Please recommend a face cleaning product - 37 year old with combination skin and spots

[BendyBusBuggy]

A few days ago I read a post from someone with similar age and skin problems - the recommendation was not to use anything blue, green, washy or exfoliating - all of which describes what I use now . I meant to try out the recommended products, but now I can't find the thread.

I have spots underneath my mouth, down my temples and on my forehead between the eyebrows. I never had spots as a teenager and am at my wits end! In case this is relevant: I don't use make up, and am allergic to Nivea cream.
I've even started to get spots on my back!

Please help!

Lush's Angels on Bare Skin used every morning helps zap the nose and chin zits away before they start. I have a bottle of nice Jurlique foaming facial wash but don't find it any better/worse than Simple foaming facial wash - I use it at night to remove the minimal bit of make up I wear.

I use a plant-based oil (either almond oil or Holland Barrett's Wonder Oil) on my face at night after the facial wash, which helps the dry skin issues elsewhere on my face. And it's lovely. I also dab on a bit of lansinoh (pure lanolin) or extra dry areas at night.

I use olay sensitive daily wash cloths
damp them with tepid water, they foam lightly, wash face with the cloth gently and then rinse with tepid water
pat dry

they are perfect for combo/sensitive and acne prone skin

I use a BHA every day this is brilliant - I use the neutrogena

if i have spots i treat them with benzyl peroxide dabbed on with a cotton bud

then the olay regenerist serum that is fragrance free

not using water on your skin is not at all what my dermatologist said.

hot cloth and oil cleansing destroyed my skin

Ronald I have dry rosacea prone skin. The derm advised avoiding excessive washing (maximum once a day) and anything astringent because it damages the natural protective coating of my skin. I think people with atopia and rosacea are often advised to avoid extra washing and showering, particularly in winter (some have to use emollient cream instead of water). See here and here for example.

In any case, my skin has vastly improved after starting to follow his advice and I'm currently perioral, rosacea and acne free and my skin has great, smooth and healthy texture...

La Roche Posay Effaclar face wash followed by Effaclar Duo moisturiser. Has totally changed my hormonal! spotty skin into glowy, clear skin. Often at Boots on 3 for 2.

For me being vegan and using sensitive skin products got rid of all spots. I have only done it for two weeks and can't believe the difference.

frugal

I didn't think the OP said she had rosacea but rather had spots, combo and sensitive skin

All of the products I have recommended are ideal for those types of skin.

A very gentle rinse of wash with a soft throw away face cloth. Both cleansing gently and exfoliating at the same time.

A BHA to help with blackheads and oil production

Benzyl Peroxide directly on a spot if they are bad to kill bacteria

A very good fragrance free light serum for over the top

Nah, I just tried to explain why I was advised to limit washing. I believe it's pretty standard advice. 'Protecting the skin barrier function' seems to be a mainstream idea in dermatology now (long complex explanation here) as apparently we now know that it is a complicated system and certain skin types are structurally defective (unable to properly retain moisture) - atopy may be an inherited barrier defect. But it is relevant for other skin types too because overzealous skincare can disrupt the balance and cause problems. The most common side effect with antiacne products seems to be parched, flaking skin which means that the balance is disrupted.

There are many different routes to balanced skin as there is so much variability between us. Personally, I've started to believe in a minimalist approach

My skin sounds like yours - also late 30's.

I turned it around by using the OCM and effeklar duo.

frugal
I agree not overwashing or overcleaning the skin is recommended for eczema type problems
My Ds have eczema and I was amazed at the difference it made to their skin. Completely contrary to my knowledge!

for acne and sensitive/oily/combo skin problems the advice is quite different ime/o

my brother's derm recommended a twice daily wash for his acne, mine was happy enough with once daily which I do when I take off my slap
Both derms recommended rinsing with tepid water and patting dry for oily and combo skin

There was a great deal of emphasis placed upon ensuring that the face was gently cleaned and then disinfected to ensure bacteria was removed and that oil wasn't allowed to build along up with dead skin cells thus causing further spots
the oil build up was dealt with by the BHA

the OCM was murderous on my skin, I held out so many hopes
polishing cloths, liz earle and eve lom left me almost raw in patches
almost all clinique/clarins ditto

I would only speak about products that are very, very inert and that I have personally used, been recommended by a derm and seen fantastic results from myself
Spots devastated my skin and confidence and I would never offer advice that might make anyone else's skin worse.
I know some spotty/oily skin can become dry with the use of ABs and BP but that isn't the same as ezcema ime/o