Hello Darlings, After a long wait, today I had an appointment with a sought after dermatologist. Having sensitive and acne prone skin, made me into a skin-care freak and as a result sent me on a quest to find a good dermatologist who would address my skin concerns. I am sure that some of you may relate to those dreaded words, “acne-prone”. From fancy creams by Chanel and Clarins, to dermatologist recommended Vichy and then organic Korres; today’s outcome not only intrigued but surprised me.
My skin has always been schizophrenic but I have managed it with various treatments and regularly changing skin care products. At times it would cost me as much as hundreds of dollars trying to get rid of those annoying bumps. Today, my new dermatologist suggested just a few Neutrogena products. No offense to Neutrogena but I always figured that having problematic skin would cost me way more, as it is not often that you go to a dermatologist who tells you that less is more. In fact, only two have! In the end, the dermatologist today suggested only the following three products to use regularly for the next three months:
1. Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Power Wash
To use in the evening and morning.
2. Neautrogena Ultra Sheer Sunblock
To use every morning.
3. Differin Gel
Prescription medication that should be used as directed.
It was refreshing to hear that aside from an occasional SilkPeel Dermalinfusion treatment, all I need is just a few products that are reasonably priced. I will surely report back as to my progress. For all I know it might be a disaster, however based on what I was told this all does make sense.
I AM WEARING: Club Monaco Dress Shirt // 7 For All Mankind The Skinny Jeans // Marc by Marc Jacobs Mouse Love Flats // Coach Madison Lindsey Satchel // Swarovski Necklace // Pandora Leather Charm Bracelet
As for the outfit, I wore a crisp white dress shirt with a pair of skinnies. I enjoy wearing dress shirts, there is something about their timelessness that makes me always feel chic. To add a little sparkle to an otherwise simple look, I wore my new Swarovski necklace that I received as a gift during Fall 2012 Preview and a Pandora charms bracelet that I cannot wait to fill. As every girl tends to forget about this classic, why not pull it out from the back of your closet and introduce it to your casual wear.
With Love…
Marta
I have acne prone skin, too, and my skin care consist of a cleaner for sensitive skin, a calming toner and a exfoliator I use once a week. I only exfoliate once a week because on all other nights (not mornings) I gently rub my face with a cloth to stimulate skin and clear dead skin cells. So far it’s worked wonders!
Charlotta, thanks for sharing your skin routine. What kind of products do you use?
I used that sunscreen a few years ago — it made my skin break out into a really awful rash! Perhaps it was just my skin, but I thought I ought to share my experience with it. However, I have a friend who has the very best to say of Neutrogena.
. Agree with your dermatologist –sometimes less is more!
Ooh ooh, thanks for sharing! What kind do you use now?
I will give it a try and worse come to worse, I will resort to using Clarins which seems to be ok. That’s the problem skin SPF is that it tends to clog pores and cause breakouts. Without, welcome wrinkles and sun spots
I know, it’s almost like a lose-lose situation. I’m still searching for a natural-based sunscreen, but so far I’ve been using Coppertone WaterBabies Lotion SPF 60. *blush* Its for kids, but it works well and my skin hasn’t complained yet.
I use Baby Johnson body wash for the same reason
While I do agree 100% with less is more, I am not a fan of products that just dry out your skin and do nothing else for it. In our nutrient-deprived culture, the skin usually gets the last of everything. I like to use a cleanser, a serum and a moisturizer. I exfoliate once a week. The products I am using contain hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, and other good stuff that help feed the skin. (skin is our largest organ). Arcona, Eminence, Sircut Cosmetceuticals all have some great products! I use Jane Iredale for SPF because it lets your skin breathe underneath. I try to stay away from products full of the chemicals that in Chem class we were supposed to use under the fume-hood. I think the more junk we use on our skin and the more we deprive it of the nutrients and antioxidants it needs, the worse it will age and function.
Precisely, why I was surprised that she did not recommend a moisturizer. I am willing to try her regiment and then see. I hope that good nutrition and healthy lifestyle will also provide the needed nutrients
Thank you for mentioning the products, I am definitely going look into them.
I have tried nearly every brand of skin care out there. Finally, my dermatologist pointed me to Skinceuticals. Face wash (morning & night), toner (morning & night), and acid (nightly). I use Solbar AVO (SPF 32) as a daily moisturizer and Peter Thomas Roth – Oil free moisturiser at night. Works like a charm. Nearly a year breakout free!
Hi Mallory,
Glad you found something that worked for the long-term. It’s been incredible how much I have struggled with this for so long!
Best wishes
Marta
Hey Marta!
I, too, have struggled with bad skin since high school. Pour moi, the best results came about with a combination of Diane-35 (1.5 years), good nutrition, and a strict skincare regime (mainly not falling asleep with a face full of makeup!). Cutting out dairy and sugar also cleared my skin dramatically (which was hard because I’m crazy about gelato).
My skincare regime consists of SpectroJel cleanser in the morning, Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash in the evening. Use the Clarisonic skin brush with your cleanser. The best makeup remover by far is Bioderma; I once read that Daria Werbowy and a lot of people in fashion use it, so I tried it out and it was amazing–gentle, fragrance-free, no residue. Use a gel moisturizer or serum like SkinCeuticals Phyto Corrective Gel or Clinique Dramatically Different moisturizing gel because acne-prone skin doesn’t need creams. Sunscreen is important (especially if you’re using a prescription like Differin) and I think it’s better if it has physical blockers like zinc oxide. I just bought a bunch on sale at Shoppers a few weeks ago by Aveeno that has an SPF 30 (anything higher isn’t necessary) with zinc oxide and is fragrance-free. In general, I try to avoid fragrance in skin products. Use cool or cold water to wash your face and allow it to air dry or gently pat it with Kleenex.
I’ve tried salicylic acid peels in conjunct with an oxygen facial at Gee Beauty and they worked pretty well, but it was costly to maintain… as was the Isolaz laser therapy at a plastic surgeon’s office. For spot treatments, I use Mario Badescu pink drying lotion for whiteheads (it actually dries up and flattens out in a few hours and allows me to leave the house!) and a *tiny*, thin layer of topical cortisol cream called Desocort for cysts.
You probably know that you need to drink LOTS of water. Green tea, blueberries, darkly pigmented vegetables (raw or steamed), avocados, almonds, whole grains, fish, olive oil, fresh carrot-cucumber-lemon-ginger juice, and flax/fish oil supplements are also important. I might be a bit extreme by avoiding coffee, dairy, desserts, and sweet alcohol, but I’ve really found that bumps cleared up miraculously after about 3 months.
QUESTION for Helene….Please where can i find Bioderma products in Toronto??Ive been looking around like crazy!!!!!!!!Its supposed to be such a good brand for cleansing products!!!!!!
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