Help adding SN products to precription skin routine

[CraZkCfish]

Hello! I'm a recent convert to SN - got a deluxe sample set a while back and now I'm hooked (just ordered my first lippies last night!) I'm interested in tons of the skin care products offered, but I've got two major concerns.

1) My first and biggest concern is that a few weeks back I saw a dermatologist for my moderate acne, and he put me on antibiotics and a topical clindamycin/benzoyl peroxide gel (Duac). Duac came with a "gentle soap-free cleanser," and I've been using that at night, before I use the gel. This is no miracle cleanser lol, but it doesnt seem to be causing any problems. I'm looking for a way to cleanse in the morning and remove makeup/cleanse at night (I've been eyeing the apricot cleansing oil and the kiss cleanser...) - and am wondering whether either/both/none of these should be done instead of the cleanser I have, before it, etc.

2) My second concern is that I need the simplest and fastest routine possible - I am a mere college student (finances are a bit of an issue...heh) and I'm a student at a very demanding university (so time is DEFINITELY an issue, since it's hard enough to get time for sleep at night or grab food before running off to class!). Before-bed PM skincare can take longer than AM - that is, if I don't fall asleep on my books

I should mention: I have combo skin (erring on the side of dry, I used to use moisturizer but I haven't since I was prescribed skin meds...) with some redness/moderate acne issues. I use powerful cream sunblock every day after cleansing and before putting on makeup.

I really appreciate any comments or thoughts from anyone about any of this. Thank you so much!!

[discogranny]

Hi!
I don't have much experience with Duac or anything like it. I was using some special creams for my skin which sounds a little like yours, and it was making my skin really dry and itchy and not really helping with pimples or anything. I also tried clinique skin care products which made my skin feel nice at first, but were really not good after all.
I then swapped to entirely mineral makeup, and I have started using Karen's apricot oil cleanser at night to take off makeup, and the kiss cleanser in the morning. I use the hemp moisturiser too.. but only for a few days because I only just received a sample! Initially I thought it wasn't working, but my skin was basically just ridding itself from all the nasties!!
I found that after about 2 weeks of using only SN products my skin has improved a lot! I get fewer pimples, its really soft and healthy looking.
I also take borage oil and krill oil... theyre really good for helping maintain healthy skin, and have eased the dryness and the itching.
I started by reading a few comments from people on what products really worked for them, and I hope Karen never shuts this down, because I think it is amazing stuff

Good luck!

PS> im not saying you need to come off your prescription skin medication, I'm not an expert! Just saying what has worked for me

[JenW]

I am not well versed in Duac, either. All I can recommend is trying a few samples at a time and proceeding slowly.

For your skintype try Apricot Cleansing Oil or KISS Cleanser, Green Tea & Aloe Serum, Hemp Moisturizer. These are the main ones. If you can add in the Pore Refining Toner (get the misting lid so that you can save some serious time.) KISS Cleanser works best with a Foaming Bottle.

[superwahz]

I used that combo when I was younger (though it was 2 products layered on instead of the Duac you use). I remember it really drying out my skin, and I have oily skin to begin with. So if you're starting with combo skin that leans on the dry side, you probably really need to add a serum to hydrate the skin and a moisturizer to seal it in! Though, in theory, your sunblock cream might be okay for the "sealing" part in the morning, then you could use a regular moisturizer at night.

Thankfully Karen has samples of the skincare line so you can try a few and see what works for you! When I was on skin meds I used Clinique's cleansing bar and toner, but if it was now I'd definitely be using the KISS cleanser and the Pore Refining toner. Diluted down in the foaming bottle that cleanser will be really cost effective for you and is SO gentle! Plus, I think foaming bottles cut down on rinse time because you don't have globs of cleanser on your face. And the cheery scent of the toner misted on your face makes waking up early slightly less painful. (like Jen said, make sure to order the misting top...it makes the bottle last longer and is much quicker to use!).

[lilychemgirl]

I have similar skin, I haven't used duac, when I started with SN I was using benzoyl peroxide, but I have stopped as my skin is better with just the super serum I wouldn't add the super serum to your routine with the duac though, as it sounds like that would make your skin pretty dry/sensitive, and the super serum is pretty full-on.

The apricot oil is amazing for acne (weirdly), it really cleans out your pores - oil dissolves oil, right? And it is also amazing for removing makeup. I would definitely recommend a sample. I would recommend that over the KISS cleanser, as for my acne prone but not oily skin I find the KISS cleanser both dries it out a bit and doesn't remove my eye makeup (also it doesn't unclog my pores like the apricot oil). The KISS cleanser is a perfectly good foaming cleanser, but the apricot oil is AMAZING

My skincare routine is really really simple, apricot oil followed by super serum. I used to use 2.5% BP in between (and didn't have any problems) but I found my skin is so much clearer with the super serum and apricot oil I don't need it.

For you, I would recommend apricot oil, duac and then a calming serum like the green tea and aloe or the oatmeal. I don't use a moisturiser after as I find that the serums are moisturising enough, especially if you are using a creamy sunscreen. I have tried lots of other SN bits and pieces but that is what I have stuck with (everything's great, I just don't need it and am lazy )

[CraZkCfish]

All of you - thank you so much! I'm DEFINITELY going to try out the Apricot Cleansing Oil, and probably the Green Tea/Aloe Serum underneath my sunblock. Oooh, I've never used a serum before! So excited!

[WendyD]

I'm on Clindamyclin (AM and PM), Differin (PM) and 5% BP every 2 nights (skipping the Clindamyclin on those nights). I use the Apricot Cleansing Oil and Green Tea & Aloe serum with no problems =)