Question:
Originally Posted by ksm Thanks for the advice! I will have a look around for a place that does facials and book one a month until the wedding. If anyone know's of anyone good in Sydney, Hills to Chatswood area, please pm me
I might try something middle of the range because the cheaper ones never worked for me before hence why I don't have a routine at the moment. I tend to wear make up in the day and moisturiser makes it look weird... and my skin looks oily after a few hours.
Water and diet will definately need to be changed.
I really appreciate your help. Thanks
No worries
When you have your first session facial, see if you like the products they use. If so, you can ask for a few samples (but don't let them push you into buying the whole range).

Answer:
I sympathise, because I felt a lot like you!
As background: I went on that unmentionable drug a few years ago to clear up persistent acne. I now have slightly sensitive skin - I can't say I have 'sensitive skin' because there's girls on this forum that really do, but I will react to a lot of skin products by breaking out. Highly fragranced products with essential oils are particularly bad - if I use Jurlique, as I sometimes do when my skin's really dry, I am guaranteed to get a couple of angry red pimples. Grrr.
Anyway, this is what I used in the lead-up to the wedding, and I'm thrilled to say my skin has never looked better. Neostrata is the only skin product that I've ever found to really make a difference to my skin - with everything else, it doesn't seem to matter whether I've spent $5 or $150!
NeoStrata is sometimes recommended by dermatologists, Cetaphil nearly always is (and it's dirt cheap!) These NeoStrata products are chemical exfoliants, and I love them because they give me the benefits of exfoliation (ie clearer, glowier skin!) without the reaction that physical exfoliants always give me.
I used:
NeoStrata Facial Cleanser
NeoStrate Ultra Smoothing Lotion
Cetaphil moisturiser.
I used the facial cleanser and moisturiser for about 1-2 weeks first, then started using the smoothing lotion at night, then used both day and night (you might want to build up the use of AHAs and BHAs, some people can react to them if they use too much at first). Of course, I can't guarantee whether this will work for you, but it was utterly brilliant for me, and all up these three products cost me about $100 and last me >6 months. You can also order samples - I did this first, because I know from experience that my skin reacts to a lot of things!
I also very, very occasionally have a facial, but I make sure it's a chemical one and not a highly fragranced 'natural' one (btw, I'm not into chemicals generally - I eat all organic, use natural toothpastes etc...I just know that my skin doesn't like "natural" products!)
As StellaL says, don't be pushed into buying things. You skin actually sounds ok at the moment (you just want it to look better), and introducing too many new products could mess it up rather than help!
Theda's regime sounds like a really good one too - unfortunately I can't use the bi-carb exfoliant because it's a physical exfoliant, but plenty of people rave about it, so perhaps you should start there!

Answer:
Originally Posted by StellaL No worries
When you have your first session facial, see if you like the products they use. If so, you can ask for a few samples (but don't let them push you into buying the whole range). I'll do that. I'll hold off buying anything until then, but I'll go in keeping in mind they're sales people like hairdressers.
I'm doing some searches on here now too. I might get into some Dermalogica samples I got from fountaincosmetics this week.

Answer:
When you get your facials, ask for a skin care consultation. A lot of skincare companies do "travel packs" with travel sizes in a regime; cleanser toner moisturiser. Dermalogica have good ones for around $55 (these can also be purchased from a discount internet store like fountain cosmetics at a cheaper price). As far as good salons up that way, stay away from Ella Rouge. In Turramurra, Jillian Adams has a good reputation although I think she's a Sothys salon. Best bet is to give Dermalogica or another skincare company a call and ask about their top salons, specify that you want good therapists not high volume buyers.

Answer:
hi!! I'm getting married in 2 weeks!!
Went through the same deal, but maybe left it a little late. At least starting now will give your skin time to settle into its new routine and clam down if it has any freak outs. I would definitely suggest a few facials in line with your products. AHA/BHA and cell regeneration (vit c/vit a) are a good way to go. neostrata and asap get lots of raves. i'm trying ultraceuticals as i've been using aha and bhas for a while and wanted to add some retinol and vit c. going in for a treatment tomorrow. fingers crossed

Answer:
Micro and oxygen treatments are awesome your skin will glow, but i recommend getting one now to see how your skin will react. you don't want to wake up to a breakout on the day of your wedding.
try a course of microdermabrasions they're also really cleansing.

Answer:
I have a friend who is a make up artist who does school balls and weddings and if she has clients with acne this is what she tells them to do-
Gentle cleanser
Garnier Pure Peel Kit, which has a scrub and an AHA lotion
Benzac on the blemishes.
This is done every 2nd night and on the alternate nights
Gentle cleanser
BHA lotion either Garnier or L'Oreal
Benzac on the blemishes.
She said by the time she has to do the make-ups there is a remarkable improvement in the clients skin.
I have been trialling this for my 13 year old son and 16 year old daughter and I can honestly say I have seen very good results too.

Answer:
Search here on the forums, there is heaps of info

Answer:
Originally Posted by natural girl I sympathise, because I felt a lot like you!

As background: I went on that unmentionable drug a few years ago to clear up persistent acne. I now have slightly sensitive skin - I can't say I have 'sensitive skin' because there's girls on this forum that really do, but I will react to a lot of skin products by breaking out. Highly fragranced products with essential oils are particularly bad - if I use Jurlique, as I sometimes do when my skin's really dry, I am guaranteed to get a couple of angry red pimples. Grrr.

Anyway, this is what I used in the lead-up to the wedding, and I'm thrilled to say my skin has never looked better. Neostrata is the only skin product that I've ever found to really make a difference to my skin - with everything else, it doesn't seem to matter whether I've spent $5 or $150!

NeoStrata is sometimes recommended by dermatologists, Cetaphil nearly always is (and it's dirt cheap!) These NeoStrata products are chemical exfoliants, and I love them because they give me the benefits of exfoliation (ie clearer, glowier skin!) without the reaction that physical exfoliants always give me.

I used:
NeoStrata Facial Cleanser
NeoStrate Ultra Smoothing Lotion
Cetaphil moisturiser.

I used the facial cleanser and moisturiser for about 1-2 weeks first, then started using the smoothing lotion at night, then used both day and night (you might want to build up the use of AHAs and BHAs, some people can react to them if they use too much at first). Of course, I can't guarantee whether this will work for you, but it was utterly brilliant for me, and all up these three products cost me about $100 and last me >6 months. You can also order samples - I did this first, because I know from experience that my skin reacts to a lot of things!

I also very, very occasionally have a facial, but I make sure it's a chemical one and not a highly fragranced 'natural' one (btw, I'm not into chemicals generally - I eat all organic, use natural toothpastes etc...I just know that my skin doesn't like "natural" products!)

As StellaL says, don't be pushed into buying things. You skin actually sounds ok at the moment (you just want it to look better), and introducing too many new products could mess it up rather than help!

Theda's regime sounds like a really good one too - unfortunately I can't use the bi-carb exfoliant because it's a physical exfoliant, but plenty of people rave about it, so perhaps you should start there!
Hey hon,

How long before you started seeing results?

I started using the smoothing lotion yesterday and I'm getting some dry patches already

Answer:
I think if you start a good skin care routine your skin will start to look better. Dermalogica travel packs are fantastic and last for ages.
Start getting regular facials every 3-4 weeks before the wedding, I have found facials have done wonders for my skin.