My Beauty Regime: Prepping the Surface

I'm often asked about my skin care regime and what kind of makeup I use. So, like any good blogger, I thought it was about time I shared it with you all.

Unlike some hardcore vintage bloggers, I do not boast a regime straight from 1952. I'm a modern woman with modern needs. So what I slather on my face every morning is also modern.

I've decided to break this post into two. This post focuses on my cleansing routine and the next will be about my makeup.

Proactiv - I figure I should just address this right off the bat, since I'm sure that's the biggest surprise. I have been plagued with bad acne since I was in junior high. For years I had a prescription acne medication that eventually went over the counter which I still used up until this summer. Along with numerous other acne treatments. Most of them only treated surface acne and major breakouts. This past summer my tried and true medication just stopped working and my face revolted. I knew it was time to bring in the big guns.
I'd been thinking about trying Proactiv for over a year and finally took the plunge after a lot of research online. It's a three step method with a lot of extra add ons from the company if you're interested. I'm happy with the basics: Cleanse, Tone and Treat.
Plus my scrub brush, also from Proactiv. I use it nightly with the Cleanser after I remove my makeup.
I find that Proactiv has changed the way the skin on my face feels. It used to be quite oily, now it is drier, but feels softer.
Most importantly, I have noticed a difference in my acne. The blackheads and under-the-surface acne on my nose and chin have almost completely disappeared after a month. I'm still getting a few small breakouts in strange areas, but I'm hoping that will subside with more use and it's just my skin expelling some of the bad stuff as I use the treatment.
Overall, I'm really happy with this product line and will continue to use it. I'm able to wear less makeup on casual days - which is a first for me.

Pond's Cold Cream - I use this old school beauty product for makeup removal before I start my Proactiv regime. I have found that nothing works as well for getting off stubborn eyeliner, mascara and lipstick. I have an arsenal of facecloths dedicated for makeup removal and use a new one each night. I find that Pond's keeps my skin feeling soft and hydrated - not greasy at all.

Neutrogena Aglesss Intensives Serum - I have/had some pretty deep forehead wrinkles. I use this product to soften the lines on my forehead and around my eyes. I only use it in the morning before I moisturize. I little dab will do you! This bottle lasts me a long time.

Olay 7 Signs of Aging Moisturizer - This is my daily morning and night time moisturizer. I use it after my Proactiv regime. Proactiv sells an oil free moisturizer, but I like the features of this one and using it instead of the Proactiv moisturizer doesn't seem to be a problem so far. This moisturizer treats fine lines, discolouration, reduce pore size and other magical things which I can't remember right now. I buy the fragrance free moisturizer - the scented one is very strong and makes my eyes sting. I also buy the one with 15 SPF when it is in stock at my drugstore (they seem to go through phases of not carrying it).

After I've applied my moisturizer in the morning I wait for it to dry a bit then start applying makeup. Which will be the next post, coming in a few days.

So there it is. Fairly straightforward, simple.

What is your beauty regime? Have you ever used Proactiv? 

Lisa.xo