a derm once told me you don't need to wash your face AM and PM - once is enough.. and at night, it's ok to just remove your makeup ... you don't wanna over cleanse your skin...

I'm sooooooooooooooo confused! ); *:

thanks for the suggestions Kulsoom... I already use Cetaphil cleanser and moisturizer... they're the most gentle for my skin.. I don't use any other products so I guess that's what I need help with...

hmmmmm.....

primers clog pores? Uh-Oh...

Ok I am not sure about products that help to reduce the amount of pores (there might be but I havent looked into it), but I know of things that make them smaller and cleaner.
www.cosmeticscop.com

This lady wrote many books on products, and she started selling her own, but her website also has articles and some reviews. makepalley.com also has product reviews. From what you are telling me and from what I remember reading from her book, use something gentle to clean your skin (redness could mean some sensitivity). I use the alpha/hydrox foaming one, I also hear the Cetaphil cleaner is good too. You could use a toner if you want, but not a harsh one. a beta hydroxy solution is something that you apply after cleaning, that helps to exfoliate. (I use alpha hydrox OIL FREE FORMULA, it is gel like). Get a good one of these,. apply after cleaning and before a moisturizer (or sunscreen during the day). Benzoil peroxide (like on the spot by neutrogena) can be used directly on any ace, before your moisturizer and before the beta hydroxy). you can get 5% or 10%, and one is just stronger than the other. If you dont get many, 5% should be fine.


Take this with a grain of salt, I am definitely not an expert, this is just from what I have read and what I know of my own skin (which is also combo with some redness).

my face is usually red/pink... cheeks mainly... and the tip of my nose... esp. when it's cold... :( i remind my sis of rudolph :( esp. during xmas!!!!

anyway, yeah I have combo skin to oily skin... no black or whiteheads... very very little if that...

i get acne soemtimes...

what else kulsoom? i mean, any way to permanently reduce the pores wtih home remedies?

do you have oily, combination or dry skin? I assume oily or combo, but want to make sure. Do you get any acne or redness? any black or whiteheads?

I use the Smashbox foundation primer. The one thing I don't like is that the large size comes in a bottle with a pump, and it is a real pain to get the last bit of it out of the bottle. It reduces the appearance of pores and your foundation goes on smoother, but...it is not going to actually make your pores smaller.

You have to try a few different lines before finding one that works best for your skin. Once you find it, you need to stick to it. Having a good skin care routine is essential. What you may want to do is to get skin care in sample sizes...maybe three different lines....do one for a month, the next the following month, etc. It may end up being a bit more expensive because sample sizes are not always cheap, but you don't want to waste money on buying the large size if it isn't going to work for you.

Cleanse, tone, moisturize AM and PM, and exfolliate at least once per week. And don't forget the sunscreen!

Well, that probably wasn't very helpful!