Sunscreen: La Roche Posay

A little over 10 years ago I started going to a new dermatologist. 

She recommended this sunscreen to me. 

Being an avid runner, I'm outside a lot and get a lot of sun exposure. 

My skin has been through all of the chemicals over the years trying to fight off acne. 

I have very sensitive skin on my face and try to use as gentle ingredients as I can. 

There was a point in time when I really couldn't be in the sun much at all because of acne medications that I was on. 

I would nearly blister in the sun. 

My body burnt in really odd spots like the sides of my fingers, my toes and scalp. 

I'm glad most of those days are over, but my skin is still pretty temperamental. 

La Roche-Posay is my favorite face sunscreen!

I even heard recently that it won an award for one of the best sunscreens!

Over the years I've tried nearly every sunscreen and most make my face BURN!

I cannot tell you how many times I've felt like my face was on fire because of new sunscreen that I tried. 

I'm not sure that I will try any different face sunscreens, but we shall see.

I stocked up for summer and added a few new La Roche-Posay sunscreens to my kit. 

Primer, Regular Sunscreen, Serum

My regular face sunscreen. 

This doesn't sting or burn my skin. 

It is my all time favorite sunscreen! 

I don't care how expensive it is-it WORKS! 

It's a bit greasy, but what sunscreen isn't. 

I wipe it on and wash my fingers immediately because I really hate the feeling of sunscreen on my fingers. 

I can use this all day and you won't be able to tell that I was in the sun. 

Sunscreen Primer

What I liked about this primer is that it's not as greasy. 

I've enjoyed putting it on before I run in the mornings or before I do my makeup.

Sunscreen Serum

This feels like a normal serum.
Sometimes I put it on before my makeup or just on a regular day at home after I wash my face.

I've noticed in the last few years more brown spots on my face.
I really don't like those, but I'm not willing to give up my time running outdoors or spending in the garden.
I've been more cognizant recently about really applying some type of sunscreen each and every morning.

Sunscreen within foundation just isn't enough for me.
I need to apply regular heavy duty foundation first before adding on any makeup that might have sunscreen in it.

What sunscreen do you wear on a regular basis?

Clarisonic

I got my first Clarisonic somewhere around 2010.

I went to my dermatologist for a regular checkup and stopped by their boutique on the way out. 

I think they were having some type of promotion, but I couldn't leave with the Clarisonic that day. 

They mailed it to me, and boy has that little machine worked great for the past 7 years!

I noticed a few months back that mine wasn't charging like normal.
I needed to charge it much more often than I used to.
One day it just wouldn't turn on.
It makes a sound, but it won't fully click over.
I've tried leaving it charged for days and still nothing.

The thing that I love about Clarisonic is how helpful their customer service department is.
I called to ask if there was anything else I could do to get mine to work again.
The gentleman I talked to was so courteous and walked me through some steps before determining that it must have just worn out.

I was very pleased with their service when he offered a coupon code to buy a new Clarisonic at a discounted price.
So, now I'm in the hunt for my new Clarisonic.
The old one I had they no longer manufacture, so I need to pick out a new one and choose fast.
My coupon code expires at the end of the month, so I'm weighing my options and hope to decide this week.

Mia 1

This cleanser seems like the closest to my old Clarisonic.
It has one speed and removes dirt and oil.
$129

Mia 2

This cleanser has 2 speeds-delicate and normal.
It seems very similar to the Mia 1 except that it has 2 speeds instead of one.
While my skin can definitely feel fragile, I'm not sure that I really need the two speeds.
Usually if my skin was irritated, I would just skip the Clarisonic for a day.
$169

Mia FIT

The Mi FIT is sleeker, slimmer and has two speeds-delicate and powercleanse.
It seems similar to the Mia 1 and 2 except it seems like more of an updated model.
I'm not really sure that I need all of this.
It's not like I'm going to be caring it around places with me.
I buy it, place it in my bathroom and no one ever sees it.
$219


Mia Smart Profile

This cleanser is a whole body one.
It has four speeds and will automatically adjust speeds depending on what type of skin you are on.
This machine sounds super smart, but I can't say that I would want to use my Clarisonic on my whole body.
$299

For some reason my computer keeps freezing.
I wish I could show you some larger images of the products.
Do any of you have one of these newer models from Clarisonic?

I really wondered if it was worth the $.
I wasn't sure that I was going to replace mine, but honestly I can tell such a difference without it.
I love the smooth feeling of my skin when I use it, but even more I love how clear my pores are.
I can already see the buildup around my nose and my chin.
Even though this seems like a splurge, I think I'm going to save in the long run.

I've always had temperamental skin.
I spend so much time washing, moisturizing and treating my skin, yet some days I feel like you wouldn't even be able to tell that I do all of that.
I wish I was lucky enough to have perfect flawless skin, but I guess God didn't choose that for me.
So, I'm going to use the best products I can to help me out.

Please let me know your thoughts on any products by Clarisonic.
I'm guessing I will go with Mia 1 or Mia 2.

Nighttime Skincare Routine

I've been reading a lot about other people's skincare routine recently, and I just made an appointment with my dermatologist, so I thought it was fitting to share my own routine.

I've always had troubled skin.

I swear I spend more time a day on my skin, but it still acts up.

With that being said, I've been on nearly every acne medication known to man, be it topical or oral.

Aldactone 

Aczone

Differin

Tazorac 

Retin-A

Benzaclin

Finacea

Epiduo

Ziana

Isotretinoin

I'm sure there's more, but I will stop there.

I started off with a dermatologist who really wasn't proactive in clearing up my skin. 

I felt like he was more concerned about getting on to his next patients, so I switched.

Thank goodness!

I now go to a phenomenal health care center called Trillium Creek. 

They have multiple locations, a boutique, salon, their own makeup line, etc.

My skin is still a struggle, but it's a lot better than it used to be.

I'm very self-conscious as I have some scarring, but there's not a whole lot they can do about it.

Dove Soap

I wash my face in the shower with Dove soap.

Avene Makeup Remover

After getting out of the shower I use Avene Gentle Eye Makeup Remover. 

Some remover makes my skin burn, but this one does not. 

I squirt a little bit on a cotton pad and wipe off what wasn't taken off from the Dove soap.

Clarisonic

I've had my Clarisonic for about 5 years. I actually think it's starting to go bad becuase I have to constantly have it charged, but I like to use it 3 or so times a week with Dove soap or a Green Tea cleanser from my dermatologist. 

I love how smooth my skin is after using it.

I just like to be careful not to overuse it and make my skin irritated.

CeraVe

After the Clarisonic I will use CeraVe moisturizer all over my face or my Green Tea Serum.

CeraVe was another recommendation from my dermatologist that works as a great moisturizer.

Green Tea Serum

This serum comes from a line by my dermatologist. It's supposed to be used on specific spots like around the eyes and nose, but sometimes I use it all over. 

You don't need a lot; only a pump or two for it to spread out. 

Aczone

I'm currently using Aczone to spot treat my acne. If a spot pops up, I put a dot of Aczone on it. It's too powerful to use all over my face as it will dry it out instantly, so I make sure to use my moisturizer first before putting it on.

Sometimes I use more of it than others.

That's my current nighttime routine.

Do you have any suggestions to add in or products that you love and want to share?