Luminous, Glowy and Healthy Skin

[Fiancee]

I really think a good dermatologist is your best friend if glowy and healthy skin is what you want. I stopped for a while and my skin just got dry and I got break outs unpredictably and I just didnt look that great. I went back about a month ago and have been every two weeks for laser and for general facials and extractions and already I am so so much more pleased with my skin.
I also think that smiling (like a lot of people said) really brightens anyone's face, so try not to frown, and when you smile, your eyes sparkle a bit which is one of the best beauty secrets around. I also think that whiter teeth and well groomed brows just help you to look healthy and put-together and fresh.
Hope this helps, cos I'm speaking from experience.

 

[alimi]

what specific foods are good for your skin? like what fruits and vegetables in particular?.. i think i heard eggs once.. is that completely wrong?

 

[ninins]

what specific foods are good for your skin? like what fruits and vegetables in particular?.. i think i heard eggs once.. is that completely wrong?

spinach and fish (salmon).

 

[Erin]

blueberries and avacados are excellent.

 

[Deleted member 49693]

^ I always use avacados instead of butter for my sandwiches. I also put avacado on sushi....

 

[Lara_L]

Surprisingly, prunes (dried plums) have way more antioxidants than blueberries, and not too many people know that...I think that because they speed up your elimination cycle this can definately improve your skin because toxins arent sitting around in your body...

 

[Erin]

^ Actually, I have continuously read that blueberries have the highest antioxidant levels of any fruit...

 

[TheKiwi]

HELP!

I'm 21 years old, and used to have really bad acne. I went on Accutane, and that did wonders for my skin! But it also made me really lazy. I would only wash my face in the shower once a day, and besides that, the only other product I used on my skin was a light moisturizer.

For awhile, that was fine... My skin didn't break out even though I wasn't taking very good care of it. But now, I'm starting to get small breakouts and I notice that my skin doesn't really have a glow to it (I have LOTS of blackheads on my nose too!). I want to get over my lazy ways and wash twice a day, exfoliate, etc. But I really don't know where to start! The amount of products on the market is overwelming! And frankly, since I've never really used these products, I don't really know what is what, what is good, and what is bad.

So please help me out! I need products/tips for every step to clear, glowing skin. Like what is an exfoliant and how often do I use one/what is the best time to use it? What exactly does a toner do and when should I use it? What can I use to get rid of my blackheads? What is a great facewash? Should I use a mask and how often? Really, any tips would be greatly appriciated! Suggestions on good brands would also be great... I basically need things broken down for me... I'm hopeless.

Oh, by the way, I have combination/normal skin.

 

[miu_miu]

Cetaphil would be a good place to start. It's cheap for one thing, but it's very gentle and a non-fussy product. I think this would be good for your skin, post accutane.
For a scrub, I recommend Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. Gentle enough to be used everyday, but you really noticed how clean your skin feels afterwards.
I do use a toner, just to clean off any excess cleanser, and to close pores. Darphin's Intral Toner is the one I use, nice smelling, plant based, and I do notice the difference when it's not in my routine.
Finally, finish off with a moisturiser. This ones kind of difficult to presribe because everyone needs something, but it depends on climate, environment, that kind of thing. Combination, normal skin like yours...I've heard Kiehls Sodium PCA is great if your skin tends to be a little oily. Kiehls is good for samples too, so maybe ask for a bunch of their moisturiser samples.
If you're looking for glow, I recommend Olay MultiRadiance...it's a moisturiser that contains everything you need, vitamins etc, and SPF 15 (I think), but it also has a little shimmer that just highlights, so you get the best of both worlds in one product.
Hope this helps! It is hard to get a real routine going, but once you find the right products, you'll see the results, and it won't be a challenge or a bore anymore.

 

[TheKiwi]

Thank you sooo much miu_miu! Karma! Those products sound good. I am going to buy a few of them today!

I used to use Cetaphil when I was on Accutane actually (that's what I washed with in the shower) and I never had any problems with it, so I think I may go back to that (right now I'm using an Aveno facewash and my face doesn't really feel clean and refreshed after I use it). I am also going to try the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant too. That's what will take care of my blackheads, right?

And what exactly does a toner do anyways?

 

[miu_miu]

You may want to start out by getting a facial first, so that the blackheads can be properly extracted. Then, I think the Microfoliant would be good because exfoliating gives your skin a deep clean, getting rid of the dirt that causes blackheads. Prevention, in the case of blackheads, is a little easier than cure.
It's hard to explain exactly what a toner does, I've never found a real explanation. What I belive is that it acts as a way of calming down your face after cleansing. When you cleanse, you're extracting dirt and washing it off, so the toner helps restore the balance on your face. It can also help to 'close' the pores, so that your skin is not left exposed to more dirt.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong!

 

[Lara_L]

^ Actually, I have continuously read that blueberries have the highest antioxidant levels of any fruit...

A tv show in Australia (and also its tie-in magazine) ran a story about antioxidants in fruit, and prunes are often overlooked because they are a dry fruit, not fresh. Blueberries are the highest antioxidant fresh fruit, but prunes do come in higher

 

[Erin]

^ Interesting. Thanks for the info, I have never heard that.

 

[misssakura]

I love prunes but they seem to have a really bad rep. I think they're tasty as

 

[SiennaInLondon]

I had pretty average skin even though I eat like a healthfreak (other than some sugar issues). Then I went to Cuba and my skin became gorgeous as skin in the sun tends to do. When I got back, my skin was good enough that I could brave London without make-up and not wearing makeup has meant I have maintained my skin. It is a miracle. It gets a bit worse with sugar binges but otherwise it is fine. I used to have some scars because even when my skin wasn't broken out, just bumpy, I used to claw at it till it became an open wound. The longer you go without spots or bumps, the scars gradually disappear.

 

[uber carmen]

Growing up, my hormones wrecked havoc on my skin but this all changed when I was around 19-20.
I have really luminous skin to which I attribute to a decent diet and good skincare regime recommended by a dermatologist. My top skin MUST-HAVES:
1. Cetaphil cleanser or Crealine H20 cleanser (French brand). Brilliant, gets makeup off, highly recommended for sensitive skin or those prone to tightness after cleansing.
2. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. For the healthy glow.
3. Jurlique Day Care Face Lotion and Herbal Recovery Gel (Night Use).
4. Clinique City Block for Face SPF 30+.

But importantly, try and not wear makeup and if you must, only light blusher. I wear foundation maybe like maximum once to twice in two weeks for special events.
I also find that alcohol causes skin to breakout, but for those who love coffee, caffeine seems to have no effect.
Plus, at least one serve of any fruit a day.

 

[labellavita89]

does anyone know how to treat yellow tinted skin? (i eat a lot of fruits and vegetables which i know is the main factor, but i cant live without them)

 

[TheKiwi]

does anyone know how to treat yellow tinted skin? (i eat a lot of fruits and vegetables which i know is the main factor, but i cant live without them)

Sounds like you're eating too much of the same thing. What foods do you eat the most of (like which fruits and veggies)?

 

[uber carmen]

does anyone know how to treat yellow tinted skin? (i eat a lot of fruits and vegetables which i know is the main factor, but i cant live without them)

When i used to live in Malaysia and Singapore as a kid, all I ate was luscious mangoes and papayas. I turned yellow. The doctor said it was the beta carotene in those fruits. The same thing may also occur if you eat too many carrots. Maybe you should just eat these things in moderation. I used to really gorge on them.
Also, if you are born with a yellow tint, unfortunately, there is no escaping genetics.

 

[golightlyfan]

i am trying to find something to use on my skin, which is very red and also can be quite oily, though i really have no problem with blemishes or anything.
i'm thinking of trying korres face wash, but do i need a facial scrub as well?
what's the difference? i know that a scrub exfoliates, but should it be used in combination with a regular face wash, like one in the morning, one at night?
thanks!