In December, I was fortunate enough to get a 30-minute facial at a spa. And by “fortunate enough,” I mean that I told Mark exactly what I wanted for my birthday – a massage and a facial – and he agreed…to let me schedule it for anytime after my birthday.
The facial was nice, especially when the woman working on my face told me I had firm, young-looking skin. That was nice. I’m not sure if I paid more for that or not, but if so, it was worth it.
Anyway – the part of the treatment that wasn’t as nice was when the aesthetician (facial lady) asked me about my skincare routine.
Knowing full and well she wasn’t going to like my answer, I told her the truth nevertheless: I use Clean & Clear to wash and moisturize my face, just like every good 14-year-old.
What? I’m not a teenager anymore? And that’s not healthy for my skin? Really?
Really.
After getting a lecture and a sales pitch for some pricey spa products, I left the spa. My face was very clean and also, I was told, completely protected against the elements. Personally, I was just a little embarrassed to be going out in public without any makeup on.
And wondering if I’m really doing damage to my face by using products designed for teens that I buy at Walmart.
Here’s the thing, though. I realize I should probably upgrade my skincare. I understand that I’m not getting any younger and any day now, my skin is going to realize that and start looking the part of a, ahem, 30-year-old. I should visit the Clinique counter…or my friend’s Mary Kay site…or try one of the bajillions of Oil of Olay products I see commercials for every night…or something.
But Clean & Clear works for me. It makes my face feel clean at night and not so dry in the morning.
So there’s my dilemma: the facial lady says to change, but I don’t want to. What do you think? Am I missing out on some fabulous, affordable skincare line? What do you use?
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i use the mary kay timewise facial bar and love it! and the facial lady would love me… i don’t even wash my face at night!
I have a hard time with this too, because I don’t want to spend too much money (I already do that!). :( But I’ve read some reviews in the past, and often Cetaphil (which is cheaper than some of those Olay products!) is rated by “professionals” as being the best (or at least tied with the more expensive bests). I don’t know what’s best for lotion though; Cetaphil is just cleanser, as far as I know. It sure is hard to look good for cheap! Go, you, though, for getting complimented by the facial person! Maybe you’re one of those annoying people who is just naturally blessed with good skin. :P ;)
The best my skin has ever looked was with the whole Mary Kay Timewise system – from cleanser to night time solution – but, I agree with Chelley – You probably just have great skin and don’t have to worry about it!
I have used numerous, very expensive skincare routines, but now that I just use dove revitalizer my skin has never looked better. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Besides, if they told you that you had perfect skin you 1) wouldn’t need any of their expensive products and 2) need any more facials.
Hmmm…well, Cetaphil is cheaper than Mary Kay…
If you have good genes, you have good skin… but one thing that will really help is a moisturizer with SPF 15 minumum. It will protect from the lines and spots of age and sun and weather elements. I saw a review on Neutrogena’s moisturizer with spf 15 and started using it. It is very nice.
This is a difficult situation. I have switched products many times over the years. It seems as though I find something that works well for a while and then it stops working so great, and I change to something else. I do have sensitive, reddish skin, so not just anything will do. I’m allergic to certain products.
For years I’ve used Olay, and then switched to Arbonne. My neighbor sells it and she gave me tons of free samples. I noticed a pretty significant difference compared to Olay. So for over a year now, I’ve been using Arbonne, which is SUPER EXPENSIVE! Recently I tried Eucerin Redness Relief and like it. It’s affordable but not always easy to find. Not an easy answer. I’m not sure what to do at this point.
If I could go back and change anything, it would be to not get so much sun on my face. For many years now I’ve used sunblock, but the damage has been done and I have too many wrinkles already. Ugh!
B, I bet it’s hard to stay out of the sun where you live! I’ve heard of Arbonne but never tried it – interesting that it was so much better than Olay!
So funny! I used the EXACT same Clean & Clear wash you have in your photo for years until someone talked me out of it and I switched to Mary Kay. I must say I do like the MK better but I also feel so very grown up every time I use it. The dermatologist also told me to use SPF 70 every day and I would look completely different at 60 than everyone else my age. Who knows…(: