Skin status: slow and steady
I bet you thought I’d grow tired of talking about my skin. FOOLS! Most of you don’t know that I spend most days yammering on about this stuff with numerous friends over gchat. I will never not care about this stuff.
We’re two months(ish) into to the new routine. Since I’m taking a very conservative approach to Project Acne-Be-Gone, things just take a bit longer.
As my dermatologist explained to me, first it will get better, then it will get a little worse. Then a little better than before, than a little worse. And so on and so forth until things get balanced out.
Overall, things are going well. I’ve had some ugly breakouts thanks to my, ahem, “cycle” being all kinds of whacked out, but that’s an different post entirely. I’ve added Neutrogena’s Clear Pore Cleanser (thanks to Allison for that recommendation, by the way) when I need a little extra oomph, which is working out well. But I can’t blame my wack-a-doo hormones for all of it…
I’m VERY angry with Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15, as I think it has been part to blame for the flare ups. Without fail, after I use it, I’m guaranteed to get a couple whoppers on my face. I’ve backed off using that for the last few days (don’t worry, I’ve been applying a layer of tinted moisturizer for the time being) and things are clearing up.
So, I need more of your help! What do you use for facial sun protection? I’ve heard good things about powder sunscreen. Have any of you tried it? Share your wisdom!
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Glad the Neutrogena is working for you!
I’m way sensitive to sunscreen – like most of it makes me break into a rash. But I found this Murad lotion to be the absolute best.
http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P37119&categoryId=B70
I can’t smell or feel the sunscreen at all. And it works amazingly well as a sunscreen. I almost never wear anything else on my face and I never burn my face. It also really lasts – probably one tube lasts me about 5 months.
If you have a Sephora in your town I highly recommend getting a sample.
I have been using Oil of Olay for sensitive skin w/ SPF for many years. I love it!
I’ve been using Neutrogena moisturizers since I was 14. (Yeah, my mom was big into suncreen/moisturizing). I go with the Healthy Defense sensitive skin moisturizer with no SPF for nighttime and another Neutrogena SPF 15 moisturizer for daytime. I tried their Ageless Essentials SPF 25, but was disappointed to find that it had fragrance in it and I don’t think that’s necessary and is just another thing that will gunk up my skin. I am looking for a higher SPF day moisturizer though, for day’s when I’m not just cooped up in my office, so I’ll be interested to see what you find.
Alot of the mineral foundations have sunscreen built in, so you don’t have to use any liquid sunscreen. I use Revlon mineral powder, and it works great!
I’ve also used Oil of Olay for sensative skin with the SPF since I was 15 or so…
And I had the same prob with Cetephil. I love LOVE the face wash but couldn’t use the lotion.
Random idea for you. Have you ever had a microderm abrasion? I got those for a while and it really seemed to make a big difference with my skin. Just an idea that might get you through this transition period faster.
Whatever sunscreen you use, make sure it is the first product applied to your face. The products with the ingredients you want to work the hardest for you should go closest to your skin. And while there is some sun protection in mineral powders, it’s really not enough to protect you fully. Mary Kay has a great Day Solution with SPF 25 that goes on before your moisturizer. It’s also age-fighting, so it will help with fine lines and wrinkles even before they come to the surface.
Mary Kay also has a moisturizer with SPF 15 and a tinted moisturizer with SPF 20. PS — Microdermabrasion is fantastic! Mary Kay has a great set for a lot less than you’d pay a dermatologist, plus you can use it in the privacy of your own bathroom! 