cleaning the skin?
Just an observation…
I see on here everyone wants to know how to get rid of acne but no
one is really asking about CLEANING! Thats step 1! Drinking ample
water daily and then if all else fails, a treatment method. I
realize some people have ‘tried everything’ but start first with a
skin care program that cleans and moisturizes your skin on a daily
basis!! If you are already on one, GREAT! Then you should try the
Acne Treatment Gel from Mary Kay.
I hope this msg touches at least one person…Have a great day!!
September 18th, 2004 at 6:59 am
my cleansing ruitine works good, it’s: wash with neutrogena oil free acnewash
- foam, then i swipe a cotton ball with the neutrogena clear pore cleanser
and then i use this white stuff that u dab on a q-tip for zits from principal
secret called blemish buster. it’s good to clean with one brand of stuff.
September 18th, 2004 at 5:31 pm
Be advised it can be ultimately drying, as clearisil (used to sell and
use it myself). FYI, for any who object to the types of synthetic
ingredients that overclean oily skin, or petroleum based ingredients, Mary
Kay might not be the one to use. Many of us have found that normal skin
turned oily, and oily skin and acne, on her programs, at first felt truly
wonderful, but ultimately got worse …
Truly, when you strip natural oils or cleanse too harshly as most of
these surfactents do, the skin will try to compensate by producing more.
There are a great many people who use these and similar products. For more
severe acne than an occasional monthly zit, however, most of these are too
drying for such a condition. These are usually most effective for the
generally clear-skin that gets an occasional zit, with limited use (such as
at night). Using for 24-hour periods may be too long. Consider the nature
of drying a pimple … you still have the solids to deal with. If you
overdry it, then you have some problems. It is the oils in the clogged pore
trying to clear the solids out.
The condition of acne is not just the monthly zit - it’s ongoing.
Drying them with these types of surfactant cleansers and acne creams can
perpetuate the problem in the oiling factor, as mentioned above and, when the
routine is too drying, it also thickens and dries the top layers of the skin
excessively, adding more exfoliation problems than the person already has.
Scarring is more evident, as well as clearing the pimple’s contents becomes
much more difficult.
Regardless what your product preference, thorough and gentle
cleansing, gentle toning, and balancing toward normal exfoliation and
appropriate moisture are key to a daily cleansing that not only will HELP the
skin regain some balance, but also will not perpetuate the problem. Notice,
the word help … skin does the work, it’s a very amazing and active organ
whose function can be affected by many things.
Product choice is a matter of trial and error, personal results, and
preferences … but when one doesn’t work like it should, there is a reason.
The manufacturer won’t tell you if they think you’re too sensitive to the
chemistry, they’ll formulate one "for sensitive skin" that will sometimes
alleviate the problem - at least for a while. In my case, Mary Kay’s #2 made
my skin oilier. I was told that I’d just been exfoliating better and must
have needed the #3 system all along. I’d never been oily … but I went on
#3, only to start feeling like a greased pig before 5:00 p.m. The reason is
the harshness of these products on my skin.
This is why I steer clear of commercial, synthetic cleansers and
shampoos from any manufacturer, as there were hundreds I’d tried before Mary
Kay and quite a few after. Some, not all, cases of dandruff, acne, over-oily
or over-dry skin, itching, etc. are in fact symptoms of sensitization. It
certainly was in my case.
I was exceptionally frustrated as a distributor that I had such a hard
time obtaining the ingredients for the products I was selling and that my own
conditions got worse while I told others that x was recommended for y. I
have since obtained that information, and found them to be loaded with
ingredients I’ve since learned to avoid … like mineral oil and petrolatum
(just two they use a lot and, regardless what any chemist says, they clog my
pores terribly).
Products sold for treating conditions have had to follow the strictest
federal guidelines to be sold as such, as they are classified as
over-the-counter drugs. Products sold strictly to enhance beauty and making
no claims of treatment or changing the function of the skin are your
cosmetics. Guidelines for cosmetics are not nearly as strict, but they are
plenty strict as well. Mary Kay is the manufacturer, you are the distributor
… how you follow the laws in your practice is all on you, but the
manufacturer knows you’re not studied in that area and has provided these
guidelines of dos and don’ts for your protection. Notice how the moisturizer
claims to moisturize, but the acne gel claims to clear up acne which is
classified as treatment, an over-the-counter drug.
Mary Kay makes a super 8-hour foundation and I love their colors.
The shampoo, however, was very waxy and has since been pulled out of their
line. The cleansers are thorough … but, as you read the story, they’re
based upon hide-tanning. Truly those original recipes softened leather, but
the skin is much more delicate.
Those of us who are on this list have tried many things and are trying
to learn what else we might try, as everyone’s skin is different. Ethnicity,
level of oiliness, climate, and many other variables that make even two oily
skinned people have vastly different preferences is why we’re here. Perhaps
you’ve never heard of trying potato flakes or oats? Then this is the list on
which you just might hear of such things …
Suggesting those products that have worked for you is one thing, but
you stated it in such a way that would suggest we don’t wash our faces, and
have perhaps offended a great many more than just me. Of course, we all
cleanse our faces and bodies and, yes, we still suffer with acne.
Your skin must be crystal clear and you’re obviously coming here to
"teach" us filthy slobs that it must be our hygiene habits that causes our
acne. I would highly suggest not taking that approach if you want to sell
any products.
- Katie
September 19th, 2004 at 3:49 am
Sorry for the failure to clip this part that I attacked …
"I see on here everyone wants to know how to get rid of acne but no
one is really asking about CLEANING! Thats step 1! "
and I repeat …
Those of us who are on this list have tried many things and are trying
to learn what else we might try, as everyone’s skin is different. Ethnicity,
level of oiliness, climate, and many other variables that make even two oily
skinned people have vastly different preferences is why we’re here. Perhaps
you’ve never heard of trying potato flakes or oats? Then this is the list on
which you just might hear of such things …
Suggesting those products that have worked for you is one thing, but
you stated it in such a way that would suggest we don’t wash our faces, and
have perhaps offended a great many more than just me. Of course, we all
cleanse our faces and bodies and, yes, we still suffer with acne.
Your skin must be crystal clear and you’re obviously coming here to
"teach" us filthy slobs that it must be our hygiene habits that causes our
acne. I would highly suggest not taking that approach if you want to sell
any products.
I’d like to add that, had she read any of the previous files, she’d
have seen plenty of discussion on cleansing, one of my main areas in
particular (and certainly not just me). - Katie
September 20th, 2004 at 11:04 am
Well said, Katie. And might I add, Miss Mary Kay, try soliciting somewhere
else. Most of us come here to learn and share tips, not to buy products that a
person recommends only to profit from.
September 22nd, 2004 at 9:33 am
First off I want to apologize if it sounded as if I was implying that
you all on here were dirty and didnt clean your faces! That was not
even CLOSE to my thought as I was writing my comment. My comment was
that I hadnt seen anyone talking about that aspect of the face. I am
NOT here to solicit. That was simply me responding to what I had
read so far. If you know anything about Mary Kay, enriching womens
lives and a term called go give is not just a logo. It is
characteristics of wanting to help others. Whether it is by offering
an ear, products or sharing the business opportunity. I have made
many lasting friendships from doing just that. Profit from a $7
(really now!) tube was NOT my motivation for posting. Sorry if I
offended anyone. I will remove myself from this group. I wish you
all well in the search for beautiful skin
September 23rd, 2004 at 12:37 am
Thank you for clearing that up. We do all use different methods, and many
even use Mary Kay with much success.
I am > NOT here to solicit …
Then you must be here because you have experienced acne with its
persistent frustrations and, from what you’re saying, are having success with
Mary Kay products?
Or, you’re here to share what you believe in … understood. However,
if you don’t suffer from the acne with its persistent frustrations, then you
are merely soliciting. No one doubts that the solicitation or sharing is
sincere …
Sorry if I offended anyone. I will remove myself from this group. I wish
you all well
> in the search for beautiful skin
No need to unsub. Get to know us and our struggles. If you’re in the
skin business, there’s more to it than cleansing and coloring. That wisdom
can seriously help your business as well as the helping.
I’ve saved sales that would have been lost … knowing my (then Mary
Kay) products were very nice, but having a customer who wasn’t convinced on
the skin care, I’ve offered her an alternative … then proceeded to sell her
all kinds of Mary Kay’s non-comedogenic makeup. Why? I was honest with her
that the skin care I was selling wasn’t for her (agreeing with her opinions)
but she then agreed with mine with regard to color choices and application!
The skin care option? Any system that follows the basics … and
doesn’t irritate or clog pores, overly dry or grease your skin (like witch
hazel, rosewater, or a combination). Another thing I always did that allowed
me to save that sale was combine the skin care with the makeup … I could
move mine along and finish it all in an hour with everyone pampered and
no-one bored (some rules are worth breaking). Better customer loyalty, as I
required less of their most precious time and gave them more for their time.
When I discussed the ingredients in my last post to you, it was for
the necessary education of fellow list members. Anyone with problem skin
should take charge of learning more about the ingredients used in their
topically applied products. You’ll find in your business that it’s a very
consumer-savy time, and this trend is not only growing, it’s here to stay.
In that light, learn of the ingredients and what they do. I can refer
you to a fantastic group of chemists and formulators of cosmetic products
whose information is factual, scientifically proven, and are wonderfully
sharing. E-mail me privately if interested.
Meanwhile, we are all here for the desire to learn (be helped) and to
offer help. We’re really not so different.
- Katie