Various Questions

[Fade_To_Grey]

So I'm 18 and I'm coming out of my teenage acne years, and at this point in time I'm more prone to blemishes/blotch skin than zits, although those are still a problem. I'm not sure what my skin type is, but I'm leaning towards dry. I've been wearing liquid foundation for a while now to make my skin look more clear, but in sunlight my face looks very lined and porous. I'd like to avoid the mess of foundation and powders and make my skin look more young and smooth. Unfortunately, I'm rather unexperienced when it comes to this sort of thing. I have some questions that I'm hoping you nice people would be able to help me sort out.

First, there is this business of pore tightening. I'd obviously like to have a more smooth and fine appearance, but I'm worried that my acne will only worsen if do anything to my pores. Is this a rational fear? Should I wait a while longer before working with my pores?

I think a lot of my problems revolve around whiteheads, I seem to have quite a few of them around the bottom part of my mouth, which makes me look older in sunlight. I was never quite sure what to do about them, I've heard exfoliate, but this doesn't seem to be helping me very much.

Currently I use a toner, Dickinson's Witch Hazel, some lotion, and an exfoliating scrub in my daily routine. I know I need some kind of moisturizer, but when it came to brand and kind, I am lost, so I just use hand lotion. Some suggestions regarding what I should use (not just moisturizer, but facial products in general) would be much appreciated.

I'm also a little unsure of when I should use toner/astringent vs when I should use moisturizer. I've read that I should moisturizer after a shower, but given that my pores are open it seems like I should use my toner. Do I moisturize in the morning and tone in the evening?

Also, if I may ask, what kind of powder do you use, if you use any?

[Farfett]

First of all you have to identify you skin type. People with dry skin tend to have small pores and no oil on their face. Their skin may even flake off if it has not been properly moisturized.Oily skin secretes more oil than the skin needs, causing excess oil on the face and clogging up the pores. People with oily skin often have large pores, and when dirt gets into the pore it mixes with the oil it can cause acne or large blackheads. In you case most probably you have oily skin. Oily skin needs a care regimen focused on decreasing the oil and reducing the size of the pores. Oily skin will cover a white tissue paper with oily residue after being blotted on your clean face.

In addition to preserving your skin through healthy living, a basic skincare regimen is necessary. Take the time to develop a daily and nightly ritual that includes cleansing, treating, moisturizing and protecting. The products you use will depend on your individual skin type and/or condition.

Cleanse
Cleanse skin once or twice a day with the type of cleanser appropriate for your skin type. Cleansers should leave your skin clean and refreshed and prepared for treatment--they shouldn`t strip or dry the skin. Finish the cleansing process with a gentle toner to remove any lingering traces of makeup.

Treat
To target specific skin concerns, it`s necessary to treat your skin with active ingredients that penetrate the skin`s upper layers enough to make changes at the cellular level. Active ingredients that can change the skin`s structure include antioxidants like Vitamin C, AHAs and Retinoids.

Exfoliate
Exfoliation is another way to treat and refine the skin. Depending on your skin type and sensitivity level, you can exfoliate using scrubs, textured cloths, AHAs or BHAs. Exfoliating removes the upper layer of the skin (the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis) to reveal fresher skin. In the beginning, it`s best to be conservative to avoid over exfoliation.

Moisturize
Unless you have abnormally oily skin, it`s a good idea to moisturize daily. The role of moisturizer is to mimic healthy skin by introducing ingredients like antioxidants and water-binding agents. For dry skin, emollients like oils and fatty acids are necessary. It`s helpful to apply moisturizer directly after washing the skin to help seal in moisture.

Protect
No skincare regimen is complete without daily use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen. If you`re pressed for time, use a high-quality moisturizer with added SPF. Otherwise, wait 15 minutes after moisturizing to apply sunscreen.

[beautygirl]

Look for a product containing glycolic acid. THis is an AHA that is derived from sugar caine. It's very effective for acne and skin rejuvination. Learn more about the benefits of glycolic acid here: http://www.glycolic-skincare.com/

[Hada]

A good option could be to use a treatment kit specifically designed to avoid the formation of comedos and restablishing the bacterial flora. I use DERMO CORRECTEUR COFFRET SOIN CABINE of ANESI. It includes a mask, a cream and a lotion which leave the skin purified and repaired. You coul find it here: www. anesi.com