Face Creams
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Face Creams
Do you use a night cream that you really like?
Jan. 2003
I am wondering if anyone else has had this experience. Since
becoming a mother my skin is a lot dryer, to the point where
sometimes I feel I'm wearing a mask. I looked at a close up photo
of myself recently and was astonished by all the new wrinkles. I
think this has two causes, 1)less sleep, and 2) we use the heater
more at night to keep the baby warm and its drying my skin out.
Who knows, it may be a post-natal hormone thing too.
I have a great moisturizing cleanser and a face cream (clarins) I
use during the day but I have now been told that I need to use a
night cream. I am loath to walk up to a dept store make up
counter and buy something expensive when I don't know how
effective it will be.
So here's my question...does anyone use a night cream that they
really like? Or have any other tricks to keep their skin
hydrated. Also, I have read the recommendations in the archive
on estheticans but if anyone has a good up to date recommendation
of a skin care specialist in the East bay who could help me I
would appreciate that too.
I highly recommend a Camocare cream called Facelift. They
usually carry it at Whole Foods $18- $20 a jar that lasts a long
time. Camocare makes creams with different strengths {amounts of
AHA's) The one I prefer is Facelift with 12% alpha hydroxy
stuff. It's light absorbable etc. Also, something my grandmother
taught me is to spray a fine mist of water on my face before
moisturizer day or night.
Dana
I think Clarins is a VERY good brand. It's expensive, but once you start using it and you get your skin back, you won't have to buy another jar/bottle and the oils/creams smell really good, too. There was a significant difference in just one night... I used the lip stick, too, and I got my soft supple lips back in a few minutes (I can't remember the name of the oil, this happened seven years ago, but I'm sure the Clarins representatives can help you out). Just be careful to not make it an addictive habit!
Also, drinking lots of water always helps, I'm sure you've heard of that one. I know I need to drink water when my lips start to chap.
Some valuable information in this area can be obtained by reading
''Don't go to the cosmetics counter without me''; the author (Paula
Begoun) does a very intelligent analysis of most cosmetics,
including face creams, based on their ingredients -- pointing out
things like some of the ''plant-based'' ''natural'' extracts included
in many face creams are actually irritating. It's interesting to
find out that many expensive products are not worth it, and that
even some of the ''dermitologist-recommended'' products aren't that
great.
She also sells products, including a morning and night regimen, on
a web site (http://www.cosmeticscop.com/) -- I like them. They
are no-fragrance, no-coloring, no animal testing, including only
what is necessary and nothing more, and also decently priced.
Might be worth a look.
Karen
I had a problem similar to yours after having my daughter,
and found that my skin had just changed-- skin and hair
changes after childbirth are mainly due to increases in
stress hormones circulating through the body, and
developmental changes. The female body does not
completely mature until after pregnancy & lactation (i.e.,
breast cells do not fully differentiate until lactation, indicating
a new stage of adult development).
Here are my inexpensive suggestions for combating post
childbirth skin and hair problems:
Drink lots of water and horsetail tea (avoid caffeine as much
as possible for a while, as it is dehydrating)
Change hair & skin products (to replenish lost nutrients that
might be deficient in your current line if you have been using
it for a long time, or alternate days with different
products---helpful to reduce possibility of developing allergy
to a long-used product)
Use warm (not overly hot) water in your shower
Rub Olive oil on your body after shower, or add to your
bath--I keep a bottle in my bathroom.
Exercise if you can, to work up a sweat (sweating is good for
the skin)
Use an exfoliator once in a while, like a wet washcloth, or a
loofah pad on the face
It is really (really) expensive, but I absolutely love the
AnneMarie Borlind line of cleanser/day/night creams. They
are the eighth wonder of the world--you can learn about
them online at www.borlind.com . You can also buy them at
Whole Foods. Moisturizing creams run about $40.00 per jar,
but you need so little that they last about 4 months. I have
found that using the whole line of products (cleanser, toner,
and day & night creams) works best together. If you can
afford to treat yourself (or know someone who wants to spoil
you with something) this is the way to go. I am using the ZZ
line for sensitive skin, but have also used the
''Regeneration''line for aging skin, and both are excellent.
Also the Intensive Capsules are wonderful, instant relief (I
swear, I don't work for this company!)
Good luck.
elizabeth
I love Mary Kay Advanced Moisture Renewal Cream. I put it on at
night and I can immediately feel my skin drinking it up and
looking 100% softer. I am a bit biased since I sell MK. You can
try samples before you buy with your local MK Beauty
consultant. If you don't have one, go to www.marykay.com to
locate a consultant near you. Or, if you like, email me and I'd
be happy to work with you on finding the right products that
work with your skin.
Brook
Here are a few that my friends and family swear by:
1. Z. Bigatti Re-Storation Vitamin and Antioxidant Skin
Treatment $150 (my favorite whenever I need an overnight
quick fix)
2. Osmotics Blue Copper 5 Elasticity Repair $55 (my
husband and mother both love this one - the eye cream
works wonders too)
3. Juvena Q10 Night $55 (my grandmother's favorite)
If you hate the department store like I do, you can read up on
the products and purchase any of them online at
http://www.sephora.com/browse/section.jhtml?categoryId=C151
Osmotics and Juvena are both good choices too if the Z.
Bigatti is too expensive. I've used all three and there are all
GREAT.
anon.
I use a 2% salicylic acid wash once a day all over my body,
including my face. (Neutrogena acne wash, for example even
though I don't have acne- I've used salon versions but didn't
notice any difference). The salicylic acid exfoliates your dry
skin. You really need to moisturized afterward. I use a great
day cream and a thick night cream. I get them at the salon where
I get my legs waxed and really like them-by Paul Scerri. I used
to use Murad products and liked them too- (you can get them at a
beuty supply store) They use something different to exfoliate-
but exfoliating is key to getting rid of dead skin and make the
skin open to the moisturizing.
Good luck.
lsg
I don't have a recommendation for a certain name brand, but my
husband is an MD, and he has always told me the best time to
apply lotion or moisturizers is right after a shower or bath,
while your skin is still wet. Don't even dry off with a towel
(but I usually wrap my wet hair in a towel first); let the
lotion mix into the water on your skin, and it will do a much
better job of moisturizing.
Heidi
You should start with a visit to a dermatologist, to avoid
trendy and often worthless skin regimens. My dematologist is
wonderful, and very thorough (she'll look you over for any pre-
cancer moles too!) Dr. Pessoa has prescribed very helpful retin-
A products that make my skin look better. That may not be right
for you -- she'll know. Cornelia Pessoa, 2500 Milvia St. #104
Berkeley 94704, 510-486-1700.
Anon.
Regarding a good night cream, I have been using a great
alpha hydroxy night cream from the Body Time store for a
few months. I tend to like Body Time products because they
are all natural, made in small batches and made locally. My
skin looks smoother and healthier than it has since I
became a mom almost a year ago. Also, I recommend
Lavera products, as well as Murad. Hope this helps.
--skincare happy mom
There's another alternative to getting advice on skin care. Try the Beauty Center on College Ave. (Berkeley) or the one on Solano Ave. The salespeople are not on commission. They are especially
knowledgeable when it comes sensitive dry skin, talk to Barbara at the College Ave. store. Products by Murad, Lange, and Dermalogica are formulated for sensitive skins.
joy
You might want to try one of the heavier creams at Body Time,
which is a local company with several stores in Berkeley and
SF. They sell very reasonably priced skin, hair and body
products. I have dryish skin, too, and have used their creamy
facial wash, unscented moisturizing cream, AD&E lotion and eye
cream (and shampoo, etc., too) for years. FWIW, people often
tell me I have pretty skin (I know, I know, I sound like a
creep, but they DO). Good luck.
Wendy
Are you nursing your child? There's another reason your
skin is dryer: more of the fluid you take in goes to the child.
It's really important to drink enough water during the day.
Though I must admit that it's hard to do with a baby or
toddler. Anyway, I've had the same problem with dry
skin--all over. For hands and elbows (because you're
probably washing your hands more, too) I like Body Shop
Vitamin E hand cream. It's a bit expensive, but worth it since
it seems to keep working even after you wash your hands.
For face, I found a nice rejuvinating face cream at Body Time
here in Berkeley. It costs about $25.00, which is not too
bad. You might also treat yourself to a facial somewhere
like Elixir or Azul. No doubt you deserve the pampering.
Carolyn
I know that dry skin feeling all too well. Between heaters,
weather changes and stress, I got to the point where I
literally ''cracked'' a smile due to dry skin. After trying
dozens of high priced facial creams, I had the best luck with
Cetaphil, which is around $7 at Longs. I now use it day and
night. I have very sensitive skin that easily dries to the
point where I feel as if I've been on a cross-universe plane
trip. Cetaphil works great around my eyes, too, which is great
for all the new wrinkles that like to sneak in there. It's
fragrance free, goes on very lightly and provides instant
relief. And for $7, what do you have to lose? You can even
splurge on a massage with the savings, something we moms
deserve -- regardless of our skin savings!
Moist, And With Money To Show For It!
I too have had trouble with dry skin after my son's birth. 2
suggestions, 1 internal treatment and 1 external. If your dry
skin is due to dehydration, either heater related or not - a
strong likelihood - try to drink more water. I started drinking
2 - 16 oz bottles of water throughout the day. In addition to
beverages with meals, it really helped me. Besides helping
hydrate your skin, water is great for your organs and digestion.
Secondly, try applying a little vasoline (petrolium jelly) to
problem areas for added moisture. When my son has a cold and
gets the red, raw area around his nose from my rubbing with a
tissue, a little vasoline applied when he goes to sleep gives him
supple skin when he wakes in the AM. I discoverd it works for me
too around my nose, lips or other problem areas.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth.
anon
Instead of trying to just moisturize the surface of your skin,
you may want to contact Elizabeth Lee, M.D. in Berkeley who does
cosmetic surgery and sells Obagi skincare products to her
patients. I personally have experienced great results.
MS
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