Beauty

Skin Care Routine

I have had various skin care routines over the years, but I finally have a good system in place that seems to be working.  It’s really only based on trial & error plus a little luck.
I definitely don’t have perfect skin, but if I do this routine, well, routinely it seems to curb all the gross skin blemishes that creep up.  (Unless I am super stressed, in which case my skin fights back with a vengeance.)  My skin, for the most part, has definitely “calmed down” a lot now that I’m not a teenager.  I like to say that my skin had major teenage angst 😉
So what’s the routine?
I alternate every other night.
Night A: I use the Clarisonic Mia with Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser.  I have used the other Cetaphil cleansers, but my skin is super sensitive and the gentle is the only one that doesn’t dry my skin out.  (And, bonus, it doesn’t have a weird smell like the others!)
Night B: I only use the Clarisonic every other night so I don’t irritate my skin.  But I do like to use a scrub instead.  The St. Ives Apricot is hand’s down the best.  I don’t know what the secret is in this thing, but I swear it’s magic!  It’s the perfect consistency and the perfect amount (read: just barely) of smell.  Don’t use the Clarisonic with a scrub!!!  Just a warning!
After I cleanse my face, I always follow up with this MAGICAL stuff.
I need a lifetime supply of Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10.  It’s literally better than anything you could get from the dermatologist.  It’s potent (sorry I’m not sorry) and gets the job done in a big way.  I only use a tiny bit, because it really dries out the skin, but on problem areas this is a NECESSITY.  Even though it’s tempting to buy the generic, it really doesn’t work as well as the real deal.
How to you get ready for bed?  What products do you swear by?
xoxo

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20 Comments

firecracker

you should probably be careful when you offer recommendations. persa gel is not actually better than anything you can get from the dermatologist, 10% benzoyl peroxide is fairly basic stuff and any good dermo will offer a number of products much stronger.

remember you have a very wide audience and many will take what you say to heart.

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Lauren Alyse

I find it so hard to keep a strict routine, but I use both the Cetaphil cleanser and the St. Ives. My skin used to be so oily, but now it's drying out and I'm looking for a good moisturizer…any suggestions?

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Elyse

I love the Clarisonic. I liked it so much I got one for my sister who has skin trouble.

I have really, really sensitive skin (the Persa-Gel has given my face a rash). But I've started using tea-tree oil (from Sephora) instead and it smells nice and does not irritate my incredibly sensitive skin. It seems to work pretty well too.

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Anna H

I've seen a lot of talk about the Clarisonic Mia recently and I think I might have to get one. It looks perfect for getting all the gunk out of my too-large pores.

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k

The only real thing I would add to your regimen — which will become more important as time goes on — is a moisturizer. You should start daily moisturizer in your early 20s to prevent wrinkling. Find one that works for you then use it religiously! And don't forget to moisturize all the way down your neck too!

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Kate

Living in the dry desert I have to use a serious moisturizer. My moisturizer of choice is Cerave, it can be found at just about any drug store. I've tried others but I find that it doesn't leave my skin oily or irritated like others have. (it also doesn't have a fragrance which is nice!) On particularly dry areas I'll sleep with a bit of Aquaphor on the area and I'll see a noticeable difference the next morning. Good Luck! 🙂

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Kelly

I use the Clarisonic mia with philosophy purity, and I have found that my skin has really calmed down too! I can't use the persa gel though – it dries my skin out too much! I really like Lush Grease Lightning instead!

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r

Jess- the Clarisonic does really work. It's amazing. It cleans your pores and does help with exfoliation.

At night, I use my Clarisonic with the gentle Cetaphil. I follow up with a moisturizer (I always forget the name of it…something from Whole Foods). Every once in a while, if I'm having some breakouts, I'll use Retin-A Micro after the Clarisonic and then use my moisturizer. In the morning, I just wash my face with water and put on sunscreen.

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Hannah B.

I was using ProActiv for a while but ran out of the cleanser and had a ton of the other stuff so I replaced the cleanser with castile soap and am having great luck with it. Also, I swear by cold cream! You can use it as makeup remover or moisturizer when your skin is extra dry this time of year!

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Grace

I'm kind of bad at having a routine, actually! I think I'm going to try the persa gel though; my skin's being really zitty lately.

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Katie

I just got a Clarisonic Mia last Friday. I got it at Kiehl's and the lady told me to use it morning and night. However, she set me up with a scrub to use with it! I find that interesting since you specifically mentioned not to use it with a scrub. Hmm. I also got Kiehl's cleanser, toner, and gel cream (all from the oil-free line) that I also use twice a day, in that order, right after I use the clarisonic. So far it seems to be doing good. The clarisonic is really smoothing my skin – I highly recommend it to anybody who is curious about it!

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AEM

This post is exactly what I needed to read! I have been so annoying with my skin and just got Proactive to try for a second time (now that I'm not 14) and I'm hoping to see positive results.. However, I have been wanting to try to Clarisonic Mia and am thinking I'm going to go ahead and order it! I use Cetaphil gentle every night and morning! I'm going to look into the Clarisonic more! I'm hopeful that it could help me not look like I'm a pre-teen!

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emaline

Be careful with the St. Ive's scrub – because it's actually all natural and uses tiny, tiny pieces of some kind of shell (I think walnut?), the edges are jagged and will scratch your skin. Over time that leads to redness, wrinkles, and scratches 🙁 It's better to use a scrub with fake little plastic beads that you know are smooth and won't scratch your skin.

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Seashells and Southern Belles

I know you have gotten a ton of comments about the products people like, but Cerave is truly amazing. I have super sensitive skin and even had an allergic reaction last year to the Eucerin facewash for sensitive skin, and Cerave is now one of the only line of products I trust. Their morning moisturizers keep my face hydrated all day long (with spf!) and their hyrdrating cleanser is amazing. I also use a cream from the Vanicream line at night. It has no dyes, no perfumes, nothing in it that can hurt my skin. Just thought I would share, bc these products realllly have helped my skin!

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