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Skincare recommendations?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

So I am getting closer to 40 than 35 and I can tell in my skin recently. I tend to be a low-maintenance person with skincare and makeup, but I'm starting to wonder if there are a few things I should be doing to keep my skin looking at least reasonably decent. I was always an oily/combo skin person but my skin is getting drier which I'm not really good at dealing with - but it still breaks out with regularity. I've tried some (non-prescription) AHAs and they seem decent but I'm wondering if I need to develop a slightly more complex routine. Any recommendations?

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Isabel

greycat6

Veteran

Have you tried one of those spinny brushes? Clarisonic is the high end brand but there are also drug store versions. I am closer to 50 than 45 and have been using mine for 4+ years. The brush exfoliates as it cleans which makes my skin clearer and more 'glowy'. If you don't want to go the brush route there are many exfoliating products out there. I have tried a TON of beauty products and while many make minor improvements, regular exfoliation and prescription grade retinol have had the biggest impact for me.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I started getting acne again around 40, which finally drove me to a dermatologist. The regimen she gave me was super simple:

- AM: Cetaphil (from the drugstore) + sunscreen
- PM: Cetaphil + retin-a

I have not had a zit in months and my skin is glowy. I'm a big fan.

I also like that this routine is minimal - 3 products! - and dirt cheap.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I am closer to 50 and love Avon products. I recommend the Anew clinical which they claim is similar to a chemical peel and is used every other day to exfoliate. I used their anti aging cremes and eye cream up until 2 yrs ago when I switched to Argan Oil.

Kristin SF

Veteran

Cinnamon, is the retin-a that you use some OTC product, or is it prescription? I'm heading to the derm myself shortly for the exact same problem, and I wonder if she will give me a prescription for it.

dakotacheryl

Veteran

At night, a retin product, a serum and moisturizer.

In the morning, a Vitamin C product, a serum and a moisturizer with sunscreen.

I also love my Clarisonic !! I uses the delicate brush on mine.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I am 50 for a few more weeks :). I had the same thoughts as you and purchased a number of products to try to maintain better skin as I age but have put them aside and gone back to using my glaxal base. My nod to my aging skin has been monthly facials and I will be more diligent about sunscreen on my face in the summer months and on winter vacations.

ETA: My son's doctor recommended cetaphil as well and it did work well and improved his skin without drying it out.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

Kristin, the retin-a is prescription - I think in the US it's always prescription. My experience is there's a big difference between it and the various retinols - I was never totally sure they did anything.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I have similar skin to yours and also recommend cetaphil.

Von

Veteran

Another vote for Clarisonic, it's my everything! I keep mine in the shower with a little bit of Philosophy Purity made Simple. I never use it to remove makeup though (I can't stand the thought of the brush getting all yucky). With the AHA and BHA I use, I like to use the Clarisonic to keep my skin refreshed and help along the process of healing former scars and evening out my complexion. Usually I do it for 2 minutes every 3 days.

As far as skin care - I've tried lots, but I will say that Paula's Choice products has turned my skin around by 100%. I was having crazy breakouts monthly, scarring, discoloration and I felt married to the makeup to try and cover it all up. I used skin tone correctors like they were going out of style...but that never fixed the MAIN issue.

Now, I stick with a simple system -
Purity to remove the makeup,
A Blemish Control Toner - this makes all the difference!
A Good AHA - My skin can handle the 8%, but she has lower
A Good BHA

No breakouts, no hormonal skin rage, and my complexion is to the point where I can go without makeup. And, for the price of one expensive serum from a department store. A bonus is that it only takes a dot of the gel to spread on your whole face -- the AHA + BHA will last me over a year, the toner may go until December.

Catnip

Veteran

Laura, I am much older than you but frequently get compliments on my skin. I highly recommend Cetaphil products. I use Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser unless I'm wearing makeup. To remove makeup, I use Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. This combination keeps my skin soft and moist, but not greasy. I've been using it for about five years and never have breakouts or white heads.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Another over 50 here with semi-oily skin - I've always used things that were as natural as I could - glycerin soap, vitamin c based serums (Jason organics is my choice). I don't have acne prone skin but I will use orange oil if I get the occasional small breakout and it seems to work for me within a day. I also have used high percentage OTC Salicylic acids (from Willow tree bark) on trouble spots (sun "spots") to slowly peel them away. I like Kiehls Crème de Corps Soy Milk and Honey butter - for moisturizing.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

A little belated but thank you everyone for your suggestions. I never had luck with Cetaphil (I'm not the only one based on the internet comments) but I do like CeraVe cleanser which is similarly mild.

Sounds like I should ask for a Clarisonic for Christmas!

Marmee

Veteran

Laura, I had the same issue that you are talking about, and tried lots and lots of products, including some very expensive ones. I finally solved my problem when I gave up dairy (except for dairy baked into foods). I hardly ever have break outs anymore, and when I do, it's because I cheated and had ice cream or cheese.

carter

Veteran

Laura, I'm closer to 50 than 48. My skin started doing the same thing several years ago. After much experimentation, I found L'Oreal Age Perfect Hydra-Nutrition. I use it every morning before moisturizing. The smoothness and glow that had vanished are back. Most folks think I'm many years younger. Maybe it will make you look 28 again! It's about $20 at the drug store. A bottle lasts me a couple months.

AnnieMouse

Veteran

I'm turning 39 in about 6 weeks, and I've had acne my whole life. I started putting tea tree and lavender oils in my moisturiser, and it's made all the difference. I use baking soda as a lot exfoliating about 2x a week, and I'm regularly mistaken for mid to late 20s. When my skin is extra dry, I use Boomsilk to boost my moisturiser power.

Gaylene

Veteran

There have been several posts on skin care over the past couple of years. This latest update from Angie summarizes some of the experiences and products that Angie and other forum members found useful.
http://youlookfab.com/2013/01/.....e-routine/

My routine is very similar to Von's. It took some experimenting but I've settled on a couple of Paula's Choice products--AHA gel, antioxident serum, light-weight moisturizer-- along with a CeraVe cleanser, a Clarisonic brush, and a Vichy or Neutrogena sunscreen. I also use a Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer if I want a smoother look or Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler Day Cream if my skin is feeling dry in the winter.

It took a bit of experimenting to find the regime that worked best for me. There are a lot of products and blogs out there, but I have a healthy skepticism about most claims and much of the so-called "information". I also go along with Angie in that, if your skin is acting up, your dermatologist is a better source of information than an Internet forum. My dermatologist recommended keeping a light approach to exfoliating and moisturizing, but to be vigilant about removing makeup at night with a gentle cleanser and wearing a good sunscreen.

Lucy

Veteran

I found as I inched towards 40, my skin got dryer and a bit lack lustre. I put a layer of rosehip oil under my moisturiser at night, and I'm sure my skin looks better than it did a few years ago. I also use jojoba sometimes, instead. For some unknown reason, it doesn't make the skin greasy, even though it is an oil, but seems to trap in all the good things. I don't like the feel under makeup, but its is fab for sleep!

bj1111

Veteran

Crazy hack...i discovered using mederma scar remover gel either alone or final moisturing layer. Descales dry skin and does not exacerbate oiliness. Over time has decreased fine forehead lines. Retin a use is intermittent. Too drying, but may try again post-mederma discovery.

I use sulwhasoo product line for serum and moisturizer. Korean co. Seems to agree with my face more. I do love eucerin hyaluron day or night filler in winter.

Let us know what you decide.

Shirley

I use ROC daily cleanser resurfacing discs. It has exfoliating effect but very mild that I wash my face and neck everyday with it without feelin dry.

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Isabel

Veteran

I am 49 and two things I have done since my mid 20s has been Oil of Olay and sunscreen.

My skin started getting much drier a couple of years ago and I am having issues with breakouts ( which I have never had before ). I use ProActiv for a few days when I need to during a breakout. It is amazing.

Beyond that, I have a winter routine and a summer routine.

Mornings :

In the Winter I use a moisturizing witch hazel to "wash" my face. Really just a wipe down. Either this one or Dickinson is great. My face just gets too dry if I wash both day and night in the Fall - Spring.

http://www.drugstore.com/thaye.....oner-unsce

After that, I use a retinol derivative, vitamin C, Ferulic acid, and hydration combo in one. This little bottle last me 2-3 months and I use it on my neck and chest :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/produ.....#038;psc=1

moisturizing sunscreen ( I use the 50 PF ) by Neutrogena

http://www.soap.com/p/neutroge.....e&

Night

I use the Clarisonic with Cerave Moisturizing cleanser ( this helps my dry skin more than Cetaphil ) .
I put on some ROC nighttime cream, my mixture again, some Oil of Olay over it and I am done. ( I find that I need the extra Oil of Olay at night. Sometimes if my skin is really dry, I will use Bio-Oil instead. )

Honestly, it took me about a year to figure all this out. I tried a lot of things before I settled on this ...but it is working for me.

Good Luck