Just figured out its SIMPLE that's giving me zits

[Catflap1]

So my skin is shit, dehydrated, grey, blackheads, flaky patches and quite sensitive while back I used simple and kept getting little whiteheads on my chin put this down to early pregnancy and then in if I'm honest got a bit shit about skin care and just used a mixture of coconut oil or superdrug Vit E to clean face!

3 days ago I decided to get on with good face care routine again and gave myself a lovely facial uding simple, since then the white heads have been appearing again so think that it must be down to this.

Back to the drawing board, I'm 34 and just want to impove my skin but don't want to spend a fortune on rubbish, thinking of trying la Roche Posay but now just need to figure out what products to use and there are so many, I'm unsure where to start!

For the dehydration, flaky patches, and sensitivity, I use Avene Skin Recovery Cream as a moisturiser. It's very gentle and really helps the skin to repair itself quickly without causing spots!

Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser is also great for when your skin is feeling a bit fragile. I tend to use coconut oil to remove make-up, and then the Avene cleanser with warm water and a cloth to remove the coconut oil.

Once your skin is back under control, I highly recommend trying the new Nivea moisturisers for sensitive skin. I have the day and night versions, and both have made my (extremely sensitive and clog-prone) skin soft and glowy without causing irritation or clogged pores. They're both

I can't use Simple either as it has the same effect on me.

Catflap, not only do we share a name but it sounds like we have the same skin! I absolutely SWEAR by the oil cleansing method - google it. You need olive oil and castor oil and a hot cloth and that's it. It has honestly revolutionised my skin and it costs virtually nothing, it's my best ever Mumsnet tip which I LOVE passing on to all and sundry

I remember Simple making my skin worse as a teenager and have avoided it ever since.

How about trying as natural a product as possible? I'm experimenting with sweet almond oil to see if it works.

I use Boots no 7 for dry elephant skin. I used a Superdrug one for a week and got rotten acne that's still hanging around.

Simple is god awful for me too: breaks me out and causes all sorts of redness and pustule filled hate. I adore Avene so I heartily second Lady's comments on that score. The La Roche Posay range is great. Do have a look at Caroline Hiron's blog (recommended by those of this here parish) for fantastic tips.

Another one that doesn't like simple. It's horrible stuff.

Simple has that effect on me too, not good. If you're looking for something to help clear up your skin, I can't recommend La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo moisturiser highly enough. It has completely transformed my spotty hormonal skin.

Thank you for all your replies I have taken a look at la Roche Posay but to be honest I'm totally lost! Effaclar Duo seems to be for oily skin.... Is this right? I will also take a look at avene products, to be honestly I just want a simple but effective skincare routine because I'm lazy, also much prefer water to be involved otherwise I just don't feel like my face is clean

Don't get caught up on the "oily" skin thing. Effaclar Duo will help. Cleanse your skin well with a balm type product and clean off with a hot flannel - I use Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish but other similar products exist. Avoid all foaming cleansers!!!! Once you have cleansed wipe an acidic toner on your skin. I know that sounds harsh but it's not. Our skin should be acidic and if spots are a problem then your skin's acid mantle needs a boost. Then add a moisturising product - effaclar duo is my preference.

At night, repeat all of the above but use a facial oil. Yep. Oil. I adore Clarins Blue Orchid but L'Oreal's facial oil is lovely. Massage on after your cleanse.

I promise your skin will look better. I had two courses of Roaccutane that did heehaw for me and have suffered with horrible skin for 23 years. This present regime has done the trick.

HTH

I've been using Simple for ages, and haven't made the connection. I'm spottier now than when I was a teenager, and they are proper full-to-bursting volcano spots. I'm even getting spots on my cheeks and jaw line that I've never had before.

I'm binning the Simple stuff tonight, will switch back to my NYR stuff. I only switched from that because it's pricey, but to be fair it's worth it to have no spots!

Thanks OP

Stetsons don't worry it's taken me a while to figure out to, because I always thought my skin was just dry and sensitive I thought simple would be the best, less harsh thing to use!

I'm thinking of giving the avene a go and will prob try the la Roche Posay effaclar duo to though I need to get out of this thinking that everything needs to be from the same range!

Ladyvetinari do you think I need to add a toner after cleaning with avene? It says online not to wash off product with tap water?

Catflap1 - I take off any make-up with coconut oil and a muslin, then use the Extremely Gentle Cleanser to remove the oil residue, and then rinse my face with tap water. I've never tried just leaving the Avene cleanser on, as my skin is very sensitive and acne prone. My routine has worked really well for me, though, so I don't think that rinsing it off does me any harm.

Thanks to MN I recently discovered Caroline Hiron's skincare blog and my skin is already looking better.... Try reading her cheat sheets and following a skin care routine. Don't be put off by some of the expensive products she recommends and the fact that she wants you to have at least 3 cleansers in rotation..

HTH :)