Skin Care in the USA

[Hugglebuggles 60]

So, growing up in my teenage years I had some troubles with my skin, like a lot of people. I have annoying combination, sensitive skin. So not only have I had to deal with acne, I've also had to deal with harsh products that dry out my skin or make me look like a lobster. A couple years ago I discovered Vichy's Normadern product line, which has quickly become a must have in everyday life. I love it, it makes my skin soft and flawless looking. However, I've recently realized that Vichy isn't sold in the state of Colorado... Upsetting! So now I have to go back to the drawing board. I was originally going to stock up on all the Vichy I could buy but for $30 a pop (day cream, night cream, face wash) It doesn't look like my stocking is going to go very far.

So to my Canadian girls in the USA, what do you use on your skin? What can you recommend? I'm moving from the humid Great Lakes region to the dry arid state of Colorado, so I'm expecting some dry skin issues, like I always do on visits. So I need- hydration, acne fighting powers, and something that will be mild on my sensitive skin. Am I looking for the impossible?

[SapphireDreams 71]

I just recently switched my skincare because I knew that what I was using, Spectro Gel, isn't available there.

I bought this (at Winner's actually, but knew it was available on Drugstore.com) and it has been really amazing for my skin. I have combination, somewhat oily and acne prone skin... but did Accutane last year, so I get dry patches on occasion.

http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp...amp;catid=21228

Well, I am really loving this stuff. It's all natural, paraben-free and has no harmful chemicals. My skin isn't really sensitive, so I can't comment on that.

What I also plan to do is check out Target and maybe try a couple new products and see what happens. I was so certain that if I switched off Spectro Gel, my skin would freak out and it totally didn't. I know that I have Accutane to thank for that I'm sure, but I also think that my skin is okay with new things, it just has to be the right thing.

My backfall is always Cetaphil. It works okay for me, but I find it makes my skin a bit dull... but it doesn't make me breakout, so that's always beneficial.

[thetreble 19]

Well, any skin break outs I get are completely hormonal. Or, I break out if I sweat too much. I only use soap and water, and then a a light clinique moisturizer.

I used to use the vichy products you are speaking of in college and I loved them. I don't know how much cheaper you can get something of that quality though.

Most of the generic stuff at the drug store is pretty run of the mill. You m i ght be able to find a good deal on the Vichy stuff online though. Search around.

[La Souris 19]

I'm using some Eucerin products that I bought in the US after reading the Skin Type Solution book (got it at our local library). Seriously, I've never read such a good book about skin care. The author suggests different products (some real cheap) depending on your skin type (you take the quiz to determine which of the 12 or so type you are). It sounds complicated, but it's real simple and I've never had better skin.

[JillA 2]

I've always had skin issues myself... I've used Spectro Jel in the morning and Proactiv at night for years.... I bought a supply of Spectro at Costco before I moved, so still have a ton of it. I am sick of using Proactiv, but was worried about switching. I love their moisturizer, as it's oil free and won't clog my pores. I just bought Murad face cleaner at Sephora, but I haven't tried it yet. I read tons of good things about Murad skin care line, so I wanted to try it out. Plus I can buy it in the store and don't have to worry about ordering anything.

[SapphireDreams 71]

I've always had skin issues myself... I've used Spectro Jel in the morning and Proactiv at night for years.... I bought a supply of Spectro at Costco before I moved, so still have a ton of it. I am sick of using Proactiv, but was worried about switching. I love their moisturizer, as it's oil free and won't clog my pores. I just bought Murad face cleaner at Sephora, but I haven't tried it yet. I read tons of good things about Murad skin care line, so I wanted to try it out. Plus I can buy it in the store and don't have to worry about ordering anything.

My brother has the worst acne ever and he uses Murad products and his skin is pretty much clear now. It has worked wonders for him. Good suggestion.

[k34 0]

Have you tried Ebay for your Vichy products? I use Guinot products which are available here but only downtown as far as I can tell... and you really only go downtown here if you work there or are a tourist... it's really a big hassle.. so I have been buying them on Ebay. And now that I have a US mailing address I am not discriminated against by any sellers on there

[trailmix 77]

Or, stick with the products you like - if it is for sale, you can buy it online in the U.S.!

http://www.vichyusa.com/_us/_en/newproduct...=vichy%20online

[Misty1979 0]

I LOVE Vichy!!!

When I moved down here, I was using Acne-Free while we were living in NC. It worked awesome, and gave my skin a nice glow.

Once we moved out here to CA though, I think either they use a different version of Acne-Free here, or they changed the ingredients completely, because the stuff I used here broke me out in rashes and made my skin peel like crazy... it was really embarrassing. The cleanser even smelled different, so I definitely think they changed the ingredients.

So yeah, for sensitive or combination skin, I wouldn't recommend Acne Free.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I now see that I can buy some Vichy stuff online, but they don't have everything I use. Checking ebay or amazon might be a good idea. I don't really have an acne problem now, my breakouts are extremely rare, but I've come to assume that I don't break out because of the Vichy line I use. Its quite possible that I've just grown out of the acne issues, but I've been scared to test the theory and change products. I don't really mind spending a good dollar on a nice product that works, but since I won't be working I'll have to rely on my dearest fiance to finance it... I'm not so sure he'd be too happy about dishing out $90 every month.

I think I'll buy that book you recommended La Souris, It will probably help me with a direction! I think I'll look into that Tangerine stuff too, I'd love something as natural as possible and it doesn't seem to expensive. I've thought about proactive, but I've heard its a little pricey and I've always just assumed it was something only people with really bad acne need. Does it have other benefits? Like taking care of uneven skin tones or dry patches?

[Moosker 7]

Vichy is REALLY nice, I've been using that as lotion. I use Apricot cleansers (pretty cheap at Target), and I love Noxema. My husband used to have acne as a kid growing up and has sensitive skin, and he loves the noxema. I actually find my skin a lot better in the U.S. than it was in Canada. I was always dry as all get out in Ontario!

[JillA 2]

I've always had skin issues myself... I've used Spectro Jel in the morning and Proactiv at night for years.... I bought a supply of Spectro at Costco before I moved, so still have a ton of it. I am sick of using Proactiv, but was worried about switching. I love their moisturizer, as it's oil free and won't clog my pores. I just bought Murad face cleaner at Sephora, but I haven't tried it yet. I read tons of good things about Murad skin care line, so I wanted to try it out. Plus I can buy it in the store and don't have to worry about ordering anything.

My brother has the worst acne ever and he uses Murad products and his skin is pretty much clear now. It has worked wonders for him. Good suggestion.

Oh really, good to know! I'll start the regime when I get back to PHL. I was on Tetracycline for the longest time, I had bad hormonal breakouts. I stopped it when I moved, I didn't want to take drugs anymore. I hate having skin issues, it sucks so bad. It affects how you feel and I just want beautiful, clear smooth skin!

Thanks for the suggestions guys! I now see that I can buy some Vichy stuff online, but they don't have everything I use. Checking ebay or amazon might be a good idea. I don't really have an acne problem now, my breakouts are extremely rare, but I've come to assume that I don't break out because of the Vichy line I use. Its quite possible that I've just grown out of the acne issues, but I've been scared to test the theory and change products. I don't really mind spending a good dollar on a nice product that works, but since I won't be working I'll have to rely on my dearest fiance to finance it... I'm not so sure he'd be too happy about dishing out $90 every month.

I think I'll buy that book you recommended La Souris, It will probably help me with a direction! I think I'll look into that Tangerine stuff too, I'd love something as natural as possible and it doesn't seem to expensive. I've thought about proactive, but I've heard its a little pricey and I've always just assumed it was something only people with really bad acne need. Does it have other benefits? Like taking care of uneven skin tones or dry patches?

I was the same way.... My skin was good for years, so I figured I grew out of it. I stopped Proactiv, and it went right back to how it was. So I started to use it again. I don't think I'll ever grow out of it, I'm 29 I think it'll always be an issue for me.

I don't think Proactiv would help with dry patches, it actually made me a bit more dry that's why I can only use it at night, not twice per day.

Edited June 5, 2009 by JillA

[SapphireDreams 71]

Honestly, I had the worst skin, and it would sort of come and go and so I went on Accutane last year and it CHANGED MY LIFE. I'm not even exagerrating when I say that Accutane was one of the best things I ever did for myself. My dermatologist basically said that there are different kinds of acne.

Teenage acne is hormonal and affects mostly the forehead, chin and t-zone areas. I had this, and once I started University, it went away. She said Accutane will cure this too, but then if you get Adult Acne, you have to do it again.

Next is Adult Acne. She said there is a difference and it mostly affects the cheeks and some of the chin/forehead... I also had this. I had about 2 years where I didn't have acne probably at age 20-21, and it was because my teenage acne went away, and my adult acne hadn't really started yet. Well, then adult acne hit me and it was horrible.

I tried different skin care regimes, pills, creams. Nothing worked. Then I went to the Dermatologist who basically told me that the only thing that could cure adult acne would be trying out Accutane. I decided to go for it and I am so glad that I did.

The 5 months I was on it was pure torture (dandruff, crazy blackheads and I broke out like crazy) but basically it just pushed everything that was bad and under my skin to the surface. Once everything cleared the surface - I'm not even kidding the blackheads just popped right out on their own one day, it was awesome - then my skin was flawless. Once I went off Accutane I'd get a few whiteheads and blackheads here and there but its NOTHING like it used to be.

I'm a huge advocate for Accutane, I think everyone with acne should go on it. I'm seriously so much happier and confident now. Seriously, I would be their spokesperson. My skin isn't even perfect anymore, but it totally was for 6 months or so, and I'm still glad I did it. I actually get pimples now like a normal person, but giant mountains with their own freaking heartbeat anymore!!

As soon as I get another bad breakout, I'm going back on it. 80% of people who take Accutane go into remission for life on their first treatment. I think I'll need a second treatment in another year... but seriously, SO worth it. There are a few bad side effects and it is a lot of work - monthly blood tests, no drinking and absolutely NO getting pregnant. But I seriously can't explain how it changed my life. I regret not doing it sooner.

Oh and I used to back backne and chest acne and they are both flawless now.

Okay I'm going to go shout it from the rooftops now!

[JillA 2]

Shout it out!! I'm glad to hear it worked for you, Sapphire. I considered Accutane, but my doctor didn't think my skin was bad enough. To me, it was hell but everyone around me said it was just a few pimples, barely noticeable. Also my family was concerned about all the bad things they heard about it, like nosebleeds, dry mouth, dry skin, the pregnancy tests you have to take (not sure if that's true?) but I got scared off it. Also I heard it can cause serious depression and suicidal tendencies. So I went on Tetracycline instead, it did work well for me. It's an antibiotic though and I didn't want to be on it forever, so I just stopped it one day.

[July09Bride 1]

I can tell you, that when I lived in the southwest, I NEVER had to worry about my skin. Never had problems and I didn't use anything... just a nice rub down each night. THEN... omg... I move to the humidity capital of the world in the Great Lakes Area and I have skin problems galore.

Best suggestion as someone who comes from an arid area... go light. Something without lots of heavy gucky stuff. Stay light. That's my best recommendation. I actually found that although I tried to stay "light" here in the GL area, I actually had to go "heavy" in order for my skin to stop freaking out.

Just a suggestion..... I WISH I was moving back in the next couple of months, like you are. Enjoy!