Green Primer/Mineral Makeup/Concealer Sugg?

Started a Retin-A regimen about 10 weeks ago (see post here: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/Obagi-Nu-...3#entry2578623), and was on Bare Minerals at the time. Wasn't liking the foundation because the redness of my face accentuated the "chalkiness" of the Bare Minerals (titanium dioxide is used as the SPF in their products makes it white-ish on the skin).

So, started using a green primer, which counteracted the redness in my skin (look on a color wheel-- green counteracts red, yellow counteracts purple, etc.). I used Smashbox's green primer (full name: Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer in "Color Adjust"), but also seriously considered Make Up For Ever (full name: HD Microperfecting Primer in "1 Green"). Smashbox seemed to be sheerer in color and more silicone-based, MUFE's had more green pigment, but seemed to leave a residual yellow-ish color. MUFE's also didn't leave as soft as a texture as Smashboxes, so it's really meant for color correction only. I would have definitely tried MUFE's, but the Smashbox seemed to work well enough for my skin.

I also switched to CoverFX's Powder FX Mineral Powder Foundation. This line was made to cover up acne and scars, and not only do they have a great range of product types-- creme, liquid, loose mineral and pressed mineral foundations. It evened out my skin and added a lot more color to my face because I could layer on a little more without completely whiting out my face (for example, if I felt my skin was a little more "breakout city" than usual, naturally I would try and layer more Bare Minerals on, but my face would be practically white). The pressed mineral powder has less SPF (SPF 10), but I'm already using an SPF35 moisturizer, so it wasn't of concern.

I'd recommend green primer if your face is red from acne/rosacea/treatment-induced irritation. It really has worked nicely!

My next objective-- find a great concealer! I want one with a color that matches my skin (kind of a task for my yellow undertones), with light-deflecting properties. I want it for cover-up of blemishes, and those pesky undereye circles, too. Suggestions?

Obagi Nu-Derm (with photos)

Background: 27 year-old female, mild acne during high school, worsened during undergrad, annoyingly persistent since. Would classify as mild to moderate with pustules. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation has always been an issue. Breakouts became increasingly inflammatory with cystic lesions on chin. Family history of acne, and severe scarring.

Past products: Salicylic acid (pads, gels, and every other form), benzoyl peroxide (ProActiv, etc.), AHA's, series of facials, exfoliation, tea tree oil, sulfur-based treatments, birth control pills. I've tried gentle, I've tried aggressive. I've tried washing my face multiple times/day, and I've tried leaving it alone.

What I hadn't used: anything prescription.

Now onto the good stuff...

OBAGI Nu-Derm: Recommended by an aesthetician at a medical spa. Pricey, indeed, but so was the collection of products I was using. Consists of 0.05% Retin-A, 4% hydroquinone, and AHA's.

Here's the regimen (I was very compliant with this-- never missed anything, no matter how tired I was! I was super dedicated to fixing my face.) AM: wash, tone, hydroquinone, AHA, SPF35. PM: wash, tone, hydroquinone, Retin-A.

Weeks 1-2: Peeled like crazy! Tried to work shorter hours, avoided going out because I was peeling so badly.

Weeks 3-4: Redness and breakouts galore. When I went in for my 4-week follow-up, they thought it a bit unusual that I would have this reaction this late into the treatment. They were expecting a significant improvement. My skin is stubborn, oh well.

Weeks 5-6: A bit better, not much. Went in for red/blue light treatments, and my skin started to turn around. Unsure if it was due to the lights or the treatment finally taking a turn for the better.

Weeks 7-8: Fewer breakouts! Finally!

Weeks 9-10: Even fewer breakouts, hyperpigmentation starting to fade and even out. Is patience finally paying off?

Other lifestyle changes: consistently exercising (cardio 3-4x/week), eating better (more fruits and vegetables, less processed stuff), multivitamin/omega-3/birth control pill daily.

Photos can be found here: . (If this link doesn't post, which I'm not sure it will, it's under my galleries... it's the only gallery I have.) I realize that they are not the best quality (webcam) and it's not consistent on the lighting. I also realize that I didn't start at the beginning of my treatment (started at about week 4), but I wasn't feeling like taking self-photos while I was mega-peeling. Despite all this, I think the photos do show the improvement.

Cover-up: I love makeup. Period. I've been using mineral makeup since it's better for your skin, and less comedogenic. Was using BareMinerals for the past 2 years, now using CoverFX, and would recommend it. BareMinerals has more titanium dioxide (read: sunblock), but I'm using SPF35 moisturizer anyway. CoverFX has better color, less splotchy. Also, to counteract the redness, used a green primer (using Smashbox Photo Finish Primer in green).


...I'll continue to post. Heck, if no one reads it, it's cathartic anyway, and I figure it'll be good for me to document my own progress. Good luck to all!