So my Soror Pro asked me to discuss my skincare regimen. Well, I can’t say no to Pro.
You guys know that I am really basic right? Well, I always had good skin growing up. Oily, but okay. Well, after Tali 2….my skin became a hot freaking mess. Pimples, dry patches, oily patches. At 36 years old….I was struggling with acne. WTH? Pregnancy and post pregnancy (yes your body acts like it’s still pregnant for months afterwards) hormones were wreaking havoc with my hair and skin. Post pregnancy hair is an entirely different topic. UGH.
I have never used any one specific product on my face and I have tried them all. From high end cleansers and moisturizers to plain old soap. I have finally gotten myself into a good basic routine that works for me and surprise, surprise….you can find it all at your local drugstore. (Okay almost ALL of it).
I use either Cet.a.phil cleanser or Ne.utroge.na Cr.eam Cleanser for Acne Prone Skin. I used to use Do.ve soap on my face and it was good but I read somewhere that soap dries your skin and ever since….I moved on to using a Cream based, non-soap cleanser.
I used to use St. Iv.es Blem.ish Scrub every other day as an exfoliant and it worked pretty well. However, three months ago, my whole life changed. I was the lucky recipient of a free Cl.ari.sonic Fac.ial Brush. OMG. This thing has changed my life….and my face (as you can see from the close-up picture). While I would have never, ever bought myself a $200 face brush (the Tali’s actually like to EAT and somebody’s gotta buy groceries)….having won that brush was wonderful. I could thank Afrobella all day long.
With the cream cleanser and that face brush….my skin feels brand new after each use. When I do get pimples, they don’t last more than two days tops. That brush gets rid of them. It’s soft and doesn’t hurt my face but it deep cleans and exfoliates all of the dry, crusty patches away.
My moisturizer? Good old basic O.il of O.lay for oily skin with SPF. I have tried so many moisturizers. From Cli.nique to Pre.scri.ptives to Ph.ilo.sophy. I keep ending up right back with my O.il of O.lay. Hey, it’s $8 and it works for me.
The single most important key to my skin turn around has been the makeup. I swear when I started wearing Ba.re Esce.ntu.als, my skin texture improved. I really believe that the natural ingredients were far better than whatever was in my MAC. My pores can breathe while wearing makeup….there’s a concept! It’s lightweight and disappears into my skin without looking unnatural. I just walk around looking glowy and healthy. I can’t recommend it enough.
And that’s it. Pretty boring huh? Seriously, I can only say what works for me. Skincare is such a personal thing. What works for one person won’t work for another. If anyone has a great product, please dish in the comments…..let’s discuss!
(Sorry for the girlie topic today menfolk…..I promise my next topic will be more man friendly. You know…boobs, beer, farting, jock itch and sports.)
21 comments
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April 17, 2008 at 4:03 am
erica b.
That $200 brush has you looking fabulous! I love Neu.tro.gena products too. I use the Rap.id Cl.ear Cleanser because I’m very oily.
April 17, 2008 at 4:45 am
C'est Chic
Your skin is gorgeous.
I am often given the complement of having beautiful skin as well. I have never had a major problem with acne…nothing more than an occasional pimple or two. But when I first moved to the west coast, my skin acted a fool! I’m talking about serious blemishes and dry patches…I spent so much money on dermatologists and facials it was ridiculous. One doctor gave me the best advice ever. Aveeno. I use Aveeno for sensitive skin (in the green packaging). The foaming face wash is what I prefer, and the toner and moisturizer serves its purposes for me. I swear by it. I have combination skin, with my main dry areas being in my t-zone. Since using it my skin has returned to normal.
As for an exfoliator, I used St. Ives. But find it is becoming kind of harsh, and leaves my skin feeling a little burnt after. I may need to reconsider the exfoliation portion.
And Bare Essentuals is my new best friend. I only use studiofix at night when Im really being “made up”.
April 17, 2008 at 6:53 am
Odyssey
I can totally relate about the skin changes related to pregnancy. While pregnant with my son (2nd child) I developed eczema. It’s most noticeable on my face and arms. So, I’m back in the experimentation phase for what works. He’ll be 2 in September. Part of the problem is that I’m currently living in the Philippines and most of the facial products here are not made for my skin type. A lot are made to whiten the skin and I’m already light enough. Over here, Neu.trog.ena/O.il of Ol.ay/Ce.taph.il cost twice as much in the states. So, I use an all natural facial wash I found here and cocoa butter to moisturize. Glamorous, huh? I also found out that I have to drink about 3 liters of water each day so my skin isn’t so dry.
I plan to try Ba.re Es.cen.tuals when I return to the states. It’s not sold here, only MAC.
April 17, 2008 at 12:57 pm
CreoleInDC
You know I’m a Neutrorat too.
I still haven’t tried my Ba.re Es.cen.tuals eye kit. Imma get on that this weekend as soon as I find out where it is in my home. LOL!
April 17, 2008 at 1:29 pm
MissB
I didn’t know you have oily skin too!!!
My skin is always oily. That’s why I don’t wear make up that often because it seems to make my skin oilier(sp). Does Bare Escentuals help keep the oil down throughout the day?? I may need to try that out.
April 17, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Amadeo
I need to exfoliate…and you don’t have to talk about farting…the rest will be fine.
April 17, 2008 at 2:26 pm
brran1
Hey Sixty, How bout those Yankees?
April 17, 2008 at 2:33 pm
G. Mo
Topic is cool. Trust that I’ve got some St. Ives Apricot Scrub and Cleanser in the shower for when I wash my face. Brothas gotta take care of their skin too ya know. Not all of us use Stetson, Aqua Velva and Old Spice. I mean, I can go off on a tangent about my use of natural Shea Butter, Body Shop and BBW products fa real. Hell, I’m the cat that rubs Burt Bee’s Coconut Creme on his feet before bed to keep the dawgs nice and smooth. I might just have more skincare products than my wife… lol
April 17, 2008 at 2:53 pm
jalishouse
Mine is so simple: facecloth, soap, rinse.
I occasionally use the Biore pore picker (the nose blackhead remover) and very infrequently go for a facial.
April 17, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Pro
*Wishlist: that damn clarisonic brush and susan taylor’s RX for Brown Skin that caters to my specific problem* Sigh. that will definitely put your girl back about a few yards! do you know what kinda handbag i could cop with that money? lol
i figured your regime was simple, but i think a lot of it is you are blessed with great genes. really. the doctors have all broken down the percentage of “the largest organ on your body” and the concerns with it. a % is genetics, % diet, % topical product <- this one is really the smallest of them all. double sigh. i used cetaphil for sensitive skin, but have been using philosphy all-in-one sinse my trip to sephora a few weeks ago. i get the breakout around “that time” but the pimple leaves a blackhead on my face. *screaming* i. now. need. that. brush. i can admit that stress has my entire body out of whack! the no-job situation, finances, you name it.
thanks for the love. i surely can use it! *ehug*
April 17, 2008 at 3:42 pm
ms.lee
I’ve been using only Do.ve and Ce.rave moisturizer (never heard of it before the dermatologist recommended it, but it worked) for about a year since quitting prescriptions. Also I’ve been using MAC with no prob. But lately, my skin is acting up.
I’m glad to see your regimen is simple. Before I go to the doctor in a panic, I’m going to mix and match a few things from your list to figure out what may work for me.
April 17, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Leslie C.
Since my doctor took me off birth control pills due to my migraines, my face has been a hormonal mess. At 39, I thought I was done with acne. I’m a big fan of Olay Moisturizer too. It’s lightweight and mattifies the T-zone area. I’m also a recent convert to Bare Essentuals. Okay, why was I up late at night studying the infomercial?
April 17, 2008 at 5:34 pm
nikki indigo
that is some of the best skin advice i’ve seen. i’m gonna get my hands on that brush for real. i keep mine really simple, too.
now i’ve gotta figure out how to put on makeup. any suggestions?
April 17, 2008 at 10:50 pm
jameil
not jock itch! lmao. girl i LOVE oil of olay! that brush sounds like heaven.
April 17, 2008 at 11:38 pm
SIP
“Thanks your Holiness, awesome speech.”
April 18, 2008 at 1:23 am
Candice
I must find the brush! I suffered from terrible acne, and I am just getting my skin in a calm state, so now I’m trying to treat my scars. I got tired of paying sooooooo much money, I decided to just try what I could find in the store and make my own regimen, and it works! I use the anti-bacterial Cetaphil soap, and the cetaphil moisturizer. Now I will try the brush, and I’m am going to get bare esc., immediately!
April 18, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Nineteen69
LMAO….GW is a moron. SIP….you so crazy!
April 18, 2008 at 2:09 pm
SIP
Um…ma’am…post???????
Thank you.
Also…Tali fix. That is all.
“Thanks your Holiness, awesome speech.”
April 18, 2008 at 6:58 pm
babsinblogland
I use cet.a.phil too. I’ve been meaning to try the BE line. You may have inspired me to try it!
April 19, 2008 at 12:23 pm
brran1
Oh this post is about skincare? The only thing I caught was the last line about beer, sports, farting and what not. I use proactiv myself and it works pretty good. Which reminds me…I really do need to pay that bill. *off I go to locate proactiv bill*
April 20, 2008 at 10:10 pm
NinaMM
My skin has tripped out on me…for about 20 years. Sometimes it’s clear, sometimes it’s not. When I was 24, it totally went berzerk on me. I spent 3 months on Accutane, and I ‘clare it cleared my face up for years. Post 35, it started tripping out again. Oh well…I just deal with it.
And I’ve tried it ALL. Cetaphil stays in my toiletries, but my dermatologist recently turned me onto Kinerase, which I love. Quite pricey, but I have never used a cream moisturizer like this. Makes my crazy, cracked-out skin feel like silk.
Eh…I’on wanna talk about skin though. Bottom line, lots of water, and gentle care, keeping your hands off of your face, don’t pop your pimples, and eat good clean food…and you’re about as armed as you can get.
But I will look into this $200 brush. Look. Not buy.