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Saturday, March 26, 2011

Skin Care Products I'm Using Now



Summer vacation started 2 weeks ago for me (or rather my DD but that includes me!) so I'm left with much more free time than I can handle.  Yeah, I'm bored.  I prefer the days with school because I can walk outside with a purpose, he he.

Anyway, I know I'm purposely neglecting this blog and much everything else but you would too if you are nauseated the whole day, everyday! That's what's going on with me now - all day nausea.  I am wishing for my 1st trimester to end in a few more weeks so the nausea would end too.  Compared with my first pregnancy wherein I was vomiting the whole day (yes, morning, noon and night for 3 months!!!) but felt so much better after each bout, this nauseated feeling is worse.  It really is different for every pregnant woman and every pregnancy.  

So far my skin is still looking like s**t but at least my skin texture is better.  I've rediscovered my Emu Oil when I ran out of my night cream a week ago (Avalon Organics Rejuvenating Vitamin C Oil-Free Moisturizer).  This is working for me at the moment because it keeps my face oil-free the next day.

Remember that those wanting to get pregnant or are pregnant should avoid use of skin care products with Retinoids (Accutane- the oral form, Vit. A derivatives in creams, lotions like Retin-A, Differin, Retinoic Acid) as they are proven teratogens especially the oral form of the drug.  Meaning, these cause birth defects in fetuses.  Also Beta Hydroxy Acids like Salicylic Acid should be avoided as they can also cause birth defects and pregnancy complications.  


Unfortunately for me, Salicylic Acid is the only thing that works for my acne.  I've stopped using my Garnier toner, Olay Daily Renewal Cream (has Salicylic acid), Avon Creams and Eye Creams, etc. The only thing I use is my Aveeno Clear Complexion Cleanser bec. the Salicylic Acid there is 2% or less and it is washed off. The toner I've been using is from my derma (Clindamycin toner) which I use at night and my Aqua Glycolic Toner for daytime.


Glycolic Acid is safe since it is a form of AHA or Alpha Hydroxy Acid (water-based).  My derma still continues to give me my bi-monthly or monthly glycolic peels and diamond peels to help lessen the marks left by my cystic acne and to lessen the occurrence of acne itself.  

For my acne, I use Benzoyl Peroxide gel at night.  I know it didn't work much for me before but now I am using it for the sake of using something to control my acne.  I've switched to 10% this week from 5% for whatever it's worth.  I continue to use my Olay Complete SPF 15 for daytime as my moisturizer and sunblock.



My routine goes as follows: 
Morning:
1. Aveeno Clear Complexion Cleanser
2. Aqua Glycolic Toner
3. Olay Complete SPF 15

Night:
1. Aveeno Clear Complexion Cleanser
2. Clindamycin Toner
3. Benzoyl Peroxide Gel on acne prone areas
4. Emu Oil on face and neck

Simple, back to basics skin care for an acne-prone pregnant woman.  This would continue on until post-partum when nursing a baby because Salicylic acid may be passed on thru breast milk.  I'd rather be safe than sorry.  For now, vain as I might be, beauty takes a back seat.  At least I still have my mineral make-up and concealer to keep me from looking hideous.

19 comments:

Jen said...

Didn't know that you are pg. Congrats!

notjustminerals said...

Thanks Jen!

AskMeWhats said...

ahhh isn't it nice that you're back to basics? :) Thanks for sharing your skin care regiment

herroyalbleakness said...

Uy, congrats on your pregnancy. and thanks for breaking down the roster of pregnancy-friendly skincare goodies :)

interested with that aqua glycolic toner... is it locally available?

DeBi said...

congrats!
I threw all my beauty products when I got pregnant. I even stopped putting makeup because of my fear that I'll hurt my baby...
Anyways, have a safe pregnancy. :)

notjustminerals said...

thanks Debi and Nikki. Safe naman most cosmetics except those with Retinol in them or those with parabens I think.

HRB: Aqua Glycolic is not available locally. I get mine from Drugstore.com or Amazon.

herroyalbleakness said...

bummer... i semelled that answer coming halfway through :D haha.

Unknown said...

hi, you were referred by your blogger friend, dailyfashionista, is there a way we can contact you? thanks..

notjustminerals said...

pinoy: you can send an email to nikkizapata at yahoo dot com.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your pregnancy, Nikki ! :D

notjustminerals said...

thank Je!

eMs said...

good luck on your pregnancy sis! take care of yourself :P

Whitney & the full effect said...

congrats to you to mamma! my skin is going haywire! I really am annoyed by my skin- I am getting those deep cystic acne bump that hurt- ouch!!

Greenpease said...

Congrats Nikki!! <3

Unknown said...

new follower here! :D enjoyed reading your blog :D

sheenuhbaby said...

Nikki congrats!

Sorry kung kontra ako LOL. Pero yung sa retinol usage, oral form lang daw ang bawal. Topical ones are okay. I've used Avene diacneal nung buntis ako. But I think what really saved me from having a skin havoc is when I had a diamond peel back home then maintenance of Neostrata glycolic then BB creme :)

Now I'm 4mos post partum, I miss my preggy glowing skin :( Falling hair and blackheads galore! Sigh.

Rochelle Rivera said...

I love your blog. ♥

I just followed your blog, hope you check out mine too. ♥

Thanks!
Rochelle

http://rochellerivera.blogspot.com

Velasco said...

Hi! Im your newest follower. Im 32 weeks along. Skin is breaking out but afraid to use aveeno clear complexion cleanser. Its the only cleanser that works for me though:(

notjustminerals said...

hi sanna! I used my Aveeno CCC when I was pregnant since it is washed off and doesn't stay on the skin. It's the toners and creams with SA you must avoid.