Metrosexual Guide to Life

Since I was reading off the jar I use, and neither studied Chem in school nor want to post an endless array of commercial info sites, I can only refer you here , here , here and here .

Girth and glee.

You can’t type in the other chemicals listed on the jar?

I hear you on the corn and sugar thing. Probably 99% of what we eat has been altered in one way or another, for one reason or another (usually profit) by the producers.

Hey guys, quick question.

I have good products from Olay, basically 1) Moisturizer, 2) Facial Scrub, 3) Face Wash, 4) Night Lotion.

Obviously, I should use the Night Lotion Cream right before bed. But what about the order of the others?

I assume, scrub before shave, then moisturize. But when should I use the face wash itself? Thanks.

P.S. Also, how do I shave in the shower? It makes a lot of sense but I don’t know where I can get a non-fog mirror…

:cuss:

Awesome thread keep up the good information!

I would say use the Face Wash at the other side of the day to the scrub- if you Scrub in the AM, use the Wash in the PM, and vice-versa.

As to the Scrub/ shave ordering, that’s pretty much what I was always told, so I think you’re on the right track. The primary point of shaving cream/ gel is to soften the whiskers for the razor by holding it’s moistness against those whiskers- which can be pretty well accomplished by water alone if let to soak in. I was once told that about three to five minutes of warm soak is enough to sufficiently soften the whiskers and minimize “pull”.

After that the gel serves to slick up the skin to reduce friction, which the water will do.

As to the ‘fog-free’ thing- any BBBY [Bed Bath and Beyond] carries them, but I have a basic shower mirror set up which I rub a bit of soap and rinse off on once or twice a week, which keeps it pretty clear of mist.

I personally believe that the daily post shave ice bath is the most important element, and suggest that you do it even when you take a day off from the razor. That and high water intake are the keys, I believe, to maintaining youthful skin as one leaves one’s youth behind.

Just my US$.02.

Thanks Andro. The ice sounds like a great idea; too bad I live with 5 guys in a suite at school so the sinks are always filthy (my face is NOT going in there!). Hmm, maybe I can get a large bowl or something! Or is there something like an “ice mask” that you can put on?

Esc- Forget about the ‘cold masks’ and other rip-offs, you don’t get the full effect of the ultra cold water- just dump ice and water into a big ass bowl and do it that way if your roomies are piggies.

Hap- yup, on a long enough timeline the mortality rate is one hundred percent.

I like it. It’s definitely true.

As is this: life causes death.

An entry in the fogless mirror search: Power Lock™ Suction!™ Fogless Mirror

As far as face products go you can do WAY better than Olay. Olay is good, but what it is for the price is not that all that good.

But first things first.

I believe most ‘wash’ products are for basic cleaning of the surface layer. They gently wash away the debris from the day (or night, here in New York - land of steam heat and no thermostats - my face is always a little sweaty in the morning). Typically wash products are mild cleansers and are a good ‘first line of defense’ cleaning.

Any of the Avalon products are good. Neutrogena also makes fairly inexpensive washes. If you have a little acne or tendency to oily skin, here’s one I like: Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash Cream Cleanser . It’s very mild, and it’s salicylic acid content will help promote exfoliation. Careful with overdoing the acid products. Whether it be salicylic, AHA, or what have you, if you pile them on one on top of the other you can irritate your skin or over-dry it. The goal is to get it healthy, so don’t go crazy.

Scrubs are for heavy-duty exfoliation. Deeper cleaning. If you scrub always moisturize afterward. Most people don’t really need to use scrub strength every day. Unless you have particular problems with oily skin or are getting exceptionally grimy on an ongoing basis, two or three times a week is enough.

Here is a very good and inexpensive scrub: St. Ives Apricot Scrub ‘gentle’ . They also make an ‘invigorating’ and a ‘medicated’ (the medicated also has salicylic acid in it).

I would use the wash first, then the scrub (or not, as necessary), then the moisturizer. And the night cream is for … night.

Here is a good daily moisture for use before you go out: Vitamin C Moisture Plus Lotion SPF 15 The spf 15 is sort of a minimal level sunblock - but these products are not heavy and oily like your typical sun block products. This stuff you use about a nickel-sized dollop which you spread on your face and neck. You are not trying to take a bath in the stuff. Just enough to cover the face and neck completely and absorb into the skin.

Let’s tackle the night cream: Alpha Lipoic Acid, Vitamin C Ester & DMAE the one on the top right (which is numbered #366) is really good. Really good. It’s a little expensive, but you only use a very thin layer on your face. Just enough to cover the surface area lightly. One of these 2 oz. jars should last about a month, maybe a little more. You really don’t need to slather it on. After you’ve washed (and possibly scrubbed) your face for the evening you put this stuff on. A very thin layer. Note: if you use the scrub at night this will count as your moisturizer.

Reviva Labs | The Natural Skin Care Authority stuff is really good quality and won’t break the bank the way Dr. Perricone’s stuff will.

Any questions?

Sometimes I get acne once in a while. Usually when I’m stressed out.

My problem is that it’s usually just one big pimple. I try to ‘pop’ it when when it looks ripe enough, but sometimes it doesn’t fully pop and it leaves my skin very red, like trapped blood.

Even after the pimple has completely gone away, the red mark usually lingers for a while and sometimes takes a month to go away. It is very small and could only notice it in bright light, but I want to have a flawless face. Some of the acne I had when I was a teen still have very subtle marks on my face.

What can I do to get rid of these marks that seem to linger?

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Pumice stone on the heels and balls of the feet if you’re a summertime flip-flop guy like me— by end of July my heels are nasty if I don’t grind a bit away every day.

Anyone use the TV product the ‘Ped-Egg’?