Clarisonic: How I Cleared Up My Skin Without Really Trying
True story.
The month before Thanksgiving, my face was a total mess. Stress, sloppy skincare, and bad eating led me towards an almost teenage state of acne. I tried everything in my skincare arsenal – clay masques, strong cleansers and scrubs. Nothing offered a lasting solution, and I was becoming extremely frustrated. Desperate times led me to a desperate measure. I signed up for a skin care research trial at the University of Miami Cosmetics Center.
At my first appointment, I filled out what seemed like a small booklet of release forms, and the friendly physician’s assistant (or medical student, not sure) counted my “lesions and pustules.” Yuck. Then they asked me what I’d been using on my skin. Do you have a few hours? I joked. As I went down the list, they noted that I was using a lot of the typical acne fighters – salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy, kaolin clay cleansers. All harsh treatments that would clash with the four-part regimen I was signing up to try.
The docs ordered me to do a two-week “wash out” period. They told me to stop popping my pustules (again, eeeww), and to only use the face wash they gave me. They handed me a big bottle of Cetaphil. I had heard of Cetaphil before, but never tried it. I must admit, I wasn’t impressed at first use. It kinda felt like I was washing my face with weak, scentless lotion. I personally prefer a face wash that leaves my skin with that fresh, clean, almost-stripped feeling. Cetaphil wasn’t it. I mean, you can use this stuff without water. It’s exceedingly gentle, and I wasn’t sure I liked the way my skin still felt internally moist after washing it, if that makes any sense. It took me a while to get used to Cetaphil’s mild-mannered ways.
To supplement the not-exactly-squeaky clean of Cetaphil and to exfoliate my skin in lieu of harsh scrubs, I used my Clarisonic brush. I’ve mentioned this before, but let me say it again – Clarisonic brushes are the bomb. No wonder they’re among Oprah’s favorite things!
The Clarisonic Skin Care System
Two weeks passed and when it was time to return to the lab for the trial to begin, I didn’t have a single pustule in sight! The overall appearance of my skin had improved that significantly. The acne problems that had led me to the research trial to begin with were practically gone. Hooray for Cetaphil and Clarisonic!
I hear you, bellas, and I feel you. The Clarisonic brush sounds amazing, but at $195 for the system, it’s not exactly affordable for bellas on a budget. So allow me to kick off 2008 with a very special giveaway, one I meant to give in December. I’ve got TWO Clarisonic brushes to bestow unto you, and here’s how you can get one.
Leave me a comment below that begins with the sentence “Clear skin in 2008!” and then tell me what skin care problems you’ve been having, and what products you’ve been using that just aren’t cutting it for you. I’m gonna leave these comments open until Thursday, and take my time and sift through the many answers. Because I’ve only got TWO items to give this time, I implore any of you who won giveaways last time to let this one be for the first time giveaway contest entries. Thanks much, bellas– and good luck!
Happy Monday!
** edited at 8:35 p.m. — WOW! I did NOT expect such an overwhelming response. As of right now, it’s 70 comments and counting. That’s a lot to choose from, bellas! So I’m making an editorial decision to close these comments by noon Tuesday, not Thursday. At this point, I’ll have over 100 comments by tomorrow! I only wish I have more of these awesome brushes to give away.
This makes me happy — it truly is a joy to bring these offers to you all. My new goal is a giveaway for every month of 2008. So keep reading and keep entering, even if you don’t win this one. International readers can feel free to enter as well — I remember how it felt to live in Trinidad and see all of the cool sweepstakes and contests in “foreign” and to not be able to participate. I’ve been lucky enough to find fantastic beauty companies who have gladly sent complimentary products to places as far away as Wales, Germany, and Jamaica.
It’s a good feeling to share the love, and I want to say a big thank you to the PR peeps I’ve gotten to work with on these. You’ve all been great. If you’ve got a beauty product you’d like me to review, or you’d like to host a giveaway on Afrobella, please e mail me at bella@afrobella.com!
Category: Product Reviews, Skin
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Clear skin in 2008! I see a lot of your readers are younger. I’m 41 and I’ve been reading this blog for a while. I especially love the hair stories. When it comes to skin care, I’m a drug store junkie. I use whatever they have that says it is for oily skin. I’ve tried everything, (except Cetaphil!!) some of them probably too harsh. My skin is still oily.
HELLO AFROBELLA, I WOULD LIKE THIS FOR ME AND MY SON. MY SON IS 13 YEARS OLD AND HAS PROBLEMS WITH ACNE, I HAVE TRIED ALMOST EVERY ACNE PRODUCT IN CVS AND TO NO AVAIL. I DIDN’T HAVE ACNE AS A TEENAGER BUT NOW AS AN ADULT, I KEEP GETTING THESE BUMPS ON MY FACE AND I HATE IT. I WAS THINKING ABOUT GETTING PROACTIVE BUT I HEARD IT DRIES OUT YOUR SKIN, THIS CETAPHIL AND CLARISONIC COMBINATION SOUNDS LIKE IT WILL WORK AND I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE IT A TRY. A 13 YEAR OLD BOY AND HIS MOTHER WOULD BE VERY GREATFUL.
TAKE CARE! I WOULD LOVE TO PARTICIPATE IN A MONTHLY GIVEAWAY AS WELL. CONTACT ME AT NIGHTFIRECANDLES@MSN.COM FOR MORE INFO.
RAYCAL
http://WWW.NIGHTFIRECANDLES.COM
Clear skin in 2008!
My biggest problem is dry skin. I had skin that looked like braille & was prescribed a ton of meds, but now, while my skin has cleared up drastically, I’m still left with crazy, dry, flaky skin. Quite frankly it disgusts me. What to do? As well, on the occassion that I get the monthly hormonal breakouts, I’m left with unsightly dark spots. I haven’t a clue how to speed up their removal!
Clear skin in 2008! I am a 21 year old soon to be first time mommy and let me say that my skin is paying for it! I found out on September 11, 2007 that I was going to be a mommy and I couldnt wait to experience all of the goods and bads of pregnancy. i mean- to prove that i was actually pregnant, I actually used to smell coffee just so i can get that “im about to puke” feeling . I knew about morning sickness, headaches, backaches, feet swelling and all the horrors of pregnancy- but no one tells you about the hair falling out, nails not growing (as fast as you’d think), icky taste in your mouth or… ACNE. Now, i’ve always had yucky skin but, let me tell you, this by far is the worse. My skin has always been oily but now you could squeeze my cheek and cook a chicken dinner with the residue that comes out of my face. Im beginning to believe that the “glow” everyone is telling me i have is a nice way of telling me I need Pro-Activ. Im a pimple popper and although i know its bad and it’ll leave a mark that even Ambi couldnt clear, I still do it. Now, I have Vegetable oil skin and pimples, blackheads and dark marks sketched across my face. As far as products that I’ve used… Black Soap, Shea Butter Soap, Pro-activ, Clean & Clear, Biore pore strips, Ambi foaming cleanser, St Ive’s peach scrub… i could go on and on but my son is kicking my bladder and i dont need to tell you what will happen if i wait any longer.
“The Twenty Year War” that’s what I’ll call my battle against acne. I can’t tell you how many lotions and potions I’ve used trying my damnedest (if that a word) to have skin like Jada Pickett-Smith. At the top of the list is Pro-activ. Honey that stuff provided me with amazing results for a total of 2 hours then I was right back at square one. Differin was the bomb until I got pregnant. Most recently I’ve tried Skin Ceuticals now let me tell you this stuff is great but I would have to take out a small business loan in order to afford just one of their product. That stuff is not cheap. The C+AHA is like $110 a bottle.
***Shh, listen. Is that a violin playing? Just in time for me start begging****
My skin had been “showing out” for way to long. Mrs. Afrobella please give me the Clarisonic brush. I’m begging. Please, please, please……Okay let me get off my knees someone just walked into my office and I had to pretend I was down here praying instead of begging shamelessly for a beauty product.
Clear Skin in 2008.
“The Twenty Year War†that’s what I’ll call my battle against acne. I can’t tell you how many lotions and potions I’ve used trying my damnedest (if that a word) to have skin like Jada Pickett-Smith. At the top of the list is Pro-activ. Honey that stuff provided me with amazing results for a total of 2 hours then I was right back at square one. Differin was the bomb until I got pregnant. Most recently I’ve tried Skin Ceuticals now let me tell you this stuff is great but I would have to take out a small business loan in order to afford just one of their product. That stuff is not cheap. The C+AHA is like $110 a bottle.
***Shh, listen. Is that a violin playing? Just in time for me start begging****
My skin had been “showing out†for way to long. Mrs. Afrobella please give me the Clarisonic brush. I’m begging. Please, please, please……Okay let me get off my knees someone just walked into my office and I had to pretend I was down here praying instead of begging shamelessly for a beauty product.
“Clear skin in 2008!†I am so happy that I read this post just before I went to lunch. I am 24 and desperately want to get rid of this acne! It is so difficult to find products because I am trying to be more conscious about what I take into my body as well as what I use on my skin and hair. Everything natural seems to be so expensive (entry level positions sure don’t pay enough for expensive trial and error) so I have tried homemade recipes. They work sometimes but the need to exfoliate is leaving me at a loss. Not only am I excited about trying the CETAPHIL I am excited about possibly winning the first thing I have ever won! Help me get beautiful and confident PLEASE!!!
PS: It is 11:54 am my time but my post is reading 12:54. I hope that my entry counts!
Clear skin in 2008!!! Woo hoo! At 31 y/o I’ve tried every lotion and potion known to woman. As a little girl in the islands I had the most gorgeous clear reddish brown skin. My pre-teen years in S. Florida left me ravaged by sun, oncoming acne, and American processed food. I never got treatment and I never grew out of it. So, I’ve been on a two decade quest to find a simplied, organic skincare routine. I’ve even gone so far as to get a skincare license so I could just learn about what was going on with my skin (and treat others). To date I’ve used benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, peels(even strong ones that cause a complete necrosis of the top layer of the skin), HQ, kojic acid, AHA/BHA, ultrasound, hi-frequency, retin a, tri-luma. Anyone remember, Edgar Morris? Yep, I used that, Pro-Active of course. I’ve had ‘acne surgery’, all day clay masks(while I do household chores). I know it’s a emotional topic for many women at the core. Every bella on this board deserves a Clairisonic. Two years I worked for an evil dermatologist in Manhattan who bilked her patients of thousands and before I quit, I heard about the Clairisonic. I spoke to a sales rep on the phone who wanted us to try the product. This was only available in fancy schmancy derm offices before. Evil doctor lady would not let me try the product which I deemed to be a stellar and innovative. It’s been on my wishlist since. It’s truly remarkable. Today I use the simplest non-chem products possible. Basically essential oil and such. I have discovered proper cleansing and gentle, gentle exfoliation and cleansing are key. I’m going back to Jamaica this year, I want to look and feel beautiful in 2008. Clear skin is central to good health and good self esteem. Please please let me get what I want this time! Thanks Bella! Best wishes and happy exfoliation to the winner. I’m done, I promise.
Clear Skin 2008!!- I have hit 2008 with a set mission to clear my acne fied skin and other bit and was soooo happy to read this section- I am 29 and have a bad case of acne – it crept up on me beginning of 2006 and did not see it coming to full effect until the end of last year (did not know acne can effect you at this stage??) –when they became HIGHLY visible I did what any normal human being does I stated to pop!! BIG MISTAKE I had no idea it would spread like wild fire!! not only than I have caused some real scaring to my skin I have tried everything under the sun from Aveda products, pure green clay to massage loads of oily concoction on my face- Most of the products or accessory for good skin care are not available in the UK and would love to have a The Clarisonic brush and be one of the first in London to say HIP HIP HORRAHHH free at last ………..
Clear Skin 2008!! Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser got an average 4.8/5 stars by people who have purchased and tried it out: http://www.buzzillions.com/prd-90779-cetaphil-gentle-skin-cleanser-for-all-skin-types-reviews/?in_merch=1
I have heard of the Clarasonic brush as well, but there are at-home solutions you can use if you don’t want to throw down the $200. Mixing a bit of baking soda with Cetaphil makes one of the best and gentlest exfoliants out there! And I’m definitely not the only one that thinks so: http://www.ehow.com/tips_2728.html