Does it require genes or lots of money

[Dori]

to have good skin?
ugh!
I just can't stomach the idea of paying for expensive derm. treatments.
And the genes are too late to do anything about. My parents had pores you could park a car in and so do I.
Isn't there some way to have good skin on a budget?

I don't have acne...but I do have all these tiny bumps. And very oily skin.
I've been trying the Tazorac and Benzaclyn rx's but that just seems like trading the problems I have naturally for red, burning, itching skin instead. :sigh:
And I don't really like the idea of medications anyway. Who knows what they'll discover about the long term use of them years from now.

Isn't there some NATURAL way to have nicer skin????

[Dori]

It's hopeless then?

Where's that paper sack? :unknown:

[dbayoung]

Well I think you always have nice skin. LOL

I have big pores on my nose too.. guess I should buy some of those strip things or something. I do use a toner after I wash my face at night that's supposed to help but I'm not seeing a huge difference.

There is a blog that I love that's about make up but she had someone comment on moisturizing oily skin.. it helped to read it and she also comments on what products she likes..

http://classycosmetics.blogspot.com/2009/01/did-you-see-this-comment.html

Is your whole face oily or just t-zone? Mine's gotten better over the past few years but my t-zone is still oily.. I hate it. I currently use this and it helps mattify (I'm aware that's probably not a word, lol) my skin. I could even squirt some in a little bag for you sometime if you wanted... lol

There is usually a free shipping code here on PYP.. (this is not a PYP link though)
http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?pf_id=34410&from=search&find_spec=magix&camp=200903&dir_delivery=1&rep_delivery=1

I am using Bare Minerals right now for foundation.. seems to work ok with my skin. I also sometimes use Covergirl's Simply Powder Foundation to touch up during the day if needed.. just pat a little on. (I think I use the Creamy Natural color)

http://www.covergirl.com/products/product.jsp?productId=simply_powder_foundation

And if you have oily eyelids, this primer ROCKS! It's $$$ (well, at least to me it is) but lasts a long time (and there is a way to cut open the bottle to get every last drop.. it's also mentioned on this blog). It keeps your shadow on all day long and doesn't crease.. (this isn't a PYP link either)

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P74310&categoryId=RPYMAL&navAction=jump

Sephora sometimes has 20% off codes if you watch in the online area.. or there is a new store called Ulta that is in Sandy by Chuck E Cheese and they might have it.

Does any of that help??? No bag for you! lol

[Leggs]

I too have pores that are larger than I'd like, and honestly I've found that powders, especially Bare Minerals, just make it MORE obvious.

I'll look into it and see if there's anything that seems to help. We can try it together. LOL.

(One thing that REALLY helped me was Mary Kay's day solution, but then I got a new bottle and it just stopped working. Turns out they lost a patent lawsuit and had to change their whole formula. I recently found out that the helpful product was AHA acid, so I'm thinking of trying some. I'll let you know how it goes.)

[Dori]

You know, I actually prefer not to wear make-up. I just wish that my skin was nice enough on it's own that I could go without makeup without looking undone.
My forehead and nose (T-zone?) are horribly oily within an hour of washing my face. SHINE SHINE SHINE! And not in a good way. LOL
I really need to figure something out.
I'll check out those links.
Oh! And my eyelids are so oily I HAVE to wash my face at least twice during the day to prevent blurred vision. Which is part of why I don't like to wear make-up. Who has time to reapply 2 or 3 times day?!?
And yet the skin on the rest of my body is normal to dry.
ugh!

[Rubyqhammer]

I don't know if this works, but I recently happened upon this book: http://www.newrealitiesonline.com/drozyobebeow1.html

[Dori]

Thanks Ruby. I've thought about reading that book.
I really like the YOU philosophies and theories. But I bought YOU: On a Diet for my birthday last November and I'm having the hardest time reading it. His funny little analogies make you laugh when you're watching him on Oprah but a whole book full of them (practically in every sentence!) is so hard to get through. For me anyway.
Maybe I'll try it anyway.

[allimaree]

I have found that the more I wash my face, the more oily it is. Maybe if you can get away with just wiping off your eyelids twice a day instead of washing your face that often, it would help. Good luck!

[Rubyqhammer]

I have been toying with the idea of going in for some laser treatments. I checked into some things last summer and decided that it wasn't a priority as far as where to spend money. I didn't think it was super expensive...as I recall between $200 and $500 depending and which things I had done. And that was for everything (for some things I would have had to come back 3 or 4 times).

I have seen some of the treatments done on tv, but I don't know anyone personally who claims to have done any laser skin treatments. Has anyone here? Anyone want to share their experience with this?

Dori, I feel your pain. I think that we have certain similarities in that we both have adult children and also very young children. I have always felt that I had very nice skin, but I have noticed a change in the last few years. I was one who hardly ever wore make-up, but I have gotten into the habit lately, because I feel like I look so much better. I hate looking older. I cringe at the thought that people mistake me for my daughters grandmother. I know that day is coming...people have already mistaken dh for her grandfather and I think he looks dang good (for his age and otherwise :) )

[cjoysykes]

I had laser treatments - DON'T DO IT!!!!!!

Mine was for laser hair removal, but I was told the lasers they use are all pretty much the same. I had more than the minimum # of treatments because I have darker hair, and it still didn't remove the hair permanently. What it did do was permanently stain my upper lip. So, I went in hoping to hide the darkness above my lip, and instead came out with skin permanently darker. Just fantastic...

I absolutely love Avon's skin products. I'm sure I sound silly, but I really haven't found anything cheaper or more expensive that I thought could even compare. They always have plenty of deals going on, and they have so many different lines of skin care, there is something for everyone! They have stuff based on age, skin type, skin color, etc. I couldn't be happier with the stuff I've bought from them. The best part for me is you can buy it online, you don't have to find a rep. I used to use Mary Kay, which worked alright, but I always had to find a rep, and then I was constantly hounded to buy more, which I didn't appreciate. With Avon you can buy what you want, when you want.

To cover up my lovely stained upper lip, I use E.L.F. mineral make-up. I know someone else mentioned the powders accentuate their pores, so maybe this wouldn't be what you want, but E.L.F. make-up is so cheap it would at least be worth trying. Plus, you can google E.L.F. coupon codes and there are TONS and TONS out there (more than I've ever found on PYP-no offense!!) It works wonders for me. The only tip I'd give is to buy a shade lighter than your skin. I have olive toned skin, but I bought the fair/light color on another person's recommendation, and I'm so glad I did!

[teddy]

Try the Burts Bees Garden Tomato soap and toner. My friend gave me some because she loved it and it helped her pores so much. I have been using it for 2 months now and have seen a huge improvement in my skin. In fact my skin has never been better. My Acne is nearly gone and my pore are smaller.

[Dori]

I'll check on the Burt's Bees Soap.

I guess I should have mentioned what ISN'T working is Dove soap and the Equate version of Cetphil moisturizing lotion. And the Tazorac (evenings) and Benzaclyn (mornings).

I haven't used Mary Kay or Avon or any of that for a really long time. I guess I could try it again. Even that seems expensive though. I remember the "start up" kit of Mary Kay being like $60 or more. Is that still the case?

Ugh! It just seems like there should be a way to have nice skin without a bunch of lotions and potions.

And I hear ya, Ruby! So far I have been very lucky. People usually group my grandbabies together with my DS and think that they are all my kids. But one day the tide will change I'm sure and people will think he is my grandson.
When our 9yo DD was about 2 someone referred to DH as her Grandpa and he went on this ridiculous hair dying phase for almost a year. It was awful! I think he has beautiful silver hair. You know, snow on the roof, fire in the furnace. ;) LOL

In the end it's not really that I'm worried about looking old though. I just want healthy looking skin. I'm fine with looking my age.

[joshmamabear]

Dori, I hear ya! I think good skin is based on 90% nature and only 10% nurture.

regarding your oily eyelids, I discovered techniques on youtube to make eyeshadows glide smoothly and fresh looking for hours. use eye shadow primers. many people recommend UDPP (urban decay potion primer), its quite pricey at $16 per small bottle but you can stretch it by de-potting and transfer contents to an air tight container. Other options are: Too Faced shadow insurance ($17 online), Shadowbox eyeshadow primer ($24 @ Ulta), Loreal De-crease. The cheapest is the Loreal which you can find at WAG and usually go on sale BOGO. Its not the best I've tried but eyeshadows stay about 4 hrs before they bunch in creases on my eyes. UDPP works best for me, this week its on sale at Ulta for 12.80 after the 20% coupon in local ads.

I've found use for lots of make-up I get free everywhere this winter. I'm enjoying make-overs. Thank God, I don't break out like I used to when I was younger. It must be a perk of growing old.....LOL

[Dori]

Does the primer prevent oilies even if I don't want to wear make up over it?

[dbayoung]

Wow, that's an AWESOME price for the UDPP (that I mentioned before).. seriously, it rocks!

I always wear shadow if I apply it but sometimes I put it on and don't get to the shadow part for awhile.. it will make your eyelid color more even but won't make it look like you have shadow on or anything.. and it totally takes away the oily lid look.

I can't even begin to tell you how much I love it.. LOVE IT!

[joshmamabear]

Does the primer prevent oilies even if I don't want to wear make up over it?I haven't tried just the primer on my lids w/o eye make-up but I think it will help control the oil because I have oily lids, my lids "shimmer" 90 minutes after washing my face but with a primer and eyeshadow, it stays fresh for hours. I can't say it lasts the whole day, if it last at least 8 hours for me, that's well worth it to me.