Pre-Wedding Skin Rehab

For years now I've been annoyed with the skin on my face. I have combination skin, with an oily T-zone and dry cheeks, and an occasional pimple or two. I've spent who knows how much money trying out different face washes and moisturizers, as well as different makeup to help cover the shine, but still ended up looking like this every time:


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My most recent regimen of Clean & Clear Morning Burst Shine Control Scrub in the mornings, followed by Olay Total Effects Smoothing Serum, and Clean & Clear Daily Pore Cleanser at night, followed by Olay Total Effects Night Firming Cream just wasn't doing it for me. I was trying to combat my oily skin and also prevent wrinkles, but the Clean & Clear products were just too drying and the Olay products were too moisturizing.


{Images from the Clean & Clear and Olay websites}

I decided I needed a change, since I didn't want to have to worry about reapplying my L'Oreal True Match pressed powder 10 times on my wedding day (yes, my nose needed about 10 applications of powder a day!). So I dug up this post from Mrs. Peep Toe that I'd bookmarked ages ago, and decided to bite the bullet and invest in more expensive skin care than the drug store brands.

I went to the Origins store at a nearby mall on my lunch break, and bought them out! After a couple weeks of use, I've already noticed a big difference in my skin, it's so much more even--my nose and forehead much less oily, and my cheeks aren't dry anymore. In fact, I noticed a difference after doing my new face regimen the first time; after using my new products the first night, I woke up the next morning and my forehead wasn't even oily like it usually was!

So, want to see my new regimen? This is what was recommended for combination skin. Twice a week, exfoliate with Modern Friction (follow the product links for image sources).

Twice daily wash your face with Checks and Balances. I love this cleanser, you only need about a pea sized amount to get your face squeaky clean, and it's really nice and frothy too.



After washing your face twice a day, you tone your skin with the United State balancing tonic on a cotton ball. It really gets deep into your pores, and after a long day it's amazing to see even more dirt come off your face after scrubbing it with the cleanser! And this toner is great for sensitive skin too, which I have.



After my skin can't get any cleaner, I use Youthtopia age-correcting serum with Rhodiola, in my quest to prevent wrinkles. I really like the smell of the Youthtopia products, sort of like cinnamon oatmeal.


Finally, I end my twice daily routine with Youthtopia skin firming lotion with Rhodiola. You could also use their other lotion that has an SPF, but my pale Irish skin needs all the wrinkle prevention it can get, so I opted for the firming lotion!



If I do have a pimple, I use a little dab of the Spot Remover. It works so much better than the Clean & Clear Advantage stuff I was using before, I can actually feel my skin tighten upon application (and the oil being sucked out to the pimple)!


And of course, I'm also doing my daily cleansing and moisturizing routine on my neck. I don't want to end up with a smoother face and wrinkly neck like this!


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Another step I've taken to improve the look of my skin is to try a new pressed powder (I don't wear foundation on a daily basis). For the past few weeks I've been using the Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder with SPF 15. It costs about 3 times as much as the L'Oreal powder I was using, but works about 10 times better, so I'd say it's worth it!

So to recap, I've changed all the cleansers and moisturizers, as well as the pressed powder I'm using on my face. And the result? After a few weeks I've gone from an oil slick T-zone that needed powder applied about 10 times a day to keep it under control, to a mostly dry and balanced face that I only apply powder to about 2-3 times a day (and the applications are mainly to my nose; my forehead has improved more than my nose).

The only facial skin product that I'm still using from before is the Clean & Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets. They really do work great for removing shine before you reapply your powder!


What steps will you be taking to get your face wedding day ready? Got any product tips for the hive?