I started here 5 years ago to get kid 1 into college, stayed to get kid 2 into college, and now still here to get kid 1 into grad school this fall! Along the way, I began straying into the parent café area and that’s when I inadvertently started to pick up what I will call “how can I look better” conversations. I’m not into make-up or clothes (i’m lucky if I get dinner on the table once I leave my intense job!) but I pull together when I need to.
I was feeling frustrated because I do everything right when it comes to having good skin – I have an active outdoor lifestyle, I eat really well (as far as avoiding processed foods, too much caffeine, whatever), and I get enough sleep…all the stuff beauty magazines tell you to do. But my skin just doesn’t reflect my good habits and so I began following some of the advice that I read here. I’ve been at it about two years and I briefly looked at myself in the mirror this morning (I hate mirrors and said to myself, dang, your skin looks great.
Here’s how I did it:
I stopped washing my face. I wish I could remember the CC’er who recommended this but essentially what I do is remove my eye make-up using a lotion and then I just splash, splash, splash my face with plain old water. And that’s it.
I stopped wearing sunscreen. Oh, I put it on if I’m hiking or skiing or sitting in the sun (that last thing is rare for me) but I just forgo it otherwise. As a dermatologist friend told me (so a bit more honest than a regular dermatologist), that ship had sailed. Meaning that the sun damage I have is from spending the 1st 18 years of my life at a beach cottage and the next 6 years doing the stuff that all college kids did in the 80s…sitting by a pool. Now that I’m in my 50s, I just don’t put it on regularly to go sit in an office all day…and when I walk/run/whatever, it’s rarely between 11 to 3. That has made a big difference. Every single lotion with spf was a issue for me.
And finally, after spending a good amount of money on face creams, a CCer recommended “Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream” and I don’t even use the “face” version of it….i just use this > https://www.cetaphil.com/moisturizing-cream
That’s great that you found a good routine that is working for you. I didn’t start a routine until almost 2 years ago and I also see a difference. Some of the things are preventative, so won’t actually see a change,
Since I do wear makeup and sunscreen, after I remove my eye makeup, I do use a neutrogena facial cleanser, then witch hazel. The an AHA product, then the matrixyl above.
Here I thought the reveal was going to be something along the lines of “I’m finally limiting my time in the sun, because I’m always at my computer, reading CC.”
SouthernHope: While I love your post, like so much CC advice, this isn’t one size fits all. Even sitting in the car, I’m going to get a little sunburned, unless wearing sunscreen and a hat. Then my skin will be red and uncomfortable… not beautiful like yours.
However, I don’t need an expensive, top 100 sunscreen. Just the correct spf. They are all about the same. imho
If only I had a quarter for all the items I’ve bought because of the advice of this site. From makeup, lipsticks, kitchen gadgets and clothes there is no end to the wisdom of this community!
I see that Cetaphil is for dry skin, I’m going to try it. I have extremely dry skin. I’m always tickled when I get facials because they squirt and little product out and they roll their eyes when I say “oh you will need way more”. Then my face sucks up every drop and they say “wow your skin is really dry”.
@conmama, I think I’ve read you should just rinse in the morning, and wash at night, but I can’t bring myself to do that. I wash both morning and night. I’ve tried pretty expensive creams and stuff, but for now I’ve settled on Cerave for daytime, and Olay Regenerist for night. I use eye serum or something like that from Clinique, and Clinique soap to wash.
My only child has sensitive skin. Her dermatologist recommended Cetaphil. Regular soap is quite harsh for skin, especially, sensitive skin. Cetaphil cleanser and lotion are what we use.
I have super oily skin and can’t wait to wash with soap and water at night. I remove makeup with a generic brand makeup remover wipe and wash with Cetaphil soap. I use the lotion as a moisturizer instead of the cream.
@1214mom , I also have read the “no wash in the morning”, too. But I do perspire during the night, so I’m sure my face dies too. I also read that for any skin care products to really work, your pores need to be clean so they can penetrate properly. I’m sure this all depends on skin type. Mine is part oily to normal.
@partyof5 You may consider adding an oil to your skincare routine. I use squalane oil ($7 from Ordinary) let it soak in a bit, and then put moisturizer on top of that. That really works for my dry skin made even dryer by the very dry, semi-desert climate I live in.
I tried all sorts of cleansers but my go to products have been Cetaphil or Mysore Sandalwood Soap. One bar lasts me a very long time. I think you can get a 12 pack for under $20 on Amazon.
I just use water on my face in the morning. Like @katliamom I use an oil on my face both morning and night. I have normal skin and I don’t find the oil causes pore blockage. I use Argan oil in the morning and rosehip oil at night. Both of these are at the recommendation of my dermatologist.
