Clear Skin Products that Won't Break the Bank

Let me begin by saying, I am NOT a dermatologist. The knowledge I am sharing here is from personal experience (which does include trips to a dermatologist). I am writing because I know how painful and embarrassing acne and blemishes can be and I hope that someone might benefit from my experiences.

We live in a society where we are judged heavily on our appearance, especially women. Having acne and blemishes can have a devastating affect on self-esteem.

It is important to note that everyone's skin is different, and what works for one person might actually make things worse for another. That's part of the reason there's so many products out there!

The tips below will not work for everyone. I had what could only be considered moderately bad skin. Some people with serious acne may only see improvements with a visit to a dermatologist.

But here's what I've learned over the years, after trying dozens of product!

#1. Wash your face...duh! This might seem obvious, but many of my girlfriends that suffer from bad skin consistently break the cardinal rule of skin care - Never go to sleep with your makeup on! Even if you don't wear makeup, washing your face should be the first thing you do in the a.m. and the last thing you do at night. Some people with very dry or sensitive skin need to be careful not to over-wash their face as it will only become more irritated, but using a mild formula in the a.m. and p.m. should be OK.

#2. 8 Glasses a day. That's right everybody, I'm sure you've heard it a million times, but drinking 8+ glasses of water a day really helps! And its great for your entire body!

#3. Eye Makeup Remover. For those of you who wear eye makeup, I have found the best product to be Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads. They come in little pads, about the thickness of a baby wipe. They work great, aren't messy and don't require the extra hassle of cotton balls. They come in moisturizing and oil-free. I have tried both and found that the moisturizing variety made me break out around my eye area (upper cheeks and nose). My skin is combination, meaning my T-zone (Forehead, nose and chin - just look in the mirror and trace a capital "T" on your face with your finger if you don't know what I'm talking about) is oily and the rest of my face tends to dry out easier, so the oil-free variety works best for me. Note: The pads only cost about $4-$5 and come in packages of 80.

4. Suds up! Next comes face wash. If you are still using a bar soap to wash your face - throw it away - there are much better options out there! I have two favorites that I use regularly, depending on the season. That's right, your skin care needs change with the weather. During the summer you need a stronger product - heat and sweat can do a number on your skin, especially if it is naturally oily. My favorite product, which I've used for several years now, is called St. Ives Clear Pore Cleanser. It only costs about $3-$4 and a 10 oz. bottle lasts a long time. I probably only buy about 3 bottles a year.

During the winter, I use a face wash called Cetaphil. It is all natural (great for sensitive skin) and was actually recommended to me by a dermatologist. When I first tried it, I didn't feel like it was really getting deep down into my pores, because it doesn't lather. But then I used my astringent afterward and the cotton pad came out almost completely clean! With other brands, it sometimes took two cotton pads and still wasn't that clean! (All of these products I am mentioning can be purchased at your local drug store or WalMart, etc. And the great thing is, they're affordable). Cetaphil runs about $4-$5. I prefer the original formula.
As far as the spring and fall months go, your skin will tell you when to switch your product - In late fall when you feel your skin start to dry out or in late spring when your face wash that used to work wonders no longer seems to be cutting it.

#5. Finish it off. The last step is astringent. I use Sea Breeze for sensitive skin. Just put a little on a cotton pad and wipe away any dirt and oil that your face wash didn't take care of. I know a lot of people don't use astringent, but it's very addicting - once you see how much dirt is sometimes left in your pores - you'll feel gross if you leave out this step! Sea Breeze costs about $3-$4. I have actually tried Wal-Marts store brand (Equate) of the same product and found it works just as well and saves you a buck or so - but this may not be the same with all store brands).

#6. Avoid acne products that over-dry. Many products out there are just too harsh for many of us. If you have a bunch of blemishes, you may think you need a strong acne product to clear it up. However, sometimes these products can have the opposite affect. If you dry your skin out to much, it naturally reacts by producing more oil to moisturize itself, which can in turn lead to more breakouts.

#7. A few finishing touches. Here are a few products that don't need to be used everyday, but when added to your skin care regimen a few times a week can really make a difference! First, another product from St. Ives. Their Apricot Scrub exfoliant is a miracle worker. Use it after you've washed your makeup off to get rid of all those dead skin cells - it really makes your skin glow and helps keep your pores clean. I like to use it in the shower, because it can tend to be a bit messy. Exfoliating might be too harsh for someone with very dry or sensitive skin, so if you're going to give it a try, start with just once a week and see how it goes. Second is Biore's Pore Cleansing Strips. They are little strips you put on your wet nose, chin, or forehead. Just press them down well and wait about 10-15 minutes until they are dry and hard. Then peel off slowly and see how much cleaner your pores are! You can see all the gunk on the strip, kind of gross, but at least you know its working! These are the most expensive, starting at $6-$8 and going up depending on the size of the pack.

#8. Toothpaste! I know it sounds silly, but I've tried all sorts of zip creams and nothing works as well as a little toothpaste. On the rare occasion that I do get a blemish, I dab a tiny bit of toothpaste on it (I've read that it dries it out, without being too harsh) - I don't know...I just know it works!

Well, there you have it. I hope this info will help some of you. Like I said, all of these tips are products of my own struggles with acne and blemishes. It's trial and error when it comes to skin care and you may find that only one or none of these products is right for you. But keep trying and eventually you will find a regimen that is. It took me years to put together this regimen but it's worth it - I haven't had a blemish in months! If you take anything from reading this article, remember to always wash your makeup off before you go to bed...even if its 3:00 a.m. and you've had a few too many drinks...you'll regret it in the morning if you don't!