sick of my greasy blackheady skin - any advice?

[Notmoreschoolholidays]

Hi

I've got quite greasy congested skin but I also have rosacea, which is quite unusual apparently. For a few months I've been trying to clear my congested pores with elemis trienzyzme facial wash, and moisturise really well with clarins lotus oil 3 times a week (3/4 drops on damp face after washing with dry hands). During the first week I noticed a big difference, less greasy during the day and block pores definitely improved, but things seem to be declining again. I can't use toner as my rosacea flares up, so a cleansing milk doesn't always clean very well as I can't tone afterwards. Am I using the trienzyme wash too much? (morning and night).

I'm really, really hacked off with it all now. I would love to be able to go without makeup, but my spotty blotchy skin makes me feel so self conscious.

Any suggestions?

Have you actually got blackheads? Or have you got sebaceous filaments? Google the latter. If it us sebaceous filaments then you may find that using harsh scrubs and acids encourages your skin to produce more oil to protect it and make them worse in the long run.

Blimey, and there's me thinking I have unsightly teenage skin!

Is the elemis too harsh then? I also get clusters of white heads between my chin and cheek, just below the corners of my mouth. They make my skin look very bumpy and they don't seem to be going away (only if I squeeze them and then I'm left with marks for days after damaging the skin).

Seriously? There is nothing I can do?

I got rid of mine by using the Oil cleansing method :)

Your skin sounds like mine but I need to use a cleansing cream before the tri enzyme as I feel it doesn't cleanse very deeply even though its amazing on my pores

Pumpkin, how long did it take for you to notice a difference?

Have you considered a clarisonic. It changed my skin beyond recognition. They seem expensive but only the cost of 2 or 3 facials really.

You could try something with salicylic acid in it, which is usually excellent for oily skin and blackheads. La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo cream changed my skin completely. Or there is a more gentle version called Effaclar K. They both do the same thing. What toners have you tried? Again, La Roche Posay do a very gentle one for sensitive skin - Physiological Soothing Toner.

Panoxyl would have been your dream cream but they discontinued it.

I have been having success at bedtime with warm flannel, extraction (yuck) and then wiping on the hygienic hand gel that you use without water, it should tingle.

I wait a few minutes then use my moisturiser.

Paula's choice BHA is the only thing that has every worked on my non inflammatory acne. It is non irritating so you should be ok. Looks expensive but will easily last 6 months to a year - www.paulaschoice.co.uk/shop/skin-care/exfoliants

Another resounding vote for the clarisonic. DD had v similar skin to yourself; congested, lots of blackheads, frequent eruptions acne. Clarisonic has cleared all that, skin so much clearer. Still gets the odd flare up but a fraction of what it was.

If you suffer from rosacea. Step away from clairsonic, panoxyl and that la Roche posay stuff unless you want a mega red face permanently. Seriously not suitable for you.

Acne and rosacea can co exist.

Best bet is a visit to the doctor and perhaps a course of AB. Something like euthromycin perhaps. Works for both conditions.

Another thing you could try is Differin gel. It's for acne but used off label for rosacea as well. Not sure whether you need to see a dermatologist for that though.

Another option from the GP is Finacea gel. It's for both acne and rosacea. It's excellent. And gets rid of greasy black heady skin.

I do recommend oil cleaning but without the castor oil. Try jojoba or rice bran oil. Very good.

I suffer from rosacea and using rice bran oil for cleansing has been fab. I used to use Finacea gel but have recently tried Differin and its amazing!! It's taken most of the redness even the stuff I thought was permanent away.

Also during the day I use a moisturisers by Dermalex (rosacea and couperose one). It's available in boots. Now that is a close to a miracle for redness. I can't recommend it enough.

If you suffer from rosacea. Step away from clairsonic, panoxyl and that la Roche posay stuff unless you want a mega red face permanently. Seriously not suitable for you.

Acne and rosacea can co exist.

Best bet is a visit to the doctor and perhaps a course of AB. Something like euthromycin perhaps. Works for both conditions.

Another thing you could try is Differin gel. It's for acne but used off label for rosacea as well. Not sure whether you need to see a dermatologist for that though.

Another option from the GP is Finacea gel. It's for both acne and rosacea. It's excellent. And gets rid of greasy black heady skin.

I do recommend oil cleaning but without the castor oil. Try jojoba or rice bran oil. Very good.

I suffer from rosacea and using rice bran oil for cleansing has been fab. I used to use Finacea gel but have recently tried Differin and its amazing!! It's taken most of the redness even the stuff I thought was permanent away.

Also during the day I use a moisturisers by Dermalex (rosacea and couperose one). It's available in boots. Now that is a close to a miracle for redness. I can't recommend it enough.