I have been using Obagi now for 2 weeks.
I have suffered from acne since I was about 13 years old. Before Obagi I tried everything. I tried other acne products (which would semi-work, but weren't strong enough,) I've tried medication, which I felt nauseous on, I've tried every home remedy that's ever existed. None of it combated it like I needed it too. I'm 19 now and my skin just makes me feel so self-conscious by the day, it's making me not want to see friends, and I don't even want to leave the house, and then Obagi came along.
In this blog, I am going to write about each product and how my progress is going.
1 - GENTLE CLEANSER:
This wash does exactly what it says on the tin (well bottle), it is a gentle product, which doesn't sting to put on, no matter how bad your acne is, or if the acne is an open wound. I have had problems with cleansers in the past which sting my skin all over. It has a clean smell and leaves your face feeling smooth and refreshed.
Apply warm water all over your face, take the product and apply the amount you need (your practitioner will tell you this when explaining the product, due to there being a range of treatment plans) normally this is measured using the logo OBAGI at the top of the bottle (which changes depending on the bottle.) When you apply the product rub all over the face in circular motions for around 30 seconds. After you do this, then gently wash off the face with warm water, and pat dry.
Used both in the morning and evening.
When applying each product it's best to wait for it to sink in before applying the next product in the system. I normally wait 2 minutes.
2 - TONER: This is my favourite product in the system, mostly because it is so easy to use and it just glides over the skin leaving you feeling refreshed due to the product sinking in so easily, leaving your skin with an overall glow. It is a cool colour too - bright blue. You put a few drops onto a cotton pad and rub it all over the face, focusing on the problem areas.
Can be used in the morning and in the evening. If you're just starting the routine then it is best to stick to one, either morning or evening and then go on to both.
3 - CLEAR: When I first started the system I swapped between using this product and number 4 every night, due to your skin peeling like mad if you put them both on at the very start of using the system. However, if you are okay with that, and you want faster results, then you can use them together. This product can sting a bit when going over the problem areas due to it helping to minimise imperfections. But the stinging only remains for a few minutes, if that.
How to apply - you put the product on the back of your hand, and apply to the face. To limit peeling you put the product firstly onto your forehead and cheeks so that you use the remaining product on the area's which are more likely to flake , my problem area was mostly my chin, so I applied a limited amount of cream to that area after applying it to my forehead and cheeks, because I didn't want too much flaking.
Can be used both in the evening and the morning.
4 - EXFODERM: This stage is to exfoliate dead surface skin cells to help your skin absorb the product. It removes dead surface skin cells to help produce a healthy glowing complexion. The main ingredient to this is Phytic acid which gently exfoliates the skin by dissolving the bonds that adhere dead skin cells together, allowing them to gently flake away. You apply it like number 3 - Clear.
Used only in the morning.
5 - BLENDER: This is used in conjunction with the tretinoin cream, this cream is in various percentages of strength, you can either get the 0.025%, 0.05% or the 0.1%. I use the 0.05% which is still a very strong product. You mix the product on the back of your hand and apply it like you apply the number 3, and 4. It might have a weird smell, but it defiantly does the job, due to the strength of the tretinoin. Tretinoin helps decrease the production of spots, as well as helping to heal the acne which has already developed. The blender helps repair the deeper damage underneath the skin and restores skin elasticity by enhancing the production of collagen and elastin. So used in combination it works together to reduce acne whilst creating a healthy, more smooth complexion.
Used in the evening only.
Hydrate: After you have used all of the system in order, then you can apply the hydrate up to 3 times a day especially when your skin appears dry. The system makes your skin peel due to it removing the dead, and dirty skin, and trying to replace it with the new and healthy skin underneath, so it is important to keep your skin hydrated. This is normally combined with your OBAGI sun-factor, which is my second favourite product of the range. I used the cool sun-factor due to it being tinted and gives your skin a healthy glow, whilst helping to protect the skin from UV rays.
I will use the routine for 2 months and report how my progress is doing. If you have any questions about the routine or the products then don't hesitate to comment below or contact us, either on email, phone or social media. I hope you enjoyed, and I look forward to next time.
From your trusted confidant, Belle x