A FRIEND RECENTLY CAME TO me for advice regarding her sudden acne breakout. And when it comes to dishing advice on skin flare-ups, I’ve always been practical and straightforward: See a dermatologist if over-the-counter products don’t work; ditch the salicylic acid in place of benzoyl peroxide if you’re allergic to the former (and also toss the latter if it’s irritating your skin); check your laundry detergent and regularly wash your bed sheets, check for hormonal fluctuations with your doctor, and so forth.
But because of pricey derma clinics in the US, in the last two years, I’ve experimented with reasonable acne treatment alternatives that are available at beauty counters.
Dermalogica
http://dermalogica.com
After experiencing a bout of adult acne in New York and getting exasperated after unsuccessfully treating the breakouts with my usual benzoyl peroxide spot-treatment cream (I even tried opening an antibiotic capsule and dotted the powder on the pimples), I realized that the more I slathered my skin with products for acne-prone complexions, the more I aggravated it.And this is where Dermalogica comes in: The brand has various skin kits available for different skin types. The best part is, each kit is small and affordable enough to give you some leeway for mixing and matching. Before you grab the MediBac Clearing Adult Acne Kit (you may not get stellar results if your breakout is stress-related), I suggest going for the basic Normal/Dry (or Normal/Oily) combo which contains small-but substantial tubes of Special Cleansing Gel, Multi-Active Toner, Active Moist and Skin Prep Scrub.
Don’t be afraid to use the seemingly mild lineup. It may feel strange applying moisturizer and not using any acne product during a major flare-up. But after a few days, you’ll notice your skin will begin to calm down. This follows the tried-and-tested theory that the more you strip your face of natural oils, the more pore-clogging oil it produces.
If, on the other hand, using acne-prone products makes you sleep better at night, pick only one item to slather on your skin and resist the urge to dump everything in one go. Once you stick with a gentle skincare regimen, you’ll be surprised at how your complexion “normalizes” over time.
Muradhttp://murad.com
Another product line I trust is Murad. I actually met Dr. Howard Murad a few years ago when he visited the Philippines for the launch of one of his earlier books in Rustan’s. What I liked most about him was that, well, he’s a doctor in real life, and from what I gather, he has devoted some time on research and development. So he’s not your run-of-the-mill cosmetics guy who mass-produces items in China and substantiates them with bogus claims and celebrity endorsers.
I find it practical that Murad also has all-in-one skincare sets, including the popular Murad Acne Complex. According to the brand’s website, these acne products balance oil production and soothe inflammation without drying out skin. And people who’ve tried the regimen saw clear results in four weeks. (If you’re shopping online in the US, you can even get a 100% money-back guarantee on the Acne Complex.)
Acnefree
http://acnefree.com
For cystic, persistent pimples, the closest you could get to accessing dermatological, prescription products is a line called AcneFree (Ask your balikbayan relatives to get it for you when they fly home for the holidays). Strangely, I’d discovered this in my fiancé’s bathroom. Apparently, he had tried to buy ProActiv on a trip last year to the US and, instead, found himself with super-size bottles of AcneFree Cleanser, Toner and Lotion.
Curious, I tried the products early this year, and to my surprise, my skin bloomed. It was as if the products melted away those pesky whiteheads and blackheads that have become mainstays on my forehead and nose. So I ended up getting myself a set that I now use once or twice a month, or whenever I feel that familiar pastiness on my skin that brings about a round of blemishes.
SPOT S.O.S.!
If you’re not ready to do a major skincare overhaul and just find yourself with the occasional bump during that time of the month, or during unusual bouts of stress, check out these two tried-and-tested faves known to dry out zits almost overnight: Mario Badescu Pink Drying Lotion and Buffering Lotion (both available at Essenses Rustan’s).
Ask a beauty question at http://BeautyintheBigApple.com or visit her blog at http://NyMinuteNow.com.
(Images courtesy of BeautyFaceCare.com (AcneFree), SkinStep.com (Dermalogica) and HSN.com (Murad). Original Inquirer article link here.)
2 comments:
I can definitely attest to Dermalogica. I happen to own the special cleansing gel in full size. Albeit it may be somewhat pricey here in the Ph (costs a lil around 100 bucks), it's really worth the splurge. It's one of the mildest and gentlest facial washes I've tried yet really cleanses dirt off (even way better than cetaphil)without irritating my skin by aggravating my then-broken out face. Plus, the huge bottle's a loong way to go. This is my cheapo alternative to Obagi wash.
Hi, Roanne! Thanks for the comment :) Yes, I'm a big fan of Dermalogica. I can imagine my future bathroom lined with its pristine-looking bottles, with the smell of that lavender(?) they use on their products.
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