Metalingus5150
Member
What would be the cheapest way to clean one's face everyday?
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Ask Skin Care Questions Here | Featuring Leona Lewis
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CAVEAT EMPTOR
Not at all! Working out or any kind of rigorous physical activity is an exception to the twice daily rule. You want to rid your face of the dirt and sweat as soon as possible, and something like CeraVe is definitely gentle enough to do the job.
Otherwise, you can skip cleansing and just use a well-formulated toner applied with a cotton ball or cotton pad instead.
...and I know you have a girlfriend and all, but my loins miss your presence in the Face-GAF thread
Haha well damn I better post some more pictures. I had no idea anyones loins were missing me lol.
Thanks for all the skin care info
Leona Lewis
Banned
lol I'll PM if you want.
Last time I posted my face on here, it ended up on the banner of the (now thankfully shut down) NeoGAF_Sucks subreddit.
Hateful bitches can't handle it
lol I'll PM if you want.
Last time I posted my face on here, it ended up on the banner of the (now thankfully shut down) NeoGAF_Sucks subreddit.
Hateful bitches can't handle it
Being offered to get PM'd face pics...
But no it's okay was just curious!
I use philosophy purity lol. Its a cleanser and a toner, opinion?
BigEvilTurtle
Banned
How do I rid myself of the black heads/large pores on my nose? They drive me nuts... 
How do I rid myself of the black heads/large pores on my nose? They drive me nuts...
Leona Lewis recommended http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00949CTQQ/?tag=neogaf0e-20
He seems to be the Yoda in these parts.
BigEvilTurtle
Banned
How do I rid myself of the black heads/large pores on my nose? They drive me nuts...
They have black head remover strips. You can find them at Walmart.
I don't facemask but I exfoliate weekly. I use Seacret. This thing is godlike, my skin feels so smooth and looks so good after peeling away all that dead skin.
Ape Gone Insane
Member
Thank you for your post and insight. Why is pumice such a bad ingredient for exfoliation?
If you had the time, I was also looking for a moisturiser to accompany the face wash and scrub. I have combination skin (oily T-zone). All the main brands have their own moisturiser:
- Clean and Clear Dual Action Moisturiser (oil free and apparently helps prevent spots)
- Bulldog Original Moisturiser
- Nivea For Men Rehydrating Moisturiser
- Nivea For Men Q10 Revitalising Cream
- L'Oreal Men Expert Hydra Energetic Moisturiser
- Lab Series For Men Daily Moisture Defense Lotion SPF15
Any insight into any of these?
You Are Viewtiful
Member
Thanks! And damn, yeah that is expensive
my old eyecream lasted a year though and it was also 30 ml, so if this actually works, it will be money well spent. Thanks again!Leona Lewis
Banned
I've been receiving questions through PM, and I'm posting some with permission so that more people can get answers.
Wrong - in the winter, sunscreen is still needed because even though there are no UVB rays (the type that cause sunburn), there are still UVA rays (the more dangerous type that create pre-cancer cells and cause premature aging like wrinkles and sunspots). In the summer, I use the Thinkbaby SPF 50+ sunscreen, and every other season, I use the Kiss My Face SPF 30 one I linked to.
I originally posted an Amazon link to the BHA liquid, which isn't so convenient for those outside the States, I think. Luckily, Paula's Choice has a website (Paula's Choice EU) that specializes in Europe. They sell the same products, but it's probably cheaper to get it direct than from Amazon. They also offer sample sizes on the site for really cheap if you want to try it. You only need to use a little amount - 2% is plenty potent.
For active acne, BHA (aka salicylic acid) is not the best option because the effects of exfoliation are a long term thing. What you need to kill a pimple is to get rid of the bacteria that are feeding on the infected oil gland (that's what causes pimples...gross, I know) using an antibacterial solution like benzoyl peroxide (5% strength) or (and this is my favorite) tea tree oil (dab it on undiluted using a cotton swab).
For BP, I like Rugby generic brand. Any tea tree oil will do as long as it's pure. Just don't apply it if you're going outside, because the smell is pretty strong.
Wrong - in the winter, sunscreen is still needed because even though there are no UVB rays (the type that cause sunburn), there are still UVA rays (the more dangerous type that create pre-cancer cells and cause premature aging like wrinkles and sunspots). In the summer, I use the Thinkbaby SPF 50+ sunscreen, and every other season, I use the Kiss My Face SPF 30 one I linked to.
I originally posted an Amazon link to the BHA liquid, which isn't so convenient for those outside the States, I think. Luckily, Paula's Choice has a website (Paula's Choice EU) that specializes in Europe. They sell the same products, but it's probably cheaper to get it direct than from Amazon. They also offer sample sizes on the site for really cheap if you want to try it. You only need to use a little amount - 2% is plenty potent.
For active acne, BHA (aka salicylic acid) is not the best option because the effects of exfoliation are a long term thing. What you need to kill a pimple is to get rid of the bacteria that are feeding on the infected oil gland (that's what causes pimples...gross, I know) using an antibacterial solution like benzoyl peroxide (5% strength) or (and this is my favorite) tea tree oil (dab it on undiluted using a cotton swab).
For BP, I like Rugby generic brand. Any tea tree oil will do as long as it's pure. Just don't apply it if you're going outside, because the smell is pretty strong.
Messofanego
Banned
I'm deeply saddened you didn't get the reference. Classic movie.
Bit violent for my tastes (right?) so I always avoided it.
Smells like feet, too watery and doesn't moisturize your face as much as you'd like.
I use this along with Nip + Man face products - http://vitagoods.com/spin-for-perfect-skin
Captain Europe
Member
This thread is awesome, you're the best Leona! <3
meh, I used a 20% salicylic acid peel on my face for a while with barely any peeling, let alone chemical burn. Would rinse it off my face 5 or so minutes after applying, of course.
My skin is really really picky. If it gets too oily I break out, if it gets too dry I break out. I wash it every other day because if I wash it every day it'll be really dry and red and skin flaking off. Actually that is my biggest thing now. No matter what I do, lotion, etc. My skin is really dry. I can run my finger over parts of my faces and skin just flakes off. This especially sucks when I go swimming. The moment my skin starts to dry, my faces looks like its flaking off. Any suggestions on this?
Currently I use Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser to wash my face
and Neutrogena Oil-free lotion
Currently I use Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser to wash my face
and Neutrogena Oil-free lotion
Ape Gone Insane
Member
I read the link but still not quite sure how it works. Do you load it up with a face gel/cream? Or just use the wet/dry brush?
Leona Lewis
Banned
Contrary to popular belief, flaking isn't necessarily caused by dry skin. Dry skin is caused by lack of sufficient sebum production, which can make the face feel overly taut and sometimes even itchy. Flaking, however, occurs when the top layer of dermal skin (dead skin) has not been properly sloughed off.My skin is really really picky. If it gets too oily I break out, if it gets too dry I break out. I wash it every other day because if I wash it every day it'll be really dry and red and skin flaking off. Actually that is my biggest thing now. No matter what I do, lotion, etc. My skin is really dry. I can run my finger over parts of my faces and skin just flakes off. This especially sucks when I go swimming. The moment my skin starts to dry, my faces looks like its flaking off. Any suggestions on this?
Currently I use Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser to wash my face
and Neutrogena Oil-free lotion
Usually, a cleanser alone can do the trick, but if your cell turnover is higher than usual (cell turnover creates surface dead skin that sits atop the newly formed skin cells), you will need to invest in either a gentle physical exfoliating solution like a Clarisonic or a gentle BHA exfoliant. Since your skin isn't oily, best to start with maybe a 1% salicylic acid, or a 2% if you are super vigilant about wearing sunscreen. You didn't mention sunscreen in your post, by the way, and going out in the sun without protection leaves your face vulnerable too. Ever wonder why people who have spent years tanning have that dry, leathery look? The photosensitivity caused by UVA exposure might explain some of the flaking, since the sun encourages rapid (but unhealthy and eventually pre-cancerous) cell turnover.
Most of all, though, you need to cleanse more often so that the top layer of dead skin doesn't obstruct proper flow of oil through your sebaceous gland. Personally, I like the CeraVe a lot more than the Cetaphil. Despite the reputation that Cetaphil has for being extra gentle, it actually contains A TON OF SULFATE. No wonder you feel so dry after using it. Using a different cleanser will allow you to comfortable cleanse twice a day and avoid still flaking
Of course, but I'm wary of people doing at-home treatments with such high potency formulations. Not everyone follows instructions to the letter, and I've seen some nightmarish results...
My point being, I'd rather people use peels under the supervision of a doctor. Especially for those with cystic acne, there's a tendency to keep things on a bit too long because of the misguided sense that keeping it on longer = added effectiveness.
Evenly coat your face with cleanser/exfoliator using your hands then use the brush in a slow circular motion. As seen here. I think this guy uses a crazy amount of exfoliator though.
Ape Gone Insane
Member
Huh, cool, I have honestly never seen this before. Reading around, it sounds like the Clarisonic is the best product in this area - is this true in your experience?
Messofanego
Banned
I've only heard of Clarisonic, can't really compare.
Contrary to popular belief, flaking isn't necessarily caused by dry skin. Dry skin is caused by lack of sufficient sebum production, which can make the face feel overly taut and sometimes even itchy. Flaking, however, occurs when the top layer of dermal skin (dead skin) has not been properly sloughed off.
Usually, a cleanser alone can do the trick, but if your cell turnover is higher than usual (cell turnover creates surface dead skin that sits atop the newly formed skin cells), you will need to invest in either a gentle physical exfoliating solution like a Clarisonic or a gentle BHA exfoliant. Since your skin isn't oily, best to start with maybe a 1% salicylic acid, or a 2% if you are super vigilant about wearing sunscreen. You didn't mention sunscreen in your post, by the way, and going out in the sun without protection leaves your face vulnerable too. Ever wonder why people who have spent years tanning have that dry, leathery look? The photosensitivity caused by UVA exposure might explain some of the flaking, since the sun encourages rapid (but unhealthy and eventually pre-cancerous) cell turnover.
Most of all, though, you need to cleanse more often so that the top layer of dead skin doesn't obstruct proper flow of oil through your sebaceous gland. Personally, I like the CeraVe a lot more than the Cetaphil. Despite the reputation that Cetaphil has for being extra gentle, it actually contains A TON OF SULFATE. No wonder you feel so dry after using it. Using a different cleanser will allow you to comfortable cleanse twice a day and avoid still flaking
Thanks for the reply. I rarely go outside and I work in a basement, however the couple times I went swimming this year I did use sunscreen. I've always used it when outdoors because as a kid if I didn't i'd blister so now I use it whenever I know i'll be in the sun even a little.
So like I said I used that 20% salicylic acid peel for a while. After that I used (because I read it can be effective and it's super cheap) apple cider vinegar, applied with a cotton ball, for a number of months. I've used other things in the past but those are the two most recent and probably the strongest.
Basically there are a number of things I want to fix about my face, but I have realistic-ish expecations and don't expect any one product to fix everything overnight. I've had chronic dark circles under my eyes for the past decade, which just appeared practically overnight when studying for finals and never went away. Lack of sleep can exacerbate it but it's always there. Some time in the past year or so I developed milia, those little white bumps, under my eyes where the dark circles are. What I've used so far hasn't made a dent in those two problems. I also want to shrink the pores on my nose (no blackheads or anything) but I think that's better than it used to be. The area around my eyes is also kind of damaged from sun and a couple years of cigarette smoking, like the texture of the skin looks a bit aged. I'm also getting the crows feet but I'm not too concerned about that- it's "aging" but it's not necessarily ugly.
After giving up on the other things I used I looked into retin-a/retinol. I started a 0.5% (or is it 0.05%?) retinol cream last week and have been applying it every other night (this product). I know that's more than is recommended to start off with but the couple days after the first application it's as though I didn't even apply anything....maybe my face is already acclimated to all these acid peels and shit? Should I move up to the 1%? Or consider getting a prescription for retin-a? I'm only 32 and the area under my eyes is looking kinda nasty, worse than a lot of people my age. For several years I've used sunscreen on my face almost every day, too.
Basically there are a number of things I want to fix about my face, but I have realistic-ish expecations and don't expect any one product to fix everything overnight. I've had chronic dark circles under my eyes for the past decade, which just appeared practically overnight when studying for finals and never went away. Lack of sleep can exacerbate it but it's always there. Some time in the past year or so I developed milia, those little white bumps, under my eyes where the dark circles are. What I've used so far hasn't made a dent in those two problems. I also want to shrink the pores on my nose (no blackheads or anything) but I think that's better than it used to be. The area around my eyes is also kind of damaged from sun and a couple years of cigarette smoking, like the texture of the skin looks a bit aged. I'm also getting the crows feet but I'm not too concerned about that- it's "aging" but it's not necessarily ugly.
After giving up on the other things I used I looked into retin-a/retinol. I started a 0.5% (or is it 0.05%?) retinol cream last week and have been applying it every other night (this product). I know that's more than is recommended to start off with but the couple days after the first application it's as though I didn't even apply anything....maybe my face is already acclimated to all these acid peels and shit? Should I move up to the 1%? Or consider getting a prescription for retin-a? I'm only 32 and the area under my eyes is looking kinda nasty, worse than a lot of people my age. For several years I've used sunscreen on my face almost every day, too.
Leona Lewis
Banned
1) Unfortunately, you can't "shrink" pores. But exfoliating does help reduce their appearance, because any clogged material in there makes them expand and eventually lose their firmness, which makes them permanently larger. In other words, pores can't be shrunk per se, but they can be stopped from getting larger.
2) Retin-A is a great step for evening out skin tone. You should spent at least 12 weeks on the 0.05% before moving up to 0.1%. And of course you don't feel anything in Week 1. Come back to me in Week 3 once the purging phase begins~
3) You should still wear sunscreen everyday. You shouldn't have dropped that good habit!
4) Dark circles are best addressed with a skin brightening product like a Vitamin C serum or a skin lightening ingredient like hydroquinone or kojic acid.
5) Milia happens when a skin condition that leads to blistering actually damages the pore lining. Burns or severe rashes can increase the number of skin cells trapped under the skin's surface. Sun damage is also a contributing factor to milia because it makes skin rough and leathery, so it's more difficult for dead cells to rise to the skin's surface and shed normally.
90% of the time, they go away on their own, but because milia can form when the skin's natural exfoliation process malfunctions, you can use a targeted exfoliating treatment with salicylic acid to immediately improve exfoliation and allow the bump to dissolve on its own pretty quickly.
Oh, and don't squeeze them!
EDIT: STOP USING THAT RETINOL PRODUCT IMMEDIATELY IT'S A DUPE AND SKINCEUTICALS DOES NOT AUTHORIZE RESELLERS ON AMAZON SO YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE USING. AND FIRST OF ALL YOU'RE NOT USING RETIN-A WHOSE ACTIVE INGREDIENT IS PRESCRIPTION-ONLY TRETINOIN, YOU'RE USING RETINOL WHICH IS A WEAKER VARIANT THAT HAS NO EFFECT ON SKIN PLEASE READ AND STOP USING IMMEDIATELY, IF YOU WANT RETIN-A WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION PM ME AND I'LL HOOK YOU UP
Shit like this is why skin care gets a bad rep. No oversight, no ethics.
2) Retin-A is a great step for evening out skin tone. You should spent at least 12 weeks on the 0.05% before moving up to 0.1%. And of course you don't feel anything in Week 1. Come back to me in Week 3 once the purging phase begins~
3) You should still wear sunscreen everyday. You shouldn't have dropped that good habit!
4) Dark circles are best addressed with a skin brightening product like a Vitamin C serum or a skin lightening ingredient like hydroquinone or kojic acid.
5) Milia happens when a skin condition that leads to blistering actually damages the pore lining. Burns or severe rashes can increase the number of skin cells trapped under the skin's surface. Sun damage is also a contributing factor to milia because it makes skin rough and leathery, so it's more difficult for dead cells to rise to the skin's surface and shed normally.
90% of the time, they go away on their own, but because milia can form when the skin's natural exfoliation process malfunctions, you can use a targeted exfoliating treatment with salicylic acid to immediately improve exfoliation and allow the bump to dissolve on its own pretty quickly.
Oh, and don't squeeze them!
EDIT: STOP USING THAT RETINOL PRODUCT IMMEDIATELY IT'S A DUPE AND SKINCEUTICALS DOES NOT AUTHORIZE RESELLERS ON AMAZON SO YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE USING. AND FIRST OF ALL YOU'RE NOT USING RETIN-A WHOSE ACTIVE INGREDIENT IS PRESCRIPTION-ONLY TRETINOIN, YOU'RE USING RETINOL WHICH IS A WEAKER VARIANT THAT HAS NO EFFECT ON SKIN PLEASE READ AND STOP USING IMMEDIATELY, IF YOU WANT RETIN-A WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION PM ME AND I'LL HOOK YOU UP
Shit like this is why skin care gets a bad rep. No oversight, no ethics.
velociraptor
Junior Member
Sunscreen should be worn everyday?
I'm going Cyprus. Which one should I wear? I don't want my face to tan. I also don't want anything that will kill me with it's horrendously toxic elements.
Leona Lewis
Banned
Yes. The only time you don't need to wear sunscreen is at night, since that's the only time there is no UVA radiation (the type of UV light that causes premature aging and creates pre-cancer cells).
In the summer, I use Thinkbaby SPF 50+, which is 100% organic, all-natural ingredients. The rest of the year, I use Kiss My Face SPF 30, which is a blend of natural and synthetic sunscreen actives.
There is not a single sunscreen active, by the way, that is "toxic" or unhealthy for your skin. Even oxybenzone, which has a bad reputation because of one (rather unfounded) claim that it created tumors in rats.
EDIT: And for the office workers among us, please note that UVA penetrates clouds, glass, and sheer/thin clothing.
velociraptor
Junior Member
But that's assuming the sun reaches you indoors, correct? I always have blinds in my room when I'm indoors.
Do you even wear sunscreen on cloudy days?
What I was referring to compounds in sunscreens that may be deemed to be toxic to the human body, and may disrupt normal endocrine/physiological functioning. I haven't looked into sunscreens much so I cannot remember the specifics. With regards to creams, I always avoid parabens for example.
Leona Lewis
Banned
If you're working in a basement or a room with blinds, you'll be fine. But UVA damage is cumulative, so even 20 minutes a day in a windowed environment without protection or blinds (such as your car) adds up.
UVA rays penetrate clouds, so yes, sunscreen no matter what. Just because you can't see the sun doesn't mean the rays aren't there - our eyes just can't see ultraviolet light.
Leona Lewis
Banned
Yes, hydroquinone and kojic acid work well in repressing melanin production, while Vitamin C works to even the skin by lightening pigmentation scars or sunspots.
It just takes a while to see results, and any results are easily reversed from disuse.
velociraptor
Junior Member
Hold a second - I could be sitting in a room in a cloudy day without any blinds and UVA could still potentially damage? Wow.
I always have my blinds on, but sometimes I adjust them so the gaps are bigger on a cloudy day. There isn't any direct sunlight reaching me, at least I don't think so.
I don't think I have ever worn sunscreen in my entire life - I live in England. The weather is bleak, cloudy and rainy!
velociraptor
Junior Member
Hydroquinone has been classed by the FDA as a potential carcinogen.
Leona, thanks for answering all these questions. I have one tangent question which maybe you can help with.
I've never had issues with acne on my face other than a pimple here or there or ingrown hair from shaving, but what I do have issues with is my chest breaking out. Is there anything you'd suggest here? My current regime is just to exfoliate in my morning shower using an exfoliating glove, and follow that with an application and rinse of a 10% benzoyl peroxide wash. Later in the day, after my post-workout shower (in which I tend to just use water), I also apply an antiseptic cream that my dermatologist has prescribed. This works most times, but sometimes I'll just break out like crazy.
One caveat, I have started getting my chest waxed every 2.5 months or so this year. Aside from the normal irritation afterwards I don't tend to breakout until maybe ten days before my next appointment (and I am prone to more ingrowns on my chest than I'd like). I've been getting my back and shoulders waxed for years without issue, but decided to get my chest waxed for a while this year since in my experience is does eventually make the hair finer and thinner, so I don't intend to keep getting my chest waxed indefinitely, just enough for the finer and thinner regrowth to become the norm (if I clogged my shower drain one more time manscaping I was going to scream!).
Aside from the Benzoyl Peroxide (I've always just had better success with this on my body versus salicilic acid) and the antiseptic (sorry, I don't know the product right off hand) is there anything else you can recommend?
I've never had issues with acne on my face other than a pimple here or there or ingrown hair from shaving, but what I do have issues with is my chest breaking out. Is there anything you'd suggest here? My current regime is just to exfoliate in my morning shower using an exfoliating glove, and follow that with an application and rinse of a 10% benzoyl peroxide wash. Later in the day, after my post-workout shower (in which I tend to just use water), I also apply an antiseptic cream that my dermatologist has prescribed. This works most times, but sometimes I'll just break out like crazy.
One caveat, I have started getting my chest waxed every 2.5 months or so this year. Aside from the normal irritation afterwards I don't tend to breakout until maybe ten days before my next appointment (and I am prone to more ingrowns on my chest than I'd like). I've been getting my back and shoulders waxed for years without issue, but decided to get my chest waxed for a while this year since in my experience is does eventually make the hair finer and thinner, so I don't intend to keep getting my chest waxed indefinitely, just enough for the finer and thinner regrowth to become the norm (if I clogged my shower drain one more time manscaping I was going to scream!).
Aside from the Benzoyl Peroxide (I've always just had better success with this on my body versus salicilic acid) and the antiseptic (sorry, I don't know the product right off hand) is there anything else you can recommend?
SquiddyCracker
Banned
I guess this is the new daily skin routine thread 
Wouldn't mind some advice on how to improve mine, Leona. I got really oily skin and have from previous acne gotten hyperpegmentated dark spots in some places. So my goals is to reduce oilyness, ensure I don't break out again, and brighten the hyperpigmentated spots.
Morning
Lukewarm water + an oil control foam wash with the following ingredients:
Aqua, Zinc Coceth Sulfate, Glycerin, PEG-75, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Geraniol, Hydrocycitronellal, Linalool, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil,
PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Sodium Benzoate, Zinc Gluconate, Parfum.
Then I apply a salicylacid solution (.02%, ethanol, glycerol, aqua), let it dry before applying Lumene Day Cream SPF15 with Vitamin C.
Night
Lukewarm water + same oil control foam wash, followed by 5% benzoyl peroxide which when dried is followed up by the following glycolic cream and Good Things Miracle Mattifier which contains the following:
Aqua (Water), Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl benzoate, Glyceryl stearate, Zea mays (Corn) starch, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Pentaerythrityl distearate , Mangifera indica (Mango) seed oil, Propylene glycol, Sodium polyacrylate, Phenethyl alcohol, Caprylyl glycol, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Ribes nigrum (Blackcurrant) fruit extract, Citric acid, Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) extract, Tromethamine, Lycium barbarum fruit extract, BHT, Potassium sorbate, Sorbic acid, Dipropylene glycol.
Wouldn't mind some advice on how to improve mine, Leona. I got really oily skin and have from previous acne gotten hyperpegmentated dark spots in some places. So my goals is to reduce oilyness, ensure I don't break out again, and brighten the hyperpigmentated spots.
Morning
Lukewarm water + an oil control foam wash with the following ingredients:
Aqua, Zinc Coceth Sulfate, Glycerin, PEG-75, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Geraniol, Hydrocycitronellal, Linalool, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil,
PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Sodium Benzoate, Zinc Gluconate, Parfum.
Then I apply a salicylacid solution (.02%, ethanol, glycerol, aqua), let it dry before applying Lumene Day Cream SPF15 with Vitamin C.
Night
Lukewarm water + same oil control foam wash, followed by 5% benzoyl peroxide which when dried is followed up by the following glycolic cream and Good Things Miracle Mattifier which contains the following:
Aqua (Water), Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl benzoate, Glyceryl stearate, Zea mays (Corn) starch, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Pentaerythrityl distearate , Mangifera indica (Mango) seed oil, Propylene glycol, Sodium polyacrylate, Phenethyl alcohol, Caprylyl glycol, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Ribes nigrum (Blackcurrant) fruit extract, Citric acid, Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) extract, Tromethamine, Lycium barbarum fruit extract, BHT, Potassium sorbate, Sorbic acid, Dipropylene glycol.
I've been using this product once a week. Don't really have any complaints, but I'd love to hear input from those of you who actually have an idea about what's good and bad for your face.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F63TW0/?tag=neogaf0e-20
.jpg)
Ingredients: Peg-8, Sodium Bicarbonate, Silica Silylate, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Fragrance, Yellow 5, Red 40. Peel Activator Serum: Water, Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Dmdm Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium Edta.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F63TW0/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Ingredients: Peg-8, Sodium Bicarbonate, Silica Silylate, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Fragrance, Yellow 5, Red 40. Peel Activator Serum: Water, Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Dmdm Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium Edta.
Leona Lewis
Banned
Even England's clouds won't protect you from UVA! Any time the sun is out (i.e. anytime except evening) and your blinds aren't 100% shut, you're vulnerable.Hold a second - I could be sitting in a room in a cloudy day without any blinds and UVA could still potentially damage? Wow.
I always have my blinds on, but sometimes I adjust them so the gaps are bigger on a cloudy day. There isn't any direct sunlight reaching me, at least I don't think so.
I don't think I have ever worn sunscreen in my entire life - I live in England. The weather is bleak, cloudy and rainy!
Many ingredients are possibly cancer-contributing agents when taken undiluted or in high concentrations. Some people have gone way too far in the past with bleaching their skin, but modern formulations containing hydroquinone are much safer and pose minimal irritation risk.
The modern encapsulation process has also all but eliminated its carcinogenic potential as well, just to note.
Some people are allergic to it, though, so it's always advisable to do a spot test on the back of your hand or behind the ear just to make sure you don't get a bad reaction.
Dandruff is caused by a build-up of bacteria that feed on oils in the scalp. They're different from flakes, which is caused by dryness. Both are easy to solve now that Nizoral is sold without a prescription. It's cheap - buy it.
As far as itching, there are way too many possible causes and not enough information for me to give you a specific recommendation. I recommend coating your brows with Eucerin Aquaphor Healing Ointment and leaving it on all night, then rinsing off in the morning. If that doesn't do the trick, then it might be some type of bacterial issue or, if you sleep on your sides, something to do with your pillowcases.
Benzoyl peroxide is the best anti-acne treatment, but it's useless in a wash because you rinse it off because it can properly do its work. The way benzoyl peroxide works is that it gets deep into the pore and removes oxygen, which kills the bacteria that feed on clogged sebum. That's literally all it does, so there's no reason to use it when you're not breaking out (whereas exfoliation is a better preventative measure because it stops the sebum from getting clogged in the first place).
An exfoliating glove isn't true exfoliation, by the way. Topical rubbing doesn't get beyond the epidermis the way that chemical exfoliation does, so all you're doing is getting rid of surface dirt and oils, which aren't the cause of the clogs that cause acne.
Antiseptic is pointless for acne because it's a nuclear approach that just leaves your skin inflamed and irritated. There's only one type of bacteria that cause acne (P. acnes), so all you need is benzoyl peroxide because it doesn't kill all the good bacteria along with the bad like most antiseptics do.
I recommend applying Rugby's 10% BP in the morning as a leave-on, and then applying a helping of undiluted Tea Tree Oil at night (which is a much better antimicrobal/antibacterial for acne than anything I've ever seen, but can't be used during the day because it has a strong natural odor).
Those are all great products, especially the Dan Kern Acne.org AHA+. It's also not hugely problematic that your face washes include fragrance and dyes because you rinse them off after 15-20 seconds anyway.I guess this is the new daily skin routine thread
Wouldn't mind some advice on how to improve mine, Leona. I got really oily skin and have from previous acne gotten hyperpegmentated dark spots in some places. So my goals is to reduce oilyness, ensure I don't break out again, and brighten the hyperpigmentated spots.
Morning
Lukewarm water + an oil control foam wash with the following ingredients:
Aqua, Zinc Coceth Sulfate, Glycerin, PEG-75, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Citronellol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Disodium EDTA, Geraniol, Hydrocycitronellal, Linalool, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil,
PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Sodium Benzoate, Zinc Gluconate, Parfum.
Then I apply a salicylacid solution (.02%, ethanol, glycerol, aqua), let it dry before applying Lumene Day Cream SPF15 with Vitamin C.
Night
Lukewarm water + same oil control foam wash, followed by 5% benzoyl peroxide which when dried is followed up by the following glycolic cream and Good Things Miracle Mattifier which contains the following:
Aqua (Water), Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl benzoate, Glyceryl stearate, Zea mays (Corn) starch, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Pentaerythrityl distearate , Mangifera indica (Mango) seed oil, Propylene glycol, Sodium polyacrylate, Phenethyl alcohol, Caprylyl glycol, Parfum (Fragrance), Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Ribes nigrum (Blackcurrant) fruit extract, Citric acid, Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) extract, Tromethamine, Lycium barbarum fruit extract, BHT, Potassium sorbate, Sorbic acid, Dipropylene glycol.
.02% salicylic acid is a really low concentration, though. It's not even a therapeutically significant amount. Did you mean 2%?
At-home microdermabrasion is a shady business. The microbeads are useless, and whoever thought it would be a good idea to include niacinamide, Vitamin A, and Vitamin E in a fucking jar should be fired. Those are extremely unstable ingredients that rapidly degrade when exposed to light, air, and heat, not to mention that sticking your fingers in a jar isn't the most hygienic application.I've been using this product once a week. Don't really have any complaints, but I'd love to hear input from those of you who actually have an idea about what's good and bad for your face.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F63TW0/?tag=neogaf0e-20
Ingredients: Peg-8, Sodium Bicarbonate, Silica Silylate, Polysorbate 20, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbic Acid, Fragrance, Yellow 5, Red 40. Peel Activator Serum: Water, Sodium Lactate, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Dmdm Hydantoin, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium Edta.
Olay Renegerist is mostly a great line of products, but microderm with beads is a scam, and the packaging renders the active ingredients moot.
EDIT: A few questions I got through PM!
It definitely has other ingredients, but salicylic acid is the only active ingredient (i.e. the only cell-communicating ingredient). It should last indefinitely if stored properly, despite what the expiration date might say. The only exception is if it contains other ingredients like Vitamin A, C, E or ceramides, which last only a few months in most cases.
It's OK to pop a pimple or blackhead, but only when they've come to a head (i.e. for a pimple, you can see white) and only for emergencies (i.e. you're being photographed and don't have time to exfoliate).I have gotten into this terrible habit the past few weeks of...trying to...pop my blackheads. I'm sure you are going to tell me this is gross and terrible. Please do. I pinch my skin on my nose very hard in different places and the blackheads spurt out this really gross ooze (pus? what the heck is it?) and then underneath them inside my nose I get a bunch more of the same gunk. Like I said, this is really gross. Please tell me this is terrible for me and I will stop doing it. FWIW, when I try again the next day there's no ooze, but it comes back a few days later when I try again. I've only done this a handful of times total.
You have to be careful, though, because it can leave a scar that's worse than the original blemish if done improperly. Here's what to do:
1) Buy a comedone extractor. Here's what it looks like:
2) Cleanse your face with a gentle water-soluble cleanser first but do NOT use cold or hot water (that makes the blemish redder and hurts the skin's ability to heal).
3) With the cleanser, lightly massage skin with a soft, wet wash cloth to remove dead skin cells. This makes extracting the pimple easier but don't overscrub.
4) Dry your skin gently. Don't use the comedone extractor or squeeze when your skin is wet because it's more vulnerable to tearing and creating a scab, which can cause scarring.
5) Take the comedone extractor and center the opening over the pimple. Then gently (really gently) and with very little pressure (very little pressure) push the comedone extractor down on the whitehead and move it across the pimple. That should release the contents.
If you overdo it you will create a scab and risk scarring, which might be permanent.
Ah thanks. Just googled Nizoral. Will the dandruff shampoo product help the flakes on my face too or is that dryness?
Leona Lewis
Banned
It's worth a shot for your brow itchiness! Not so much for your face, though.
Be careful, though, because ketoconazole (the active ingredient) might sting a bit if it comes into contact with your eyes.
lemmykoopa
Junior Member
Hi Leona, in my search of a proper exfoliant containing AHA and BHA that's easy to get in my country Belgium I came across this product: Cleanance K by Avene.
However I'm a bit concerned at the way alcohol is listed 3 times in the ingredients list. Could you have a look at the product link page and give you remarks please? I can get this product quite cheap with work pharmacy discount (unlike paulas which is only available online)
http://www.avene.co.uk/Cleanance-K
However I'm a bit concerned at the way alcohol is listed 3 times in the ingredients list. Could you have a look at the product link page and give you remarks please? I can get this product quite cheap with work pharmacy discount (unlike paulas which is only available online)
http://www.avene.co.uk/Cleanance-K
lemmykoopa
Junior Member
oh and a second questions how do you actually remove dead skin cells from the face? just using your hands when you wash your skin with a face wash, is that sufficient? or do you use a wash cloth.
how do you actually remove dead skin cells from the face? just using your hands when you wash your skin with a face wash, is that sufficient? or do you use a wash cloth.- Status