the problematic effects.

http://www.recall-of-yaz.com/

Just do a google search of "yaz recall" and you should get several results. I don't want to scare you but I do want you to be informed. Bring it up with your doctor as well.

rachylou

Veteran

I'm too scattered for a routine, but I love mychelle peptide cream in the portable/trial size. I surfed over there and see they have mineral makeup in stick form. Never seen that before! That's cool. I'd like to try that.

I also like Olay to be honest. I don't know what all junk they might put in their products, tho. I'm not good with endocrine disruptors. Too many endocrine troubles as it is.

I can't do Aveda products. The scents burn my throat, which disappointed me, because I think they're all natural, yes?

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

Oh, I wish I had a good routine like that! My rosacea is just wicked right now...I am so scared of what I will look like in a few years! :((((

Even my makeup is aggravating my skin. I wear Laura Mercier exclusively. The foundation doesn't seem to bother my skin, but the "primer" that goes on before hand (to "keep the makeup in place, blah blah blah) makes me turn bright red. I'm thinking...that's not good!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Kari, how nice of you to share what worked for you.

I have been reading about using natural products for quite long, but never gave them a try. This is probably the final incentive I need as I'm running out of some products, so will give jojoba and tea tree oil a try. One question though, do you find the smell of tea tree oil strong?

Aida

Veteran

Thanks for sharing this Kari, and I'm so glad it's working so well for you! My current routine is super basic: mornings daily in the shower I use a light lightly exfoliating face wash that has lavender for balancing (2-3 times a week I use the St. Ives apricot scrub to do a stronger exfoliation) on face/neck/chest, after showering I use Olay SPF15 daily moisturizer on face, neck, chest, hands. In the evenings, I use warm water and a very mild Neutrogena facial cleanser to remove my eye make up. I don't re-moisturize at night but I think I should; I just haven't found one light enough. I do a facial yearly but am thinking of trying this seasonally instead.

I'm going to give the jojoba oil a try! I think a light oil would work really well instead of a full moisturizer for me. Thanks for the inspiration

Kari

Veteran

Rosee, thanks for your concern, truly. I have actually stayed abreast of the issues facing Yaz, and my doctor is aware. Just for some background - I went off Yaz for a while and went on a different birth control, which is also helpful for acne issues. However, once I was a couple months into the *new* pill - which had a greater number of placebo pills than Yaz has - I started getting intense migraines every month, and was only able to prevent them by taking the other pill continuously for several months. It was a lot of hassle.
I haven't had a migraine since I got back on Yaz (now, the generic form), and fortunately both times that I've been on it, I have not had any of the negative side effects. When I went back on it, my doctor reminded me that being on the pill does increase your risk of blood clots, and especially reminded me that if I'm sitting a lot at work, or flying on an airplane, that it's important to stand up and walk around regularly, like once an hour or more. It's a good idea to be aware, but given my long history on various types of pills (and how much my skin *and* body freaked out when I went off them for 7 months a few years ago), I'd prefer to stay on them for now.

Rachylou, I haven't tried the peptide cream or mineral makeup yet. How cool! I worry about the stick makeup being too greasy or cake-y on my skin, though.
That's a bummer that Aveda products don't work for you. Perhaps there's an allergen in there? I know my mom is allergic to something in MaryK and Clinique makeup, which supposedly is usually friendly to those with skin allergies.

MPJ - ouch! Forgive my asking, but do you need a primer? I don't use one - I just use the aforementioned products, and my sunscreen really functions well in lieu of a primer, and it doesn't make my skin freak out. (Maybe you can try something with aloe in it to soothe the skin reaction?)

Ornella, it is pretty strong, to be honest. My mom can't stand the smell of tea tree oil. But the product I mentioned above (by Aura Cacia) contains a smell that I rather like - it's pungent, but kind of fresh, and reminds me of eucalyptus. (There's a eucalyptus steam sauna at my gym, so maybe I subconsciously associate the scent with calmness/soothing after a long workout? Hehe.)

Aida, I like the sound of that exfoliant! I do recommend giving jojoba oil a try. I also think it's helped compared to the other moisturizers I used in the past by not causing *more* blocked pores/blackheads, and it really absorbs well into my skin without leaving me feeling all sticky/oily.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Kari, once every few months. Facials keep your pores small and get rid of black heads - both of which we cannot do ourselves.

Aunty

Veteran

Kari, I was so suprised that you had complextion problems! In every picture I have seen of you, you look glowing!

crwilson

Veteran

Kari-thank you for asking. The answer is no, I haven't. I have these horrible memories of the dermatologist from my teenage years (whose answer to every problem was Retin-A, which didn't get rid of my acne but did make my skin peel off so that I had acne AND peeling skin). I really should go, though. I'm so glad that you've found what works for you - I've never noticed anything but glow from your pictures!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Thanks Kari.
I am familiar with the scent of tea tree oil as I use it quite a lot for various other purposes, non-cosmetic. I actually like it, to me it revokes the feeling of ultimate cleanliness, but I could not imagine what it would smell like when used on my face. Last night I tried it though and it wasn't too strong at all.

Now that I have been intrigued by the whole experiment, I'm thinking of giving lavender oil a try as well. It's safe on the skin and smells divine. Actually, the modern day interest in aromatherapy and healing purposes of natural oils had been greatly credited to it. I'll do a bit of research, but I'm thinking along the lines of mixing the two oils to achieve more appealing smell.

Both lavender and tea tree oils are strong antiseptics, so I’m guessing they should compliment each other for that particular purpose.
Off to my lab now ...

Medicechic

(website)

I like the Garnier Fructise (sorry if I spelled wrong) gel moisturizer. It's not heavy at all, and leaves my face feeling cool and fresh. I actually noticed less break outs because my skin isn't so dry and trying to produce more oil to compensate. I have weird combo skin and this is the only moisturizer I've found that I actually like.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Loving this thread!

My face: slightly oily, prone to cystic acne

Routine: cleanse with castor/camellia oil blend morning and night, treat with MaMa Lotion (malic & mandelic acid) at night, Baviphat (Korean brand) BB Cream as my spf/moisturizer/makeup in the am.

Rosee, I am intrigued by the buckthorn seed oil. I may have to try this!