Pimples Suck!

Hey Chicas!

I think that I would be hard pressed to find someone to argue with that statement (but hey its the web, so you never know).

I've had many issues with the dreaded pimple.  It all started in grade 8, and got worse in grade 9.  I know some people see my face are like oh you don't have any issues with it.  And I just smile and say thank you, all the time thinking in my head, thank god my concoction is working for me!  It started in grade 9 taking medication for my face...yup it was that bad.  So I was able to stop taking them when I reached university, leaning myself off the 4 a day to just 1 a day and then to none.  I haven't taken any medication for a few years now.  

Anyway, not that I'm giving you my sad history, but just a little context to my pimple history (that sounds kinda gross eh?).  So hence, when I see a breakout starting, my mind goes back to what it was like and what if it happens again?.....

So I have been using this little system for a while now, and when I do breakout it has proven to be effective, and when used correctly and everyday, it defiantly does the trick!

Here are my go-to keepers...

Yup, nothing earth scattering, but tried true and tested.  

Noxzema Triple Clean Anti-Blemish Pad.  I know it has some alcohol in it, yes I know my stance on it, but really this Sh!t is awesome.  I generally only use it at night after I have cleaned my face, just to ensure that all the makeup is off, and any traces of dirt/grim etc is removed.  It does sting a little, but I really haven't found it drying to my skin at all, which is awesome.  The price is around $6ish and you get like 90 pads, so its cheap and cheerful.

Second it is like my bff, for over 2 years (some friends don't even last that long..hehe).  Clean & Clear persa-gel 10, 10% benzoyl peroxide.   Unfortunately, for us Canadians, we can only get the 5% strength (I think, let me know if I'm wrong, though), I pick mine up during my yearly trips to Maine.  Its the only spot treatment that seems to work.  This one tube will last you about 1 year, if you don't overuse it. 

Thirdly, this is like my new favorite toy...

Picked it up at Wally-Mart for around $5.  FreeMan Facial Clay Mask - Avocado & Oatmeal.  Clay masks are perfect for oily skin, the clay will basically suck up the excess oil in your skin, taking the impurities right along with it.  As the mask dries, it will get tight and dry (duh), so avoiding the eye area is really really important.  I've used it all over my face, and as well for spot treatments.

This is how I use the products, on my face on a daily basis.  

After I have washed my face, I apply the Noxzema pad, concentrating on the problem areas.  If I feel a spot coming or have one to deal with, I do these next steps if my face is clear, the Noxzema pad is totally enough!  If I have a problem area, I apply the benzoyl peroxide to the area, and let it dry (I usually do my teeth at this stage, if we wanna get all specific).  Next, which is what I think really is just the icing on the cake.  I apply the Clay Mask over top of the benzoyl peroxide on the problem area.  I leave this mixture on the area the whole night, because the clay mask dries it won't stain your sheets or clothes - just as long as you wait the few minutes for the clay to dry.

That's how I deal with the issues, to ensure that my skin is nice and clear.  I caution you to avoid using it heavily if you are not overly oily, because you will get some dry spots on the areas.  But for me a little dry patch is much better/easier to deal with then a big ass pimple.  

I really think that the use of both acne medications the salicylic acid (Noxzema Pads), with the benzoyl peroxide at 10% (Clean & Clear spot treatment), really hit both areas of problem pimples.  And with the clay mask holding in all the treatment all night will ensure that the medication gets properly absorbed into the skin.

So this is my magic solution, obviously nothing is perfect, but its as close as I can get it.

Caitlin xoxo

psst...previous posts on the subject that you might be interested in...
Clean&Clear Advantage Mark Treatment
Skin Issues Breakouts
Q&A: Blind Pimples

Clean and Clear Advantage Mark Treatment

Hey Chicas!

So, as I've mentioned before, my face hasn't been agreeing with me lately, but I think I now have it under control *knock on wood* (x2) :)

Having said that the scars are still left on my face (nothing super major, basically red spots), and I wanted to purchase something that would help in the healing/fading time.  As we all know if they aren't deep or pitted marks they will fade in time, some will stick around, but they look like freckles so not really a big deal.  The issue was the length of time it takes for them go, and I wanted something fast and I wanted it now! *inhale, exhale*

I was looking at the Clean and Clear line, because it was the only creams beside my trusty Impruv cream (which has since been put back on rotation) that doesn't bring all out hell on break out my face!

So I found this little spot thingy...

(me thinks that its really only available in the states, as the Canada Clean and Clean website doesn't list it, but the USA one does, I picked mine up at Winners (Love), but don't worry, keep on reading, and your realize what you're NOT missing)

(UPDATE...saw it at Shoppers for $12, but it still doesn't work)

Said that it did this...

"CLEAN & CLEAR® ADVANTAGE® Mark Treatment treats pimples fast while diminishing the appearance of post-acne marks. This breakthrough formula is infused with a special oil dissolving technology that allows for delivery of acne medication, Salicylic Acid, to fight breakouts. The unique formula with Glycolic Acid promotes gentle surface skin turnover, improves skin's clarity and diminishes the appearance of post-acne marks."

Well, it might very well do it, but how could I really tell?  Why, you are all asking.  It's because after you applied it to your face you let it dry (duh!) then apply your daily moisturizer right?  Well could luck with that happening!  Epic FAILURE.  You cannot (or I could not) obviously apply cream before OR after this product is applied, all it does is start to peel off, in like chunks of white, almost like you've applied too much cream it starts to roll off, or if you have been exfoliating you body (come on you know what I'm talking out, those rolls of dead skin, gross, I know but now you get the gist).  It doesn't matter, what type of cream (all creams I used were ones that I had been using for months), how much or how little you applied, how long you waited to apply it etc.  It just didn't work. 

Now I suppose you could just apply the Mark Treatment on its own, but then the rest of your face will suffer the dehydratedness, plus you have to put cream on in the morning, and at night your face needs cream so your skin absorbs it while you sleep!

So I don't know how this stuff is suppose to work, seeing as you can't wear it during the day, or at night.. oh and the creams were Clean and Clear as well, you'd think that across the same brand the products would work with one another.

So I have since put it away, never to touched again...what a waste of like 10 bucks. 

Don't bother with it, the marks will fade in their own time, I promise :)

Caitlin xoxo

Skin Issues: Breakouts

Hey Chicas!

So, I have had the WORSE skin the past two weeks.  That's why I haven't put up any youtube videos lately, but that is no excuse for not posting about it.  The issue lays in the fact that what I did to my face, all by myself, i should know better and it shouldn't have happened.  No one likes to accept the fact that they screwed up, we all like to point fingers at someone else.  This though was all on me, and I've done it before, I totally new better, but went against my better judgment and did it anyway.  Don't do that ever!

Well, I'm now open to admitting it to you guys, that I messed up my face all by my freakin' self, horribly.

I hadn't had breakouts like that for years, honestly years!  They came on my cheeks, chin and then my forehead.   

So do we all want to know how stupid I was.........

You should never, never switch up your entire facial system at once, that causes your skin to go into overdrive and go flipping crazy on you.  So I bought new foundation which really blended in and worked well with my skin and wore well.  Then I bought new cleanser and toner combo.  The really stupid thing was changing them all at the same time, with in a day everything on my face changed except for my creams.

Needless to say my face didn't like it one bit!!  So I started breaking out, but when you change your facial cleaning routine, it will take your face at LEAST 2 weeks to adjust.  So in my mind they were just related to the new cleanser cleaning out my pores.  My chin always seems to have a few white heads and bumps so I was like "good its cleaning out my pores, awesome".  That lasted for a few weeks, and then the break outs started to move to my cheeks, and my forehead.  That was not really an area that I had issues at any time about my forehead.

So the cleanser is super gentle, because I'm trying something new, and it shouldn't irritate a baby's skin.  It was actually my fiance who suggested it might be the foundation.  And I was heartbroken, I really liked the foundation, matched my skin wonderfully, wore well, and was a really good price.  I shall do a review, when I'm sure it was that.  But I'm  like 99% sure that it was the foundation.  So I stopped using it, bought new foundation and guess what!?  The breakouts still came that were coming, but no new ones showed up. 

So a week of applying creams and trying to stop the breakouts, and clear my face up, I think I have finally succeeded.

I still have the acne spots and there are no new issues.

So, the moral of the story is....

Don't change it all up, just change one thing at a time.  That way you can pinpoint the cause of the breakouts.

Hope my mistake will prevent you from doing the same.

Caitlin xoxo

My Fav Winter Facial Creams

Hey Chicas!

Crap, it has been freezing here, like -40 something with wind chill.  That has got to do some harm to the moisture level of your skin.  So that got me thinking about a previous conversation with my friends (Katelyn, Ashley and Tina) about skin care and more specifically cream.

Now there is a perception among people, that the best cream is the most expensive.  Now there is some truth that that statement, but not fully.  Expensive products do not ultimately mean better.  The price for a large part comes from the packaging, and the amount of adverting that the company does.  Granted there are some really good expensive products, but there are some really good non expensive ones too.

I am an esthetican by trade, I have tried many expensive products and many drugstore products.  What I use now are all drug store products.  I use them, for many reasons, they are reasonably priced (even the most expensive drug store ones are still pretty good), easily available, and they work just as well.

These are my favorite drugstore creams.

1. Impruv Cream - This was recommended to me by my doctor, was I was training and had numerous products being used, and my face just revolted!  It was horrible, they were sore and wouldn't go away.  This cream I used morning and night, and it helped to bring much needed moisture back into my skin, without breaking my skin out.  It is my go to cream, when my face revolts against me.  It is awesome!  I recommend it to everyone, especially for dry/dehydrated skin and mature skin.  Its wonderful for redness and it helps to keep the moisture level up where it needs to be.  And if you have dry skin type or mature it really helps to give you the dewy look to your face, which is key to good healthy looking skin.  I have used this cream for over 6 years, my mommy too!! :)

2. Clean and Clear Finishes Pore Perfecting Moisture - First off this has SPF of 15 which isn't wonderful but it has something which is good, the website states "softens the appearance of pores with light diffusing minerals to give you a beautiful, smooth finish".  It is great for dehydrated skin, that still has oil issues, it gives you the moisture you need without adding any excess oil.  I started to use it in July 2010, and haven't stopped yet!  I really love it, your face will feel smooth and moisturized, and almost silky like, but not oily.  It is works wonderfully in the winter as well, if your skin gets really dry, likely not enough for you, but it works for me.

3. Clean and Clear Soft Night Moisturizer - The website states that it "is a lightweight and oil-free moisturizer that has been specifically designed to clarify and infuse moisture into young skin without clogging pores. The unique formula features glycolic acid, natural fruit acids, a Specially Formulated Moisturizing Complex and an antioxidant, white tea, that work through the night to clarify and soften, promoting beautiful, healthy looking skin now and in the future."  It is a great cream, I like that it has a pump, I use about 2-3 depending on my skin.  I bought it in August and the same bottle is still going.  It really does make your skin soft, the product does what it says it does.  I have even used it as a day cream when my skin is super dehydrated, the makeup wears well, without going shiny.

So I have a video that you can watch if I'm too wordy on here....



All products can be found at a drugstore.  Impruv is found at Shoppers, Lawtons and Sobeys, the small bottle is about $15 and the larger one around $30ish, but lasts a long time.  The other two are fairly inexpensive at $10ish I would guess.

The one key item that I would mention, is to check the ingredient list!!  If the product is boasting a key ingredient that the products has to make....well something happen, check the list if its at the top then there is a larger quantity, if its near the bottom of the list the quantity is  smaller.  So if the ingredients work from largest quantity to smallest quantity.  So for example, the Clean and Clear Soft Night Moisturizer, they comment on fruit extracts and white tea, those are at the bottom of the list, now the product works well regardless, but always check that out, if that ingredient is the reason for you buying it.

These are my own opinions and experiences, and hope they help you fix any problem issues you are having.

Caitlin xoxo

Q&A- Blind Pimples

Hey Chicas!

This is hopefully going to become a weekly thing here on CaitlinChic.  I had a reader send me an email caitlin.chic@hotmail.com, and ask me a question:

"I have a super important question for you, I have been getting a lot of blind pimples lately, with lots the past few days, on my mid to lower cheeks. I haven't been eating junk or greasy food or changed my facial treatments..any suggestions?"

source: bellasugar.com.au

This is a very common problem among everyone, and what a lot of people seem to think is that food is directly related to their breakouts....not entirely soo.  There are some foods that will cause issue with your face, but its the way your body is reacting to that food, and it comes out through the skin, you may even have an unknown allergic reaction to something in the food, and instead of the standard not being able to breathe (which is totally serious and I'm not trying to lighten it up) you will get the breakout instead.

The weather has started to shift, and your skin is reacting.  In the winter or colder months your skin doesn't overturn the cells as quickly, this causes dry skin to be standing in the way of your fresh new skin cells showing.  Between these layers is when your will get breakouts, because oxygen can't get in and the natural sebum and oils occurring on your face are then trapped between the layers, causing the breakout.  A solution would be to exfoliate your face a little more regularly with a salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide scrub, do this at night (your face should be red afterwords) and then use your spot treatment on the area.

A lot of bloggers/youtubers seem to tell you what you can do to solve the problem in the terms of products...but if you don't really understand why you will continue to have the problems, because spot treating issues will not resolve the underlying ones.

Another issue is what are you doing to your face during the day.  Are you resting your hand on your cheeks alot, this can cause a transfer of oils and lack of breathing of the skin.  Are you washing your hands enough?  I know it is simple but are you?  When we are coming into flu/cold season, just a thought.  Did you start up in the gym again, are you working out in your makeup?  When you sweat the pores open and before they can release the sweat they have to take in the makeup, and then gym equip (gross and dirty) and if you are wiping your face its likely the cause.  So honestly think about what your face goes through in the run of a day, is anything different?

So a blind pimple is really a papule: a solid, elevated lesion less than 0.5 cm in diameter.  They rarely are able to turn into a pustule.  The pore is clogged farther down then a standard pimple is.  Avoid all want to pop it or pick.  Don't do it!! Because it is soo deep in the skin, you puting pressure on it will cause it to spread farther out in the skin, giving you more papules/pustules.Placing a hot face cloth on the area for increments of 10 sec until cool will help to bring anything (aka. pus) to the surface.  Also, increase the number of fluids you are taking in during the day especially water, to help flush your system.

Hope this helps!

Caitlin xoxo