Gather ye, gather ye all those who'd like to share their greasy skin miracles (commiserators more than welcome)

[WineAndIntrigue]

So, yet again I spent a mere three hours outside of the house today before discovering my makeup had slid entirely off my skin leaving a greasy, unwashed looking sheen behind it. Delightful. I have tried primers, various cheap to mid-range foundations and combine everything with a slightly claggy looking layer of powder but to no avail. I have searched through the archives on here yes really but one of you might have had a totally life-changing experience and have found something to help.

I have a particularly oily t-zone and cheeks, and a ton of spots in the same areas and around my chin. My forehead in particular is incredibly bumpy with what feel like/look like clogged pores from the vast quantity of grease on my face (yummy) rather than actual spots. I am at this point willing to try any combination of things. I know it sounds stupid but it's really beginning to get me down - I am in my mid-twenties and I thought I had suffered enough during my teen years. So please if there's anyone who uses a great cleanser/exfoliater and particularly a foundation step up to take my and in thanks!

Diorskin nude setting powder is also brill for keeping make up on shine away

I need to stop clicking post message!!

I had the bumpy skin thing you describe too on my cheeks from the blocked pores, the effaclar k got rid of this after using for only a couple of days, I swear by it it'll revolutionise your face!

Chuff, Cherry and Misssss thank you - those are all relatively cheap and cheerful so I will probably try and get those tomorrow when I head into town. Have done a bit of research on the milk of magnesia - looks fab!!

BumWad that is a comprehensive list thank you so much! I am going to start with the Effaclar range tomorrow as well, I think - I'm planning to try the foaming cream cleanser, the Duo+ and either the toner or the Mat day cream - would you suggest anything else? Like I said, tried the AI spot treatment but the Duo seems to be getting people raving. I love Urban Decay - interesting to know that it's good - might have to be a birthday present...she says looking at her depleting bank balance. Would LOVE to get rid of my bumpy forehead, it looks so horrible - I've got my fingers crossed. Has mineral makeup not worked for you in the long run?

Wine. This sort of brush: www.lilylolo.co.uk/sp+brushes-for-face-super-kabuki-brush+211

You obv don't have to buy that exact one. I imagine Boots or Superdrug do cheaper Kabuki brushes. I'm sure I've seen ones for £5 or less.

I use a body shop one. Can't remeber
Cost but its very soft and I have v v v sensitive skin.

I used to have extremely oily skin but am now drier after having the DC (and turning 40).

Fwiw I found most makeup esp that with high diemethecone content broke me out terribly.

Also didn't find products to make it less oily.

Someone up thread mentioned tretinion (Vit A - retin a cream). V helpful with oiliness. As long as you're not pregnant or ttc.

I do recommend the Lily Lolo mineral stuff. When I was v oily this was the only thing which stayed and looked fab and didn't break me out.

Wine. After having DC I developed rosacea. So not oily but v v sensitive. Occasionally its been too sore for me to wear make up. Any kind of make up. But that's not an issue for you.

As I am now 40+ and wrinkled I use Bellapierre mineral makeup. V similar to Lily Lolo but has a lower zinc oxide content so less drying and doesn't sit in the wrinkly bit .

If you're oily Bellapierre will be too glowy for you and won't last. But Lily Lolo with more zinc oxide will stay put and help with oiliness.

So yes mineral make up works long term (more than 10 years now). Ice just had to change brand as I've aged and skin has changed.

Oh and here m.hm.com/gb/product/22489?article=22489-A&cm_mmc=pla--gb--ladies_cosmetics_accessories-_-22489&gclid=CJeKnq3a0b4CFaXHtAodMyUASw
Kabuki brush for £2.99 from H&M.

I am super oily too, and really feel that at 42 I should be drying out a bit! I started on la roche posay effaclar wash and duo a couple of months ago, and as well as doing a pretty good job sorting out my spots I think I am a bit less oily too. So def try that. I bought mine cheap online - escensuals? Now I'm dreading the weather hotting up as non greasy facial sunblock is a nightmare. Thinking of trying a roche posay one if fellow greaseballs have any advice?

WineAndintrigue I probably wouldn't reapply powder, as many of the blotting sheets have a light dusting of powder on them already, so it could be a bit overkill... They're really worth looking in to though, and are usually pretty cheap. I know exactly what you mean btw about how looking oily/spotty can make you look young and unprofessional. I have exactly the same thing where I feel like in my working life my status as a serious, professional grown-up is radically undermined by having the skin of a teenager! It makes you feel self-conscious, but then you also feel ridiculous for being bothered by something so seemingly insignificant and shallow! But yer, like you say, there's probably an element of projecting your broader feelings onto something really specific like your skin... Anyway, I hope you do find something that works for you, and just bear in mind the GP a) if nothing else is working and b) if it starts to significantly impact your day to day life.

Also - having read the last few posts, I would definitely agree about trying some La Roche-Posay or Avène products (although I tried the Effaclar Duo and despite all the people I'd heard raving about it I was pretty underwhelmed... No more effective than than the AI - which I also didn't like that much...) the Mat moisturiser is great, but will only work for the first couple of hours and then you'll need the blotting sheets.

Sunnyfeet I'm intrigued by the Pond's recommendation - can you buy it in Boots?

AlfAlf Almond milk is great on cereal, and I like it in tea (although it probably takes a little while to get used to - like all dairy substitutes) but I can't stand it in coffee!

OP I'm not sure about the duo put definitely buy the effaclar k and use it as your night moisturiser. It is the dogs I promise!

Also as ms florrick has said bella pierre make up is wonderful, I don't use it everyday but when I skin feels a bit dehydrated, it has zinc in it which is meant to be for healing and when I use the mineral make up I don't need to use concealer as the cover is great

I also forgot my holy grail exfoliator! I use clinique exfoliating scrub atleast 3 times a week and a good face mask, at the mo I rotate between bliss steep clean pore purifying mask (bit expensive) and when I don't have time for a full mask session I use the nutrogena clay face wash that doubles as a mask in the shower! I find it really helps clear my pores, my nose is the worst!!!

I used to mop my greasy visage with blotting papers throughout the day but found a better method was just to use a piece of kitchen roll - it was surprisingly effective. You need a superior quality product, such as 'Plenty'.

If you press it against your face it seems to absorb the oil while still leaving most of the foundation in situ.

Worth a try anyway - I saved £££ on pricey blotting papers.

I have recently started using lots of new products to try to get rid of my oily sheen and one of the ones I use is the Avene Cleanance K which I like - although it's quite a recent thing for me, so not sure if its working yet.

I also use effaclar foaming wash (and/or the avene wash too) as well as effaclar duo during the day. My skin looks much better, but not sure which of the products is working as I did start with lots of new ones at the same time. the effaclar toner seemed to be too harsh for my skin.

(I also have some micellar wash stuff which seems good too).

Overall my skin looks much clearer and brighter. I don't really get spots.

Good luck Wine! There is some great advice here, I'm thinking of trying the effaclar cleanser too.

The MoM is a revelation, I'd tried everything. You might have trouble buying it in smaller places. I bought mine from the enormous boots in Manchester. They sell it on boots online too. The smaller chemists kept telling me it was discontinued.

Alpha H Liquid Gold every other night plus mineral foundation as this actually works better with an oily skin as the natural oils meld with it

I have a very oily tzone and had to top up my powder 5-6 times a day. I bought nspa's illuminating beauty serum on a whim after Christmas to try and pep up my haggard complexion (late night studying) and found after a couple of weeks use I was no longer oily! I now use it twice a day and only apply powder once. Total and utter fluke!!

Thanks MrsFlorrick I've just ordered two of the tester pots and I'm hoping one of them will be the right colour! Looked for the H&M kabuki today but they didn't have it in my local one and I forgot to get one in Boots...sensible! Thanks for the recommendation - I have high hopes for it!!

NoneMore BumWad and Beattie I have got hold of the cream foaming cleanser for now - I will look to buy one or both of the Effaclars either in France when I go or if Boots do a three for two. It is just so, so much cheaper across the channel and I really resent paying so much more!! Hoping to have success with it - I don't know why I stopped using the AI (I think that's what I had)! But it sounds like lots of people have had quite positive experiences so am looking forward to trying again - I will be trying out some Avene if I have no luck!!

Also, Bum, thanks for the exfoliator recommendation - I know you're not really meant to use them on oily skin but I really need one occasionally. I have been looking at the Body Shop micro-dermabrasion vit c thingy recently so I will do some research!

daisy are you sure you're not me? I have looked at your blog after you posted the link and we're the same age and both seem to have the same imposter syndrome! I got hold of some Boots blotting papers today (thanks for the tip Roxy - I will try that when I run out!) as choice is quite limited where I live at the moment. I'm going to give them a go and just get used to using them before I decide if I want to upgrade to something pricier which I'm sure I will. I will bear the advice about the doctors in mind - I love my beauty products so I'm keen to see if they will make a difference first!

Misssss you are spot on - I couldn't get it even in Boots today but I'm going to visit family in London in a few weeks so I will be dragging myself up to Boots in town if all else fails. If it works as well for me I will be totally chuffed!

Varsity and Nursery thank you for the recommendations - I seem to have quite a list! Will do some research into both of these

Again massive thanks to everyone

Bioderma Sebium Micellar water - buy from Amazon and use with a cream cleanser ,first, wash off with a clean flannel then wipe the Sebium over .
Its brilliant , really reduced the oiliness but is not harsh.
I buy 2x 500ml bottles - lasts forever.

Wine. Hope you have a good result. During the years my skin was super oily, Lily Lolo kept me flawless. I was always complimented on my skin. A very airbrushed look and you don't need much.

And obv great price.
The matte setting powder works wonders too.

The Bellapierre I use now keeps me flawless too and works on dry skin so don't worry if your skin changes in a few years, you can just switch brand.

I hope you also get some results from all the other lovely recommendations here about products.

I've never heard of Lily Lilo before, but am tempted to try the finishing powder after reading your recommendation.

I have a greasy forehead, for foundation that lasts all day it has to be Estée Lauder double wear, I love it and it really does stick!

I've just ordered the sample size of Lily Lilo flawless matt finishing powder, I will report back!