Wedding Blog
When the new year started, I thought that I would begin to take better care of my skin. I mean, I’ve been pretty rough on it (salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, I’m looking at you) and it wasn’t helping my acne much at all.
(Yes, I get acne. Yes, I’ve had acne since I was about 13. Yes, I recognize that this means I’ve had it about half my life.)
But for the first time, I’m actually winning the war against the acne on my face. Because unlike the Clearasil and Clean and Clear days of my youth when my face extremely oily, I’d noticed that my face, especially my cheeks, are dry.
(Honestly, as a teenage, I never thought that day would come.)
So, I decided to try this:
Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
After using it for about 6 weeks, I want to let you know that it works. Seriously. I haven’t had any zits/pimples at all on my face since I’ve been using it (except when I’ve been traveling and have forgotten it- and then my face reminds me that I should never forget it.) My skin doesn’t feel especially dry OR oily, which is pretty much a modern miracle for me.
So now that I’ve got a good face wash that has done wonders for my skin, I’ve figured out that I should probably start using some sort of moisturizer as well. Right?
What’s your favorite face moisturizer?
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Share this post: Product Review: Facewash
Cetaphil *is* nice, and as another who’s had acne for half her life, I am truly glad it works for you. But I still get zits, even using it assiduously. :/
i use complex 15. it’s so plain and i hate it because i want something a little more luxurious, but every dermatologist tells me to continue using it.
I *love* Cetaphil. I keep a few expensive cleansers around my sink, but Cetaphil is the one I always end up going back to. It just gets the job done.
For face moisturizers, I’m a big fan of Shiseido’s Skincare line and Oil of Olay.
Mrs. Bee: I didn’t know what Complex 15 was, so I just googled it. People love the stuff and the price is awesome. I’m definitely going to try it!
yep it’s pretty much the most nonirritating moisturizer out there, so every derm loves it as much as they love cetaphil.
Well, I do love the Cetaphil moisturizing cream, so you could just go with that trend.
I’m in LOVE with Cetaphil too and I’ve had the same issues (adult acne, nothing like feeling 13 for 13+ years!). It’s worked wonders.
It’s expensive as all get-out but I really do LOVE Gorgeous from Lush for a moisturizer. I’ve also heard good things about Enzymion as well from there that is a little bit more budget friendly. Sometimes they are stingy with it but usually if you explain what you’re up to they will give you a sample of Gorgeous in the store if you are near one - they are very free with all other samples though!
I’ve struggled with acne and what finally worked for me is Cetaphil cleanser, followed by a 2.5% benzoyle peroxide gel (see http://www.acne.org), then a Cetaphil moisturizer with SPF.
Miss Dahlia, I’m glad you finally found something that worked for you.
Hmm I’ll have to try Complex 15. I’m a big fan of Cetaphil. I had a pretty extreme case of excema a couple years ago and I never want that to happen again so I’m faithful about moisturizing!
Funny I got the case of excema right around when I started dating the hubby. We were at a dinner party (3rd date) and my best friend sat down and went to put her arm around my shoulder or something and recoiled with an ‘Ew, Scales!’. It was a little embarrassing! She felt really bad. Luckily it didn’t scare him away! Cetaphil has kept the scales away 
my dermatologist swears by cetaphil, and so do I. I switch up between its moisturizer and Galaxal Base (the most basic moisturizer - it’s used to make prescription ointments). It’s great during the winter, is non oily (although it’s thick), blends easily, contains so fragrance, preservatives, nada (it’s a base). You can find it at most any pharmacy, over the counter. It’s not expensive either.
I use a different day and night moisurizer but always by the same company as they seem to work best that way. I also use somehting lighter in the summer thant the winter. Oil of Olay is till as good as ever but use one of thier newer lines. Nutregena also makes some very good moisturizers. I’ve recently discovered the Garnier products and I love the feel of thier lotions but thier cleansers are not always that great. I vary my products throughout the year depending on season (winter for a heavier cream and summer for a lighter one) and it gives my skin a break since it will often get adjusted to one type and not be as effective.
I totally suggest Purpose facial cleanser - its cheap, dermo tested and did wonders for my skin.
For a moisturizer I use Aveda Sensitive Skin - I try to stick to something organic and natural, plus its light enough that it doesnt weigh my skin down. I think they also make one for acne prone people.
I love, love, love Philosophy’s Hope in a Jar. It has ‘tiny’ microbeads that act as an exfoliant, so it leaves my skin feeling oh-so-clean and smooth. It’s consistantly voted as one of Sephora’s number one sellers…
I love the Aveeno firming line. Im a true believer of prevention and the firming results I get from Aveeno REALLY works. They soy complex also makes me slighty rosey cheeks be less rosey ( i hate them ) I really love the texture and creaminess of Aveeno makes me feel like its getting its job done!
I tried Cetaphil wash, but not the moisturizer. Ill have to try it!!
I’ve never heard of this or Complex 15! Thank you!
I’ve tried a new cleanser from Dermotologica or however you spell it, and IMMEDIATELY I broke out in the worst case of acne, evah. I’m devistated and it just happened this week (my face is even oiler than before! And I have DRY/COMBO skin!)
I’m going to try this stuff out, kids! Thanks!
I love cetaphil! I use that exact same cleanser as you and while I’m not pimple free, my face is a lot clearer than it is with other face washes. Right now I’m using the cetaphil moisturiser, which I don’t love as much. I think I might try Complex 15 too!
I LOVE and use Philosophy’s line of cleansers and moisturizers. Their Purity Made Simple is the greatest cleanser ever - better than anything I’ve tried in my 32 years. And like you, I used to have really oily acne-prone skin. Now that I’m older, not so much oil…. more dry. And their moisturizers Hope in a Jar and On a Clear Day are great. On a Clear Day is for acne prone skin - does have the salicytic acid, but in small amounts - and it works great. Hope in a Jar is a classic.
I love love love love their line! More $$ than Cetaphil, but it really works so much better.
I use Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel (oil free). I wish wish wish that they would just put an SPF in it, but alas, I am out of luck.
Apparently, Galaxal Base is only available in Canada? D*mn you neighbors to the north and your hoarding of fabulous beauty products! 
I’ve been using the philosophy acne line of skin care for a while now. It’s a little pricey, but it has really helped my skin when I use it religiously.
I’m with you on the Cetaphil…I’ve used just about everything and it works the best!
for lotion I just started using Neutrogena’s Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer with SPF 30/45. It’s smooth texture with strong SPF but great moisturizing qualities make it a great combination…plus u ain’t breakin’ the bank!
My mom’s dermatologist recommended Cerave for a cleanser and moisterizer, so I bought some recently and love it! (I have acne prone skin too.) It’s a lot like Cetaphil in that you can get it at the drug store, and the cleansers are really similar. The moisterizer (get the cream, not the lotion) is awesome because you can get a HUGE tub for like $12 or something, so I can really slather it on my neck and chest and such. I’ve been using expensive products lately and this one has been a great change.
i think i’m the only person in the world whose skin doesn’t like cetaphil. god forbid it stops working for you, i’ve been using dove for years. i’ve tried expensive cleansers and cheap ones, but i always come back to dove.
i’ve been using oil of olay 7x visible anti-aging vitamin complex w/spf 15. i normally use kiehls abyssine lotion, but i started using olay after i got engaged to try to save money. and honestly, it works just as well as kiehls and it’s so much cheaper.
just have to say that I love cetaphil too. Nothing is better for removing makeup…it’s so gentle!
i’ve also had really acne prone skin since I was 13. It’s been a life long struggle. I eventually had to go on accutane, which did the trick, but my skin is still very reactive and sensitive to most products and I can still break out if I use the wrong products. I’ve tried everything out there and spent so much $$$, but for the past 2 years I’ve been using BLISS steep clean cleansing milk (smells good and isn’t too harsh even though it has salicylic acid) and Cetaphil’s moisturizing cream (seems a little thick/heavy, but I LOVE that it doesn’t irritate my skin and makes it so soft!)…and they sell the tubs at Costco so I save a little getting it there rather than at the drugstore
I second others — philosophy hope in a jar (praise the ‘nets, you can buy a vat of it on drugstore.com). I too have had acne-ish problems half of my life. My routine is: cetaphil + Hope in Jar. repeat. I’ve had clear happy skin for a year. Oh don’t forget sunscreen. I use Benefit Rebel Lite.
I use the Laura Mercier foaming cleanser and oil free moisturizer (it smells like lavender and it’s got SPF 15, too!). I just bought the “Super Moisturizing” formula of the moisturizer though because apparently my face is a bit on the dry side!
I used Cetaphil forever, but I still had occassional pimples. After struggling with dry skin, I asked my make-up artist, who owns a organic boutique, what she would recommend. Her favorite skin care line is Farmaesthetics and after using several of their products, I’m hooked! I use their herbal cleanser, which totally cleared up my skin. I also use their Lavender Milk moisturizer, which is fantastic! I used to get dry patches around my mouth…no more! I would highly recommend their products!
http://www.farmaesthetics.com/
(also, I had tried other expensive cleansers/moisturizers like Philosophy, and Farmaaesthetics beat them all, hands down!)
I love Cetaphil. I’ve been using it for years. It keeps my skin really soft. For day cream I use Neutrogena, but haven’t found something I love for a nigth cream.
cetaphil is great…both the face wash and the moisturizer…it doesn’t leave you feeling greasy!
I’ve used Shisedo for years and it has always worked well for me (I was acne prone too but once I started using Shiseido, they all went away). Lately I wanted to try other products so I’ve tried Cindy Crawford’s line Meaningful Beauty - good, but not enough moisture for me, and recently Hope in a Jar - so far so good but sometimes still not enough moisture for me. I may end up going back to Shiseido because their cream (the Beneficiance 1.5 oz cream) is very moisturizing without feeling heavy and smells good too. Their Softener (kind of like a toner but not as drying) is also really great.
I’m a total believer in a fabulous (but pricey) Japanese line called, Dr. Ci Labo. The Aqua Collagen Gel is amazingly hydrating, without leaving any trace of greasiness. But their best product that helped kick my acne is their Extreme Close Up Vitamin C lotion.
i have been struggling with acne for a long time too and i would never want to put anything on my face. no makeup, no moisturizer. nothing!
but…
then i realized that i had to do something and my skin has definitely gotten better since! i am so excited at the idea of not having acne on my wedding date.
i use dr. bronner’s liquid soap which i dilute with distilled water (www.drbronner.com). i feels great and so pure and clean. no additives and its real castille soap and they have extra mild “baby soap” too.
and for moisturizer i use “Dr. Bronner’s and Sundog Magic Lavender Coconut Lotion”. main ingredient is jojoba oil which is very close to our natural skin’s oil. it is really light and feels so smooth after you put it on. no greasy feeling.
oh and both are Certified Organic and Fair Trade.
sorry for the length.
good luck in your search!
oh here are the ingredients—>
every ingredient expect for water is certified organic. i love this line!
Baby-Mild Liquid Soap:
Water, Saponified Coconut & Olive oils (w/ retained Glycerin), Hemp Oil, Jojoba Oil, Citric Acid, Vitamin E
Lavender Coconut (lightly scented) Lotion:
Water, Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil, Ethanol (denatured w/ Lavender Oil), Hemp Oil, Avocado Oil, Rice Bran Extract, Natural Tocopherols
oh! i was just searching for another cleanser. i use 3lab the gel cleanser. it works pretty well and doesnt dry out my dry skin so i can use it in the morning and evening. but im going to try complex 15 next!! i dont think the 3lab cleanser is worth the price.
i just tried googling it but the only thing that ive found for complex 15 is the lotion. do they make a cleanser?
I’ve spent thousands at the dermatologist, but ever since I started cleansing with cold cream, my skin couldn’t be better. Sounds counter-intuitive, but it has actually dramatically decreased the oiliness of my skin, while providing excellent moisturizing.
I have to be careful about facial products because of a food allergy, and the best one I’ve found that is gluten-free is Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture SPF 15.
I never had skin problems until the past 3-4 years. Since then, I randomly break out with 1-5 zits around the face at a time. UGH! My skin is very fair, and all these zits leave scars. How annoying.
In November of ‘06 I discovered Murad’s Acne Complex regimen. I have really been GREAT on it ever since…no major breakouts. I think I just am cleaner and have less residue since starting it. Every night I use:
-Murad Cleanser (And trust me, I don’t consider my situation to necessarily be ACNE, but it WORKS).
-Murad Toner
-Murad Exfoliating Gel (amazing)
-Murad Moisturizer
Love it
From time to time, I use their Face mask, too. I have only had 2 major breakouts since starting it over a year ago.
I second Kelly, Clinique’s Moisturizing Gel is awesome. It’s unscented and smooth and blends well with foundation to lighten that up too. I slap it on after washing my face at night and blend it in w/ foundation (in the palm of my hand, w/ my fingers) in the morning. Plus, you can buy just one big bottle and that’ll last 6 months and qualify you for their goodie bags when they have them!
I just started using HABA. They are a japanese additive free cosmetic line. The prices are somewhere in the middle between cetaphil and Shiseido.
I am using My Fair Lady which is a vitamin c serum and it’s wonderful!
Might be worth it to look into… with no additives and all, it should be gentle but still has the fancy-shmancy-ness to it.
Kiehls, anything and everything! I’m not terribly prone to acne style breakouts, but I am pretty allergic to most moisturizers, particularly anything with perfume, and I have very dry skin. Their stuff keeps my skin soft and allergy break out free. I love the ultra facial cream, but they definitely have lighter stuff and some with SPF.
I love Cetaphil! I have been using it religiously for about 4 years. My derma at the time recommended it. I had reaaaaaally bad acne then. I got layed off my job so I couldn’t afford to go to my derma anymore. Since then I have been using Cetaphil as a facewash, Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturizer (not oily and slimy!!), and Coppertone Faces sunblock (special sunblock just for the face, not sticky and all that like the usual body sunblock). I highly recommend it! I still get zits now and then, but not as bad as I used to! Also, since my face is sensitive, I have been using everdayminerals as my make up. ;D
I took a makeup class my last semester in college and I was told that to have great skin you do three things:
1- always wash your face before you go to bed
2-always always always use moisturizer
3- stay out of the sun
I myself use cetaphil not only for my face, but my whole body because I get acne EVERYWHERE.
However, I’ve been using the neutrogena wave the past month and I made it through an entire cycle with no extra acne, a miracle for me!
I really like Cetaphil because it’s such a fantastic moisturizer and it stays on really well- but it usually leaves my face feeling heavy and oily, which is weird. So I use that overnight and use Aveeno Ultra Calming Daily Moisturizer during the day because it’s so much lighter.
Love Cetaphil. Such a gentle product, both the face wash and the moisturizer.
I second the above mention for the clinique moisterizing gel - it is a miracle worker.
I was a little wary of trying Cetaphil for my acne, but I finally sucked it up and started using it. Like others, I still get a few pimples here and there, but generally, my skin looks SO much better. I still use a low percentage benzoyl peroxide cream in the morning, followed by Neutrogena oil-free tinted moisturizer with SPF-15 (I love that it does, like, 8 things in one).
I’m very acne-prone, I also recently fell in love with Cetaphil, and I use Kiehl’s Sodium PCF oil-free moisturizer, which is pricey, I’m afraid, but it’s the only moisturizer I’ve met so far that hasn’t made me break out.
funny, but i just went to my derm after i broke out - i was using aveeno moisturizer because i was dry - and her words were “moisturizer is the work of the devil”!!
Who knew! She recommended that I use an AHA cleanser to get off the dry skin, and then prescribed a cortisone foam (as dryness is a inflammatory response) to put where I am dry.
I tried the cetaphil route many a times, but alas, no luck.
I LOVE Cetaphil. I’ve been using it for years–it really works.
What helped me immensely was getting regular facials. I know it’s expensive but I started getting facials every two mos. and it’s changed my skin dramatically.
My facialist got me on Dermalogica mositurizer (intensive moisture balance at night, sheer moisture for day). I really love Dermalogica and would recommend it to anyone! Oh, and a note about it being expensive, which it is. I guy all of my Dermalogical products (sealed) on eBay for half price!
I swear by MD Skincare - it’s not cheap but it’s the best I’ve ever used. I do like Cetaphil but for some reason it doesn’t have a lasting effect for me, my skin will be good for a few months and then revert back. I’ve never had that happen with MD…it’s amazing!
DHC, DHC, DHC
I never washed my face outside of just randomly scrubbing it in the shower until my 20s when my skin started to get dry. Now I actually have a routine that includes using a different soap for my face (go figure) and a lovely lotion. My skin is radiant if I do say so myself.
DHC, DHC, DHC!!!
I’ve had acne for years even after Accutane. I’m not a fan of Cetaphil. The best products I’ve found are Mario Badescu. They are fantastic for acne and are totally cheap!
I didn’t read all the comments before mine, and I have no acne secret since I am still searching for my own perfect cleanser so I stop getting the pimples when I don’t want them (i.e. day of engagement photos, day of passport photo, and, most likely, day of wedding!). I just wanted to say that I am very loyal to Lancome moisturizers. Pure Focus is great for oily skin and, if you don’t like that one, Bein Fait is great, too, because it has SPF in it. The only down side of Lancome is that they discontinued the past three moisturizers that I was in love with.
I wish I had read all these Cetaphil testimonials before! I’ve experimented with so many drugstore cleansers and even an Aveda cleanser, but have never found a good one to prevent acne.
The best acne prevention I’ve ever had is actually not a cleanser - it’s going on birth control! In the years I’ve been on birth control, no zits. In the years before and during the big gap where I took a BC break, I continually had one or two pimples in my T-zone. Clearly, my acne is hormone-related…so no amount of cleansing could have helped.
As for moisturizer, I really like Shiseido. I find the drugstore brands to be too thick/blunt (if a moisturizer can feel blunt), and Shiseido has 2-3 formulas depending on how light you like your moisturizer.
My friend just recommended Kiehl’s to me for anti-wrinkle cream, after trying Clinique and Prescriptives. She says Kiehl’s has had noticeable results.
I have to also wholeheartedly recommend Philosophy Purity Made Simple cleanser and Hope in a Jar moisturizer. Using them has changed my skin dramatically. It is worth the cost. Plus a little goes a really long way.
[...] Product Review: Facewash by Miss Dahlia [...]
cetaphil has a great moisturizer, but my doctor also recommended eucerin cream. i love it! i’m usually dry in the morning and oily by midday - this makes my skin feel moisturized but not oily. i love it!
I have combo skin - potentially oily t-zone with PMS breakouts, flanked by dry cheeks and a usual spot of mild eczema on my left cheek. I just entered the 6 month window before my wedding, so I’ve been experimenting with different routines. Here’s the latest, which has evened out the skin tone, minimized breakouts, and encouraged softness:
Cleanser - Morning and Night: Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash with Tea Tree Oil and Awapuhi. 100% vegan. I also use this undiluted as a spot treatment for zits. Not immediate, but helpful.
Moisturizer - Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer following cleanser. I use a little extra on the eczema affected area and use less in the T-zone.
Weekly Masks - I alternate weeks of using the following: on oilier feeling weeks, i use Kiss My Face Pore Shrink Deep Pore Cleansing Mask followed by Kiss My Face Obsessively Underage ultra hydrating moisturizer. It is pretty good. Definitely tightens, sometimes leaves me a little blotchy, which fades after an hour or so and then feels good.
On dry weeks, particularly now in the winter, I use The Body Shop’s Honey and Oat 3-in1 Scrub Mask followed by the regular Cetaphil. You can use this product as either a leave-on mask or as a cleansing, gently exfoliating scrub. Plus, it looks like really drippy oatmeal and really freaks out the Fiance… which is always fun.
I am looking for a good toner, dark eye circle cream, and possibly new mask or peel or microdermabrasion recommendations.
best of luck, Ms. Dumpling! and super cute screen name.
There is obviously a lot to know about this. I think you made some good points in Features also.
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Ms. Dahlia, Detroit/Cleveland
Age and Occupation: 24, PhD Student
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, IT System Administrator
Engagement Date: December 31, 2006
Wedding Date: May 2008
Blogging Since: September 19, 2007
Venue: United Methodist Cathedral & historic downtown hotel in Cleveland
About Me: I enjoy cooking, dancing and swimming. I am a geek and apply game theory to my everyday life. Winter is my favorite time of year, especially when spent curled up with good coffee and a book by Madeleine L'Engle.
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