Reliving my Teen Years (Clinique Haul)

Ah, the joys of hormone shifts have left me with something I haven't experienced in quite a while: zits.

Yay.

I'm pretty sure that the dermatologist who saw me when I was 14 and told me I would grow out of acne is having a great laugh (in whatever his version of the afterlife is) about the 36 year old me meticulously examining a pimple in my magnifying mirror. "I told her she'd grow out of it! Hah!" he's probably saying to the other doctors in between cigarette puffs.

My new, acne-fighting arsenal

My husband treated me to the Clinique Acne Solutions Line yesterday while we were at the exchange, which is his nice way of saying that I needed it. The Clinique Skincare Consultant was a bit more blunt: "Here's what you need". I walked away with:

Clinique Acne Solutions Oil Control Cleansing Mask (US$22.00)
Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam (US$19.50)
Clinique Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion (US$15.00)
and a generous sample of Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel since I am "too old and dry" for their  Clearing Moisturizer.

It's been 24 hours and here's my first impression:

 I thought I'd be pretty dry, but my face felt super soft and comfortable up until I took my makeup off last night. I thought I'd have a crazy oil slick since I took my baby to her doctor's appointments and to meet my coworkers afterwards. It was 90 degrees yesterday and I hauled her and her diaper bag through three different un-air conditioned buildings. My hair didn't look great, but my face still looked fresh!

The two pimples I had yesterday seem to have flattened and shrunk to two little dry spots on my cheek, everything around those two spots is still soft and comfortable and not at all greasy. I'm off to a good start!

I'll try and update this in a month if all goes for the better, or sooner if things turn to the worse, but right now I am very pleased.

Do you have a go-to acne solution? Tell me about it!

Cleansing Oil Obsessed (UPDATED)

     When it comes to makeup removal, I am a huge fan of cleansing oils; ever since a friend of mine brought me a bottle of DHC Cleansing Oil from Japan back in college. I'm a longtime fan of Albolene, which is still my favorite travel choice due to the fact that it's basically a solid until you emulsify it; however, it's not really conducive to immediate makeup re-application.

     I purchased another cleansing oil at a local shop. It was cheap, so I figured I'd give it a whirl. It turned out to be mostly mineral oil so it was cheap in more ways than one. I put it on my face and it just sort of stayed there...no makeup removal, eyes stinging, and no rinsing or wiping would take it off. It ended up in the trash. 

    The other day, I stopped in the Marine Corps Exchange for a jug of post-blackout milk (they didn't have any either) during their Glam-O-Rama event when I saw this staring back at me from one of the shelves:

The mother of all cleansing oils

   

There is was: the brand new Purity Made Simple Mineral Oil-Free Facial Cleansing Oil ($21 USD)

It was beautiful. It may have had a halo around the cap. I swear I faintly heard angels singing. Philosophy has finally come out with a cleansing oil! Haaaaaalelujah! Haaaaaalelujah! Halelujah! Halelujah! Haleeeelujah! Then a salesperson appeared with two coupons that I could use together...I took that as a sign.

     It's no secret that I am a huge fan of Philosophy products. They work and there's no "waste of time" to it (ahem, toner). Besides, if you've ever seen Cristina Carlino, Philosophy's founder, she's her own best advertisement. She's like a female Dick Clark...never seems to age. 

     The oil itself is moderately priced, but not cheap, and very luxurious feeling. I used it to wash off my makeup when I got home. It glides on like a dream; a little water, a little wipe with a washcloth and *poof* makeup AND oil were both gone. No stinging of the eyes, no residue.

     The oil was even gentle enough for me to use on my stepdaughter this weekend when she decided to swipe a deep chocolate shade of shadow underneath her eyes. Fortunately, she soon realized that this was not an attractive look. I put a bit of the oil in her hand and told her to smooth it over her face and eyes, then gave her a washcloth to wipe it all off with. It was gentle enough for her face and eyes...no burning, no stinging, no complaints and we were able to reapply something more suitable than the "sleepless nights" look and still make it to brunch on time.

Philosophy is available at finer department stores, The Exchange, QVC, and of course, their website at www.philosophy.com

UPDATE (8/13/2012): 

I'm revisiting this entry due to the fact that Shu Uemura USA is giving away 2,000 samples of its world famous cleansing oil every day until August 27th, 2012 and I am really excited about getting my sample! Shu Uemura was the first to introduce the idea of cleansing oil back in 1967 and hey, if Elizabeth Taylor liked and used it every evening to remove her makeup, then it must be good. Get yours by being one of the first 2,000 entrants between now and August 27, 2012 on the Shu Uemura Magic Oil Experience Facebook Page

 I really like the Philosophy Cleansing Oil, and I have tried others thanks to samples and living in Hawaii (since almost every skin care brand carried in Japan makes a cleansing oil and is available for tourists, even Biore). I got a sample of Lancôme Huile Douceur Cleansing Oil which was also very nice, but took a little bit of tugging to remove my mascara.



Simply stating an opinion, to be honest, I still haven't found anything yet that works better (or is less risky to travel with) than good old fashioned Albolene and a warm, wet washcloth, which you can read all about in this trusty post here . 

I'm almost hoping that I don't like Shu's Magic Oil because with its current price tag of about $77 USD, it would have to last 7 years to make up the price of my Albolene.