Skin 101
Dec 11 '00 (Updated Dec 21 '00)
We all know we cannot shrink our pores. It maybe impossible to do that. We can find ways to make them appear smaller. We can do that by being patient with our skin. To control pores we have to get to the source of the problem. Whether that is going to a dermatologist or seeking over the counter help.
Acne is a collection of oil, bacteria and dead skin cells. It is caused by stress and hormonal changes. Your diet may not be the cause of your breakouts. However, keep in mind that almost any lotion, cream, gel, bar of soap, foundation, moisturizer, or cleanser, regardless of claims about not causing breakouts, can contain ingredient that clog pores. If you are susceptible to breakouts, using a moisturizer of any kind will perpetuate the problem. The primary way to get rid of breakouts is to clean the face gently. Moisturizer your skin daily with an oil-free lotion containing SPF of at least 15. In addition, you can apply blemish treatments such has masks, blemish sticks and toners. I will display different treatments for mild acne/breakouts. Remember to be gentle to your skin. Drink plenty of water. ALWAYS WEAR SUN SCREEN EVERYDAY!
Step One: Wash
Select a mild and gentle cleanser. What should you look for when picking a facial wash. You should look in the back for a list of ingredients. Gel cleansers are recommend for oily and acne prone skin. You should also look for a cleanser that wont strip your skin of natural oils. Gently wash your face with your hands. Do not use a washcloth on skin. It maybe too rough on your skin.
Please try some of these cleansers:
St Ives Clear Pore Cleanser:
This new cleanser from St. Ives offers a gentle way of cleaning your skin. It contains a powerful ingredient such has BHA a.k.a. salicylic acid and tea tree extract. The bha will help to remove dead skin cells. It is less irritating then aha (alpha hydroxyl acids). The therapeutic uses of tea tree are based largely on its antiseptic and antifungal properties. It is less irrigating then over the counter benzoyl peroxide.
You buy this at any drug store such has Duane Reade, Rite Aid, Target, and CVS.
Clarins Purifying Cleansing Gel:
This gentle cleanser will lift SURFACE impurities, leaving the skin clean. It contains sebopur complex which will clean the skin. Sebopur contains Vitamin B6 and zinc. Women with PMS irritated acne often response to B6 supplementation. Zinc is vitally important in the health of the skin. It can help with some cases of deeper acne. Some people are not sure has to why it works. This cleanser will help to minimize breakouts and temporarily tighten your pores.
You can buy this at any fine department stores such has Macy's Nordstrom and Bloomingdales.
Other cleanser to try:
Estee Lauder's Verite` Light Lotion Cleanser for Sensitive Skin, L `Oreal Hydra Fresh, Dr. Brun's Peppermint Pure-Castle Soap, Black Opal's Oil-Free Cleansing Gel, Cetaphil Gentle Cleanser, Benefit's Fantasy Mint Wash, Lancome's Ablutia Fraicheur, Philosophy's Real Purity,Yonka's Cleansing Gel and Origins's Mint Wash
You can also try La Mer Cleansing Gel. It will help with the early signs of aging and oily skin. You can purchase this at Saks Fifth Avenue in Manhattan or online @ www.blissworld.com and www.sehpora.com
You can purchase Estee Lauder online at www.esteelauder.com or any fine department stores such has Macy's, Nordstrom and Bloomingdales.
You can purchase Benefit online at www.benefitcosmetics.com or any Macy's department store.
You can purchase Philosophy online @ www.philosophy.com
You can buy Yonka online at www.blissworld.com or www.sephora.com
You can purchase Origins online @ www.origins.com or any Origins store or Macy's
You can purchase the other products at any drugstore such has Duane Reade, CVS, Rite Aid, Kmart etc.,
Step Two: Lotion
Look for labels that are oil-free, wont clog your pores. In addition, the lotion should not contain lanolin or mineral oil. For daily use, choose a moisturizer with SPF but without rentiol, AHA's which can lead to more breakouts. Smooth it on while skin is still damp to retain as much moisture as possible. Another option is to use an oil-free foundation with an SPF of 15. It is very important that you where sun screen everyday. It is a good idea to protect skin from year around damage. That is right...you have to wear it on winter days..... Especially if you are using any bleaching or AHA's They leave the skin a little sensitive.
For the day please try these Spf 15 moisturizer's:
Lancome's Uv Expert Daily UVA/UVB Protection
This is a standard oil-free lotion for the face. It contains Parsol 1789 which will protect your skin from Uva spectrum. This will help against the damaging effects of the sun. Use has much has needed.
Also from Lancome Vinefit Spf 15
This light lotion contains SPf of 15. It leaves the skin moisturizer and it contains antioxidants such has grapeseed which help to protect the skin. It will also give the skin a healthy glow. Has you know antioxidants help to fight the early signs of aging.
You can purchase Lancome online @ www.lancome.com
Cetaphil's Daily Facial Moisturizer
Which contains board spectrum UVA and UVB. It is non-comedogenic (wont clog pores), fragrance and Paba fee. It is recommend by most dermatologist.
You can purchase Cetaphil at any drugstore. For more information go to www.cetaphil.com
Other Sun Screen's to try
L` Oreal's Future E for Oily Skin Spf 15 and Active Daily Moisture Lotion Spf 15, Estee Lauder's Sunblock and DayWear, Erno Laszlo Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 25, Murad Daily Defense Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 15, Peter Thomas Roth Ultra Lite Oil-Free Sunblock SPF30, Elizabeth Arden Modern Skincare Oil Free Sunblock SPF 15 and Triple Protection Oil-Free Faceblock SPF 30.
Night time Lotion:
Estee Lauder's Clear Difference
Oil-Control Hydrator
This refreshing, lightweight formula with exclusive enzyme technology actually "reprograms" skin to produce measurably less oil, while delivering moisture where it's needed most
Mattes-out shine instantly, even in the T-zone. Absorbs excess oil - all day. Unclogs pores to help eliminate breakouts. Keeps skin clear, soft, supple.
You can purchase Estee Lauder online @ www.esteeluader.com or any fine department Store
The Body Shop's
Facial Moisture Concentrate
This non greasy lotion will keep your skin clean, supple and moist. It absorbs easily and contains the antiseptic property called Tea Tree Oil. This is especially effective for people with oily sensitive skin.
You can purchase this at any Body Shop store nationwide or online @ www.the-body-shop.com
L` Oreal's Hydra Fresh Super Fresh For Oil-Free
Super fresh oil-free* gel-cream instantly provides a burst of moisture. Multi-mineral formula (Calcium and Magnesium) helps build strength. This is a perfect moisturizer to apply underneath your makeup. It is very light and non greasy. Hydra Fresh is oil-free and non-comedogenic ( won't clog pores) Non-acnegenic ( won't cause breakouts).
You can buy L` Oreal at any drugstore.
Also try these products for the night time:
Philosophy's The Present, Clarins's Normalizing Night Gel, St. Ives Oil-Free Lotion,Erno Laszlo R.E.M. Intensive Night Therapy for Normal to Extremely Oily Skin, Murad Oily Prone Skin Formula, Wu Ginseng and Coptis Root Cream, Peter Thomas Roth AHA 12% Hydrating Ceramide Repair Gel, Black Opal's Retexurizing Treatment and Peter Thomas Roth Oil-Free Moisturizer ( make sure you use a sunscreen in the day time with this product). Try using it two to three times a week
You can purchase Philosophy online @ www.philosophy.com
You can purchase St. Ives and Black Opal at any drugstore.
You can purchase the other products online @ www.sephora.com and www.cosmeticsplus.com
Step Three: Treatments.....
Once a week exfoliate to remove dulling dead skin cells, which can lead to clogging of your pores, acne and oily skin. Don't too remove too much dead skin. I know from my own trial and error. It can lead to more breakouts and oily skin.
I will give you a list of natural masks that you can whip up at home. Or you can buy your mask online or at the mall.
Grapefruit and Parsley Mask
Ingredients
* 3 tablespoon fine oatmeal
* 2 tablespoon chopped parsley
* juice of ½ large grapefruit
1. Place the oatmeal and parsley in a bowl
2. Mix in enough grapefruit juice to make a spreadable paste. Let soften for five minutes.
3. Spread the mixture evenly over your face.
4. Lie down and relax for 15 minutes.
5. Rinse off the mixture with tepid water
All- Purpose Mask
Ingredients:
* ½ teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon dry black tea
* 1 egg white
* 1 teaspoon of honey
* ½ cup of strawberries
* 2 oz. raw acorn squash or pumpkin
1. Blend all ingredients and spread mask evenly on face.
2. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes
3. Rinse with lukewarm water and then apply moisturizer
Anti-Blemish Overnight Treatment
Ingredients:
* 2 tablespoon plain yogurt
* 1 teaspoon lemon juice
* 2 drops of tea tree oil
1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Spread the mixture over your face with your fingertips last thing at night.
3. Rinse your face with warm water in the morning.
Other Blemish Treatments to try:
Clarins's Blemish Control and Minimizing Blemish Cream, Biore's Blemish Bomb, Avon's Clearskin 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Vanishing Cream, Jane's Good Skin Spot Off, Clean & Clear Oil-Fighting Deep Cleaning Astringent. This product from Clean & Clear should be applied to the pimple/blemish only. It maybe too drying for the whole face. In addition, also try Origin's Spot Remover and Bath & Body Works Clear Face on-The Spot Blemish Cream, Philosophy's Out of Control and Prescriptives' Vibrant Brightening Scrub
You can buy Clarins at any fine department stores. You can buy Biore at any drugstore. You can purchase Avon on online @ www.avon.com. You can purchase Jane at any drugstore such has Target, and Kmart. You can purchase Clean & Clear at any drugstore. By Origins at any department store or online @ www.origins.com. You can purchase Bath & Body Works at any Bath & Body Works Store Nationwide. You can buy Philosophy online @ www.philosophy.com or www.sephora.com. You can purchase Prescriptive's at any Macys
All these wonderful recipes are taken from Author Gail Duff's Making and Using Simple and Natural Products
You can purchase this book online @ www.barnesandnobles.com
Now for those of us who do not want to whip up these treatments
Coming to a drugstore near you
Neutrogena's Pore Refining Mask
This new five (5) minute cooling gel mask will help to shrink your pores. It contains the powerful ingredients alpha and beta hydroxyl acids which will help to remove dead skin cells which can lead to breakouts.
You can buy this new product at any drugstore or check out www.neutrogena..com
Something new from Avon
Avon's Deep Cleansing Warming Mask
This new mask will clean, exfoliate skin in one minute. That is right in one minute you can get the benefits of a 15 minute mask. It contains self heating agents that warm when message into the skin. This also contains kaolin which will help to remove dirt and clean oily skin.
You can buy Avon online @ www.avon.com
This combo is for the girl who wants to spend a little extra
New from the BlissWorld
Blisslabs Seaweed Task Masks
They have two task mask one called Exfoliating Task Mask which will help with muddy, enlarged pores. The second one is called Breakout Busting Task Mask. Which will help those with oily and acne prone skin
Mix it with Task Mask Mixers for an effective mini salon treatment at home
Try Grapefruit Mixer which will refine the pore, firm your skin and cleansing oily skin. Mix this with Exfoliating Task Mask. Try Kiwi Mixer and Eucalyptus Mixer for the Breakout Busting Mask. The Kiwi will gently remove dead skin cells, and clarify the skin. The Grapefruit has antiseptic properties that will clean the skin and remove bacteria.
You can buy bliss online @ www.blissworld.com
Step Four: Advice and Cover Up
A simple mini facial for everyone to help with pores and blackheads
Apply a mask of PHILLIPS' MILK OF MAGNESIA on the face once a week. Don't even ask me how it works. It helped to suck up the oil and it did not leave my skin blotchy.
A wonderful scrub that is better then anything on the market
BAKING SODA MIX WITH CETAPHIL GENTLE SKIN CLEANSER. This is recommend by a lot of doctors to gently scrub your face. I recommend doing this every other week. It is not necessarily to exfoliate your skin all the time.
Five Step Plan: Advice and Cover Up
1. Cleanse Morning and Night with a mild/gentle cleanser
2. Moisturizer in the day time with an Spf of 15/ at night you can apply an oil-free night time cream
3. Use a mask twice a month/ and you can use the scrub once or twice a month
4. When using over the counter Aha, Bleaching products, Bha and benzoyl peroxide. Limit it to one product at a time. Trying using these products two to three times a week.
5. Sunscreen everyday
Example:
Use an Aha cleanser with a sun screen in the morning that does not contain AHA or BHA. Or use a mild cleanser at night with a blemish treatment.
Coverup:
L` Oreal's Translucide, Lancome's Photogenic Skin-Illuminating Makeup SPF 15 and Maqui-libre, Estee Lauder's Double Matte,Cover Girl Fresh Look Liquid Makeup Oil-Free Spf 15, Revlon Colorstay Oil Free Makeup,Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil Free Makeup, Revlon's Skinlights Face Illuminator,Stila Liquid Makeup and Maybelline's 3-n-1
You can purchase L`Oreal, Neutrogena, Maybelline, Cover Girl and Revlon at any drugstore. You can purchase Lancome online at www.lancome.com and Estee Lauder online @ www.esteelauder.com. You can purchase both at any department store.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
Ebony_Queen
|
|
Member: Rachel
Location: Queens, NY
Reviews written: 8
Trusted by: 74 members
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.