I've been paying more attention to my skin in the past year due to similar issues that Anna mentioned here (8th post down). Within the last year I've been trying different brands and I'm interested in what you use and why you use:

1) Face Wash/Cleansers
2) Moisturizers
3) Face Scrubs/Masks/Tonics

Me, I'm a sensitive skin-er currently using:

Bath & Body Works Milk Thistle face cleanser in the mornings - nice, but too creamy. I'm almost out and will be trying their Rice one next, anyone tried these?

Origins Never A Dull Moment face wash at night - love this stuff, it's the bomb.

The Body Shop has this Soy and Calendula line for sensitive skin - I slap on the SPF 15 moisturizer in the mornings and the night cream before bed, best moisturizer I've used so far.

I'm thinking about doing the mask thing once/twice a week (the blackhead/acne issue) and any and all opinions on this are hugely desired.

I stay away from scrubs 'cause using any kind of abrasive agent (grainy, microbead stuff) will have my nose and chin busting out with snowflakes in days. Towelettes have done this too. It sucks. So no grit/texture for michelle.

I'm a no make-up, no frills chick (my profile pic should say enough) who is just trying to give a crap about her skin. Acne at 32 sucks. I know there are product-conscious apples in the Orchard and it doesn't matter if you're a tomboy, feminine or male. If you use products you qualify, so, discuss?

Michele,
I'm a great lover of nice smelling products so that is kinda my first priority when I buy bath stuff.

My skin tends to be a little dry so I go with gels rather than bars for the shower. I can't say that I use anything specific, but lately I'm enjoying Kiss My Face's 'Peaceful Patchouli'. Smells like the sixties.

I use Aveda hair products.

My daughter has found that she totally loves 'Burt's Bee's'. She used the exfoliant which you said was no good for you, but she also likes the moisturizers. She says the part she likes the most is that they are totally natural. I agree that is a nice thing.

Burt's Bees

you know - i'm really tired of being a girl b/c of this whole bad skin dilema.

i use Oil of Olay facial wash for sensitive skin. It's been good in the past, but i'm thinking i need to try something new. Michelle, where do you get the Origins wash stuff? is it really that good?
i tend to not use anything on my face that has a fragrance.

for lotion... i use Cedaphil. good stuff, don't use too much or takes too long to absorb.

for blackheads... since you're not into scrubbing - Clean and Clear has a blackhead removing astringent. it's not harsh at all.

any one have a recommendation for foundation that is good for your skin??

i can't believe i'm talking about this on THE INTERNET!

oh, and burts bees lip balm is awesome! esp. at nite, imo.

Ah, yes. I've been using Oil of Olay's Body Wash lately but I think when this bottle goes I'm gonna pick up Rainbath again ('tis nice stuff, the pink colored one's my favorite).




A freind who worked in a salon would give me samples, I remember an Aveda banana shampoo (yummy), can't remember how my hair liked it though. I was too oblivious of that stuff back then to care/notice.

I keep at least 3 shampoo's in the shower at all times and rarely use the same one in a row. Some of my fav's are Aussie Moisture Rich (something like that), Citre Shine & Infusium (sp?). I have a rosemary/mint one right now that I got from Costco and it is divine in smell and my hair likes it. I have a long, thick mane of hair and used to use conditioner daily but it started foofing out so I stopped the conditioning cold turkey and started using Infusium's Leave-In treatment a few times a week. So far so good. I also do a Head & Shoulders wash a couple times a month - sometimes my scalp feels... busy, if that makes sense.

The Nature's Gate Herbal shampoo is pretty nice too. That conditioner was my favorite, nettles and cloves, mmm.

At least you know you're not alone. And that you've found people to talk about it with. On the INTERNET!

I have to get it off their website, no Origins in Hawai'i, so it's my buddies fault as she got me to sample hers when I was in Colorado last October. I never saw an actual Origins store but they seem to have their own thing going on in Dillard's amongst the frangrance/cosmetics department. It has a light grapefruity/ other citrus frangrance to it. I'm not big on scents either but this has more of a clean scent to it and not so frangrantly over-powering. Try this to see where they are in IN; Origins.



Most excellent. This is exactly why I wanted to start this thread! I love comparing! My dermatologist had recommended Cedaphil and gave me some samples. They felt fine, my skin didn't freak, so I then bought their SPF 15 face moisturizer. Bad. Very bad. My face would immediately feel like it was burning and I'd look like I was blushing. Every career-in-skin person I tell that too can't believe it. "Cedaphil's the lightest stuff out there! It's perfect for sensitive skin!", "Are you sure...?" Oh yes, I'm sure.

Possibly. I've had the drying up problem w/ the acne based brands (Oxy 10, Clearasil, Neutrogena, etc) but I'm up for guinea pigging myself.



I'm a Chap-Stick ho. Mint is in my bag. And there is a strawberry Chap-Stick at all times in the following locations: the glove compartment, at the desk in the living room and between the bed and the bed frame. I gotta have my Chap-Stick.

I was gonna say Clearasil, because that's what I use, but if you've had bad experiences then definitely stay away! I find that I can only use it every other day or every few days unless I have a major acne problem, because it dries me out as well. But it works.

I used tea trea oil for a while instead of cleansing pads or washes, but that can be just as drying as chemical cleansers if you do it every day. Plus, the smell was just overpowering. You might try lavender oil, though; it's not as harsh and the smell is much nicer.

Also, every now and then I make a really nice mask out of equal parts cornmeal and honey (1 tbsp each). It's a gentle exfoliator that really cleanses your skin, especially if you wash the honey residue off with soap afterwards instead of just rinsing with water. Good stuff.

i thought i'd seen those stores somewhere! found one about an hour away... maybe i'll try that stuff. Origins...

the dermo is always promoting Aveeno products.

that's c-razy. i don't think i've heard anyone complain about Cedaphil. Interesting.

same here, girlfriend. bath and body's vanillabean chapstick is everywhere! there's one in the drawer rite beside me.

All of these references to stuff working are somewhat discouraging, since I've tried Clearasil, Oxy, Oil of Olay, Clean and Clear, Neutrogena, and Proactiv products to no avail. Sometimes they will help for a month or two, but then my skin returns to its baseline level of crappiness. Bleh. It's gotten less severe with age, but I'm sick of having massive twice-monthly breakouts which nothing will help.

For lips, I'm in love with classic Blistex ointment and vitamin E oil. No fun scents or flavors, but they WORK!

have you ever tried medication??

like... accutane. it works for pretty much anyone. just ask your dermo.

Can't afford a dermo. Must have crazy amounts of dental work done. The last one I saw (like, a decade ago) insisted I'd be fine with otc products, too. Erg. Maybe in another couple of years I'll have the chance to look into that, though. Thanks.

I LOVE Rainbath. It's the only thing I can use in the winter, though I tend to switch to dial moisturizing bar in the summer.



I used to use only their Brilliance pomade because it was the only thing that worked on my hair, but last year a hairdresser turned me on to this stuff called Saturation, by Brocato America and it is the best stuff ever. It is almost impossible to put too much in your hair. It's weightless and never looks greasy. Perfect for curly hair... except on rainy days. There's just no help at all for that.

I don't wear makeup except for mascara and lipstick, more often than not, chapstick. It looks like I don't have eyelashes without mascara. I am horrible about applying facial moisturizers, even though I have tons of it. I really should. I'm really starting to look my age. I do love, love, love Neutrogena Light Seseme Body Oil just after a shower, before drying off. The matching lotion is awesome too. So light, and absorbs so fast. The body oil great for massage too.

Forgot this. Michelle, lately I picked up some different types of masks. One is an advacado mask, another some sea stuff, I dunno, kelp or something. The other one is a citrus mask that hardens on your face and you peel off. I like that one best, though they all seem to be helping, along with other things. I do one or two a week. I started doing it (can't believe I'm confessing this) because of this scene in The Goodbye Girl where she's got one on and the guy called Kabuki makeup...too funny. Great movie, btw.

That was me last summer. I feel your pain.

I know this sounds crazy, but try hydrogen peroxide. I always fall back on it when I can't afford the schmancier stuff (i.e., Clearasil), and it's really good for drying out pores. I mean, it could be too drying if you go crazy, but it's worth a shot.

Also, tea tree oil's good if you can get it cheap. Just don't go crazy with it like I did, and don't put it on immediately before/after washing your face or showering with hot water. The steam makes your lungs really vulnerable to the vapors, which I ignored for a while until I found it hard to breathe in the shower. No good.

For acne/problem/aging skin of all kinds:

I have a problem with antibiotics. After they build up in my system, I get superficial acne all over my face, neck, chest, and back. My last experience with the "Z" pack was awful. After three months, this stuff was not going away. Finally I asked my dr. for help. She prescribed a creamy benzoil peroxide 10 facewash and some kind of a sulfite based gel lotion to spread on after cleansing. Thankfully this finally worked (after about 2-3 weeks).

This time around, I thought ahead. It also helps that I work in a salon and have Aveda and Glymed products among others available to me at cost. Anyway, I've been using a glycolic acid facial wash by Glymed called Gentle FAcial Wash followed by another Glymed product called Serious Action Skin Gel. It has Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid and Lactic Acid (alphahydroxys), and Tea Tree Oil. I follow that up with Aveda's hydrating lotion and then Glymed's on the spot acne medication(can't remember name right now) with Benziol Peroxide 5. These products have been amazing at controling and then preventing breakouts. Wooooo whooooo!

Now, if I didn't get these for a discount, it would be hard for me to shell out the money for them. They are pretty exspensive. When you're desperate though, you're desperate. I have to tell you though... the items my Dr. prescribed weighed in at $50 and $37.50 respectively. I don't believe that any two of the Glymed items mentioned above would quite equal that amount (and you don't even need a prescription). Only thing is: I don't know that they carry these products just anywhere. You'd have to go to a fairly high end salon I would suspect. Also, it'd be good to talk to the facialist about what she'd recommend.

I will never wear another foundation besides MAC

Okay, that got a little crazy. Sorry.

where do you find MAC? is it expensive?

They have their own stores or sometimes they have counters in department stores like Marshall Fields. I think the site is MAC. I really don't feel its all that expensive for the quality. I can never remember what I pay for the foundation. I think it's in the neighborhood of 14-18 dollars. I remember thinking it was far less expensive than I thought it would be the first time I went in. The store's a little intimidating with it's great decor and the make-up folks all dressed in black. Don't be intimidated though, they are very helpful.

A friend gave me some MAC blush about four years ago, and it's still going strong. Definitely worth it if you have the cash.

I ditched the Rice one. It's annoyingly fragrant. Smelled like a body wash not a face cleanser. I now know exactly what you were talking about re: scents, kylie. Ugh. My buddy recommended Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask. I've started using it as my morning face cleanser and as a mask a couple times a week. It's only been a few weeks but so far I'm happy. What I like about the mask part of it is it's dry and ready to wash off in about 5 minutes and you don't need a thick ol' slopping on of it. Good stuff I think. I still need to find that citrus mask Anna mentioned.

Hey Kylie, what'd you think of the Origins face wash I had in Dayton?

Okay, I am an all-aveeno girl. I started using their face stuff and body wash recently and had a hugely noticeable difference! I have way fewer breakouts and my skin is all...glow-y!! I'm a-loving it. For foundation I go with Origins powder foundation when I can afford it (hah) or Nutragena because it is pretty light and blends really well. Also j'adore the origins mascara with all my girly heart!

I always had skin problems until I started using Mary Kay. I really like the Cleanser number 3. They've got some good moisturizers too.

The down side is that to buy one of them, I think you have to start out with the set...cleanser/moisturizer/maybe something else. I can't remember. They're not the most expensive products out there, but they're not the cheapest either.

But I really think it's helped. And I usually notice that my skin does much better when I drink a lot of water.

i've always wanted to try this!

oops... i was supposed to try that out.

i've been using Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser. you have to use more than you would with normal soap, but it's taking forever to run out! it seems milky, and doesn't dry out my face. i sorta like it.

and a big 'duh' to me... but whoever suggested that drinking more water helps the complexion... you were rite!! thanks!

Everytime I see that ProActiv commercial I wonder if it really works.

I'm blessed with skin that is happiest when rinsed with warm water and mostly ignored other than that (although I do exfolliate every once in awhile).

I try to keep my life as product free as possible, but I do like the Aveeno body wash.

Proactiv sucks. I used it for about a year when I was younger -- it worked for a few months, then my breakouts came back. That happened with everything, though, but prescription pills, and I even had to stop those after a while. My skin seems to be okay-ish with just soap, now -- and it's cheap! Yay!

DHC

this is a link to some schmancy (to cop fla-girl's word) face products. they offer really good deals if you get a package deal. i won't say that my skin is perfect, but i definitely fret about it less since i've started using this stuff.

the best is the mild cleansing bar. it lasts a looong time (especially since i use neutrogena or something like that in the shower), and it makes your skin really soft. and my other favorite is the rinseable olive oil washing stuff. it took me awhile to get over my fear of actually PUTTING OIL ON MY FACE, but once i got used to the idea, it's been great. it's like getting a little facial massage.

sorry if i sound like a commercial. everyone in my family has converted to this stuff. it's a japanese company. and they send free samples with everything, including catalogues.

Sorry to 'jack the conversation to hair products, but I have to say, I have been quite impressed with Garnier Fructis shampoo/conditioner for the past few months. I've been using their shampoo and conditioner in one every day with a shot of their deep conditioner every week or so, and my hair is much stronger than it's ever been. And it smells so light and fruity! It also makes a decent bodywash in a pinch -- a little too moisture-rich if you have oily skin, but it's great to shave with!

Has anyone heard of Sensaria products? A girl from work is selling them and she gave me some samples and they are pretty good. They remind me alot of Aveda products that I like using. The only thing I dont like is the sets are like almost $100 Guess I need to have a party to earn that product

I was going to mention this too. I use the seperate bottles, and I tend to switch things up every month or so because stuff builds up in my hair. But this one is so nice. Nice nice nice. Even helps a bit with the frizzies.

Sold! Next shampoo purchase will be this. Thanks!

(holy crap i didn't realize i was so long-winded...)

i have to preface this with the fact that i was raised with boys, and still have not mastered my sensitive/oily-but-still-must-be-moisturized-or-it-will-get-dry-and-flaky skin. but here's what i use...

i've been using aveda products for washing my face lately - they smell so good! but i miss using noxema. i know some folk hate the stuff, but i loved it. loved how cool it felt, even liked the smell. i quit using it in high school, though, because it's so oily and i had such bad skin then. i've never really found a face wash i like as much.

however, aveda also makes a liquid exfoliant for sensitive skin that i like quite a bit. it's not abrasive or harsh at all. i'll have to go home to look at the bottle if anyone wants the name of it.

*is that blackhead remover - astringent really useful? does it work?

i love origins 'have a nice day' lotion, but it's so expensive. i try to only use it occaisionally. lately i've been using face lotion i bought at trader joe's for $1.75 - can't beat that, right? and i love the way it works - my skin feels soft and firm after i use it. downside? i swear it smells like latex paint.

my best new find, oddly enough, is this mary kay product that keeps you matte all day. honestly, my skin is usually shiny, but if i don't moisturize just right it goes haywire and gets all dry and mad. this mary kay, um, stuff - i swear i'll get the name - is great. just put a little on - it's like lotion - and you're instantly mattified. yay.

for my hair i still love herbal essences pink shampoo. smells so good, and gives my thin hair a little body. and i've begun using that brilliant brunette stuff - i actually love the way it makes my hair look. i use the conditioner, and this shine gel stuff they sell which makes it look like i actually did my hair. the only thing i don't like is that the conditioner is a little heavy - i HAVE to wash my hair every day when i use it.

what i want to know is, who has a good deodorant? i've been using degree for ages, becuase it's usually clear, and usually works - but not always. the last time i tried to switch, though, the stuff i tried got all over my clothes. i was not a happy camper. i threw it out.

For Frizzies, I use Aveda 'Light Elements' smoothing fluid after shampoo.
(It's similar to John Frieda's 'Frizz-ease', but lighter and doesn't build up as fast.)
I like the way it detangles and make it feel all slippery.
I use a clarifying shampoo every third time or so to wash away product build-up.
Aveda makes one with Rosemary-Mint scent that tingles. Sometimes I just use Suave clarifying shampoo...about one dollar a bottle.
I have also used Pantene shampoo and cream rinse that is nice.

ya know... i used Clean and Clear's version and pretty much liked it. it didn't feel like it was completely drying out my skin like most astringents. it's very mild, and definitely helped with the blackheads.

michelle - this is an awesome thread. i am loving the all-girl conversation. i feel like having a slumber party!

My buddy recommended using witch hazel as a facial astringent and I have been. Can't tell any difference yet. Anyone else use WH for that?

Okay, for the Taft show, we're all staying in the same hotel, on the same floor, and we're going to swap hair and skin products. And then we're going to paint each other's nails and watch Steel Magnolias while we soak our feet and eat chocolate.

By the way, Michelle, what was the name of that ginger lotion you had at Canal Street? That stuff was the BOMB, yo.

Lol. Becky... you're so funny. SLUMBER PARTY!!!!

oh... about that olive oil thing... they were just talking about that on Dr. Phil today. it's very good for anti-aging! i'm a little iffy about putting straight oil on my face! eek!

I'm loving it too. I'm never in a position with other women where *this many* can chime-in and say what they use/like. It's wonderful!


LMAO! You're on! Or... we could just add all our estrogen together and over-run Bruce's condo... he did offer...



Origins Ginger Souffle Whipped Body Cream. And yes, it is the bombdizzle, fo shizzle. Can I get an amenizzle!?

Amenizzle!

I have to say, Mich, I've tried witch hazel and wasn't impressed with its results. (Or the smell.) But I've heard that schmancy dermatologists who cater to the stars sing its praises, so maybe it's just my stubborn working-class skin.

I use Witch Hazel on my feet and toenail beds after showering.
I use an orangewood stick on my toenail beds and under the tip of my toenails after every shower.
Toenails can get really hard and horny-looking as you get older if you don't pay close attention everyday. Dead skin under the nail can harden your nail if not removed every day.

Oh, yuk...i'm grossing myself out.
::leaves to throw up::

Lol, trudy.

that's good to know.

what is this witch hazel stuff i've never heard of???

amenizzle! i have the ginger souffle, too, and i LOVE it. (so does the boy!) i also like origins 'a perfect world' body cream. it's a little more femine, and smells sooo good.

speaking of fun origins products, i've been using their grapefruit body wash 'gloomaway.' it wakes me up, and makes me feel all happy even though i'd rather be in bed.

Hmm, witch hazel is, witch hazel. Natural plant or something (somebody help?). It's usually stocked right next to the Rubbing Alchohol and Hydrogen Peroxide near the band-aids and such. I've used that instead of RA and HP for several years now for cuts/scrapes/cleaning earing posts, blah blah. And it's cheap.

When I was just about to turn 24, my face broke out into a big bag of zits. I rarely had any breakouts before, so I was totally mortified. I used to pray about it, literally. I tried various products, then came across Arbonne. They have an acne line -- called Clear Advantage -- that totally cleared up my skin. There are four products to it, though I don't use them all. They're kinda expensive. I use only the face wash and lotion. The downside, besides the price, is that you have to buy it from a Mary Kay-type lady. But my Arbonne lady and I have had a nice, mail-only relationship from the start.

Even 3 and a half years later, my face is still lovin it.

alright- i need clarification here. are we talking about putting straight olive oil on your face?? when? for how long? why??

the dude(some doctor) said 'extra virgin olive oil'... i don't know about for how long or whatever??

is this like the whole - put mayonaisse in your hair to make it shiny, and squeeze lemons on your arms to make the freckles go away?

(frou frou is a good band. )

I have a free sample packet of John Frieda's Frizz Ease products:
Shampoo, Conditioner and Hair serum.
Foil packets that will fit in an envelope.
If anyone wants it...I'll send it to ya free...first to ask.
PS: This is not spam!!

hey, me me, pick me! i love samples!

You got it...
Send me your snail addy, Zoey, and I will mail it out today.
ortrudes@comcast.net

i sent it! thanks Trudes! hooray for hair stuff! i can really use anything that reduces frizz since i'm by the ocean.

ME:
I'm starting to run out of the SPF 15 one. Our Body Shop is on the other side of the island and $12 for a 2.4 oz tube. The last time I was in that town was to get more of this stuff. I was at COSTCO the other day and they had a 2-pack of Dove's SPF 15 daily moisterizer for $9.99 with a $4.00 rebate. 4.0oz + bottles at that. !?!. What the heck, I said, for $5 I'll be a guinea pig.

I used to use Oil of Olay's SPF 15 for sensitive skin and didn't have problems with it. I know Dove's skin care line is on the newer side (right?) and I'm wondering if any of you have tried any of this line yet.

I also picked up a bottle of Clean & Clear's Blackhead astringent Kylie recommended when the thread was started. It's been almost a week I think and I'm really liking it. It's not harsh, doesn't leave my skin dry (i actually wait about a minute to put lotion on after), isn't offensive/over-whelming smelling. And I can tell it's doing it's Clean & Clear thing. The witch hazel is going back to being used for cuts and scrapes. Oh, WH also helps with itching if a mosquito latches on, take note.

So yeah, any comments on Dove's facial line?