amandasw

[georgeharrison]

A million years ago, there was a post on here about life changing products. You mentioned Laura Mercier skin care products. Can you elaborate? I am struggling with my skin right now. I use Proactive, but my skin gets use to it or something and it stops working for me. I have to take a break from using it and usually my skin just breaks out really bad during that time. I'd like to try to find a new product.

[amandasw]

oh! I'm glad I scrolled down the page! (I've been busy at work today)

Yes, so it kind of depends on your skin type, but I have had a lot of luck with Laura Mercier (LM) products and I've managed to make them last a year probably because I only use a small amount. I used Proactive for a while, but in the end I think it's pretty harsh on your skin and often those types of things dry it out = worse acne. Ok, here is my 'list' of things I use/do (FYI I tend to have more oily skin):

1) I use the LM make-up - basically just make sure what you're using won't clog your pores, but I think that's a good place to start if you wear makeup every day. I use the tinted moisturizer which is very light and looks natural (I don't want to look super made-up every day).

2) Moisturize! I use Aveeno Ultra-Calming lotion - not super expensive, you can get it at Ulta with a coupon and for me it works well.

3) Morning face wash: I use the LM face polish every day. It's a gentle exfoliant and makes my skin feel nice and fresh in the morning. If you're worried it is too harsh for your skin, you could use it less often.

4) Evening face wash: one-step cleanser, removes make-up, tones etc and this is important to make sure all the dirt/make-up from the day is off your skin. It's very gentle and effective.

those are all the products I use after years of topical solutions - I don't use any chemicals now. HOWEVER, I do take spironolactone for my acne. For me it has helped, but is not enough alone for my face (I also used to have 'backne' or whatever and that's been totally cleared up with this Rx). All the things I have listed above have been a serious difference on top of what the meds have done. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[georgeharrison]

Thank you for replying.

I think I will try at least the cleansers. I use Cetaphil moisturizer which has been really good. I use the Cetaphil cleanser sometimes, too, but I don't feel like it really cleans my skin.

You mentioned the spironolactone. Did you have to go to a dermatologist for that? Do you have any side effects from it? I think having an RX would really help me. I definitely go through phases with my skin, but I would love to have more clear days than not.

[Deleted]

Aug 2, 2012 11:02:08 GMT -5 georgeharrison said:

You mentioned the spironolactone. Did you have to go to a dermatologist for that? Do you have any side effects from it? I think having an RX would really help me. I definitely go through phases with my skin, but I would love to have more clear days than not.

oh oh, butting in. I'm on spironolactone too and I love it. You need to go see a derm for an rx for that, but it has saved my skin.

When I was in my early 20s I developed bad hormonal acne and this totally keeps it at bay. I, maybe, get 1 or 2 very small flare ups a year and they go away quickly. I've been on it for probably about 5 years now and it's awesome.

[georgeharrison]

Aug 2, 2012 11:06:12 GMT -5 @uwhuskygirl said:

Aug 2, 2012 11:02:08 GMT -5 georgeharrison said:

You mentioned the spironolactone. Did you have to go to a dermatologist for that? Do you have any side effects from it? I think having an RX would really help me. I definitely go through phases with my skin, but I would love to have more clear days than not.

oh oh, butting in. I'm on spironolactone too and I love it. You need to go see a derm for an rx for that, but it has saved my skin.

When I was in my early 20s I developed bad hormonal acne and this totally keeps it at bay. I, maybe, get 1 or 2 very small flare ups a year and they go away quickly. I've been on it for probably about 5 years now and it's awesome.

Thanks for butting in UW. Do you have any side effects from it? Does your dermatologist make you come back regularly to refill your RX?

[Deleted]

No, I'm one of the lucky ones that have zero side effects. I heard that some people get super thirsty on it.

I had to do a blood test once I started my rx to make sure that my kidneys or liver were in good working condition. Oh wait, this probably isn't going to work for you. I, also, had to sign a waiver saying that I wouldn't get pg while on it bc it would do all sorts of messed up things to the fetus.

I just have to go in once a year for a check up. It takes all of 5 minutes and he writes me a new rx for the year.

[val]

I'm being a butt-inski too. My sister had horrible skin until she was almost 30 and did a chemical peel. I don't know any of the specifics but if you're interested I'll ask her. I know her skin has been mostly clear since. She also used Beauti Control for a while and really liked that.

[georgeharrison]

Aug 2, 2012 11:15:47 GMT -5 val said:

I'm being a butt-inski too. My sister had horrible skin until she was almost 30 and did a chemical peel. I don't know any of the specifics but if you're interested I'll ask her. I know her skin has been mostly clear since. She also used Beauti Control for a while and really liked that.

Yes, if you could ask her, I'd appreciate it.

If that RX that UW and amanda were talking about could be bad for a pregnancy that takes it out of the picture for me. We have been TTC #2 for a million years and I am hoping that it will happen eventually.

[Deleted]

There are a few other options too. I was on a low dose antibiotic for a number of years before I became immune to it, but that worked really well before I built up an immunity to it.

There's also 2 other drugs that can help and would be ok to take. I don't know the name of it, but any derm should know. It helps with cystic acne, but it can be rough on your stomach. The full blown med made me barf every time I took it unless I was stuffed (like Thanksgiving type full) with food. The gentler version made me barf sometimes, but really just made me nauseous all of the time. You might fare better with those than I did.

[georgeharrison]

Aug 2, 2012 11:32:04 GMT -5 @uwhuskygirl said:

There are a few other options too. I was on a low dose antibiotic for a number of years before I became immune to it, but that worked really well before I built up an immunity to it.

There's also 2 other drugs that can help and would be ok to take. I don't know the name of it, but any derm should know. It helps with cystic acne, but it can be rough on your stomach. The full blown med made me barf every time I took it unless I was stuffed (like Thanksgiving type full) with food. The gentler version made me barf sometimes, but really just made me nauseous all of the time. You might fare better with those than I did.

I don't mind feeling sick if I look good. Hahaha! Maybe my tune would change if I had to actually deal with it, though.

Thanks for all the input ladies. I think I will make an appointment with a dermatologist.

[amandasw]

late to my own party I see!

yeah, spironolactone works well for people on BCP (which is why I didn't really recommend it since I knew you were TTGTFKU). I used to use the Cetaphil cleanser since it was recommended by my derm, but I didn't feel like it really cleaned my face well (since I wear makeup). And for me, I still get small bumps on my forehead, which the daily exfoliating has really improved.

[Deleted]

On the flip side to Amanda I don't use an exfoliation product, but use cetaphil + clarisonic (which does exfoliate) daily and that really made my skin awesome.

I don't mean to be a braggy beyoch, but my skin is fantastic now. I've never been happier with my skin. I really swear by the clarisonic.

[amandasw]

Aug 2, 2012 11:57:03 GMT -5 @uwhuskygirl said:

On the flip side to Amanda I don't use an exfoliation product, but use cetaphil + clarisonic (which does exfoliate) daily and that really made my skin awesome.

I don't mean to be a braggy beyoch, but my skin is fantastic now. I've never been happier with my skin. I really swear by the clarisonic.

yeah, I've heard a lot about it, I'm just kinda 'meh' about it. I don't know, it's just not that interesting to me - my mom has one and likes it though.

ETA: do you use makeup remover?

[val]

She said: "I think it was a glycolic acid peel. I think the do it yourself version may be better because you don't have the actual peel but the results aren't as immediate"

[Deleted]

Aug 2, 2012 12:02:04 GMT -5 @sfgal530 said:

UW - was going to ping you to ask since I am finally running out of the Clarisonic cleaner... you just use Cetaphil with it now?

Yep I get the 2 pack from costco and use 3 pumps of cetaphil on a (white) sensitive clarisonic head for 2 minutes, every morning.

[Deleted]

Aug 2, 2012 12:12:11 GMT -5 @amandasw said:

Aug 2, 2012 11:57:03 GMT -5 @uwhuskygirl said:

On the flip side to Amanda I don't use an exfoliation product, but use cetaphil + clarisonic (which does exfoliate) daily and that really made my skin awesome.

I don't mean to be a braggy beyoch, but my skin is fantastic now. I've never been happier with my skin. I really swear by the clarisonic.

yeah, I've heard a lot about it, I'm just kinda 'meh' about it. I don't know, it's just not that interesting to me - my mom has one and likes it though.

ETA: do you use makeup remover?

I use coconut oil to take off my eye make up and a MAC make up wipe at night to take off my make up.