After 4 months on retinoids (Green Cream, Diacneal, Retin A), I have managed to get rid of all of my old bumps and inflamed acne ... but the pores in my T-zone were still getting badly congested every couple of weeks, resulting in blackheads and microzits. Since I'm a habitual picker, and my skin is currently very fragile from the retinoids, these clogged pores were creating a real problem for me.
As soon as I started reading about mandelic acid, I knew I had to try it. The trouble was, the first MA product I tried really does not work well with Green Cream -- and I LOVE Green Cream and will not give it up! I could see that the MA was zapping the blackheads and tightening my pores, but unfortunately it was also burning my skin -- which is not supposed to happen. Mandelic is a very mild AHA.
Anyway, I finally found a new MA product that I can use with retinoids, and I am just loving it. My pores are tighter and clearer than I ever thought possible and my blackheads are almost entirely extinct.
So here are my product recommendations:
If you have oily skin and are NOT using retinoids, you should be able to use the Vivant mandelic acid serum sold on the Diana Yvonne site. I suggest buying a sample first to try it out. This is probably the purest, most powerful and effective mandelic product out there.
If you have dry or sensitive skin, are using retinoids or other anti-acne products, or just find that you can't tolerate the Vivant mandelic, you are probably better off going with the alcohol-free mandelic acid serum made and sold by Garden of Wisdom. They make a 10% version and a 15% version. Sample sizes are available. I use the 10% if I'm layering it under retinoids and 15% if I'm using it by itself.
Mandelic acid needs about 30 minutes to absorb into the skin and "do its thing" -- so you should apply it to clean dry skin, and not apply anything else for at least 30 minutes.
A little more info about mandelic acid: here's a quote from Deb, the Forum Host at the Diana Yvonne SkinCare Board:
It works in the same manner as salicylic acid, except it cannot penetrate as deep into the pore as salicylic acid. Thus, it increases cell turnover within the pore, causing the release of comedones. As soon as you stop using it faithfully, just like salicylic acid, back they come!
I think the reason people rave about mandelic acid is that it is an AHA with some BHA properties. As well as being antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and lipid permeable (thus the pore exfoliation), it is a gentle 15% AHA at a low pH. AHAs exfoliate the epidermis much better than with salicylic acid, which cannot penetrate very deeply into the epidermal layers. So, the skin is smoother, tighter and more even in tone. Thus, the AHA activity combined with the lipid permeability aids in the appearance of smaller pores.
CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!
By LionQueen
Showing posts with label Regimens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Regimens. Show all posts
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Friday, December 8, 2006
Mandelic acid is amazing against blackheads ..., Exfoliates and tightens pores; antibacterial; anti-inflammatory
After 4 months on retinoids (Green Cream, Diacneal, Retin A), I have managed to get rid of all of my old bumps and inflamed acne ... but the pores in my T-zone were still getting badly congested every couple of weeks, resulting in blackheads and microzits. Since I'm a habitual picker, and my skin is currently very fragile from the retinoids, these clogged pores were creating a real problem for me.
As soon as I started reading about mandelic acid, I knew I had to try it. The trouble was, the first MA product I tried really does not work well with Green Cream -- and I LOVE Green Cream and will not give it up! I could see that the MA was zapping the blackheads and tightening my pores, but unfortunately it was also burning my skin -- which is not supposed to happen. Mandelic is a very mild AHA.
Anyway, I finally found a new MA product that I can use with retinoids, and I am just loving it. My pores are tighter and clearer than I ever thought possible and my blackheads are almost entirely extinct.
So here are my product recommendations:
If you have oily skin and are NOT using retinoids, you should be able to use the Vivant mandelic acid serum sold on the Diana Yvonne site. I suggest buying a sample first to try it out. This is probably the purest, most powerful and effective mandelic product out there.
If you have dry or sensitive skin, are using retinoids or other anti-acne products, or just find that you can't tolerate the Vivant mandelic, you are probably better off going with the alcohol-free mandelic acid serum made and sold by Garden of Wisdom. They make a 10% version and a 15% version. Sample sizes are available. I use the 10% if I'm layering it under retinoids and 15% if I'm using it by itself.
Mandelic acid needs about 30 minutes to absorb into the skin and "do its thing" -- so you should apply it to clean dry skin, and not apply anything else for at least 30 minutes.
A little more info about mandelic acid: here's a quote from Deb, the Forum Host at the Diana Yvonne SkinCare Board:
It works in the same manner as salicylic acid, except it cannot penetrate as deep into the pore as salicylic acid. Thus, it increases cell turnover within the pore, causing the release of comedones. As soon as you stop using it faithfully, just like salicylic acid, back they come!
I think the reason people rave about mandelic acid is that it is an AHA with some BHA properties. As well as being antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and lipid permeable (thus the pore exfoliation), it is a gentle 15% AHA at a low pH. AHAs exfoliate the epidermis much better than with salicylic acid, which cannot penetrate very deeply into the epidermal layers. So, the skin is smoother, tighter and more even in tone. Thus, the AHA activity combined with the lipid permeability aids in the appearance of smaller pores.
By LionQueen
As soon as I started reading about mandelic acid, I knew I had to try it. The trouble was, the first MA product I tried really does not work well with Green Cream -- and I LOVE Green Cream and will not give it up! I could see that the MA was zapping the blackheads and tightening my pores, but unfortunately it was also burning my skin -- which is not supposed to happen. Mandelic is a very mild AHA.
Anyway, I finally found a new MA product that I can use with retinoids, and I am just loving it. My pores are tighter and clearer than I ever thought possible and my blackheads are almost entirely extinct.
So here are my product recommendations:
If you have oily skin and are NOT using retinoids, you should be able to use the Vivant mandelic acid serum sold on the Diana Yvonne site. I suggest buying a sample first to try it out. This is probably the purest, most powerful and effective mandelic product out there.
If you have dry or sensitive skin, are using retinoids or other anti-acne products, or just find that you can't tolerate the Vivant mandelic, you are probably better off going with the alcohol-free mandelic acid serum made and sold by Garden of Wisdom. They make a 10% version and a 15% version. Sample sizes are available. I use the 10% if I'm layering it under retinoids and 15% if I'm using it by itself.
Mandelic acid needs about 30 minutes to absorb into the skin and "do its thing" -- so you should apply it to clean dry skin, and not apply anything else for at least 30 minutes.
A little more info about mandelic acid: here's a quote from Deb, the Forum Host at the Diana Yvonne SkinCare Board:
It works in the same manner as salicylic acid, except it cannot penetrate as deep into the pore as salicylic acid. Thus, it increases cell turnover within the pore, causing the release of comedones. As soon as you stop using it faithfully, just like salicylic acid, back they come!
I think the reason people rave about mandelic acid is that it is an AHA with some BHA properties. As well as being antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and lipid permeable (thus the pore exfoliation), it is a gentle 15% AHA at a low pH. AHAs exfoliate the epidermis much better than with salicylic acid, which cannot penetrate very deeply into the epidermal layers. So, the skin is smoother, tighter and more even in tone. Thus, the AHA activity combined with the lipid permeability aids in the appearance of smaller pores.
By LionQueen
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Get rid of your bacne using Head & Shoulders!
Active Bacne
1. Wash back and shoulders in the shower with H&S by hand. Be gentle.
2. Rinse off completley. Do your normal shower routine elsewhere on your body.
3. Just before you get out of the shower, wash your back and shoulders again with H&S by hand, but this time DO NOT rinse off. Just pat the back and shoulders with your towel. The point of this is to leave a film of H&S on your skin throughout the day so that the Zinc can do its stuff.
4. Do not dry your back and shoulders with a towel totally. Let them air dry. The water will dry off and the H&S will be left behind, making your skin feel a little tight. This is ok.
When the Active Bacne has calmed down
1. Same as above, but instead of washing by hand (step 1), use a back brush. Im from the UK and have bought a very good one from Muji for about £7. Its not too soft or hard. Spend a little time brushing around your shoulders and back with this in the shower. I normally apply the H&S by hand and spread around to lather it up a little. Then I use the brush.
2, 3, 4. As above.
By uksnowboarder
1. Wash back and shoulders in the shower with H&S by hand. Be gentle.
2. Rinse off completley. Do your normal shower routine elsewhere on your body.
3. Just before you get out of the shower, wash your back and shoulders again with H&S by hand, but this time DO NOT rinse off. Just pat the back and shoulders with your towel. The point of this is to leave a film of H&S on your skin throughout the day so that the Zinc can do its stuff.
4. Do not dry your back and shoulders with a towel totally. Let them air dry. The water will dry off and the H&S will be left behind, making your skin feel a little tight. This is ok.
When the Active Bacne has calmed down
1. Same as above, but instead of washing by hand (step 1), use a back brush. Im from the UK and have bought a very good one from Muji for about £7. Its not too soft or hard. Spend a little time brushing around your shoulders and back with this in the shower. I normally apply the H&S by hand and spread around to lather it up a little. Then I use the brush.
2, 3, 4. As above.
By uksnowboarder
Making the Apple Cider Vinegar Toner
1. 50/50 ACV + Water in an old Astringent bottle, Shot glass or Spray bottle.
2. Optional* Can add a few aspirin in the Toner or make a toner with asprin in it separately. This asprin is essentially nothing but Salicylic Acid which is a Beta Hydroxy Acid (exfoliates skin), SA also dries up acne and can penetrate deeper into the pores unblocking clogged pores.
3. Use a cotton pad, cotton ball, or spray bottle to apply ACV Toner.
4. I still occasionally break out usually hormones so I currently use Tea Tree Oil, it is a wonderful product and will not stop the healing process or slow it down. This is why I have chosen it over BP, and it does not dry your skin out or have any of the negative effects BP has. I apply TTO diluted with water, usually between 10 - 15 drops in a shot glass filled less then half way with water. I wait until my face is completely dry, then apply ACV wait until it is dry, Moisturize and I am done.
2. Optional* Can add a few aspirin in the Toner or make a toner with asprin in it separately. This asprin is essentially nothing but Salicylic Acid which is a Beta Hydroxy Acid (exfoliates skin), SA also dries up acne and can penetrate deeper into the pores unblocking clogged pores.
3. Use a cotton pad, cotton ball, or spray bottle to apply ACV Toner.
4. I still occasionally break out usually hormones so I currently use Tea Tree Oil, it is a wonderful product and will not stop the healing process or slow it down. This is why I have chosen it over BP, and it does not dry your skin out or have any of the negative effects BP has. I apply TTO diluted with water, usually between 10 - 15 drops in a shot glass filled less then half way with water. I wait until my face is completely dry, then apply ACV wait until it is dry, Moisturize and I am done.
(for BP users)
After shower (or anytime day or night) apply the ACV Toner and wait until it is completely dried on your face apply BP and wait 15min. Now seeing as ACV neutralizes your skin and balances our pH levels you may not even need a moistuizer because if you have Oily skin ACV will make it not oily and if you have dry skin it will heal it making everything even. If your skin still feels tight after using BP definitely moisturize!5. Sometimes I use ACV full strength it all depends on how my skin is feeling .. somedays it can handle it. There is nothing wrong with using full strength.. you just have to know your own skin. If you have sensitive skin I sugget sticking with the 50/50 solution, and if it is tougher than applying the ACV without water every now and then is okay too.
By SmashingPumpkins
Sunday, December 3, 2006
Dan's Acne Regimen
Here is a nice regimen by Dan to kill acne:
#Supplies you need: cleanser/2.5% benzoyl peroxide gel or cream / moisturizer / razors (men)
Instructions:
1) Wash your face and any other problem areas gently with bare hands. This will take few seconds.
2) Men: shave.
3) Pat dry with a towel.
4) Wait 5-15 minutes.
6) Wash your hands.
7) Squeeze out a GENEROUS portion of benzoyl peroxide (BP) and apply it to your face gently. Do not skimp.
8) Wait 5-15 minutes.
9) Apply moisturizer.
Note: do this in the morning and evening.
#Supplies you need: cleanser/2.5% benzoyl peroxide gel or cream / moisturizer / razors (men)
Instructions:
1) Wash your face and any other problem areas gently with bare hands. This will take few seconds.
2) Men: shave.
3) Pat dry with a towel.
4) Wait 5-15 minutes.
6) Wash your hands.
7) Squeeze out a GENEROUS portion of benzoyl peroxide (BP) and apply it to your face gently. Do not skimp.
8) Wait 5-15 minutes.
9) Apply moisturizer.
Note: do this in the morning and evening.
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