The Acne Saga Continues...

Between the acne and the acne scars, it's hard to decide what to work on first. I decided to start with my acne and deal with the rest later. My dermatologist prescribed my a stronger prescription for my face, and recommended that I use extremely gentle cleansers and creams.

Never one to sit around and wait for my face to clear up, I decided to take a more offensive stance and purchased the Patricia Wexler Acnescription Anti-Acne Starting Kit from Bath and Body Works, which includes a cleanser, serum, moisturizer, and spot treatment. I know you're not supposed to use and exfoliator when you have acne, but I have always chosen to ignore this advice. The Exfoliating Cleanser in this kit is amazing, and has really helped get rid of the dead skin left from previous pimple creams. The texure is that of a light exfoliator, so I only use it at night (still use the Clarisonic in the morning with a gentle cleanser). The Anti-Aging Serum is also great, and I am now using it in place of moisturizer at night.

The Oil-Free Hydrator is just terrible. I swear it made my face greasier, and my concealer slid off when applied over it. Yuck. Not a fan at all! The last item, the Spot Treatment, is great, but not as a spot treatment. I found that it didn't dry on my skin, and would roll of when I went to bed, so I've been using it as a face mask on my trouble areas (fyi, trouble area = entire bottom half of my face).

I've noticed an improvement in my skin which I think is primarily due to the prescription, but is enhanced by the Wexler cleanser and serum. I'll keep you updated on the 'facial developments', but hopefully I'm on my way to a cure. Does anyone out there have any other acne products I should try?

Eye Am A Believer

The Product: L'Oreal Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream

The Claim: Pro-Retinol A® + Fiber- Restoring Complex targets the delicate eye area's intricate fibrous support with 24-hour repair. The AM treatment is a gentle SPF 15 hydrating cream that helps repair and protect the skin with UVA/UVB SPF 15 sunscreen. The PM treatment helps repair and restore broken skin fibers to reduce deep-set wrinkles around the eyes while you sleep.

The Results: This is the best eye cream I've tried in a long time. I actually put away my $190.00 ReVive eye cream that I had been using in favor of this one. I absolutely LOVE the convenience of having an eye duo for day and night that is attached. It makes me feel better having SPF 15 around my eyes during the day, and I love how luxurious the night cream feels. The product is aimed towards a more mature crowd, and the packaging says it's for "deep-set wrinkle repair," but I still loved it for my 27 year old eyes. I don't have enough wrinkles to notice a huge difference, but after several weeks of use the skin around my eyes seems to be more hydrated and firm.

Arcona Booster Defense Serum

The Product: ARCONA Booster Defense Serum

The Claim: Antioxidant cocktail regenerates at a deep cellular level, leaving skin firmer, stronger and protected from damaging environmental stressors. Eliminate environmental impurities that contribute to aging with super-oxide dismutase. Defend against free radical damage and premature aging with resveratrol and grape seed extracts. Retain moisture and protect skin with antioxidant green tea and vitamin E.

The Results: I've never understood people who are loyal to an entire line; I find one or two items I like in a brand and then move on. However, I've never had a complaint with any Arcona product I've tried, so I decided to buy the Booster Defense Serum without even sampling it. To make a long, unpleasant story short, it gave me a rash. Well, not a rash, exactly, more like small bumps all over my face. Now, as I love all the other Arcona products I've tried, and the reviews on this product were phenomenal, I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt and conclude that my skin is the problem, not the serum. However, after not using it for a few days to make sure it was truly the serum that was causing these bumps, I tossed it in the trash instead of passing it off to a friend--just to be safe.

What's Blue, Sticky, and Doesn't Work?

The Product: Kiehl's Drawing Paste

The Claim: A gentle yet effective drawing aid for the control of surface oiliness and for the maintenance of skin integrity. Recommended for problem areas. Controls surface oil without over-drying. Chamomile extract gives natural blue/green color. Made with Calendula, Kaolin and Zinc Oxide.

The Results: Um...I don't even know where to start with this product. I guess my biggest complaint would be that it never dries. Ever. The first night I didn't realize it, and woke up with my pillow and sheets blue. I love Kiehl's products, so I decided to keep trying it. After that first night I would use it as a spot treatment mask and then wipe it off before going to bed, but it didn't make any difference. Basically, it smells bad, it's bright blue, and it doesn't work. End of story.

Kate Somerville Checks Into Sephora

Kate Somerville is one of the most loved celebrity facialists. Her products have a cult following, and with good reason--they work. This is an all-around great line, and the best part is that it's now available at Sephora! My favorite product in her line is the ExfoliKate. It's an exfoliating treatment that works physically and enzymatically to combat acne and blackheads, reduce discoloration, and polish skin for a smooth complexion. I should warn you that it's best used at night as the enzymes make your face tomato-red, but the smooth glowing skin you have in the morning will convince you it's worth it.