Just wondering...I'm in need of a little TLC in the skincare department. I've been using stuff up, but am getting close to needing some new stuff. The only things Ive really ever repurchased are Philosophy Purity Cleanser & MDF Antioxidant Eye Cream. Nothing else has really impressed me too too much. How about you ladies? What do you love so much you wont be without it? :)

In the short haul: regular use of a 1% - 2% beta-hydroxy acid product. It exfoliates dead skin cells, reaches into pores and dissolves oil plugs and exfoliates dead cells along the pore lining, and also (over time) stimulates production of collagen and elastin. It's completely gotten rid of my blackheads, but you need to use it regularly.

Over the long haul: I've been protecting my face witha full-spectrum sunblock of 15 or higher every day, year-in and year-out, no matter what the weather, for 20 years now. I cannot beloieve the difference in my skin vs. my cohorts'.
It's the single skin care product I'd never give up. I cannot emphasize the importance of sunprotection enough!

Also, regular use of a retinoid. I've been using retinol daily for about 10 years, and that has made a great difference.
Finally, using products rich in antioxidants over time has made a difference too.

Everything you choose must be used regularly, and give it time to show results. Skin care products aren't pharmaceuticals - they don't give you an overnight whollop. Be patient and persistent.

After not using any sort of exfoliating products in my regime for years now, I recently discovered the Neutrogena Acne Mark Fading Peel. I cannot believe the difference this makes in my skin when I use it a couple of times a month. It gives my skin a nice boost.

For me, Clinique Extra Mild Bar or Liquid Cleanser. Doesn't irritate me and it's stable & predictable...and to me, that's what makes the best "difference" when it comes to cleansing...no surprises. Been re-purchasing these for years. I do try other cleansers, but I always go back to this.

As for other products, can't say I've found HG's yet. I keep trying & liking...some more than others...but nothing I'm committing to.

For me, Proactiv 3-step and Oil Free Moisture SPF15. The only things that keep my skin looking good.

For me, my prescription products have made the biggest difference in my skin. I use tretinoin .5% at night and a benzoyl peroxide 5% face wash morning and night. My HG daytime under-makeup moisturizer is Prescriptives All You Need+ Broad Spectrum Oil Absorbing Lotion. It has SPF 15, and really helps to ward off shine throughout the day. I'm currently testing out a night cream and an eye cream that I use at night, which are both from Weleda. My HG daytime eye moisturizer is The Body Shop's Camomile Soothing Eye Serum.

Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Clear Skin Cream (it has retinol and salicylic acid in it) has really cleared up my skin and cut down on the breakouts (even hormonal ones!) I bought it at Walgreens because it was marked down and ended up loving it.

For me, Clinique Extra Mild Bar or Liquid Cleanser. Doesn't irritate me and it's stable & predictable...and to me, that's what makes the best "difference" when it comes to cleansing...no surprises. Been re-purchasing these for years. I do try other cleansers, but I always go back to this.

As for other products, can't say I've found HG's yet. I keep trying & liking...some more than others...but nothing I'm committing to.

Gayle, do you use the Extra mild liquid or the mild? I have tried the extra-mild and found it to be too greasy and it doesn't remove makeup easily, so I'm thinking about trying the mild liquid.
I use the mild bar and it is pretty good (have you tried it, is the extra greasier also like the liquid is?)but i'm intrigued by the liquids. Thanks!!

Clinique total turnaround, I NEED this...

Px Fast Acting Moisturizer for Oilier Skin -it has really worked wonders in controling my oily skin and it has AHA too.

Thayer's Lavender Witch Hazel toner -has minimized the size of my pores and picks up any remaining residue from cleansers without drying out my skin.

I will never, ever be without Obagi Clenziderm again. It's got a salicylic acid cleanser, a salicylic acid toner, and a benzoyl peroxide serum. I rarely break out now when I used to suffer from cystic acne. I know from reading reviews online it's a pretty hit-or-miss product, but's one of the only things (aside from Accutane) that's worked for me.

I also won't be without SkinCeuticals .5% retinol. I sometimes alternate this instead of the BP serum, and it REALLY helps with scarring and red marks.

Px Fast Acting Moisturizer for Oilier Skin -it has really worked wonders in controling my oily skin and it has AHA too.

Thayer's Lavender Witch Hazel toner -has minimized the size of my pores and picks up any remaining residue from cleansers without drying out my skin.

I am going to have to try the Px moisturizer that you use soon. That's the one without SPF, right? I'm currently using the All You Need+ Broad Spectrum Oil Absorbing Lotion, and I'm wondering if the SPF15 makes me a little more oily than I would be if I used the moisturizer without it. I am currently testing out a sample of Kinerase Clear Skin Moisture Light and I am loving it way more than the Px. It doesn't have SPF, but it's also $75 for a full-size bottle! I'm torn. Has anyone else on here ever used Kinerase products?

The most difference? Accutane, when I was 14.

My regimen? Johnson's Baby Wash every day followed by a mild lotion (just bought Johnson's Baby Lotion).

I use NOTHING harsh on my skin. No acne products like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, or even exfoliating agents like AHA/BHAs.

I use a little bit of SPF 45 sunscreen every day.

I haven't had a breakout in 2 years.

I am going to have to try the Px moisturizer that you use soon. That's the one without SPF, right? I'm currently using the All You Need+ Broad Spectrum Oil Absorbing Lotion, and I'm wondering if the SPF15 makes me a little more oily than I would be if I used the moisturizer without it. I am currently testing out a sample of Kinerase Clear Skin Moisture Light and I am loving it way more than the Px. It doesn't have SPF, but it's also $75 for a full-size bottle! I'm torn. Has anyone else on here ever used Kinerase products? Yes, it doesn't have SPF. I decided on getting that one instead of the one with SPF because the reviews on MUA were better and people mentioned it controlled oil better than the SPF one. I've never personally tried the SPF one.
I have a sample of a Kinerase moisturizer but I'm not sure which one. I'm afraid to try Kinerase products because they're so pricey and I don't want to fall in love with them. I know I wouldn't be able to afford them on a regular basis. I never thought I'd pay $40 for a moisturizer but I had to make the exception for the Px one. It really exceeded my expectations. I hope it works out for you. :)

Yes, it doesn't have SPF. I decided on getting that one instead of the one with SPF because the reviews on MUA were better and people mentioned it controlled oil better than the SPF one. I've never personally tried the SPF one.
I have a sample of a Kinerase moisturizer but I'm not sure which one. I'm afraid to try Kinerase products because they're so pricey and I don't want to fall in love with them. I know I wouldn't be able to afford them on a regular basis. I never thought I'd pay $40 for a moisturizer but I had to make the exception for the Px one. It really exceeded my expectations. I hope it works out for you. :)

Thanks for your input. I think I am going to buy the Px moisturizer without SPF this weekend. As much as I'm loving my Kinerase sample, I just can't bring myself to spend $75 on a moisturizer. To justify spending $75, it would have to absorb my oilies completely and we both know that's not going to happen as nothing works 100%! I do love the Px one though, but like I said I think the SPF contributes to the oilies. I'll let you know if there's a noticeable difference after I test run the one without SPF for a few days.

The most difference? Accutane, when I was 14.

My regimen? Johnson's Baby Wash every day followed by a mild lotion (just bought Johnson's Baby Lotion).

I use NOTHING harsh on my skin. No acne products like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, or even exfoliating agents like AHA/BHAs.

I use a little bit of SPF 45 sunscreen every day.

I haven't had a breakout in 2 years.

Man, I wish a routine that simple worked for me! My skin would freak out if I didn't exfoliate or use any treatment products. It'd look great at first, but then my pores would start to clog and I'd break out. You're so lucky, Julie!

Yes, it doesn't have SPF. I decided on getting that one instead of the one with SPF because the reviews on MUA were better and people mentioned it controlled oil better than the SPF one. I've never personally tried the SPF one.
I have a sample of a Kinerase moisturizer but I'm not sure which one. I'm afraid to try Kinerase products because they're so pricey and I don't want to fall in love with them. I know I wouldn't be able to afford them on a regular basis. I never thought I'd pay $40 for a moisturizer but I had to make the exception for the Px one. It really exceeded my expectations. I hope it works out for you. :)

I didn't buy this last night, but I will soon. I think I should use up the All You Need+ first because these products are expensive and I'd hate to just toss it.

A glycolic cleanser and natural face oils with essential oils like Decleor Aromessence or Aveda Balancing Infusion.

My sister and I have been using Clean and Clear Deep Action Cream Cleasner lately and both of our faces are looking good! Her face cleared up a lot and looks less red. I used to use this cleanser all the time I don't know why I stopped. I also can't live without Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask. It's a great mask but it also makes an awesome spot treatment. I guess because of the sulfur in it. It shrinks monster zits overnight for me when I get them. I also love Clinque Acne Solutions Clarifiying Lotion. It really controls oilies and unclogs my pores.

As weird as it is after I was on Yaz BC for a few months I can wash my face with almost anything and have awesome skin.

But I do love Garnier's skin naturals line and TBS tea tree or seaweed products.

100% pure jojoba oil, 100% pure tea tree oil (both by Desert Essence, but any truly pure brand will do) and real aloe vera, freshly cut and juiced. After years of chemical experimentation, I've found that those three very basic things are best for my acne-prone skin. When I need a little exfoliation, I use a tiny bit of baking soda and gently massage it in and rinse it off with cool water.

Also, using BareMinerals has helped a lot. I avoid fillers and chalks like the plague. I only wear makeup when I have to. It helps that I run my business from home, so I only wear makeup about 2-3 times per week. I think that alone has made a huge difference. When I was a Beauty Advisor at Walgreens, I had to look my best every day, and the health of my skin was somewhat compromised (how ironic) because I wore full makeup every day.

I realized that my hair products were also a culprit in my skin issues, so I switched to very natural and basic, low-to-no-chemical hair products. I noticed a difference almost immediately on my back and shoulders and below my cheekbones, where my layers graze my face.

I use Avalon Organic Botanicals Lavender Shampoo twice a week and Trader Joe's (of all things) Refresh Conditioner daily. Once a week I use jojoba oil on my scalp to keep it balanced during the colder months. For styling, I use Aveda Be Curly curl-enhancing lotion and Aveda Air Control hairspray. Not only does Aveda support and practice sustainability, their pure-fume fragrance is delightfully spiced. I love earthy smells. I don't even need perfume when I use Aveda hairspray. I am constantly asked what perfume I wear, and they look at me funny when I tell them it's my hairspray. My boyfriend sticks his face into my hair all the time he loves it so much!

Those are my stand-by products. I had fun experimenting, but I've finally found a regimen my skin agrees with, and I'm sticking to it!

I wasn't able to edit my post above, but I thought of a couple more:
Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gel: staple summer moisturizer
Camellia oil: doesn't break me out and give my face a glow
Pure shea butter: HG eye cream and for times when my skin is really dry.
Derma E Ester-C Creme: Over time, this makes my skin clearer and brighter. I'll keep using this periodically, but I just love experimenting with other things.

My only HG's are TBS Tea Tree Oil Blemish Sticks and Clinique Moisture Surge Extra Thirsty Skin Relief (I just saw this in the "Last Chance" section on the Clinique website - go figure).

Skinceuticals CE Ferulic - expensive, but sooo worth it.

It claims to be preventative of sun damage by boosting the power of your sunscreen and fighting free radicals, but it has other wonderful side effects-

It actually lightened some sun spots from previous damage, it has nearly eliminated my need for moisturizer, and it makes my skin tone even and glowy.

Retin-A Micro or Tazorac - I alternate this nightly with Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner