Skincare help

[Lady Sarah]

I crossposted this from my LJ... I figure if anyone would have some advice, it'd be you ladies!


Over the last year or so, my skin has just become a mess. I can wash my face twice a day (morning and evening) with a gentle cleanser, but within a few hours, it's oily again. I also get random 'blind' pimples that hurt like hell, but rarely ever come to a head. Most of the time I also get ugly red pimples on my cheeks.

I've taken to washing my pillowcases every few days, changing my washcloth every few days, I've cut out chocolate, all but the once in a blue moon fried food and I'm just exasperated with it all. Help? Anyone have any advice? If I can't get any headway made on these 'pimples' I'm afraid my face will start scarring and I'm going to have to go to a dermatologist.

For the record, I use Boots No7 Balance Purifying Cleanser and id BareVitamins Skin Revver-upper as a moisturizer.

[Phoenix McHeit]

This may sound really strange, but have you changed any hair-care products around the time this began? You may be having an allergic reaction to something you're spraying or glopping on your hair, which in turn, ends up on your face.

[Lady Sarah]

This may sound really strange, but have you changed any hair-care products around the time this began? You may be having an allergic reaction to something you're spraying or glopping on your hair, which in turn, ends up on your face.

just conditioners - and I keep my hair pulled back from my face. I learned the hard way back in jr high to keep my hair off of my face as much as possible. :lol:

[moiradochartaigh]

I'd suggest the dermatologist.... sounds like you could be developing rosacea (welcome to the club, BTW).

On particularly "greasy" days, you can bump up the washings to three - as long as your using a very gentle cleanser. My personal fave is Cetaphil; they also carry a line of moisturizers as well, but I've never tried them. Per my dermatologist's suggestion, I've been using Aveeno Calming Moisturizer at night, and the Bare Minerals one you use during the day when I have to wear makeup.

The doctor may also put you on tetracycline temporarily to clear up anything you may have now. Be warned -- there is a very rare condition associated with tetracycline called pseudotumor cerebri..... and yes, it's as scary as it sounds! I had the misfortune to 1.) ignore the signs and 2.) to have pharmacists tell me I was out of my mind. It can affect women of childbearing age who are either on high doses of tetracycline or have been using it for an extended period of time. Like I said, it's extremely rare -- but if you have any changes in vision or start developing killer migraines, call your dermatologist IMMEDIATELY.

And don't forget the sunscreen! Always use the ones designed specifically for the face, and never use one that doesn't have "noncomedogenic" on the label. One thing I never leave the house without are blotting tissues designed for taking off the excess oil. The Body Shop makes a fantastic lavender and chamomile blotter that is very calming and soothing to the skin... and smells real purty!

Good luck!

[Selena]

I am of the firm opinion that many skin issues like this are also caused by hormones. Don't have any good advice, as I have the same problems... have been since I started my period :unamused:... any hormonal changes you've noticed? Something different... anything might trigger it, too. I can always tell just a week shy of my monthly when I'm about to start, because I see it on my face first.

[FairieTink]

Try cutting out face "washing" totally. Do a search for skin care with Oil. I know it sounds like it will be bad but a friend on mine does it and it worked wonders. She uses a light oil to wash her face and her skin is healthier than ever.

Here is her blurb about it
OCM stands for Oil Cleansing Method. The concept behind it is that oil lifts oil (a scientific fact verified by my brother-in-law, who is a science geek and all-around genius). The same reason stripping hair of sebum every day is a bad thing goes for the face as well. Soap is harsh, and takes all the natural oil off the face. So the skin makes more oil - sometimes it makes way too much. That oil attracts dirt, and if there's too much oil, that attracts more dirt than the face can handle. The dirt gets trapped in the pores, and acne happens.

If one takes the proper mixture of oils, and "washes" their face with it, the oil will gently lift the dirty sebum out of the pores. The pores won't respond by making more oil, because there is already oil there - the leftover oil from the wash. The oil soaks into the skin, protecting it from free radicals and all those other bad things we're exposed to daily. Yes, it collects dirt too, but that's going to happen regardless. Unless you live in a bubble, that is.

OCM makes your skin very, very soft. It clears up acne. It fills wrinkles. It makes oily skin more balanced, and makes dry skin less dry. It gives my skin a glow that I've never ever had before. My husband said it best: old-time Italian women had the most beautiful skin, because they spent so much time cooking pasta and frying *everything.* What I started doing on purpose, they were doing in the course of their everyday chores.

I have giant pores. I could store old furniture in my pores. No acne product has ever worked to clear up the blackheads I get all over my face. No matter how often I wash, or what I wash with, I always look like I've been spattered with brown paint. It's terribly frustrating.

When I started OCM, for the first time my giant pores were clean! I almost cried. I'm too new into it to know anything about how astringents work with OCM, in order to close the giant pores. If I find anything out about that, I will post it.

Recently, I saw a full-page ad in Rolling Stone for a very expensive facial cleanser which was made entirely of oil. Apparently, the big companies are starting to jump on the OCM bandwagon.


I fell off the OCM wagon a few weeks ago, so my skin looks crappy at the moment. I haven't been able to bear the idea of putting oil on my face because of the heat/humidity, which is probably a mistake. :)

But when I'm doing OCM, this is how I do it.

There are a million sites out there about OCM that explain the benefits of different oils. I won't repeat all that here - I'll just explain what I use and why.

I take 75% grapeseed oil (I started out with olive oil but found it to be too heavy), and mix it with 25% castor oil (a very good antibacterial oil, but really, really thick and heavy) and about 5-10 drops of tea tree oil (another antibacterial oil, but it is so strong that it will burn if used in large quantities).

I take a quarter-sized dollop in one palm and rub my hands together. Then I massage the oil over my face. I massage slowly and deeply. I take my time with it.

Then I take the softest washcloth I can find, and soak it in really hot water - as hot as I can stand. I drape it over my face, which opens my pores and lets the oils mingle, lifting the dirty oils. When the washcloth starts to cool, I use it to wipe my face. Sometimes I do that two or three times. Regardless, I rinse the washcloth, and wipe my face a few times to get the oil off.

The first time I did it, the oil wouldn't come off! I scrubbed and scrubbed, ending up with pink, raw skin. That experience taught me that OCM skin feels different than soap-cleaned skin. There will be a little bit of oil on your face when you're done. Don't worry about it - it's supposed to be there.

The other way I do OCM is in the shower. I oil my face first, then let the shower steam do the work of the washcloth. At the end of my shower, I wipe my face clean.

I prefer the shower method, because the oil wipes off more easily. Again, your mileage may vary.

[Emma]

Wow. That OCM stuff sounds fun.

I'm a big Olive Oil junkie. I use a few drops rubbed into my dry hair every now and then, I add it to my bath water, I rub it into my dry feet and elbows. But I almost never use it on my face. The last time I did was during the winter when I just couldn't stand my dried out skin anymore. I don't really have problem skin very often but I'm up for trying it.

~Emma

[Bonnie Strangeways]

Hmmm, I'm a big-time proponent of the Proactiv system, been using it for a year now, and have had exactly 2, yes, 2 zits in 12 months. I've never been big on skin care...I'm a bar-of-no-name-soap-&-washcloth kinda girl before, but when I hit 30, all of the sudden I got acne like I've never had in my life. I was really upset, and of course, got sucked into infomercial-he!!.

I'm sure there's probably less costly alternatives out there, but at this point, it's working, so I'm not going to mess with it. However, having read that above post on the OCM...that makes such perfect sense that I've just GOT to give it a try.

Sarah, I'm with what Moiradochartaigh said, I'd check with a Dermatologist first. I *know* you've been under a HUGE amount of stress lately, so that may have a contributing factor on this, but a Derm is going to know for sure.

Kisses hun, and enjoy your cruise! Hey, perhaps all that sea air will clear the problem up for you????

[Lady Sarah]

come to think of it, this annoyance with my skin has been happening since I turned 30... hmm... totally forgot about that.

Bonnie, I did some searching on the OCM and here's the link (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=5612&page=1&pp=15) that kept coming up as referral for how to do it. On page 4 (http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=5612&page=4&pp=15) of that forum thread, there is a member who was on proactive, then got off of it for the OCM. Her name is Pixna, if my memory is holding up...

ETA: heh, dur... if I'd just looked: http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/

[Nimue]

Yes, see a dermatologist. However, if you want to try something first, I am in love with the facial care line at www.lush.com. They have a great oil-based solid cleanser called Baby Face that is a little round bar of cocoa butter and essential oils that gently clean and de-grease your face. I use it at night to remove my make-up, and to replenish the oils stripped by cleansing. They also have a similar product called Sweet Japanese Girl that contains ground adzuki beans for exfoliation. I have nasty pimple issues, and my regimen is Fresh Farmacy (pink soap with calamine to soothe irritation and dry stuff up), Tea Tree Water for toner, and Enzymion for a moisturizer--it is aloe based instead of cocoa butter based, so it is great for oily skin. Another nice oil-buster is Coalface, which will leave your face squeaky clean...which is fine, if your face isn't the type to repace oil with TONS of oil.

Anyhoo, I hope you find something that works for you!

[Winifred Baskerville]

I've found that using a tea-tree oil soap works well, too. It cuts down on the oil and smells nice. At least I like it. *grin*

I tend to break out right before my cycle and when I'm really stressed. I've been to a dermatologist, but nothing really worked long-term for me.

[Ravin' Raven]

I'm also of the stop "washing" brigade. Your skin, like your hair will need to be washed the more it is washed. Try just tepid water and a cloth for a few days and you should see the oil diminish naturally.

Also, if it makes you feel any better there is really no evidence that either chocolate or fried foods cause skin problems like this. Most acne is caused by bacteria and dirt, hormones, or your own sebaceous gland issues (I'm the opposite - constantly dry and peely if I don't watch out).

And after some training I have come to agree with certain experts that essential oils are not good for us. Just my opinion - I know a lot of people swear by them - but like most anything such a concentrated version of something can develop certain toxic attributes.

[MisRed]

I second the LUSH recommends and suggest (and duck and cover) that you try something /other/ than BareMinerals. I was looking into it (I'm 36, moved a year ago and haven't been able to get on top of my skin issues; until LUSH) and had a dear friend with sensitive skin inform me that she and at least 1 other of my Krewe stopped using BareMinerals becasue it was /causing/ the breakouts. As soon as they stoped, the breakups cleared.

So I stick to my Origins pressed powder and I'm "What do you do to your skin to make it so perfect" girl gain. :)

[BronxGirl]

I'd suggest the dermatologist.... sounds like you could be developing rosacea (welcome to the club, BTW).


Good luck!

I also have rosacea. Doctor put me on MetroLotion and MetroGel and it has cleared up completely.

I recommend Philosophy skin products. It's the only stuff that's reasonably priced that doesn't turn me beet red. :rescue:

And, if it is rosacea, those aren't pimples, so don't treat them that way. It only makes things worse.

Forgot, Bare Minerals did nothing for me. I use Smashbox cosmetics. And I love Lush bath products.

[Lady Sarah]

I second the LUSH recommends and suggest (and duck and cover) that you try something /other/ than BareMinerals. I was looking into it (I'm 36, moved a year ago and haven't been able to get on top of my skin issues; until LUSH) and had a dear friend with sensitive skin inform me that she and at least 1 other of my Krewe stopped using BareMinerals becasue it was /causing/ the breakouts. As soon as they stoped, the breakups cleared.

So I stick to my Origins pressed powder and I'm "What do you do to your skin to make it so perfect" girl gain. :)

I use the BM eyeshadows and that's it. I had to stop using the foundation powder because of the Bismuth Oxide they started using in the powders. It makes me itchy. What's funny, is that BM claims to have no fillers, but if you read the ingredients, they do. And, I found out that when BM first started, they didn't use BO at all... then they reformulated the product to contain BO for a more shimmery appearance.

After finding this out, the BM foundation, Warmth and Veil went into the trash. More often than not, however, I don't wear makeup all over. If I do touch up my eyes, I prime my eyelids with UD's Primer Potion and sweep on some shadows.

I just found a LUSH store in Dallas. I might take a trip up there this weekend and see about that BabyFace bar.

[Mistress Morigianna]

the oil lifting oil things sounds like th whole premise behind estee lauder.
if you read her bio book she talks all about it.

personally I use just a light astringent night only and scrub in the shuwer once a week with avon skin scrub cleanser. (only avon product i use- lol)

now that i gethot flashes & sweat- I have just been using water to clean the sweat/salt off. So far so good.

[MaidenFaeSnow]

As soon as I hit 35 my skin went oily and the blemishes started. My doctor told I didn't have oily skin but rather dry skin, <insert wierd look here>. The reason for the oil was that when your skin is dry it reacts with the oils. I started using Oil of Olay moisturizers (which I love!). I didn't want to spend the money for the ProActiv solutions so I tried the Neutragina (sp) brand and it worked wonders. (Then I actually found that I really only needed the smallest little tube in the system, the blemish treatment.) As long as I use that, no blemishes at all except around ovulation time when I might get one or two. All of my troubles ARE hormone related.

Now, some days I am very oily and others not so much. On the really oily days I keep it at bay with BM Veil, I know you are not using that so you'll need something that works for you in that regard. Other days I don't really wear much makeup unless I'm teaching a class or at faire cuz I'm sitting in my office by myself anyway.

[LadyLaura]

I started breaking out in my late twenties, NEVER had break-outs, even in my teens. Went to the dermatologist, and got prescription Retin-A cream. It took a while for it to get working (taking off the upper layer of skin, and getting rid of all the pore blockage), and it DID seem worse for a few weeks, but then my skin cleared up totally, and stayed that way. When I first went to the dermatologist, there weren't any over-the-counter Retin A creams yet (yeah, I'm old). Now, I use an over-the counter Retin A night cream that also has vitamins A, D & E and Allantoin (good for soothing skin), as well as a toner with 2% Salicylic Acid (pretty much any brand will do). No more break-outs. If I run out of either product though, I WILL start to break outs.

[WenchLadyKate]

I stopped washing my face. I just rinse it sometimes. I actually use rolling papers to absorb any oily spots that I get on my chin. I use a teatree oil to cleanse and then dab with the papers. Works good for me since my skin is dry dry dry. The t-zone even moreso.

This past weekend, I had the most amazing facial. Perhaps treat yourself to one and ask the technician what she recommends.

Other than that, I'd suggest a dermatologist, why take chances with your face. It's such a nice one!

[FairieTink]

I tried the proavtive stuff once, right up until I saw it bleached my washcloths, I though, gods if it can do that to those what is it doing to my face. In the trash it went. The same gal that wrong the oil thing is also no-poo, I am telling you one of these days I am going to try them both and end up with the best hair and skin around.

[MaidenFaeSnow]

I tried the proavtive stuff once, right up until I saw it bleached my washcloths, I though, gods if it can do that to those what is it doing to my face. In the trash it went. The same gal that wrong the oil thing is also no-poo, I am telling you one of these days I am going to try them both and end up with the best hair and skin around.

Yeah, the Benzoyl Peroxide will do that, but that's what keeps the blemishes at bay for me so I'm okay with it. The Neutrogena has just the right amount in it for my skin so it doesn't overdry the area's I put it on or anything. Oh, Lady Sarah, I ordered those samples too! Thanks for the link!

[Isabelle Warwicke]

I also have rosacea. Doctor put me on MetroLotion and MetroGel and it has cleared up completely.

I recommend Philosophy skin products. It's the only stuff that's reasonably priced that doesn't turn me beet red. :rescue:

And, if it is rosacea, those aren't pimples, so don't treat them that way. It only makes things worse.

Forgot, Bare Minerals did nothing for me. I use Smashbox cosmetics. And I love Lush bath products.

My Mother has rosacea, so I'm genetically pre-disposed. I treat my skin as if I had it (which I don't, hopefully never.)

Like Bronx, I use Smashbox cosmetics (which are animal-friendly btw.) They cost a bit more, but they are a high quality makeup and worth it for my skin. I tried several different types of 'mineral' makeup, but they tended to exacerbate any issues and I had *horrible* breakouts. I use Physician's Formula and Loreal foundation products (cover stick and powders.)

My skincare regimen is a mix of Oil of Olay (cleansing cloths) and Dermalogica syrums and exfoliants.

I only break out when I'm stressed.

[MaidenFaeSnow]

*snip*
My skincare regimen is a mix of Oil of Olay (cleansing cloths)

Aren't they great?!!! I love them! They make my skin feel sooooo nice, especially after a long hot day.

[Lady Sarah]

Well, I ran by the drugstore and picked up some good old fashioned Neutrogena. Mom gave me a spare bottle of her Complex 15 (her derm recommended it) and so far it's been nice.

I'll let you know in a week or so how it goes.

[Alchemist23]

I just recently discovered Cetaphil, or even the CVS off brand.

My mom thinks its gross that you can just wipe it on and off without water, lol.

So far, it does a nice job. I try not to use it everyday even, because I DO notice my face looks better if I keep the washing down. I use that, with the Aveeno Calming mosturizer if I think I need a little more moisture...especially in the dry areas of my face.

I'm still looking for a makeup that doesn't make my face itch though. *sigh* I just want something small. I'm using Nutragena mineral stuff now, and tis alright.

I donno why my face insists on bieng red and oily a lot. It started getting this way a couple years ago...and I'm 27.

[Lady Sarah]

I'm still looking for a makeup that doesn't make my face itch though. *sigh* I just want something small. I'm using Nutragena mineral stuff now, and tis alright.

I donno why my face insists on bieng red and oily a lot. It started getting this way a couple years ago...and I'm 27.

be careful with the storebreand MMUs. they're not really 'true' mineral makeups. the companies add some mineral product and legally they can label it a mineral makeup.

If your face itched, you might have had a reaction to the bismuth oxylchlorisomething. were you using bare minerals at the time?

if you want, I can give you a review of the Everyday Minerals makeup I have coming to me next week (i hope). Their makeup is made bismuth free and covers a greater shade range than other MMUs I've seen. they also have color correcting powders to help even out the redness.

[Isabelle Warwicke]

Aren't they great?!!! I love them!

And they travel really well. I can use them anywhere.

[Alchemist23]

The Nutrogena stuff has been fine, not too tight or itchy...but not great "coverage" either. The itchiest stuff was a Bare Minerals Knock off actually. lol.

I'll be waiting for the review of the Everyday Minerals. ^_^

Mineral makeup used to scare me...I don't want to have a redo of the turn of the century "radon" thing that women did. Radon...makes you glow. o.O yikes!


be careful with the storebreand MMUs. they're not really 'true' mineral makeups. the companies add some mineral product and legally they can label it a mineral makeup.

If your face itched, you might have had a reaction to the bismuth oxylchlorisomething. were you using bare minerals at the time?

if you want, I can give you a review of the Everyday Minerals makeup I have coming to me next week (i hope). Their makeup is made bismuth free and covers a greater shade range than other MMUs I've seen. they also have color correcting powders to help even out the redness.

[Lady Sarah]

I'll be waiting for the review of the Everyday Minerals. ^_^

Mineral makeup used to scare me...I don't want to have a redo of the turn of the century "radon" thing that women did. Radon...makes you glow. o.O yikes!

Shockingly enough, I got my package of EM yesterday when I got home! I didn't pay for overnight shipping, I fully expected it next week - so that's one point for them! Their samples are generous, very generous. I can get quite a few applications out of the little sample jar. The matte is matte. Very nicely matte too. I imagine the semi-matte will be a nice in between of the dewey/moist look of the Bare Minerals and the normal matte makeup heavily powdered appearance. I'll definitely order that.

The small jar of silk dust is a wee bit bigger than the BM eye shadow/liner jars. Not much bigger. So, it's a decent value there.

Coverage? Again, as with Bare minerals, the amount of coverage is up to you. You need to buff and buff and buff to warm it up and blend it in. It sounds like a lot of work, but I've talked to other MMU users and those who've decided to try making their own and they say that you do need to give it a good few buffs more than what's described by bare minerals. It covers very well and it didn't make my face itch. I didn't try the concealer, though I should

Recommendation? Absolutely. Click Me (http://www.everydayminerals.com)and then click on 'kits' to pick up the samples kit (3 foundations of any choosing, once concealer and one face color/blush). it's well worth the $6 that I paid for shipping.

[grygrrl]

Hi Sarah:

At 52 I can still break out, regardless of not having had a period since 2002! And Boots has a great product called Skin Clear One Touch Spot Stick. ANy product can quit working after a while, so I alternate this with Tea Tree products from The Body Shop. And I clean the livin crap out of my face (but moisteurize religiously with Clinique Dramatically Different Mousteurizing Lotion and also Carrot skin cream from Body Shop). I use L'oreal toner and also one with grapefruit from Kohl's all-natural line that cleans without any harsh stuff because I'm kinda old!

Sam/gry