Embarrassing skin problem

[CheeseBadgers]

I've recently starting using Pixi Glow - I soak a cotton pad in it and gently wipe my face with it every evening. I recently change contraceptive pill too which had led to some hormonal breakouts on my chin so I started to use Pixi on my chin in the mornings too.

I'm noticing though that not matter how clean my face is, when I wipe my chin with a pad it always looks dirty

For example yesterday I washed my face, put on a face mask, washed it off and rewashed my face, patted it clean with a clean towel then used a pad soaked in Pixi on my chin and it came away dark with dirt.

I've even tried it in my DH's skin to see if it's just the pads or Pixi but his was completely clear (cue mortified me).

Why is my skin so dirty?

[Shop]

What cleanser are you using?

[OlennasWimple]

Was the mask you used dark?

[Closetlibrarian]

How are you washing your face?

[Dailymaildailyfail]

Is this morning or night? Sounds like you're not cleansing properly?

Oh but if you do fake tan your face then Pixi tends to strip mine of it quite quickly and leaves a sort of grubby colour on the pad.

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

Why is that embarrassing?
Everybody's skin gets dirty.

[CheeseBadgers]

So I use ultrabland and a warm flannel to remove my make up then I use either a charcoal soap bar or a green tea and mint scrub after that too. I do that every single night and without fail I will put Pixi Glow on before going asleep and have dirty cotton pads

The mask I used was green. My soap bar is black but I've checked that on my poor DH then wiped his face with a wet pad to check if it was the soap leaving some colour behind but his was clear so I don't think it's that.

It just feels horrible knowing I'm dirty even though I've washed minutes earlier. I don't understand how to fix it

[FeliciaJollygoodfellow]

It's either residue from the soap or you're not washing far enough into your hair line/down your neck. You can't possibly still have a dirty face!

Could it be mascara? Just a thought, I used to use ultrabland and it would never get my mascara off. Or eyeliner if I was wearing it.

[CheeseBadgers]

I can't really wash anymore than I do as I use exfoliating gloves to do the second soap bit. I don't think mascara could be left behind either, nothing should be.

The last couple of days I've started getting spots on the lower of my cheeks too, the only thing I apply there is Lush Grease Lightening and Pixi Glow.

Could the Grease Lightening be leaving dirt on my face do you think? I might try and cut it out tonight and see if it makes a difference.

Hate having bad skin

[user1471503992]

I found ultrabland very difficult to get off, it left an oily film on my face - maybe it's sticking to the charcoal?

[CheeseBadgers]

That's a thought- never considered it could be the ultrabland. I might have a go at cutting one thing out my routine a week to see if it makes any difference.

[Closetlibrarian]

exfoliating gloves on your face? Eeek - sounds very harsh for your poor skin!

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

I think you damaging your skin. Your cleansing routine seems excessive,
skin is not meant to be squeaky clean, it need a protective layer.

[FeliciaJollygoodfellow]

I think you're damaging your skin too.

Exfoliating gloves, face scrub and acid toner? It's too much. Not saying that's the cause but I think you need to cut out something.

[PickAChew]

I chucked my ultrabland away after using it 3 times in 4 months. I have ultra sensitive skin, but don't have the time or energy to spend 10 minutes scrubbing what feels like lard off my face, twice a day.

If your skin is soft and blemish free, then its clean enough. you don't need to be chucking a whle shopping list of products at it, morning and night.

[FeliciaJollygoodfellow]

Pick - if you like the idea of ultrabland but not the actual product (me too btw) then you should try body shop chamomile balm. It's a lot lighter, gets everything off without spending hours rubbing it around, and rinses off well. I love it. It's a decent replacement to Clinique take the day off balm - I actually prefer it because I like the scent.

[CheeseBadgers]

I didn't even think of that.

Ultrabland definitely doesn't clean my face enough but is brill at removing make up so if I just use that and soap without the exfoliating gloves and then follow it with toner in the evening, is that still too much?

I used to really neglect my skin and never had any problems then I changed pills and it all just went tits up so I've been trying to fix it and making it worse it seems.

[frenchielala]

You are being far too rough and using too many heavy products. Be gentle on your skin if you've had hormonal changes that have caused unusual spots. I had a similar issue when I stopped taking the pill and the routine that calmed by skin down was: remove make up with bioderma on cotton wool pads (ph4.5) cleanse, tone and moisturise with la Roche possay effaclar range (ph 5.5). I think a routine like that might suit your skin better.

[TheSpottedZebra]

I think you might need to simplify things a bit. Use eye makeup remover and a gentle cleanser. Maybe a wash off one if you crave that ckean feeling? Then that's it for cleansing. No scrubs, no acid, just until you recover a bit.

[CheeseBadgers]

Thanks so much, I'm definitely going to give it a go!

Throwing more and more products at it felt like the thing to do and I never considered it could be adding to the problem rather than helping.

Thank you for the product suggestions too, really appreciate all of the help.

[SeasonalVag]

OP. Bin the lot and use oils for cleansing. Seriously.

[SouthWestmom]

Yikes! I think that sounds way too much intervention for your poor face!

I use Nivea cold cream to cleanse (the thick cheap stuff in a tub) and moisturise and my skin looks so clear and clean. Just for contrast.

[CheeseBadgers]

I've been looking into oil cleansing and it looks just right for my skin.

I have very dry skin normally so have found that I need a castor and olive oil sounds scary. Might wait til my skin clears up first before introducing a new routine but will be just doing a very simple daily wash in the meantime.