Let's assume the bukkake jokes have already been made...

[denny]

Right, so I'm thinking I'd quite like to get a facial. I have quite a lot of blocked pores or something, I dunno, I'm just interested to see what difference it would make to my skin. Does anybody have any opinions on home vs professional, where to go or which kit to buy, etc etc?

(You can also safely assume that I've already been told that it would make more difference if I sorted out my terrible dietary habits)

Comments

[tar0r.livejournal.com]

Generally if you have blocked pores, then exfoliating is the way to go, rather than spending silly amounts on having creams put on your face, then wiped off several times.

In my experience, just having a good skin cleansing, toning, moisturising and exfoliating routine has done so much more than going to a salon and having a facial.

[dennyd.livejournal.com]

So what would you recommend I buy/use?

[tar0r.livejournal.com]

Well, what kind of skin do you have?

I've got teenage skin, so I'll probably use different products to what you need :)

[dennyd.livejournal.com]

Ah, complicatedness.

I have wrinkly old man skin, of course. :)

[kotenok.livejournal.com]

Yup, wot she said

(:

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

Wot she said. Go for a facial by all means if you feel like pampering yourself, but you're likely to see better long-term results by getting into a good skincare routine.

(Sorry if this is a bit Janet & John - I don't know how much of this you know).

Cleansing - choose a simple cleanser which has an exfoliator built in. I like the St Ives ones (http://www.stives.com/skin-care-products/facial-invigorating.cfm ), but if your skin is prone to oiliness you may want to try one with an antibacterial and deep-cleansing action like Clean & Clear (http://www.superdrug.com/invt/31178 )

Moisturising - the simpler the better. Look for unscented, light moisturisers that won't irritate your skin. If there are areas of your face where the pores look enlarged and open (on me that's around the sides of my nose), don't use moisturiser on those areas.

You can buy face masks in most chemists. The best ones for eliminating excess oils on the skin are those that contain white clay (sometimes called kaolin). You shouldn't use them more than once every few weeks though. Use them after cleansing but before moisturising.

Best way to sort out blocked pores is steam. Put hot water in a bowl/sink, add a few drops of essential oil (peppermint, lavender, rosemary, tea-tree are all good for this), and do the 'towel-over-head' thing. Cleanse and moisturise as usual afterwards.

[dennyd.livejournal.com]

Safest (and entirely accurate) to assume that I know nothing. Thank you. :)

[sevenhelz.livejournal.com]

I'm quite fond of St Ives as well. Mostly because when they're on offer I can almost afford them, but also because they smell nice and have grit in them. Apparently this is good for skin.
xx

[kynetik.livejournal.com]

Yeah, remember one thing with Tara; she has naturally perfect, clear, beautiful and spot free skin. And I want her babies.

[phuturatica.livejournal.com]

*spaffs all over your face* =D

but yeah...what tar0r said. buy a really nice exfoiliator and cleanser rather than the whole face mask malarky.

[dennyd.livejournal.com]

*spaffs all over your face* =D

In my dreams :)

[squiddity.livejournal.com]

I'll take you through my cleansers and stuff once the bathroom is set up.
All you really need is a good exfoliant, a good cleanser, and a decent shaving setup.
My ablutive routine is quite thorough and very effective - my skin is naturally fucked (as you can tell if I've been out all weekend and not had access to my cleansers, I get laods of spots really quickly).

It is also worth getting a facial anyway - it is not expensive and rather fun.
Also it shows you how to do it 'properly', which is, of course, to have an attractive young woman in a starched white gown with one too many buttons undone bending over you slathering creams all over your face.

I'm going to be looking for a beauty shop near the Den anyway so will keep you informed.

[dennyd.livejournal.com]

I shave very rarely, so I doubt that's doing my skin much damage.

[fire-brand.livejournal.com]

I get all my stuff from Lush - they are wicked because its all natural products, they aren't too expensive and they smell pretty good too. The real benefit to Lush is that most of the staff know what they're talking about - I walked into the Covent Garden one and within 10 minutes someone had helped me find a whole skincare routine for less than £20 that has really improved my skin.

[missyasmina.livejournal.com]

Simple and cheap,and can be tested immidiatly:

Use hot water (opens skin-pores)on a towel, hold it on to your face for a while. (3-4 minutes)
Then scrub your face with a not-so-soft clout, more hot water, scrub more,etc...
- before using more even more hot water to remove the dead skin-cells, and finishing with cold water to close your pores again.

Do not forget the cold water at the end. If you leave your pores open all kind of icky small things will climp into them, and grow into monsters. ;)

[blanche-carte.livejournal.com]

When done properly, a facial with extractions (pore unblocking) can make a massive difference that you just can't get from using products at home.

However, really good beauticians who know how to do extractions effectively are a rare and precious thing. So far, I know only one place in London which does, and it's unpleasantly expensive (Bliss Spa in Sloane Avenue...and I think it might still be girls only).

From years of experiments, a few things I found (for me at least): home face masks bring out more spots over the subesquent few days - so why bother?; those nose pore strips work quite well if you don't steam face / shower first (those can help with other areas); exfoliation as everyone has said is vv useful; and the best thing I ever did for my skin was stop using moisturiser. Heresy, but by god it worked.

[kynetik.livejournal.com]

Depends on the type of skin. I usually go for MicroDermabrasion. The proper stuff with the crystals shot into your skin and sucked out again. It's really good for unclogging the face - PLUS it gets rid of scars quite a bit. For home I follow quite a strict skincare regime, I cleanse twice daily and exfoliate twice a week... Trying not to sound like Pat Bateman or anything. You can also get deep cleansing facial masks and for clogged pores on the nose bior nasal strips can do the job, but don't use 'em too often because they rip out sebum too which means overproduction which means spots.

Generally I'd advise just keep the hair clean, cleanse and exfoliate every couple of weeks. I use La Prarie products - but the Elemis 'skin buff' exfoliator is teh hot.

btw - the bukkake jokes are never 'already made'!

Oh - and, honestly, I don't think diet has much to do with skin - just DRINK. LOADS. OF. WATER.

and I mean LOADSLOADSLOADS.

But I don't know why you'd take my advice - have you /seen/ my face?!