I've gotten several lovely compliments over the last month about my skin and questions wondering what I do to keep it in it's condition. I've put off for a long time talking about my skin regime because, well, I really don't have super good skin.
During high school I never had any acne problems, and perhaps it was my bodies way of getting back at me, but when I went to college my skin went crazy. I've struggled for the last four or so years with cystic acne, which are terrible cysts that hurt something awful. I don't usually get a normal break out just some of these cysts, and they can last for a month...gaaah. I go to a Dermatologist and get topical and oral medication to help with this, and therefore I feel like I kind of cheat myself into better skin to some degree.
However, I do have some things I swear by and some ways I keep my skin in tip top condition, even with it being problematic.
1. I only use CeraVe lotion and face wash. It's recommended by my dermatologist, and especially good for people with sensitive skin. The face wash comes in two kinds: one for normal to oily skin and one for normal to dry skin. You can get it at Target, Walgreens, and I think Walmart sometimes carries it as well. It's really amazing and I've tried other cleansers and lotions but they make me break out and irritate my skin.
2. I stick to the make up that works for me and don't try a whole lot else, at least when it comes to foundation. I use MAC foundation and powder, not only because it matches my skin tone, but also because it doesn't make me break out. I once tried to switch to a cheaper foundation and broke out for about two weeks. Never again will I try that. My skin can get quite ruddy when it's having problems and MAC always makes it look so lovely and even.
3. I stay away from the sun, and if I'm in the sun I'm sporting a good bit of sun screen. In our culture it seems being ubber ubber tan is the thing to be at the moment, but all those ladies going to the tanning beds and laying out for hours are gonna be sad old bitties one day with sun spots and damaged skin.
4. I always...ALWAYS... take off my make up before I sleep. It surprises me how many girls just fall asleep with it on, but it's just horrible for your skin. Do your skin a favor and give it a good washing and moisturizing in the evening and morning.
These are very basic things and probably nothing new to most of you, but these are the things I stick to, and what keeps my skin in good condition.
What are some of your skin care regimes?
xo,
Em
I agree with the sun thing completely. It ages you a lot faster! I like to embrace my Irish paleness. I also don't really like false tan but that's another story :P Drinking lots of water is a good tip too I think :)
ReplyDeletetobequitefranki.blogspot.com
SO TRUE about the sun! I know someone that roasts in the sun till they look like they came out of the oven! I'm thinking... uh, cancer in 20 years? Turning yourself 10 shades darker doesn't add beauty but makes you look really dumb :-/ If I do want a sun look I use a tanner which it's hard to find a good one for your face anymore cause they have sunscreen in it now, which yeah, I know sunscreen is good but it just doesn't work when mixed in with the tanner. It makes the tanner work unevenly... I've found plain old fashion sleep works wonders with my acne!
ReplyDeleteI feel as though I created a mini petition for this post in the comments of the last - sorry about that! This was very helpful though - I'll definitely look into CeraVe.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouraging words regarding bangs-->no bangs also. I've been scrolling through your older posts to see how you disguised the dreaded mid-fringe. I must say, your transition between eras was impressively swift!
Its funny that you wear MAC foundation. Working in cosmetics I have always heard that MAC breaks people out, especially those with really sensitive skin. Maybe because the acne you get is cystic which is more internally based. I get cystic acne too when I break out. Luckily not too often though. I got it really bad when I was using different skin care but once I cut it out I rarely get it. It really is the worst! So painful and it wont go away. Your skin looks great now though!
ReplyDeleteI'll have to try the CeraVe products - I have very sensitive skin, to the point where anything other than plain water dries me out and causes irritation. I get cystic acne too occasionally - it's awful! I've found that using only a powder foundation (I use CoverGirl because they have that ridiculously pale shade that actually works on me) helps my face, too. I have the liquid stuff solely for stage work :)
ReplyDeleteYou have LOVELY skin, my dear. What kind of sunscreen do you use on your face and/or body? I haven't been able to find one that isn't too thick and icky. :p Miss you!!!
ReplyDeleteI've always thought your skin was lovely, dear Emma. I'm very sorry that you've had to deal with such brutal acne as an adult and hope deeply that it clears up completely for you one day (my step-dad battled adult acne for many years, but one day, almost as quickly as it showed up, it disappeared - and he didn't do anything new medicinally speaking, it just vanished - I share this only to say that such things can and do happen to some folks).
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
I LOVE CeraVe. I have keratosis pilaris and it's pretty much the only thing that calms it down. :)
ReplyDeleteThe key definitetly is a good cleaning every day. You can use the priciest creams, but they will not work when you don´t clean your skin regular.
ReplyDeleteDrinking lots of water is also a good advice, also enough sleep and no nicotine.
...my sensitive skin is also very happy with MAC ;-)
Thank you for this post! I couldn't agree more on the tanning, I always use sunlotion and often hats as well.
ReplyDeleteI have the opposite end of the scale when it comes to skin in the sense that it's very dry, however that results in the same thing as for you: sensitive skin. In Sweden we have pharmacy's (run by the state) who carries their own brand of in-expensive but good products. My skin prefer their non-perfumed lotions, showergel etc. Basically anything non-perfume works =)
I've recently tested ID Bare Mineral foundations, and am just as happy with it as my friends who have acne-problems are. Clinique is also great! But I haven't tried their foundation...
Good for you for being honest with us - that is why we love blogging after all!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you - I have to wash my face before I go to bed, and when I wake up in the morning. And I mean a proper WASH, I don't understand girls who just use make-up remover or facewipes and consider it done! Plus, a splash of cold water does the job of a toner (so I've been told). I use a facewash from Lush because they use all natural ingredients, but I insist on having a face moisturiser with an SPF, so I get mine from Body Shop (again, fairly natural ingerdients and no animal testing, hippie that I am!).
I've also noticed that my diet really affects my skin - if I've had a lazy week and eaten loads of shit, it shows up on my skin pretty much straight away.
It sounds like you have a very sensible skincare routine, thanks for sharing it with us!
Thank you for the post! I'm going to look into getting some CeraVe :)
ReplyDeleteI use CeraVe soap since I have skin allergies. Love that stuff! hate it when I run out. I haven't tried the facial soap yet... might have to. :)
ReplyDeleteBrigid
You have a beautiful blog here, and you are a beautiful girl to boot! I've started following you now via GFC. A girl can always use some more vintage influences in her life!
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theefface.blogspot.com
I have such crazy skin...allergic to everything! So I definitely understand choosing products carefully and washing your face every night.
ReplyDelete<3 Cambria
jupefashion.blogspot.com
Oh man, the worst club to be in - the sensitive skin club! As well as CeraVe, I've also found Cetaphil brand works wonders & is equally as 'nice' to my face. That's funny MAC works well for you, it totally makes me break out! Everyone is different though, for sure. I'm a huuuge fan of Prescriptives foundation, it's crazy lightweight, but still covers, and it has built in sunscreen;)
ReplyDeleteUgh, I hate cystic acne! I don't get it much, but when I do I get it in the middles of my earlobes... ick.
ReplyDeleteI always think your skin looks beautiful in your photographs. I use good old-fashioned Ponds cold cream to wash my face at night and in the morning, and I also avoid the sun and use lots of sunscreen. But honestly, when I have a big pimple on the side of my cheek in a photo? I photoshop it out. heh.
I've always had skin issues. I just started my sophomore year in college and am just now seeming to see progress in my skin after feeling like I've tried everything. I switched to CeraVe (the green bottle). I wash with it 1-2 times a day, depending and for the last few months I've been making it a big priority to wash my face before bed. Now that I've gotten in to my routine, I just can't go to sleep without doing it! My face isn't perfect, but it's so much improved since starting CeraVe and washing my face nightly! Glad to see we have similar routines!
ReplyDeleteI also don't get it how some girls sleep in their make-up! I have pretty meh skin but have found that exfoliating really helps, I try to do this at least once a week. I have oily/combination skin and after shelling out money for all sorts of expensive skin care products, the best thing I've found so far is a simple $7 cleanser by Garnier!
ReplyDeleteSince having my second son my skin became really sensitive. I use the Avene range of skin care products and have found them to be fantastic, and quite reasonably priced. I use Hamiltons everyday face sunscreen every day in the morning...the sun here in Australia can be really strong, especially in Queensland. And for foundation I use Mirinesse foundation.....absolutely fantastic. It's anti aging, and makes your skin look fabulous. I used to be one of those girls that used to lay in the sun covered in Reef Oil to get the perfect tan. But as I've gotten older (I'm 38), I'm being a lot kinder and protective of my skin. Don't want to look like a shriveled prune! Lol ;)
ReplyDeleteMy skin isn't all too problematic, but like everyone of course I get the occasional break out! And when I do, it's generally bad, like a bunch of zits at once, and then none at all. My main concern is scarring, as I often get zit scars that last for a few weeks. So definitely exfoliation once a week, I use a Nutrimetics exfoliater. I also use a Garnier cleanser every day, and use Johnson's facial care cleansing wipes to remove all traces of make up. I don't know how people can sleep with it on!
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