Weddingbee

I can vouch for Tres White (usually you can get it from a dentist, but it is cheaper on amazon), which is gel in a tray for teeth whitening. But I’ve alway read to go easy on whitening (for a few people over-doing it can make teeth look too translucent). For acne I had a Differin prescription (also a gel)–after trying all those OTC salicylic acid type things, those seemed to make it worse. The Differin will make you peel and dry at first but eventually it did work.

I use Proactive for my face. It recommends washing two times a day but I backed it off to just once a day (nighttime) since my skin is a bit sensitive. Been using it for 2 years and it works great for me…

you sound a lot like me, I was blessed with beautiful skin too, now that I’m stressing all the time I’m breaking out, I have found trying ways to relax will help some and then try to figure out what the breakouts are, if they are pimples or blackheads find something specifically for that I think my sister uses Noxema (she has really sensitive skin) if it is more of a dry skin/rash then its probably excema (stress induces these breakouts more often) then honestly all you need is a clear gel of something with cortizone(sp?) in it. I also suggest taking a vitamin everyday it helps a lot with skin and nails

I’ve noticed I’ve been having a lot of stress breakouts around my hairline that I didn’t have before. I never had acne or any skin problems growing up, but I have fierce combination skin now. I have been using the Aveeno Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser since February, and things haven’t been getting any better. Actually, the dry spots are getting more dry and more troubled skin in my T zone. I was considering trying Murad’s Combination Skin Regimen to clear things up.

I love st. ives apricot scrub. (There are various formulas.)

Also check stress and hormones (birth control can be a factor).

I wanted to suggest an alternative to Locks of Love simply because there have been several concerns about that charity recently. Pantene Pro V’s Beautiful Lengths is a charity that has a better record. Locks of Love does help a worthy cause but their high overhead, low donation rate and the fact that they charge money scares me away.

For white strips, I’m actually wearing the Target brad right now and I have already found them to be more effective than Crest’s. I did the Crest ones 3 times and barely noticed a difference. In my 2 days of using the 7-day Target ones I am actually seeing a difference.

hmmm. well usually i find i break out less when my skin is well moisturized and balanced. (Obviously)

but i started using l’occitane products a few months ago and i’ve found my skin to be so soft and just really nice. their products are a bit pricy, but they also have smaller sample sizes you can buy to try out before spending a lot more on the expensive stuff.

the good thing is the smaller sample sizes usually last a long time.

i use the immortelle products because… and i’m embarassed to say this but… lindsay lohan uses them. and i’m not a fan of her. but i noticed (because you can’t get away from her) that her skin used to be so so. but then it just started always looking radiant and in one of those shows that tell “secrets” she mentioned that’s what she uses… so i figured it must work and tried it. and for me it did. so i recommend it for everyone.

here is the sample product i am referencing.
(i know you’re not old, but it’s never quite too early to start)

http://usa.loccitane.com//product/product.asp?product=984465&variant=

I am having troubles getting my fiance into a beauty routine. He is very much a guy’s guy, and doesn’t really get into face washes or teeth whitening strips. I would like him to have clearer skin and whiter teeth by our wedding (in 2 months!) but I’m not sure how to convince him to use these products without hurting his feelings. I can’t very well say “Honey, we need to clear up those zits….” Any suggestions on how to get him into a beauty routine??

I have super sensitive skin made worse by the city’s really hard water. I found that Proactive, while helpful with the hard water issue, only added to the problem during times of stress. My dermatologist said this is because hormones change rapidly in times of stress, but the dose of treatment in Proactive doesn’t.

So now I’m using Cetaphil for sensitive skin in the morning, a Swedish cream-based gentle cleanser, Pond’s sensitive skin facial cream (at night), and have been relentlessly faithful to Differin (my pores (normally gigantic) are teeny tiny now, and I rarely have breakouts).

Thanks for all the Mederma info– have wanted to try, but have been skeptical until now!

I’m kind of doing the opposite — I’m going to cut off my hair for Locks of Love BEFORE the wedding. I just can’t imagine waiting until afterwards — it is getting waaaaaay too long for me to manage. But it will still be past shoulder length when I cut it, and I figure it will grow out a few more inches before the wedding itself…

It’s so personal a thing…should you go to the dermatologist? I see a change in my skin if I don’t eat well and exercise…good luck

It is important to use cleansers and moisturisers daily! I’ve noticed that Benefits eyecream actually has decreased my “crows feet” a lot lately (been using it for 4 weeks).

But most importan, build healthy skin form the inside:
1.Start earing salmon and other “fat” fish a few times a week, the Omega-3 oils are great for your skin! No more body lotion addiction..

2.Also, drink a lot of water to clear your system!

3. In general, try to stay away from too processed foods, white sugar/flour and get that beauty sleep

I cut out alcohol completely the last weeks, and even though I only have about 2-3 glasses of wine weekly, I noticed my skin is clearer

I discovered that if you put a dab of antibacterial cream–the neosporin kind that you use for small cuts–directly on the acne twice a day, it goes away within 48 hours. If you want your fiance to do it, it’s probably going to be easier to persuade a guy to use “medicine” on his zits than anything he views as makeup….

If your current acne regime isn’t working, i would highly recommend benzoyl peroxide. It is a pain to apply it day and night and it’s annoying b/c it will dye your sheets and clothes (especially purple clothes for some reason), but it works. Acne is actually a disease and the benzoyl peroxide is an antibiotic (basically). I was prescribed benzamycin by my doctor and it worked, but not as well as regular clearasil acne cream! (side note: i had to refrigerate the prescription cream and that blew.)

Also, wear an aspirin mask several times a week, and use toner after washing your face. Good luck!

For your skin:

If you want to go the prescription route, I’d suggest asking the derm for Retin-A (not that I’m a dermatologist) topical. It works wonders for breakouts (and wrinkles too — NOT for the eyes though)! I’ve tried Differin, but it was incompatible with my super sensitive skin; it made my skin itchy, irritated, and rashy.

I don’t know how well Proactiv’s working for you, but from personal experience, while it seemed to work in the beginning, it soon made my skin worse. Specifically speaking, my skin became very oily, developed comedones, and pores enlarged. Not a nice sight.

If you want to go OTC, I’d suggest using spot treatments, instead of treating your entire face. OTC products are generally meant to make us dependent on them.

And try not to pop, pick, touch!

Good luck with everything. I’m sure you’re going to look stunning on your wedding day! By the way, the white strips really do work!