MAC Prime Future (April 2012)

[martiangurll]

I think the trickiest thing about the skin smoother is you can't really see the awesome results as you apply it - it takes a minute or two before it absorbs, fully sets up and starts working the magic. 'Could lead to using much more than you need. I'm definitely going to experiment.

Plus, I really look forward to using it mixed with the Tres Cheek blushes, for that cream blush effect. 'Just an unexpected side benefit. Oh technology!

Sounds like a great reason to get it. If I apply the skin smoother between my moisturizer (which has SPF) and my foundation (which has SPF) will it diminish my SPF? Cuz I am religious about the SPF thang.

 

[Mac-Guy]

Sounds like a great reason to get it. If I apply the skin smoother between my moisturizer (which has SPF) and my foundation (which has SPF) will it diminish my SPF? Cuz I am religious about the SPF thang.

I don't think you have to worry about cancelling out your SPF.

 

[liba]

No, I have never tried that. I will try that. I have never had such combination skin before. I just turned 31, so maybe my skin is just changing from what it used to do. Thanks for the idea, i'll have to try that tonight!

My skin definitely changed at that age.

If your skin is really acting up, first thing is stop all exfoliation for a week or so. Also, switch to a very gentle cream cleanser such as Clarins Extra Comfort Cleansing Cream for day and night cleansing. I used this all through my 30s and have helped friends who had bad breakouts, uneven oiliness and redness get their skin under control with it. I've tried other cream cleansers and didn't find another one as good as Clarins - they were all harsher or didn't cleanse as well. I still use it at night, although I use an active cleanser for the morning now.

If these two steps don't calm your skin down and allow it to regulate, you could add one of Clarins' or Darphin's night treatment oils, to use instead of moisturizer at night - it might seem counterintuitive, but the oils absorb into the skin differently than a straight moisturizer and are less potentially irritating to the top layer of skin. Clarins' sandalwood oil has been my go to for 15+ years, even though now I do use a night time moisturizer most nights instead, for my older skin. It's great for calming easily irritated, stressed out skin, which is what yours sounds like.

Good luck and best wishes on your wedding!

 

[Dreaming Dancer]

My skin definitely changed at that age.

If your skin is really acting up, first thing is stop all exfoliation for a week or so. Also, switch to a very gentle cream cleanser such as Clarins Extra Comfort Cleansing Cream for day and night cleansing. I used this all through my 30s and have helped friends who had bad breakouts, uneven oiliness and redness get their skin under control with it. I've tried other cream cleansers and didn't find another one as good as Clarins - they were all harsher or didn't cleanse as well. I still use it at night, although I use an active cleanser for the morning now.

If these two steps don't calm your skin down and allow it to regulate, you could add one of Clarins' or Darphin's night treatment oils, to use instead of moisturizer at night - it might seem counterintuitive, but the oils absorb into the skin differently than a straight moisturizer and are less potentially irritating to the top layer of skin. Clarins' sandalwood oil has been my go to for 15+ years, even though now I do use a night time moisturizer most nights instead, for my older skin. It's great for calming easily irritated, stressed out skin, which is what yours sounds like.

Good luck and best wishes on your wedding!

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I will definitely check these products out. It''s like i have been in new territory lately with my skin. Luckily i don't exfoliate much, but it does seem to get worse after i use a grainy type product, like MAC VAE or exfolikate... when i use just a mineral mask (one from DHC) it seems more soothing.

I have used some oils on my face in the past, I'm actually using the DHC cleansing oil to remove my makeup and i always followed with their pure soap or a natural lavender soap from young living. Maybe soap at all on my face is just too harsh. I looked up the things you suggested on Nordstrom and they looks really promising. I have never tried Clarins before. The Clarins Lotus oil is really calling to me.