Skincare update: I have been using the Wexler kit for approximately 18 days, and my skin is looking awesome. I have figured out what makes this line so special. The Wexler system includes a glycolic acid peel that is to be used once daily. You apply the peel with a little pad, leave it on for 2 minutes to do its work, and then apply a neutralizer. Right now my skin is clear, healthy, and almost poreless. I am loving this kit. The only problem with the line is that I have had a terrible time finding the full size items outside of the test kit. Either they are selling out all over, or the stores are seriously undertsocked. I did find several full size tubes of the face wash in the Bath and Body Works on the Upper East Side and promptly snatched them up. I have tried everything for problem skin on the market- seriously. This is the best so far!

I knew Aveeno Positively Radiant seemed too good to be true. I was so in love with these products, I almost made an internal promise to be brand faithful (which I never do.) Then, last week, the love affair ended as quickly as it had begun. Shiny at midday, blemish-y, and just not glowing any longer, my skin was telling me it was time to send the Aveeno packing to the bottom of the bathroom cabinet and begin the experimentation process anew. I revisited my Wexler skincare product line, available at Bath and Body Works and my favorite boutique drugstore of all time C.O. Bigelow on 6th Ave. and 9th St. Patricia Wexler is a famous derm, and she has developed skincare kits for Bath and Body Works that address aging, acne, etc. I wasn’t 100% sold until I saw the kits flying out of Bigelow’s and listened to one of their staff members hype it to another customer. (You learn so much by eavesdropping while shopping!) So of course I bought the kit. So far, I am loving it. I am going to try to stick to the regimen for 30 days to see results. I will try to go the distance! Check out the options here.

Unfortunately I am not one of those blessed girls with glowing, even, and clear complexions. I am presently engaged in a constant and unending battle with acne. The one time in my life when my skin really was amazing was during pregnancy- not a pimple in sight. Fighting acne is a difficult process because the hardcore acne products make my skin look awful. I get ruddy, irritated, and patchy. In addition, the soft skin around my eyes tends to react and when my eyes water, as they often do in NYC, that area around my eyes gets red and streaky. Not to mention the fact that acne products rarely work as long-term solutions for me. I have tried most all products- all of the drugstore lines, Proactiv, Clinique, Murad, etc. I did have some success with Unblemished by Rodan and Fields; however one is forced to purchase the entire Unblemished kit at one time, and I was forever reaching the bottom of the face wash while the toner and cream were almost full. (I have 8 toners and creams under my sink- unused.) A recent stint at the dermatologist got me on a new regimen of oral antibiotics and Retin-A, which works while I remain on the antibiotics. During this phase of treatment I have taken to the Positively Radiant line by Aveeno. I use the cleanser and moisturizer with sunscreen in the a.m. and finish the day with the Cleansing Pads and eye cream. My skin looks even and almost glowing. Granted, I am supplementing with prescriptions for acne so time will tell if I continue to be excited by the Positively Radiant line. For now, however, I am positively smitten.