Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Scrub Scrub!

I have a confession to make. For approximately 26 years of my life, excluding a few weeks of trial and error, I have not washed my face before I went to bed. Shameful, I know. But let me explain!


I've been blessed with skin that has never really broken out. I've never had acne problems or any serious skin issues. Sure, I'll have the occasional zit (what a weird word by the way...zit!) but that's about it. Plus, I'm lazy. I admit it. I already have to take out my contacts, pop pills, and brush my teeth before bed. What else am I expected to do? I need my rest people!

And you should know...I do wipe my face down with a Neutrogena Cleansing Towelette after my shower...but this is mostly to help remove the leftover eye makeup from the day before.




Although my routine scream simplicity, I'd love for my pores to be smaller and I've been yearning for that "fresh" feeling before bed and in the morning...so I've decided to put my laziness aside and have been on the hunt for a face wash. A couple months ago, I started using one brand (Clearasil, I think??) and in two days my face starting breaking out! How can a face wash MAKE your face break out?? Well, it happened to me. Not cool.

I took some time off and let my face return to normal. This week I started using Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Face Scrub as recommended by D.A.R.

It was pink and smelled so yummy I just couldn't resist! Well, two days later my face is dry as can be and really itchy! What is up face wash?


I'm thinking that my face has just grown accustomed to not being scrubbed for so long that when I do...it goes into shock. Maybe a moisturizer following my wash would help?? Any suggestions?? I've always felt weird putting moisturizer on my face right after I wash it though. Doesn't that defeat the purpose of cleaning it?? No??

Obviously, I have no idea what I am doing and my face is in desperate need of some help! What is your face routine? Any product recommendations for a struggling girl??

Thanks friends!

XOXO

18 comments:

Shaina said...

First of all...you lucky duck!!!!!

Second of all...I recommend a really mild cream cleanser for dry skin. But still something oil-free and noncomedogenic that won't clog your pores.

Gosh, I sound like a regular dermatologist, don't I??!

Dawn said...

Cetaphil! You can buy it at walmart, target..wherever you shop and its about $6 and lasts a looong time. Ive been using it since I was about 16 and it removes your makeup AND doesnt dry out your face. My pores look smaller after I wash with it too. They also have a very light moisturizer thats great, but I only use it right after I get out of the shower. Also, after I wash my face with the cleanser and warm water I give it a splash with super cold water to close up my pores and THEN put the moisturizer on {I dont think it will clog my pores anyway, but I do that just in case..plus it makes your skin all glowy! haha}

Hope that helps.. I know skin care is frustrating!

lola said...

You should always use moisturizer after you wash your face. A dermatologist explained it to me this way -- when you wash your face, it strips the natural oils off of it. Because it is stripped, your pores go into overdrive and produce more oil, which is probably leading to the breakouts.

If you use a non-comedogenic moisturizer, you'll keep the oil production from going into overdrive.

If you're dry and flaky though, it could be too harsh of a cleanser for your face.

I've always been a big fan of Aveeno's Daily Scrub and their SPF 15 daily moisturizer.

Lucy Marie said...

I never ever washed my face either and just started a few months ago. Washing my face every morning and night is a to-do on my bucket list!

I have found cleansers make me break out too - sometimes I think you just need to give your face a few days to get used to it, but I know that's no fun if it means spending a week or two covered in pimples (also a weird word...)

A few months ago I came across a St. Ives product that never made me break out and is very gentle. It's called St. Ives Apricot Cleanser Foaming Face Wash. It is only 3.00 at walmart! And it works really well, I use it in the morning and at night.

Also, about the dry itchiness ... using moisturizer after you wash your face is key! It will make your skin feel so much better. I use Mary Kay Timewise but I'm sure you could find a whole host of moisturizing products that work for you.

Dollface said...

I actually use water for my face when i wash it and toner every 2 weeks or so... i have face medicine that i use as my regimen, xxxooo

Unknown said...

Lord, I say if you have that good of skin, don't mess with a good thing! However, yes, you should always use moisturizer after washing, like Lola said:) I use Neutrogena's Age Restoration face wash and then follow that up with Neutrogena's Visibly Even moisturizer. I used the Visibly Even face wash for over a year, but then when I moved to Georgia my face started breaking out. It has a lot to do with the climete in your area too:) But, these ones are working great right now...Try them! They're not harsh at all.

Jennifer said...

I use Neutrogena Deep Cleaning Cream Cleanser. I have the same type of skin as you and I just decided one day to start washing my face. I like this because it cleans deep down and I don't break out because of it. I also use the Oil-Free Mosturizer afterwards. If you want your pores to look smaller use a toner in between the facewash and mosturizer. I do and mine are a lot smaller looking. I use the Neutrogena one too.

The Shabby Princess said...

My face is kind of spaz-tastic. Sometimes, it's all sorts of oily and breaks out like there's no tomorrow, other times, it's dry, dry, dry! I use Olay--I can't remember the exact type of fash wash, but I think it's their Anti Aging Gentle Cleanser. It's not a scrub, and my face always feels nice and clean after, but not dry.

Ginger said...

I second the Cetaphil recommendation I have really super sensitive skin and it's the only thing that doesn't irritate my skin. Good luck with finding something that works.

Brittany Ann said...

Oh, how I envy your skin!

And second, yeah, I'd moisturize after you wash. I've actually heard people say it's even better right after you wash, because then your pores absorb more moisture and it helps "seal" your face, of sorts.

A New England Girl said...

I love using St Ives Apricot facial scrub... it feels amazing and doesn't leave my skin dry or itchy after a shower or before bed. I use a little cocoa butter afterwards to restore the moisture in my face, and I don't get many breakouts because of the combination. I looove the way both of the products feel [plus, cocoa butter smells SO good].

Maybe those two might be right for you? Just keep tryin' 'em out. :)

Cristina said...

I had brutal acne growing up, you'd never know now because I was on crazy meds for almost a year. My acne finally went away and I have been washing with La Roche-Posay Toleriane purifying foaming cream and following up with the matching cream which is so light and makes your skin feel amazing. I have no idea where you would buy that in the US but it's worth a try. It's a little expensive but the bottles last months so it's worth it. Be careful with scrubs, they suck all the oil out of your face and will make you feel like you had a facelift, and can make you break out because it disturbs the natural balance on your skin, so your skin freaks out and and breaks out (sorry for the long post but I could talk for days about acne and skin care)

Anonymous said...

ha ha, I used to NEVER wash my face before bedtime (and sometimes still do, I know, shameful!).

I went to a dermatologist about a year ago (I started breaking out during final college exams, last semester, etc) and he actually recommened Neutrogena face wash. The orange one.

The bf never used facewash before and now he wont use anything other than Neutrogena, it works great! Both he and I now break out if we don't use it.

Lindsey said...

You are so lucky, I'm jealous! Ha!=)

Shoshanah said...

I'm like you and have never really broken. I'll get a (as in one single) zit every few months, but that's it. Back in high school I used to try things on my face that looked fun. But all it seemed to do is dry my face out. I'm sure I should start using something eventually, but I don't really want to do more damage than good. If you find something that work let me know! Maybe it will work for me too!

2 Little Irish Boys said...

I can really relate to the NO face washing at night. I have been doing it....or not doing it for over 30 years!
Funny, I just bought those wipes and I use them in the morning-LOL. Actually, I use them like you to remove the black from under my eye that is left after my shower face wash.
Sad, I wish I was more into taking care of my face--I think the habit has to be started when you are in your teens!!!

Anonymous said...

I have the same problem! I wash my face in the shower in the morning and put lotion on immediately and it helps. But I rarely take my makeup off at night...

Heather @ Simple Wives said...

I very sensitive skin and it took me years of searching for a face wash that worked! I often resorted to homemade face washes (powdered milk + dry oatmeal blended is wonderful). Eventually I found two that work:
Mary Kay 3 in 1 Facewash and Yes To Carrots Scrub (found at Target).

:)