Skin care advice please as very confused!

[grew]

Please may I ask for some advice. I'm 39 and have combination skin with a oily t zone and dry patches too. Despite my age I was still getting spots, which leave dark scars, especially near my period starting.

I read up on style and beauty and started using la roche posay effaclar - the face wash, toner and duo cream twice a day. This has really helped with the spots.

But my face feels dry after the duo cream and the dry patches look really bad with makeup on.

I've just bought the la roche posay redermic retinol cream to use at night instead of the duo cream but my face is still feeling dry.

I am a skin care novice so really not sure what to do. I do use a sunblock cream. I read about euricen cream but even more confused about the types! Do I need to buy a separate moisturiser cream to use on top of duo or redermic?

Would be so grateful for some direction.

[Kennington]

I would mix your moisturoser with an oil - I use grapeseed but there are loads of others.
I wouldn't go too heavy with the oil in the day. Also apply it to slightly damp skin.
Sorry if not much help but I used to have similar skin.

[grew]

Thanks Kennington. Would you apply the oil after the duo in morning and after retinol at night?

[Sal1977]

You need to be exfoliating at least 3 times a week as well as cleansing and moisturising. Check that your toner is alcohol free (look for de-Nat alc on the ingredients) as that could be stripping your skin of natural oils causing a dry/breakout cycle.

I don't know anything about the brand of products you are using so can't comment on them individually unfortunately. It might be worth booking a facial with a reputable brand and taking advice directly from a skin care therapist? Good luck!

[grew]

Thanks Sal. Any recommendations for an exfoliater? I had a facial which was a present recently but they used dermologica and only recommended their own products to sell. I resisted as had just spent lots at boots on the la roche posay stuff! The toner I use is a salicylic acid one.

[Katnipp]

Try using your toner on the t zone only as it may be slightly drying.

Also a glycolic acid toner like pixi glow tonic 3 times a week as part of your night time routine. I'd use instead of your current toner those nights. There are quite a few similar acid toners around. If you do want to try m&s do and I think have 20% off today.

Agree an oil would also help. If it's too much for the t zone just use in dryer areas.

[TelephoneIgnoringMachine]

My skin has improved a lot since I ditched conventional toner & switched to rose water or orange flower water. I also have combination skin, oily t-zone & dry patches that show hnder makeup. I'm mid 30s &, despite 2 full courses of roaccutane, I still get quite a few spots.

I actually use oil cleansing with a microfibre cloth (eg cheeky wipes), sometimes I use real (Castille type) soap. Orange or rose water, & aloe vera gel with essential oils to moisturise. Smells lovely & no horrible tight feel or excess of oiliness.

[grew]

Thanks will order the pix glow tonic to use at night.
I really appreciate the specific advice. I keep reading beauty stuff and getting confused!
Oils seem very popular I'm vary of them because of my oily t zone and spots but will a night time oil. I do like the effaclar face wash it doesn't make your face feel tight and I know you're not meant to use but I like the whole foaming and washing off with water. I guess it's just what I'm used to.

[Kennington]

Yes oil after redermic retinol stuff
Oil just mixed with morning moistuiser on damp skin
Have you any improvements? The acids are a good plan.

[grew]

There's definitely been an improvement with far less spots since I've started using it which has been about 6 weeks. Tried the retinol cream last night and felt my face was brighter but could be more wishing than fact!!
It's the dry patches and uneven tone. Hopefully the pixi glow will help. Currently searching online for a reasonable price night oil. Is body shop good? I need a new moisturiser too as pot of olay has just finished.

[Kennington]

Holland and Barrett grapeseed or jojoba or something quite thin - about 4 quid and no additives. It only lasts about 4 monthsax as it have no preservatives.
Great stuff!

[grew]

Wow great will try that!
I'm quite proud -a couple of months ago I didn't even know about acid toners and hadn't heard of la roche posay ! Style and beauty rocks!

[Hangingbasket14]

I am mid 30's and still getting spots, mostly hormonal. I swear by Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip, it's clay based but have not found it drying at all. I double cleanse and night using a balm cleanser followed by the CS and just CS in the morning, pricey but worth it.

[grew]

Ooh I haven't heard of that one.