back to the basics

If you're anything like me, which is a post twenty-something lady who still seems to struggle ever so often with break outs on ultra-sensitive skin then don't fret.  I'm always challenged with my own, so I'm here to tell you that you are certainly not alone.  As a teen, there was nothing that took care of my skin better than these three ingredients: ph balanced soap, low-grade alcohol (like 50-60% Isopropyl), and a light natural oil (back then it was vegetable oil).

So for 2011, it's back to basics.  No exotic stuff, simply the regimen that worked when nothing else would.  Back then it was Neutrogena products. Today it's Cetaphil for me.  Then 50% alcohol from the Dollar Tree as my astringent.  And a light thin layer of Bio Oil to moisturize and seal the cuticle.  And treat myself to a facial!

Well, in the recent months I had been using MSM soap.  And for a while it seemed to at least control the break outs and for the first time in a year I felt I was ahead of the eight ball.  That lasted until winter.  And winter in Michigan is always the tell-tale of how well I doing to manage the free-radicals that seem to destroy my very sensitive combo skin.  Cleaning your skin is just one step in managing healthy skin.  You also have to keep the skin balanced, which means control the oils without over-drying.  If you have large pores, then you have to keep it from becoming too clogged.  I refused to get frustrated, because I've looked over pictures from the archives and found that I've had some rather beautiful skin over the years.  I definitely had moments of victories.  

My sister who has the most beautiful skin, post decades of struggles had introduced me to Cetaphil as prescribed by her dermatologist.  I rarely listen to anything those quacks have to say because I'd been there, tried that.  I mean folks, I'm a girl who started going to see a skin doctor way back in 7th grade.  Bless my Mother's heart.  She was committed to helping me with my struggles.  So I had been using all of these wonders that came from there and here.  Then finally one day my sister and I were out shopping and she was buying her facial bar, so I bought one too.  I didn't use it right away.  I placed it on the linen closet shelf and continued using my 'swear by it' MSM bar.  

A few weeks ago I pulled it out.  And low and behold, I love it.  I love how it feels on my skin.  Now Cetaphil makes several bars.  I believe the one I'm currently using at home and away is the Cetaphil Anti-Bacterial Gentle Cleansing Bar.  It's recommended for dry-sensitive skin.  As I've learned about my skin over the years, I've discovered that it's not as oily as I've been lead to believe.  In fact it's actually dry.  The oil that is produced excessively on the surface is a reaction to what's happening below it.  So in actuality I've been doing my skin a disservice by overly drying it out in the effort to cleaning it.  Same goes for hair, believe it or not.  

Because my Cetaphil bar retails around $2.99 I'd prefer to keep that bar solely for my face and any problem areas instead of using the Gentle Cleansing bar which can be used all over.

Try it.  You may like it!