Mabsy, a question for you
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free skin care · Mon Jun 07, 2004 9:03 am

Hi Mabsy,
Even if you are at the other end of the world(I am in Canada), I have a question for you.First of all, I would like to tell you, that even if you are very young, you take care of your skin which it is very good, and you know a lot about cosmetics, and I appreciate this so much.
Here is my question:if you would be in your early 40s, with melasma on your face, a combination type of skin,oily on T-zone, but not too much, not too many wrinkles, what products will you use in am and pm?
I hope that you accept this challenge.
Doinita

Tue Jun 08, 2004 5:26 am

Hi Doinita wave

I love how the Internet breaks down geographical boundaries and makes communication a breeze! Cool

Well, I'm in Australia, I'm 27, and have always been rather fascinated with skincare for some reason. I guess you can say it's a hobby of mine Smile

There are so many things that I don't know, which is partly why I like this forum so much. I always learn something new here.

Hmm, that is a tough question but let me take a stab at this. I'm warning you though that I like my beauty routine quite complicated.... Rolling Eyes

Also, this is quite hard for me to answer because I like to have lots of variety in my skincare (just in case you couldn't tell Laughing

) so I guess coming up with a set routine and sticking to it would be a bit impossible for me.

So the main concerns are controlling (or hopefully fading) melasma, keeping up the good work on keeping wrinkles at bay and maybe trying to normalise the t-zone. I know that hydroquinone is used to fade melasma (e.g. PTR Potent Skin Lightening Gel Complex and also prescription meds as well) but there are also natural alternatives and I would surely go for one of those. I would go for a product that has Kojic Acid in it (my choice would most probably be Skinceuticals Phyto+ because of the reviews I've read). On top of that, I would also add a vitamin C serum (I'm very happy with the 20% Vivier serum I'm using but I'd like to try the one with Kinetin or Skinceuticals C+E next time). The idea behind the addition of the vit C serum is to help brighten the skin but it's also a great antioxidant and helps to keep the wrinkles at bay (or delays them at least). So I guess those would be my main "treatment" products.

I imagine I would still use Dermalogica Microfoliant (which, again, just happens to have skin brightening ingredients Smile

) and also Dr Hauschka Cleansing Cream (which is my newest fave product at the moment - bye bye blackheads! Bad Grin

). With the use of the Vit C serum, I'd need a hydrating gel too otherwise my skin would be a tad unhappy. I'm using MD Formulations Advanced Hydrating Gel when I use vit C serums nowadays, but I do prefer the Skinceuticals B5 gel instead though (I'm just using up what I've got at the moment). I'm sure there are other brands that make these as well.

The eye cream is a no brainer... I imagine I would still be using Cellcosmet then Laughing

Mind you, the Babor Sensational Eyes is really good and the Shiseido Benefiance (sp?) one is very good if you are dry around the eye area (it's a rather thick cream).

Moisturiser - hmm

that I'm not sure about. I'm using just a standard moisturiser at the moment (Dermalogica Sheer Tint actually) but I'm sure I would step that up to something more "serious". I recently bought a bottle of Valmont Bio Cellular serum and I really like that. It's moisturising enough to be used by itself for oilier skins as well. So maybe that, maybe Cellcosmet UltraVital or maybe something with collagen in it. Sorry, as you can see I'm not quite decided on this one, I'm sure other people will have plenty of suggestions though.

So my rough "if I were in my 40s...." plan would probably look something like:

AM:
Dermalogica Microfoliant
Vit C serum (20% in my case or a C+E or C+Kinetin)
Skinceuticals Phyto+
Hydrating gel (probably B5 gel)
Eye Cream
Moisturiser
Sunblock (Skinceuticals Ultimate UV Defense)

PM
Cleanser (there are heaps that would suit combo skin, YonKa Gel Nettoyant is very nice and refreshing, Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser is nice too; but there's lots and lots more!)
Dr Hauschka Cleansing Cream (doesn't remove makeup, hence the need for the separate cleanser)
Eye Cream (probably Cellcosmet)
Moisturiser (and possibly some Decleor oil (Neroli) underneath)

Also every so often I would use Decleor Essential Balm for a week or so, instead of the moisturiser at night.

Sorry, this is such a long post and it's STILL vague! Hopefully others will come up with their recommendations. I didn't list things like a toner or a mask. I think, like cleansers, there are many good choices in these two categories but some people don't like using them or are not used to using them. However, Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery mask is good and I hear that the Dr Hauschka Rejuventaing one is great too (though I haven't tried this one.... yet! Smile

). Valmont Renewing Pack is great as a "pick me up" mask. In terms of toners, I like Phytomer and the Dr Hauschka one, but I'm about to try a Carita one that was recommended to me. I'll let you know how i go with that one.

Again, sorry for the long and somewhat unorganised post. In my defense though - you ask hard questions! Razz

Mabsy

free skin care · Tue Jun 08, 2004 11:18 am

Mabsy! Wow, no wonder your skin is so pretty. I'm taking a stab at this one only because I am in my 40's and it sounds like we have had the same problems....

In AM:
C+ Firming Serum (cellularskinrx.com) - melasma, pores, texture, t-zone, protection from UV and pollutants

DCX Eye Brightening Serum (naturalskincare.com) - dark undereye circles

Relax-A-Line Serum - (cellularskinrx.com) - crow's feet and frown lines, upper lip vertical lines

Banana Boat Active Sport SPF 48 - (any drugstore) - as makeup base and moisturizer

Nivea CoQ10 Eye Creme - (any drugstore) - as eye cream

Pop a couple of C and E vitamins, too.

In Evening:
Alternate Retin-A 0.025% with Alpha Hydrox cream each night - shrink pores, hyperpigmentation, keep breakouts away

DCX Serum - for the undereye circles

Nivea CoQ10- again for eyes.

Cleansers: Nothing fancy. Neutrogena Pore Refining with Micro-beads and AHA's. Maybe once each week St. Ives Apricot scrub. I also use those "rough gloves" to wash my face each time.

Occasionally: Jojoba Oil all over face if I feel like I'm getting that schizoid dry and oily at same time thing happening. seems to settle it down.

And that's it.
Hope that helps!

Tue Jun 08, 2004 4:50 pm

Well, I'm slowly narrowing down to my Holy Grail set of products. But I really do enjoy skincare (plus I have time to muck around with it all Smile

) so I can't see myself narrowing down too much...

The DCX Eye Brightening Serum sounds good! *adds to the "to try list"* How are you going with it and could you please tell me what size it comes in? I couldn't find that info anywhere on their website.

This purchase is going to have to wait because I'm about to start using the Cellex-C Eye serum but I definitely want to try this in the future. Pity about their ridiculous international shipping charge Confused

Flat rate US$19.95 is great if you're buying a lot of stuff but not if you're buying one tiny little bottle. Oh well, I'm sure I'll cave sooner or later and pay for it anyway Rolling Eyes

Mabsy

free skin care · Tue Jun 08, 2004 5:13 pm

Ouch! $19.95!!!
The DCX has to be used for about 8 weeks before it shows any results. Apparently, the ingredients - soy peptides, hydrolyzed wheat protein, and oxidosp?reductases sp? work by improving circulation thus brightening the area and getting rid of puffiness. I notice an effect immediately but I think it is due to the hyaluronic acid and seaweed extract base they use. I think it moisturizes and tightens up that area and thus more light is reflected back and it appears that my circles aren't as dark. I'm waiting to see if they "really" go away instead of just enjoying the temporary illusion. I'll let you know how it goes....only on week one now. I love the skincare stuff, too, but now with a little one running around here just don't have the time to play with all the color pots and magic creams....Have to live vicariously through the forum!

free skin care · Wed Jun 09, 2004 1:58 pm

Quote:

Have to live vicariously through the forum!

I find I do this a lot too. It's like at least I know what I should be doing and I'm keeping up with the latest products. But I find I just don't seem to be that good at keeping to a routine myself.

I've been registered a while with this forum but only posted a couple of times.

Nice to hear you all though Wink

free skin care · Wed Jun 09, 2004 3:00 pm

Oh, for the days wandering through Sephora, dazzled by the rainbow of eyeshadows and lipsticks and glosses and eye pencils and perfumes....and then to Saks to admire the ridiculously priced dept. store brands but with all the fancy packaging and the strange looking girls behind the counters with the "lips that look like they are floating in a Dali painting..." Then to the Luxe Spa to admire the $200 recycled jeans with the strategically-placed rhinestones and ribbon and baby-t's with things like "Kiss me" on them over brad pitt's face....

It's been raining too much here. Time for me to get out and get a life, eh? Laughing

Thu Jun 10, 2004 5:41 am

Ah Sephora.... how I miss it! Crying or Very sad

I'd love to hear how you go with the DCX. Only one way I'm going to spend $19.95 on postage for a little bottle - and that's if someone has good things to say about it! Smile

free skin care · Thu Jun 10, 2004 7:43 am

Mabsy, thank you very much for your answer.That's nice from you.Let me tell you what I am using now, so for a while, I will try to finish my stock of products.So,in am:
cleanser-Cellcosmet
toner-Cellcosmet
Serum-Swissline
Moisturizer light-Swissline
Eye cream-Cellcosmet cream
Sun screen-Guinot-SPF30
Radiance Concentre-Dior
and after all of this Diorskin Eclat Satin
in pm:
cleanser Cellcosmet
activator Cellcosmet(I just love this)
toner Cellcosmet
Lightening Elasto-Collagen-xt-Cellcosmet
Lightening Cream-Cellcosmet
Eye cream Cellcosmet

Exfoliant-Cellcosmet
Mask-Stone Crop Eminence and a lot of clay mask prepared by my self.For ex now, I have on my face: tomatos, strawberries,clay powder, olive oil and lemon juice.Ha!Sometimes I do with yellow eggs and clay powder.
However, after I finish this products I will try Skinceuticals, for sure.I am not satisfied about how these products work with melasma.
Thanks again Mabsy, you are wonderful and I do love the fact that you take care of your skin .
Doinita

Fri Jun 11, 2004 5:24 am

You're most welcome. That was just my opinion though, but I strongly believe in vit C serums.

Wow, you're obviously a fellow Cellcosmet fan! I haven't tried as many products as you have but I love the eye cream! What do you think of the other products? Have you tried the Ultra Vital? That and the eye cream seem to be the products most often mentioned. I still haven't tried the UV though.

Mabsy

free skin care · Fri Jun 11, 2004 6:18 am

Mabsy

you mentioned above Dr Hauschka Cleansing Cream, and said "bye bye blackheads"....does this really work??...I might have to invest in some as I have a few at the side of my nose that are so stubborn.

I was going to buy the Gatineau sachets ( the ones you mix) forgot the name but might try the Dr H if you think it works?

Fri Jun 11, 2004 6:27 am

Gucci,

Well, what can I say. This worked VERY well for me, but as always, different products different people. However, in all honesty, after two weeks of religious use (and following the cleansing "ritual" as instructed) I really did see a significant improvement on my nose. I just looked at it one morning and thought, "wow that's much better!". The good thing is that a tube of this costs $25, which will last you about 7 weeks. So at least it's not an expensive investment to see if it works for you. Be aware that I did have a bit of a break out in the first few days of using this though (nothing major, but I don't usually have break out problems).

Which Gatineau product are you talking about? I don't think I've heard of it but it sounds interesting....

Mabsy

free skin care · Fri Jun 11, 2004 6:31 am

Mabsy

Its called Deep Cleansing Foam, this is the hype about it..
Salon cleansing system in your own home! This exclusive purifying complex is especially effective at controlling oily skins, removing blackheads and reducing high levels of sebum. Just mix together the supplied liquid and powder to produce a gently astringent foam, then massage over your face with the special brush. Rinse off - your skin will feel softer and look stunning.

Its £19 in England..

I've often heard people rave about Dr H products but never used any myself..

Fri Jun 11, 2004 6:51 am

Thank you, found it; Formula Effervescent - Deep Cleansing Foam.... "Feel the tingle and fizz of tiny bubbles..." Shock

I hope that EDS will end up stocking this! I so don't need any other products but I must try anything that tingles and fizzes (if only just for that! Smile

).

This is supposed to be used once a week though, as opposed to the Dr H being a product gentle enough to use twice daily.

Mabsy

free skin care · Fri Jun 11, 2004 7:52 am

Think I'll try Dr H first as it's the gentle one...plus I've never tried any of their products before!...

Fri Jun 11, 2004 6:25 pm

Well, I guess a daily product seems to make more sense (to me). Seeing as our skin produces oil on a daily basis. I'd much rather gently "clean out" my pores daily rather than let them accumulate stuff and then use a strong blackhead product weekly. I think you can only use the Gatineau once a week, plus it only comes with six sachets of the stuff you need to mix in. Still tempted to try it though Rolling Eyes

I hope the Dr H works for you as well as it's worked for me (if you end up trying it).

Have a lovely weekend,
Mabsy

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