Really fed up now with skin problems!!

[Indecisivejo]

My skin is hypersensitive, dehydrated, spot prone and rosacea prone!
Anyway I've always struggled with products and make up but have settled on a cleanser and moisturiser which seems to be the best of a bad bunch although not perfect by any means!
I had the perfect foundation but they discontinued it and I have been trying since to find something that doesn't upset my skin! I thought I had found something ok but now I think they have changed formula as my skin now reacts to it! So once again I have been trying to find something, using samples etc adding primers to make them work better etc but now my skin has freaked out and gone red, hot, stingy and spotty!!
Primer was ideal as had that barrier between moisturiser and make up but the ones that actually worked taking away shine and smoothing texture and pores etc are silicone based, feels great but gives me whiteheads.
Arrrrrrrrgh!!! Just needed to rant cos so sick of this!

[CaptainWarbeck]

this book is really good for working out exactly what's going on with your skin and products that will suit and not suit it - I requested it from my library and it was great.

[Jmangel]

Ooh yes Skin Type Solution really helped me - also acne and Rosacea and sensitive here. Definitely give it a read.

[midnightmoomoo]

Hi Jo I feel your pain! My skin is also temperamental and reactive without too much rhyme or reason. I don't know what the answer is either I'm afraid, other than resisting the hype of expensive products to avoid wasting more money than necessary! At the moment I'm using Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser (I think you can't tolerate this though if memory serves?) then effaclar duo cream on my t-zone and have just bought and am liking the fragrance free Olay total effects cream. Trying to resist any other products as this combo seems to be working for me but I'm a sucker for buying stuff!!!

[midnightmoomoo]

What foundation were you using btw?

[Cakescakescakes]

Try the Smashbox Light primer. Much lighter and less silicone-y than the normal version and specifically designed for sensitive or problem skin. I love it. Fragrance free etc etc.

[mamager]

I found that my skin, also very dry and prone to patchiness, improved when I sorted out the cleansing side of things, rather than slathering on more and more moisturiser. What are you using at the moment?

[redstrawberries101]

Body shop aloe range worked for me to get my skin under control. Since using that I've been fine to use any makeup

[PollyPerky]

Have you looked at your diet?
Good skin comes from the inside as much as what you use on it.
Cut out sugar, alcohol and refined carbs. Eat oily fish 2-3 times a week, avocados and nuts to give you omega 3.
Have you had treatment from a dermatologist for your rosacea?
Might you actually have eczema as well?

At the very least you should ask for a referral if this is more medical than cosmetic?

Meanwhile, I'd try any product that doesn't have perfume - Simple, Clinique, Olay (perfume free) Eucerin, Avene.

[ahalfchipshalfricemum]

I would be very interested to find out what suggestions are offered here. I too have skin problems which I have had since my early twenties. Now in my late thirties I still have spots that live on for weeks... if not months. Once I think things are clearing up another appears.

I have tried Clinique Anti Blemish solutions for a few years which was OK but not really anything extraordinary for the price. I am back on Boots No7 since January, thinking that perhaps I need to keep things simple. I would say that my skin is a bit worse than before but I'd like to try an alternative to the Clinique range.

I have a healthy lifestyle and this skin problem is driving me nuts too, so I feel your pain OP. I will have a look at that book, and will follow this thread with interest.

[CaptainWarbeck]

One other thing that I learnt the hard way is that some people have skin issues that just aren't really particularly fixable by the stuff that's available on the shelves in pharmacies etc.

If you have problem skin that won't improve no matter how much hard work you put into clearing it up, or might be worth seeing a GP. There are lots of prescribable options and it is so worth it to not feel self-conscious about bad skin. Took me ten years and a final course of roaccutane to figure that out

[PollyPerky]

You might have adult acne ahalf? Spots in your 30s can be hormonal and maybe you should see a dermatologist for advice?

[CaptainWarbeck]

*it, not or

[PollyPerky]

X posts Captain!
DD had relatively mild acne in her teens and early 20s. Dermo said OTC creams etc a complete waste of money, skin products, cosmetics made not the scrap of difference either way- told her she could use anything- and was sorted with drugs.

[botemp]

Have you tried the Becca Ever-Matte Priming Perfector IndecisiveJo it's silicone and fragrance free with a really short ingredients list (something I've found the most beneficial with reactive skin). The reviews tend to go one way or the other but it's a staple for a lot of MUA. QVC sell it too so you can try it and if you hate it their return policy allows you to return it with your money back. It doesn't spread as easily as a silicone based primer (very much a barrier product) so best to warm it up on the back of your hand for a bit.

[building2016]

I have been helped so so much by keeping a spreadsheet with the ingredients of everything I put on my skin. I discovered that stearic acid is a common culprit in products that break me out so now I avoid it. But to be honest everyone is different and some people react to different things.

I also patch test new products and only introduce new products one at a time so I can tell what I'm reacting to.

I still get occasional spots but much better.

[building2016]

Oh, and yes to diet making a huge difference.

[ahalfchipshalfricemum]

Thanks Captain and Polly - you just gave me a shove in the direction of the doctor which I have been avoiding for years as I just didn't want to make a fuss. Got an appointment this evening :)

[redstrawberries101]

Please do give body shop aloe range a try as it's calming and it worked for me! Best thing ever.

[CaptainWarbeck]

Oh good OP! Let us know how you get on. You absolutely won't be making a fuss and like I say there is a whole pathway of prescribable treatment you can go down to find something that works.

[Indecisivejo]

Thanks so much everyone :) I'm gonna struggle to reply to all of these personally as I can't remember everyone's names etc without scrolling back up lol, but thank you!

Coconuts (I know your name from before ha ha) no can't use that cleanser I'm afraid and I tried that Olay cream not so long ago and it made my skin red and very very uncomfortable! My mum has just reacted to this too :(. I'm using boots no7 stay perfect original foundation which seems OK so far but looked so much better with primer grrrrrr!!! (Gonna check out the Smashbox light one someone mentioned) the becca one I fear is ££££. I know you said u quite like the instant radiance one (that was you right?!) but I wasn't keen if I remember in the past.

I have tried TBS aloe range and my skin did not like this either :(

Just ordered a soothing booster to add to my moist or press on to skin beforehand depending which way I prefer. It was £££ though!! I THINK the cleanser and moist I use are OK for my skin I always seem to return to them it's just certain times of month, stress, illness or if I've been trying new things my skin goes beserk and even reacts to things I'm usually ok with then I start panicking thinking I need all new stuff again and back to square one!!

[botemp]

Nope never heard of instant radiance tbh, usually recommend Laura Mercier for primers. I think the Becca at £24 is pretty standard price for a premium primer, I doubt Smashbox will be much cheaper.

Have you had no luck with Yes to Cucumbers range too? Never used it myself but I know someone with extremely sensitive skin who swears by it.

[CherryBlossom321]

I'm a rosacea sufferer, and unfortunately there is currently no cure. The best to aim for is successful management so it doesn't worsen. I would echo the dietary advice. Reducing sugar, wheat, dairy, and caffeine helped me massively, as did increasing water intake. This is controversial, but I took myself off the dermatology patient list. Five years of antibiotic therapy and alcohol based skin gels had caused my rosacea to become worse. I had spots on top of spots. I now have no spots, just the redness. And my digestive system is also thanking me for kicking the antibiotics. My best products, the only ones that have actually made a blind bit of difference, and therefore worth every penny as far as I'm concerned, is the Clinique redness solutions range. My rosacea has gone from severe to mild by managing it this way.

[Indecisivejo]

Ohhhhhh coconuts sorry just realised I think you meant which was the foundation I liked that was discontinued! Sorry lol it was dermalogica treatment foundation then they brought out replacement called cover tint which I also loved but this was also discontinued and now all they have is their sheer tint which I don't like.

Oh and didn't realise the becca primer was only £24 I'll have a look thanks :)

[ppeatfruit]

My skin is sensitive and now I only use essential oils mixed with filtered water (as a toner) rosemary ess oil oil is fabulous for redness and spots but that's for me; we're all different so it's best to try out different ones; lavender is lovely and most people are ok with it mixed with almond oil for moisturising and filtered water for toning.

They aren't expensive and well worth giving a go. Especially if you don't want to go down the drug route. My diet is also very careful . I notice I break out if I eat oranges or tomatoes and forget burnt food!!

[ppeatfruit]

Oh and avocado oil is brilliant for very dry skin.