Anyone with oily/combination skin around?

[GauchitaOlimpica]

Do you use anything throughout the day i.e wipes, etc to keep excessive oil at bay?

I'm having a hard time with my skin these days. Always had oily skin, but never any major spot issues (after 14yo maybe?) but around two months ago I started getting spots all over the top and sides of my forehead. Big spots, the noticeable painful type and my skin seems to be even oilier than usual.

I'd say by 10.30am it's already bright and oily, by 2pm it feels awful (I can notice my glasses sliding!)

I don't think anything has changed in my diet that could have caused this. DS was born 11 months ago, so it can't be that either, can it? I did get spots during this second pregnancy but after he was born they were gone.

Help! Any suggestions?

I have incredibly greasy skin but do not suffer from spots so I am lucky in that respect. I start to look shiney about 2 hours after doing my make-up.

I find that blotting throughout the day with some toilet tissue or toilet paper towels does the trick. I dont bother blotting with powder as I dont find it absorbs any excess oil for a long period of time and I dont like that 'powdery look' IYSWIM

I have tried various products that claim to control oil including Dermalogica. None have made any difference. Sorry I cannot give you any advice on your spots but bung some paper towels/napkins in your handbag (I even keep some in my car) and that should help with the shineys!

Blotting papers from Superdrug/Body Shop and other places. You can get Witch (witch hazel)ones I think along with pressed powder.

I would definitely recommend la Roche posay effaclar k as a moisturiser. My skin was exactly like yours, mine is much better after changing facial wash and moisturiser. I was convinced mine was hormonal but different products have eased my skin alot.

Thanks for the replies. I've never even worn too much make-up (only concealer, mascara and a little blush) I can't imagine what my skin would look like with a cream foundation and I imagine powder might block my pores even more maybe?

Posting on phone so can't go back and see nicknames! but I'll look into the products mentioned, thanks. The spots problem is starting to get me a little down, as new ones appear every day...

Do you have any skin treatment done from time to time?

Oily/combination here too. I used to get nasty spots but I went on Roaccutane so no more spots. Fantastic. While on roaccutane my skin was normal/dry and oh! the relief. Make up stayed on all day, no shine. And no greasy hair either. However once I was finished the course, I reverted back to oily/combination. Maybe not quite as oily.

I second La Roche Posay. I have never found anything to keep the shine at bay. I use EL double wear light, and it says put. I blot with tissue. And during the summer I use this thru'out the day, mainly for the sunscreen. It's not bad.

Oh yes, I've heard of Roaccutane. DH took it when he was a teenager as he had a v bad acne problem, apparently. I'll ask GP about it. I'll look at the link now, thanks

I have very oily skin and have tried so many products. Agree Effaclar K is effective and not too expensive. The only product I've found that actually keeps my foundation on all day is Mac prep + prime SPF 50 base. It's a non siliconey primer and works amazingly well.

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish is fab.

Right, I've looked into the Roche Posay products and I'm going to give them a try. I'll then look into the Liz Earle one.
It'll be a trial and error experiment I think

I only use Clinique (oily skin) moisturiser and almost nothing else. Occasional Simple wipes if skin feels grubby, otherwise I go 2 days without washing it

Any make-up brings me out in spots. Also expensive facials (6 different products on my face in 1 hour!) will trigger inflammation. Now I stick to Simple or Clinique. Even Clinique foundation will bring out spots

Every couple of days I use a clay mask from the Body Shop, this seems to help. Would love to wear make-up (am at an age where it I'm starting to need it!) so will look at these products mentioned.

but I've also heard that using products which strip the skin of oil just cause it to over-react and produce more oil? Very confusing. I ignore mine most of the time.

Yes, La Roche Posay Efflaclar range, I particularly like the astringent lotion/toner. Anything with salicylic acid in is good for oily skin, helping to de-clog pores and balance out the oiliness.

I also second MAC spf 50 prep and prime, even if you don't wear foundation, it's excellent at keeping oiliness at bay. A great multi-purpose product. Blotting paper too.

I love Guerlain Parure extreme foundation, or EL double wear. The only two that actually will stay on my face. Still have to blot a bit though.

I started with the oil cleansing method last week after reading about it on MN and so far I recommend it.
I am using walnut oil and castor oil. It's the castor oil thst is good for oily skin so I started with 30% castor oil and have already had to reduce it.

I found Dermalogica to be really good. Their Clearing Mattifier was particularly good for reducing shine. I always bought the Travel Kits (selection of tester-sized products). They lasted ages and were handy for trying before forking out on specific items.

Oh, more suggestions!
I think WoweeZowee might have a good point there. Tester sizes could be good for the trial and error phase.
I hadn't heard/read about the oil cleansing method, Savoycabbage. Do you have a link? or do you mind sharing the recipe?

Aliasjoey, if that's true then I'm doomed! I can't not blot or wash my face when it's that oily, it gets so bad it's uncomfortable. I can't even wear my glasses properly, they keep sliding

I can tell you what I've been doing as I really feel I'm on top of this now (touch wood).

I've been using liz Earle cleanse and tone in the morning followed by the la Roche posay. Then normal make up.

In the eve I've been using dermalogica skin resurfacing cleanser, but initially I was using on alternate nights la Roche posay toleraine Dermo cleanser or aven extremely gentle cleanser.

I was using liz Earle toner but my skin was reacting to that so I stopped.

Then at night I've been using weleda wild Rose smoothing night cream, and using demalogica Overnight clearing gel, use this sparingly as too much can aggravate, but it definitely helped my spots, I used it a bit too much and my skin became dry and scaly!

If I were you I'd get the la Roche moisturiser and the avene or la Roche cleanser and the overnight gel and just watch what you skin does, basically you need to go back to a very basic skin routine so your skin isn't enflamed.

Hope it works for you.

I have tried ..oh I think hundreds of mattifying products. None of them helped but just dried the skin out and made it even oilier. I looked shiny like the moon on most photos. And powders only cover the problem temporarily.
So I switched to oils - first Dr Hauschka Normalizing oil, that targets the exact problem. Now that I'm a bit older, I also use Decleor and Dior. My skin is moisturized and totally shine free. Magic!
Hauschka also has trial size products:
www.drhauschka.co.uk/products/face-care/daily-face-care-kit-for-oily-skin

Using anything that strips your skin is awful for it - the gentler and 'oilier' your cleanser, the more your skin will think it's got enough moisture on the surface and will stop over-producing.

Oil cleansing method, liz Earle, eve lom, any hot cloth cleanser really is likely to do your skin much more good than anything containing any kind of soap/alcohol. And a dot of oil for moisturiser, either Rosehip (awesome on my insanely greasy skin, seems to stop it producing oil!), or a proper moisturising oil.

I feel so strongly about this - we are so conditioned to think that great skin needs cleaning thoroughly, when that just exacerbates the skin's tendency to produce, as it thinks it's dry as a desert!

Yes, I use a facial oil too, but I have to really thoroughly clean first, otherwise I suffer from awful clogged skin, blackheads and a kind of grimey greasiness. After years of trial and error, I use a cream cleanser (Clarins extra gentle at the moment, Liz Earle breaks me out), twice. Once to remove make up, then again to cleanse the skin. Then I use La Roche Posay Efflaclar toner to make sure all of the cleanser is off my skin. Then I use a few drops of Clarins lotus oil to moisturise. Every now and again I use a 10% Salicylic acid peel to help to get rid of blackheads, and reduce the oil.

So I cleanse, cleanse, cleanse, and then put some moisture back in with some oil.

Wow, for someone who never did anything with her skin, this is like Skin for beginners!

It's evident some products work for certain skins and not for others, so I'll definitely have to try them and see how it goes.

Thanks again for all the suggestions ladies.

Facial oils are brilliant for this.
Clarins or Decleor.
They seem to sort out the problem without drying you out too much.

Rosehip oil is actually a mild form of retinoid so it makes sense.
It's not part of the Clarins/Decleor ones, which rely mainly to essential oils as active ingredients.

This is the oil cleansing method's website. I read about it on MN first and then I googled it a bit.

I was using 30% castor oil and 60% walnut but I have adjusted it a bit to use less castor oil.

I keep it in a lovely soy sauce bottle I got in a Japanese shop ages ago and have never found a use for!

I freshen up during the day by patting a Lacura (Aldi) sensitive skin cleansing wipe. It does remove some of the BB cream, but it's okay if you just pat. It removes the oil and helps you to feel fresher. These cleansing wipes are the best I've ever come across too