Skincare Newbie: Help!

Mar 28, 2014

Antonia S.

Hey ladies!
While few of you may know, I had really bad acne starting when I was 10 and my pre-teen years. I used tons of different products such as Neutrogena, Clearasil, and Clinique. Nothing helped. One day I just started washing my face with a mild body wash and poof- my acne was gone.
But even with no acne, my skin is nothing amazing. I have a lot of acne scarring left and a bit of redness. I have HUGE pores and my nose is covered with blackheads that I can not get rid of. I also feel like my skin is never really clean. I can makeup free but it stills feels "dirty."
I've always just covered up these issues with makeup, but now I want better skin so I can wear less makeup.
I'm wondering if anyone has any advice or skincare products I should check out. My biggest fear would be my acne coming back, which is why I've been hesitant to join the skincare movement.

Mar 28, 2014

Hannah K.

My routine: in the mornings I wash with my Clarisonic and Neutrogena Rapid Clear foaming facial scrub. The Clarisonic works for me because I'm blackhead prone, and it uses sonic vibrations to loosen them and reduce the appearance of pores. The Rapid Clear scrub is much better than most scrubs, because it uses beads to scrub instead of harsh shell pieces like apricot scrubs. If you want a scrub, always go for one with beads! After that, I use the Murad Clarifying Toner, because it cools my skin and I find it very soothing. It really feels like it's tightening my pores. After that, I use the Aveeno Positively Radiant moisturizer, because it has SPF to prevent future spots and really makes my skin feel smooth and moisturized.

At night, I use my Clarisonic again, this time with the Bioré Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser. I like the cleanser, though it's not my favorite, because it foams really well and makes my skin feel clean, but I have to use a tiny amount because it slips on my skin and can get in my eyes if I'm not careful. After that, I use the same toner, and then I use the Korres Wild Rose and Vitamin C Brightening Sleeping Facial. It's designed to brighten dark spots (I have a few from sun exposure), and it's been working for me. It's thick, so it's nice to use at night so that your skin feels refreshed and smooth. It also is all natural, which isn't something I search for but is a nice bonus :)

Occasionally I do a face mask, my favorites are the Body Shop Tea Tree Mask, which is clay based I believe and draws out impurities. Tea tree also has antibacterial properties, which can help minimize acne (since non-hormonal acne is caused by bacteria). It's a safer alternative to straight tea tree oil, because it's diluted. I also like the Bioré Self Heating 1 Minute mask, I did a review of it on here, but it dries out my skin a touch. So I'd be a bit careful of that. Let me know if you'd like more information :)

My skin isn't anything to write home about either, but I, like Nala, don't wear foundation and I'm always really really careful to take off any makeup I'm wearing at night and to wash and moisturize twice a day. I also really recommend the Clarisonic, I know it's expensive but honestly my face feels so dirty unless I use it.

Mar 28, 2014

Nala H.

Like Hannah, the scrubs I use have beads not shells.

I do use masks, but don't really care for them and just use them whenever I feel like it. I also do the occasional honey mask.

Also skin care is very individualized so just because it works for them doesn't mean it works for you. So don't think you have to try every product out there. If something is already working for you, don't Change it.

Mar 28, 2014

Taylor G.

My favorite line is the Neutrogena Rapid Clear line, like Hannah suggested. I use the exfoliating scrub, oil eliminating cleanser, fight and fade toner, and acne defense face lotion.
2 other products I really love are Lush's ocean salt scrub and enzymion moisturizer

Mar 28, 2014

Taylor G.

Agree with Nala, everyone's skin is different! So you might have to go through some stuff you don't like to find what works for you

Mar 28, 2014

Anna J.

Make sure to take all you makeup off before bed. Wash your face twice daily. Moisturize twice daily. For acne and acne scars use tea tree oil diluted with water.

Mar 28, 2014

Anna J.

Oh and try 1/3 cup olive oil and 2 cups sugar to exfoliate. Run it in small circles on your face very carefully

Mar 28, 2014

Delaney K.

I have a hard time with black heads and big pores and I honestly tried EVERYTHING. I then got a facial and them extract them and its is sosossooooo much easier to keep them under control vs trying to get rid of them on your own. you can go to ulta and get a specialized facial so you could do one for removing blackheads its like $25 and then maintaining them is so much easier. I love skincare although I don't have very troublesome skin to begin with but my routine is wash my face with my foreo luna (same technology as clarosonic just a different tool) and I philosophy purity cleanser and peter thomas roth acne cleanser a few times a week. I tone using mario bedescu glycolic acid toner (which I love) and for my morning moisturizer I use hope in a jar. At night I use a different moisturizer a lot of nights depending on what my skin needs (obviously not necessary I just have tons so I might as well use them) I mix between hope in a jar night, stri vectin night cream with retinol, exuviance hydra firm and mario bedescu skin renewal complex. I also use hope isn't enough serum and eye hope eye cream or mario badescu ceramide herbal eye cream. it's a lot I know and I've tried many others so I can andwer any questions or give reviews for any of those you want. Then for not daily use but other things I do is the boots number 7 beautiful skin scrub, mario badescu silver powder (I try to use every time I shower) peter thomas roth completion pads and then I use masks too. I won't name all of them but a few of my faves are the tea tree like hannah mentioned, origins clay mask and mario has great ones for acne as well.

you could also talk to traci who would gladly help you create a routine.

Mar 28, 2014

Delaney K.

Also definitely don't be scared to join skincare I used to be obsessed with only makeup and now I love skincare too and its all about finding what works for you and when you do you won't have to worry about your acne coming back and you'll be able to wear less makeup and gave better looking skin when your older. Getting a cleansing tool like clarosonic or luna will help a ton witg acne/blackheads and that dirty feeling.

Mar 28, 2014

Antonia S.

Thanks ladies so much! And thanks a lot Delaney!! I never thought to get a facial and that might be the kick start my skin needs to get better. These blackheads have been here for years. It's disgusting. My mom was actually just talking the other day about how she heard good reviews about that Philosophy cleanser.
I just want to have that naturally pretty face, so the two steps are getting my skin together and growing these non existent eyebrows back. Hahaha. But truly thank you ladies for your detailed answers and advice. I'm slowly learning that skincare is just as- if not more- important than a good makeup application.

Mar 28, 2014

Delaney K.

I was seriously the same way like totally obsessed with makeup and wouldn't even wash my makeup off at night. I was horrible with skincare and now I have so much fun with it like when I get a new cleanser or whatever I get just as excited as when I get a new makeup palette. But yeah its so hard to get rid of blackheads (at least mine) like nose strips and everything would pull them out but I'd look at my nose and there was still a ton and I couldn't get them to go away but once they are gone its so much easier to keep them under control. At my ulta monday and Tuesdays are cheaper for facials as well so you could call and see what days they have cheaper there. when they do them she will also use a clarosonic on you so you can see if you like it enough to buy one then she steams your face so your pore open up and then she will also massage your neck and shoulders while you have a mask on and then she extracts the blackheads. It makes your skin look better even when you have make up.

Mar 28, 2014

Delaney K.

That was so me! I was so into makeup I wouldn't even wash my face at night but now you get just as excited for a new cleanser as a new palette. At my ulta monday and Tuesday facials are cheaper so you could call and see what days they do the discounted facails. if/when you get one she will use a clarosonic on you so you can see if you like it enough to invest in one then she will steam your face to open up pores and massage your neck and shoulders while you have a mask on then she steams again and then extracts the blackheads. you could even tell a difference in my skin when I wore make up. Yes purity is so popular! its really gentle but melts makeup right off and tones at the same time.

Mar 28, 2014

Antonia S.

I just called the Ulta closest to me. Their esthetician is new so she hasn't been trained for that specific facial yet 😭 There's another one about 30 mins out but I'll make the drive because that facial sounds amaaaazzzzing. Thank you so much for letting me know about this! I think I'll buy that cleanser too!
And thanks Alyx I'll check that out! It looks like it'd get everything out my pores which I need!

Mar 28, 2014

Delaney K.

OMG so embarrassing I didn't mean to do that twice I typed it and tried to post it and my internet went out (have to love charter) so when it didn't show up I thought I had to retype the whole thing and then of course they both showed up!

Mar 29, 2014

Chelsey R.

A Clarisonic and some Dermalogica products are going to do your face wonders!