I'm A Believer!

[tott]

I always used to think that a moisturiser was a moisturiser, that they all were created more or less equal. Period. I used to consider myself fairly knowledgeable about skincare; any kind of gel facial cleanser and any old moisturizer worked the same I thought. I never really understood why people would spend hundreds on skincare, because all these products work the same...

Then I noticed Lena swearing that her Shiseido Future Solution cream does work, and leyla stating that the La Mer cream really has changed the appearance of her skin...

I'm 36 years old. My skin is definitely aging, even though I'm fairly scratch-free considering my age. I realised I need to start taking better care of my skin a while ago, and I decided to splurge and see if some stuff really is better... And guess what? I'm in shock! My skin is looking better and better as the days go by! Not necessarily perfect, but the appearance is a lot more even and smooth. I especially notice an improvement under my eyes!

Currently I'm using:
Shiseido Men Cleansing Foam
Chanel Précision Age Delay Serum
Chanel Précision Age Delay Eye
Chanel Précision Rectifiance Intense anti-age retexturizing fluid (day)
Elizabeth Arden Good Night's Sleep (night)

Soooo... Do you believe that all skincare works the same? Are we just victims of the cosmetics industry, paying huge amounts for "worthless" products with pseudo-scientifical justifications, poured into pretty packages? Or does the stuff actually work?

What works for you?

 

[Orochian]

Count me in as another believer. Having been through a particularly troublesome phase with my skin during my teenage years, I guess I learned the hard way that different skin care products really do different things and are suited to different skin types.

I'm not a big fan of the big-name cosmetic brands though. In my personal experience their prices are often strastopherically overblown compared to the actual content offered in their products. Again, because of my bout with acne as a teen, I had to visit a dermatologist regularly and she referred me to a few clinical lines like Obagi, Peter Thomas Roth, and DDF. Right now I'm using a combination of products from these three lines, and IMO, while they're still quite pricey, the high content in their formulas does justify the cost. At least I know I'm not paying for a single glossy ad when I buy a cleanser.

And of course, I'm addicted to do-it-yourself chemical peels! When I mention that, people often look at me as if I'm putting my life on the line, but really, if you read up the literature regarding the appropriate procedures, it's quite safe, and the results (and savings compared to frequent visits to a dermatologist) are amazing! B)

 

[As You Like It]

Sure, some stuff works. Granted, I ride the lower-price line of the beauty world, but I have discovered a few things that are little-short of miraculous for me.

LUSH Fresh Farmacy cleanser
LUSH Angels on Bare Skin scrub
Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque (used as an overnight spot treatment for pimples)
Aveeno Positively Radiant soy protein moisturizer

These are the mainstays of my skin-care hoard. I have combination skin that breaks out every month before my period. Nothing will ever make my skin perfect, but these products seem to do pretty well by making it acceptable.

 

[paprika_hiccup]

I don't believe in product anymore.

I had problems with my skin until i finally left it the h--- alone. Now my skin is perfection Not really, but very few breakouts/dryouts now.

I was constantly looking for the perfect product- now I wash my face with cool water and a clean wash cloth. I'll use a water-based moisturizer in the winter (clinique moisture surge x-tra thirsty) at night and always a 25 tinted moisturizer during the day(Clinique Cityblock).

But I do occasionally encounter problems when I do the water only scrub anywhere else outside of Brooklyn. I guess my skin has a verygood relationship with the milky Brooklyn water, and violently lashes out when it does get its fix

Maybe its important to be consistent with your skin regime- any takers?

 

[saad]

some will give me a swollen face while some wont

i have to believe in quality


but i've noticed that some branded products work better with my skin (which is hyper sensitie) than general stuff

 

[tealady]

Definitely! I've gone French. Madame Jane Sebeyran This woman, who is in her 80s, has her own skin care line made in France which she sells directly around the world. She's amazing and her simple products and meticulous attention to details work miracles. She's a delightful person who spends a great deal of time on the phone with one to determine the right mix of products which she changes with the seasons and one's own situation. I'm definitely a beliver!

 

[Lena]

as tott said, i'm the absolute shiseido fanatic, those products really work but they dont come cheap.
i have decided investing in expensive skincare pays up through the years.
even though i'm an anti-consumer in general i never think twice when it comes to spending 200+ euros for future solution (lasts me four months) or another 200 for the Kanebo neck & bust gel


(people always have such a hard time guessing my age hehehhee,
at a party last week, even my closest friend -she hasnt see me for two mnths- was wondering if i had cosmetic surgery , i was on the floor laughing.. thank you Shiseido )

 

[Plumour]

I've got really nice skin myself and I do believe in skincare products.
and after trying out lots, I always find that higher end ones do work better for me.

 

[faust]

I can personally vouch for Kiehl's products.

 

[tott]

Originally posted by Lena@Apr 8th, 2004 - 10:24 am
i never think twice when it comes to spending 200+ euros for future solution

It's 164 Euros where I shop! Prices differ a lot across Europe, I suppose...

 

[Orochian]

Originally posted by faust@Apr 8th, 2004 - 1:20 pm
I can personally vouch for Kiehl's products.

I tried Kiehl's once and it made me break out.

 

[Lena]

Originally posted by tott+Apr 8th, 2004 - 7:33 pm--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tott @ Apr 8th, 2004 - 7:33 pm)</div><div class='quotemain'> <!--QuoteBegin-Lena@Apr 8th, 2004 - 10:24 am
i never think twice when it comes to spending 200+ euros for future solution

It's 164 Euros where I shop! Prices differ a lot across Europe, I suppose... [/b][/quote]
i know.. its 200euros here and in France but i was lucky to get my recent jar from Rome, that was cheap

(but it goes pretty FAST )

 

[leyla m.]

as TOTT sais, i move my LA MER.
but i also tried SHISEIDOs future solution. it didnt suit my skin.
it all depends on ones skin.
LA MER has tremendously changed my skin. i used to have marks and they are practically gone. also, when i use it at night, i wake up the next morning with supersmooth skin.

i also LOVE * dr HAUSCHKA" products. they are extremely soothing.
another great skincare make is YONKA which is quite similar to dr hauschka

all very herbal^^

 

[faust]

Originally posted by Orochian+Apr 8th, 2004 - 2:48 pm--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Orochian @ Apr 8th, 2004 - 2:48 pm)</div><div class='quotemain'> <!--QuoteBegin-faust@Apr 8th, 2004 - 1:20 pm
I can personally vouch for Kiehl's products.

I tried Kiehl's once and it made me break out. [/b][/quote]
yea, i've noticed that it does not work for everyone, and they are very specific about the types of skin/hair use.

 

[Alejandro]

Im a total believer, I have tried everything, even products that Im not supposed to be using... and they have totally changed my skin...of course, my chemical peel really did some backstage work, but again, I used to have acne scars and skin discoloration that Estee Lauder's Idealist and Micro D have changed completely...Lately, I have been using the Kanebo Ideal Balance skincare, which is targeted to counter the build-up of daily stress and environmental assault to recover the skin's optimal condition from within... It's totally worth it...combined with Idealist, is awesome

 

[Orochian]

Alejandro: I've also heard many good things about Idealist from past-acne sufferers. Does it really work in correcting pigmentation/skin tone problems? How soon were you starting to see visible results after using it?

 

[foxinthesnow]

Originally posted by As You Like It@Apr 7th, 2004 - 6:48 pm

Aveeno Positively Radiant soy protein moisturizer

This is one of my favorite drug store products, I've been using it daily since Aveeno introduced their expanded line. I notice a huge difference, my skin is indeed 'brighter' from the soy ingredients.

The one product which I cannot live without is Retin-A, even if I no longer get spots. It's a pain to go to the derm and get a prescription etc., but it has actually removed sun freckles I had from childhood, lifted light scars on my face, etc. I cannot imagine that my skin would look as it does without it. Worth the price and inconvenience and one tube lasts quite a long time.

Another product which seems to make a visible difference is Origins "Perfect World" - a skin 'guardian' to protect against damange (caused by free radicals etc). The difference made by its inclusion has been subtle but my skin simply looks younger from its use, if I am stuck in the sun for too long it seems to work well with my sunscreen to prevent redness, I get fewer blackheads...

PS- My mom uses most of the same Chanel stuff as you are using, she likes them as well!
I use a mix of high/low products- the important thing is that you are using products with active ingredients designed for whatever you are trying to improve.

 

[Alejandro]

Originally posted by Orochian@Apr 8th, 2004 - 5:26 pm
Alejandro: I've also heard many good things about Idealist from past-acne sufferers. Does it really work in correcting pigmentation/skin tone problems? How soon were you starting to see visible results after using it?

Yes, Idealist is great for uneven skintones, open pores, flakiness and redness... After I went through my crazy acne rage, I started using Idealist and Micro D (their all famous scrub), which helped me out mantain the highest level of pureness and perfection on my skin...Im not saying that my skin is 100%perfect, but with this product, I can say that a 75% of my skin has been completely changed...

I started noticing results the exact minute I apply it, because your skin feels extremely soft, without being greasy or shiny... and after a week, your skin texture is glowing, softer and smoother...

 

[tott]

Originally posted by Orochian@Apr 8th, 2004 - 12:03 am
And of course, I'm addicted to do-it-yourself chemical peels! When I mention that, people often look at me as if I'm putting my life on the line, but really, if you read up the literature regarding the appropriate procedures, it's quite safe, and the results (and savings compared to frequent visits to a dermatologist) are amazing! B)

I have to say that this sounds interesting... Do you happen to have any tips, hints, suggestions? Links?

And I agree, as long as you do your homework, it should be perfectly safe! Goes for a lot of things...

Oh, I also got a few samples of Idealist Micro-D/Idealist; can't wait to try those!

 

[Alejandro]

Originally posted by tott@Apr 9th, 2004 - 1:47 pm


Oh, I also got a few samples of Idealist Micro-D/Idealist; can't wait to try those!

try try try, and tell us