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Skin Care Regimen

kimmyintexas

(website)

Hey there ladies!

I am wondering if you all would share your skin care regimens with me. I admit I haven't been the best at taking care of my skin so I really don't know a whole lot on the subject and there are so many products I have no idea where to start. Do you have to spend the big bucks for great products or are there just as good products at Walgreens?? Aree there any products that you swear by? Right now I sure some of the ROC products just not very faithfully. I would appreciate any and all input. Thanks!

Kimberly

General

27 replies

Latest reply was from kimmyintexas

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have had luck with Roc deep wrinkle serum and recently went to the derm for prescription Obagi to deal with sun spots and melasma. I'm not sure how much good it's doing, since I'm still out in the sun swimming several times a week. I also have used Nivea Q10 eyecream for years but it's now discontinued in the US for some reason, so I get it online. One of the only undereye creams I know of that has SPF in it. I'm 41 but people tell me I look much younger.

kimmyintexas

(website)

Thank you and you do have very nice skin (and gorgeous eyes!). We are the same age and I think my skin has held up pretty well too which I mostly attribute to good genetics and I always, always wear makeup so my face has never seen the light of day. lol But I know I have got to start taking better care of it. Thanks again!

Mo

(website)

Veteran

And thank you I should add that Olay has been a good moisturizer for me the last several years before I started the Obagi. I only decided to do the Rx since getting bad sun spots from my golf course job a few summers back It's amazing what just a couple bad days in the sun can do!

Tessera

Mo - Please excuse me for dumping unsought advice on you but I feel a certain sense of urgency. The retin-A in the Obagi program (which I have used to good effect) makes your skin MORE susceptible to sun damage, so many people do not use it in the summer at all. Same with the hydroquinone used in the program - sun exposure is contraindicated and should be limited. If you want to continue with Obagi, and still spend time in the sun, please plaster your skin AT ALL TIMES with a physical sunblock with as high an SPF as possible and be aware that you are risking a lot more damage than you already have. Many people find success by using Obagi in the cooler, indoor months, and then relying on a heavy-duty sunscreen to maintain the benefits during the summer. I'd hate to see you end up with worse skin after taking the trouble to try to improve it.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Oh, Tessera, I do use SPF religiously. It's just that I know swimming affects the application no matter how waterproof etc it is. I started Obagi in Dec. and my BF spilled the serum while on vacation 2 weeks ago so I'm pretty much out. I will wait until fall to refill thanks to your heads up! I use 30 on my face all the time

Di

(website)

Veteran

After years of having great skin, mine completely freaked out when I turned 30 (no idea what happened there). It's finally in decent shape again, but it took a while of experimenting. I use the Body Shop's gentle aloe cleanser/toner/moisturizer, and I also use dermalogica's overnight spot treatment in the evening. About twice a week, I use dermalogica's gentle cream exfoliant, and my skin feels amazing afterwards.

Mamapicklejuice

Veteran

I get fairly depressed about the condition of my skin, quite honestly. I have never smoked, I don't drink (excessively), I stay out of the sun...and still, I suffer from rosacea, which makes my skin rough and red. I wish I could just start over, but I don't know where to begin. Trips to the dermatologist have been unsuccessful...

Sorry to hijack! I will keep an eye on this thread for gentle skin care solutions.

Kristine

Veteran

I used to have sensitivity, so my dermatologist recommended Cetaphil gentle formula. It's a no frills cleanser but it works well and never irritates my skin (note: I've found that the Target and other knock-off versions of Cetaphil aren't as good!). I use it most of the year and switch to cold cream in the winter when the air is dry.

For moisturizer I love Philosophy Hope in a Jar (their whole line is amazing) but Neutrogena sensitive skin is a good drugstore alternative. You can buy it with sunscreen too. I'm careful about which sunscreens I use, most irritate my skin.

Louise

Veteran

I'm a Clinique gal. Like Di my skin went awful when I turned 30, I'd been trying cheaper products but ended up back with Clinique and will just have to stomach the cost for clear skin. I use Peter Thomas Roth SPF30 daily which is non greasy x

rae

(website)

Veteran

I am an Oil Cleansing Method devotee. Not only is it super cheap, but it has totally sorted out my cystic acne as well as the dryness that used to accompany other otc face washes. I also like that it does not use chemicals to strip the natural oils off my face.

I also use Olay sunscreen daily - on the neck and chest as well as the face.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I use Dermalogica products. Not cheap but that plus the Rx stuff keeps my adult acne under control.

lynn

Veteran

Rae, what is oil cleansing method?

biscuitsmom

Veteran

Sorry, dont use anything but soap...be watching this with interest! Mamapicklejuice, I have rosacea also and only Aveeno Ultra Calming foaming cleanser doesnt irritate it..it's really helped. None of the several other Aveeno products Ive tried-especially the 'redness relief' ones- did anything but make it worse! Ive tried that OTC 'Prosacea' cream and it seems to help somewhat, especially with enlarged pores, but cant use it daily, as it's too drying....hth!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I use glycerin soap as it is less drying. When I remember (yes, I am bad) I use a gentle face cleanser. I started using Strivectin SD in December or January and find it works well. Before that, I used oil of olay. I have a sensitivity to any scents so many products make my eyes water all day long including clinique and lancome.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I like cetaphil facial cleanser. I also use a cleanser from Laroche Posay - the "Physiological Gel" which I use at night to remove my makeup (I also wear makeup everyday) since the cetaphil doesn't really remove my makeup as well as I'd like. I have skin on the dryer side and also really like the Micellar Solution from this same line, but I don't find is as convenient to use as the gel.

For moisturizer I use Active C from Laroche Posay during the day and I really notice a difference in the tone and texture of my skin when I don't use if for a while. It's about $40, so not cheap but not totally expensive either. At night I use Creme 20 from Yonka. I'm thinking of switching night time creams because I suspect this one is giving me a little acne.

I also use the physiological scrub from laroche posay but I don't feel like it really makes much of a difference.

I use Cetaphil lotion on the rest of my body and I really like it. Note that none of my regime has spf (my foundation has spf 30). I have a hard time finding a cream that has spf that doesn't make me break out. I've tried Dior hyraphase successfully but it's rather pricey and doesn't travel well.

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Laroche Posay has some anti-rosacea products, in case anyone is interested in trying them out (I don't have rosacea, so I can't comment on their effectiveness). I have loved this brand since my derm introduced me to it several years ago.

sarah

Veteran

Pretty simple - cetaphil cleanser and cetaphil daily facial moisturizer (SPF 15).

Kate

Veteran

Over the last half of my life I've tried all kinds of different things, including more topical medications than I can remember (all from my dermatologist), and now I've simplified. I wash my face with raw organic honey, and use aveeno body moisturizer with SPF 15 on my face and body during the day. At nights I sometimes use the aveeno body moisturizer with oatmeal (again on my face and body) or raw organic coconut oil.

rae

(website)

Veteran

lynn, the Oil Cleansing Method is pretty much what it sounds like - you use a blend of castor and essential oils to clean your face instead of soaps or chemicals. The idea comes from the basic principle that "like dissolves like" and, therefore, oil would work better to dissolve the dirt/oil clogged in your pores. This is the website I used to get started:
http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/

I personally use about half castor oil and half camellia oil. I have oily skin with some scarring from chicken pox. The drier the skin, the less castor oil is needed.

Tessera

KimmyinTexas - No, you don't necessarily have to spend a lot. Generally (off the top of my head), you will need a cleanser, anti-oxidant, moisturizer with ceramides and hyaluronic acid, sunscreen, and retinoid.

What I use:
Cleanser - Cetaphil (cheap, and dermatologist recommended); when wearing a waterproof sunblock, I will use DHC cleansing oil to remove it
Anti-oxidant (mornings)- these come in all price points. Google drugstore anti-oxidants for info. Right now, I'm using Neova Calming Green Tea Serum.
Moisturizer (a.m.)- CeraVe cream (cheap, get it at CVS, great stuff)
Moisturizer (p.m.) - CeraVe PM (it has niacinamide)
Sunscreen: for chemical, I like LaRoche-Posay Anthelios 60 Ultra Light for Face; for physical, DeVita Solar Protective Moisturizer 30 SPF; for long days in the sun, I use Blue Lizard for Sensitive Skin. I find that with sunscreen, you get what you pay for.
retinoid (p.m.): the gold standard in skin maintenance and rejuvenation. Retin-A is the stronger, prescription form; products containing retinol are OTC. (Retinol is a retin-A precursor and is gentler, but less effective.) I alternate Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Intensive Night Cream with prescription retin-A.

HTH

Tessera

Mo - I'm so happy you are a devoted sunscreen user. I recently read a dermatologist's recommendation to prepare for extended sun exposure by layering first a chemical sunscreen, followed 30 minutes later by a physical sunblock. For herself, she uses Anthelios and Blue Lizard. Once skin has started developing sun spots, even a few unprotected minutes of exposure can result in spots that take weeks or months to fade, if they fade at all. Ask me how I know... ;-(

nancylee

Veteran

I'll cast another vote for ROC and Olay (Regenerist line) products. They really work and the prices ($17-30) strike a happy balance between cheap over-the-counter products and the (in my opinion) overpriced department store brands. I use Cetaphil gentle cleanser at night and an Olay face scrub in the morning to clean my face. I have to say I love the scent of Clarins products, and I think they are very effective, but I just can't bring myself to spend that much for a face cream.

I think it's worth it to spend a little more for a good brand to ensure results, but I think there is a point of diminishing returns. It's like sunscreen SPF: you don't really get more protection after a certain level. Likewise, I don't think you necessarily get better results if you spend $80 on a face cream as opposed to $25.

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

I'm in the UK, but I'm pretty sure you can get most of the products I use in the US. I do swap around occasionally (I have a tendency to get a bit bored!), but currently I use Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, and Skin Tonic, Clinique Youth Surge moisturiser, a Liz Earle eye cream (but I also like the Nivea Q10 one) and Clinique City Block SPF 40 (use this every day, face,neck decollete). I'm 47 and my skin is quite good (I am not a lie in the sun type of person, though, I am sure this has helped!).

When I swap products, I often use Clarins cleanser and toners, and the face wash, or Philosophy products.

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

Well i'll share my skin type first and then what i do. I have the typical combination skin -- oily t-zone and dry cheeks. My dry skin is ezcema prone so i have to be careful.

Night:

Every other night i do this: CeraVe face wash all over, rinse, Biore pore unclogging scrub in t zone only, rinse. Pat dry. Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Defense Face lotion in t zone only. CeraVe PM lotion on rest of face.

Then the next night i do the oil cleansing method. I rub Jojoba Oil all over my face for about 30 seconds and then take a hot towel and place over my face to steam open the pores for about 30 seconds, then gently rub oil off. Sometimes i put the CeraVe PM and Neutrogena lotions on after this if i feel like i need it.

Morning:

I don't wash my face in the morning. I use Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner with a cotton pad all over and then CeraVe PM lotion again.

Since my face is cobination i basically treat both parts differently. I'm not really acne prone but i like to use products with a bit of salicylic acid in the t zone as a preventative measure.

I think i'm going to be adding Kiehl's avacado eye cream to this soon too.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I guess my skin would qualify as combination. It tends to be shiny (especially this time of year), and at age 45, I'm still contending with breakouts, especially at certain times of the month.

I use Aveeno foaming cleanser (for oily/combo) morning and night, and about once a week i use St Ives apricot exfoliating scrub. Daytime moisturizer is L'oreal Active Daily (with SPF), and I use Olay eye serum. At bedtime I use Olay nighttime moisturizer and Burts Bees eye cream. I use Neutrogena spot treatment on acne spots, which seems to clear them up quickly.

I've tried pricier stuff and haven't noticed any difference.

Polly (thunalata)

Veteran

I'm in the UK too. Liz Earle cleanser would also be my first choice but I'm trying other 'hot cloth cleansers', currently the Boots No 7 version (UK brand available in places in the US now I think?) to see if there's an acceptable budget version.

I tone with Clinique when I remember which is rarely. I won't tell you how old my bottle is... I also had lovely Liz Earle toner which was much better - sort of fresher and more botanical than clinical. But I finished that...

Moisturiser I have used Clinique non oily dramatically different moisturising fluid and liked that, also the Liz Earle one (my BFF bought me a set of them for a birthday one year - wonderful!). Again, I've been hunting for an acceptable budget one and after a couple of happy years with a body shop vitamin E day cream one, I've gone on to Olay Total Effects because it has SPF15 combined with the right non oily feeling on my skin and right consistency - not too thick or thin.

I have combination skin.

Hope you find the one that's right for you!

kimmyintexas

(website)

Thank you all so much for your help!