Very frustrated with skin care--could use some advice
I really need some help with my skin. I don't know what to do with it
and which products to buy anymore. I have very fair skin with
rather noticable dark circles under my eyes. My skin is definitely
combination. I get blackheads on my nose (luckily my pores aren't too
big) and whiteheads on my chin. In the rest of my t-zone, I get
blackheads as well - not lots of them but enough that it's frustrating
to me. I also get some around my hair line. I don't really have a
major problem with pimples - I get them but they seem to mainly appear
once a month so I'm assuming they're hormonal?
The rest of my skin tends to be a bit drier. I've got some minor fine
lines on my forehead and around my mouth (I'm 29) which aren't
noticeable if I use a decent moisturizer. I bought some Lancome
Photogenic Skin-Illuminating foundation last year but it just seemed
to accentuate how flaky and dry my cheeks looked. My skin just looks
dull and my skin tone seems to look more uneven than it ever has
before.
I've been using Cetaphil to cleanse my face but that's it. I've also
used Lancome's Exfoliance face scrub in the past and I liked it.
However, I don't like the new version nearly as much. After I cleanse
my face, my skin feels rather tight all over but after about a hour,
it doesn't feel tight anymore. I've been using Clean & Clear Dual
Action Moisturizer but I think it's too drying, even in the summer.
I know I need a good sunscreen for my face. I've tried using
Neutrogena Healthy Defense Oil-Free Sunblock Lotion but it's too
greasy feeling on my face. I need a sunscreen that I can use on a
daily basis. I'd also like to find a tinted moisturizer that I can
use during the summer. And what should I be using at night? Do I
need to be using a chemical exfoliant? What about an eye cream? I'd
prefer to use less expensive products but if something is really good,
I don't mind spending more on a few items.
I guess I'm just really confused. I've tried reading articles in
magazines on skincare but I feel like an idiot. I know I've been
blessed with decent skin but I feel like I don't know what to do with
it. I was hoping someone here might be able to help.
- skincare is actually a very simple process - too many
people/companies/etc enter way too may complications into the equation.
Primarily keep the skin scrupulously clean and that is not always as simple as
most think, and everything else tends to fall in place.
-The same thing happened to my skin at 29 (last year). I was still breaking
out yet lines were coming, I had dry and oily patches. My skin probably
felt a lot worse than it looked - it felt rough.
I had never tried Avon before but my military Exchange had a counter so I
asked the girl what would help, explaining everything that was bugging me. I
tried the Keep It Clean! cleanser, the Keep it Fresh! toner, and the
Multi-vitamin Boost moisturizer (or something like that - all 3 products are
in orange and white containers and smell like oranges). It fixed my skin.
Since then I switched to Kiss My Face Citrus Cleanser, Kiss My Face Flower
Essence toner, and L'Oreal Visible Results moisturizer. Then I switched to
(and am using now) L'Oreal Pure Zone Cream Cleanser (same toner and
moisturizer).
I really think toner made a big difference in making my skin smoother.
Moisturizer (and foundation) go on so much better with smoother skin