My skin is a H.A.M

[Amour]

I need serious help.

My skin is terrible, I have dark circles above and under my eyes, i have scars left from spots that have not disappeared with time, and my skin texture/ tone is sooo blahh... just real dull and I'm only 19.

Any help suggestiosn would be appreciated

TIA

[FunkyDiva]

I feel your pain because ever since puberity I had to deal with acne. Even though my acne was considered mild, I hate it.

I don't know your skin type but I will tell you what is working for me. My skin looks great now and I want everyone to feel the way I do when I look into the mirror :D

Everything I use is from the drugstore so do not under estimate them, like I did for many years. So hear it goes. My skin is oily/acne prone/sensitive (what a combo)

Mornings:
1. I wash my face with Cetaphil Gentle cleanser and baking soda
2. I put Ambi on the spots from left over acne
3. Then I moisturize with Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15

Evenings:
1. I wash my face with Extra Vinegar Olive Oil (I sometimes use Cetaphil after this step)
2. I use Alpha hydrox AHA Souffle
3. I use the Ambi again

I am a big fan of Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask and Grape Seed Extract. So I use those sometimes in between steps 1 and 2 (not on the same night though) I also like St. Ives Apricot Scrub.

Most importantly I drink LOTS of water and I have tremendously cut back on my pork intake.

Please don't be discouraged I KNOW exactly how you feel. Drink WATER, WATER, WATER.

Sorry so long but another good idea is to start taking MSM powder I going to grab me some in a couple days.

I hope I helped a litte ;)

[Amour]

I feel your pain because ever since puberity I had to deal with acne. Even though my acne was considered mild, I hate it.

I don't know your skin type but I will tell you what is working for me. My skin looks great now and I want everyone to feel the way I do when I look into the mirror :D

Everything I use is from the drugstore so do not under estimate them, like I did for many years. So hear it goes. My skin is oily/acne prone/sensitive (what a combo)

Mornings:
1. I wash my face with Cetaphil Gentle cleanser and baking soda
2. I put Ambi on the spots from left over acne
3. Then I moisturize with Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15

Evenings:
1. I wash my face with Extra Vinegar Olive Oil (I sometimes use Cetaphil after this step)
2. I use Alpha hydrox AHA Souffle
3. I use the Ambi again

I am a big fan of Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask and Grape Seed Extract. So I use those sometimes in between steps 1 and 2 (not on the same night though) I also like St. Ives Apricot Scrub.

Most importantly I drink LOTS of water and I have tremendously cut back on my pork intake.

Please don't be discouraged I KNOW exactly how you feel. Drink WATER, WATER, WATER.

Sorry so long but another good idea is to start taking MSM powder I going to grab me some in a couple days.

I hope I helped a litte ;)

AWW THANKS hugs... yeah that has helped alot. I will have a look into some of those products. My skin is however really dry, i get tightness after I wash. Any products you listed that you think I wouldn't benefit from considering my dry skin?

[seeminglysweet]

Honestly, you need to get the Alpha Hydroxy souffle. You can do a search on here and find tons of positive feedback on the product. Its $15 and its available online and I think also at Walmart.

I've been using it for a little over a month and it controls my acne and has helped my skin tone and texture. It's not dramatic and it's not over night but it has become a staple product for me.

Also you should start to use an eye cream. You are 19 and there is never a better time to begin using things that will keep you looking young, such as an eye cream.

Moisture is also VERY important and water. Drink plenty of water, especially if you've been drinking and/or smoking or even in an area where others are smoking around you. When I was 19 I didn't use moisturizer on my face, I wish I had. If you have oily skin it may be trial and error to find the perfect moisturizer for your skin but once you find the right one you will notice a difference.

[Miss Nina]

i use neutrogena advanced solutions, and neutrogena and aveeno face moisturizer. the advanced solutions cleared my face up really quickly, but it started to dry it out, so i had to start moisturizing day and night.

[lahennesy26]

DRINK LOTS OF WATER!

[metro_qt]

My skincare regiment is very similar to the first poster's.
My skin is verrrrry clear these days, I haven't had to wear foundation since may... even when getting professional pictures taken, etc.

I don't do the souffle or the olive oil

Every morning and evening:
I wash my face with my 'cetaphil' (i use a no name brand, but it's the same thing)
then usually I'll add baking soda to it for extra goodness.

Then I gently massage/dry my face with my face cloth (i saw this on TYRA-the show, and it's really working for me, I can actually see my cheeks getting pink after i do it, which means that the blood is circulating nicely in my face. when blood circulates, that means the toxins can be released to the top of your skin layer...)

then I moisturize with a no name moisturizer,

then I use Clean n Clear acne gel on any spots I may have. It takes them away by the next morning.

That's it.

If my face starts looking a little dull, I will use my St ives apricot scrub, or my mint julep/grapseed /orange scrubs and masks from queen helene.. but not too often, the basics above work really well for me.

Yes. i drink alot of water as well.

[crlsweetie912]

My skincare regiment is very similar to the first poster's.
My skin is verrrrry clear these days, I haven't had to wear foundation since may... even when getting professional pictures taken, etc.

I don't do the souffle or the olive oil

Every morning and evening:
I wash my face with my 'cetaphil' (i use a no name brand, but it's the same thing)
then usually I'll add baking soda to it for extra goodness.

Then I gently massage/dry my face with my face cloth (i saw this on TYRA-the show, and it's really working for me, I can actually see my cheeks getting pink after i do it, which means that the blood is circulating nicely in my face. when blood circulates, that means the toxins can be released to the top of your skin layer...)

then I moisturize with a no name moisturizer,

then I use Clean n Clear acne gel on any spots I may have. It takes them away by the next morning.

That's it.

If my face starts looking a little dull, I will use my St ives apricot scrub, or my mint julep/grapseed /orange scrubs and masks from queen helene.. but not too often, the basics above work really well for me.

Yes. i drink alot of water as well.

Is the clean and clear gel salycilic (sp?) acid or Benzoyl peroxide?

[Priss Pot]

I understand what you mean, girl. My skincare regimen is in my fotki; the products you see are what have helped me tremendously.

[patient1]

Deleted.
(Reread and realized you're not suffering from acne. oops)

p1

[Amour]

Thanks you girlies for the replies... I really really appreciated it.


@ seeminglysweet - I think I will definately look into that Alpha Hydroxy souffle thingy.Will get an eye cream aswell; i do try and drink water but i don't ever seem to see a difference but will really stick with it. Think I'm going to go on a 'only water challenge for at least a week' to kick start things that start incorporating more water into my diet

@ metro_qt - That circulation thingy sounds good, do you do this with a dry cloth? I wonder if it would work with a hot/ warm cloth?

@ TSUprincess04 - Thanks for the heads up with the skin regimen will definately check that out

Thanks for ALL the tips ladies, keep them rolling through ;)

[Divine Inspiration]

MSM stimulates collagen production so that would help the scars fade. Supplementing with a good multi-vitamin and drinking plenty of water would help with the overall appearance.

What is your current regimen?
Do you get enough sleep?
How much water do you drink?

[metro_qt]

Is the clean and clear gel salycilic (sp?) acid or Benzoyl peroxide?


it's the salycilic acid one, i've used benzoyl per. Like benzagel, and that stuff isn't as effective on me. This little clean n clear one, whooowhie. my pimples are really gone the next morning...

it's called clean n clear invisible blemish treatment.

[Amour]

MSM stimulates collagen production so that would help the scars fade. Supplementing with a good multi-vitamin and drinking plenty of water would help with the overall appearance.

What is your current regimen?
Do you get enough sleep?
How much water do you drink?


errrrrrm :perplexed

my regimen? I'm getting 'better' nowadays I take my make - up at night with a make-up remover, wash with neutrogena deep clean or boot's botanticals facial wash, tone and moisturise with e45 b/c i have dry skin

I get about on average 6 hours sleep

I can go for days and days without having a glass of pure water... i'll drink it sometimes; its just never consistent. Im trying to change this though; but i never seem to stick with it.

[Divine Inspiration]

bumping for yankgal