Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Face Care Regimen

Minnesota Girl asked me to share my skin care regimen with you all. It is really a simple daily process! :) While my skin is far from flawless, I do try to take good care of it. Both my parents have had skin cancer spots removed from their faces, and they are both much darker in complexion than me, so I do worry about the effects of the sun and how these effects contribute to aging.

My skin changes with the season. I'm sure many of you who experience severe weather changes know what I'm talking about! No matter the time of year though, I use Cetaphil facial cleanser:


Cetaphil is very gentle, yet it removes all my makeup at the end of the day without irritating my skin. I always wash my face at night, in the morning (obviously), after the pool or beach (or anytime I wear extra sunscreen), and after the gym. I think its really important to wash your face after any exercise or extended time in the sun with extra products on your face.

I use two different moisturizers, Cetaphil with SPF 50 and Olay Complete with SPF 15 for sensitive skin.I was using Olay all year round, but this winter I added the Cetaphil, because I needed something more moisturizing. I think a good moisturizer is very important, especially in the Winter. When I was visiting Naples over Christmas, my skin was so happy! No issues for two weeks, because of the humidity in the air. I loved it!

In the summer, I use Olay daily, and add a stronger SPF when needed. This formula is good for me because its light, but also locks the moisture in.I have two secret weapons that I swear will change your skin for the better. The first is the NIA 24 products. These products are expensive, but worth every penny!The Skin Strengthening Complex is something I use at night. A little goes a long way! This formula literally corrects skin damage and helps with aging. I've also used their facial cleanser, which is fantastic. I stopped using it when we were saving for the wedding, and switched to Cetaphil. I love the Cetaphil, but over the summer, I'll probably go back to the NIA, at least at night.

My other secret weapon is that I get regular facials at my dermatologist. AND get this... my insurance covers the cost...100%! Not even a co-pay! So, I get a Beta Peel facial every 8 weeks. There are two strengths of beta used for peels, and I use the lesser strength which is for acne (blackheads are my issue) and some aging prevention, while the stronger is mainly for aging. I encourage everyone I know to seek out a good Dermatologist and call your insurance company to see if "acne treatments" are covered. If they are, ask your Dermatologist if you can start getting facials. My skin has improved so much in the last two years since I've been getting facials.

Thank you all so much for your sweet and supportive comments on my "modeling photos"! While the most important thing is that I'm having so much fun working with my friend and doing these pictures, your supportive comments have given me the confidence to go ahead and try to get some work with this! Who knows, maybe nothing will happen, but I'll never know unless I try, right? Even if I make $10, I'll be thrilled!

The Queen Bee asked how I got the smoky eyed look in my pictures, so I'll do a tutorial on that next week. Its so much easier than you think! I'll take pictures as I do my makeup Friday night to demonstrate!

17 comments:

Piper Jacquelyn said...

What?! You have the awesomest insurance ever! I'm so jealous. I like your choices - I use a few of them myself!

Molly said...

Free facials at your derm?! I need to check this out. Love the tips, can't wait for the smokey eye tutorial I so bad with my makeup!

Prissy Southern Prep said...

Ummm....I will be calling my insurance provider STAT. I can't believe they pay 100%, that is awesome! I hope I am as lucky!!

Suburban Princess said...

Thanks for the tip about the derm and insurance! I am going to look into that! It shocks me that I need bifocals but still have breakouts!

Kaper Design; Inspiration said...

I love cetaphil moisturizer! Thanks for the tips on the Nia 24, I may have to try it out!

Lipstick said...

my derm has always recommended Cetaphil and Olay moisturizer. I am off to call my insurance company! Thanks for the tip on that one!

alanna said...

oh wow, that is great insurance coverage!! now do you think it would work if i don't have acne at all (i'm plagued with dry skin instead, which means i'll wrinkle younger and deeper...boo)??

QueenBeeSwain said...

you totally inspired this girl to review her insurance plan and see if facials and peels are covered for her too!

thank you for the heads up on the skincare products, because you truly do have flawless, creamy skin!

kHm

Red Lipstick said...

You have beautiful skin! Thank you for sharing the tips! I'm going to check with my dermy to see if my current insurance will cover some sort of facial.

When I worked for the FDIC I had insurance that paid for acne facials, and you are right, they helped! I love the NIA products also. Right now I'm on the 2-week Carac cream regime to remove any dark spots/sun damage from the dermy, so I've had to stop using products for 2 weeks. She said that light skinned people should do this once per year (in california because the sun is so awful).

I want to try some of the Cetaphil products. And I look forward to your smokey eye turtorial yay! I love that look! As you can see, my eyes are down-turned, so I have to be careful with applying eye makeup or I look as though I've been drinking (and I don't even drink!).

I know you will get some work, those pictures were incredible.

Posh Peach said...

Thanks for the great tips! I love how gentle Cetaphil is. I have only tried a sample, but think I'll turn to that when my current runs out since it is more a reasonable price. Will have to try the Nia 24!

Screen Door Prep said...

Can't wait to see the eye makeup post. I need to learn the trick to not ruining my undereye concealing when I do my eye makeup!

I left you something on my blog! =)

Michelle said...

OH my I wish my insurance was as cooperative (I keep trying to figure out how to get a little "surgery" that they will cover...). Thanks for the product reviews!

Anonymous said...

quite interesting read. I would love to follow you on twitter.

preppy little dress AKA "PLD" said...

Hey there, I was in your neck of the woods today. What's up with Ribbons closing!! SERIOUSLY...that is just horrible news! I made my last purchase there today...very sad!!

Cheap Face Care Products said...

yah all is nice any one can use it without any hasitation thanks

Anonymous said...

hi,your blog is very nice,i really got a knowledge of fair care.thanx

Unknown said...

You are so lucky that your insurance covers acne treatments! I will give my insurance a call later! I would love to have peeling done every 8 weeks or so. Anyway, my skin was never flawless so I was constantly experimenting on different facial products. The ones I find that works best for my skin are the Obagi products like their c-clarifying serum and c-exfoliating day lotion. They certainly help make my skin glow and healthy. Can't wait to see your smokey eyes tutorial!