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Dawn Forum All-Star
Joined: June 12 2005 Location: Massachusetts
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Posted: Aug 17 2006 at 9:28am | IP Logged
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What do you all use for skin care (face) products? Are you faithful to one line?
I am interested in going a more natural route (like Origins or Aveda as Elizabeth has mentioned) but I think the time has come to introduce some anti-aging stuff to my repertoire (which so far is basically warm water, a washcloth and Oil of Olay moisturizer ). I am really not a beauty products kind of gal and am very intimidated to go to a beauty counter.
So of course I come to all of you for advice! My main complaints are under eye circles and fine lines, dull complexion and dryness. Dh calls it a case of O.L.D. (ha ha ha ).
Any advice? Can you share what you use and do?
__________________ Dawn, mum to 3 boys
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
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JennGM Forum Moderator
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Posted: Aug 17 2006 at 10:09am | IP Logged
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Dawn, Take some time and read this site. Paula Begoun also has a few books you could check out from the library. She has her own line of products, but also gives hints in her books on no nonsense inexpensive ways to clean and hydrate your face. Truly, there is no way to keep wrinkles from coming, nor remove them when they come. Paula is a realist and helps sift through the lies that come down from the cosmetic counters.
Dull complexion means you're not exfoliating enough. But you have to be gentle on your face. A simple daily wash solution: Cetaphil Cleanser mixed with a bit of baking soda. That will gently exfoliate and clean.
I thought I had dry skin, prone to blemishes. Every time I was hydrating my skin, my chin would break out. I now have figured out I'm more normal to oily now, with the T-zone all oily, with lots of blemishes. My face has never looked better doing a skin routine now with Paula's Choice. People tell me I'm looking younger...and I'm barely doing anything. Now I sound like an infomercial, but I've tried other things, trying to save money, or when I run out and my face is just not happy. My hormones and sensitive skin make me so vulnerable to reactions and breakouts something awful. I NEVER had this in all my life...my teenage years were blissfully acne free.
Here's my routine:
Morning: Skin Balancing Cleanser in shower w/ washcloth
Skin Balancing Toner (sometimes...not always)
2% Beta Hydroxy Gel
Essential Non Greasy Sunscreen (some days omit)
Evening: Skin Balancing Cleanser
Skin Balancing Toner (sometimes)
8% Alpha Hydroxy Gel
When needed, Blemish Solution
Skin Balancing Moisturizing Gel
For the under eyes thing, she suggests antioxidant stuff.
When my face is just really reacting, I use the Carbon Skin Mask to calm everything down. Kind of a clean slate thing. But that's only weekly or biweekly.
But my skin is different than yours, of course. Just giving a little peek into my routine. This is more steps than I'm used to, but when I don't adhere to the usual ones, I can tell.
Initial outlay was a bit high. I find I run out of cleanser and toner and moisturizer faster than the other products, and those seem to last me a few months, so I'm not paying the same $$$ each month. She also has monthly specials, and usually around holidays she'll have a week of free shipping -- I always try to order around those times.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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JennGM Forum Moderator
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Posted: Aug 17 2006 at 10:24am | IP Logged
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Oh, after that long post, I just want to say I'm not telling you to buy her products. Her book "Don't Go to the Cosmetic Counter Without Me" evaluates products out there and she recommends different ones.
She just found (I think she's a chemist) that after plodding through false advertising, all sorts of extraneous or harmful chemicals that why didn't she make her own no nonsense product line? After all, she knows what will work, why not put it out there.
But that hasn't stopped her from continuing to evaluate and gives pros and cons of what's out there. So, making this long...my point is reading her suggestions you can find your niche, not necessarily her products. I've just had good experience, very good experience, with her stuff.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Meredith Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 08 2005 Location: N/A
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Posted: Aug 17 2006 at 10:49am | IP Logged
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Well, as a skincare professional I would recommend Dermalogica, it's the best out there for the money, hands down . If anyone wants tp PM me on any specifics you're welcome to. Being a profesional product they can only be purchased through a participating Skincare/Medispa type Salon. Let me know if you have any questions.
__________________ Meredith
Mom of 4 Sweeties
Sweetness and Light
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Genevieve Forum All-Star
Joined: April 02 2005
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Posted: Aug 17 2006 at 10:58am | IP Logged
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Oh... Dawn great topic and Jenn thanks for such a thorough response! I've always been a skin care minus make-up kind of girl. So I'll be faithful in taking care of my skin but once the sun block/moisturizer is put on, nothing else goes on my face. In my teen years, I was faithful with neutrogena, and now in my twenties L'Oreal. So I guess I can't help you with your particular issue but am so glad that you started this thread. All this natural talk has been making me wonder whether I should switch brands.
__________________ Genevieve
The Good Within
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JennGM Forum Moderator
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Posted: Aug 17 2006 at 2:04pm | IP Logged
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Beating a dead horse, but the book by Paula Begoun you should read is The Beauty Bible which covers skin care.
__________________ Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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Dawn Forum All-Star
Joined: June 12 2005 Location: Massachusetts
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Posted: Aug 19 2006 at 7:51am | IP Logged
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Oh my goodness. I was just slathering on some Oil of Olay when I realized I had not said *thank you* to you all for your replies. I've had one of those weeks (i.e. not a speck of extra time ), but I will spend some time this weekend checking out all the information. I thank you, and my skin thanks you!
__________________ Dawn, mum to 3 boys
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
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Rebecca Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 30 2005 Location: N/A
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Posted: Aug 19 2006 at 8:13am | IP Logged
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Thanks for starting this thread, Dawn. I am finding it all really helpful and interesting. Meredith, I used Dermalogica for years and really loved their products.
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lapazfarm Forum All-Star
Joined: July 21 2005 Location: Alaska
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Posted: Aug 19 2006 at 8:20am | IP Logged
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As another "aging" beauty queen I can relate. My skin is prone to cyclic breakouts and the only skin care regimen that works for me has been dial liquid soap (I like the pale purple) and warm water (I've tried so many expensive things which never worked!) I've used this for ages. Lately I've noticed dry patches and have added a bit of Burts Bees Carrot Nutritive lotion (not the face cream, it is too heavy for my oily skin). As a plus,the warm yellow color give my skin a nice warm glow! People always say I look ten years younger than my true age, but lately I think my age is catching up to me. I think it is the grandkids, personally.
__________________ Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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Elizabeth Founder
Real Learning
Joined: Jan 20 2005 Location: Virginia
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Posted: Aug 19 2006 at 9:40am | IP Logged
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Meredith wrote:
Well, as a skincare professional I would recommend Dermalogica, it's the best out there for the money, hands down . If anyone wants tp PM me on any specifics you're welcome to. Being a profesional product they can only be purchased through a participating Skincare/Medispa type Salon. Let me know if you have any questions. |
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Meredith,
I received a facial as a gift last year. When I finally went and cashed in just before it expired in the spring, the spa used dermatologica products. I had welts the size of quarters all over my face by the time I got home. I felt so sick that I just went to bed. When I got up, the welts were worse. I called the spa and they very nonchalantly said, "Oh, you, must have reacted to something."
Apparently so.
I know she exfoliated and I did see the difference (before the welts). I had been using a sugar crbu with essential oils to exfoliate. This got off a whole layer of skin the sugar didn't. But I can't deal with that kind of reaction...
I was too pregnant-nauseous-tired to go in there and investigate further.
Is this a rare occurrence?
__________________ Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Elizabeth Founder
Real Learning
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Posted: Aug 19 2006 at 9:42am | IP Logged
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Oh, and Dawn, I went to Aveda the next day and they gave me some things that really soothed my skin.
I haven't had as much consistent luck with Origins products--some of them bother me. Origins and Aveda are both owned by Estee Lauder, fwiw.
__________________ Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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hylabrook1 Forum Moderator
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Posted: Aug 19 2006 at 10:01am | IP Logged
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My skin seems to get irritated by so many things, also. Then the dermatologist told me I have mild rosacea. I'm able to keep it under control by using very mild products. I wash with Basis soap; it's very inexpensive and very mild. Then I moisturize during the day with Alba Botanica spf 30 sunscreen and at night with Camocare Facial Therapy. Any make-up other than Clinique causes more problems than it's worth.
Nancy
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Sarah Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 17 2005 Location: N/A
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Posted: Aug 19 2006 at 11:02am | IP Logged
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My sister as a teenager had scarring acne, the kind that nothing cures, the kind that no dermatologist can help, even after many many rounds of everything including antibiotics. I felt so sorry for her, and I was secretly glad that it didn't happen to me. I thought to myself, "Whew! I made it to adulthood without scarring acne. At least I'm out of the woods!!" (I really thought that!)
Then. . .last winter (of '05), while pregnant with #5, which was a mentally (not to mention physically ) horrible pregnancy, I started to get a rash on my face, then on my chest, then down my back, then down my arms. It was everywhere. It was acne! But a small itchy, stinging acne that has no cure. It was so humiliating. People commented on it and you couldn't miss it!
They promised it would go away after pregnancy and that it wouldn't scar. It did go away, but in its place was a worse acne that was so deep on my face that it does scar. I'm so sad about it. The only thing left to try is an antibiotic that can turn my nursing baby's teeth permanently black, so I'm obviously not even going to try that!
So, here I am at 33 with painful, ugly, scarring acne like a teenager. I can't believe it! I have to keep telling myself that this is a good cross to bear, compared to others because I can still function perfectly, I'm just ugly. I just feel sorry for my husband because I used to be (kind of) pretty. He's very kind to me, though and never says anything.
Does anyone know of anything else to try? Doctors can only offer topicals or rounds of antibiotics and I hate antibiotics (oral). Its a hormonal acne, I'm assuming, since nothing helps thus far. . .
Jenn, I wonder if your regimen would help me??
Any thoughts?
__________________ Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
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Dawn Forum All-Star
Joined: June 12 2005 Location: Massachusetts
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Posted: Aug 19 2006 at 11:58am | IP Logged
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Elizabeth wrote:
Oh, and Dawn, I went to Aveda the next day and they gave me some things that really soothed my skin. |
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Do you need to go to the store (or salon?) or can you order products online?
I don't know what it is about beauty counters that have me so nervous! I probably should just get up the guts and let someone "analyze" me. Especially since I could use help with makeup too. The last time I did something like that was at a Jafra party years ago.
I just googled it and found an Aveda at a nearby mall. Maybe I could talk my mum into coming with me. I'm such a ninny!
__________________ Dawn, mum to 3 boys
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
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Elizabeth Founder
Real Learning
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Posted: Aug 19 2006 at 12:00pm | IP Logged
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You can order online, but it's worth going in there once to let them have a look and make suggestions. Not all the help is the same--you want someone who knows what they're talking about. Now, if you could get Meredith to go with you, that would be a coup!
__________________ Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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stefoodie Forum Moderator
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Posted: Aug 19 2006 at 12:09pm | IP Logged
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LOL, Dawn, you're not alone. I *hate* make up counters too. 7-8 years ago I got up enough courage to actually go sit at one of those malls and have someone color-analyze me. I bought the make up and it was okay but I wasn't that happy with it. (Too chicken to say no to spending $40 either after the time she spent on me; in retrospect I *should* have said no, because I came in for the precise color match, and she said the gal that regularly does it wasn't there, so she matched my color on a stick instead.) After that experience I never bought make up again at the mall again and kept playing hit-and-miss with organic/non-organic stuff(mostly misses). Then last year for my brother's wedding, my cousin dragged me to Sephora. Thankfully, the saleslady didn't wait for me to approach her, she asked us right away what we needed. *Yay*! I finally found a match that I love (a French brand, not too expensive), and since I don't wear makeup but once or twice a year, I don't mind that it's not organic. Don't know why, makeup counters just intimidate me no end.
__________________ stef
mom to five
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Dawn Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 19 2006 at 12:28pm | IP Logged
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stefoodie wrote:
Don't know why, makeup counters just intimidate me no end. |
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I am so glad to know I am not alone, Stef! Meredith, how much is airfare out west (from Boston)? Maybe if I assure dh I will come back with better skin and prettier makeup he'll let me go!
Right now I use (and I am cringing to admit how low-brow my toilette is ) ...
Dove soap (or just a warm washcloth)
Oil of Olay moisturizer (UV kind)
SOMETIMES I use St. Ives Apricot Radiance and IF I THINK OF IT I will apply Night of Olay before bed
This is probably not the skin care regimen a 37 yo woman should have.
Two things I have bought consistently from Clinique each fall are Skin Cushion Body Wash and Deep Comfort Body Wash. They are for the body, not the face, but they are so soothing and smell wonderful.
__________________ Dawn, mum to 3 boys
By Sun and Candlelight
The Nature Corner
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amiefriedl Forum Pro
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Posted: Aug 19 2006 at 10:31pm | IP Logged
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Sarah wrote:
Does anyone know of anything else to try? Doctors can only offer topicals or rounds of antibiotics and I hate antibiotics (oral). Its a hormonal acne, I'm assuming, since nothing helps thus far. . .
Any thoughts? |
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Sarah,
You are in my prayers! What a cross to bear! I think I remember from some of your other posts that you may have some food allergies is that right? What other "alternative medicine" approaches have you used so far? Could it be that this reaction is related to any of the following...nutrition, heavy metals in your blood stream (such as mercury), allergies, yeast or other thing that you may suspect? I may be able to send you some links of things to look into.
__________________ In Christ the King through Mary our Mother,
Amie
Blessed with an awesome hubby and Mom of ds10, dd7, dd3 and dd 10months.
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SuzanneT Forum Newbie
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Posted: Aug 20 2006 at 1:17am | IP Logged
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Nothing to offer here, just glad to know I'm not alone. It all started in my mid-30's...all at once...puberty magnified
__________________ Suzanne in Sunny S.Florida
dh('87),ds(90),dd(91),dd(95)
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Sarah Forum All-Star
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Posted: Aug 21 2006 at 12:38pm | IP Logged
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SuzanneT wrote:
Nothing to offer here, just glad to know I'm not alone. It all started in my mid-30's...all at once...puberty magnified |
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Thanks Amie! I don't know if its food related, since I haven't had problems before. I read that it happens in your 30's and they don't know why.
Hang in there Suzanne. You're not alone.
I kind of highjacked this thread, I'm sorry . . .let's get back on topic.
Has anyone seen those creams that claim to decrease dark circles under eyes? There is supposed to be something natural in them to slowly make it better. Has anyone had luck with those? I'm thinking its vitamin C, but I can't remember. . .
__________________ Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
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