so my friend who swears by La Mer (she uses the whole line -- cleanser, toner, creme, body creme, lip balm -- heck, she even has the lambertson truex travel pack) convinced me to purchase the cleansing fluid b/c she swears that it cleared up all her acne:
i held back on the creme ($195!!!), and just asked for some samples to see if it's really all that it's cracked up to be. now, i don't have horrible acne, but i've breaking out like crazy on my chin (with one or two huge zit, but lots of whiteheads and blackheads). i've been to the dermatologist before, but i'm hesitant to go back if changing a cleanser will do the trick (and also b/c retin-A micro just isn't helping). another friend of mine has suggested that it's most likely hormonal, and that i should just go on birth control. right now i'm using aveeno clear complexion cleanser and moisturizer at night, and aveeno skin brightening lotion for day.
i was thinking about trying the philosophy beginner's pack (which is approximately the price of the la mer cleansing fluid). so, i'm seriously debating on whether i should keep the cleanser, or return it and try out the philosophy pack. any suggestions on what i should do? TIA!
Not that this answers your question or anything but I thought you might be interested. It mentions ingredients that should be avoided in a cleanser (according to an article published in the American Academy of Dermatology).
I would ask your friend for a little of her cleanser to see how well it works before cracking open a $70 cleanser. (Have you ever made jello shots? Those left over little cups and lids are wonderful for giving or receiving samples of products. My sis knows where the left over cups are and makes her self samples of things she wants to try every time she comes over to my house)
Any-hoo, I am currently using a philosophy face wash and love it (the purity, in case they have others) but I used Murad's acne line to clear up my face a few years ago when I had trouble. Dermalogica's acne line is good too. They both make a travel sized kit that will give you large enough tubes of all the products. I know I got over a month out of my Dermalogica kit.
This is the one I used. Sephora $60.
Here is another one I found at Sephora for $35.
$25.50 at astonishingskincare.com
I think I actually originally used the normal/oliy. I still use their toner...
Having not tried the La Mer I thought I'd give ya a few other lines to consider.
I use the Purity too from Philosophy and love it. I had some adult acne problems - mostly breakouts on the chin and jawline and some blackheads too - this cleanser keeps me clear and doesn't aggravate my rosacea. Awesome product for me.