Tag: Matifying Moisturizer

Of all the things I have wanted in life, ever since about the end of grade 10, it has been to have perfect skin. I suffered from terrible acne in high school and  to a lesser degree at certain times in University. But as everyone’s skin does, my skin reacted a certain way with acne. I didn’t have acne covering my face, I had what you would call cystic acne in several spots that would often spread. Sometimes my skin would be terrible for awhile and then it would become clear and beautiful. My biggest problem was that I had oily skin that was dry in some places that would

get acne that would go deep under the skin and it would hurt.

When I was younger I must admit I was bad because I picked at it because it hurt so much. Then I learned to let it be but sometimes it would get to the point that it looked horrible anyways because my skin was pale and would be red in the effected area. I came to the conclusion, that A.) My skin got worse the week before my period and B.) When the weather undergoes a drastic change such as from Summer into a cold Fall or from Winter into a warm Spring, my skin would react the worst.

When I was in grade 12 one of my best friends at the time,  told me about Clinique Three Step Skincare . I went to the Clinique counter and did a little test (as you can do on the website I posted above) to see what type of skin I had. Type I was very dry to dry skin; Type II was Dry or Combination Skin; Type III was Combination or Oily skin;  and Type IV was Oily skin. Since, I began using Clinique, they came up with a fifth type of skin products specifically for Acne Prone skin. As well, as a three step system for Men with Dry to Normal Skin, or Oily Skin. I started using Type II in high school to get use to the products (I had sensitive skin as well) and about a year later switched to Type III skin products which has been my skin type ever since. I did, however, do some product changes to specifically what products I used for my own three step Clinique line.

Step 1: Each type of Clinique skincare, first includes a Facial soap or Liquid Facial Soap. If you are looking to save money or you have acne on your back for instance, the facial soap is a good option for $17.00 to $18.00. But I always think that bacteria can get on the soap you are using (which comes with a soap tray) and the Liquid Facial Soap is a lot better because you need so little when you squirt it out and put it on your face. It’s fantastic because it makes your skin feel nice and smooth and gets rid of the dirt and oil on your face. It costs $21.00.

Eventually, because I learned that acne often spreads due to bacteria, I

started using the Acne Cleansing Foam  for $24.00, it lasts me about two months. And if you have any kind of medium to bad acne I recommend this over the Facial Soap unless your skin is on the dryer side. I have not used anything but this Cleansing Foam for years, but then recently I started using a cleanser (Take the Day of Cleansing Milk for $33.00) or cleansing clothes from Shopper’s Drug Mart (Life Brand or Neutragena) to remove my makeup from my face first. That helped my skin routein because I wasn’t breaking out from left-over makeup

Step 2: The second step to the Clinique system is a toning or Clarifying Lotion that you use a cotton pad to rub on your face after using the Facial Soap. You can actually buy a super-big size of Clarifying Lotion at Sephora usually around Septemeber and it has a pump you can just place your cotton pad on and you can pump it a couple times so the Clarifying Lotion is absorbed by your cotton pad. Then, rub it all over your face and neck. You will be quite grossed out (especially at first) to see how dirty and grey the soaked cotton looks. Rub the cotton pad (or a second one if you need) all over your face to remove all dirt, oil, and makeup residue. If you have an area that is breaking out under your skin leave the cotton pad on it for a

few extra minutes so it can absorb down into your pores. The Clarifying Lotion usually comes in two sizes: 6.07 fl oz for $17.00 (great for travelling) or a 13.5 fl oz size for $28.00. Your best bet is to buy the bigger size whenever you can. There is also the Acne Line Clarifying Lotion for $19.00 if your skin is acne prone.

I am going to skip a step here for a moment which is using a Clinique Moisturizer. If you are younger than twenty-five you can get away with using only a moisturizer but if you are twenty-five or older you want to start looking into using a product that

aids your skin from aging — a serum is great for this. It seems like twenty-five is an early age to start using anti-aging or skin aiding products but the earlier you start the nicer your skin will be when your older. You can find many different serums on the market and the best ones have some Vitamin A and C and Retinol in them. I use one I keep finding at the beauty section in Winners but Clinique also has a bunch of different serums for your skin that you can use depending on which skin issue is your biggest concern. I recommend Turn Around Revitalizing Serum in 30 ml for $51.00 or 50 ml for $75.00. If you want your skin cell turnover to go faster and to have smooth revitalized skin this a great serum for you. If you are more worried about having an even skin tone whether that be from age spots or acne

scarring you can try Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector (it comes at a couple different price points such as the previous serum but they aren’t showing on the website right now). A third choice for a good Serum would be Repair Wear Laser Focus for Lifting and Firming skin. It comes at a couple different price points as well. If you use a serum remember to put on your serum before you put on your moisturizer and to let your serum sink into your skin first.

Step 3: Step three of the Clinique skincare system is the Clinique moisturizer. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizer is an award winning product in many magazines year after year. What is great about it

is if you have oily skin you can use the Moisturizing Gel (like I do) and you will find that the gel is not as heavy on your skin and that you may not break out as much because your moisturizer is lighter. Also for those of you who have dry skin you can purchase the Moisturizing Cream which is a fairly new addition to the Clinique skincare line. The Clinique moisturizer and the gel come in three sizes right now ranging from $11.00 to $47.00. The smallest size is great for travelling but if you want the best deal you should purchase the moisturizer in the largest pump size because it is the largest amount of moisturizer you will receive for your money. The moisturizing cream comes in two sizes for $18.00 for 30 ml

and $32.00 for 50 ml, for Types I and II skin. The Acne line also has it’s own moisturizer if you have acne prone skin for $26.00. But I caution that you really have to have oily skin if you use this moisturizer. I tried a sample back when me skin was acting out and it dried my skin right out.

Since, acne can be an issue for adults as well as teenagers, it is awesome that Clinque provides the customer with many options on how to treat their type of skin and problems.

I want to share a product from the acne line that I think, can be used by anybody who is dealing with acne some or all of the time. Acne Solutions Clinical Clearing Gel is a spot product you just apply wherever you have acne. It has salicylic acid in it which is wonderful at shrinking and drying out acne. For 15 ml it is $21.00 and for 30 ml it is $31.00. If you buy the biggest size of this product it will last you a year and half or longer depending on how often you are using

it. Everybody gets a pimple now and then and this is perfect to apply at night and under makeup. Also, if you struggle with acne or certain things such as wrinkles,pore size, facial redness,  and uneven skin tone (etc.), know that Clinique often has corresponding products in their skincare or foundations that aid you with your fight against these issues.

Also, I want to note because you are a man does not mean that you cannot use or do not need skincare products, especially if you are prone to acne or oily skin. A basic three step program is great for everyone whether they are male or female. But luckily if you are a man, Clinique carries a special line of products especially for you. For instance, it has two Three Step Skincare lines. Since men have thicker skin their skin can often be a lot oilier so

there is a specific Three Step System for Men with Oilier skin which includes: Oil Control Face Wash for $21.00, Oil Control Exfoliating Tonic for $18.00, and Oil Control Matifying Moisturizer for $32.00. There is also a Three Step System for men with Normal to Dry skin. The prices aren’t different but you can look at the products here under Men’s Dryer to Normal Skin Type. There are several other great Clinique products for men such as Shaving Gel and and Scrub. Take a look at other Men’s Clinique Products here.

As a final note I wanted to let you know that

not only is Clinique available at http://www.clinique.ca or http://www.clinique.com. You can also purchase Clinique online or instore at Sephora (or http://www.sephora.com), Sears, The Bay, or at Shoppers Drug Mart and it’s online stores: Beauty Boutique or Murale. It is available practically everywhere, is priced reasonably, and works well. I’m not saying you’re never going to break out again, but there will be far less of a chance you will break out, that you will have generally healthier skin, and nicer feeling skin if you use Clinique skincare. Remember to watch for

Clinique bonus products for spending a certain amount of money on Clinique products at Sears and the Bay, or Holt Renfrew. Also, remember that at certain stores such as Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale, Beauty Boutique, and Sephora you can collect points towards getting money off a big purchase or purchasing beauty bonuses of many kinds.

Thanks for reading. Maybe you will find some lovely skincare products for some of the people in your life this Christmas.

 

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