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Oily, flaky skin
  • darkeyes

    I have very oily skin but when I apply foundation, my skin looks so flaky. I don't think my skin is dry because it doesn't feel tight after I wash it. When I don't have any foundation on my face it does not look flaky..it looks oily. I'm not sure if my skin is just dehydrated? In the AM I was my face, apply sunscreen, and then liquid foundation. In the PM I wash my face and always apply a moisturizing gel. Every other night I also apply 0.04% of Retin A Micro. Every week I do a mask that has glycolic acid, lactic acid, etc and I also have a clay mask. I don't think any of this is so drying that it can be causing this degree of flaking skin. I was on accutane about 2 yrs ago..not sure if this is a lingering effect? Can you advise how I can get rid of these flakes?
  • bluecatbaby

    I'm not an expert, just speaking from my similar experiences. It might help to use a glycolic acid that is milder than your mask, on a daily or every other day basis, as an exfoliant. I would do it in the morning, not at the same time as Retin A.


    There are some ingredients that are found in skin products that you could be reacting to. I mean like fragrance, or peppermint oil. The Cosmetics Cop's website is great for listing these. Try eliminating some of those and see if it makes a difference.


    It could be seborrheic dermatitis. You gotta see a doctor to have that diagnosed and treated.


    You could also ask your doctor if it is an effect of the Accutane, and what to do about that.


    I hope I have been helpful. I'm sure others will have other suggestions for you to consider.

  • lindygirl1960
    I agree with bluecatbaby, except for one detail. From what I understand you should not use a glycolic acid during the day, only at night. The reason you don't use the glycolic acid during the day is it increases sensitivity to the sun and will make your skin more prone to burns.

    Also you don't use glycolic acid with a retin A product because will cancel each other out if both are applied.

    So, and again this is only from what I have read on the subject, you should just alternate nights for the glycolic acid and the retin A. 
  • sarahf
    Agree with all of the above (check w/ derm, consider seborrheic dermatitis).  I would add that it could be your sunscreen (or conceivably nighttime products if they leave a residue that isn't completely washed off).  Do you use a mineral sunscreen product under your makeup?  I've used some that have caused any liquid makeup to look flakey when applied over it.  So do consider whether any of your products could leave a flaky residue that doesn't show until you put a foundation over it.  I do not think it's possible for it to be the accutane--drugs only work while they are in your system, and by 2 years, it's gone.
  • Ally E.Ally E.
    it could also mean very dehydrated skin. i had the same problem, skin wasn't exfoliating itself properly, so started using BHA and also skin was very dehydrated and hyuleronic acid helped a bunch with that. now i can wear foundation again :)
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