Share your skin care knowledge
 

I've come around to considering skin care products again. Generally, for me, I've thought it a waste of time and money--as I don't really have any acne problems in general, with the ocassionaly zit ever month or so. Heck, other than the daily shower, I don't do anything to my face. I remember a while back when I was generally less confident in high school, so I tried a simple oil of olay face soap that went showed no noticeable difference. I guess for a guy that generally doesn't have bad acne problems, I'm not sure what I was looking for.

I saw a penn & teller episode on the cosmetic industry, and that further led me away from skin care. However, I want a second oppinion: I'll probably try something based on practicality, nothing major.

1. So, what skin care do you reccommend?

2. What improvements do you notice?

3. Do you suspect, as do I, that it's mostly marketing and the placebo effect?

Somewhere in between. These are some things told to me by my dermatologist:
Scrubbing the skin strips away its natural oils, which protect the skin from irritants.
Too much oil and dirt will clog pores and cause breakouts(once you're passed the hormonal acne phase).
I actually use my skin's natural oils as moisturizer-as the forehead and cheeks start to get shiny, I massage it back in. I also use an OTC moisturizer after washing because of the first statement.
But in the long run, I think one is either blessed with great skin or isn't. I wasn't, so I have to watch what I do.

My skin care has more to do with getting a good shave. I can't use modern type razors. Tear living hell out of my face. I use an old two sided safety razor. Even went so far as to get a badger fur brush and a puck of glycerin soap. Makes all the difference in the world.

I am quite obsessive about my skin care regime actually, yes I am one of those people that exfoliates once a day and cleanses, tones, moisturises twice. I even use a body lotion / butter after every shower, this is ontop of carrying a small tube of moistiruser with me incase me hands start to dry out.

For me it makes a great deal of difference though, I don't have problems with acne but my skin tends to go very patchy with bright red cheeks and nose as compared to the paler skin of my forehead and chin. I also suffer from quite severe excema if I'm not pretty pedantic about it.

So for me it helps control my excema and keeps my skin tone even.

As for advice if your in a sunny climate I advise a light moisturiser that comes with SPF protection and a good shaving routine.