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Style & Beauty

What do I need for my skin? Help! (long)

11 replies

lorneylou · 29/01/2015 15:58

I have no idea where to start!!

I used to be able to use anything on my skin and it always looked brilliant. For years I used soap, exfoliator twice a week and whatever moisturiser, Everything from Clinique, No.7, Avon, Supermarket stuff and no problems.

The past year or so my skin has been a mess, so much so that I have had to stop weaing makeup as it looks awful, but I don't feel like myself without it.

So I need to start from scratch...

My forehead is very oily
Across my eyebrows is very dry and flaky
Under my eyes is dry but not flaky, dark circles
My nose is very oily, very open pores extending onto my cheeks. Some blackheads that won't shift. Sometimes flaky too.
Chin very oily
Under chin and neck dry and scaly.

As you can imagine, makeup looks a complete mess.
I have been reading about oil cleansing and thought this might help, got No7 facial cleansing oil for xmas.
My skin feels very tight and dry after using it and my oily patches are 10 times worse after about half an hour.
It has also lead to some very painful pimples on my chin, under my chin and my neck. Have stopped using for that reason about 2 weeks ago but pimples still coming and going.

I am using a cheap moisturiser with hyaluronic acid atm but it is very stingy around the cheeks and just makes me go red.
Am avoiding washing my face at the moment, even water makes it tight.....just really rubbing moisturiser on the dry bits and hoping for the best.
I know I am dehydrated, I drink nowhere near enough and am trying to fix this, also eating much healthier too.

Anyone got any ideas where to start??

Also, to make it even harder, I am on a tight budget so the cheaper the better. Any suggestions very welcome Flowers

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BorisJohnsonsHair · 29/01/2015 16:53

Just posted this on another thread, but I've started to use Dove cream bar in the shower, exfoliate lightly with a towel, followed by Astral (as recommend on here many times). Very cheap it doesn't seem to dry out my skin at all (mine used to be much like yours). I've found that oil ends up drying out my skin too much. You could try some of those clear pore strips for your blackheads, I think they work very well.

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Dorisdolalee · 29/01/2015 16:56

You need to check out Caroline Hirons 'beauty mouth' blog
Loads of info for problem skins with 'cheat sheets'.

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gaggiagirl · 29/01/2015 17:03

Nivea in the blue tub. Costs about 99p for a little tub.
Sudocrem on the pimples.
Flannel or microfiber cloth used with warm water to wash and exfoliate.
Open some toilet roll (pull it apart) and dab it over the oily areas before and after make up.

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MrsMyrtleMarple · 29/01/2015 18:35

Your skin sounds very stressed. I would use the Avene range from Boots to calm it down. They have a wonderful moisturiser that is designed specifically to do that. All the products are very gentle and effective.

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lorneylou · 29/01/2015 18:39

Thankyou for the suggestions -

Doris - thankyou, I will have a look at that later when DD is in bed, I definately have a problem skin!

gaggiagirl - I have tonnes of sudocrem, will definately try that, and I think I may have a little tub of nivea hidden somewhere, will try that tonight and see if it's less irritating than the one I'm using

Boris - Will pick up some Astral, my mum swears by it but I thought it might be too greasy. I actually use Dove bars already but don't put it on my face, I may as well give it a try.

This may seem like a stupid question - should I just be moisturising the dry areas or the oily bits too? I normally just put moisturiser all over but was thinking maybe that was part of my problem.

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gaggiagirl · 29/01/2015 20:17

I would moisturise all over but perhaps concentrate the cream on the dry bit and when you've done that lightly sweep and excess product left on your hands over the oily areas.
Put your sudocrem on tonight before bed. You can use it just on the spots or as an all over mask. It works on my spots a treat.

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yogeek · 29/01/2015 20:30

Hi lorneylou, I don't know if anybody else mentioned it but try and protect your face from this horrible weather. Keep your scarf up round your face outside in the Wind. The heating in your home might be drying your skin out so you could put a bowl of water next to the radiator so the atmosphere is a bit more humid. I don't know if you can get it but there is a water spray with zinc which is very good for soothing and cleansing gently with a bit of cotton wool. Eat avocados, almonds and fatty fish which are good for your skin and drink a cup of green tea. All the best.

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WhatEverZen · 29/01/2015 21:03

I think you should start with the hot cloth cleansing method. Use a hand hot flannel to remove cleanser from your face. This is excellent for all skin types. The flannel also acts as an exfoliant but dont scrub. Gentle circular movements only.

Flannels are excellent at removing all traces of cleansers / cleansing oil.

Second the suggestion of avene moisturiser. Great for agitated skin

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Juno213 · 29/01/2015 21:35

I agree with WhatEverZen. Look in to oil cleansing which is amazing. Crunchy Betty has a few posts on it. It's trial and error to find an oil to suit but once you've got it its great. I don't have to use a moisturiser as well.
But even if you don't want the faff, a cleanser with a hot flannel using water as hot as you can bear it is always, always better than a soap or face wash which will just strip oil and your face panics and tries to compensate which is why it's all over the place.

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avagosling · 30/01/2015 12:09

Oil cleansing is my favourite and really helped to balance my skin, you can find A-Z instructions here www.fushi.co.uk/healthy-lifestyle-news/oil-cleansing-method-for-glowing-skin/

Also, try Moringa oil as a moisturizer, it's great for rebalancing the skin

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castlesintheair · 30/01/2015 12:25

You need La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo and also their Purifying Foaming gel wash for sensitive oily skin. Honestly, it's the dogze boloques for your type of skin, mine is similar in winter. You can buy it in Boots.

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