I might have asked this before. Clearly, I don't remember. Just bear with me and tell me again. Pretend I'm your absent minded great aunt.
Anyway. Clarisonic. Do you love yours? Is it worth it? My skin is so-so, to put it mildly. I'm prone to break outs, especially on the lower half of my face. Cystic acne is a thing. I did 2 rounds of Accutane in my late teens/early 20s, and it really did very little good. I currently use Cleocin and Differin, and they help a LOT. But I still fight with my skin. It's under control, but it's not nice.
I'm not expecting a clarisonic to work miracles, but I would like it to do something. Tell me about yours. I'm so tempted to use my 20% off code at Ulta, but it's still a lot of dough!
I ended up giving mine to my sister. No matter what I did, it caused breakouts on my chin. I thought it was just purging, but it never went away. I tried it several different times over a few years before I gave up. It was $$ and made the rest of my skin so soft, I really wanted it to work!
Right now I'm trying African black soap every other day. I haven't been using it long enough to know if it's helping though.
I'm in the same boat as stpete, cleans my face very well but I don't have problem skin. The mornings that I haven't used it my face feels gross and as soon as I get home I have to use it.
I have one that I got as a gift at the urging of a friend who loves hers. I'm meh on it. I have cystic acne as well and have found cutting dairy to be more helpful then the Clarisonic has been. I like the way it makes my skin feel, but I have not noticed any dramatic changes in my skin in terms of texture or pore size reduction.
I used mine for a few weeks and then never used it again. Didn't help much with my skin. It's been collecting dust for about two years now.
Pregnancy was the best thing for my skin. Over a year without a breakout. Then, BAM, hormones caught up with me. Massive breakout in the chin area (which is where I always break out). On a friend's recommendation, I tried Rodan & Field's Unblemish line. WOW! My skin looks great. So far it was worth the $$$.
I love mine. Not so much for breakouts (I have some, but not cystic type so I can't speak to that), but for overall smoothness and exfoliation. I think it especially helps my moisturizer sink in more, which is good because my skin has gotten drier but with the break outs I don't want to pile stuff on.
Post by Mrs.Rad888 on Oct 21, 2014 19:49:32 GMT -5
I've had mine since 2009 and I love it. I had been having problems with dry patches within the oily parts of my T-zone, and acne under those dry patches. It got rid of those spots, as well as the blackheads that seemed to be all over the oily area. I do still occasionally use a mask or OCM, but for the most part, the Clarisonic is my primary face cleaning tool. I also like to think that it keeps me from looking my age.
I just bought one this summer and I really like it. I had held off for a long time because I don't have skin problems, but I've always been curious, and Sephora had a good deal so I hook the plunge.
My skin feels smoother and looks brighter when I use it regularly, and I had a few tiny milia that have slowly gone away with continued use. It's not a must or anything, but I'm glad I have it.
ETA: I haven't bad any breakouts, but I only use it once a week, twice at most.
Post by killercupcake on Oct 21, 2014 19:51:36 GMT -5
I use it once or twice a week to exfoliate. It can make acne worse if you use it too often (I noticed that). But it does do a good job when I use it. I also have a separate brush for my legs/underarms/bikini area that helps with shaving.
I never use it anymore…I went through on and off phases of using it but now I try to do as little to my skin as possible and that has worked better than anything so I don't want to start up again with it.
Post by polarbearfans on Oct 21, 2014 20:24:33 GMT -5
I like mine. I use it a few times a week, a little more now that I have to wear makeup most days. It really makes a difference for me. I was on the fence but I got it during friends and family at sephora and had the reassurance I could take it back. At first it made me break out, but now I break out if I don't use it. My skin is also brighter and smoother. I use it with boscia soothing cleansing cream
Bc is the only thing saved my skin. I'm surprised you're not on spironolactone. Maybe talk to your derm about it next time?
This is good advice; I think I will. I've got an appointment in early December.
Im so bummed. My skin was in really decent shape for a while, but it took a dive this summer and never quite recovered. It's probably time to switch up the routine.
I love mine. I don't have acne but do get the occasional breakout. Since I've been using mine, no breakouts and people have stated I have a glow. Someone even asked if I was pregnant. I'll take that as a compliment. I see and feel a difference when I don't use it.
Post by underwaterrhymes on Oct 21, 2014 20:41:20 GMT -5
I love mine. I generally have pretty clear skin, but I find it makes it nice and smooth.
I highly recommend only using it twice a week, or so, if you're even sort of sensitive, and not pressing down too hard. I got some broken capillaries when I first started using it because I didn't know what I was doing.
If you DO buy one, make sure you buy it from an authorized retailer. I bought mine on Amazon and it stopped working within the warranty time frame, but Clarisonic wouldn't do anything for me because they said Amazon wasn't an authorized retailer and the warranty was void when you purchase from an unauthorized place.
For cystic acne, glycolic acid worked wonders for me. I like Mario Badescu stuff.
“Life is not orderly. No matter how we try to make it so, right in the middle of it lose a leg, fall in love, drop a jar of applesauce.” - Natalie Goldberg
Bc is the only thing saved my skin. I'm surprised you're not on spironolactone. Maybe talk to your derm about it next time?
This is good advice; I think I will. I've got an appointment in early December.
Im so bummed. My skin was in really decent shape for a while, but it took a dive this summer and never quite recovered. It's probably time to switch up the routine.
Are you on regular birth control where you get your period every month? I've found my acne is hormone based and my skin was a lot better when I was on extended cycle BCP pre-baby. It's currently freaking out right now because of my Mirena.
Post by lightbulbsun on Oct 22, 2014 7:24:46 GMT -5
I love my clarisonic. I used to have cystic acne on my chin and sometimes temples, at least one huge zit at all times. I've been using it for 2 years, and in that time I've maybe had 2 cystic spots. I use it every night with Mario Badescu glycolic cleanser. It's seriously made me so much more confident, because it's the first time since I was 11 that I haven't had acne.
ETA: My full skin routine:
morning: wash with Mario Badescu acne facial cleanser, apply oil-free moisturizer plus spf
evening: remove makeup, use clarisonic with Mario Badescu glycolic foaming cleanser, apply cream with 10% benzoyl peroxide before bed
I'm wary. My cystic acne and mild rosacea is controlled by bcp, a pretty gentle routine with Burts Bees sensitive wash and daytime moisturizer, and Psorzema moisturizer in dry months; I still get whiteheads on my chin randomly. After trying many exfoliants and finding them way too harsh, I can highly recommend Amore Pacific's Treatment Enzyme Peel; the $60 bottle lasts 2years using it 2-3 times a week.
I love mine. I'm in my early thirties but have very oily skin. I went out of town recently and forgot my Clarisonic- it took two days before I had a nasty breakout.
I don't use one but I wouldn't. I am like you, had cystic acne in the past (and scars!), skin currently under control. And honestly, I will not do anything that could potentially disrupt the delicate balance that is my skin right now. No facials, no clarisonic, no change in products. I am just using cerave right now and minimal makeup.