any suggestions to improve how your skin looks???

[Larisa]

I've got combination skin, and no matter what product I've tried I still breakout, or my skin gets dry and flaky. ;3; I've tried biore, ponds, neutragena for sensitive skin, but to no avail still no results. I'd love to be able to find a regiment that will improve how my skin looks, keep breakouts to a minimum, refine pores, help with the puffies under the eye? I don't get the time to do my make up everyday since i'm chasing about my very active 10 month old so if we go out I don't want to look a train wreck. I would greatly appreciate if anyone could help me out.

[Samantha Valentine]

If you can I would speak with a dermatologist to define what needs your skin has. The #1 thing I find working in the beauty industry is that people with oily skin don't moisturize (or in oily areas). This will actually make your skin produce MORE oil and probably cause break-outs in that area. The other thing is that you need to stick with a regime for at least 2 weeks before you start noticing any signs that it's working for you. You skin will naturally break-out when you first start using a product. Some other things to keep in mind are using an exfoliate twice a week (do not use it on any areas you have a current break-out as it may cause irritation and end up getting worse). Use a mask once a week. In your case something to draw out impurities in the skin. Use a toner NOT an astringent (these really dry out your skin). And moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Use more on the dry areas of the skin and less where you tend to get oily (or use one for oily skin during the day and one for normal skin at night). And of course use a good night cream under the eyes (look for something with caffeine powder to reduce puffiness). And at the end of the day drink a lot of water and make sure you are getting all your vitamins and minerals.
Hopefully you will find a regime that will work for you, I know how tough it can be to obtain "perfect skin."
XoXoX

[Sickgirl Creations *SGC*{PLA}]

I also have combination skin and I've fought against breakouts since I was in High School and I'm 30 and I still get the occasional breakout. This is going to sound really wierd, but my trick to getting rid of imperfections in my skin is to take a cold tomatoe and I cut it and rub it all over my face and let it dry. I then wash it of with warm water adn blot dry with a clean towel. As far as the puffy eyes cold cucumber actually does work and so does a cool gel filled eye mask.

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

I suggest seeing a dermatologist. No matter what they can tell you what would be best for your skin.

[Poppy Fields]

::making note to self::

sfphotojournal said:

An interesting conversation I've recently been a part of.

Model 1 - What do you do to have such flawless skin? Your photos are gorgeous.

Model 2 - ahhhhhhhhhhh......

Photographer - It's call Photoshop Median blur setting 16.

[Roxy Tart {PL Team / Comm. Mgr}]

There's a brand at Sephora called md skincare. My dermo suggested it, and it seems to work really well. It's a bit pricey, but they have a starter pack to try it out. You might wanna give it a shot. I've heard amazing things about the alpha beta peel, although i haven't tried that part yet.

[Larisa]

I couldn't help myself but laugh about this, I photoshoped a pic of my a couple years ago> I didn't do too good of a job though.

sfphotojournal said:

An interesting conversation I've recently been a part of.

Model 1 - What do you do to have such flawless skin? Your photos are gorgeous.

Model 2 - ahhhhhhhhhhh......

Photographer - It's call Photoshop Median blur setting 16.

[Larisa]

I've been using the biore ice face wash and the astringent for almost a month(recommended by a friend)...but I'm realizing its just not working for me. I've been trying to find a moisturizer but never been sure of which company to go with, thank you for the info...to be honest, I never even thought about seeing a dermatologist. That would probably be the best way to get things started.

Samantha Valentine said:

If you can I would speak with a dermatologist to define what needs your skin has. The #1 thing I find working in the beauty industry is that people with oily skin don't moisturize (or in oily areas). This will actually make your skin produce MORE oil and probably cause break-outs in that area. The other thing is that you need to stick with a regime for at least 2 weeks before you start noticing any signs that it's working for you. You skin will naturally break-out when you first start using a product. Some other things to keep in mind are using an exfoliate twice a week (do not use it on any areas you have a current break-out as it may cause irritation and end up getting worse). Use a mask once a week. In your case something to draw out impurities in the skin. Use a toner NOT an astringent (these really dry out your skin). And moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Use more on the dry areas of the skin and less where you tend to get oily (or use one for oily skin during the day and one for normal skin at night). And of course use a good night cream under the eyes (look for something with caffeine powder to reduce puffiness). And at the end of the day drink a lot of water and make sure you are getting all your vitamins and minerals.
Hopefully you will find a regime that will work for you, I know how tough it can be to obtain "perfect skin."
XoXoX

[Larisa]

Oh cool! I've heard about cucumbers on the eyes but the tomato thing sounds neat, and I just happen to have some tomatoes in my fridge. = ) So while I try to find a dermatologist in my area, I'm going to give this a shot.

Sickgirl Creations said:

I also have combination skin and I've fought against breakouts since I was in High School and I'm 30 and I still get the occasional breakout. This is going to sound really wierd, but my trick to getting rid of imperfections in my skin is to take a cold tomatoe and I cut it and rub it all over my face and let it dry. I then wash it of with warm water adn blot dry with a clean towel. As far as the puffy eyes cold cucumber actually does work and so does a cool gel filled eye mask.

[MS JO]

I would suggest seeing a Mary Kay consultant.. you will get a free facial and be able to try the product before you get stuck with something you dont like.

[Jessica Darling {*}]

Some natural remedies from my mother/grandmother that actually work!:

Try a beaten egg white as a face mask for any type of skin. Smooth it on and leave for about ten minutes then wash off with warm water. It's a little crazy I know, but it softens and refines pores and reduces breakouts. May not work for everyone but it has worked for me on several occasions.

Use raw sugar as an exfoliant. Not on your face, it'd be too harsh. But it gives me THE silkiest legs in the summertime.

Sunlight!! Always always wear sunscreen of course, but sunlight is healthy for your skin, I can always see a difference in my skin during the warmer seasons when I'm outdoors more often.

[Kristy C]

Hormones, diet, smoking, genetics, sun. In no particular order :) I love helping people with this kind of stuff, and feel that I've got the skin thing down pretty good. I am not one to brag, but I have to tell you for the purpose of this conversation that, I get compliments on my skin non-stop and am asked "what's your secret?" quite frequently. Like I said, not to come off conceited ( I am NOT!!) I just love to help and feel my information is useful.

First a few questions:

Do you smoke?
Are you on birth control?
What's your diet like?
What, if any, are the skin concerns of other women in your family?
Do you spend time in the sun?
What is your water consumption like?

Feel free to message me directly, I know some of thse questions can be kind of personal :)

I hope to hear from you!

[Ellie Retrophilia]

Mary Kay consultants aren't trained dermatologists and I've found in past experience (no offense if you are one) that quite a few of them do NOT know a darned thing about good skin care. Some do but those tend to be few and far between.

MS JO said:

I would suggest seeing a Mary Kay consultant.. you will get a free facial and be able to try the product before you get stuck with something you dont like.