Epiduo Review Acne Treatment | How to Cure Acne

Epiduo Review 

Acne Cure 

Before and After

adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide Gel 2.5%

Background: Prior to being prescribed Epiduo I had used Duac (topical benzyol peroxide) and oxytetracycline (oral antibiotic). Whist these helped my skin a little, it went no where near curing it. I was an emotional wreck, I suffered two years under relentless skin problems. My self esteem was extremely low and I felt like I was running out of options. 

I had moderate acne including some cystic acne. It was extremely painful and persistent. At any time I would always have at least 8 active white heads and many red marks and scars. My dermatologist prescribed me this as a last resort before a course of Accutane.

My skin prior to Epiduo but during topical treatments

During Treatment: When I first started using Epiduo, I was using it morning and night. I assumed that if I used it twice as often my skin would recover twice as fast. By doing this I was completely ignoring the directions of my dermatologist. She is a doctor, I was a salesperson but I knew better because I'm a latent genius. The results... My skin was so chapped and raw that I was crying, my tears stung my sore skin and that made me cry more. 

I started using it as prescribed after that. Initially, my skin was very dry and very red (see photo below). My skin would go from visibly clearer, getting fewer spots over the course of a week... Then getting much worse again. It was really frustrating and disheartening. I kept thinking "I knew another topical wouldn't work, why can't they just give me roaccutane?!"

Wearing make up was a real issue, my skin was so chapped and dry around my mouth that foundation would chap off within minutes. That was really hard - my skin was very noticeably red but covering it looked worse. 

After about two months, my skin started healing and was relatively clear. I still had indented red marks and scars so I couldn't truly appreciate it. I started using exfoliation and lemon juice topically to fade the scars. Within three months I was totally clear

During treatment - red raw and chapped

 After: It's been 14 months since I started using Epiduo and since that point of my acne clearing, I can count the amount of spots I've had since on one hand. And I can always account for those (going on holiday, not drinking enough water or just plain not using Epiduo). 

I do still use this every night and I think that if I didn't, my acne would possibly come back. I'm not willing to take the chance... Epiduo really was my acne cure and I'd never be without it. 

I will add a *disclaimer* that everyone's skin is different and what was my cure may not be yours. Just be patient and know that there is an end to what you're going through

my skin now (2012)

Summary: I didn't have high hopes for this; I've used creams with Benzoyl Peroxide with much higher percentages. The active ingredients are adapalene 0.1% and benzoyl peroxide Gel 2.5%. However I highly recommend this, it made such a difference to my self esteem as well as the way that I look. 

The only downside is that I have to wait a while for it to dry before I apply my moisturiser. Solution to this is using a hair dryer on my face. 

In the UK it's available on the NHS for £7.65 for a tube which lasts me around three months. I will say that you only need to use a very thin layer, I've found that using a thick layer makes absolutely no difference other than it running out faster. 

Good luck with finding your cure for acne! 

There's more detailed information on the epiduo website: 

http://www.epiduo.com/pdf/PrescribingInformation.pdf

Edit: I've filmed and uploaded a video review to Youtube, please feel free to check it out!

Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer Review

Bobbi Brown 

Creamy Concealer Review

I've hit the pan!

Background: I have what I would term as mildly severe dark circle bags under my eyes. I get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water... Unfortunately its just genetic; my mum and my grandma both have the same thing. Additionally, the skin under my eyes is quite dry and tends to flake with concealers and foundations. It's all very attractive. 

If the eyes are the windows to the soul... I don't have a soul

Here are my bags prior to concealer. I am wearing an eye cream but it really doesn't make a difference to my zombie eyes. 

Coverage: Full coverage. 

Finish: I'm going to call a dewy finish, it's not matte but I need the creaminess to combat my dry under eyes. 

Application: I only dip my finger into the pan and warm between my ring fingers, then pat onto my dark circles to 'melt' it into my skin. It really is very creamy.

Durability: You ABSOLUTELY need to set this with a powder, it's so creamy that it will definitely settle and move around if you don't set it. Just for extra insurance I use Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Spray before, then use a Clinique pressed powder, then use a setting spray again. It usually lasts about 6-7 hours but as I'm a bit of a smiler it does end up settling and becoming patchy.  

Colour Range: As you'd expect, Bobbi Brown has a really good range of colours. The shop assistant matched me up and surprisingly I find this is a perfect colour through summer and winter. 

Packaging: I really like the packaging, it feels really High End. Unlike many hinged packaged products, it hasn't broken in my handbag. It has a mirror but it is so tiny I've never used it. 

Price: £18 for 0.5oz 1.4g; I've had this for nearly a year and used nearly every day so I'd say its very worth the price (I always say that about everything!). You can buy it in a kit with a setting powder but 1. I think there are better powders out there that aren't so fiddly and 2. Should the powder smash, which they often do, you'd have powdery creamy concealer - that's a bit oxymoronic don't you think?

After with Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer

Summary: As you can see in the above photo, it doesn't 100% cover my dark circles. I don't think anything would; they are very determined to be seen. However it's the only concealer that doesn't cause my skin to almost crumble away, it covers really well and lasts FOREVER. I'd say this is a great concealer for older skin types and those with stubborn dark circles. 

Clarins Eye Revive Beauty Flash Balm Eye Cream Review

Clarins Eye Revive Beauty Flash Eye Cream Review

Background: I have genetic dark under eye bags coupled with dry and sometimes flakey skin in that area. So I've been dealt quite a crappy hand when it comes to the eye area. 

My eye bags in all their glory

Overview: Considering the price, this is a painfully average eye cream. It's averagely moisturising and substandardly de-puffing (I am making up words now to describe this average eye cream...). I really expected this to be very similar to the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm but it is just not. I think the Beauty Flash Balm would make a far better eye cream!

Consistency: It's a relatively thin cream, not luxuriously thick like its namesake's Beauty Flash Balm. 

Application: It takes quite a while to soak in and when it does it doesn't leave my eyes feeling particularly moisturised. Just to use this up, at night I'm mixing it with 8 hour cream to thicken it. It doesn't 'revive' my eyes in any shape or form. 

Packaging: The squeezy tube is kind of annoying, yes you can control the amount you use but I hate that bit when you're running low and you cramp your fingers up just trying to get the last dregs.. The dregs which last at least a week!

Price: £25.20 for 20ml on Feel Unique; I think that is extortionate for such an (I'll say it again) average eye cream! 

Summary: I loved the Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, that's why I bought this eyecream. However I don't know how they can include the name 'Beauty Flash' in the title as I can't see how the two products are in any way similar. The Boots No7 eyecream is far superior and less than half the price (with a £5 voucher and honestly I never buy that range unless armed to the teeth with a voucher!)

Review Clinique All About Eyes Eye Cream Review

Clinque All About Eyes Eye Cream Review  

Background: I have genetic dark under eye bags coupled with dry and sometimes flakey skin in that area. So I've been dealt quite a crappy hand when it comes to the eye area. 

Overview: For me, this is the BEST under eye cream I've tried. It does nothing in terms of my dark circles but it does de-puff them in the morning times (I generally wake up with eyes not dissimilar to those of a new born hamster) and makes concealer application a piece of cake. 

Consistency: Almost gel like, very rich and extremely moisturising

Application: I use the tiniest amount on my ring finger, rub said fingers together to warm it up and gently tap under my eyes. It sinks in fairly quickly, leaves no residue to cause makeup to slide but keeps area really hydrated

Packaging: It's a small glass jar; which I prefer because I can easily scrape out the dregs compared to a squeezy tube

Price: £24 for 15ml; a pot will last me about 5-6 months with daily use. I have never ever paid for this with cash, it lasts the exact amount of time it takes me to save up £24 worth of Boots Advantage Card points. However, I'd definitely fork out the cash as I think its totally worth it

Summary: I use this over top of an SPF 50 as insurance against eye wrinkles. I can't say whether it prevents them or not, I'm not a scientist but I love it as a preventative method of my concealer flaking and drying. 

To compare All About Eyes to All About Eyes Rich, I've had a sample of the latter and I don't think it's anywhere near as rich or moisturising as the original PLUS it makes my concealer move around and settle.  

Top Twelve Tips for Combating Acne

Top Twelve Tips for Combating Acne : How to Get Rid of Spots

*Disclamer* I'm not a dermatologist or an expert, these are merely the tips and tricks I learnt during my fight against spots and acne. These hints may be obvious, or useless! For me, the only thing that helped was a prescribed topical. However, these tips certainly help for healthier skin and a healthier body and may well help you.

Before

After

Drink lots of water! 

Don't go overboard, obviously. I used to drink a pink of water every other hour during office hours PLUS tea and coffee and evening drinks. I must have been consuming more than a gallon a day. I pretty much constantly needed a piss. 

Eight glasses a day is really vague, not everyone has the same size glasses scientist dummy! I would say 2 litres a day is plenty. Stay away from sugary drinks and alcohol (I should take that advice I'm such a ginner), not just because they dehydrate your skin but also because they're pretty bad for your body as a whole. 

Get Eight Hours Sleep

Body needs its rest. Will also help with stress levels. Stress can often be a contributor to skin problems, if you're well rested you're less likely to sweat the small stuff. 

Change your pillows and sheets 

At least every fortnight, better still every week. I used to have major grumpines with my partner about his laundry habits. Now I just take clean pillow cases round when I stay over. Pillows can harbour lots of germs so wash them occasionally too

Clean your phones

Where does your mobile go? Pocket, bottom of bag, tables, the floor...? And you press that thing against your face?! It's disgusting when you think about what grime must be on your phone... Just use a wet wipe to give it a clean every now and then. That goes for land lines as well. 

Don't touch your face

And if you have to, wash your hands first. Think about where your hands have been, handling money (that's been handled by god knows how many people first), stroking your pet (my dog rolled in fox shit last week but that's a whole nother absolutely traumatising story), opening a public bathroom door... 

Now I don't want to go Harold Hughes on you but if you're having problems with your skin, it's probably a bit sensitive so I'd advise treating your skin very delicately.

Also... DON'T pick your skin. That includes squeezing. No matter how tempting it might be, it will almost always look worse afterwards. It will just spread the bacteria and make your skin inflamed. Don't do it. I'm serious. 

Eat six a day

Try to make sure they're mainly vegetables; fruit contains a lot of sugar which is bad for your teeth. Spinach is great for iron, tomatoes for antioxidents, broccoli is f*cking delicious... If you want to look great on the outside a good start is to enrich your body from the inside. 

Get outdoors

My mum was actually prescribed a UV face lamp for her acne in her 20s. I'm not sure what the science is behind that but vitamin D levels are generally quite low; people spend so much time in doors and wear very high SPFs when they are outside. Vitamin D tablets are a good substitute but I find that being outdoors adds to my well being which in turn can reduce stress.

Keep active
Again, keeping healthy inside and out aren't exactly going to go against you when trying to get your skin clear

Cleansing is a separate step from removing makeup
I am CONSTANTLY chastising my friends and sister for this. I definitely used to be an offender; I'd use a soap to clean my face and that's it. What I discovered that when I started using a toner following washing my face, there would always be a grimy makeupy dirty residue on the cotton wool pad showing that I wasn't cleaning my face effectively. 
So, even if you just use something cheap olive oil or baby oil, use a separate makeup remover BEFORE cleansing your face; it's a much more fail safe way of getting all the days grime off your face.

THROW AWAY YOUR MAKEUP WIPES!

THEY HAVE NO PLACE IN YOUR FACIAL ROUTINE (in my humble opinion... I get a bit capslock happy when it comes to skin care). They don't do a good enough job on cleansing your precious skin and they are pften much more abrasive than your hands or a cotton pad and when your skin is sensitive, you don't want to be aggravating it. 

Clean your make up brushes

I used to never clean my brushes AND chuck them in my purse/handbag amongst all my other crap. How very naughty of me. Depending on your usage, I'd recommend cleaning your brushes every two weeks, and if you're taking them around in your bag, put them in a clean brush roll or cosmetic bag. 

Be patient
Something that my dermatologist told me is that skin is on a six week cycle. If you start doing something to treat your skin, you won't see the effects for up to six weeks. If you do anything to your skin, hang in there for the six weeks to find out if its effective or not. This is definitely the case with my skin and Epiduo... It just takes patience and staying positive, you will find the thing to help your skin eventually. In the mean time, deep breaths and keep smiling. 

*Other than the photos of myself, the other images are from multiple sources via google