I often receive questions and comments regarding my skin. While I generally have ‘good skin’, I do work hard to maintain it. I am very rigid in my skin care routine both day and night and never deviate from it. I never go to sleep with my makeup on, ever! I make sure that every product I put on my face is a good product that won’t cause my skin to act up. When trying a new product, whether a skin care item or foundation, I pay close attention to what is happening to my skin making sure that there is no negative reaction.
I have always been somewhat of a skin care fanatic, trying new products and consistently educating myself on ingredients, brands, and new innovations. I thoroughly enjoy the science of skin care and it is one of the reasons that I started this blog. I love to share my discoveries and help others in any way that I can. I wanted to share a story of a time in my life when my skin was not good, but very bad. At the age of 26 I suffered from what I refer to as ‘adult acne’ which was probably due to hormones. I wrote about this very early on in my blog but often times posts get lost among the archives. I’m writing about it again in case my own personal experience can benefit another, and also to rave about my favorite skin care product.
So, it was about this time in my mid-twenties when I dealt with adult acne. Break-outs occurred mostly on my jaw-line and chin, although really any area on my face was susceptible. Break-outs were more frequent before my period, but always there. So, I dealt with it with the knowledge that I had. My arsenal of products included salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, aha’s, and retinol as well as sulfur spot treatments. I used these ingredients in all forms such as washes, toners, masks, creams and spot treatments. I used brands highly regarded in the treatment of acne. Some of which include, philosophy, Murad, Mario Bedescu, Neutrogena, Biore as well as some prescription creams. While I loved some of these products still use some today, nothing made a difference in the texture of my skin. In fact some of these harsh ingredients exacerbated the problem while drying up my skin, leaving red marks or scars. My skin was in a crisis and getting worse. It was after about a year of dealing with this acne that I discovered what I “deem” the most important part of my skin care routine. My skin-cleansing machine! Currently my Clarisonic!
After about a years time I was recommend the Olay Pro-x Advanced cleansing system. In about 3 weeks time, after using this machine religiously, my skin was almost completely clear. I used this cleansing system along with a Salycilic Acid face wash both mornings and night. I stopped using the harsher ingredients and opted for a moisturizer with gentle and natural based ingredints from brands like Alba and Weleda followed by a retinol at night. I always made sure that my skin was moisturized. All skin no matter what the condition or type needs moisture, it is essential. When my skin started to clear up I switched to using the skin cleansing machines only in the evenings. I also opted for the gentler sensitive skin brush head.
I continue to this day to use a skin cleansing device. With continued use my skin only further improved and has never been better. I eventually splurged on the Clarisonic Mia because it is sturdier, rechargeable, and more gentle, which is important. While I do recommend the splurge I recommend both of these machines, whichever fits into your budget. I can contribute a great amount of the health of my skin to my skin-cleansing device. It also helps to fight signs of aging and helps prepare skin for better absorbtion of serums and moisturizers. It exfoliates dead skin cells and keeps skin smooth. This is my most highly recommended skin care item. A must!
Do you use a skin cleansing device? Will you start to use one?
This was a great post! I’m looking into getting a cleansing system myself but I don’t know if it will help much or not.
Thank you! It’s worth a shot, a lot of brands have come out with them. It helps with a number of conditions
This is a really interesting post, mainly because I really look at your ski and wish mine was like yours, that you ever suffered with spots shocks me! Thank you for the tips and advice.
Amy
http://www.crocsareawful.com
Thank you so much Amy! Thats really nice to hear. My pleasure is to share
Great post, so nice to give two verions of a product: a splurge and then a more affordable one. I have the Clarisonic Mia and use it several times a week. I love it. While I never suffered with acne (except briefly in middle school) I do have severely dry skin and can get dry, flaky patches that won’t budge no matter how much hydration I give it. The Mia has saved my skin and I no longer experience those patches. XO
Thank you Arantha! I love to hear that it helped you too or a different reason. It’s so wonderful!
xx
I love claricsonic as well! I have the plus and I should have bought the mia. smaller and more compact yet still does a good job! I am right now going through bad break outs.. I am not sure whether it’s from hormone or from trying out too many products.. could be both.. ;( which cleanser to you like??
Hi Joanne! It could very well be from different products. Maybe you need a bit of a break and go back to the basics, Face washes containing salycilic acids that unlike are, Murad Clarifying cleanser, Biore deep cleansing wash, neutrogena anti-stess acne wash and Dr. brandt pores no more Cleanser.
Great to know you successfully got rid of acne! A bit of acid is always good in my book
I still haven’t jumped the Clarisonic train, but I heard it works very well for some!
Similar story here, except acne since a teenager. I also use the Olay power brush and it does a great job with exfoliating.
I love it! Thanks for sharing
Love that thang! I have the Mia as well, used to think the price point was high but then again, can’t beat what it does for your skin!
Totally agree! I don’t want to splurge at first, but so glad I did
I have more than one friend that swear by Clarisonic. Great post babe. Xx it’s great when you find something that truly works for your skin.
Thank you
its the best!
Great post! I absolutely love my olay pro-x brush!! I only use it once and awhile as my skin is so sensitive but whenever I am having a breakout it solves the problem! I actually bought the clarisonic first and did not like the results at all, I found it broke me out more and irritated my skin. The pro-x brush is so much more affordable and works wonders for my skin! I am so happy you have found something that works so good for you too!
Thank you sweet. The Olay Pro X is wonderful! Have you tried the gentler Clarisonic brush head? I don’t know how I had done without this before
xo
I tried the gentlest there was! I think my skin is just too sensitive for it! It’s weird because with the olay pro-x my skin doesn’t react badly at all to it, it works perfectly for me but I have heard amazing things about the clarisonic! I think it’s just not great for everyone especially if you aren’t prone to breakouts which I never was I just wanted it to get a cleaner exfoliation but I guess I am too sensitive! I am glad it works so well for you though!! I am the only person I know who didn’t like it! everyone else swears by it!
Thank you so much for sharing, I honestly had no idea you suffered from adult acne. You look like you have the most perfect skin, seriously.
Ive been very curious about Clarisonic for a while now. I had a gadget that was similar, but gave it up because keeping the head clean and clear was as issue, and I seemed to break out more when I used it (I assume the brush just wasnt clean enough).
Thank you Kaye
it was only about a year that I have dealt with it until I found this, I was getting very concerned about scarring. I have heard your situation from others as well. I wonder if an abrasive brush head could be to blame. Well whatever you are doing it working, your skin is just lovely!
Xo
Great post BB! Over the past year I’ve been getting cystic acne on my chin and it’s been driving me nuts! I think it’s because of hormonal changes because I’ve never suffered from acne before. It’s calmed down a lot lately, but I was beginning to tear my hair out, trying to figure out how to get my skin back in shape. I absolutely love my Clarisonic and totally agree that it’s essential to a good skin care regime. I went through a phase a while ago where I stopped using it for a while and I noticed a huge difference, and not a good one! I’m back to using it religiously and my skin is better for it! xx