Skin Care
 

Could somebody recommend me a good skin care product. I've tried using Oil of Olay, and MaryKay. I have oily skin and the apartment that I live in has hard water and it's causing me to have acne. Has anybody tried proactive and if so does it work?

Though I've never suffered from acne, I use Proactiv to prevent sporadic breakouts. It works! So far there have been no blemishes on my face. I know someone with severe acne who has yet to suffer a breakout since trying Proactiv. I would give it a shot if I were you.

Proactiv is some wonderful stuff! It cleared me up big time! Give it a try!

Proactiv is a VERY good product...it's a little on the expensive side, but, it is very much worth it. I worked for me and both of my sisters, one of which who had severe acne.

Kiehl's is the bomb! I am in love with their unscented body wash. Also, Dermalogica is good.

I stopped using ProActiv and use its generic brand available at WalMart and CVS called Acne Free. Only thing it is missing is the mask. It is available at these stores for less than $20.

I have also added Biore' Warming Blackhead Cleanser. You wet your face and put some of that on your face. It really does heat up!! :)

I'm a Clinique girl..been using their stuff for YEARS works well for me.

No matter what type of cleanser I use my face dries up something awful. Anyone have any advice on moisturizers?

missjeff,
I have been using Arbonne's Clear Advantage System for around 3 months now and I have noticed a major difference. I have used just about every drug out there, antibiotics, accutane, topicals. Also I have tried Proactive. I do believe those treatments work for some folks but they just didn't work for me. I noticed a difference with Arbonne immediately. My skin cleared up and I no longer have major breakouts, just the occasional monthly one. An added bonus is that Arbonne's products have no animal products and also are not tested on animlas in any way. The kit comes with pills, however I do not use those. The cleanser, toner and moisturizer are enough for me. This line is truly the best one that I have seen in my 25 years and I plan to stick with it.

Best of luck in finding a solution!

During the summer months, my skin is very oily, and in the winter months, everything but my "T-Zone" is extremely dry. I usually stick to St. Ive's cleanser with Tea Tree oil for the dry times. When the oiliness is out of control and I begin to break out, Neutrogena's Deep Clean facial cleanser. I usually use Mary Kay moisturizer for a perfect moisture balance after cleansing.

My skin is pretty cool (even though this pregancy has caused some issues!) and I use Fashion Fairs skincare line, the cleanser, moisturizer and the exfoliating lotion. As for Proactive I had a co-worker tell me just the other day how well it worked. I have only heard good things about it.

I am cheap. I use Wal-Mart's knock-off of Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser. It is called Equate Clarifying Facial Cleanser. I use the normal to oily strength. It costes $2.47, and it has worked very well for me. I have no complaints, but I don't have troublesome skin. You may need to spend more if you suffer from more troublesome acne.

For moisture, I use ROC's Hydra plus effect reservior (SPF 15) moisturizer. It runs between $10-$14, depending where you buy it.

The Acne Free works well. CT4 had recommended earlier, and I picked some up from Wally World.

Are the Proactive products bigger in size than Acne Free? I ran out of it (Acne Free) fast.

Do you think the Biore' can remove the blackheads from my nose?

I also brought one of those facial steamers from Wally World. I use it about one per week. It gets the impurities out of the skin and opens pores. My skin has felt so soft since I've been using it.

I believe they are the same sizes (acne free vs. ProActiv) but if not Acne Free is almost 20 dollars cheaper.

My facial sauna came yesterday and I love it. No more boiling water in a pot to stick my face over it. I plan to do it once a week as well.

I purchased the Acne Free several months ago, but was a little disappointed because the 1st step wasn't a "scrublike" formula like the ProActiv. It was watery just like the 2nd step. I'm planning to go ahead and get some ProActiv shortly.

Other than that, I did like Mary Kay - used it quite some time ago. I also like Clinique products and am now using Clinique foundation (when I wear makeup twice a month!).

I only purchased one bottle of the ProActiv and from then on, I used Acne Free. It does a good scrub for me. Did you shake the bottle good? :confused: At any rate, I combine ProActiv with Neutrogena Daily Scrub that has little microbeads as well. I did not want to have my face become immune to the product.

Also check out Ebay. Acne Free does not have the mask like ProActiv so I bid on some mask and won it for $2. :D

I have a question:

My face, for the most part, is clear; however, I have many small blemishes on both of my cheeks. I know it's probably from squeezin' some pimples and such. Anyway, I've been using clinique's 3-step for a while and my face has cleared up of the bumps I used to get quite often. My question is, are there any products I can use that would help eliminate my blemishes? And do you think it would be safe to use in addition to the 3-step I currently use?

I've been using Neutrogena's Visibly Clear. I think its working. Times like this I wish I had taken a picture before I started using it.

for spot treatment of current zits, Benefit has a clear liquid that you can just dab on. i think it's called boo boo zap, or buh bye. one's green for night, and the other's clear for day. I find this is just the thing for that stress related zit that comes out before you have an important event.

See, that's what scares me most. lightening areas that don't need to be. Is there any cream or something that I can just apply to my face and it will work, without having to be so careful making sure I "stay in the lines?"

Thanks for the tip. So far, no over the counter fade cream has worked for me :( and I've tried lots (Ambi, Nadinola, Black n White, Mexican pearls, etc.)

I just started using Acne Free. You can go on University Medical's website. I believe they have mask also.

The Acne Free bottles are the same size as the Proactiv bottles.

I've been kinda skeptical about the pro-active treatment. Its so expensive. But, I may have to go ahead and dish out the cash since the neutrogena fash wash and Ambi products aren't very effective.

Take it from someone who had BAD ACNE! It was sooo bad, my exboyfriend used to call me CHOCOLATE CHIP!! But back to the post at hand!

Pro Activ is really good! I also used to try Neutrogena products when I was younger and they are good too! But since a sista been low on funds and haven't paid for the Pro Activ in like a couple of months...lol...I might try the WalMart version!

For anyone who lives in the ATL, is it true that they sell ProActiv at Lennox Mall? If so, is it the same price or cheaper? Just curious!

THANK YOU!! :D Using the mask overnight, for me, faded my acne scars.

Each and every time I used it. I wonder if I got a bad case of the stuff? I'll try again, and if it's the same, I'll take it back. What is the consistency of the 1st step? Is it a different color? Does it feel gritty so as to scrub properly?

It's not thick at all nor is it very gritty. :confused: For the price, I make it work.

Good tips
 

I've enjoyed reading these posts. I think I must be the only 40-year-old who has occasional breakouts, and I like the suggestions.

For my overall skin care, I've used Clarins since late 1993, and what I like about them is that they sample, so I have used a ton of their products. They include the Huile Lotus for evening moisturizer, Hydra-Matte Day Lotion, Lait Demaquillant/Lotion Tonique, the combination/oily range.

Has anyone heard of using "Preparation H" on your face? I was reading in "In Style" tonite that Halle Berry and Christina Ricci use it. How does it work?

I could be wrong, but you use it on those red, tender pimples. The PH supposedly takes down the swelling and helps dry out the pimple (reducing the redness).

I have quite clear skin- people often ask me what I use and my response is always:

1. WATER- drink it up! This summer I did the Eating for Life plan and you ahve to drink 64 oz of water a day- your skin loves it!
2. Mark Kay Timewise- I love it. I had a little acne as a teen, but my skin has never been troublesome, but this product makes my skin so creamy. It is the boost form A to A+.

I hope this helps!


ETA: Also make sure you use a moisturizer with at least SPF 15- we don't want wrinkles later in life! Also, wear sunglasses regularly- they are the number one aid in preventing crows feet!

I think I need to switch my skin care. Right now, I'm using Clinique's 3-step. The only thing is, if I miss even one day or night of using this, my face breaks out quick. So, this can't be the right skin care for my face.

I drink a half gallon of water a day, so I know I'm getting my moisture in.

I've heard a lot about velocity from Mary Kay lately. Are there any current users? What is all involved in this skin care system?

I know that you shouldn't break out after having not used a certain skin care for one day. Any suggestions?

Re: Skin Care
 

I love Proactive. I used to have very oily skin and not to mention the acne that raided my face. Since using Proactive (for a year now) I feel much better and of course, I look radiant.

I had to chuck the Acne Free. It was too gritty and not as refined as ProActiv. I went back to my drugstore standby....St. Ives Clear Pore Cleanser. Good, cheap, and keeps my skin clear!

Yup...that's what Prep H does. Think about it...it reduces the swelling with 'rhoids...which are swollen blood vessels. It'll shrink the redness in the pimples too. It works well for thinning temples too....