Hi all!! Finallyyyyyy I made it back to Canada!! YAAAAY!! =D =D =D
Anyhow..Yesterday I arrived around 6am..I was too tired to do anything..So I couldn’t update the blog..Today is actually my friend’s birthday, Kelly Ng! Happy Bday deaaar!! I love you sooo muuuch! hehehehe…I have to leave in a bit to attend her bday dinner at her place..we’re going to chill out for a bit..
Anyhow..I wanted to post a Maybelline mascara review, but I ran out of makeup remover, so I’m going to post the mascara review tomorrow..
Disclaimer: every skin is different, so what works for me might not work for you..I do not get paid by anybody to do this, I just want to share it with you guys…I am not recommending the products whatsoever, I’m just showing you what is happening on my skin..
Today I want to share with you a line of skincare products which I’ve been using for several weeks now…Just a background story, I’ve been having acne issues since I was 11 years old…My acne problem have gone from bad to worst to really good when I was back in Jakarta and Singapore…My skin was clear from acnes when I was 16, but it got worst when I moved to Canada when I was 17…I think the problem lies in the change in the weather…Singapore and Jakarta are always hot and humid, but in Canada the weather is dry and cold in winter, but dry and hot in summer…
I’ve tried Neutrogena, Clean and Clear and Proactive but none of these stuffs work for me…It made my skin worst when I was 17 (I found I’m sensitive to benzoyl peroxide)…But, in that summer, I tried Clinique (it uses salicylic acid) and it worked for a few years…Even though the skin was not flawless, but it worked pretty well for a good 3 years, and then it somehow lost its effectiveness…Then I changed to Vichy which again seems to work for a year until they changed their formula, and it irritated my skin…I, then, looked around and finally settled for a brand called La Roche-Posay which is recommended by a dermatologist in Hamilton…The skincare actually works for me, but it doesn’t really do much..
So, now I’m 22 and I decided to see a dermatologist in Jakarta during my holiday…My derm, Dr. Sutardi Santosa, promised me that he will make my skin clear in 4 months as long as I followed his instructions…He gave me a line from Obagi and an antibiotic to drink (once a day)…So, every morning I have to use: cleanser, toner and t-pads (all contains 2% salicylic acid) and at night I have to repeat all 3 AND a night serum (which contains 5% benzoyl peroxide)…
As I know I am sensitive to benzoyl peroxide, I was ready to see some irritation to occur on my skin…The irritation occured (if you guys followed my twitter you knew I was complaining about it)..However, instead of the usual bad-to-worst scenario, my skin condition actually improves a lot..
The first week was the worst because my skin get red and dry..I was banned from using moisturizer for the first 2 weeks..My skin was so dry that the skin was peeling..In addition, because of the antibiotic, my lips were dry and chapped..After the first week, however, my skin condition started to improve…
After the first 2 weeks, I went back to the derm and he gave me a moisturizer and a sunscreen which I have been using all these while..He also told me to reduce the usage of the night serum…It’s been 4 weeks since the 1st day I used this line of skincare and believe or not, it actually works!
On week 3, my dad told me that he can see improvement in my skin..When I get to Canada, even my bf told me that my skin has improved a lot…I’m surprised that even my pores have gotten smaller…the blackheads are disappearing as well..I did not go for any facial treatment because I want to know whether this skinline products work or not..I think the combination of the products and the antibiotic really work for me…
The photos below will show you my skin condition from week 1 to week 4..Yes, I know it’s that baad! lol..makeup does cover most of my skin problems, but I do crave for a clear skin..=D
I’m soooo happy with the result..Hopefully I can see more improvement after 4mths..=D
Hey Jilly,
I was on accutane it worked for me…
Hi Roma,
Accutane is for extremely serious case of acne, and as my acne was categorized as “mild” none of the derms allow me to take accutane..but hey, whatever works for you! =)…
Hi, Jilly
I am using Obagi Clenziderm like yours as well. It was recommended by a doctor in spore.
I’m in my 3 days to be precise. Just wonder, for the serum, did u use it for ur whole face? or just in the certain acne prone are? did it ever cause u some red irritation on ur skin?
I got red bumpy pimples around my mounth, cheek and nose. I suspect it may be due to the high amounth of blackhead and whiteheads around nose and cheek, but not sure for mouth.
Hi Merry,
I’m not a dermatologist and my opinion should not be taken fully and completely….From my own experience, my dermatologist told me use it all around the face, but he told me specifically to avoid the corner of the nose and mouth & under the eyes (all 2 fingers away from the corner) for the toner and the night serum, as well as the pore therapy.
On the first 2 weeks, as you can see from the pictures, I was BRIGHT RED, and he told me to expect that because the products are highly concentrated and therefore will irritate the skin. But in the beginning of week 3 the redness started to disappear and the condition improved.
This products are going to irritate your skin as the skin is basically “exfoliated” to remove all the dead skin cells and to kill all the germs. You are only on your 3rd day, and I think it’s normal to have redness on your face. About the mouth part, I’m not sure about that because I didn’t put anything around my mouth. It might be because your mouth is dry, you get cold sores and not pimples. But, consult back to your dermatologist (I think that’s the best that I can tell you).
Drink PLENTY of water and always wear sunscreen whenever you leave the house. =)
Hope that helps!!
Hey Jilly,
I just started Clenziderm 5 days ago and although it’s too early to say if it’s working, I have noticed it has calmed my skin down a bit. Can I ask if you experienced a burning/stinging feel the first couple nights? For me, the first 3-4 nights were !!!!! bc my face felt like it was on fire after I applied the serum.
I really hope this works for me bc I have tried everything! If this doesn’t, unfortunately I’ll have to consider Accutane, which is an option I’ve been trying to avoid.
-Lilly
Also, I forgot to ask if you’re still using the product? And if so, how has your skin been holding up?
-Lilly
Hi Lily
Yes, I do feel a LOT of stinging for the 1st 2 weeks…I wasn’t worried because I knew it contains benzoyl peroxide which is the ingredient which will kill the bacteria, but it does irritate the skin…I don’t know if you were following my twitter, but I was complaining every single day about the serum which sting and irritated my skin so much..but it works!
My skin was doing REALLY WELL until I have to go back to makeup school. In makeup school we put tons of makeup, take it off, put it on, take it off..My skin right now is OK, but I do have breakout along my jawline. I think this is due to the internal stress of my body (commuting every single day for 1.5hrs one way, makeup, not eating well, winter)…
I am still using Obagi now, I just think it’s not as effective as how it should be because I’m in makeup school…
It takes time, and you should consult your dermatology because in some countries you can only buy Obagi through your derm..
I hope this helps. Please be reminded that I am not a dermatologist and I’m by no means an expert in this area. It’s just my personal opinion..
Hello there, i accidentaly found ur blog when i was googling ur doctor.. im here to ask how much did you pay for it? I mean for the whole treatment including the medication and the doctor fee. Is it expensive? Thanks in advanced.
Hmmm…I don’t quite remember how much it was. It wasn’t cheap..It was in Jakarta, though, so if you’re from Indonesia you can expect to pay around 4-5juta rupiah for consultation, medicine and the obagi set.
Hi do you know any doctor in Singapore that used this product? I’m based in Singapore and would like to use this product under a doctor. Thank you!
I’m not sure about the derm in singapore…sorry can’t help much