Mumsnet Talk

I exfoliate 2-3 times a week, use clarins cleanser and toner, chanel moisturiser, what else can I do? I'm sick of looking shiny/blackheads/spots.

TIA.

Sounds like you are doing too much already. Yor skin may be over compensating for being stripped by over producing oil.

really? wow. Exfoliate less?

I've no idea really

Maybe. I think toner can strip skin. I've never really seen the point of it. Do you cleanse using a flannel? That has made a massive difference to my oily skin.

Nope, cotton wool.

I agree sounds like you're doing too much. Skin produces more oil the more you strip it away. It sounds counter-intuitive but I reckon you need to simplify your routine. Try a simple creamy cleanser morning and evening using "hot cloth method" (basically just massage cleanser in, then wipe off with muslin cloth or flannel which you've rinsed in hot water. Then moisturise. Then leave well alone!
If you wear make up, it might be worth trying mineral make up.
Other than that, you could get some of those oil blotting sheets and (not the powdery ones IMO) and just blot whenever you need to.

pores no more is a good primer which stops skin looking shiny

When I was pregnant my skin was like an oil slick. The only thing that sorted it out was the Urban Decay face powder for oily skins (the one in a lovely purple case), it's brilliant! It looks goth-white but goes on translucent and saved my sanity.

I look pale already so the goth look is a permanent fixture!

Thankyou, I'll try them all.

Go and have a hunt for the Oil Cleansing method thread. I keep meaning to start it but haven't got round to it yet.

Been doing a bit of lurking on that thread and it sounds worth a try going by the feedback.

Thankyou. I'll have a hunt.