I’m not one to turn readers away, but if you’re under 35 and under the belief that ignorance is bliss, stop reading this now. Seriously, do yourself a favor and go out for a drink with the girls. 🙂
I say that because if I had to publish a description of my relationship with my skin on Facebook, it would be tagged like this: It’s complicated.
After 35, Mother Nature just smacked me in the face with a 4 by 4. Fine lines started cropping up out of nowhere, and (adding insult to injury) I’m still breakout prone!
Now, for those of you who were brave enough to keep reading beyond the first paragraph, let me offer one more hideous thought: if you thought teen acne was bad, just WAIT until you get pregnant!
Days before my 36th birthday I delivered my second beautiful son, and just like my first pregnancy, the skin around my jawline was a mess. Big patches of cystic acne riddled the area, which had always been completely clear before my pregnancioes. The second time around, though, the breakouts didn’t disappear on their own, and drastic times called for drastic measures!
My first step: regular use of a powerful peel.
Step two: I had tremendous success clearing up the left side of my face using the Exuviance Rejuvenating Treatment Mask but needed something even more powerful along my right jawline. After reading some positive reviews of Philosophy skincare products, I took the plunge.
The superb prices of their holiday value kits also encouraged me to give them a try, like the Miracle Worker kit, which comes with $156 of products for only $85! YeeHa!
I did add one extra ingredient to my skincare cocktail — and this was crucial — Philosophy “Help Me”. It’s a time-release retinol formula known for its strength and effectiveness in clearing up acne and minimizing the appearance of fine lines.
Here was my combined regimen:
- Mornings: Purity during my showers, or the Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash, with a small amount of Hope in a Jar applied under my makeup.
- Evenings: Purity to remove my makeup, and Help Me directly on clean skin (focused on trouble spots). Then, Hope in a Jar all over my face and Hope in a Tube under my eyes and around my mouth.
- Once a week: I’d use the Microdelivery Peel Crystals and Gel for deep exfoliation.
My breakouts subsided within 4 weeks, with the bumpy, acne-covered texture along my right jawline smooth again. Even the red scarring left behind has begun to fade. Those pesky fine lines are still there, but I’m hopeful that with continued use of the Philosophy kit and cocktail, I can turn back the hands of time… even if it’s only back to the ripe old age of 35. 🙂
Still, in this blogger’s opinion, these products are extraordinary. My skin hasn’t looked this radiant in years, and I’ve already purchased another Philosophy kit to replenish what I use most heavily and to sample some new products as well!
I want to shout it from mountaintops: “I LOVE PHILOSOPHY!”
NOTE: Use of retinol or any Vitamin-A derived ingredient during pregnancy can be dangerous for the fetus. I suggest waiting until AFTER you deliver to begin this regimen.
Great post! I wholeheartedly agree, this kit really is a miracle worker! I’m 32 but my skin has started showing some signs of aging lately, not to mention this pesky adult acne. WTH! I never even had acne as a teenager. But I’ve tried many different products and nothing has worked like this kit. I was already using Purity when I bought the kit and I love it, but I have to say, the Microdelivery Peel is AMAZING. It’s probably the only skin product I’ve ever used that showed immediate results. I’m usually very noncommittal with skin products and like to try new things all the time but when I run out of the Microdelivery Peel I’m going to rush out to replace it! I don’t know what I’d do without it.
PS: I read some reviews where some girls had issues with the smell of Hope in a Jar. I personally don’t mind it, but I guess it can be pretty offensive for some.
Thanks for sharing this with us here, Jen!
Merry Christmas to you! 🙂
.-= Vonvon’s last blog post… theBalm Makeover – Part 2, By Jenn & Josh =-.
I’m in the same boat, Solé… my skin has been more problematic in my adult years than when I was younger! So totally unfair, right?
.-= Jen’s last blog post… Holiday ’09 Eye Makeup Ideas: Jemma Kidd, Jemma Kidd Make Up School =-.
i still battle with acne so i loved this post. ppl with breakouts will have some hope after reading this 🙂 thks karen
.-= BlovetBeauty’s last blog post… Merry Christmas! =-.
I’ll have to give this a try if my current attempt (a combination of Clinique, Chanel and Olay products) doesn’t work! Thanks for the recommendation!
I’m glad to see someone address adult acne. I’m 36 and just started Accutane for crying out loud! I will definitely be trying this once I’m done to try and keep my skin clear. Thanks for the post!
I have used the Microdelivery peel in the past and loved the results. I used it leading up to my wedding and was glad I did. I have no clue why I haven’t gotten around to buying it again… I probably should! I am trying the Clarisonic right now and I am not seeing the results I would like, and I feel a skin care change in the air in the next few weeks.
.-= Deconstruction’s last blog post… The Art of the Perfect Fit: Opening Statements =-.
Thanks for this great review. Sounds like a kit I will have to try. I’m only 25, but I’d like to prevent lines and wrinkles, and I do have acne.
Great review! I’d love to try this…
.-= Marce’s last blog post… Feliz Navidad – Feliz Natal – Merry Christmas – Joyeux Noel – Natale Allegro =-.
Hopefully you all get the great results I did! Now is such a good time to buy, too. The holiday value set is such a great deal. I’m going to have to cough up a lot more cash once the set is gone!
.-= Jen’s last blog post… Holiday ’09 Eye Makeup Ideas: Brett Freedman, Celebrity Makeup Artist =-.
I’m 28, and adore this kit. I bought it during a FF sale, and I swear it is the only kit that has delivered instant results. I actually backed it up I loved it so much. Amazin’
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