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?

The Clarin's Lotus Facial Oil is a revelation - definitely makes skin less oily the next morning (though counter-intuitive to put oil on your face!)

I also use Johnson & Johnson Clean & Clear oil blotting sheets (nothing else is half as good). Unfortunately it's virtually impossible (and extortionally expensive) to buy these in the UK now, so I go on eBay and buy in bulk (10 packs a time) from Asia. I've never had a problem with postage and they only work out at a few pounds per pack - totally worth it though!

I've just started using the Kleenex blotter papers; bought them in Sainsburys as was reduced. The sheets are purple (!) and work very well. I like the packaging, which extracts one of the sheets for you when you open it.

WERE reduced

I can't wear foundation either but my skin is much better after using mild products. I use either olive oil soap or gentle cleanser on an exfoliating sponge with a light moisteriser. Oh and drink loads of water.

one more thing that helps is a used tea bag - wring and dab all over face. Blot excess with a paper towel.
It stains a bit - like fake tan so do it in front of mirror at first, but takes the shine down.

I second Liz Earle stuff, my skin is reacting a lot less to it than the clinique stuff.

I've been using benefit Dr Feelgood on my oily skin. It's the only thing that seems to keep shine at bay for me at the moment. I agree about the Johnsons blotting sheets. Fab things!!

It's quite tricky, isn't it? With the years I realised I could only use "proper" make up as anything else just makes my skin react. But even with Clinique, their hypoallergenic mascara made me cry after a few minutes so I had to stop using it.

Faced with all these options and no certainly at all as to what to choose I googled local skin treatment places, and who came up? our local Liz Earle shop ha! I called them to arrange a consultation after seeing on their website they offered those. It turns out this Saturday they have a workshop/consultation thing (and for free) so I'm going. It's obvious they'll try and sell us everything they have there, but if at least someone can have a look and say something about what's going on, I'll be happy.

If I blot with a klennex and then put it facing the light, I can see the oil, like when you dry oily food! not as much but YKWIM

And I second Ambi, lots of water apparently helps (says she who's all spotty now) I drink 2lt a day

Coffee, thanks for that tip, I'll try that

I have extremely oily skin (acne-prone as well) and have tried loads of things over the years to deal with it. The best I've found:

• Clean & Clear oil blotting sheets (bought in bulk off Ebay). These are made from a plastic film and far more effective at absorbing oil than paper oil-blotting sheets.
• MAC Prep & Prime powder (loose or pressed). Absorbs oil better than any other powder, hands down. Apply it with a puff, pressing and rolling into the skin. (This has a longer lasting effect than applying with a brush).
• Contraceptive pill - speak to your GP about Yasmin / Dianette etc. Oily skin is related to hormones and the pill should help with this (also the acne).
• Use a primer / mattifier under makeup to help control shine. I like Smashbox PhotoFinish Light for this.

I've also been on Roaccutane before, this helped to clear my acne but my skin was just as oily afterwards as it had been before. Note that your GP will be unable to prescribe this, as far as I know only a dermatologist can (though you should still see your GP for a referral).

Just wanted to add, I believe Roaccutane is generally used as a more "last resort" form of treatment (due to the side effects). Usually only if other available treatments have not been effective. You should speak to your GP about what options are best for you (this might include, e.g oral or topical antibiotics, or a topical retinoid such as Retin-A).

So much good stuff here! I have this problem too.

Violetbunny, thanks for the info re. Roaccutane. I'll take it step by step then. I remember DH and a friend who had also used it (12y ago maybe?) saying that it's strong stuff and that it had sec effects, though can't remember exactly what.

I'll try and control this myself, and if that doesn't work I'll go to GP for advice.

I'm dealing with a still shiny t-zone and 'mature' skin elsewhere. I really hoped through my 40's that the oil production would slow down a bit but it really hasn't. My skin is not too bad in the winter but in the summer months I get oily about two hours after cleansing. I find it very difficult to keep foundation looking nice. Powder doesn't help me much and when I do touch up my face during the day I found that powder just tends to sit in my pores and look flaky and horrid. So I rely on blotting papers. I use the ones from Muji but may have to investigate the Clean and Clear ones mentioned upthread too.

I tried OCM but my skin didnt react well at all to the oils I tried which were castor/grapeseed/evoo and sweet almond oil. The Liz Earle C&P doesn't agree with me at all even though it's very gentle. I definitely don't use harsh cleansers or toners as that makes the oil worse.
I've just ordered the Emma Hardie cleansing balm after reading reviews here and used rosehip oil to moisturise for the first time last night. I didn't react to it so fingers crossed.

It is defintely a trial and error thing. I've never found any of the products that claim to mattify to be of any use. I keep trying different things but for me it's come down to a gentle skincare routine and my blotting papers.

I'd just like to point out that Roaccutane is a heavy duty medication with lots of (potentially) serious side effects, used for severe acne which has not responded to other medication. There is NO WAY any dermatologist would prescribe it for oily skin (and if one did, I'd be looking for another dermatologist).
I too have oily skin, but not acne. LizEarle has been the best thing for me.