Skin Care ?

[MagnoliaBlossom]

Another note about Renova. You should not use Renova with any other skin products that may contain glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is pretty common in a lot of cleansers and it actually inactivates retinoids so unless you want to squirt your retinoid money down the drain steer clear of glycolic formulations. Also make sure to store your renova in a cool place.

Heat causes it to degrade quickly.

 

About pharmacies, no, you don't need a perscription but most of the farmacias don't have pharmacists as we think of them, usually it's just a clerk who may or may not have any medical background. Not a problem if you know exactly what you need but be careful in asking them for advise.

 

You cannot get controlled substances in Mexico but you can get them in Belize. I was flaburgasted when I heard the shopping person onboard advising people about stocking up on diet pills in Belize! Of course, I had to go and see what they had and sure enough, you can get phentermine and all the others for about $1/pill. They also have ambien (generic) and a few other perscription sleep medications.

 

There is a pharmacist at the pharmacy closest to the center stage area who is trustworthy as she is from Baton Rouge, LA. She married a Belizian and moved down there seveal years ago. That pharmacy is probably the most legit because that is where the ship we were on stocked its infirmary.

[Nliedel]

I'm 42 and still break out. I was in a waiting room on Friday night with my freind's sister (she was having a baby!). The sister, Chelsea, is a skin care person (I know there's a term, but I just woke up) at a local salon. I asked her about it. She asked me what my routine was.

 

"Uh, I wash my face three times a day with Ivory Soap."

 

The look on her face was hysterical. I don't think she could have been more horrified if I had told her I use dead puppies. After she got over her horror she told me to use Cetephyl on my face twice a day and wash with a cleanser with Salacilic Acid Twice a day. That's for the acne set. I'm going to start trying tomorrow. She didn't push the big skincare brands or the heavy duty expensive stuff. Which I really appreciated.

[LynnAB]

I have absolutely NO knowledge about these products but am becoming interested in them.

 

What is the difference in the above, and what strength would I be looking for if I wanted to start with one of them?

 

I'd appreciate ANY info since I'm clueless but getting to the point where I would love a good product for my face and hands.

 

Thank you, All!

 

Lynn

[Buster27]

There are so many products out there...all of them probably pretty good.

It's hard to tell you what to use and what concentration to start with. I think it's usually best to start slowly and build up with retinol type ingrediants.

 

Try to find a good skincare clinic in your area. Usually they can be found in a plastic surgeon's or dermatolotist's office. No need for any appointments with the actual drs.

 

They can analyse your skin, age, nutrition factors etc. and find a product and strength right for you. Everyone's skin is so different in what they can tolerate or benefit from. Usually the products sold in these places are epensive, but do last a long time. You can find some of these types of products in drug stores....usually with much lower concentrations.

 

Find a routine, the simpler the better, and stick with it CONSISTENTLY. And as always, USE A SUNSCREEN EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE ! Trust me, the skin care specialists will tell you this also. You will not see results overnight, but you will definately start to see them in about 4 to 6 weeks.

 

good luck

[Buster27]

Someone asked about Botox "freezing or numbing" your face.

 

I only get the Botox around my eyes and a little in my forehead, like between the eyes. They aren't big needle injections...just tiny little pinprick sensations...nothing to worry about AT ALL.

 

I am not frozen...I have full expression. And there is no numbness, no redness...nothing. I leave the office and go right back to work. It takes about 7 to 9 days for the full effects to kick in. The skin just looks much smoother and the wrinkles are gone. There is no eye cream in the world that can give you the smoothness and freshness of the Botox.

 

This is just my experience...everyone is different and maybe some people do get a lot more Botox everywhere on the face and seem expressionless.

 

I LOVE it and I think there are a lot more people than you might think that get it....and you don't know it !!

[Morisnfan]

Philosophy products work great for midle-aged skin (and skin with sun damage) The Hope in a Jar moisturizer actually has lactic acid (which is a gentle exfoliant)and very gradually gets rid of the flakiness & really adds hydration to the skin. (Plus it's on Oprah's favorites list)

They also make a formula for dry, sensitive skin (with no lactic acid in it) The price point is much lower than the usual Lancome & such. You can get philosophy products from Nordstom, or online at QVC or Drugstore.com or even philosophy.com as well as Sephora stores.

Hope this helps!

[mrsred]

I'm a middleaged, menopausal woman who is desperately seeking advice on a new skin care regimen. I've tried many different lines through the years, but now none seem to be doing the trick. Some of my friends have been talking about taking natural herbs to cleanse the inner body? I'm not sure about all that:eek:

 

I have been breaking out lately and my skin is dry. I still cleanse morning and night with cleanser, use moisturizers, but at this point it's not attractive. Well, I've got a couple of months to go before our Freedom cruise and I hope the skin will become clearer.

 

What do you guys use? Any suggestions?

 

Linda

 

I would recommend finding out what the root of the problem is. There are so many products out there today, I truly believe there is something for everyone's skin issues. You never really know what works for you until you know what is causing the problems.

 

I've had the peel, but not the strength they use at the dermatologists office...although I may this winter if the Retin-A Micro doesn't do the trick.

 

Loved the dermabrasion, but found it costly for the results I received.

 

Best wishes!

 

~e

[tbirdjoni]

For those going to Rome (or any where in Italy), you can buy Retin -A over the counter at any pharmacy for about $22 - 1/3 the price in the states. I can attest to the fact it works.

[shawilson]

Just don't forget the easiest and most essential thing to good skin and health. DRINK LOTS OF WATER!

 

Sha

[silverwolf]

I'm 42 and still break out. I was in a waiting room on Friday night with my freind's sister (she was having a baby!). The sister, Chelsea, is a skin care person (I know there's a term, but I just woke up) at a local salon. I asked her about it. She asked me what my routine was.

 

"Uh, I wash my face three times a day with Ivory Soap."

 

The look on her face was hysterical. I don't think she could have been more horrified if I had told her I use dead puppies. After she got over her horror she told me to use Cetephyl on my face twice a day and wash with a cleanser with Salacilic Acid Twice a day. That's for the acne set. I'm going to start trying tomorrow. She didn't push the big skincare brands or the heavy duty expensive stuff. Which I really appreciated.

 

I haven't seen you in person but based on your picture, Ivory soap is doing you well. Keep up the good work!:)

[Nebr.cruiser]

Thanks, Buster 27, on the info on Botox. It was good to hear that your face doesn't feel frozen or numb. I may have to give it a try, if it doesn't make your face feel weird.

[cruizinmimi]

Yes, thank you Buster27 for posting your results from Botox. Like I said, I really, really want to do this. To me it's just so expensive. I've been contemplating this for about 5 yrs now. My dermatologist says once you start it, you do not want to stop:eek: Well, at $350 a dose and every 4 mos, that's another cruise. But who knows, by the end of this year my goal is to start the the whole procedure.

 

After doing much research about skin care, I've started a new regimen with Arbonne products. I'll let you guys know how I like it. So far, I like it and the price was definitely good. Cheaper than my Trish McEvoy, Kinerase, Orlane and Channel products that I've been using. It's the anti-aging products. My forehead where I was really breaking out has already improved.

 

I'll check back in.

Linda

[saltydog28]

Years ago I started using a line called Murad. They changed their products into different groups, so I don't use them as much as I use to. I also use L'Occitane Immortelle precious cream. On my hands and feet, I use Clarins Hand and Nail treatment cream. It absorbs quickly, so I don't have to worry about the sheets.

 

Pat.

[High C's]

Great topic ladies! I am a 48 year old with 13 year old skin! I have occasional breakouts, but my problem is OIL, OIL, OIL! I used to try to strip it with products that I thought would eliminate the oil. But I learned the hard way that this only caused my skin to panic and produce more OIL!

 

For the past couple of years, I have started using Cellex C serum. Marketed for wrinkles, but works very well at smoothing out some scarring I had from acne. Then, through the Shopping Channel (Canadian version of QVC) I started using Alloette. I must say that I love the way they absorb into my skin, and seem to have made my skin look better. But I still battle the OIL!

 

Oil blotting papers are my best friend. They are the one beauty item I simply could not live without.

 

But I am very curious about the Avage and Renova products. Do they contain Vitamin "A"? I have Vitamin A gel that I get through the doctor. It is very drying - I use it only on a breakout and it works like nothing else. In 48 hours, my spot is gone.

 

I'd like to try these products if they would help somewhat regulating my OIL/breakouts.

 

And, if I hear one more time that the beauty of oily skin is less wrinkles, I think I will scream! I'd rather have no pimples now than no wrinkles when I'm 80!!!! :rolleyes:

 

Any info on these products????

 

Thanks!

[Nebr.cruiser]

I'm not familiar with Avage, except what I've read on this thread, but have used Renova off and on for years. It is a Retin-A product, meaning, Im sure, that it is a form of Vitamin A in a stronger strength than you can get over the counter. That said, Renova is the milder strength of prescription Retin-A and has moisturizer added. There is a stronger Retin-A product by prescription also--I think that it doesn't have the moisturizer added.

 

If you have oily skin, probably the stronger product would work well for you. Retin-A products are very drying and can be irritating, especially for sensitive skins. You have to be careful about sun exposure and use sunscreen when using them as they make the skin more sun sensitive. Also, I stop using Renova a few days before I get my eyebrows waxed or the waxed area will be much more painful, red and irritated.

 

Since I have dry skin, Renova works well for me. It doesn't irritate my skin unless I haven't used it for a while.

 

I think it would be best to see a dermatologist and find out what would work best and be safe for your skin.

[sweetpea-2]

I'm a middleaged, menopausal woman who is desperately seeking advice on a new skin care regimen. I've tried many different lines through the years, but now none seem to be doing the trick. Some of my friends have been talking about taking natural herbs to cleanse the inner body? I'm not sure about all that:eek:

 

I have been breaking out lately and my skin is dry. I still cleanse morning and night with cleanser, use moisturizers, but at this point it's not attractive. Well, I've got a couple of months to go before our Freedom cruise and I hope the skin will become clearer.

 

What do you guys use? Any suggestions?

 

Linda

 

I am 48 (soon to be,lol) and am post menapause....I use Mary Kay as my cleaning regimen and I also did a all natural internal cleansing last fall and It really seemed to help me.....my skin cleared up but I think most is what you use on your face and it you react at all it will appear as an outbreak......and drink more water that is about the best advice out there ;) that will get rid of toxins in your body also

[nanner10]

I have shopped several times (including 6/6/06) at the American Discount Pharmacy in downtown Cozumel http://gocozumel.com/pharmacy/ . It is a little store just a few shops down on the left of the street, Calle 3 Sur, which is right off the main waterfront shopping street in Cozumel. They are currently offering a 10% discount coupon on their web site that is good thru 7/31.

 

They speak english and are very friendly. I usually purchase asthma inhalers (Albuteral/ 3 for $28-$30) for my son who does not have insurance. I have insurance for mine, but, I have used these and I see no difference in quality.

 

I have also purchased Retinol (reacel-A, about $7-8 dollars a tube if I remember right) there, but, never really used it. After reading this I think I will give it a try. I guess I will need a fresh tube, mine is expired.

[cruizinmimi]

I'm so happy to see this page at the top again. I got on to tell everyone since I posted I've been using NutriMiniC-RE9 (Arbonne products) and my face has never looked better. When I first posted about my problems with the face breaking out I really didn't mean to say I had acne, but just from menopause, I would have a few break outs especially on my forehead (which I've never had before).

 

Well, I got great feedback from everyone on the board. In the meantime, I started researching and came across this Swiss skin care line that are herbal, botanically based and pH correct, hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, never tested on animals and formulated without animal products or by-products. Sooooo I bought and I love it. They also carry alot other products for the entire family including babies, and color, nutrition and weight loss. I've also been drinking the detox tea (which I love).

 

Here's a link to my Web Page. I hope you'll take a look http://*****

 

When I go to Cozumel in Sept., I am definitely going to go to this pharmacy. Thanks again for all the info.

Linda