I’m fairly happy, though something that would eradicate all acne 100% would be amazing. My skin doesn’t seem to react to a lot of products adversely, as I can easily transition between products and not see any ill effects.
— Christine
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I’m loving all these skin care routine discussions! I wonder what brough them on.
Anyways, I’d say that I’m 95% satisfied with my routine. Things I’d like to improve is to find a mineral-based sunscreen that has antioxidants, high SPF and UVA-PF, and is really great under foundation. Right now I have to mix and layer products to achieve this result.
I’d also love to try something like the Skinceuticals CE Ferlic. I just can’t currently justify dropping that kind of moola, based on the research. But when I’m rich (haha!) I’d love to try it.
But other than that, I’m really REALLY happy with my routine. My skin is a million times better than it was a few years ago.
You might like Juice Beauty’s Mineral Sunscreen. Amazing anti-oxidants and anti-aging, great moisture and awesome under makeup. Can’t get enough of that stuff. Plus it’s all organic.
Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, there are several drawbacks. One, there is no full ingredient list, so while there appears to be an excellent, and I mean an SUPER selection of well-documented antioxidants, I can’t tell approx. how much is present. Furthermore, I can’t evaluate the base or carrier ingredients that will clarify how emollient or matte this will be. Finally, this only contains 10% titanium dioxide, which does not provide good protection against long UVA rays (>340 nms). And you know what they say, the longer they are, the deeper they penetrate and can do more harm. 🙁
But once again, thank you for the suggestion. It means a lot that you wrote a comment!
Yes! I am loving my current skincare routine because it has helped clear up my skin.
I’m not 100% happy, but probably 85% satisfied? I still get intense blackheads that I cant seem to eradicate on my nose and one or two zits monthly that don’t go away easily but both of those issues are easily covered hah. My blackheads are so bad and have been for years I’ve pretty much given up on clearing them! I’m using 2% salycic acid on them daily, thinking of switching to a SA and glyocolic acid combo product?
have you tried using a facewash with SA in it? i find they work quite well 🙂 Personally i think to get rid of blackhead, it takes a chemical scrub rather than physical scrub since the blackhead are smaller than normal scrubs so chemical scrubs can get to them easier 🙂
water changes the SA’s pH so it’s NOT effective in a facewash, plus, it would take a lot of time for the SA to work, while washing your face takes a couple of minutes
Thank you Artemis!
If you have a dermatologist, check to see if they carry a skin care line that has a SA product with a higher concentration. I use one from Image Skincare called Clear Cell Medicated Acne Masque that has a 5% SA concentration and it works wonderfully!
Not at all! I have yet to find an amazing cleanser and moisturizer. 🙁 I do really like using witch hazel for toner though.
I’m not super happy with my skincare routine. I wish I could find an exfoliator or exfoliator and moisturizer combo that would completely combat flakes/cracked looking skin. I also am looking for a good moisturizer for under the eyes…something that won’t irritate my eyes, but that will hydrate, and help the way lines look. I’m also still on the hunt for a moisturizer that fully sinks, but is still intensely hydrating. I just feel like I never know what to look for or what’s best, and since I have limited options…it’s just a huge pain, haha. I’ll end my whining session.
My skin is at best condition so I’m enjoying everyday with exploring new products (n___n)
NO! My biggest issues: dry patches, oily skin, acne breakouts and laugh lines (I’m 37). My oily skin has gotten a bit better with Michael Todds Oil Absorbing Lotion but the rest of the acne kit was MEH! I still break out with acne and nothing seems to help. I have dry patches yet I have oily skin (I know, right?) and the left side laugh line is so much worse that the right side laugh line. I’m just a mess. Some of the products I use do help but I can’t use them everyday or else my skin gets so overwhelmed. One day I’ll find the perfect fit.
* My acne did get better with medication from my dermo but I HATE taking pills. I may get back on it if things don’t change.
Have you tried Paula’s.Choice skin balancing kit? Changed my life (oily skin, flakes, acne, 34yo). Just a suggestion. No I’m not a rep for.them or anything like that. just a loyal fan.
I had similar skin issues (I’m 37) and I’ll second the Paula’s Choice recommendation. I still have a fairly oily skin, but using a combination of the balancing, BHA and anti-aging products (resist line, used preemptively) over the past year has really improved my skin.
Have you tried jojoba oil? It’s said to mimic skins natural sebum. You may actually have dry skin that is overcompensating by secreting excess sebum that is clogging your pores. It’s pretty inexpensive, and a drop is pretty much all I need to cover my entire face, any more can feel a bit greasy. This doesn’t work for everyone, but it doesn’t cost alot & the oil can also be used on the hair or body. I broke out a bit the first week, but after a bit of research, I found it was common, as the skin needs to adjust; the end results were worth the inconvenience of a few zits.
I’m pretty much using a chemical-free routine, and my pores have decreased dramatically since I changed about a month ago. I’ve stopped using parabens and pthalates(sp?), at least in cleansing & moisturizing, but I am on the hunt for an organic sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 45. Does anyone have any suggestions?
IM LOVING MY SKIN AT THE MOMENT 🙂
My skin is really behaving at the moment and for the last 6 months. Im using Trilogy sensitive face wash, Trilogy sensitive moisturing cream, Simple Toner + Antipodes Eye cream.
+ also Garnier BB cream(however it does go oily on me halfway through the day) I use Mac powder to set the BB cream.
My skin- Normal (as in not dry, not that oily) + sensitive at times. It used to be oily and have loads of acne but its all cleared up!
–> Even though i know its just a skincare routine discussion- I truly believe Diet/Water Intake/Exercise/Being happy and of course skincare reflect your skins health.. you cant expect your skin to be perfect if you eat crappy food.
Great tip! I was thinking of trying trilogy products since I use their rosehip oil and find it amazing! I have sensitive skin – combination and, using this at night, I was able to compensate my skin of the oil control lotions i’ve been using during the day.
I’m in a skincare funk right now.
I would love to try some new things – and have a few in mind – but can’t afford to try a whole bunch of products. Which sucks because I don’t mind shelling out serious cash for something that works, but I do mind going broke buying a dozen overpriced products that don’t work!
Never have been once in my life. I have acne prone skin and I’m very fair, so when blemishes heal they leave a mark. I’ve tried so many products and nothing has ever worked. I’m using a kit from Avon right now that’s actually better than Proactiv, but it’s still not ideal.
Glycolic acid (AHA) helps to fade post-acne marks quite quickly 🙂 Paula’s Choice has a weekly glycolic treatment available if the marks are really bothering you. Not affiliated, just a suggestion!
I would say 75% satisfied! My skin looks great now but ever since I stopped taking hormonal birth control, it can vary depending on the time of the month. I would love to be able to afford the Clarisonic but that’s not going to happen! Maybe I’ll try out its cheaper cousin from Olay.
I am loving my eye cream, Clinique’s All About Eyes Rich, which really helps with my dark circles and tiny fine lines under my eyes. I’m also becoming religious with my sunscreen and am pretty happy with Neutrogena’s face sunscreen products.
Definitely not satisfied with mine. My skin has gotten so much oilier and not sure what’s good to control it. Anyone used Dermalogica? Any thoughts? I’m thinking about trying it.
I have been using Proactiv for a few months now. It has really helped my skin.
Hello all,
I recently started using the Lancome skincare system. I have dry combination skin with some discoloration and wanted to try to focus more on my skin since I have typically focused more on makeup in the past. I like it a lot so far. I am using the galate confort facial cleanser, the hydrating toner, and the BIENFAIT MULTI-VITAL SPF 30 LOTION in the day time and their BIENFAIT MULTI-VITAL Night creme before bed. I have also started using their dark spot corrector and have seen minimal improvements in my discoloration but its been too early to tell much. So all of that to say, so far so good!
Lancome skincare rocks! You should give Visionaire a try 🙂
I’m about 97% satisfied with my skincare routine. The only thing that bothers me is that I sometimes shed flakes of skin on my temples and around my eyebrows, though I don’t know what would fix that. I’ve been using the acne.org regimen for several years, and now that I’ve thrown in a couple extra products it’s been keeping my skin completely clear. Currently, the products I’m using every morning and night are (in this order): Liquid Neutrogena cleanser, Clinique Clarifying Lotion 2, Acne.org BP gel, Acne.org AHA+, and Boscia Oil-free Daily Hydration SPF 15 (morning)/Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion (night). These products together have worked wonders for my skin!
I am pretty pleased with my skincare routine. I am eighteen and combination/oily. I used to have acne but it has cleared up completely because of using birth control and tazorac retinoid. Here are the products I use every day:
MORNING:
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser or Philosophy Exfoliating Wash
Jack Black Double Duty moisturizer SPF 20
100% Pure coffee bean eye cream
NIGHT:
Olay Sensitive Face Wash
Cerave lotion
Kiehls Avocado Eye Cream
Tazorac Retinoid
So not happy right now, LOL. I was fine with my old routine until my citrus sensitivity gave me hives, followed by intense dryness that my usual “safe for sensitive skin” products couldn’t cope with. Tried Aquaphor on derm’s rec – did nothing. Tried switching to cleansing oils, using a Eucerin cream… dryness, scaling and mad itchiness that woke me up during a night eased up, but now my entire face is swollen! Am seeing the derm on Friday – probably need medication of some sort.
But yeah, before all that, I was very happy, LOL. Blasted oranges and their tempting deliciousness. 🙁
I’m happy with my routine. I rarely get breakouts, they’re hormonal when I do, my skin rarely seems too dry or oily, and I can’t complain about any aspect of the products I use.
I’m pretty sure I am developing rosacea, though, but that’s a medical issue I’m going to have to book an appointment with a dermatologist for. 🙁
For you girls with dry skin I highly suggest you try the embryolisse line. It’s the best! The laite – cream concentrate(24 hour miracle cream) is AMAZING
Yes I am ! I use good moisturizers, firming creams when needed and my skin seems to be ok. I am on lithium carbonate and it gives me a very dry skin so I choose my skincare very carefully.
I have never been happier! I found Juice Beauty a year ago and I am consistently break-out free! I never ever thought this was possible. I use their Green Apple cleanser, Blemish Clearing Serum, Mineral Sunscreen moisturizer, Antioxidant Serum, and AMAZING Green Apple Peel. I never got dried out when my acne healed, and my skin is glowing and happy. Never been so impressed by anything!
If you can’t clear your breakouts, TRY THIS STUFF! I am still amazed.
Clarisonic helps too I think. 🙂
I would say I am happy with my current routine around 95%. I just want my blackheads to go.
I am very happy with my skincare regime. I had very oily skin and now it is more combination. I use Mario Badescu anti-aging regime for combination skin.
Nope, completely terrified by what’s happening to my skin, actually, lol. It got a lot worse over the past few months, can’t figure out if it’s because I’m wearing foundation daily, or not removing makeup right.. breakouts all the time, and I actually started getting oily around the T-zone (used to have normal skin.)
I’m young, so I don’t use toners or whatever (don’t even know what all that stuff is for, I’m better at makeup than skincare, haha!) Would love suggestions!
Be gentle to your skin first of all. I found when I was breaking out bad, I tried to scrub off my acne, but that made it worse. Using gentle cleanser and moisturizer that don’t have any irritating ingredients in them. Look for one for sensitive skin if you’re having trouble finding something that works. To treat the acne you have and prevent more from coming, I’ve found tea tree oil works much better than SA. The Body shop makes some great tea tree oil products and Lush’s Grease Lightning is gentle enough to use all over but still fights acne. Hope you can find something to help get your skin back to normal!
Thanks so much for the reply! I will definitely try some of your suggestions. I wish I knew which ingredients were irritating, though.
I don’t know how young you are, but acne can be caused by hormone fluctuations and exacerbated by excess oil and bacteria. So keeping your face clean, especially at night or after wearing makeup or exercising is a good start!
Foundation or other makeup shouldn’t actually *cause* acne (unless you’re allergic or react to any ingredients) but if your pores get blocked for whatever reason, this can contribute to breakouts.
Toner may not be necessary for you (I’ve never used it) but finding a balance between cleansing and maintaining moisture levels or nourishing your skin can be an ongoing challenge.
Good luck!
I’m twenty, so it’s a bit late for it to be hormonal… not sure. Thanks for the advice!
Eh, I had perfect skin until I was 22 then suffered from horrible, horrible cystic acne for over ten years. I went on isotretinoin last year to fix it once and for all.
Your hormone levels can be altered at any stage by a number of influences, not just the obvious ones like puberty, menopause or pregnancy.
Start with the skincare basics (cleanser and moisturizer) and experiment from there until you find what works for you 🙂
I’d say I’m about 90% happy with my skin routine. My skin is clearer than it’s ever been and I only get the occasional breakout which is amazing! Thank you tea tree oil. I also find my skin is more balanced and less oily than usual, which I give argan oil credit for. The only thing missing is something that will help with is some uneven skintone like the redness around the center of my face and hyper-pigmentation left from old acne scars.
I am 100% I have very dry skin and have finally found the perfect routine!!
Cliniderm cleanser, biotherm biosource toner for dry skin, day cream is la Roche posay toleraine ( sensitive skin), and night cream biotherm aquasource biosensitive riche.
If I need extra help I have two difference hydrocortisone for my eczema breakouts.
I never exfoliate, it’s too abrasive
Getting there.. Skincare is somewhat of a work in progress.. Just as you get it right, your skin changes, be it the season, you age, mayor life change, stress… who knows.. But I will say I am very happy with it now as apposed to a few years ago! Thanks to other bloggers and vast information on the internet, I think that even though my skin is not perfect, at least I am taking good care of it and it’s generally healthy. And in the long run, that’s what’s the most important (in my humble opinion)!
I’m fairly happy with mine at the moment. I can transition from one face wash to another without any adverse effect. Ideally, I would prefer a very even, clean face but from looking years back, I am much happier with the result.
I love reading the comments!
The only issue I have is that my skin seems a bit dull at the mo – going to try some at DIY Vitamin C treatments if I can get my hands on some pure ascorbic acid but otherwise it’s pretty good.
I have about three moisturizers on rotation, switching between L’Occitane Shea Butter and Antipodes Vanilla Day Cream (takes too long to absorb before I put my makeup on, 20 minutes+!) at night but loyal to my Comvita Huni Whitening Moisturizer for day. Sinks right in, isn’t tacky or sticky and smells heavenly. Plus, they’re locally based so I can get it easily. My melasma patches have never looked better and I’m using much less concealer, yay!
My skin took a few months to settle after finishing my course of isotretinoin, it’s not quite so dry anymore and I get the very occasional zit but they are always minor and nothing like the horrible cystic nodules I had for so long – and I pinch a bit of my fiance’s Jack Black Anti-Razor Bump solution (2% Salicylic Acid) and those suckers are dealt to in double quick time.
I’ve started using the Jack Black face wash too and it is completely fab – removes makeup, even long last eyeliner and waterproof mascara!
Also, smells gorgeous 🙂
any recommendations for hormonal acne? i only break out on my right cheek and it seems by the the time the last ones are healing, the next month comes along and, they pop up again.
I really like my obagi skincare line that I am using. I have very oily skin and it is acne prone. Since I have been using obagi my skin has cleared up for the most part, but I would like to find something that really works to shrink my pores. Any suggestions?
I’m happy with my skin care products. I do have good skin which helps(my mom has amazing skin!)I have been using Avon Genics face and now eye cream-excellent! I recently bought the Meaningful Beauty Kit-haven’t tried it yet-using up the other creams first! Just curious if it’s everything they say it is!If not, I’ll gladly go back to the Genics. It is that good.
I have normal to combination/ dry sensitive skin, prone to rosacea and random breakouts. I am fairly happy with my skincare though with a few give and takes. Thought of complaining a bit at first ;p but then realized that some of the breakouts i had been experiencing were due to hormones/stress and trying on a lot of different products. I would like to clear up the recurring blackhead/whitehead problem too though like others have mentioned. and i have included SA and GA in my skincare as well.
ONE item i would like to share that has really been a winning combo for cleansing and exfoliating at night is the Shu Uemura cleansing oil (green bottle) along with Guerlain Gentle Polishing exfoliater. I use this at night after sweeping a wipe to take off the surface makeup and then layer on a pump of the oil on my face really well and then apply the dime sized exfoliater on top and then massage in circular motion for a minute or two and then apply/press on skin wet palms to emulsify both products (both are cleansing oil based) really well before rinsing them off. It leaves my skin soft smooth clean and never dry.
Have you tried the Clarisonic? I LOVE mine. I use it twice a day and now I don’t get whiteheads anymore. (My skin used to be horrible – I’d break out all over my cheeks, it was so painful!)
I love my current skincare routine – it has soothed my skin, cleared up my moderate-severe acne almost completely (I get an occasional pain-free pimple, but it doesn’t phase me), made my skin softer, feel comfortable and less greasy and congested. I actually enjoy putting it into practice because my skin feels better every morning and night when I use my products.
The skin on my body is nice and soft and not the least bit greasy too, which is nice.
The only thing it hasn’t done is transform my skin type – I still get shiny (though not as greasy) on my t-zone, and would love something that serves as mattifying without my skin reacting to it – its very sensitive to most products!
The other thing I’m looking for is the perfect sunscreen. I’m obsessed with sunscreen, so I always want to go one better.
I am about 70% satisfied with my skin care routine. I too, like others have written above, am looking for a moisturizer & sunscreen combo, at least spf 30. I am not particular about a mineral product. Only looking for something that wouldn’t irritate my sensitive acne-prone skin.
I am pretty happy with my skincare routine. I use the Clarisonic along with my philosophy face wash. Sometimes I use my Olay Thermal Mini Peel because it has some glycolic acid in it. During the day, I use Philosophy’s Hope in a Bottle and some Sunblock that’s SPF 50. At night I use Philosophy’s Hope in a Bottle, Vitamin C concentrate serum by Kiehl’s, and Olay’s Regenerist cream. I do want to try higher end face creams and serums but they just run out so quickly. The whole “you only need a little” never seems that way to me…