I was looking through some old pictures from high school and college and I saw myself in various fun situations with long forgotten friends. Even though those were some wonderful times, I wouldn’t go back to those times for anything. Wait! I lied. It happens quarterly. I actually did want one detail back: MY SKIN! My complexion was to die for. Okay, you may not have laid down your life, but I love hyperbole AND my retro-skin.
As I have aged to 32 years young I have lost that effortless clear skin privilege. I have struggled through hormone fluctuation, hirsutism, and excessive stress just to name a few. Gone were the days of a little cold cream and out-the-door. As of late I have had a bout with acne that has seriously affected my “skin-confidence.”
Most people think of acne as a teenage skin problem, yet acne can continue through your adult years, especially in women. Adult skin/acne is different than young skin, so treatment of acne needs to be different. We deal with issues such as:
- Hormonal fluctuations – Caused by menstruation, menopause, or stress can lead to breakouts
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) – Discolorations of the skin caused by acne lesions and severe or prolonged irritation from harsh acne treatments
- Slower skin turnover – Makes facial skin susceptible to clogged pores and breakouts
Most acne products currently do not address the needs of more mature skin, so it felt only right to try a product specifically formulated for my age demographic to combat my newly found skin issues. I tried the Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Line of products targeted especially for adult sufferers of acne about 2 weeks ago. The first thing I liked about this system was that it was dummy-proof with steps. I definitely need steps because my attention span leaves much to be desired. Here are the steps and my look at each one:
easy as 1, 2, 3...
- Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Pore Clarifying Cleanser — does not foam (which I know can bother some people), very soothing, not drying.
- Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Skin Clearing Treatment — absorbs into skin well, doesn’t burn. I have been following the directions on the package (use 1-3x a day) and only using it once a day because I think more than that would be too drying. Another note, does have a slight smell to it.
- Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Complexion Renewing Lotion — I was surprised when I first used this and discovered it to be more of a serum as opposed to a traditional lotion. It isn’t greasy and does a good job of balancing out the treatment.
Before & After 2 weeks of use...
Within a two-week period I saw a definite change in my skin. There was a decrease in blemishes and I also noticed that my skin was softer to the touch. I also liked that it was not drying like many acne treatments tend to be. In fact it moisturized without greasiness or heaviness. I definitely intend to keep on using Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Line as part of my skin regimen going forward.
While we’re on the subject of taking care of your skin, you might want to check out this post by Roxanna Sarmiento in the Life Well Lived section of BlogHer.com. She has some great tips for developing habits that will help your skin looks its best! http://goo.gl/IxOpP
Answer the following question to enter to win a $50 drugstore.com gift card from BlogHer and Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Line:
What changes have you seen in your skin as you’ve grown older?
Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older.
Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail.
You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
Enter between October 3rd – November 3rd
As I’ve gotten older, my skin is still pretty smooth but I now suffer from dark under-eye circles.
i have huge under eye circles now
I need this stuff! My skin is a mess right now, and I’m hardly a teenager. ;-P
My skin is now drier in the morning and a little oily/shiny towards the end of the working day.
at 51 it doesn’t look to bad I guess. Few wrinkles and a couple of age spots….
I have noticed that my skin is drier and I have fine lines and dark circles under my eyes.
http://twitter.com/#!/susan1215/status/122853555194441728
My pores are much more noticeable now as I grow up compared to my teen years especially when I don’t get enough rest.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
My skin is more dry and more prone to red spots!
Thanks kmassmanATgmailDOTcom
I used to be combination skin and it’s getting drier as I notice.
http://twitter.com/#!/tcarolinep/status/123572236127965185
I would love to try this treatment. I’m a little over 40 and still have adult acne. It can be so embarrassing.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/disneyfan40/status/123611760493207552
“What changes have you seen in your skin as you’ve grown older?”
Lawd, girl as you know, I could go on and on about my Ralph Tresvant skin. It’s been over a year now but all of a sudden, I developed hives. And now I can only use non-fragrant items on my skin or I’ll break the entire heck out.
Anyhow, I love the changes in your face! Go Olay! Olé!
Also… tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/pinchmycheekie/status/123850188535246849
I’ll be thirty next year; I have combination skin and break out mostly on my cheeks *frowns*…Also, my breakouts tend to leave behind “I was here” marks. It’s an annoying cycle, lol, so I’m always looking for a product that can solve these issues…
My promotional tweet -> http://twitter.com/#!/darlingtiffi/status/124133705047478272
my skin is drier with more wrinkles!
http://twitter.com/#!/DesMoinesDealin/status/124313080153911296
I have more acne now at 42 than I had as a teenager… plus wrinkles!! I need to try this.
As I’ve aged, dryness is the problem I fight the most. I but more moisturizer than anything else.
My skin is drier now
http://twitter.com/#!/HappyTina0115/status/127626719317331968
i have lost skin firmness and i have a little age spot that i need to fade
nannypanpan at gmail.com
my skin is much dryer now than when i was younger
Fewer pustules, but the cystic acne along my jawline has gotten so much worse!
I’ve noticed more redness in my skin with age.
tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/KerryBishop/status/128654222437781506
one word: wrinkles:-(
I’ve noticed more age spots as I’ve gotten older. Also acne – particularly when I was pregnant.
I have noticed that my skin is no where near as firm as in my younger days. It also has more fine lines and wrinkles.
I have lots dryer skin and dark circles under my eyes , than ever before.
tweet–http://twitter.com/#!/countrynest411/status/129692227688595456
My skin has gotten drier over the years.
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/#!/livelovelynn/status/130039891663917056
As I’ve grown older (63) my wrinkles are beginning to look like my mother’s.
Thanks for the contest.
blogged: http://slehan.blogspot.com/2011/10/win-50-gift-card-to-drugstorecom-from.html
my skin has become more sensitive and dry
babitababita@hotmail.com
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/zbabita5/status/130189720352342016
babitababita@hotmail.com
I’ve been noticing more fine lines~
http://twitter.com/#!/bikeohio/status/130373662942560256 tweet
Dang girl, your before and after shot looks amazing! Can’t wait to give this a try. My skin has gotten less acne prone, but fine lines are appearing
can’t have it all i guess!
thanks for the opportunity
abitnerdygirl at gmail dot com
I tweeted the promo
http://twitter.com/#!/abitnerdy/status/130376193353592832
abitnerdygirl at gmail dot com
Definitely drier – I have to be careful which products I use. Need to find a good eye cream! This looks like this worked well for you!
I can really see the difference in your photos, and thank you for suggesting Roxanna post!
I have noticed small sun spots and face feeling more oily around the chin and forehead as I am getting older.. I have lines around the eyes and mouth, which the hubby calls my laugh lines.
I have pretty good skin, and even over 40 I don’t have too many wrinkles yet but I still get those annoying menstrual pimples every month and they really bother me.
I have noticed lots of little lines on my forehead and around my eyes mostly. My facial skin is also a lot more dry than it used to be.
I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/#!/FotoMacro/status/131388875179425793
my adult skin is very dry as opposed to oily in my teens.
I use moisturizer. Lots.
My skin has gotten blochier for sure. And my pores are much bigger than they used to be!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
Tweet: http://twitter.com/coriwestphal/statuses/131461292811747329
coriwestphal at msn dot com
I never had acne in my teens but got it in my twenties.
I could really go on forever, but my main issues include enlarged pores & oily skin. I can’t believe the before & after photos! I really have to get my some of this stuff!
2nd entry tweet @ http://twitter.com/#!/kytah00/status/132168709476331520
My skin has gotten drier.I need to moisturize more often.
runningmatey at hotmail dot com
http://twitter.com/#!/LuckyDuckyToo/status/132238387926151168
runningmatey at hotmail dot com