I don’t know about you, but I have changed my skin care routine too many times to count in the last decade (or two). It’s like, as soon as you figure something out, your skin changes again, and you have to look for a different product that will accomplish your skin goals.
My Teenage Years
For me, it was complicated when I was a teenager. I am the youngest out of four girls, and I was the only with with skin trouble. I thought it was the end of the world. I mean, why did I have to get pimples while my 3 sisters walked around make-up free and flawless? It’s still excruciatingly painful to this day. I did not have what you may call full-blown acne. I don’t have acne scars or anything like that, but I definitely dealt with my fair share of break-outs.
Keep in mind, this was in the 80’s, during a time when it was more common that dad worked, and mom stayed home. With that said, we did not have a lot of money. We certainly could not afford a dermatologist. So I suffered through it. (My mom did pay the extra $2 or whatever it was come picture time to “fix my flaws”). It was the agreement, otherwise I was not going to get my picture taken.
At 16, I get my first job. Most teenagers want a job so they can buy food, clothes, etc. Not me. Nope. I wanted to go to the drug store and try every product ever made that claimed it could cure acne, and finally rid me of those stubborn pimples. I don’t ever remember having clear skin. I mean, this went on for years.
Now In My Twenties
In my twenties, I started my family. Come on, I know you want to ask. “Did I have that glowing skin while I was pregnant”? The answer is NOPE. I was still breaking out even then. Finally, I went to see my family doctor when I was pushing 30 for something unrelated, and I mentioned that I was tired of my face breaking out, and asked if he could prescribe me something to clear it up. I could finally afford it, so why not right? Here is what he said: He looked at me and said “you have a beautiful face, you don’t need a prescription for acne”. OMG I wanted to choke him and tie him up with that paper stuff they put on the exam beds. How could he not see it? I saw it every day when I looked in the mirror. Needless to say, I left without a solution.
Good Lord, I’m Almost 30
Several years later I was nearing 30 and watching TV. I see that commercial/advertisement that I had seen a hundred times or more for Proactiv. Keep in mind, this was before ordering anything online was the new replacement for ordering over the phone. So, I called the 800 number, and I ordered a 30 day supply. I was determined to have at least one day of my life without pimples! And guess what? Proactiv might have been the best money I had ever spent, and I am not exaggerating. Nearly 15 years of buying product after product, I finally found something that was real. It was a process, an actual skin care routine. It became my new obsession, but it was final. I had clear skin for the first time in my life.
Since then, they have come out with a new product targeted to teens which is called X Out. You can read our x out vs Proactiv review here. You will understand the “we” part when you get there.
I used Proactiv for about 5 years, and all of a sudden I finally “grew up” to where I no longer needed acne products.
Where I Am Now at 42
Move forward 7 years (to today), and I have learned that something good came out of all those years of acne-fighting face creams, even though they never helped my breakouts. What they did help with was anti-aging. I am consistently told that I look like I’m in my early 30’s, when I am actually 42. The moral of this story is that having a skin care routine is important from an early age.
Regardless of whether or not you have acne, all women should begin a skin care regimen early on (and don’t forget to moisturize your neck!). It does in fact help you to look younger when you are aging.
So, what is my skin care routine today? Well, I don’t have to use any type of 3 step process anymore, but I am religious with my moisturizer, which too I have tried many. The one that I continue to go back to, and have now been using for nearly 5 years is Olay Regenerist. It makes my skin feel smooth, and my make-up looks great too. It’s not greasy or sticky. I put it on, and I’m done. I’m sure there is a more expensive product out there, but it works for me, and I am happy with it.
