Skincare for Dummies
October 10, 2012 11:32 AM Subscribe
I want to start taking good care of my skin now, but I don't know where to start with all these serums and toners and moisturizers and creams...what are the basic products I need to establish a good routine?
I am a woman in my early 20s and was one of those lucky kids who had no acne as a teenager, so I've never put much effort into skincare. My skin looks pretty fine I think, I don't have pimples or blemishes, I'm white and pale-skinned and do take care with sun protection. I don't have much routine otherwise though - I wear Neutrogena moisturizer with SPF 15 under my makeup every day and just wash my face with plain water and a cloth every night. My skin gets pretty dry sometimes (never oily) and then I just slap on whatever cheap no-name brand skin cream I use on the rest of my body...nothing fancy and definitely not what I'm supposed to be doing.
I want to establish a good skincare routine to moisturize, keep my skin looking nice and glowy, and to prevent wrinkles when I age. I seem to have missed the boat on learning about skincare since my friends are using a hundred different expensive products...toner, face wash, exfoliants, moisturizer, eye cream, serum, etc. I have NO idea where to start or what these products even DO. What basic items should I start with? I don't have a ton of cash so I would prefer drugstore products over, like, $120 Sephora creams.
I am a woman in my early 20s and was one of those lucky kids who had no acne as a teenager, so I've never put much effort into skincare. My skin looks pretty fine I think, I don't have pimples or blemishes, I'm white and pale-skinned and do take care with sun protection. I don't have much routine otherwise though - I wear Neutrogena moisturizer with SPF 15 under my makeup every day and just wash my face with plain water and a cloth every night. My skin gets pretty dry sometimes (never oily) and then I just slap on whatever cheap no-name brand skin cream I use on the rest of my body...nothing fancy and definitely not what I'm supposed to be doing.
I want to establish a good skincare routine to moisturize, keep my skin looking nice and glowy, and to prevent wrinkles when I age. I seem to have missed the boat on learning about skincare since my friends are using a hundred different expensive products...toner, face wash, exfoliants, moisturizer, eye cream, serum, etc. I have NO idea where to start or what these products even DO. What basic items should I start with? I don't have a ton of cash so I would prefer drugstore products over, like, $120 Sephora creams.
Toner, face wash, exfoliants, moisturizer, eye cream, serum and all that is just marketing. All you need is sunscreen to prevent sun damage, plus whatever makes your skin look good temporarily by moisturizing as needed. Serums and eye creams and such are just expensive moisturizers with at best short-term results. If your skin needs exfoliating, a washcloth works, too; you don't need a special product for that.
Things get more complicated if your skin is prone to break-outs. Then you have to find moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup that don't make your skin break out more, and avoid excessive exfoliation since that too can cause breakouts. If your skin's not breaking out you do not have to worry about this.
posted by Ery at 11:39 AM on October 10, 2012 [9 favorites]
Things get more complicated if your skin is prone to break-outs. Then you have to find moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup that don't make your skin break out more, and avoid excessive exfoliation since that too can cause breakouts. If your skin's not breaking out you do not have to worry about this.
posted by Ery at 11:39 AM on October 10, 2012 [9 favorites]
First. Retin-A. Why bother wasting your money on products with retinoids that, if lucky, your body converts into retina-a? Chances are your insurance won't cover it, but there are plenty of reputable versions available from India — if your phone company is going to take advantage of a global economy, why shouldn't you?
Takes 6+ months to see full results.
I'll let someone else chime in with their favorite moisturizer & sun block.
posted by mmdei at 11:39 AM on October 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
Takes 6+ months to see full results.
I'll let someone else chime in with their favorite moisturizer & sun block.
posted by mmdei at 11:39 AM on October 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
The Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair creams for day and night have been a godsend for me. If you already tolerate their products, give that pairing a try. They have retinol, which is supposed to be one of the few beauty-product ingredients that really makes a difference.
Also, a professional microdermabrasion every few months is great.
posted by amber_dale at 11:40 AM on October 10, 2012
Also, a professional microdermabrasion every few months is great.
posted by amber_dale at 11:40 AM on October 10, 2012
Wash with a facial wash, moisturize with something that has sunscreen and protect with a foundation. That should be your mantra. Everything on the market works. The more expensive stuff isn't necessarily the better stuff. I am always talking about Mary Kay because it is inexpensive and good quality. I have sensitive skin and MK has never caused me any irritation. Loreal is made by Lancome so their products are similar. You're young now, but in five years, you may want to do an eye cream. Remember the mantra and exfoliate once a month with something with very fine granules and be gentle when scrubbing, your face is not a pot that needs scouring.
posted by Yellow at 11:44 AM on October 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Yellow at 11:44 AM on October 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
There is just a ton of bullshit in this market. Be wary. Sunscreen is, indeed, the single most important thing you can do to preserve your skin.
posted by Miko at 11:50 AM on October 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by Miko at 11:50 AM on October 10, 2012 [4 favorites]
Oh, also, I have read (and believe) that what you put into your body and what you do with your body to keep it healthy has more to do with what your skin looks like than any product. In other words, stay well hydrated, exercise regularly, exfoliate gently, eat a balanced diet.
posted by Miko at 11:53 AM on October 10, 2012 [10 favorites]
posted by Miko at 11:53 AM on October 10, 2012 [10 favorites]
I read an AskMe (which I cannot find!) that it was exfoliating that prevented wrinkles, not moisturizing. I started exfoliating every night and my skin has done a 180. I used to use a lot of product but simplified my skincare routine this summer and my skin has improved greatly. Warm water wash (just water!) and organic baby sunblock in the AM and exfoliating and coconut oil (virgin, unrefined, organic) to moisturize. I also use it to remove makeup. Coconut oil has all kinds of good stuff for skin; I'll even eat a spoonful of it a couple of times a week. I'd drop $ on a gentle, organic exfoliator. And drink loads of water, don't smoke or drink excessive alcohol!
posted by peacrow at 11:53 AM on October 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
posted by peacrow at 11:53 AM on October 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
The Skincare Solution by Leslie Baumann is a great book.
This is what I've come to learn about skincare in a nutshell:
Cleanse with a gentle cleanser when a cleanser is necessary. Cetaphil wins all of the awards and plenty of dermatologists recommend it. Wear sunscreen. Don't gain and lose weight repeatedly. Eat properly and get enough sleep and exercise. Whether you wrinkle, or sag, is mostly hereditary. Use lotions and potions if they make you feel better. If you are dry you are going to want to put something on your face for comfort and to reduce appearance of dryness, flakiness, wrinkles, etc. Find something that is designed for the face. I also like Neutrogena products.
posted by Fairchild at 12:06 PM on October 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
This is what I've come to learn about skincare in a nutshell:
Cleanse with a gentle cleanser when a cleanser is necessary. Cetaphil wins all of the awards and plenty of dermatologists recommend it. Wear sunscreen. Don't gain and lose weight repeatedly. Eat properly and get enough sleep and exercise. Whether you wrinkle, or sag, is mostly hereditary. Use lotions and potions if they make you feel better. If you are dry you are going to want to put something on your face for comfort and to reduce appearance of dryness, flakiness, wrinkles, etc. Find something that is designed for the face. I also like Neutrogena products.
posted by Fairchild at 12:06 PM on October 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
It sounds like you're already doing fine.
Sleep well and drink water. Don't smoke. Keep using sunscreen and moisturize as needed.
Most of the rest of it is just marketing to get you to buy stuff.
posted by Sara C. at 12:32 PM on October 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
Sleep well and drink water. Don't smoke. Keep using sunscreen and moisturize as needed.
Most of the rest of it is just marketing to get you to buy stuff.
posted by Sara C. at 12:32 PM on October 10, 2012 [3 favorites]
I'm not someone who thinks everything has to be organic or 'chemical-free' (there is no such thing as 'chemical-free', not even pure spring water is chemical-free, and any product that claims this is selling you bullshit) but I have had good results with brands that make a virtue out of using 'natural' ingredients - Organic Surge is one I tried and liked, and I also like Lush moisturisers and fresh face-masks. My skin doesn't react well to sodium laureth sulfate (SLS), which is a pain in the ass as it means I have a choice of about three shampoos I can use without scratching my scalp off, but this is what led to me trying 'natural' brands. If your skin gets dry, you might want to look at avoiding soap and SLS on what you use on your face and see if it makes a difference.
Cleanser/make-up remover doesn't stay on your skin long, so I would say the cheap stuff is fine if it does the job of removing the make-up.
The thing that makes the biggest difference to people's skin is smoking. Another is using sunbeds - a girl I was at school with aged about fifteen years between yr 7 and yr 10 because she went to the tanning salon - but it sounds like you keep a careful eye on the sun anyway.
posted by mippy at 12:33 PM on October 10, 2012
Cleanser/make-up remover doesn't stay on your skin long, so I would say the cheap stuff is fine if it does the job of removing the make-up.
The thing that makes the biggest difference to people's skin is smoking. Another is using sunbeds - a girl I was at school with aged about fifteen years between yr 7 and yr 10 because she went to the tanning salon - but it sounds like you keep a careful eye on the sun anyway.
posted by mippy at 12:33 PM on October 10, 2012
Also, an addendum based on some recommendations in the thread.
Don't use Retin-A. Are you crazy? Why would you take a prescription drug for a condition (acne) that you don't have? Not to mention that Retin-A has some other skin problems as side effects, and since you don't have any skin problems now, it seems like a weird thing to introduce to your system.
Don't bother with "wrinkle eraser" serums. Being in your early 20's and using sunscreen and moisturizer daily, I'm going to guess you don't have any wrinkles. (shit, I'm 31 and don't have any wrinkles!) This isn't nearly as dire as the Retin-A warning, but why the hell do you want to waste your precious time and hard earned money slathering yourself with a cream to fix a problem you don't have?
There are a lot of products out there that you can buy and drugs that you can take. But that doesn't mean you necessarily should.
posted by Sara C. at 12:36 PM on October 10, 2012 [6 favorites]
Don't use Retin-A. Are you crazy? Why would you take a prescription drug for a condition (acne) that you don't have? Not to mention that Retin-A has some other skin problems as side effects, and since you don't have any skin problems now, it seems like a weird thing to introduce to your system.
Don't bother with "wrinkle eraser" serums. Being in your early 20's and using sunscreen and moisturizer daily, I'm going to guess you don't have any wrinkles. (shit, I'm 31 and don't have any wrinkles!) This isn't nearly as dire as the Retin-A warning, but why the hell do you want to waste your precious time and hard earned money slathering yourself with a cream to fix a problem you don't have?
There are a lot of products out there that you can buy and drugs that you can take. But that doesn't mean you necessarily should.
posted by Sara C. at 12:36 PM on October 10, 2012 [6 favorites]
I have great Eastern European skin that has no wrinkles and I'll be 50 in December. It helps to start with good skin.
I use wipes to get make up off and Purpose by Johnson & Johnson to clean my face (or Neutrogena, six of one, half dozen of the other.) Then a face moisturizer at night. I use an SPF moisturizer during the day.
I'm in love with BB creams!
If I feel like I need a toner, Witch Hazel is awesome.
You don't need to spend a mint, most cosmetic products are all the same.
Basically these are the steps to cleansing your face:
1. Remove Makeup. I like using pre-moistened wipes for this. Any brand will do.
2. Soap and water, or Neutrogena and water, or Purpose and water. It's all good, get the dirt, grease and vestigages of makeup off. Use lots of warm water to rinse.
3. Tone. I use witch hazel, but not every day, only when I feel greasy, or dirty.
4. Moisturize. Neutrogena has a good moisturizer, if you like there products use that one.
In the morning, Just:
1. Wash face, I use Dove in the shower (why complicate things?)
2. Daily moisturizer with sun protection.
3. BB Cream!
4. Make up.
Done and done. It's cheap and cheerful and your face will thank you!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 12:42 PM on October 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
I use wipes to get make up off and Purpose by Johnson & Johnson to clean my face (or Neutrogena, six of one, half dozen of the other.) Then a face moisturizer at night. I use an SPF moisturizer during the day.
I'm in love with BB creams!
If I feel like I need a toner, Witch Hazel is awesome.
You don't need to spend a mint, most cosmetic products are all the same.
Basically these are the steps to cleansing your face:
1. Remove Makeup. I like using pre-moistened wipes for this. Any brand will do.
2. Soap and water, or Neutrogena and water, or Purpose and water. It's all good, get the dirt, grease and vestigages of makeup off. Use lots of warm water to rinse.
3. Tone. I use witch hazel, but not every day, only when I feel greasy, or dirty.
4. Moisturize. Neutrogena has a good moisturizer, if you like there products use that one.
In the morning, Just:
1. Wash face, I use Dove in the shower (why complicate things?)
2. Daily moisturizer with sun protection.
3. BB Cream!
4. Make up.
Done and done. It's cheap and cheerful and your face will thank you!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 12:42 PM on October 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
Drink lots of water. Make sure you're getting all your vitamins and minerals. Wear sunscreen on face and body (hands especially can show signs of age). Wear a big hat and sunglasses to avoid squinting. Don't smoke. Continue whatever routine with your skin that is keeping it acne/problem free, but consider using a gentle moisturizer meant for the face, like CeraVe or Cetaphil, to help with the dryness. Smile and laugh lots to get the good kind of wrinkles, and remember that the rest is largely determined by genetics.
posted by gumtree at 12:43 PM on October 10, 2012
posted by gumtree at 12:43 PM on October 10, 2012
nthing that you should not be pulled in by all the anti-aging crap that's on the market. In addition to genetics, protecting your skin from aging is largely a matter a lifestyle (don't smoke, be sure to wear sunscreen). If you have a good cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen, you'll be fine. I can't tell you how much money I've wasted on skincare, in part because I've had problem skin all my life. I have finally narrowed it down to about three products (cleanser, retinoid, moisturizer). I use mineral makeup for sunscreen and wear a hat when I'm directly in sun. Plus, I'm black so that helps.
posted by nubianinthedesert at 12:56 PM on October 10, 2012
posted by nubianinthedesert at 12:56 PM on October 10, 2012
In my experience, by far the most important things for keeping your skin looking good are 1) wash your face regularly with warm water and gentle soap, 2) don't eat a lot of things that cause skin breakouts such as peanuts, 3) don't pick at your skin, and 4) don't overexpose yourself to the sun. You can spend money on lots of skincare products but if you are not following those four instructions then it's kind of a waste of money. Remember, skincare products are produced and marketed to make profit for the companies that make them, not necessarily to really make your skin better. So you should approach all skincare products with some skepticism.
posted by Dansaman at 12:59 PM on October 10, 2012
posted by Dansaman at 12:59 PM on October 10, 2012
For a basic skincare routine you need to three things: cleanser a flannel and moisturiser.
I suggest you use the hot cloth cleansing method. Fill up a basin with warm water (as hot as you can put your hand into). Rub your cleanser onto dry skin - this can be done with any cleanser but works best with one designed for HCC. Put your flannel into the hot water ring it out then use it to massage off the cleanser. You can then wash any left-over cleanser off your face with your hands. Then put your moisturiser on. I would begin by buying Neutrogena products as all their stuff is good and not too expensive. For all other information on this I suggest you google Sali Huges who is The Guardian’s beauty guru and has lots of great video tutorials on this sort of stuff.
A short crib sheet:
A cleanser removes make-up and any dead skin cells or gunk left on your skin
A toner is supposed to even out your skin tone but is of little use really I wouldn’t waste your money
Exfoliants come in two varieties: chemical and I don’t know the word but basically grainy or like a flannel. Both work well but if you have irritated skin rubbing it with a rough surface can make it worse so it can be better to use a chemical one. They are both used for removing dead skin cells and anything left on your skin so it looks brighter and so you avoid things building up and eventually getting blocked pores.
Face washes are a type of cleanser. I would avoid these. They can be quite drying, If you like using a cleanser with water you can use a HCC as mentioned above. If you are in a rush you can HCC in the shower without a flannel and it still works.
Moisturisers usually have oil in and trap water next to the skin to keep it hydrated and provide a barrier to protect it from the elements. They come in loads of different varieties which you can match to your skin type. I tend to use an all-purpose one and match my serum to my skin type.
Serums are a really thin substance. They go on before your moisturiser and get sucked up by your skin and prepare it to absorb moisturiser. They are also treatment products. You select your serum to deal with a particular skincare concern e.g. oily skin, acne, wrinkles. They are considered the new beauty staple. Before people cleansed toned and mositurised. Serum is now supposed to replace toner. Or so says Sali Hughes.
Eye cream - There are loads of really expensive ones. I personally can’t be bothered. You are supposed to pat them into the bit under your eye where the bone ends and not rub them in because the skin there is too delicate for rubbing. I just wear sun cream and sun glasses and use a normal moisturiser everywhere.
All of this is information I have learnt via Sali Hughes and other beauty writers so I’m not sure about whether the science holds up.
I became a bit obsessed with all this a while back and now have a fair bit of information on all this floating around my head. If you would like any more information please feel free to MeMail me.
posted by Bows of Bow at 1:10 PM on October 10, 2012
I suggest you use the hot cloth cleansing method. Fill up a basin with warm water (as hot as you can put your hand into). Rub your cleanser onto dry skin - this can be done with any cleanser but works best with one designed for HCC. Put your flannel into the hot water ring it out then use it to massage off the cleanser. You can then wash any left-over cleanser off your face with your hands. Then put your moisturiser on. I would begin by buying Neutrogena products as all their stuff is good and not too expensive. For all other information on this I suggest you google Sali Huges who is The Guardian’s beauty guru and has lots of great video tutorials on this sort of stuff.
A short crib sheet:
A cleanser removes make-up and any dead skin cells or gunk left on your skin
A toner is supposed to even out your skin tone but is of little use really I wouldn’t waste your money
Exfoliants come in two varieties: chemical and I don’t know the word but basically grainy or like a flannel. Both work well but if you have irritated skin rubbing it with a rough surface can make it worse so it can be better to use a chemical one. They are both used for removing dead skin cells and anything left on your skin so it looks brighter and so you avoid things building up and eventually getting blocked pores.
Face washes are a type of cleanser. I would avoid these. They can be quite drying, If you like using a cleanser with water you can use a HCC as mentioned above. If you are in a rush you can HCC in the shower without a flannel and it still works.
Moisturisers usually have oil in and trap water next to the skin to keep it hydrated and provide a barrier to protect it from the elements. They come in loads of different varieties which you can match to your skin type. I tend to use an all-purpose one and match my serum to my skin type.
Serums are a really thin substance. They go on before your moisturiser and get sucked up by your skin and prepare it to absorb moisturiser. They are also treatment products. You select your serum to deal with a particular skincare concern e.g. oily skin, acne, wrinkles. They are considered the new beauty staple. Before people cleansed toned and mositurised. Serum is now supposed to replace toner. Or so says Sali Hughes.
Eye cream - There are loads of really expensive ones. I personally can’t be bothered. You are supposed to pat them into the bit under your eye where the bone ends and not rub them in because the skin there is too delicate for rubbing. I just wear sun cream and sun glasses and use a normal moisturiser everywhere.
All of this is information I have learnt via Sali Hughes and other beauty writers so I’m not sure about whether the science holds up.
I became a bit obsessed with all this a while back and now have a fair bit of information on all this floating around my head. If you would like any more information please feel free to MeMail me.
posted by Bows of Bow at 1:10 PM on October 10, 2012
Sorry, but I disagree with Sara C. Retin-A has been clinically demonstrated to have effective anti-aging properties and was prescribed to me by my dermatologist. After some initial dryness, my skin looks better than ever and some of my previous sun damage (which can be harmful) is fading away slowly. (Obviously my prescription is not yours and this is not medical advice. Find a good dermatologist to talk to you about what your skin needs.) I also drink a ton of water, eat right, and use a gentle cleanser and moisturizer (Cetaphil) and 30+ sunscreen every day, no excuses. If I do say so, my skin looks better than it did a few years ago. Good luck!
posted by anonnymoose at 1:18 PM on October 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by anonnymoose at 1:18 PM on October 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
No need to scold anyone for suggesting Retin-A.
Retin-A is an effective acne treatment, but it's also the best available anti-aging product. If (when) you have wrinkles, look into it.
Until then, wear sunscreen, buy a basic moisturizer for when you feel dry, and don't go to sleep with a bunch of makeup still on. You're doing fine.
posted by purpleclover at 1:21 PM on October 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Retin-A is an effective acne treatment, but it's also the best available anti-aging product. If (when) you have wrinkles, look into it.
Until then, wear sunscreen, buy a basic moisturizer for when you feel dry, and don't go to sleep with a bunch of makeup still on. You're doing fine.
posted by purpleclover at 1:21 PM on October 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Skincare is so overwhelming isn't it? I'm obsessed with skincare too but get overwhelmed easily so here's my basic philosophy without any references to specific products, chemicals etc. Primarily because skin is different for everyone so what works for me won't necessarily work for you.
ATTITUDE
Aging and wrinkles are inevitable so our goal is to age/ wrinkle gracefully, however you choose to define this. In my case, I rather have smiley wrinkles instead of frowny ones so I'm trying to be happy and zen and positive in my life :)
BASIC HEALTH
Your skin is the largest organ so your health will definitely show. Eat well, stay hydrated, exercise, get enough sleep, don't drink, don't smoke, and for the love of god, don't tan!
ROUTINES!
You need to keep your skin.
1. Clean
2. Feeling good
3. Protected from uv
1. Clean. Your skin gets dirty during the day (why we shower) and you may also wear makeup. Do not go to bed with dirty skin. Generally speaking it doesn't matter too much how you clean your skin (plain water, facial cleansers, oil cleansing method, makeup removers, clarisonic, any combination etc) as long as you end your day with clean skin. HOWEVER, depending on the kind of skin you have, you may find some cleansing methods work better than others. Which brings me to the next point...
2. "Feeling good". OK, now you have clean skin. Awesome! But wait, does it feel a bit dry and stripped? Then you probably need a basic moisturizer so your skin doesn't feel like cloth stretched over a frame (and maybe try a different cleansing method). Conversely if your sebum glands are a bit enthusiastic, then a toner might feel good on your skin. Okay, now you're ready for bed!
3. Wake up in the morning - get your skin back to clean and feeling good (this may be the same method you use at night or not). Now you need to protect it from UV so SUNBLOCK.
----------------------------
You already have the basics down; your routine will serve you absolutely fine. If you want to mix it up, try different cleansing methods, different moisturizers, different sunblocks. The only thing I would change is to make sure the moisturizer you use on your face is a facial moisturizer as usually the ingredients are gentler and the moisturizers aren't so heavy and potentially pore-clogging. "Non-comodegenic" is the term you want to look for - which most Neutrogena moisturizers are).
HOWEVER, as you age, you might find your usual routine isn't cutting it anymore. Hell, maybe you just want to experiment in the crazy world of skincare for fun? So now you enter the world of:
TREATMENTS
This includes: masks, peels, serums, eye creams, night creams etc etc. They can be store-bought or homemade. None of these are 'necessary' per se but they are fun to use, can address specific skin ailments, and you may indeed notice a visible difference in your skin.
Treatments supplement your basic clean/ feel good/ protection routine. Depending on the product, you would add them as an extra step in your routine, do them occasionally, or whenever a problem pops up
The list of these can be totally crazy-making so your best bet is to approach these with an attitude of experimentation, given a) what you want to fix/ treat on your skin and b) how much money do you want to spend. The only caveat is that you'll need to stick with a treatment for at least 2 weeks to a month to see if there are positive results.
With this in mind, skin care ends up being a fun experiment rather than stressful or overwhelming. Good luck!
posted by kitkatcathy at 1:53 PM on October 10, 2012
ATTITUDE
Aging and wrinkles are inevitable so our goal is to age/ wrinkle gracefully, however you choose to define this. In my case, I rather have smiley wrinkles instead of frowny ones so I'm trying to be happy and zen and positive in my life :)
BASIC HEALTH
Your skin is the largest organ so your health will definitely show. Eat well, stay hydrated, exercise, get enough sleep, don't drink, don't smoke, and for the love of god, don't tan!
ROUTINES!
You need to keep your skin.
1. Clean
2. Feeling good
3. Protected from uv
1. Clean. Your skin gets dirty during the day (why we shower) and you may also wear makeup. Do not go to bed with dirty skin. Generally speaking it doesn't matter too much how you clean your skin (plain water, facial cleansers, oil cleansing method, makeup removers, clarisonic, any combination etc) as long as you end your day with clean skin. HOWEVER, depending on the kind of skin you have, you may find some cleansing methods work better than others. Which brings me to the next point...
2. "Feeling good". OK, now you have clean skin. Awesome! But wait, does it feel a bit dry and stripped? Then you probably need a basic moisturizer so your skin doesn't feel like cloth stretched over a frame (and maybe try a different cleansing method). Conversely if your sebum glands are a bit enthusiastic, then a toner might feel good on your skin. Okay, now you're ready for bed!
3. Wake up in the morning - get your skin back to clean and feeling good (this may be the same method you use at night or not). Now you need to protect it from UV so SUNBLOCK.
----------------------------
You already have the basics down; your routine will serve you absolutely fine. If you want to mix it up, try different cleansing methods, different moisturizers, different sunblocks. The only thing I would change is to make sure the moisturizer you use on your face is a facial moisturizer as usually the ingredients are gentler and the moisturizers aren't so heavy and potentially pore-clogging. "Non-comodegenic" is the term you want to look for - which most Neutrogena moisturizers are).
HOWEVER, as you age, you might find your usual routine isn't cutting it anymore. Hell, maybe you just want to experiment in the crazy world of skincare for fun? So now you enter the world of:
TREATMENTS
This includes: masks, peels, serums, eye creams, night creams etc etc. They can be store-bought or homemade. None of these are 'necessary' per se but they are fun to use, can address specific skin ailments, and you may indeed notice a visible difference in your skin.
Treatments supplement your basic clean/ feel good/ protection routine. Depending on the product, you would add them as an extra step in your routine, do them occasionally, or whenever a problem pops up
The list of these can be totally crazy-making so your best bet is to approach these with an attitude of experimentation, given a) what you want to fix/ treat on your skin and b) how much money do you want to spend. The only caveat is that you'll need to stick with a treatment for at least 2 weeks to a month to see if there are positive results.
With this in mind, skin care ends up being a fun experiment rather than stressful or overwhelming. Good luck!
posted by kitkatcathy at 1:53 PM on October 10, 2012
Keep doing what you are doing! Your current routine seems to be working well for you.
I went through the same thought process as you are now. I asked friends for recommendations. I purchased and used some products for a few weeks and my skin was not happy. I am back to wash cloth and water and SPF.
Don't mess with a routine that works!!
posted by Swisstine at 1:58 PM on October 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
I went through the same thought process as you are now. I asked friends for recommendations. I purchased and used some products for a few weeks and my skin was not happy. I am back to wash cloth and water and SPF.
Don't mess with a routine that works!!
posted by Swisstine at 1:58 PM on October 10, 2012 [2 favorites]
Don't get sucked into the skincare product racket! And I say that as someone who has sensitive and acne-prone skin, and who has tried a million things. Keep it as simple as possible:
1. Wash with warm water and a gentle soap (cheap like Cetaphil is more than fine; I've had good luck with Terralina and Chagrin Valley, too). Toner is totally not needed: in my opinion it does nothing.
2. Gentle exfoliation a few times a week (washcloth might be fine for this, or you could use salicylic acid - I use Paula's Choice).
3. Moisturizer and sunscreen, every day, either together or separately.
4. [Optional] Anti-aging stuff. Very overhyped, in my opinion, for little result. I also might recommend Retin A, since it's a far stronger and more usable for your skin version of what brands like Lancome make for much more money. Keep in mind, though, that sensitive fair skin can sometimes be overwhelmed by this: I used retinoids for a few years, but they turned my face chemical-burn pink for a while, so I stopped.
What I'm saying, basically, is that you seem to be doing it right. If it works, don't mess with it! Maybe add a gentle cleanser and/or a higher SPF (in the summer, or if you live in a sunny climate), and/or some anti-aging stuff (probably not necessary right now, and maybe not ever if you keep using the sunscreen - a lot of skin aging is a result of sun damage). I wouldn't go out and buy a million new things, especially expensive things. I don't think it will help your skin, and might just inflame it. Simple is definitely better in this case.
posted by UniversityNomad at 2:59 PM on October 10, 2012
1. Wash with warm water and a gentle soap (cheap like Cetaphil is more than fine; I've had good luck with Terralina and Chagrin Valley, too). Toner is totally not needed: in my opinion it does nothing.
2. Gentle exfoliation a few times a week (washcloth might be fine for this, or you could use salicylic acid - I use Paula's Choice).
3. Moisturizer and sunscreen, every day, either together or separately.
4. [Optional] Anti-aging stuff. Very overhyped, in my opinion, for little result. I also might recommend Retin A, since it's a far stronger and more usable for your skin version of what brands like Lancome make for much more money. Keep in mind, though, that sensitive fair skin can sometimes be overwhelmed by this: I used retinoids for a few years, but they turned my face chemical-burn pink for a while, so I stopped.
What I'm saying, basically, is that you seem to be doing it right. If it works, don't mess with it! Maybe add a gentle cleanser and/or a higher SPF (in the summer, or if you live in a sunny climate), and/or some anti-aging stuff (probably not necessary right now, and maybe not ever if you keep using the sunscreen - a lot of skin aging is a result of sun damage). I wouldn't go out and buy a million new things, especially expensive things. I don't think it will help your skin, and might just inflame it. Simple is definitely better in this case.
posted by UniversityNomad at 2:59 PM on October 10, 2012
No one ever agrees with me about this, but: ALOE. Pure aloe vera gel (the kind without alcohol or any additions) in the morning and at night. I swear.
I also love an expensive moisturizer, particularly Sisley products right now, but honestly... if you find a great cheapo moisturizer that's not gross and isn't full of gunk that makes you feel greasy or dry and you love it and you feel comfortable with it, you're gold. Go to the fancy store by your house and try all kinds of things.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 3:46 PM on October 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
I also love an expensive moisturizer, particularly Sisley products right now, but honestly... if you find a great cheapo moisturizer that's not gross and isn't full of gunk that makes you feel greasy or dry and you love it and you feel comfortable with it, you're gold. Go to the fancy store by your house and try all kinds of things.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 3:46 PM on October 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Sunscreen, retin-a, glycolic acid (I like Wrinkle Revenge-- one tube lasts me a year), lactic acid, salicylic acid (you can make your own aspirin mask from honey and crushed, uncoated aspirin), lots of water, never sleep in your makeup, do not smoke, and eat/sleep well.
Use a mild cleanser-- many have suggested Purpose of Cetaphil. These are great. Moisturize lightly as well. I use the Wrinkle Repair by Neutrogena as it has retinols in it, and Cera Ve sometimes, with sunscreens. Lastly, Dr. Jart+ is my BB cream of choice. Also has sunscreen and moisturizer in it, as well as being a base of sorts.
posted by oflinkey at 3:54 PM on October 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Use a mild cleanser-- many have suggested Purpose of Cetaphil. These are great. Moisturize lightly as well. I use the Wrinkle Repair by Neutrogena as it has retinols in it, and Cera Ve sometimes, with sunscreens. Lastly, Dr. Jart+ is my BB cream of choice. Also has sunscreen and moisturizer in it, as well as being a base of sorts.
posted by oflinkey at 3:54 PM on October 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
I wear Neutrogena moisturizer with SPF 15 under my makeup every day and just wash my face with plain water and a cloth every night. My skin gets pretty dry sometimes (never oily)
You have a good basic routine already, and the fact that you don't have a lot of blemishes shows that it works for your skin. The only thing I would change is to make sure that after you wash your face at the end of the day, you use a facial moisturizer that doesn't have sunscreen in it. That should help prevent those dry episodes.
I don't think you need to get fancy with retinoids, acids, and cleansers, especially since all of those can exacerbate dry skin. Not only that, but the more things you put on your skin on a regular basis, the more likely you are to develop a sensitivity to one of them, and if you become sensitive to something like, say, formaldehyde-releasing products (which are used as preservatives in almost every mainstream lotion, moisturizer, sunscreen, and liquid foundation), you'll have a lot more trouble finding products that work for you. I speak from experience!
My advice? Keep it simple, and try to find an all-natural moisturizer to use at night.
posted by limeonaire at 4:02 PM on October 10, 2012
You have a good basic routine already, and the fact that you don't have a lot of blemishes shows that it works for your skin. The only thing I would change is to make sure that after you wash your face at the end of the day, you use a facial moisturizer that doesn't have sunscreen in it. That should help prevent those dry episodes.
I don't think you need to get fancy with retinoids, acids, and cleansers, especially since all of those can exacerbate dry skin. Not only that, but the more things you put on your skin on a regular basis, the more likely you are to develop a sensitivity to one of them, and if you become sensitive to something like, say, formaldehyde-releasing products (which are used as preservatives in almost every mainstream lotion, moisturizer, sunscreen, and liquid foundation), you'll have a lot more trouble finding products that work for you. I speak from experience!
My advice? Keep it simple, and try to find an all-natural moisturizer to use at night.
posted by limeonaire at 4:02 PM on October 10, 2012
Go into the department store.
Take a hard look at the faces of those ladies selling $80 jars of goo. They're not exactly wrinkle-free.
Keep doing what you're doing. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
posted by windykites at 4:11 PM on October 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Take a hard look at the faces of those ladies selling $80 jars of goo. They're not exactly wrinkle-free.
Keep doing what you're doing. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
posted by windykites at 4:11 PM on October 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Let me tell you what I started doing recently. I do a hot cloth cleanse at night before bed—basically, I rub dirt-cheap aqueous cream all over my face and then wipe it off with a hot damp flannel. Then I rub a little olive oil (well, a mixture of one part castor oil to two parts olive oil—I prefer the viscosity of the blend, though I doubt it matters much) all over my hands, wipe most of it off with a paper towel, then rub the rest on my face as moisturiser. It feels amazing—and after a couple of minutes it honestly leaves less residue and 'greasiness' than any shop-bought moisturiser. I am in my late thirties, with oily skin (and weirdly have had way fewer breakouts since I started using actual oil on my face!); I have no wrinkles, and my skin has never been softer. This routine costs me pennies, and is better than any fancy set-up I've tried in the past.
Oh, and I wear an SPF BB cream during the day. That stuff is the greatest.
posted by hot soup girl at 4:37 PM on October 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
Oh, and I wear an SPF BB cream during the day. That stuff is the greatest.
posted by hot soup girl at 4:37 PM on October 10, 2012 [1 favorite]
I am also in the camp that serums and creams for anything other than moisture or exfoliation are basically bunk; most of the time when you read the ingredients you find a long list of silicones and preservatives with a smattering of interesting sounding vitamins or extracts at the end to pretend they work when really they are hardly enough to do anything. This is a practice known in the beauty industry as "angel-dusting" and it's rampant, and with a few exceptions most vitamins are not absorbed into the skin anyway.
Also, with dryness you want gentle exfoliation and no harsh cleansers or serums AT ALL. No retin-a or retinols, so salicylic cleansers, nothing acid on a daily basis. That is a one way town to irritation breakouts and flakes.
I think what you are doing is great so far. For combating dry skin and possible future wrinkles I would add a weekly session with a gentle chemical exfoliator like this one. That is a particularly fancy one but it should last quite a while. I would also say that washing with water at night may be causing dryness, and something like Pond's Cold Cream as a way to clean your face and remove makeup would do wonders for that. If that doesn't help with some dryness, I would also a moisturizer at night without SPF.
If you do want to try an serums or new skin care items, just go into Sephora or Ulta and ask if you can have a sample. You can also usually buy samples on ebay fairly inexpensively if you find something you'd really like to try.
posted by itsonreserve at 7:31 AM on October 11, 2012
Also, with dryness you want gentle exfoliation and no harsh cleansers or serums AT ALL. No retin-a or retinols, so salicylic cleansers, nothing acid on a daily basis. That is a one way town to irritation breakouts and flakes.
I think what you are doing is great so far. For combating dry skin and possible future wrinkles I would add a weekly session with a gentle chemical exfoliator like this one. That is a particularly fancy one but it should last quite a while. I would also say that washing with water at night may be causing dryness, and something like Pond's Cold Cream as a way to clean your face and remove makeup would do wonders for that. If that doesn't help with some dryness, I would also a moisturizer at night without SPF.
If you do want to try an serums or new skin care items, just go into Sephora or Ulta and ask if you can have a sample. You can also usually buy samples on ebay fairly inexpensively if you find something you'd really like to try.
posted by itsonreserve at 7:31 AM on October 11, 2012
My recent favorite blog about this stuff is http://www.stuffiputonmyself.com by Natalie Dee. Yup, that one. I love it because she's pretty no-nonsense about it and she's not afraid to try stuff out and she still has a really funky sense of style. Um, also she swears.
Her two pertinent posts for you: The Pig/Sunscreen and Skin Stuff/The Pig.
Excerpts from the last link:
posted by jillithd at 8:56 AM on October 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
Her two pertinent posts for you: The Pig/Sunscreen and Skin Stuff/The Pig.
Excerpts from the last link:
I get a ton of emails about skincare and acne in particular. I thought I would share what I have found that has helped the most in terms of getting fewer breakouts, and managing the ones I do get so they are not a crisis:(Note, those posts aren't actually about pork products! She "Feeds the Pig" as in puts money in a piggy bank if it's better to NOT spend your money on over-hyped crap.)
GET YOUR BIRTH CONTROL SORTED OUT ...
EXFOLIATE ...
MOISTURIZE ...
posted by jillithd at 8:56 AM on October 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
Great advice from loads of people here. Yes, most of the marketing is bunk. Yes, all you really need is face wash and SPF moisturiser. Yes, stay hydrated, exercised and rested, and away from the booze and the smokes (I'm not so good at that last bit). Beyond that, all depends on troubleshooting for your particular skin type.
Beyond that, here are a couple more tips which have worked for me, and might work for you too.
Firstly, a weekly mud mask to unblock the pores and refresh the skin. This works for me like a mini facelift. My skin glows brighter and smoother afterwards and I can definitely see the difference if I miss a week. I think it's the combination of the deep cleansing and exfoliation. Doesn't have to be expensive, but worth shopping around for a product you like.
Secondly, from way out in the left field, come facial yoga exercises. This is not strictly skin care, and doesn't prevent wrinkles per se, but it definitely helps to keep the muscles under the skin toned and firm, which can make your face look that little bit smoother.
posted by Elizabeth the Thirteenth at 9:06 AM on October 11, 2012
Beyond that, here are a couple more tips which have worked for me, and might work for you too.
Firstly, a weekly mud mask to unblock the pores and refresh the skin. This works for me like a mini facelift. My skin glows brighter and smoother afterwards and I can definitely see the difference if I miss a week. I think it's the combination of the deep cleansing and exfoliation. Doesn't have to be expensive, but worth shopping around for a product you like.
Secondly, from way out in the left field, come facial yoga exercises. This is not strictly skin care, and doesn't prevent wrinkles per se, but it definitely helps to keep the muscles under the skin toned and firm, which can make your face look that little bit smoother.
posted by Elizabeth the Thirteenth at 9:06 AM on October 11, 2012
Ok, I'll nth the exercise and diet and hydrate.
This year I finally got into a regimen. Cream, exfoliant, serum. I got the one I really loved and seemed the most organic.
However, my mother has fantastic skin and is more along your desired lines. The key is to keep doing it: wash with dove soap, tone with witch hazel, she swears by oil of olay.
I bought the expensive stuff because I like to feel like I'm treating myself, and it smells nice. Otherwise I can't stick to it.
Good luck
posted by ibakecake at 5:01 PM on October 11, 2012
This year I finally got into a regimen. Cream, exfoliant, serum. I got the one I really loved and seemed the most organic.
However, my mother has fantastic skin and is more along your desired lines. The key is to keep doing it: wash with dove soap, tone with witch hazel, she swears by oil of olay.
I bought the expensive stuff because I like to feel like I'm treating myself, and it smells nice. Otherwise I can't stick to it.
Good luck
posted by ibakecake at 5:01 PM on October 11, 2012
Great skin requires you to eat good fats (oily fish like salmon, nuts, avocados), drink water, sleep when tired, and avoid the sun. There has been some great advice on this thread as to what you should use on your face, but keep in mind that regardless of whether you end up going the drugstore route or the high end dept. store always pay attention to the packaging and storage! Creams in jars oxidise quickly once you open them, same with those packaged in clear containers and shelved with hot, bright lights behind them. If you're keen to get educated on what works and what's all marketing, I highly recommend The Beauty Brains blog, authored by no-nonsense cosmetic scientists. Good luck!
posted by travellingincognito at 3:26 AM on November 4, 2012
posted by travellingincognito at 3:26 AM on November 4, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:36 AM on October 10, 2012 [1 favorite]