Skin care recommendations

[Willis]

Skincare is my forte and I'm a straight male who likes to take care of his skin. Like others have already stated, St. Ives is probably the way to go or microdermabrasion products from Origins which places like Macy's carries. One thing I live by is Noxzema and witch hazel. Witch hazel will help get rid of the swelling from ingrown hairs, as an antiseptic it will get rid of bacteria aggravating the hair follicle as well as tighten your pores.

You can even go as far as using lemon juice like the stuff sold in the little lemon shaped plastic bottles. Tea tree oil also helps as does the all mighty extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil is like a secret elixir for overall skin care. You can just get the olive oil found in the cooking oil section of your grocery store and use that. It works serious wonders and keeps your skin extra smooth and silky.

[Food Lady]

You're right that you need to exfoliate for ingrown hairs. Personally, I don't see the point in buying scrubs. You're literally washing your money down the sink. Just get a soft washcloth (I like the ones for babies) and gently move it over your skin in small circles. If you do decide to do a scrub, I'd stay away from the so-called all-natural ones, especially St. Ives. They tend to use walnut shell pieces and other sharp, abrasive "natural" ingredients. These will cause your skin to look worse after using them for a time. Scrubs should only use small and round scrubbers. You can make your own gentle scrub at home by mixing baking soda with a small bit of water, like BSE said.

I find that using a washcloth just roughs up & irritates my skin, whereas the St. Ives microderm (not the apricot) seems to "polish" it. Baking soda is too fine-particled & apricot scrub too rough.

[AdminAssistant]

The girl at Walgreen's recommended St. Ive's Oatmeal and Shea Butter Body Polish, because, "It makes your skin so smooth, and then you smell like a cookie!" They didn't have the microdermabrasion stuff. Also picked up a spot-acne treatment with sacilyic acid, mostly for my arms. My arms break out, and then I pick at them, and they end up just looking awful. I have such a bad habit of picking at pimples and things....gee, thanks for that, Mom! (When I was a teen, she would literally hold me down so that she could pop all my zits, pluck my eyebrows, etc.)

[Peppergirl]

The girl at Walgreen's recommended St. Ive's Oatmeal and Shea Butter Body Polish, because, "It makes your skin so smooth, and then you smell like a cookie!"

I had a couple coupons for it that didn't say 'no trial size' on it, so I got two of trial sizes of that stuff for about a dime each. I am glad I did. While I don't smell like a cookie (), it really helps my dry skin ALOT. And it's fairly inexpensive. I just bought myself a big bottle.

[AdminAssistant]

Witch hazel will help get rid of the swelling from ingrown hairs, as an antiseptic it will get rid of bacteria aggravating the hair follicle as well as tighten your pores.

First of all, kudos on being a guy who takes care of yourself! So many of my guy friends just.....don't. Anyway. What form does the witch hazel take and where do you get it? I assume it's some kind of oil. (Need to go to the fancy local market to get some produce anyway, I'm sure they'd have it).

Took a shower, and disappointed that I do not smell like a cookie. But, my skin is quite smooth and it was very easy, albeit a little time consuming, to use. My next question, when do you scrub? Before or after washing? I did after, just so I could rinse it off while I let the conditioner set (always leave conditioner in for a few minutes).

[BookstoreEscapee]

I find that using a washcloth just roughs up & irritates my skin, whereas the St. Ives microderm (not the apricot) seems to "polish" it. Baking soda is too fine-particled & apricot scrub too rough.

The microdermabrasion stuff is much finer than the apricot scrub, and doesn't have crushed shells or anything like that. I actually haven't used the apricot stuff in years. But a lot of the newer scrubs with "microbeads" actually have plastics in them so I don't really like that either. Not crazy about the idea of washing more bits of plastic into the water supply (there's a book called The World Without Us that goes into detail on that; I hadn't actually thought about it before I read it). Neutrogena has a citrus sugar scrub, that smells good but it's a bit more than I want to spend on something like that (around $10 for a little tub).

Anyway. What form does the witch hazel take and where do you get it? I assume it's some kind of oil. (Need to go to the fancy local market to get some produce anyway, I'm sure they'd have it).

It's actually a clear liquid; you should find it in any grocery or drug store near the rubbing alcohol (usually either the beauty or first aid section). Here's a link with more info on its many uses. It's a common ingredient in facial toners.

[Boozy]

I find that using a washcloth just roughs up & irritates my skin, whereas the St. Ives microderm (not the apricot) seems to "polish" it. Baking soda is too fine-particled & apricot scrub too rough.

I haven't seen the microderm stuff here in stores, but I think I'll have a look for it. Is is expensive? St. Ives stuff is usually reasonably priced, so I'd be thrilled if they made a gentle scrub that I could afford.

[thegiraffe]

I use crushed aspirin tablets when I need to exfoliate. Aspirin, as someone said, is a form of salicylic acid. I take 10 or so and dissolve them in a little bit of hot water to make a paste. I have this powder mask stuff by Burt's Bees that I mix in - it helps with the circulation I think? It has clay in it though, which is good stuff. I slather it on and try not to rub because the aspirin can be quite rough, and let it sit and dry for 20 mins or so. The salicylic acid is quite strong, so it does a lot of the exfoliating for you. I rinse it off and use a good moisturizer. I only use it on my face because that's the only place I need to use it, but there's no reason why you can't use it on the rest of you. You just don't want to rub any more than you absolutely have to, because it can really irritate your skin. It can also be kind of drying, so slather up with some good lotion after.

And I forget who as asking about face lotion with sunblock? Aveeno has some awesome stuff, but it can be pretty expensive. Biore and Purpose have cheaper oil free face lotion with sunblock...I love them!

[BookstoreEscapee]

I haven't seen the microderm stuff here in stores, but I think I'll have a look for it. Is is expensive? St. Ives stuff is usually reasonably priced, so I'd be thrilled if they made a gentle scrub that I could afford.

It's part of their new(ish) "Elements" line...drugstore.com has it for $7.99 (for a 4oz. tube) but I probably got it at Target and I'm sure it was less than that. Most health/beauty stuff I get at Target because it's slightly cheaper than grocery and drug stores. Sometimes I go to Harmon, which has lower prices than most places, too.

And I forget who as asking about face lotion with sunblock? Aveeno has some awesome stuff, but it can be pretty expensive. Biore and Purpose have cheaper oil free face lotion with sunblock...I love them!

I've been using Clean & Clear Soft face lotion but I don't love it. I'll have to look at the others next time I'm shopping for stuff.

I went to Target today and I was looking at face wash, but didn't get anything cuz I don't really need it just yet. So I went and checked out and ended up getting a register coupon for $1 off any Neutrogena face wash!

[Food Lady]

I haven't seen the microderm stuff here in stores, but I think I'll have a look for it. Is is expensive? St. Ives stuff is usually reasonably priced, so I'd be thrilled if they made a gentle scrub that I could afford.

I grabbed a bunch for $5, but with $2 coupons on them. Score! This was a few months ago. I think they're a little higher now, but not more than $6. (Oh, "they" indicates another product--sorry. I forgot to say I like the olive cleanser a lot. It seems to calm the redness.)

BE: I agree about the plastic. I believe my scrub uses silica, Is it more earth-friendly? Maybe I'll order silica from the soapmaking supply.

Oh, and about the aspirin: love it! I dissolved a few tablets in some alcohol and mixed it into some body lotion and use it to treat my backne. Working! I also use it in my toner, but only at night 'cause it does redden my skin for a while.

[Willis]

First of all, kudos on being a guy who takes care of yourself! So many of my guy friends just.....don't. Anyway. What form does the witch hazel take and where do you get it? I assume it's some kind of oil. (Need to go to the fancy local market to get some produce anyway, I'm sure they'd have it).

Took a shower, and disappointed that I do not smell like a cookie. But, my skin is quite smooth and it was very easy, albeit a little time consuming, to use. My next question, when do you scrub? Before or after washing? I did after, just so I could rinse it off while I let the conditioner set (always leave conditioner in for a few minutes).

About the witch hazel, BookstoreEscapee took each and every word practically down to "near the rubbing alcohol" right out of my mouth. Also a lot of guys just, excuse my French; shit, shower and shave. With shaving being the extent of facial skincare. I don't see it that way.

Anyways, I don't have a set regimen like during or after a shower although I do prefer to do it at those times. It's better anyways at those times because your skin is more "ready and available" for cleansing because during it's more damp and irrigated than just throwing water on your face prior and you have the steam from the shower. Afterwards your pores are still open and that's also a prime time to do your face. I don't consistently hold myself to those particular times or situations though. I also let the excess water air dry after I wash off the product residue and maybe lightly pat dry with a washcloth. As for frequency, I generally do my face skincare twice a day, morning and evening.

[blas]

I made a facial mask out of plain old kitty litter and warm water.

Don't "eww gross!" me....kitty litter is just clay. All you need is the most generic 100% clay litter (not the kind with scent crystals or any added scents). Pound the kitty litter down until it's super fine. Mix a small amount with warm water and then microwave for about 15-30 seconds.

Warning: This stuff will pull everything out of your skin, the same way kitter litter soaks up oil off of the pavement. If you have dry or easily irritated skin, leave it on for only a few minutes and use plenty of moisturizer afterwards. But to all of you fellow greasy people like me, leave it on for as long as you like and you only need to moisturize as desired.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

Foot scrub.

Sally Hanson makes a nice one, but my favorite is Freeman's Bare Foot Plum and Pumice.

The stuff that is actually made for your face is too weak, not enough scrub. I mean, c'mon, you don't need a "gentle" face scrub. You're trying to take off a layer of skin, here.

If you must buy a face scrub, the St. I'ves Apricot scrub is good, too, but nothing works as well as a good foot scrub.

Foot scrub will also buff up and plump your lips a bit, but be careful with it that you don't hurt yourself. Also, I use it A LOT and I don't have a lot of fine wrinkles, just some light laugh lines. My skin is in pretty good shape for my age. I credit foot scrub.

[blas]

Foot scrub you say? Ok, I need to go add that to my list for grocery shopping this week.

I'm starting to think my acne problems don't seem to ever get better longterm because I think the products I use are way, way too weak.

[RecoveringKinkoid]

This'un right ch'ere.


I had a horrible outbreak of acne last month. It was bad, I haven't broken out like that since I ate an entire roll of cookie dough in four days time.

I smeared toothpaste on my face in the shower, left it on till I couldn't stand it anymore, then rinsed it off. Every night before bed. Also, change your pillowcase every night.

Cleared it right up in just a couple days. Got that trick from my cousin.

Also, Blas, you might be drying your skin out too much trying to soak up the oil. If you do, it just makes your skin MORE oily. Trust me, I know this. My skin actually stays much LESS oily the less soap I use on it. I use a good clean soap in the morning, and Noxema at night. You'll probably break out worse for a couple days on this regimen, then your skin will even out and be less oily and look better longer. That worked for me, anyways. If I use astringents regularly, I screw my skin all up.