Large pores and blackheads

[happylittlebear]

I have large open pores across my cheeks and frequent blackheads on my nose.
I also suffer frequent outbreaks of spots across my chin.
I am looking for some advice on a new regime - I have been using alpha h for around 2 weeks but at the moment all it has done is bring me out in more spots. I also find the cleanser doesn't make my skin "feel" clean and the moisturiser feels a bit greasy on my face.
I realise 2 weeks is not very long and am happy to persevere with it if it will help in the long term.

[happylittlebear]

HELP!

[mrsmartin]

did you really not see a difference after using the liquid gold? I have used it before and got relatively good results (I just didn't enjoy using it - hated the smell). Really shocked if it isn't clearing conjestion at all...did you at least get it from qvc?

[ruddynorah]

You need the oil cleansing method. I had skin like yours, now it's perfect.

[happylittlebear]

Mrsmartin no it doesn't seem to be helping, I have got more spots around my chin and no difference to the blackheads on my nose but I didn't know if i was expecting too much too soon?

When i was a teen (am now 31) and on medication for acne, my spots got worse before they got better, so i wondered whether i should be more patient?

No, not from qvc - does that make a difference?

Norah - what does that involve? Can you point me in the right direction.

[Kellamity]

I have skin like yours too and I am also interested in the oil cleansing method!! How long did it take for your skin to become perfect?

[mrsmartin]

just if you got it from qvc you could have got a refund...sounds as though your oil glands are just going abit haywire in reaction to the glycolic (which is quite unusual really). Try the oil cleansing method and see if it works for you (didn't for me but it is a very cheap option so worth a shot) it is detailed here and if you search back through the threads it has been discussed extensively. I would still use an alcohol free toner after cleansing though.

[mrsmartin]

btw - most premium skincare brands do advocate the application of oil on the face to balance oil production - just thought I'd point that out because that article makes every cosmetic skincare brand sound like clearasil!!!

[ruddynorah]

Took two weeks.

For the first 6wks I used 90% olive oil with 10% castor oil. I now just use olive oil, nothing special just stuff from the kitchen.

I use a 50p blob of oil, rub it in my face. Massage all around. Then use a steaming hot flannel, press it against my face, then wipe the oil away. That's it. No moisturiser after. I do it once a day. At the other end of the day I just wipe my face with hot flannel.

[happylittlebear]

Thank you I will give it a try.

Can I ask for your advice on a moisturiser if I am using the oil cleansing?

[happylittlebear]

So do you not use moisturiser at all Norah?

[happylittlebear]

Mrsmartin can I ask what does work for you (if oil cleansing doesn't?)

[ruddynorah]

No moisturiser. The whole point is that the oil cleanse helps your skin finds its own natural balance. So you aren't stripping it with detergents then trying to replace lost moisture with a chemical moisturiser. Your skin just produces the amount of oil it needs.

Some people try different oils or more castor oil or none like me. Different mixtures seem to work for different skins. I'm olive skinned, half north African, very greasy skin, big pores, acne in my teens. Now it's crystal clear and no longer greasy.

[happylittlebear]

Wow I will definitely give that a try it sounds exactly like mine

[mrsmartin]

I use a relatively expensive routine, hence my suggestion to try oil cleansing first. I use

Elemis pro radience cream cleanser with muslin cloth - it contains things like shea butter so very nourishing and comfortable (smells yummy too)
Elemis tri enzyme face wash with muslin cloth - which gives the skin's enzymes a kick up the bum - if I miss a cleansing session I get pimples forming under the skin and I feel like I can almost erase them by using this - they never come to the surface anyway. I use as hot water as I can stand with both cleanses and then get as cold water as possible to close the pores afterwards.
I then use toner to restore my skin's ph balance
I then use 3 drops of decleor arromessence (neroli in the morning, iris or rose at night) which is a facial oil. It regulates my oil production so I don't get an oily face during the day.
Then I use my moisturiser - elemis pcmc during the day and either elemis tri enzyme night cream or decleor night balm.

I also give myself a full facial once a week.

There are an awful lot of steps but it takes 5mins and is a real pleasure to do. I have tried all sorts, oil cleansing, glycolic, salicylic, cheap routines like the simple range etc and for various reasons they just weren't right for me. Now my skin is perfect - really smooth, no blackheads/enlarged pores, and really glowy! I also had lots of conjestion (esp on my nose), acne scars, proper scars, horrible red boils (not spots - boils!)...but keep searching because the solution to your skin is out there somewhere...

[DoIgetastickerforthat]

Another advocate for oil clensing here. I sometimes use bicarbonate of soda or crushed aspirin to exfoliate, which gives me a lovely glowy skin.

Oh and the hot water, cold water is a great trick.

[Kellamity]

Mrsmartin your routine sounds divine!!!!

[QuinnFabray]

Your skin could be purging, getting worse before it gets better. Maybe you should persevere with alpha h for a couple more weeks? It certainly does the job for me. When I went through the whole Clinique 3 step process ( which was ok but didn't wow me ) the lady told me I should keep it up for a month to see if it works. That's how long their starter kits last for. It's normal for skin to purge before it gets better, when starting a new routine. Especially with congested skin.

[mrsmartin]

kellamity - it is rather fab - I look forward to doing it (even on a freezing cold morning!). Think there is a lot to be said for enjoying your routine...

[QuinnFabray]

Are you using a toner after cleansing? I never feel properly clean until I tone. I do one clean to remove make up. Then another clean ( am using alpha h balancing cleanser ) and then I use a toner which leaves my skin feeling really clean and bright. I usually just use the cheap Simple toner, or rose water.

[mrsmartin]

quinn - didn't you find the alpha h worked pretty much straight away? I did - I just didn't find it pleasurable.

littlebear why not check out the reviews of the products you got from alpha h on qvc - someone on there might have experienced the same after 2 weeks and persevered etc...worth a look.

[mrsmartin]

Am also a big advocate of toner...feel I bang on about it too much though

[QuinnFabray]

Oh, and I find the Alpha H moisturiser too much for day time. I only use that for night. Day time, I use Clinique dramatically different Gel, which is the only Clinique product I really liked. Oh, but I do like their eye creams.

[QuinnFabray]

Yes, the alpha h did work straight away for me, although I had to adjust it to suit me, because my skin was over dry after a few days of following their instructions.

I like their no nonsense packaging and lack of luxury, but I think that's because I've spent years throwing money at expensive luxury brands that haven't worked for me.

[mrsmartin]

My only complaint with them was the smell...I hated it!! really dreaded having to put it on and dh could smell it on my skin (again he didn't like it)

[happylittlebear]

Yes there is a review on there saying there was a bit of an improvement but not much, then it got a lot better after a few weeks, so maybe I will persevere for a bit longer and add in a toner