So....it's been about three weeks since I've gotten to use my beloved Retinol (Cosmedix's Define) treatment and I wanted to post about what's been going on with my skin.
First, let me state that my skin care philosophy has always been "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," for other people. But being as how I am a skin care junkie myself, this adage was always really hard for me to stick with. When I would notice something working, I'd stumble upon a forum where everyone is raving about a new product, so of course, I would have to check this puppy out myself. Then I would try it, and it would either break me out, or it wouldn't do anything special to justify the price, so it would get returned. Once in a while, I would find something I loved, and then I would be ALL about that product and try out more things in that product line.
Enter Cosmedix.
The minute I started using Cosmedix Define, I could see a difference in my complexion: less breakouts and it just looked nicer in the mornings after I would use it at night. I used this product for about 1.5 years before I stumbled upon the "non-acid based skin care system" 302.
It was really REALLY hard for me to give up using my Define, but I had to. I had to be off using any acid-based product for about 1-2 weeks before giving this non-acid line a try. I crossed my fingers and took the plunge.
The first week I went without my Define, my skin actually felt a little drier, but no new massive breakouts, so I was happy.
Week 2: I started using the 302 Sensitive Skin Cleanser (PM) and the Face and Body Bar (AM). Followed by Calming Mist and the Ointment. My skin was super dry the first week, and even on some days now. I read that weaning your skin off of acids can cause dryness, irritation and/or breakouts (eeeeek). My skin was super dry for the first few days....but it didn't get crazy oily. Normally, if my skin is dehydrated, it produces more oil to counteract the dryness, but not with this stuff.....iiiiiinteresting.
Week 3: I decided to try using some oil to hydrate my skin (Moisture Drops--consists of jojoba oil and avocado oil). When ever I try something new, I limit the test area to only one area of my face--in this case, my forehead. Turns out, my forehead didn't like this product so much, so I stopped using this after a few days. I started breaking out, so that's out!!!! I also started using their Serum, which I like so far. No new breakouts, and it actually seems to get rid of any existing breakouts/calms my skin. We'll see what happens in the months to come--apparently it takes a good 3-6 months to really see results. :( Not good for the impatient skin care gal like me, but I'm trying!
The only down side to this program (which I guess could also be a good side?), is that they're really against using any form of liquid sunscreen on your face unless you know you'll be in the sun for a long period of time. They believe putting on topical sunscreens will clog your pores, so they advocate using mineral powders as your sole form of SPF. They do sell their own liquid face formulations for those who will be spending lots of time in the sun, but I haven't read rave reviews about them. This is a down side for me because I've been using SPF topically for the past 8 years, I hate getting tan, and I want sun protection that doesn't involve wearing face makeup! But, having said that, I'm going to try the mineral makeup thing and hope that doesn't clog me. I'll keep you posted. :)
EDIT from 3/4/14: I'll be posting an update on my non-acid skin care regimen in the next few weeks. I've been continuing on the non-acid skin care regimen for over two years with really good results! Stay tuned.
Gentle skin care? I stumbled upon an acid-free skin care regimen while I was lurking around on the forums at Essential Day Spa. I read how long term acid use (Lactic, Salicylic, Retinols) actually damages your skin and will show signs of damage in your later years. I'm not 100% sure if this is true, because I haven't actually researched this matter, but I like the idea of not using acids on my skin. I've been using some form of acid for about the last decade (yikes, that just made me feel really old), and I've decided to take the plunge and try this acid-free stuff and see where it takes me! I'm not sure it's going to work miracles like it has for some (and hasn't for others), so let's see what happens! I'll keep posting updates, charting my progression!
**Update: I've updated my skincare to only use more natural products, so this regiment is null. Click here if you'd like to see my current regiment!**
I've gotten a request to blog about what my current skin care regiment is, so here it is.
**I did want to say that this regiment may be changing, as I'm currently looking into healthier, synthetic/preservative free cosmetics that score low on the EWG.org/skindeep website. I'm doing lots of research, ordering samples of stuff and trying them out, and seeing what the effects will be before I write about them. =)
Morning:
-Cleanse with Benefit Clean by Cosmedix (I like this because it cleans well and doesn't irritate my skin)
-Tone with Mystic by Cosmedix (it's supposed to be a hydrating spray treatment, but i spritz a cotton pad 3-4x with this stuff and use it as a toner--has witch hazel in it which has some antibacterial properties!)
-Apply 3 drops of Obagi Vitamin C serum 10% all over face
-Moisturize with Emulsion by Cosmedix
-Apply DermaDoctor Wrinkle Revenge eye cream with your fourth finger (this actually has a lot of parabens in it, which is a preservative, but I already bought it and have been using it for a month. I'll have to find one with no preservatives very soon.)
-Apply Reflect SPF 30 sunscreen from Cosmedix. This comes in a spray form so I spray it into my hand 3-4x and apply to my face. **This sunscreen only contains Titanium Dioxide, and may not protect you from longer UVA rays. I'm currently looking for a good sunscreen with Zinc Oxide in it to protect me from long UVA rays. I'll let you know how that goes.)
Image from Graphicsfactory.com
Evening:
-If I wore face make up, I remove my makeup with a CVS makeup removing cloth prior to cleansing with Benefit Clean by Cosmedix.
-Tone with Mystic by Cosmedix
-Apply less than a pea size amount of Define by Cosmedix (this is my lactic acid and retinol over night treatment) on problem areas.
-Moisturize with Emulsion by Cosmedix
-Apply DermaDoctor Wrinkle Revenge eye cream
So you must be wondering....why is everything I use from Cosmedix? I started off by purchasing a starter kit from them when I went to this esthetician in Newport Beach. She convinced me into starting a retinol treatment at night instead of using my salicylic acid on blemishes at night (this left my skin really dry). I was super scared to because I didn't want to deal with the purge period (where it brings out your zits before it starts making your skin better), but I never had that problem with Define. Just make sure if you start it, you start slowly. Apply 1x every 3 days for the first week, then apply 1x every 2 days for a week, then you can try applying it every evening. But if your skin gets sensitive or reacts to it, I would lessen the number of days you use it. I really liked Define and the Benefit Clean, so I tried the lotion and the sunscreen because none of it made me break out. A lot of other products I've tried either broke me out or just weren't doing anything for me. I've had this routine for about the past 1.5 years and it's really been working for me. Benefit Clean scored a 3 on the website, which isn't that bad. So I may keep that. The define scored a 5 or 6, but any retinol product will get you at least that score, because retinols are a pretty strong chemical.
Healthier skin care product reviews to come!!
