Weddingbee Blog

I’m actually very allergic to the St Ives Apricot scrub.

I visit a dermatologist regularly, which I highly recommend if you’re able. Anyway, she’s always told em to moisturize and to avoid astringents–they dry you out…well, I don’t listen because I have oily skin, but I like my Dr. so I keep going. And I have a million and one moles on my body, so I keep going…

I wash my face daily in the AM with Neutrogena oil-free acne face wash (the orange stuff). I do astringent when I get out of the shower and on top of all that I put my favorite–my Benza-Clin perscription topical lotion. It’s for the trouble spots and ZAPS the little buggers!

I second cetaphil. I love that ish.

And as far sunBLOCK goes… Anything that uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide is best for sensitive skin. These are physical blockers that reflect sunlight so they are also (in my opinion) the most stable and most effective. They say that the classical greeks used zinc oxide even way back then, so I guess that’s about as tried and true as you can get!

All other chemicals used commonly are sun-SCREENs (yes, there is a difference) so they absorb the harmful rays before your skin does (as opposed to blocking them.) These are used widely, but they are mostly effective blocking UV-B rays only. There’s this new chemical that’s really popular called Avobenzone but there’s talk about how it’s not quite as stable and therefore wears out more quickly(??!!!!) Plus, it’s more likely that someone with sensitive skin would react to newer chemicals made recently. (I had an incident in high school where I broke out in hives JUST where I put on this sunscreen my friend lent me…. and it lasted for a month! So as you can see my research here is quite obsessive. I DO NOT want to go through that ever again.)

Right now, I use Aveeno Baby which uses zinc oxide. (all over) I’ve also used Shiseido’s spf 36 (for face) with zinc oxide and it worked great. Just a bit expensive… but great under makeup since it’s not sticky. Clinique’s cityblock uses titanium dioxide and is slightly tinted. But I’d just go around through all the brands you like to use, and just check the active ingredients!

And when my skin feels super dry… I spray Dermologica’s Multiactive toner all over (I love this stuff) and massage my skin with a rich cream, let it sit, and then rinse off. I’ve tried a lot of expensive masks but haven’t been impressed.

sorry for the super long essay of a comment..

I have dry skin and I love Philosophy Purity Made Simple for my face wash. It feels so fresh and clean without that soapy residue feeling. One 8oz bottle lasted me well over a year even though I use it daily!

For moisterizer, I have to use a face cream, not lotion, since my skin is so dry. The Elizabeth Arden kind from Costco works fine for me.

I said that too! Your skin is radiant!

I absolutely can’t live without my Kiehl’s skincare. I use everything from their facewash to their eyecream to their handcreams… etc. The list goes on! I had a bout of rosacea many years ago and my dermatologist recommended the line to me (along with suggesting Cetaphil as well).

The best thing is, they are VERY generous with their samples. They seriously give them out like candy. I strongly recommend Kiehl’s.

Mrs. Bee - if you have a store nearby, you should definitely try to pick up samples of their sunblock and some masks (there’s plenty). They have a great clay masque for deep pore-cleaning and plenty of moisturizing masks.
That way, you can try them all out before purchasing. You should pick up a sample of their Creme with Silk Groom (for your hair) while you’re at it!

i use clean and clear face wash and once a week the apricot scrub for sensitive skin [while i don't have sensitive skin, i just like it more than the regular one] like mrs. bee. as far a mositurizing, i use one from mary kay that always makes my skin soft.

for body lotion, i use the johnson and johnson’s 24 moisturizing lotion [the baby lotion for adults ;-)] and cetaphil on my feet. its the perfect combination for me. plus the bf always compliments me on my smooth skin.

I love the St Ives as well! I use it every other day, and seriously rub it in for about 3-4 minutes. It makes my skin soooo soft and smooth!

I also use Cetaphil since it’s so gentle, yet effective.

I’m searching for a new moisturizer, though (something better than the Ponds daily moisturizer I’ve been using since forever)–I may have to try out the Dove stuff!

The sunblock that gave me a rash was neutrogena. But that was years ago, so they might’ve improved the solution since then. And everyone around me seems to be in love with the brand. Still… I don’t go anywhere near anything neutrogena. I’ve been scarred for life!

mrs. bee, I forgot to mention that there’s an Aveeno sunblock and also Aveeno baby sunblock. Only the baby line uses zinc oxide… Probably because baby skin is a lot more sensitive!!

I have been using the Anthelios SX by La Roche-Posay sunscreen for the past several weeks because it supposedly has the highest protection against UVA rays, which are the rays that cause winkles. I usually notice a difference between lotions with and without SPF and this one is no different. You can tell there is SPF in it and I think it leaves my face shiny but I think the added protection is worth it - until the FDA allows another product on the market.