Come Out! (With Your Skin Care) Overview Review #1

I’ve realized that by just reviewing a given’s person routine week after week wouldn’t be very helpful for most readers unless his/her routine and skin is similar to the reviewee’s. In addition, because of the length of each routine, I doubt anyone would read through past routine reviews in an attempt to find something more relevant.

Therefore, I’ve decided to write a brief round-up post after every four routines; basically after every month, so that it’ll be easier for the readers, you guys, to more easily get a snapshot of what past and current routine reviews are about.

#1. Jessica Meyer’s Routine:

Skin Type: Jessica has mostly dry skin with some oiliness on the forehead that is exasperated by the climate that she lives in, which is sometimes hot and humid, and at other times cold and arid. Occasionally, she break outs around the mouth and forehead areas during a woman’s “time of the month.” Her acne is characterized as mostly whiteheads with some blackheads peppered on the nose area. Also, she has a few post-acne scarring and ephelides (freckles) that need to be dealt with. Finally, Jessica is concerned about the overall dryness of her bodily skin in addition to the broken blood vessels on her legs.

Products Used and Reviewed: Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Pure Scrub, Neutrogena Purifying Facial Cleanser, Clarisonic, Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief.

Topics Discussed:

• The biological characteristics of dry skin and how Jessica’s routine isn’t adequately addressing hers.
• A brief pros and cons comparison of physical exfoliation versus chemical exfoliation; how physical exfoliation can exacerbate flaky skin.
• Things that can be done to address leg veining.

Products Recommended and Why: Paula’s Choice RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment to address dry and flaky skin. Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Super Antioxidant Serum with Retinol for the occasional breakouts, and will enhance hydration. The latter can be substituted with the Paula’s Choice RESIST Intensive Wrinkle-Repair Retinol Serum.

For the body, there was the Olay Quench Plus Firming Body, or for more richness, the Paula’s Choice Beautiful Body Butter.

#2. Lisa Thompson’s Routine:

Skin Type: Lisa is middle-aged and blessed with “normal” skin, meaning that she experiences only mild bouts of dry or oily skin; any deviations are likely the result of seasonal changes in the weather. But no extreme climate conditions are experienced as Lisa spends most of her time indoors. However, this doesn’t mean that Lisa has no issues when it comes to her skin. She’s concerned about the hormonal cystic acne that manifest at the jaw line, as well as the chin and cheek areas. This condition typically presents itself once every couple of weeks. However, what concerns her even more is the hyperpigmented scarring that occurs after the cysts have subsided. Her skin is very prone to discoloration, which can last for several months. Finally, she may be allergic or at least highly sensitive to benzoyl peroxide, a common topical treatment for acne relief.

Products Used and Reviewed: Origins Clean Energy Gentle Cleansing Oil, Paula’s Choice Clear Regular Strength Exfoliating Toner, Caudalie Vinexpert Radiance Day Fluid.

Topics Discussed:

• The composition of typical cleansing oils.
• How decreasing levels of hormones affect the skin.
• Brief discussion of how retinol addresses aging and acne.
• Brief discussion of hormone replacement therapy.
• What Lisa can do about postinflammatory pigmentation.

Products Recommended and Why: Proactiv Dark Spot Correct to address hyperpigmentation. Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum with Retinol to address hyperpigmentation and the occasional breakouts.

#3. Mia Abelhammer’s Routine:

Skin Type: Mia has what appears to be combination skin, which is oily in the T-zone and dry everywhere else. The climate she lives in is humid, which exacerbates the oily areas, while slightly relieving the dry ones. Fortunately, despite the constant humidity and oiliness, Mia only breaks out occasionally with whiteheads. However, she does have to deal with constant redness, especially when exercising, which indicates a thinner and more sensitive skin type. This is further evidenced by the fact that Mia’s skin is easily irritated by products containing strong fragrances and even various essential oils. All of this sensitivity may stem from the fact that Mia was diagnosed with eczema when she was younger, though she claims to not have symptomatic manifestations anymore.

Products Used and Reviewed: Clean & Clear Morning Burst Facial Cleanser, 100% Witch Hazel, Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture, SPF 15, Yes to Carrots Eye Cream, Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Dermalogica Clearing Skin Wash, Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer, and Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment.

Topics Discussed:

• How irritation from menthol damages the skin.
• How essential oils like witch hazel need a carrier fluid, which is typically ethanol.
• Why benzoyl peroxide doesn’t help whiteheads and blackheads.

Products Recommended and Why: Clean & Clear or Olay Foaming Cleanser for Sensitive skin, as non-irritating cleaner options. Paula’s Choice CLEAR regular Strength Targeted Acne Relief Exfoliating Toner with 2% Salicylic Acid to address breakouts. Paula’s Choice RESIST Daily Smoothing Treatment to address dry and flaky skin. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream as a mild retinol treatment to further address acne.

*Note that in the comments section for Mia, I answered some of her questions about sodium laureth and lauryl sulfate and I briefly re-reviewed her updated skin care routine. Make sure to check that out if you’re interested!

#4. Emma Carlton’s Routine:

Skin Type: Emma has very oily skin that naturally, is prone to acne. She experiences ever-present whiteheads and blackheads, with several (2-4 she claims) more severe relatives like pustules making appearances around the jawline and cheek areas. Emma is also very prone to hyperpigmentation scarring that occurs after any breakouts subside. Furthermore, her skin is naturally very pale and red, which only makes her condition look worse than it actually is. She has gone to her general practitioner (GP) for help, and he/she has prescribed what she believes to be two retinoids and an oral antibiotic.

Products Used and Reviewed: Clinique Liquid Facial Soap, Oily Skin Formula,Clarisonic, Proactiv Oil Free Moisturizer with SPF 15, Unknown Benzoyl Peroxide Treatment, Adapelene, Tretinoin, Simple Kind to Eyes Eye Makeup Remover, Simple Kind to Cleansing Facial Wipe, Clinique Clarifying Lotion 3, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, Soap & Glory Dr. Spot, and Proactiv Refining Mask (Used twice per week).

Topics Discussed:

• The Simple products are not recommended due to the preservative used (Bronopol).
• Why ethanol is bad for acne-prone skin.
• Why thickeners aren’t great for acne-prone skin.
• Why benzoyl peroxide shouldn’t be used during the day.
• A brief discussion of the stability of the retinoids tretinoin and adapelene.
• How sulfur addresses acne.
• Differences in training and roles of general practitioners and dermatologists.
• Why Emma might have rosacea instead/in addition to acne, which is another reason to go see a dermatologist.
• Some options for treating rosacea.
• How a study suggests that ibuprofen used in conjunction with oral antibiotics can vastly improve acne; another reason to see a dermatologist.

Products Recommended and Why: Paula’s Choice Skin Balancing Oil-Reducing Cleanser as a milder, but still effective cleanser for oily skin. Clinique Take the Day Off Eye Makeup Remover for a non-irritating alternative to the Simple one currently used. Paula’s Choice CLEAR Extra Strength Toner to address her acne. The Estee Lauder Nutritious Radiance Serum as a lightweight hydrator that will also protect the skin. I (again) suggested for Emma to visit a dermatologist to see what can be done about the topical retinoid use if she does indeed have rosacea.

*Note that in the comments section, I briefly discuss with Mia why it’s so difficult to prove if a certain food causes acne.

That’s a wrap! I really help this encourages those of you silent readers out there to seek help! Let me know if you guys think this “round-up” review is necessary and/or helpful in the comments down below. Thanks!