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Products for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin
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Surely I'm not the only person out there with dry AND sensitive AND acne-pone (more like blackhead prone) skin.
All of the sudden this semester (never really get acne) I broke out with tiny bumps all over my forehead and temples, and blackheads just cover my nose. I didn't know what to do. I ordered some Paula's Choice products - One Step Face Cleanser, 1% BHA Lotion, Moisture Boost Toner, and Hydrating Treatment cream. I tried these, and they did not improve my skin. I mean, I guess they didn't really do much of anything for me. The BHA lotion dried my skin out and so I was probably using it too much, but not I feel weary about using BHA for the danger to the skin.
So, after no luck I stopped using the products, and just couldn't find a cleanser that I would deam safe. See, on other makeup blogs I go to, people there say that the Environmental Working Group is hardly accurate, and that I should not look at the Cosmetics Databse -- www.cosmeticsdatabase.com -- with believing it. I like to look at it in order to find products that would be safer for my sensitive skin. However, with the people telling me that they don't believe the EWG is accurate, it got me thinking again. In addition, I read some of Paula Begoun's articles on how natural is not better than snythetic. BUT I get so confused of what ingredients to pass over and which to be really concerned about. Yes, I am a weary consumer.
So I just began to cleanse with water solely because I have not been wearing makeup, and I would moisture with Olive oil. Recently, I added in Differin on to spots but it has dried out my skin. I have also topically been using tea tree mixed with water on the nose, chin, and forehead for it's anti-bacterial and drying properties. All of the sudden, yesterday my face just flared up with dry, itchy, red patches. It was unbearable. I went back to Paula's Choice Hydrating Treatment Cream. I don't see it doing much but it sure feels better on the skin for a little while.
Basically, what all of this comes down to is that I am so overconfused and bombarded with material that I have a hard time sifting through it all and really tracking down products that will be safe and effective. I know this Blog has been great for it....but call me stupid, I just can't take in all of it! It's so much valuable info. Are there any rec's at what I need to do or what I need to stop doing? I sure could use some product advice and routine advice!
TIA! Kelsey -
I have just gone through a BAD PATCH with one product after another irritating my skin. I have Rosacea and so I have to be careful.
Paula's BHA has neve irritated my skin though I can't use it on my nose. After some annoying trial and error I have had to drop the DHC Deep Cleanser for Comodynes make up remover cloths (do not SCRUB). Then I am trying Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser though I have never had any trouble with Olay or Neutroena creamy washes. This Cetaphil cleanser doesn't remove make up as well the Olay or Neutrogena washes do but they have another Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser which Paula Begoun says does the job but DOES have some fragrance which might be irritating.
Hope this helps.
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I don't have dry skin (combo here), but I do have acne-prone skin, and using olive oil as a moisturizer breaks me out. Even if I use it as a base for a scrub (sugar scrub con olive oil), and I wash it all off with water, my skin will break out. So that's something to think about.
I'm trying out Neutrogena's anti-acne products right now, and so far it's been good. Their Invigorating Daily Wash contains salicylic acid, and it's gentle enough that it doesn't irritate my skin. I got the recommendation off The Derm Blog, which is written by the good doctor Dr. Benabio (i think that's how his name is spelled).
My trainer uses it too, since he's a model here in LA, and he has to have good skin. He doesn't use the Invigorating version, but the regular orange version that also contains salicylic acid. He follows that with 1 of the Neutrogena moisturizers. And yea.. he has nice skin.
You can also try e-mailing Dr. Benabio and see what he says, or visit a dermatologist. -
Kelsey: TG is absolutely right...if you have ongoing skin problems you should start with a visit to your dermatologist. I once read and now believe that a visit to the dermatologist is worth WAAAAAY more than having a spa facial.
I would add that is is also worth WAAAAY more than a visit to the cosmetic counter too. I go primarily for a regular skin cancer check and refill of my MetroCream (for Rosacea) but a good diagnosis of your skin issues allows you to get the medical help you need and also lets you know what products you should be avoiding.
Oh yeah...I should add that these day a visit to the dermatologist these days ALSO includes a pitch for cosmetic procedures like Botox and laser procedures that the office does...so it is a bit more COMMERCIAL than it used to be. Sigh... -
Kelsey,
I recommend picking up a copy of The Skin Type Solution by Leslie Baumann, MD. She divides skin types into 16 groups. You find out which group you are in by answering a questionnaire. She then makes recommendations for each group. She lists products from drug stores to specialty lines. It helped me a lot after burning my face with products that were too harsh. It was published in 2006, so your library may have a copy. You can also check out theskintypesolution.com. There are many recommendations for products there. Good luck! -
Hi
I do use comodynes to remove make-up, and cetaphil to cleanse at night. I cleanse in the mornings with bliss clog dissolving cleansing milk, which has brightened up my skin a lot and made bbalckheads less noticeable, it is uspposed to be better for sensitive skin than scrubs because it has enzymes instead of coarse particles. I can't promise it won't be irritating, but it is recomended for all skin types.
I still get pimples on my T-zone, specially my chin, which usually has a lot to do with my period or stress (right now I have a huuuge one that looks like a volcano), so maybe this "all of a sudden" thing has to do with a hectic schedule. Besides Aveeno Clear complexion every day on your T-zone, and benzoyl peroxide on difficult pimples (in moderation or it will dry out your skin too much), I will tell you to get you Heart beat rate pumping!! You'll be amazed the how some regular sweating will make your skin glow, not to mention lower your stress hormones which will evenually make you breakout less. -
I will take all of your suggestions into mind! I have been using quite frequently Clinique's Repairwear Intensive Night Cream from my mom. I have had success with Clinique's products in the past but when I found the EWG (which I no longer trust), I stopped using it. I am back to it and it has really helped to improve my skin texture. I don't think not exercising is the cause because each day I try to get atleast 30 minutes of exercise. The pimples I'm sure have come from this stressful semester AWAY from school. I took a semester off but it's been more hectic than university!
I am going to look up theskintypesolution.com and see what information I can find. I am actually going to try to get an appt. for a dermatologist soon and hopefully get some rec's on products, as well as some help with the irritation.
Thanks everyone:) -
Yea.. exercising is NOT the culprit. This article from TheDermBlog shows that it's a skin care myth.
http://thedermblog.com/2008/03/05/skin-care-myths-body-sweat-makes-acne-worse/ -
Actually I was just suggesting that excersising may relieve the stress and hence less pimples!! But it seems you are already on the right track.
I am sure that the stress is largely to blame for your sudden flare-up. It always happens to me!! Good luck finding soemthing that works for you!! -
I have oily/normal and sensitive and acne prone and blackhead prone skin.
Use Boots No7 Soft & Soothed Toner for Normal/Dry skin. It's about 8$ at Target.
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