So... I have been using cheapy foundation, and I now suffer from teenage breakouts....

[welliesundermeballgoon]

Coincidence? Or do I need to change? I have been looking at Bare Minerals and Benefit, are their foundations any good? Or should I maybe be looking at Clinique or something?

My breakouts do seem to be hormornally related but I am getting blocked pores/blackheads on my nose all the time. I guess I could be classed as combination skin as it slightly greasy in places (T zone) but dry in others.

I don't really have a skin care regime, other than cleansing wipes and facial scrub wash type stuff. I tried the benefit triple performance facial emulsion today and it feels nice but would appreciate any recommendations. I also bought some benefit pore-fessional primer today as I hoped it would mask some of the pores on my nose.

I feel that I need a whole new approach to my skin as I have never really thought about it (or needed to) I'm hoping somebody may be able to point me in the right direction. (PLEASE )

Disclaimer - I do suffer from PCOS so this may be connected, however it has never caused damage to my skin before

Anybody?

They say chin breakouts are hormonal, at least that's where I get mine, 2 days before AF arrives.

Bare minerals sound like a good option- there is a thread on here raving about them. I don't rate Benefit makeup much - v overpriced IMHO. especially don't like the foundations. Bourjois have nice foundations, I'm using healthy mix serum foundation at the mo, it's good stuff.

Thanks Iatemyskinnyperson (love the name by the way!) I'll have a look for the thread about Bare Minerals, I've been reading reviews online and it seems quite good!

Would suggest Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish first to try to sort out your skin - I have been using this for years and even though I try other stuff I always come back to this as it's such a treat to use and gives fantastic results over time.
I don't rate Benefit much but do think that Bare Minerals foundation is good as it doesn't clog your pores.

I use Estee Lauders matte primer to disguise open pores, tis fab and really helps to mattify my skin and make my powder "stick"!

I used to get pretty bad acne on my chin, tried anti-bios from Dr with no luck so started taking Agnus Castus and used Quinoderm cream on spots (just for a few days, it's pretty strong stuff). I still get some redness on my chin but no more spots, so if it is hormonal might work for you too?

Cleansing wipes are pretty rubbish at getting your skin properly clean. I really like Neutrogenas oil free make-up remover and Eucerin do a facial wash for oily/combo skin which is lovely (dermopurify range i think it's called) really clears out pores but isn't drying.

Thanks Ginge and Polly, I am going to look into the Liz Earle stuff (hadn't heard of it before)

Polly I've tried Freederm, not sure if that is the same ingredients, but it just seemed to prolong the spot(s)/soreness and then leave scarring. Anti-bs didn't seem to do anything except make me feel a little bit sick!! I haven't tried Agnus however I did consider it whilst TTC. How much do you take etc?

I have to admit I am currently using Clearasil facial wash/scrub as I thought that teenage skin products may get rid of teenage skin! Sounds a bit daft I suppose!

I've used expensive foundations that break me out badly, and cheap foundations that suit my skin very well, so it's more about finding what works for you. Even Liz Earle breaks me out badly, and Bare Minerals does too, and everybody raves about those two.

I'm currently using Alpha H liquid gold and their moisturiser for my problem skin, and it's amazing stuff. If you have spots, large pores, black heads etc. I'd really recommend it, or any other product with glycolic acid in it.

I would dump the facial wipes. Takes 28 days for your skin to turn over so if you start something new give it time
If your skin is oily and you use harsh products, then it retaliates by producing more oil
Mine is v spot prone and I have just managed to sort it out. I use a gentle cleanser like lush 9-5 or dermalogica ultra calming and take it off with cotton wool. I tone with Rose water then moisturise and that's it really. Exfoliate with dermalogica daily microfoliant or gentle cream exfoliant twice a week

I highly recommend bare minerals, I got the starter kit and primer for Xmas and my skin is 100% improved it also feels like you are not wearing and makeup, the primer is fab it makes your skin feel so soft, incant recommend this enough, it is also on offer in debenhams at the moment the starter kit is reduced from £48 to £32.

I agree it's a case of finding something that suits you.

Bare Minerals caused a huge break out for me too, and normally my skin is very well behaved. Similarly, Laura Mercier caused allergic type spots which took forever to go.

On the other hand, I know that a lot of people loathe it, but I swear by the Clinique 3 step cleansing system. I've used it since I was in my early 20s and can't see that ever changing. My two elder DDs (15 and 13) also use it and love it. I'm a huge clinique fan.

I have black heads/open pores on my nose & chin and have always struggled with right products. So i went to sk:n and had peel (groupon) and a discussion about skincare. I ended up buying a cleansing 'gel' and a moisturiser (acnicare) which has worked brilliantly. Also i use a primer under my foundation which also seems to have worked.

As for foundations i think it depends on coverage desired and skin tone. I like a light, non matte finish and have pinky/blue skin so use Prescriptives or Estee Lauder. Clinique is very yellow based, so not for me.

I also tried bare minerals but it left my face chalky, tight and aged me terribly (powder sitting in my under eye lines - nice).

I have had some microdermabrasion too which really brightened my skin.

I buy Agnus Castus from Healthspan online - it's just one tablet a day. It can take 3 months or so before it starts to have any effect - it was probably about that long before my skin settled down.

I'd avoid Clearasil type cleansers as they can dry/aggravate the skin and make things worse.

Makeupalley is a good place to read reviews of all things beauty - it's an american site but many of the products are available here - can be useful to read others opinions on things before parting with any money.