So there I was in front of my trusted Dermatologist with almost all of the skin care products I have been using laid on top of her desk. She laughed when she saw how many I have tried when she was gone. And we even joked around saying I’m like a sale rep trying my luck on selling my products to her. She asked about when my pimple problems started and when did I start trying out all of the beauty products I had on hand.
So I told her about my beauty regimen:
Cleansing soap – My body soap is different from my facial soap. The soap I am using on my face came from her clinic. Glycolic Soap Bar. She used to prescribe me with her Beta Carotene Soap Bar which was perfect for my skin and it was the reason why I had a wonderful skin from college till I got my first job. However, her clinic did not produce them anymore and so she changed my facial soap with her Glycolic Soap Bar. Her Glycolic Soap Bar is a transparent soap and contains 5% glycolic acid. Using this soap made my skin clear and supple, but nothing can compare to the effects of her Beta Carotene Soap Bar.
Toner – I am not a fan of toner but as I got educated with proper skin care I learned its importance. I got this product from a friend who was a Mary Kay dealer like my mom and I have used this product for almost a year. It was effective in eliminating my pimples and gave my skin a smoother texture. I use this product nighttime only.
However, when I ran out of it I was not able to buy a second bottle. The next toner I used was Olay’s Refreshing Toner which was bought by my dad from the U.S.
This toner was not only refreshing as the name connotes but it was super mild to my skin. It was as if I was applying water to my face with a cotton pad. It left my face smooth and soft to touch. I use this nighttime only. I ran out of this just May of this year. And I was not able to use a toner after that.
Moisturizer – I tried using Pond’s Moisturizer back when I was in college but sadly it caused zits to appear in my face so I stopped. The only moisturizer I have been using since then is Olay Moisturizer.
I love Olay Natural White because it made my skin fairer and smooth to touch. It literally lighted up my face. It also has SPF 24 to block the harmful effects of UVA and UVB. I use this in the morning as a base to my make-up and nighttime before I doze off. I try as much as I can not to forget this part of my regimen since the glycolic soap could sometimes have a drying effect on my skin.
So that’s my beauty regimen: Cleansing soap -> Toner -> Moisturizer.
My Dermatologist said that they were A-okay. However, she made a few revisions.
Cleansing soap – Still the glycolic soap bar.
Toner – AVON’s True Pore-fection Toner. I was quite surprised when she approved me of using this product. I told her that I have never tried this before and was afraid of its effects. But after reading the info on the packaging she gave me her GO signal. She suggested that I should stop the Eskinol + clindamycin concoction, as it had a minimal dose of clindamycin. Instead she prescribed me her own preparation of clindamycin solution.
Moisturizer – She was okay with me using Olay Natural White. And suggested I use it nighttime while during the day I use a sunblock for the face. Maybe I should try Neutrogena or something from Aveeno.
So there you have it my new facial routine. Whew!
I have such a busy schedule working on various shifts forty hours a week. I do not know if I would be able to follow this step by step or even by the number. LOL.
As I leave her clinic, I was a bit excited and hesitant to try them out. I really wanted my zits gone and fast! October is nearing and it meant that a lot of crazy things are expected to happen on that month. She reminded me however that having a beautiful, clear, smooth skin takes a lot of time and effort. I would then watch my activity and even the food I take as they may also have an effect on the condition of my skin.
As I wave her goodbye she told me to see her after six weeks with a wink as knows that I may or may not drop by clinic again. LOL.