Recent Skin Condition & Beyond The Rack Purchase

12:26:00 AM mandy 14 Comments

The acne on my face has gradually gotten worse over the past year. I really wish I knew if it was something I did differently that cause the sudden change or if I am going through hormonal acne again. But unlike my acne from my puberty years, these have been leaving me with different kind of scars...the dreaded ice-pick scars. I know I shouldn't be touching, let alone picking, the pimples but sometimes my hands just do it subconsciously. Other times, it is really hard to resist myself. Hopefully they don't become too noticeable. But for now, I just have to stop myself as best that I can.

I recently went to the dermatologist for first time in years. The consultation wasn't very long so I am not sure how thorough it was. The doctor did ask whether I preferred to ingest or apply treatment. Since I chose the latter, she said that the type of acne I have would benefit from using Retin A. I heard this term now and again on YouTube, but don't really know much about it in detail. But from the dermatologist, I got that it'll make my skin very sensitive and requires me to wear tons of gel sunscreen in particular. (Which I don't know any of, so if anyone has recommendations for one I'd be glad to check it out!) Hopefully, the treatment will work a whole lot better than what I've been using for my skin for now. & I'll try my best to update on how Retin A is.

Prior to my derm visit, I placed an order from Beyond the Rack towards the end of May (I think...). It took a long time to arrive. But I think that's just how shopping at those sort of sites work. The sale event has to end, Beyond the Rack gets the stuff from the company and then they ship it out to the buyer.

First time I've seen such a box filler!

Top: Honey & Oat Cleanser, Charcoal Detox Cleanser, Organic Lemon Toner
Bottom: Acne/Oily Skin Kit

There are so many enticing sale items but I really tried & continue to try not to get sucked into all the deals. Be it clothing, shoes, etc. I think I have done pretty well. This is only my first purchase and I joined the site a year + ago! I haven't heard much about Michael Todd skincare but the description and price of these items convinced me to get it at the time. I only started to use the Charcoal Detox Cleanser for now and it isn't too shabby but not great either. Definitely isn't deep cleansing or treating but cleanses well and is gentle.

Has anyone else tried Retin A before? How was it for your skin?
What about any Michael Todd skincare products?

14 comments:

JasmineJuly 25, 2013 at 2:46 AM
Oooh I have heard some great things about Michael Todd stuff!
Stephanie LauJuly 25, 2013 at 2:24 PM
that is a lot of lot of products. how much did it cost in total?
Denysia YuJuly 25, 2013 at 6:51 PM
Retin A is a really great product! I used to use the brand name product when it was $20 at the drugstore. I've heard that it keeps away wrinkles, and acne!
FrancesJuly 26, 2013 at 8:29 AM
=( I'm sorry to hear about your skin... you know, do you think it could be from the Bioderma? Everyone said it's really gentle but it's a cleansing water... and I've had an unpleasant experience with Lancome cleansing water-- I can feel it drying out my skin/making it more sensitive after a week so I stopped using it. At first I thought it was just me but then I saw this video recently and it talks about how these types of cleansers alkalinize your skin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3tRjufnWr8 so I think it isn't my skin overreacting.

Hope Retin A works for you! I think Retin A is just brand name/prescription strength for retinoic acid... aka vitamin A. it makes your skin peel/unclog your pores so that's why your skin will be more sensitive to sunlight (also makes your skin dry and itchy due to the peeling...) Never heard of sunscreen gel either but maybe because it's lighter so it will be less likely to clog your pores further? anyway really hope it works out for you, as well as the rest of the Michael Todd products!
MissS.elleJuly 26, 2013 at 7:30 PM
I'm sorry about your skin Mandy! :( As for gel sunscreen try the asian brand! The one that I've used was Rohto moisture gel sunscreen but it was only spf 27 PA++. (Try Imomoko they probably have tons of choice ;)) Good luck!!
ConyoJuly 26, 2013 at 11:27 PM
Try cutting out dairy products of our your diet. For gel type sunscreen, i like the brand sunplay which can be bought @ sasa.com
Emy AugustusJuly 27, 2013 at 2:00 PM
I read in a skincare book that creamy/opaque shampoos can make skin more break-out prone. It advised sticking to clear shampoos. I gave it a try, because I noticed I was getting breakouts on the areas of my cheeks that usually never get pimples, but which my hair brushes against a lot. I think it did help. At around the same time, I also started using two new products - Mario Badescu glycolic toner, and La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo. Something about those three changes helped.