Weddingbee Blog

If you all remember, I was determined to keep my skin looking as good as it could this winter since I normally bundle up and forget about it. This time around, I have to bare it in April, so as a refresher, here was my 7-step plan with my grade on how well it’s been working/how well I’ve been sticking to it:

1. Lukewarm showers = A
2. Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash w/ Scrubby Gloves = A++++++
3. Clean and Clear Continuous Control Face Wash = C
4. Clean and Clear Acne Spot Treatment = B
5. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize = A++++++
6. Tanning = B
7. Drink lots of water = B

And here’s a breakdown of how well I’ve done sticking to this and more importantly, how well it’s working.

1. I’ve actually been better than I thought I’d be about the lukewarm showers. I’m COLD in the process but I’m doing it! I still am probably taking showers hotter than need be, but I promise, they haven’t been the scorchers I’m used to. I really honestly believe it’s making a difference because I don’t feel like I’m gonna crack like this guy if I bend my arms or smile after I towel off…

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2. The Neutrogena Body Wash is making a HUGE improvement with the little bumpies, particularly on my upper back and chest where it was the worst. I’m super happy about this since my dress is strapless and my back and chest will be out there on display! I highly recommend using this, especially with the gloves to exfoliate, but don’t forget to moisturize after.

(source 1, 2, 3)

3. I’ve been using Clean and Clear Continuous Control for years and I have to say, it’s been failing me lately. I’ve been getting little bumpies on the apples of my cheeks which is a new surprise – I’ve never had that before. So I bit the bullet and ordered Proactive, which just came in the mail today. The day I ordered it, I posted a poll on the boards to see if you all thought it was worth the money, and I got a resounding 2 -to-1 NO. It was already ordered at that point though, so I will still see if it works for me. Hey, I’m a sucker for infomercials, and if she says it works…

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… well then it must, right?

4. The Clean and Clear spot treatment has definitely helped with the little bumpies that have popped up a few times. I highly recommend this stuff for those fun surprise zittles.

5. Moisturizing has made the biggest difference out of everything. The second I get out of the shower, I’ve been generously slathering the stuff on. I have to tell you, I have not had one eczema spot pop up anywhere on my body except on the palm of my hand, which is normal since I wash my hands 20 bazillion times a day. I can not believe that at this point I am eczema-free from inexpensive Dove lotion. The key is to be religious about it.

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6. I’m still going tanning but I actually haven’t been going very regularly, mostly because I’m lazy and just want to go home after work most days. I’d say I’ve been going, on average, about once every 2 weeks. I still notice a big difference in my skin clearing for a few days after going, and I’m getting a little color which I’m happy about. I’ll probably bump up the frequency once we get a little closer to the wedding.

7. I’ve always been a water drinker and always have a bottle by my side, but I haven’t necessarily upped my consumption. I do think that the 4-5 bottles that I drink a day are good for me, and if I don’t drink my usual amount, I definitely notice a difference in my face, especially under my eyes regarding wrinkles and sunken-in-ness (yes, I made up my own word).

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So I’d say all-in-all, my skin is looking SO much better now than it did this time last year, and I plan to stick this out for as long as possible.

I’ve gone from this…

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To this!

(source – just add some wrinkles under the eyes, a few laugh lines, and some head hair)

What beauty product has been your winter skin savior?