Skin Care - Fine Lines/Blemishes

ryanthegirl

I've always skimped on skin care and bought drug store stuff. I'm ready to move on to something more serious/expensive. I have a few fine lines on my forehead and have hormonal acne (right before my period). Blackheads are an on and off problem for me. What are you ladies using?

I'm not adverse to drug store stuff recommendations, maybe I just haven't found the right one.

Right now I'm using Neutrogena Fine Line/Blemish cleanser. And Aveeno Positively Radiant moisturizer. Sometimes I use Olay CC tinted moisturizer.

What facial cleanser do you use?

What moisturizer?

Tinted moisturizer?

Any recommendations are welcome.

kris356

I use all drug store moisturizers and facewash (Neutrogena Healthy Skin moisturizer, Foaming Fresh facewash at night and Ultra Gentle Foaming formula in the morning). My dermatologist recommended the less is more approach years ago and I have stuck with it because it worked.

But the thing that made the biggest difference in my skin was the Clarisonic with the deep pore cleansing brush head. Best money ever spent. 

ryanthegirl

Hmmm, I never thought about a Clarisonic. I just bought my mom one for Xmas and she loves it. 

I just feel like no matter what I do I still have tiny blackheads. The lines/blemishes I can live with b/c that's just life, but I really really hate the blackheads.

kris356

It definitely helps with blackheads. Do you exfoliate at all? That would definitely be a start to deal with blackheads and adding something with a BHA. 

Paula's Choice gets raves from the girls on another board I belong to. They say they are super helpful in selecting products. 

Luckystar2

The clarisonic is my #1 can't live without product. I can't express my love for that thing!!! I have had acne issues for a while and saw a derm without much success. BCP helped some but I still had hormonal cystic breakouts. Nothing ever seemed to help....until clarisonic. I used to get at least 1 cystic breakout a month around placebo week (sometimes more and they took forever to heal). Since using clarisonic I've probably had 1 a year and they are small and go away quickly. The only time I get any breakout at all now is when the brush needs changes. I love love love it! I've been using it for at least 5 years. I wish I would have used it sooner. I just use aveeno face wash with it. I love how clean my face feels! As for blackheads I don't feel it really does much for those but honestly I feel like those are pretty impossible to truly get rid of. And when you had huge zits blackheads are minor to me.

For fine lines I just ignore so I really don't have any recs!

october2004

Coming out of the woodwork, here, because I have similar skin issues.

I use Purpose liquid to wash, Neutrogena moisturizer and the Clarisonic.

I use Retin A for blackheads and fine lines. I know it really works because I stopped using it for 6 months and both of these problems came back.

I use Aczone along my jaw line for hormonal acne.

I don't think anything over the counter would have helped me. I see Dr. Sheehan in Shadyside.

Good luck!
Jen

smynings_bride

I use Cerave moisturizer and Alpha Hydrox AHA Souffle and then sunscreen in the am.

At night I use the same except instead of the sunscreen, I use Retin-A every 2-3 days.

I use Cerave or cetaphil to cleanse and sometimes use a buff-puff to exfoliate on days I don't use the Retin-A.

I have better results paying more for Retin-A than using high end department store products.  If you use Retin-A, the rest of what you use can come from the drugstore.  Sunscreen is key when you use Retin-A.  However, I take a vitamin D supplement in the winter because I use 50 SPF on my face and the rest of my skin is covered when I go outside so I wasn't getting enough sunlight to get Vitamin D without a supplement.  

billiburrows

I buy whatever is onsale at the store with benzoyl peroxide in it. i use that at night. in the morning i use a more gentle cleaner Cetaphil with the clarisonic.  for mosturizer, if i need it i use Purpose.  

waltsgirl102503

I use Olay Regenerist cleanser and the yellow Clinique moisturizer.   Like Kris, I discovered a long time ago that the less I do to the skin on my face, the better it looks.  

sundaygirl

A basic gentle cleanser and Clinique's dramatically different moisturizing gel to wash and moisturize.  I use a Clarisonic as well. 

Kris is spot on with the Paula's Choice.  The 2% BHA liquid is my pick to battle blackheads.  The Clarisonic helps but with the BHA it's really effective.

For fine lines I like this Neutrogena retinol product.  Not as effective as Retin A but a good place to start for a drugstore product.  But honestly I recommend the Paula's Choice first.  I think you'll see a quicker change in your skin.  You can always add a retinol in later.

ryanthegirl

Thank you! It looks like the Clarisonic is the way to go.

Do you need to use an exfoliating cleanser with it all the time, or just occasionally? Not at all? 

I'll check out Paula's Choice, too. Thank you so much!

kris356

With the Clarisonic, I don't use a exfoliating cleanser at all. 

I do use a Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner but that is more for hyperpigmentation left over from cystic acne. But BHA is more effective on blackheads and "congested" skin.

ryanthegirl

Great, thank you! 

It looks like there's quite a few options for the Clarisonic - Mia, Mia2, Mia3, which, if I'm understanding means 1 speed, 2 speed, and 3 speed options. 

Are the alternate speeds necessary?

Luckystar2

I have just regular Mia I think. At the time there was just classic and Mia. My Mia doesn't have a different speed and doesn't beep to let you know to change areas (I think those were the things the classic had at the time). Mine is all I need. My only annoyance with it is more so to do with its getting old and doesn't vibrate to let me know it needs charged like it used to!

From current ones...Mia 2 doesn't seem necessary. I have never ever wanted a more delicate speed. Mia 3 has a higher speed in addition to delicate and regular, which personally I would probably use but I don't know that I would spend more for that. And I definitely don't need the timer aspect. I really don't find anything lacking with mine but like I said I would probably use a stronger speed sometimes but I don't know that it is worth the cost

kris356

Mine is a Classic which they no longer make. I personally like the timer so if I had to replace mine that would be a must for me.

sundaygirl

I have a Mia 2 but I've only ever used one speed on it (it was a gift, I probably would have bought the Mia for myself). Looks like they both have a timer, which I agree is essential.  The only reason I might try to find a good deal on the Mia 2 is because of the warranty (2 year for the Mia 2, 1 year for the Mia).  Mine crapped out just shy of the 2 year window - Clarisonic mailed me a new one right away, no questions.

Luckystar2

Hmmm I guess I'm an oddball...I really don't feel the need for a timer. I spend more time on trouble zones than others so I feel like I'd just ignore a timer. I used to try to count off the recommended time for each part of your face in my head and realized I like doing my own thing!

ryanthegirl

Thank you, ladies! Off to purchase one now!

ryanthegirl

Just one more thing - should I bother with the deep pore cleansing brush head or just go with the standard one. The reason I ask is that none of the mia 2's come with one, at least on the Sephora website - and I'd plunk out an additional $27 for it - but will do so, if you think it's necessary.

Thanks again!

sundaygirl

I've only used the sensitive brush head that comes with it. 

Luckystar2

I've mainly used sensitive but have had a normal and deep pore. I really never noticed a difference and just keep on sticking with sensitive.

kris356

Start with the sensitive. Sometimes it takes a bit for your skin to get used to it so the sensitive is a good place to start.

I buy my replacements on ebay. Last time I got 4 deep pore heads for $30 shipped.

kris356

Here is an article on Paula's Choice:

The Beauty Guru Calling Foul on the Industry