Skin Care in the USA

[JillA 2]

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!

I'm sorry, that sounds funny. "A nice rub down each night" I like that too

[SapphireDreams 71]

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.

The first derm I went to told me my skin wasn't bad enough either. I was the one that noticed it most, most people didn't even think my skin was that bad. But, the second Derm I went to was more in the mindset of, 'well if you think your skin is really bad, then that's what matters most... you have to live with it' and she said it was borderline, but said that Accutane patients with borderline skin get the best results.

Anywho, I did take a preganancy test each month - it's a blood test that tests your liver as well. Basically if you get pregnant on Accutane you would have a deformed baby. So not getting pregnant is VERY important. But, we've always been careful so I wasn't worried. I did get a few of the side effects though, extremely dry lips (like I had koolaid chapped lips for like 4 months straight!) and I had a really dry nose inside so it would get sore, but I would never bleed. I also had a really dry scalp. But other than that, I had nothing bad happen to me.

The depression and suicidal side effects are pretty rare and only a small percentage get them and it's mostly people who have suffered or already suffer from mental health issues that are affected. I think I definitely had my days where I was down in the dumps, but as soon as my skin cleared up my outlook did a complete 360. I also did it last winter, and I'm always a bit affected in the winter.

It's definitely a strong drug. A lot of dermatologists seem to be apprehensive about giving it out.

[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.

The first derm I went to told me my skin wasn't bad enough either. I was the one that noticed it most, most people didn't even think my skin was that bad. But, the second Derm I went to was more in the mindset of, 'well if you think your skin is really bad, then that's what matters most... you have to live with it' and she said it was borderline, but said that Accutane patients with borderline skin get the best results.

Anywho, I did take a preganancy test each month - it's a blood test that tests your liver as well. Basically if you get pregnant on Accutane you would have a deformed baby. So not getting pregnant is VERY important. But, we've always been careful so I wasn't worried. I did get a few of the side effects though, extremely dry lips (like I had koolaid chapped lips for like 4 months straight!) and I had a really dry nose inside so it would get sore, but I would never bleed. I also had a really dry scalp. But other than that, I had nothing bad happen to me.

The depression and suicidal side effects are pretty rare and only a small percentage get them and it's mostly people who have suffered or already suffer from mental health issues that are affected. I think I definitely had my days where I was down in the dumps, but as soon as my skin cleared up my outlook did a complete 360. I also did it last winter, and I'm always a bit affected in the winter.

It's definitely a strong drug. A lot of dermatologists seem to be apprehensive about giving it out.

That's good to know. I heard sometimes when you get pregnant, your skin either gets really bad or clears up wonderfully, I'm hoping mine goes the good way! I hate the thought of using all these products forever. I wish I could just use some soap and moisturizer and be done with it! I'm so jealous of people with wonderful smooth skin

[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!

I'm sorry, that sounds funny. "A nice rub down each night" I like that too

Well.... ya know.... LOL That does sound funny... doesn't it??!!

Okay... let me restate what I said before... I ummm... don't want people to get the wrong idea...

Using a "good" washcloth, I would just wash my face with just water (no soap or stuff) and give the face a gentle scrub.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

Accutane eh? I've never heard of it! Sounds like a great product, but a huge commitment. Now when I get acne I get some small ones on my forehead and that's about it. Once and a while I'll get one somewhere else, but Its definitely not something I'd consider a huge problem... more like an annoyance. Interesting thing you said about the teenage and adult acne, its quite possible that at 21 I'm just in a remission stage and the problem may resurface later. I sure hope not, but now I'm educated enough I can understand what it is when it comes.

I sure hope you're right about the dry climate thing JulyBride! I've never spent more than 2 weeks in the west at one time, but when I did I ended up having dry skin issues, no acne issues. I'm just worried about using a thicket moisturizer and then creating acne issues for myself again! I guess its all about learning your climate and learning about your skin as you get older. I hope by body slowly adjusts to the area. On the up side, my hair will loos fantastic! No humidity makes it so nice and manageable.

In a weak moment, I ran off to the store and bought a decent supply of Vichy to last me a few months or so. This way I'll have some time to find a new product... or buy more Vichy from the internet.

Edited June 5, 2009 by Hugglebuggles

[MrsCat 6]

I might sound like an old lady, but I love Mary Kay. Their creams, and cleansers are fantastic and you can get whatever matches your skin type.

[July09Bride 1]

I might sound like an old lady, but I love Mary Kay. Their creams, and cleansers are fantastic and you can get whatever matches your skin type.

My FAVORITE (and only) MK item is the microderm abrasion stuff. LOOVEEEE that stuff!

[MrsCat 6]

I might sound like an old lady, but I love Mary Kay. Their creams, and cleansers are fantastic and you can get whatever matches your skin type.

My FAVORITE (and only) MK item is the microderm abrasion stuff. LOOVEEEE that stuff!

That's one of my must haves in my make-up bag. That and the eye cream.

[Wis-Can 0]

I have very sensitive skin, I even tried a couple of the Vichy products but had to stop using it. Now I use alot of the Oil of Olay line and love it. After spending hundreds of dollars trying to find something that didn't make me break out I went on the Olay for you website, answered a few questions and took their recommendations. I figured what the hey, might as well try it. I couldn't believe the difference in my skin. Now I just have to wait till I get moved to Wisconsin and see what its like there. Winters in Nova Scotia tend to dry my skin out, except this year with my Olay, YIPPEE! At least the products are cheaper there then what I pay here. My honey bought me some up at Christmas time.

[Carlawarla 1]

I'm older and have pretty dry but unblemished skin. I use Aveeno products. St. Louis has very high humidity.

[Hugglebuggles 60]

talk to a dermatologist, I have to go to one every 3 months for skin cancer checkups and other issues and my wife uses products from Lush. Helps her skin a lot.

Wow really? If you don't mind me asking Harley, do you have a history of skin cancer or is it a family connection? My father passed away from skin cancer 14 years ago and I've always been so paranoid about my skin because of it. My doctor here says regular checkups are unnecessary and that I'm overreacting...

[moni_calla 0]

I used to be hooked on Proactiv, then onto Vichy and now I am hooked on Faces products. Faces is a costmetic store for those not familiar with them but their products are amazing and quite reasonable in price as well. I will definitely have to stock up before I move because I would have a stroke if I couldn't find their products in the midwest.

Edited June 7, 2009 by moni_calla

[moni_calla 0]

That's good to know. I heard sometimes when you get pregnant, your skin either gets really bad or clears up wonderfully, I'm hoping mine goes the good way! I hate the thought of using all these products forever. I wish I could just use some soap and moisturizer and be done with it! I'm so jealous of people with wonderful smooth skin

[/quote

Hi Jill,

Your skin will definitely change during pregnancy; during both of mine my skin was flawless and then after delivery I had a few blemishes and then back to combination. I was just happy not to get the prego mask

[MonkeyJuice 3]

Sorry to crash in on the Canadian forum but I haven't found anything like this on the UK one. I've been in the Great Lakes area of northern Michigan for only a week now & within that time I've developed what I can only describe as acne!! I'm totally freaking out / will it go away once I'm settled? as I've not had anything like it since i was in my teens (20 years ago). I just can't understand it. What causes it? Is it a climate change?, the sun? I get married in a few weeks & i'll be so upset if i have to plaster myself in make up to cover these red blemishes/pimples.

I've been to the pharmacy today & bought some Neutrogena anti-bacterial face wash & cream so I'll see what happens...

[JillA 2]

Sorry to crash in on the Canadian forum but I haven't found anything like this on the UK one. I've been in the Great Lakes area of northern Michigan for only a week now & within that time I've developed what I can only describe as acne!! I'm totally freaking out / will it go away once I'm settled? as I've not had anything like it since i was in my teens (20 years ago). I just can't understand it. What causes it? Is it a climate change?, the sun? I get married in a few weeks & i'll be so upset if i have to plaster myself in make up to cover these red blemishes/pimples.

I've been to the pharmacy today & bought some Neutrogena anti-bacterial face wash & cream so I'll see what happens...

Welcome to the Canada forum Perhaps it's just a stress related breakout? You just moved to a new country, home and are settling in.... away from your old one, that's stressful for anyone! It could just be stress and when you settle in, may go away... I hear Neutrogena products are good!