Best moisturiser for ridiculous skin

[MargeryAllingham]

I'm hoping that someone can help with my bloody skin.

It's really oily, but also flakey, especially in my t-zone, where it's the oiliest! I get horrible red spots on my jawline, and little hormonal outbreak spots monthly. I used to take the pill for this, but I'm unable to now.

Occasionally, my skin feels really dry after cleansing (I do hot cloth cleansing using Soap and Glory's Peaches and Clean or Ultimelt), but it's been a thousand times better since I started doing this.

I'm currently using soap and glory moisturisers (the fab pore) but this isn't getting rid of the flakiness.

Can anyone help?!?!

TIA

I have what can only be described as a reverse t-zone - oily cheeks and temples, flaky nose and chin, and I get on really well with this clarins moisturiser.

If I were you I would probably try one or all of these (I use Origins and Clarins which is why they would be my first stops!):

Dr Weill at Origins range - I have used a few bits for various skin problems (not as bad as yours) and found it very nice and soothing

A facial oil, or maybe serum, especially at night under a heavier night cream. I love Clarins facial oil mixed into my night cream, I think they do one especially for oily skin

Exfoliate - at least twice a week, preferably before putting night cream on. I use Origins Modern Friction, love it. Exfoliating will remove the dead skin/debris - helps the products to sink in and work at their best, plus makes skin look smoother

Night cream - should be heavier than day cream. You would probably be better with an oil-free one I would guess... Again I know Origins do an oil-free one which is gorgeous to use

Diet - the hardest one! More omega 3 (eg oily fish), less omega 6 (eg vegetable oils), more antioxidants (colourful fruit & veg)

Thanks for advice, I'll look at for the origins one. I'm wary of using a heavy night cream as I think it'll make the spots worse, but I'll give it a shot.

I find that any grainy exfoliator makes my dry patches far worse, fwiw. Having done some reading into skin structure, it kind of makes sense (as exfoliating exposes more skin that doesn't want to meet the outside world yet, which then flakes off). I find that a night oil is a great way of helping my dry patches recover while not making the spots worse - rich night cream makes them worse if I use every night, so I only put it on every few days. I use either clarins lotus oil and pure rosehip oil as a night oil.

Oh, and if I want to exfoliate I use a really gentle fruit acid/chemical one (NOT a chemical/strong glycolic type one).

I would recommend Origins drink up mask twice a week. I had a similar problem and it seems counterintuitive to put something very moisturising on the oily bits, but it worked. I really rate origins and use alot if their pproducts so perhaps book in for the free facial and discuss your issues, they may make some good recommendations

If the spots are hormonal, then nothing you put on them is going to make them either better or worse... Diet and lifestyle (exercise, getting more sunshine/vitamin D, managing stress) (and taking hormones) might be helpful.

My (highly amateur) understanding is that if you have oily skin you might be tempted not to moisturise - but that makes your skin work harder at creating more oil, so it doesn't get dehydrated. But then, you have a worse problem with oil - so it's counterintuitive (disclaimer: I have picked this up from beauty blogs/articles etc not scientific study!)

I do love Origins, they have a range for oily skin which might be worth a try... If you can't get to a counter they have an online chat on their website where they might be able to suggest/answer questions