General Beauty Regimen

ellentravis · December 2011

Hi, girls,

I don't know if you can help with such a broad plea, but I'd like to start taking better care of my face with 75 days to go until the wedding. I don't do anything special, use Olay and Revlon products for no good reason and have no idea what's wrong and what's right -- and it shows. My skin's dry in some places, oily in others. I have adult acne and, at 34, I'm worried I'm not going to feel beautiful on the big day. I'd like to go to Lancome or Clinique or Laura Mercier and find my perfect combination skin care package, but where do I start?

Any advice for a newbie with little time and not a clue? Thank you in advance and good luck with your planning

Goldlie11 · December 2011

If you have acne, I would go to the dermatologist ASAP. He/she can prescribe something. I say go ASAP because it usually takes about 2 months before you'll see a big difference.

Here is my regime at night:

1. Remove makeup if I wear eyeliner with cold cream (I use generic brand cold cream)

2. Wash my face with Philosophy's Purity Made Simple. I use my Clarisonic 2-3 per week with the Purity.

3. I use a prescription cream

Here is my morning regime:

1. I use Philosophy's Micro Delivery Exfoliating Wash every other morning. The other mornings, I use Purity Made Simple.

2. I use a prescription cream.

3. I use Neutrogena Healthy skin Radiance lotion and eye cream. Be very careful with Neutrogena Healthy Skin. Make sure you get lotion without AHAs if your doctor prescribes you a cream.

I rarely drink anything but water with the exception of my morning coffee and the occasional cup of herbal tea or cocoa. I also take GNC Ultra Mega vitamins.

bbuckner984 · December 2011

My routine is this:

Night-

neutrogena oil free eye make up remover

dermalogica pre cleanse

dermalogica age smart cleanser

loreal night action complex

morning-

dermalogica medibac cleanse

bare minerals moisturizer

I am a huge fan of Dermalogica products. I had an amazing experience with a facial at a Derm. salon and have been in love with their products (and that salon) ever since.

ellentravis · December 2011

thank you! this is exactly what I need to know! thanks very much.

PetalPockets2012 · December 2011

I use Clinique products and love it. I use the 3 step skin care morning and night. I use a foam cleanser first at night to remove makeup and then follow with the 3 step care. I also use a 7 day scrub they that exfoliates a few times a week.

MyUserName1 · December 2011

I have adult acne issues and dry skin.

I used to get oily spots when I used acne-fighting products- I think it was stripping all the oil, causing my face to overproduce in those spots.

Once I stopped using acne fighting products all-together, it helped a lot actually.

I wash my face with Cetaphyl and use Neutrogena Oil-free moisturizer every night and St. Ives apricot scrub every few days.

I don't wash my face in the am, just moisturize.

Over-washing gives me dry flaky uglyness.

I think exfoliating could help you with your issues a lot. Adult acne is often caused by dry skin- the flakes clog your pores. Exfoliation helps prevent that. Try st. ives scrub, a clarisonic, something like that and see if there's improvement. If not, definitely see a dermatologist. I saw one a few years back, she perscribed an oral something and it cleared me right up. I have not had much trouble maintaing clear skin since then!

Good luck, OP and let us know how it goes!

ellentravis · December 2011

Thank you so much ladies! I am very excited to try some new products!!!

fallbride1109 · December 2011

I use Mary Kay's Timewise products so I'm not a ton of help in that department--I would love to make a change but have no idea what I would change to!

Anyway my routine is:

Night:
Cleanse
Vitamin C serum
Heavy moisturizer (I have dry skin)
Eye cream

Morning:
Light daily moisturizer with SPF

I also do at-home microdermabrasion--not as much as I should. Ideally I would do it once a week at least. Leading up to the wedding, I also used a MK product for dark circles. And lastly, I got a gylcolic peel 2 months before the wedding.

ellentravis · December 2011

Thank you Stephanie! You're glowing in your pic, so your recommendation goes far with me!!

fallbride1109 · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_general-beauty-regimen?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:358Discussion:01b4385a-ad28-4242-9c9a-4f7a33d49823Post:c5cd47b9-1026-404d-8515-3401ef942604">Re: General Beauty Regimen</a>:
[QUOTE]Thank you Stephanie! You're glowing in your pic, so your recommendation goes far with me!!
Posted by ellentravis[/QUOTE]

Awww, thanks. My skin looked better on my wedding day than it ever has. I didn't do anything special (other than the glycolic), BUT I was very diligent in keeping up my regimen (unlike now)--never skipping a night, no sleeping in my makeup, etc.

Also 2 weeks before the wedding, I cut out caffeine and salt and tried to limit processed food. I always tend to have a "puffy face" in pictures, but this took care of that.

ellentravis · December 2011

Great advice Stephanie. My face gets puffy too. So what did you eat? Just veggies and chicken and things like that? Ugh, so hard since I'm normally a granola bar here, peanuts there kinda girl...

fallbride1109 · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_general-beauty-regimen?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:358Discussion:01b4385a-ad28-4242-9c9a-4f7a33d49823Post:eee3c2c8-8512-4665-99c9-f3ce3a6e4ba3">Re: General Beauty Regimen</a>:
[QUOTE]Great advice Stephanie. My face gets puffy too. So what did you eat? Just veggies and chicken and things like that? Ugh, so hard since I'm normally a granola bar here, peanuts there kinda girl...
Posted by ellentravis[/QUOTE]

Well, it was mostly what I <em>didn't </em>eat--canned soup, popcorn, frozen dinners, baked chips, diet soda, etc. I could still have a turkey sandwich or salad for lunch, fruit, healthy snacks, etc., and I could still eat most things for dinner. I just really tried to look at the sodium content of everything.

ellentravis · December 2011

That's awesome. Thanks so much!

jtoly · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_general-beauty-regimen?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:358Discussion:01b4385a-ad28-4242-9c9a-4f7a33d49823Post:c038f96c-1603-4767-9892-f097c8009b12">Re: General Beauty Regimen</a>:
[QUOTE]I use Mary Kay's Timewise products so I'm not a ton of help in that department--I would love to make a change but have no idea what I would change to! Anyway my routine is: Night: Cleanse Vitamin C serum Heavy moisturizer (I have dry skin) Eye cream Morning: Light daily moisturizer with SPF I also do at-home microdermabrasion--not as much as I should. Ideally I would do it once a week at least. Leading up to the wedding, I also used a MK product for dark circles. And lastly, I got a gylcolic peel 2 months before the wedding.
Posted by stephiehall[/QUOTE]

What is the gylcolic peel?

MyUserName1 · December 2011

You can get do-it-yourself glycolic peels on the internets. Its supposed to make you all glowy and stuffs.

Check amazon.com actually.

Folks recommend you start with a lower percentage the first time to see how it works for you, then iincrease the percentage if needed.

I haven't tried one yet, but I plan to after the holidays. I figure I'll need it after all the parties!

krizzo17 · December 2011

Have you tried Proactive? My fiance and I both have adult acne, and we finally bit the bullet and bought Proactive about a year before our wedding date, assuming it would take a few months to see results. It worked really well for both of us within about 6 weeks. Our only complaint is that if you miss a day or two, the acne comes back (not badly, just a few spots), so you really have to stay on top of it.

I use glycolic peels on my arms as well for KP - pretty much the same thing, it works great while you're using it 2-3 times per week, but the results don't last much longer than that, so you have to use it continuosly. I use the 50% peel (started with 35%) from Skin Laboratories on amazon

RamonaFlowers · December 2011

I'm 27, and I still get jawline acne which is caused by hormones. I have a skin regime which I'll get into in a minute, but first things first is I will tell you that one thing that made a huge impact on my skin was taking up yoga a few months ago. I bought a DVD on Amazon (I think it's actually called "Yoga For Stress Relief"), and I try to do at the very least 30 minutes twice a week. I swear, I didn't change anything else about my daily life (Diet, skin care, etc), and within 2 weeks, my skin looked a million times better. In the past month, I fell off the wagon, between holidays and being really busy with work and family stuff, and seriously, it shows: when my period rolled around this month, my skin looked as bad as it did in high school.

Like Stephanie said, I highly recommend drinking lots of water and eating healthier ... just putting some fruits and veggies in, and taking some sodium and processed foods out will also make a huge difference. You can still indulge in desserts, just try not to make it a regular thing. Also, try to get Omega 3s into your system- they're good for your hair and skin ... and also are really good for your heart. You can either eat them in things like salmon, flax seeds and certain nuts, or you can take fish oil pills.

As for my actual skin care regime:

AM:
Queen Helene's Mint Julep Scrub (Safe for daily use)
H20+ Face Oasis Moisturizer

PM:
Remove make-up with Say Yes To Cucumbers wipes
Cleanse with either Purity by Philosophy, or Cetaphil Skin Cleanser (I just alternate between them every night) with my Clarisonic
H20+ Marine Toner
H20+ Night Oasis Moisturizer

I regularly wear Bare Minerals make-up, washing the brushes once a month. For the wedding I used something else, but for everyday use, it has definitely been the nicest to my skin.

I also try to do Queen Helene's Mint Julep mask once a week ... but I admit to not always remembering to do that-oops! Hope this helps!

fallbride1109 · December 2011

I go to an esthetician for glycolic peels. It's basically just a very heavy exfoliation. Here is what Wikipedia says:

Glycolic acid: This is the mildest of the peel formulas and produces light peels for treatment of fine wrinkles, areas of dryness, uneven pigmentation and acne. Formulated from sugar cane, this acid creates a mild exfoliating action. Glycolic acid peels work by loosening up and exfoliating the superficial top layer. This peel also stimulates collagen growth.

I see immediate results which last around 6 months. Some people may need them more frequently, but that has not been my experience. Also, a licensed esthetician can give you a heavier concentration that you cannot receive from an at-home product.

Be careful with Aveda products--since they are all organic, some people experience allergic reactions (I am one of them). So don't invest heavily in Aveda products until you are sure you can tolerate them.

ellentravis · December 2011

Thanks, ladies! And in putting this out to my friends on FB, I also got some winners. These came up more than any others:

Smashbox Photo Finish makeup primer

A Perfect World Origins Collection

Aveda's oil absorbing mask and the hydrating mask (also on Oprah's list of her fave things)

rlavach · December 2011

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_wedding-beauty_general-beauty-regimen?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:358Discussion:01b4385a-ad28-4242-9c9a-4f7a33d49823Post:c038f96c-1603-4767-9892-f097c8009b12">Re: General Beauty Regimen</a>:
[QUOTE]I use Mary Kay's Timewise products so I'm not a ton of help in that department--I would love to make a change but have no idea what I would change to! Anyway my routine is: Night: Cleanse Vitamin C serum Heavy moisturizer (I have dry skin) Eye cream Morning: Light daily moisturizer with SPF I also do at-home microdermabrasion--not as much as I should. Ideally I would do it once a week at least. Leading up to the wedding, I also used a MK product for dark circles. And lastly, I got a gylcolic peel 2 months before the wedding.
Posted by stephiehall[/QUOTE]
I have a very similar routine, except I use more products. I'm really trying my best to never skip a morning/night. I honestly could care less about my skin before (i.e. sleep in makeup). Now I'm obsessed! I use the MK Timewise products below:<div>
</div><div>Morning</div><div>Cleanse</div><div>Replenishing Serum +C</div><div>Day Solution</div><div>Moisturizer</div><div>Targeted Action Eye Revitelizer</div><div>Eye Cream</div><div>
</div><div>Evening</div><div>same as above, just switch Night Solution for Day Solution & use an Acne Spot Treatment with benzoyl peroxide (occasionally).</div><div>
</div><div>I also do the Microdermabrasion 1-2 times a week and then do a Biore Nose/Face strip once a week. I've started using a sugar scrub on my body and a mint foot cream. I want to be smooth & glowing everywhere!</div><div>
</div><div>ETA: I'd be careful about doing glycolic peels or really trying a whole bunch of new products right before your wedding. If you do have an allergic reaction to any, you'd need at least 2 months time to make sure you're completely healed. I added in each product 1 at a time, that way I was sure I could tolerate it. </div>

ellentravis · December 2011

Wow, I don't think I can keep up with you girls, but now I know how you stay so beautiful! Thank you for all the tips and secrets.

:)

joneka · December 2011

I have oily skin.I invested in the entire Clinque acne regimen (steps 1, 2 and 3), but still had problems. So I went to see my dermatologist. She gave me a sample of a face wash called Cetaphyl (over the counter, I found it at walmart). I love it!! Its very gentle. She told me to continue to use the Clinque toner, and I use Ambi daily moisturiser. As far as make-up. I use the perfectly real from Clinque (liquid foundation). Its for oily..once I found that it works; I was in love. its a little pricey, not enormously..but a great investment..when were talking our skin. I also use the city block primer also from Clinque. Clinique can be found in Macy's and some Palais Royal stores. She also perscribed two different cremes that are amazing. One minimizes my pores and keep down the oil, the other is for the spot discoloriation.

As far as Proactive, my roommate had terrible acne, she used it and it cleared up, but once started you have to become a for life user..she said once she stopped it came back twice as much with a vengence..

Ive also tried the at home microderabrasion from Avon. I like it, but I dont use it too often since when microdermabrasion is used too often in oily skin, it send the skin into overdrive with oil production.

So my advice to you is to start with your dermatologist. Everyones skin is different and regimen might not work for you.

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