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The Lipstick Page Forums Beauty & Fashion Blog
LP's Cream of the Crop 2008: Skin

Posted by Dain, Monday, July 07, 2008 12:01 AM (Eastern)

We at The Lipstick Page Forums believe in the supreme importance of skincare. We do not, however, advocate the tactics of the skincare industry: to prey upon insecurities over acne and aging by offering products that are either very expensive and ineffectual, or cheap and punishing. A good skincare routine should be as simple as possible—a gentle, effective cleanser, the right moisturizer for your skin type, some form of regular exfoliation, and broad-spectrum sun protection—with judicious treatments to handle more specific concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, puffy eyes, and sensitivity. You may find our list quite plain, but it is our honest opinion that the best skincare routines never overload on products, consequently we cannot in good faith recommend any costly miracle anti-agers.

THE BASICS

cleansers For drier, sensitive skins, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser ($12) has stood by us through thick and thin, while Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream ($23.95) purifies oilier skin types without stripping.
moisturizers It may seem counterintuitive, but a couple drops of deliciously aromatic Dr. Hauschka Normalizing Day Oil ($38.95) is our preferred choice to balance and brighten oily skin. For most skin types—normal, combination, and dry—Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentrée ($25) is the most brilliant moisturizer we've met: fast-absorbing yet intensely hydrating, and gentle enough even for the most sensitive of skins. And for skin that feels seriously abused, chapped and dehydrated beyond reason, the rich balm of Egyptian Magic Healing Cream ($34) provides intense therapy.
exfoliant Even skins that cannot tolerate the most innocent exfoliants will find salvation in Primavera Refining Exfoliating Cleanser ($42), a sugar-based surfactant and jojoba-bead scrub that polishes skin without a hint of irritation.
sunscreen Dermatologists recommend that we use copious amounts of sunscreen, but high prices tend to encourage a sparing application. You won't feel the need to hoard Olay Complete ($11), the sheer zinc oxide ensures great protection and the formula is light and pleasant, and it's available in fragrance free. If you're looking for serious protection, La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Lait SPF 50+ ($39) can get rather greasy, but it's some heavy-duty sunscreen.

THE SPECIFICS

make up remover A water-soluble, oil-based cleanser like DHC Deep Cleansing Oil ($24) removes even waterproof makeup thoroughly and effectively, but without any harsh detergents. For oily skin, it may be all you need at night.
acne treatment We believe that chronic acne must be treated holistically, rather than blasted into oblivion by strong chemicals, but for the stray monster zit that demands emergency treatment, we recommend the one-two punch of a salicylic acid gel to disinfect and exfoliate, like Clinique Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel ($13.50), layered with a dab of a clay-based mask to draw out the pus and oil, the drugstore favorite "Green Queen", Queen Helene Mint Julep ($4).
desensitizer Buttery smooth Jurlique Calendula Cream ($32) will calm rashes, heal acne and sunburn, and restore much needed moisture to frazzled skin. One word of warning: some people will react to the high concentration of calendula extract.
puffy eyes and dark circles Eye creams are laden with more hype than the greatest and newest pop stars, but Lab Series Age Rescue Eye Therapy ($26) effectively lightens, depuffs, and moisturizes with very little nonsense.
lip balm Dr. Hauschka ($14.50) makes the best lip balm: rich and protective without being waxy, but light enough to wear underneath your favorite lipstick, plus a mild rose scent that's strangely pleasing after a million minty things.

We've attempted to choose products that might please universally, but we recognize that skincare is very personal, and as strategic as any battle plan, and we've all got our own unique takes. Here are the keystones to the staffers' routines:

Colleen has had acne-prone skin since 1995, and oily skin for much of her life. She has found that most products targeted towards both issues tend to work at first and then stop working, or never work at all. The key is to use products that don't strip oil from your skin, and to be patient, as good skincare takes time to work. "Currently I use Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Milk ($33.95) at night, and a Salux Beauty Skin Cloth ($2.69), a textured nylon washcloth from Japan, in the morning, followed by tiny bit of Dr. Hauschka Cleansing Cream ($23.95)." Dain's dry and sensitive skin is largely well behaved, but it's an absolute saint with Jurlique Herbal Recovery Gel ($134). "I'm not sure what it does, exactly, but it's this antioxidant botanical cocktail that instantly brightens and somehow rebalances the skin. It provides the perfect summerweight hydration or boosts a more standard moisturizer for cooler months, and thanks to its peculiar magic, I haven't broken out or experienced the severe dehydration that afflicts me every winter." Joy has combination skin that's gotten a bit more temperamental as she's aged, and sometimes she has to deal with rosacea flares, but she rarely stays loyal to any particular brand, preferring to vary her routine with the seasons and the condition of her complexion. "One recent constant has been a Clarisonic ($195) for morning cleansing. It's pricey to be sure, but it gets the skin clean and smooth in a way that even the best exfoliants and masques can't achieve." Products-wise, she is a fan of Daybreak Farms Rhassoul Duo Daily Complexion Polish ($39.50), a unique combination of mineral rich rhassoul mud and a nourishing complexion bar to polish and purify the skin, and Dr. Hauschka Normalizing Day Oil ($38.95), "it's one I always return to."

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Labels: cetaphil, clarisonic, clinique, cream of the crop, daybreak lavender farm, dhc, dr. hauschka, egyptian magic, embryolisse, jurlique, la roche posay, lab series, olay, primavera, salux, skin

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