Skincare help please- blackheads

[ChocolateRaisin]

I'm wondering if anyone can help please? I've had problem skin for most of my adult life, though it is generally better now than it has been. I suffer with cystic acne on my chin and sometimes jaw line which is mainly under control now. I pustules on chin when I've eaten junk food or time of the month but is mostly under control if I'm careful but I also have 40+ blackheads on my cheeks which I cannot seem to shift.

My skin type is sensitive & oily.

At the moment my routine is;
AM
Jan Marini bioglycolic cleanser
Jan marini c'esta serum
Jan Marini bioglycolic bioclear lotion (glycolic acid, salicyclic acid &
Azelaic acid)
Jan Marini transformation serum

PM
Simple face wipe to remove make up (bare minerals)

The Jan Marini has really helped I think with the cystic and pustule issues, it is now just the black heads that I'm desperate to get rid of. I don't think doing Jan Marini with the products 2x a day will help with that and I don't think the face wipes are helping.

Any advice would be gratefully received. I've been researching and a good clay mask 1-2x a week sounds like it would be good, though I'm not sure which one would be any good. I'm willing to spend a bit of money if I can clear the rest of my skin up!

Thanks in advance.

[ChocolateRaisin]

Anyone?

[VodkaValiumLattePlease]

Well blackheads are caused by blocked pores so if your not taking your makeup off properly at night I would think that's the best place to start

[gammatron]

Do you use just face wipes to take off makeup? I don't find them very effective, I'd use a wipe/ cotton pad with makeup remover and then a proper cleanse to make sure it's been fully removed

[Dailymaildailyfail]

You definitely need a more thorough routine both morning and evening.

Firstly have you been and read Caroline Hirons blog? Have a read and understand what you need to be using for your skin. You need to double cleanse in the evening if you wear makeup! A wipe just is not going to cut it.

I have a similar skin type and I currently use:

AM
Sunday Riley Ceramic Slip Cleanser
Clinique Clarifying lotion #2
Body shop vitamin E serum
Clarins moisturiser
Eye serum

PM
Clinique Take The Day Off balm cleanser wiped with warm flannel
Sunday Riley a Ceramic slip cleanser
Pixi glow tonic
Then different serums depending on how my skin looks.

I'd invest in some good acids for your skin and some flannels. Ditch the wipes!!!

[Kennington]

I think you probably need to buy a liquid cleanser and stop using most of the above products apart from the acids.
You need to cleanse with warm water and a flannel and use salicylic acid. Face wipes will break me out with the worst spots if I don't also use water.

[ChocolateRaisin]

Thanks so much, lots to think about and try there. Have just spent the last hour or two looking at the Caroline Hirrons blog which has been really helpful. Definitely need to start washing my face properly in the evenings!

[Dailymaildailyfail]

Caroline's blog saved my face! She has some great budget buys too. I try and treat myself to some good bits when I can but it's all about the flannels! You won't believe how great your skin will become when you start it in a proper routine.

[Halfpastthelegofmyshirt]

I agree with proper cleansing (wipes are quite harsh) but use a clean flannel every day and wash them properly as they will harbour bacteria otherwise which could make your skin worse. Also don't scrub! Be gentle. Good luck!

[ChocolateRaisin]

Thank you! I've spent a small fortune on some new products (inc flannels) and can't wait to get started in a proper routine. I had no idea how interesting and in depth skin care is! I think I might be a bit of an addict already...!

[user1473609428]

Have you considered laser treatments? I recently got 'clear and brilliant' treatment. I loved it! It got rid of my pores completely. Its quite pricey but then again you save by not spending on expensive skincare. I also have a friend who suffered from acne and she had few laser treatments (not sure which one but her skin looks amazing now.

[StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes]

I bought a foreo luna mini which if you haven't heard of is a rubber disc shaped skin exfoliator that looks like a sex toy they are quite expensive but I found a new one lots cheaper on e bay. It has transformed my skin, even the larger pores on my nose appear smaller. I use it with a foaming face wash after cleansing off my make off and skin always feels really super clean.

[MrsMarigold]

I tried those simple make up remover wipes and they didn't get rid of the leftover make up, even tjough my skin.is oily I find cleansing with micellar water and Clarins oil melt face wash and a hot cloth are the only tjings that really clean my face.

[ChocolateRaisin]

I have actually had laser treatment- it worked brilliantly for the horrible cystic acne I had but not for the blackheads. I also had an acid peel which I found very painful, I don't think I could do it again!

I've had a good read of Caroline Hirons blog and bought 12 face flannels, Clinique wash the day away, Pixi cleansing mud, Pixi glow tonic, Alphah liquid gold, Origins clear improvement charcoal mask, Elemis absolute eye serum and Kiehls midnight recovery. I just need to find a serum now but I might have to wait until I get paid again!

[Beautifullymixed]

Wow! That's quite a haul!
Have you checked out The Ordinary from Victoria health?
I also suffer from horrible, pus filled acne around my jaw line. It makes me so self conscious. I've been using the 2% retinol serum, and it's done wonders for my skin (£8!). It's gentle, and there's no tingling or burning.
I use it as well as glycolic nip and fab pads (my skin seems to prefer those, to the salicylic acid ones).
I also love my haba lado hyaluronic serum, although I have treated myself to niacinamide, alpha arbutin and the hyaluronic acid serums from The Ordinary.
They came today, I'm very excited.

Acne is horrible at any age isn't it? I'm forty four, with rosacea prone skin too. I thought I'd finished all this

[Beautifullymixed]

I will also repeat the previous posters advice about cleansing.
Double cleansing is the way.
I use cetaphil cleanser - I love this calming, soothing cleanser at the end of the day.
My skin also likes a wash with pure soap, then I acid tone.
Only then, does it feel clean

[NotAMammy]

Sorry to derail the thread a little bit, but should we be replacing flannels every so often? I've just realised that I've had mine for years. I wash them, of course, and never even considered replacing them for hygiene reasons. Am I wrong?

[ChickenVindaloo]

NotAMammy: Nah, if you wash flannels, they're clean. You only need to replace them if they wear out! It's not like showerpuffs which need replaced regularly.

OP: You should get some Paula's Choice 2 per cent BHA. Honestly, you should have seen the black dots coming out of my face!

[ChocolateRaisin]

Excellent, thanks for the advice.

Will definitely be doubling cleansing once everything arrives.

I've got my morning routine sorted already with Jan Marini and I'm going to stick with that for now. That includes 2 serums, one with vit C and DMAE which I believe is good for lifting, tightening and fine lines etc. The other one is hyaluronic acid and other things for more anti aging and hydration. Plus glycolic acid cleanser and also a glycolic and salicilic acid leave on lotion.

The evening can then be double cleanse, tone (liquid gold 2x weekly), eye cream and then the Kiehls night oil serum for moisturising, fading blemish scars etc. I may still need a night time moisturiser after that and perhaps a retinal but I'll play it by ear and do more research before buying more. Have got the mask to pop on 1-2x a week as well.

I think I'm already an addict. I can't wait to start! Thanks so much for the advice.

[ChickenVindaloo]

Am sure you will be gorgeous!

[Dailymaildailyfail]

Wow you've become a fully fledged Hirons fan! That sounds like an amazing haul, very jealous! Love all the products, especially the liquid gold and Pixi glow tonic. So many people think exfoliating is just beads and scrubs but the acid tone is so underrated! Woild love to see how you get on in a few weeks!

Oh and re flannels- as long as your boil washing them after just one use then you're all good!

[Indecisivejo]

How do u boil wash flannels??

[Beautifullymixed]

Wash them on a high temperature I guess, would be easier than boiling on a stove.

[fiorentina]

I find as well as the other tips steaming my face helps as well as a clay mask, I like the Origins one for cleaning out gunk.

[FruitCider]

The only way to truly get rid of black heads is to extract them.

What type of skin do you have? E.g. Combination, oily? What moisturiser are you using?

[BoinkAlongQuietly]

Great advice and a great start.

Just wondering why no one recommended extractors? are extractors not ok?

I use steamy flannel and extractor for my larger pores that even regular facials, glycolics, etc won't clear.