Let's talk beauty!

Helmink0804

I need a beauty routine. Never really had one- but now almost 30 my acne is really annoying me- help me ladies! I use a face wash everyday and it just doesn't seem to be helping. What's a good not pricey, over the counter can buy at a drugstore acne cleanser? What are some other good beauty routine tricks and tips!

I use St Ives in the morning and Clearasil at night.

Edited to add: my acne problem is mostly my chin and under my chin on my neck.

jenb_99

I've struggled with breakouts and oiliness since my midtwenties. I've only recently been able to come up with a skincare routine and a combination of products that can keep it under control. My skin is nearly flawless now, the best it's looked in almost 10 years. Everything except the Clarisonic Mia is under $16 and available at drugstores and/or discount stores.

AM:

• Cleanse with Alpha-Hydrox cleanser and Clarisonic Mia (I swear by the Clarisonic Mia. Totally worth the splurge. I use the delicate brush heads.)
• Cetaphil Oil-Control moisturizer
• Boots Expert Sensitive eye cream
  
• Spot treat blemishes with pure tea tree oil
  

PM:

• Makeup-remover wipes (only if I'm wearing makeup or have been sweating a lot)
  
• Alpha-Hydrox cleanser with baby washcloth (always cleanse for a minimum of 60 seconds)
• Alpha-Hydrox toner (I've also had great results with Neutrogena Pore Refining toner)
  
• Alpha-Hydrox 10% glycolic acid gel
• Cerave PM moisturizer
• Boots Expert Sensitive eye cream
• Spot treat blemishes with tea tree oil and salicylic acid gel
  

Two nights a week I use Boots No. 7 Total Renewal Microdermabrasion Exfoliator right after I cleanse, and I moisturize with pure extra-virgin olive oil instead of the Cerave PM.

The only two foundations that don't break me out are Revlon ColorStay for combo/oily skin and the Maybelline shine-free stick. But most of the time these days my skin is so clear I can get by with just some concealer and powder.

BTW, Alpha-Hydrox is available at several chain stores including Ulta, but I've found it cheaper to buy it directly from the company's website. They have frequent sales and offer free shipping with a minimum order.

gutsysneakers

I think everyone could probably recommend a product because we all have different skin problems. For me, it was dry skin in the AM and oily skin in the PM. While pregnant and now, my skin isn't oily in the PM anymore.

Thankfully, I've never had to deal with acne. My DH had it in HS and tells me that not only is it challenging for social aspects but it can be hurt physically. No product recommendations here. FWIW, I ALWAYS wash my face in the morning and evening, moisturize daily, and only wear mineral makeup (no liquids foundations).

I love bare minerals makeup. Their starter kit is a great place to start. Good luck!

LeeLee86

I agree with throwing that St Ives out'!! It's too harsh. I've had acne forever and you should only be exfoliating every other day at the most. It agrivates broken skin more than anything. I also agree with the tea tree oil it's the best thing I've ever uses on my acne ( and I've tried it all) it's strong tho so only spot treat, I use a Q tip. Try to touch your face as little as possible and don't pick! That's the best acne advice honestly.
This helped me too

https://laurenconrad.com/blog/2013/09/beauty-911-what-acne-breakouts-mean-skincare-beauty-tips-lauren-conrad-september-2013/

giggler25

+1 to the Mia by clarisonic!!! I also use delicate brush heads. You use any cleanser with it and it functions basically as an electric toothbrush for your face-- it just cleans better than you can with water/cleanser/washcloth. Definitely worth he investment and you can oftentimes find coupon codes online for stores that well it like DermaShoppe or skinshop.

+1 to what PP said about different products for different people. I've been using Detmalogica for years now and it has turned my akin around. I use the intensive moisture balance moisturizer and the special cleansing gel. It is pricier than drugstore brands but the large sizes seriously last for many months, they are gentle, and again I use online coupon codes.

+10000 to throwing out st Ives. It is so bad for your skin. Dermalogica makes an exfoliant great for sensitive skin, called microfoliant It comes in a powder that you pour out and wet. Gentle but effective. Though, with the Mia I find I don't really need to use it regularly anymore.

ETA: SPF every day is a MUST for preventing scarring and hyper pigmentation. Instead of makeup I use Dr Jarts BB cream on a daily basis (Sephora carries this) and feel it offers plenty of coverage without being too cakey/oily. It has he highest SPF that I've found for a daily BB cream.

Good luck!!!

letal316

As many PP have said, the Clarisonic is great! I got mine while pregnant bc I couldn't use any of my regular skincare products to combat my acne (many of them have salicylic acid in them ) but the Clarisonic really helped to clear things up for me.

yepyepsms

I also have a clarisonic and love it. I've tried several skin care brands over the years in every price range and my all time fave face wash is neotrogena oil free grapefruit cleanser. It has salisylic (sp? Too lazy too look) acid and I haven't had breakouts in years since I started using it as my daily cleanser. It's cheap and at basically any grocery store, target, etc. For moisturizer I use hope in a jar.

bossyferg

My doc said wash with regular dove soap. I also had acne issues since teen years. I wash my face with doce in the shower after i rinse my hair. Apply clinique gel face cream. Thats it. I dont even wash it before bed anymore. I also dont use cover up ir anything, juat eye make up. My skin has been great for years now (at 33 now and people think i look younger than my 21 and 25 yr old sisters)

bridetobe9132013

I use... I think its called Oxy. Its in a red and black bottle. Its $10 and lasts me 2-3 months. I use it in the shower every morning. I also use Aveeno calming lotion, which also lasts me awhile! These work great for me!

bridetobe9132013

I also rarely ever wear makeup!

krlovell

I use the Clinique 3 step for oily skin. And then pur minerals make up also the 3 step kit foundation, toner, blush. Since starting this I haven't had one break out.

Lizmullen

I found out my makeup was causing me to break out. Bare minerals is great with a bb cream underneath. Acne really needs to be kicked with meds sometimes. I had terrible acne and was actually taking bactrim orally before I got pregnant. Now I am just back to using topical differin but had to wait til after I was done bf'ing.
I still have oily skin and large pores so use oil of Olay regeneriist pore minimizing scrub daily. Ive tried EVERY wash known to man and it's my favorite. Anything with sacilyc acid made my skin worse.

Really though see a dermatologist if you can! If it is truly acne it needs medicine.

Helmink0804

Thanks ladies for all your advices and recommendations! I will definitely be throwing out the St Ives stuff!

whimsy515

I could be an expert. I've tried prescriptions, over the counter, and natural products. The one item I like and have been using for years is honey. I started with raw honey (looks like and is thick like peanut butter), but now I just use the honey in the bear bottles. It has anti bacterial properties. If you add cinnamon, that adds anti inflammatory properties. Don't knock it til you try it!

Helmink0804

@ALE515‌ do you do a honey mask or use it just like a cleanser?

yvanehtnioj

@ALE515‌ @Helmink0804‌ i wash with raw honey too! My skin is too sensitive to leave it on as a mask, but those with oily and heartier skin can do that. I remove makeup with jojoba oil and a warm baby washcloth. And then I cleanse with raw honey. It tightens my pores like nothing else!

If you wear makeup and/or sunscreen you should definitely double cleanse at night. Once to remove makeup (using oil or a wipe) and again with a cleanser to really clean everything off. I have dermatitis so I have to be extremely careful about sulfates and parabens but if I could I'd definitely use the Alpha Hydrox stuff as my cleanser and toner.

lrmrtn

The best advice is wash your face every. Single. Night. Also the Mary Kay skinvigorate cleansing brush is a fraction of the price of the clarisonic and it's softer. And I agree, throw out the St. Ives!

whimsy515

Helmink0804 I wash with it like regular cleanser. The consistency takes some getting used to. I have done a honey and milk mask. If I remember correctly, you warm the 2 up, mix it, then leave on your face for 15 minutes. My face was baby smooth!

LeeLee86

Looooove honey for the face! I will wash my face with it in the shower (not for eye makeup)or do a mask if I have the time. Sometimes I mix ground up oatmeal into it for a gentle exfoliant.

Helmink0804

I think I'm gonna try the honey idea- thanks ladies!

flockofmoosen3

I love using a combination of Hawaiian Alba Pineapple face wash in the morning in the shower, and at night I use Let the Good Times Roll corn-based facial cleanser from Lush. I moisturize with their Cosmetic Lads cream after each wash. I normally have an oily T-zone, but this combination works soooo well for me in controlling that and preventing breakouts. My skin is also normally clear except for some blackheads and one noticeable zit at a time.

ho11yday

If you want something for acne, choose something with benzoyl peroxide in it over salicylic acid--it works better and I believe it is less drying.

Before bed, I'll put on moisturizer with sun screen and clinique's pore reducer. I only do this when I remember, so for some weeks it is daily and others never.

If I wear make up, I'll wash that off with water and a wash cloth.