I swear by my Clarisonic, though L’Oreal has discontinued it. It got me through acne that lasted into my 40s and I’m still using it as menopause acne has risen up (which needs a whole column unto itself). If you need to do a gently, daily exfoliation, it is a good option that does more work on dark spots than just your hands can do. Clarisonic fans: a number of companies are now making the replacements brushes. All is not lost!
Loved the article! Though I must wash my face everyday 😆 as I have oily skin. And even though I no longer wear makeup during the week I believe people with oily skin absolutely need to cleanse or wash their skin daily 😉.
I listened to you on A Thing or Two and immediately subscribed to your newsletter. I thought I'd try your newsletter for a week or so and then pay for it. I don't need that long to decide...I'm going to do so now. I look forward to seeing HNTFUYF in my email "box".
So brave to go sledding in that I fear breaking a bone and tearing a muscle these days. Actually, in Jan 2020 I tore my miniscus in one knee THEN tore the one in the other knee 4 months later at the height of the pandemic. Ugh but didn't need surgery or physical therapy - just being gentle along with knee thing-ys to stablize them as I walked.
Hmmm...I was wondering about the double cleansing practice as I first read about it in a DHC catalog. I knew washing too much would cause my face to over-produce oil but it was interesting to read about it in its cultural context. I never heard of such a thing in my Cantonese/Toisanese context which is a good reminder how the concept of face plays out differently in each culture.
Okay, I have a question. You mentioned recently that you don't use "product" to style your hair. Why not? And if we are stripping our facial skin with crapola we don't need, what about our hair? Figures the same would hold true...
Val, as you know, I have not washed my face in YEARS! But I have been sledding, and I love your verve and your wit and your "whatever works for you" philosophy, woman!
I don't use fancy soaps to wash my face. During my early twenties I had a period of time, I had such oily skin I couldn't even wear makeup, or God forbid, simply blush! No matter what I used to wash my face, an hour later it was so oily it looked like I had a constant sheen of sweat.
I started getting painful splotches in different spots too. Red, itchy, just so uncomfortable.
I went to a dermatologist who asked a few questions about what products I use to wash my face.
I ran it down to her. She told me to go home, throw away all the face cleaners, toners and moisturizers. Then she instructed me to buy several WHITE washcloths, and a couple of bars of Basis soap.
I never thought about colored wash cloths, but apparently, at least for me, the dye in them was causing my face to overreact and produce more oil.
To compound the issue, the face soaps, toners and moisturizers were making my skin go into triple overdrive, trying to protect itself, because all those products were actually stripping the natural oils, along with the dyes causing an allergic reaction, hence the painful splotches.
I did what I was told, and bought 20 white washcloths, for cleaning my face only. I also bought several bars of Basis soap.
After three days of using the basis and white cloths the splotches were gone and my face was not exuding a gallon of oil. Seven days after I started that simple routine I was able to go full make up, and it stayed put all day!
I've never looked back.
I never realized that those of us with oily skin are actually lucky. Our routines should only consist of bare minimum of ingredients soap.
The moisturizers, toners and other stuff isn't necessary for us. I thought I was in the know regarding what was best for my skin and beauty. Hours of reading Cosmo, Vogue, and yes because I was still young, Teen Magazine taught me zilch. I knew nothing.
I also thought as you age your oily skin would go dry. Nope, it does not. At 61 I have plenty of lines and the hated 11's, (oddly I've never given a second thought of my 11's. I do not know why I don't stress The things that drive the majority of women mad as we age. I do wonder why I don't get bothered by certain things like that?). But most of the wrinkling hasn't yet taken over. I think I look my age, just not too crepey. Thanks to oily skin it's not so bad.
My beautifying is actually just to keep my skin healthy. I don't care about my flaws.
I am going to take your fancier term for giving the face a bath, "Cleansing" and I call my routine "Cleansing facial pampering". Makes me feel like I'm in a fancy spa, getting the pampering ALL of us women require and deserve. Even the word "pampering" sounds luxurious to me 🤭
I never in my life got to experience snow sledding ☹️
Growing up in California, only spending summers in Oklahoma with my dad I never saw much snow. But, I used to water ski impressively... Used to, I wouldn't even attempt it now what with rheumatoid arthritis going at my hands, wrists, elbows, and lately, my knees 😒
But snow sledding was a thing I always wished I could do. Snow skiing ⛷️ was my sister's thing. She often went. She offered to take me many times, but the idea of being on two sticks, ⛷️ sliding down a mountain, with trees that do not move out of your way, it just didn't tickle my fancy. Now, if my dingy self would have thought about it, I could have went with her and sailed down said mountain on my butt, in a super cool sled 🛷. I wish I had now. Hmmm, maybe the next time she tells me she'll treat me to a vacation with her to Colorado, I'll say yes, and get on a sled? 😁 Whoohoo
Thank you for the fresh outlook on life—and skincare!
Forgive me for being fuzzy on the details, but some years ago a derm I interviewed recommended both am and pm cleansing. Re am cleansing she said something about microscopic metabolic waste products that build up as the result of body’s overnight renewal process. I thought this “waste” was flushed out through the lymphatic system. Maybe a question for Dr. Williams? Anyway, I am a fan of washing my face in the morning because it’s like a wake-up call for my skin.
I've never been much of one for excessive face washing. As a young woman I was an "Ivory Girl", which was fine. Then I moved onto Dr. Bronner's for just about everything, but I only ever washed my face when I was in the shower. As I got a little older I realized it was drying my skin out so I started putting face cream on after I got out of the shower. In the last year or so a close friend started selling Beautycounter and I got hooked on their Japanese-style oil cleanser. I smooth it on before I get in the shower, then rinse it off once I'm in. Easey-peasey! And it keeps my skin soft, supple, and well-moisturized even in Upstate NY winters. Huzzah!
Val, allow me to add a wrinkle, so to speak, to your cleanser theory: For years I went with good old Cetaphil, and felt smug that I wasn't a sucker, overspending on unnecessary "cleansers." But then this summer I tried a friend's Indie Lee cleanser and it was a revelation - silky and somehow *soft* without being foamy, and it smelled expensive...like a small daily luxury I had been denying myself. It didn't make my skin any different, I just liked the feeling of being a little nicer to myself. And now when I (irregularly) wash my face with my own Indie Lee, I feel a teeny bit decadent. Love, an unexpected "cleanser" convert
I swear by my Clarisonic, though L’Oreal has discontinued it. It got me through acne that lasted into my 40s and I’m still using it as menopause acne has risen up (which needs a whole column unto itself). If you need to do a gently, daily exfoliation, it is a good option that does more work on dark spots than just your hands can do. Clarisonic fans: a number of companies are now making the replacements brushes. All is not lost!
Your so nice to respond to my comment- ❤️
Loved the article! Though I must wash my face everyday 😆 as I have oily skin. And even though I no longer wear makeup during the week I believe people with oily skin absolutely need to cleanse or wash their skin daily 😉.
I listened to you on A Thing or Two and immediately subscribed to your newsletter. I thought I'd try your newsletter for a week or so and then pay for it. I don't need that long to decide...I'm going to do so now. I look forward to seeing HNTFUYF in my email "box".
The link to the cleanser you like is no longer working. Could you please post the brand in the comments? TIA!
So brave to go sledding in that I fear breaking a bone and tearing a muscle these days. Actually, in Jan 2020 I tore my miniscus in one knee THEN tore the one in the other knee 4 months later at the height of the pandemic. Ugh but didn't need surgery or physical therapy - just being gentle along with knee thing-ys to stablize them as I walked.
Hmmm...I was wondering about the double cleansing practice as I first read about it in a DHC catalog. I knew washing too much would cause my face to over-produce oil but it was interesting to read about it in its cultural context. I never heard of such a thing in my Cantonese/Toisanese context which is a good reminder how the concept of face plays out differently in each culture.
Okay, I have a question. You mentioned recently that you don't use "product" to style your hair. Why not? And if we are stripping our facial skin with crapola we don't need, what about our hair? Figures the same would hold true...
Val, as you know, I have not washed my face in YEARS! But I have been sledding, and I love your verve and your wit and your "whatever works for you" philosophy, woman!
I don't use fancy soaps to wash my face. During my early twenties I had a period of time, I had such oily skin I couldn't even wear makeup, or God forbid, simply blush! No matter what I used to wash my face, an hour later it was so oily it looked like I had a constant sheen of sweat.
I started getting painful splotches in different spots too. Red, itchy, just so uncomfortable.
I went to a dermatologist who asked a few questions about what products I use to wash my face.
I ran it down to her. She told me to go home, throw away all the face cleaners, toners and moisturizers. Then she instructed me to buy several WHITE washcloths, and a couple of bars of Basis soap.
I never thought about colored wash cloths, but apparently, at least for me, the dye in them was causing my face to overreact and produce more oil.
To compound the issue, the face soaps, toners and moisturizers were making my skin go into triple overdrive, trying to protect itself, because all those products were actually stripping the natural oils, along with the dyes causing an allergic reaction, hence the painful splotches.
I did what I was told, and bought 20 white washcloths, for cleaning my face only. I also bought several bars of Basis soap.
After three days of using the basis and white cloths the splotches were gone and my face was not exuding a gallon of oil. Seven days after I started that simple routine I was able to go full make up, and it stayed put all day!
I've never looked back.
I never realized that those of us with oily skin are actually lucky. Our routines should only consist of bare minimum of ingredients soap.
The moisturizers, toners and other stuff isn't necessary for us. I thought I was in the know regarding what was best for my skin and beauty. Hours of reading Cosmo, Vogue, and yes because I was still young, Teen Magazine taught me zilch. I knew nothing.
I also thought as you age your oily skin would go dry. Nope, it does not. At 61 I have plenty of lines and the hated 11's, (oddly I've never given a second thought of my 11's. I do not know why I don't stress The things that drive the majority of women mad as we age. I do wonder why I don't get bothered by certain things like that?). But most of the wrinkling hasn't yet taken over. I think I look my age, just not too crepey. Thanks to oily skin it's not so bad.
My beautifying is actually just to keep my skin healthy. I don't care about my flaws.
I am going to take your fancier term for giving the face a bath, "Cleansing" and I call my routine "Cleansing facial pampering". Makes me feel like I'm in a fancy spa, getting the pampering ALL of us women require and deserve. Even the word "pampering" sounds luxurious to me 🤭
I never in my life got to experience snow sledding ☹️
Growing up in California, only spending summers in Oklahoma with my dad I never saw much snow. But, I used to water ski impressively... Used to, I wouldn't even attempt it now what with rheumatoid arthritis going at my hands, wrists, elbows, and lately, my knees 😒
But snow sledding was a thing I always wished I could do. Snow skiing ⛷️ was my sister's thing. She often went. She offered to take me many times, but the idea of being on two sticks, ⛷️ sliding down a mountain, with trees that do not move out of your way, it just didn't tickle my fancy. Now, if my dingy self would have thought about it, I could have went with her and sailed down said mountain on my butt, in a super cool sled 🛷. I wish I had now. Hmmm, maybe the next time she tells me she'll treat me to a vacation with her to Colorado, I'll say yes, and get on a sled? 😁 Whoohoo
I just ordered 2 of the books you recommended ❤️
Love your wit and wisdom ! Many thanks for keeping it real 👍🏻
I really do enjoy washing/cleaning my face and I am OK with that. Great post as always.
Thank you for the fresh outlook on life—and skincare!
Forgive me for being fuzzy on the details, but some years ago a derm I interviewed recommended both am and pm cleansing. Re am cleansing she said something about microscopic metabolic waste products that build up as the result of body’s overnight renewal process. I thought this “waste” was flushed out through the lymphatic system. Maybe a question for Dr. Williams? Anyway, I am a fan of washing my face in the morning because it’s like a wake-up call for my skin.
I've never been much of one for excessive face washing. As a young woman I was an "Ivory Girl", which was fine. Then I moved onto Dr. Bronner's for just about everything, but I only ever washed my face when I was in the shower. As I got a little older I realized it was drying my skin out so I started putting face cream on after I got out of the shower. In the last year or so a close friend started selling Beautycounter and I got hooked on their Japanese-style oil cleanser. I smooth it on before I get in the shower, then rinse it off once I'm in. Easey-peasey! And it keeps my skin soft, supple, and well-moisturized even in Upstate NY winters. Huzzah!
Val, allow me to add a wrinkle, so to speak, to your cleanser theory: For years I went with good old Cetaphil, and felt smug that I wasn't a sucker, overspending on unnecessary "cleansers." But then this summer I tried a friend's Indie Lee cleanser and it was a revelation - silky and somehow *soft* without being foamy, and it smelled expensive...like a small daily luxury I had been denying myself. It didn't make my skin any different, I just liked the feeling of being a little nicer to myself. And now when I (irregularly) wash my face with my own Indie Lee, I feel a teeny bit decadent. Love, an unexpected "cleanser" convert
haha. made me laugh out loud in a spot or two. I can SEE you on that LID. I'm going sliding next week! wish me luck. Now to listen to the podcast.