take better care of my skin

Ok, 25 is a great age to start to take care of the skin, if you haven’t already started it before. I’m trying to follow some routine of cleaning every night after shower and evertime before makeup (on weekends). I think I’m getting a good results, I didn’t imagine I could see some difference right now. Now I’m checking what I’ll do about some marks on my facial skin and schedule to see a doctor.

I have been taking care of my skin for the last 10 consequetive days. I put on body lotion daily for 10 days, and put on night face cream for 5 days.

Every morning, I should be washing my face and follow that up with a toner and a moisturizer with SPF.

Every night before bed, I should also be washing my face and follow that up with a toner and moisturizer.

Periodically, I should be using the various masques I have collected and exfoliating with the gentle exfoliant that I have.

I’m generally aware of this, but when I am sleepy or have a lot going on, it is easy to forget about it.. and this is showing on my face.

I wash my face whenever I take a bath (so at least once every two or three days) and then I moisturize. Sometimes I apply a toner and then my moisturizer.

I have a day time moisturizer that has SPF 30 in it, and at night, I use a richer formula that does not have SPF.

When I remember to, I also wash/tone/moisturize my face when I am getting ready in the morning.

And if I am lucky, I also do the same thing before going to bed.

As far as consistently doing anything within a specific time frame, the only time I care for my skin with any regularity is when I bathe.

I have been using ProActive for almost 2 months. My skin feels softer and looks healthier. I still have got some pimples around my chin, but they dont seem to last as long.

I also have been using sunscreen when I go to the beach. I put 15 on last week and this week I used 8. I did get a little burnt on my chest yesterday, but nothing too bad. It doesnt hurt to touch or anything.

I have met a very nice Mary Kay representative and will give her a call on Friday to purchase products and start taking better care of my skin.

Whatever Michael Pollan has written in the Times on food and nutrients has made me wary. More than before. And I still succumbed to the pull of all those small containers today and bought some vitamin/mineral supplement which promises to improve one’s skin. And got some vitamin D, too, since for some funny reason I don’t get enough of that. I’m going to see my dermatologist in a few days and he’ll probably ask me to try minocycline again. Pills over pills. Not so happy about that, but I guess it’s worth trying it, for the second time. It would probably be better if I drank less coffee, too. Scary thought!

I’ve used the cleanser a few times recently and I think it helps a lot. I need something to control buildup, which the luxurious expensive brand I was turned onto does not seem to do. I think the key is mixing and matching, and proactiv definitely has a place in all this. Mostly just for the trouble areas, though.

It’s sad that I need to reopen this goal, after taking much better care of my skin a year ago. Maybe this time around, I did too much. My skin isn’t clear anymore, it feels bad too, and I’m not at all sure if that’s due to a lot of stress or a use of skin care products which weren’t right for me.

Man, stress really does effect your skin! I am so overwhelmed with school, personal issues, life in general…and it’s taking a toll. My coach even said that when things are going good, I “glow”; I definitely haven’t seen that glow in awhile. I haven’t been real good about picking either, though…makes it hard to put concealer on. And I would be really happy if I could find someone for Mary Kay mineral powder!! That stuff is great, seriously. Expensive, but great.