Older Girl Beauty Blog

Mario Badescu gives me a lesson in acne

oldergirlbeauty — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 14:31:03 -0500

You guys might know that I seemed to be very lucky in my teen years and not have an over abundance of acne issue, and hardly any in my 20s, either. Maybe it was my birth control. or just lucky genetics, but it was even less of problem then. Welp, here I am almost out of my 30's (*Wow, already??) and it's an entirely different thing. It's not so much that I have it all the time, just when I do, it's more centrally located and usually cystic - which is NOTHING i ever dealt with growing up. I still get the random whitehead or so, which is more than I had before, but at least I thought I knew what I was doing with those. But it still seems different. So, I turned to Mario Badescu Skin Care for their thoughts on why my acne now seems so much different than when I was younger.

Why is adult acne different than teen acne?

Acne, regardless of the age at which we are experiencing it, can be frustrating and hard on our self esteem. For those of us suffering with adult acne the frustration is compounded because we feel like the acne that we experience now seems to be different than what we experienced as a teen. For some the methods that helped years ago don’t seem to work or cause irritation now. So is there a difference? Should adults use different products than teens to fight acne?

As it turns out the cause of acne whether in teens or adults is the same. Hormones cause an over secretion of sebum in the skin. This sebum along with dead skin cells and bacteria get caught in a pore to cause a plug which can lead to a deep painful pimple, whitehead, or blackhead.

The difference isn’t what is causing the acne but the skin itself and how it changes as we mature. As we age two things happen. Firstly, pores become larger which can make skin oily. Secondly, the skin becomes less able to retain water. It’s this strange juxtaposition that makes it more difficult to maintain a good moisture balance in adult skin. This is also why using products designed for the very oily skin that acne prone teens are prone to may not be a good solution.

While we may still use some of the same products that a teen would use in your battle against blemishes there are some things to keep in mind when choosing an adult acne regimen:

Try a gentler cleanser. Some acne cleansers targeted at teens are formulated to dissolve too much oil for an adult. Try Mario Badescu’s Acne Facial Cleanser, it’s formulated with Hylauronic Acid and Aloe Vera to help prevent moisture loss.

Moisturize. Many acne prone teens forgo moisturizer because they are so oily or they are afraid that it will cause further breakouts. For an adult the use anti-acne products without replenishing moisture could lead to dryness and irritation. Choose lightweight formulas that include moisture binding ingredients like Collagen, Hyaluronic Acid or Ceremides. Try Mario Badescu’s Herbal Hydrating Serum.

Try products that double task. Use products that contain ingredients that have anti-aging and anti-acne benefits. Ingredients like Glycolic Acid and Alpha Hydroxy Acids gently dissolve the dead skin cells that can lead to breakouts and also cause the complexion to look aged, dull and rough. Try Mario Badescu’s Glycolic Acid Toner.

Even now that we are armed with this information it is still important to understand that everyone’s skin is different and your skin care regimen must be created to work for your individual skin type. Not sure how to get started? Fill out our free online skin care analysis to receive a free personalized sample skin care regimen.

---

So, it's case of "it's def me, not you" in this case. I haven't tried any of the rec's, yet, but I am definitely going to look in to them more. Have you guys tried any of these? Or have you even noticed a difference in your acne, if you get any? Lemme know, I'd like to know that I'm not the only one that notices these things.

Happy Birthday/Blogiversary to ME!

oldergirlbeauty — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:25:27 -0600

OMG - You Can Win *ALL* of THIS!!!

I love my birthday - like a fish loves water. I used to countdown to my birthday starting 30days prior. I try not to do that outloud any more, as some people seemed to tire of it, like the spoilsports that they are. I also like presents - A LOT. Because I am greedy like that. *shrug* However, this year, in observance of my almost 40th birthday, I have decided to give away a present to one of you - my fun readers. (*except for my fab Int'l readers, of which I know there are many. I'll try and make it up to you in the new year, okay?)

So, I asked some of my favorite brands if they would help me celebrating my birthday, and coincidentally, my 1st Blogiversary and they agreed. Check out what one lucky reader can win:

Talika Beauty of Your Eye Kit ($48)
CoverFX SkinprepFx ($45)
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion ($17)and Super Rich Olive Body Lotion ($10)
Clinique 3-Step Skin Care System (*sans bag) ($50.50), SuperBalm Moisturizing Gloss (14.00), Blushwear Cream Stick ($18.50), High Impact Mascara ($14.00) and Vitamin C Lip Smoothie ($17.50)
Kiss Professional Manicure Kit ($9.99)
Dashing Diva Nail Polishes ($56)

Holy Crap - That's worth more than $300! Do I love me some great brands, or what?

So, because it's *MY* birthday, I get to make the rules, sort of. Enter in the box below, one entry per person, randomly picked winner, etc. HOWEVER, I would also like to know what has been your favorite thing that I have written this past year, because I am all nosy like that. :)

The contest closes at Midnight on the night of the 17th, after I have enjoyed my entire birthday, and I will announce the winner on the 18th. Good luck and thanks for playing in my playground with me. :)

Chillin' with Mario

oldergirlbeauty — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 08:47:42 -0500

I know that I have mentioned the Mario Badescu Facial Spray With Aloe, Herbs And Rosewater before, but back then I wasn't even keeping in the the fridge. When I switched to storing it there this summer, it definitely amped up the love. The cold refreshing spritz to the face startles the hell out of you at first, then it just feel so good and cooling. And with the "good for you" ingredients in it too, its better than just spraying water in your face. It's a great wake up spray, too, but I tend to just use it when I come in from outside and need a quick pick-me-up to get thru the heat.

Another of the ways to cool down, and clean up, is with the Mario Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion. This astringent is "Sulfur and soothing Cucumber based, acne fighting formula that is non-drying and non-irritating". You are supposed to use this after you have washed your face to get rid of all the extra dirt still there, but I will use this as soon as I come in from being hot and sweaty and just get all of the nasty dirt off of me quick - then I'll wash properly at some point after that. Even if I do use it after washing at night, cold or not, it just makes my face feel clean - with out being squeaky. Now, I am not normally an oily girl, but this really does seem to help keep my skin form breaking out, at least from that.

Oh, and speaking of breaking out, Mario Badescu just launched a new "Acne Resource Center" on their site. It's their central location for acne information, including its causes, how to get rid of it and even get introduced to their "tried and true acne treatment regimens". It's really got a ton of info with even videos of how to use some of the products.

Holy crap, it's hot.

oldergirlbeauty — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:18:00 -0500

I am not even playing. These triple digit temps here in Oklahoma have been miserable. (*what did I say the other day? 104 should only be the answer to what is 52 + 52.) Granted, while it's a chilly 94 today, I *know* that the triple digits will be back. It's Oklahoma. It's what we do. But, since I have lived here my whole life, I've picked up a few ways to beat the heat at the end of the day. And, while the products may change, the thought remains the same.

I have an extra fridge out in the garage, and I have a shelf in the door that I keep a bunch of beauty products that feel oh so good when put on cold.

The things I have in there currently range from toner, to masks, to masque, lotions, sprit and scent:

In addition I have a couple of other items that doesn't go in the fridge, but are still important for summer use:

I'll let you know in the next few posts why I like this stuff enough to give it shelf space in the fridge.

The Makeup Show swag

oldergirlbeauty — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:34:00 -0500

Okay, let's talk about the goodies first. Goodies are good, right?Now, I didn't get to finish the tour at the blogger preview so I didn't swing some of the things they did (*ahem - OCC Liptar in Grandma or a Luminess Airbrush Tanning System, but I did get to meet Pat McGrath, so there's that. Ha.). Anyway, this is what I walked away from the show with:

Obsessive Compulsive nail polish in Dangerous, Traffic & Rhythm Box

Mario Badescu samples

Embryolisse samples

Pencil Me In eyeliner in Brownie

Three Custom Color "L Word" lipsticks in Bette, Kit, Alice and Shane

Three Custom Color lipgloss in Faerie Floss

Giselle Cosmetics 6 in 1 Eye Shadows in Renaissance

Smashbox Fusion Soft Lights in Sunset

Smashbox mini-glosses in Happy Hour and Accessories (?)

Stila Smudge Pot in Golden Noir

Stila 24k Gloss in Golden Charm

Stila Convertible Mascara

FACE atelier Ultra Foundation in #2 Ivory and #3 Wheat

Crown Brush #IB123 Foundation Brush

So, there we have it. Not a bad haul of neat new things to try. As I post about the vendors to follow, I will talk about what I've tried and my thoughts on them, too.

See anything you like? :)