Help: 20 years of acne and now I have 'normal' skin... what do I do with it?

[lowcrabdiet]

I had a lovely posh facial today. I told the therapist I had very oily skin and acne. After approximately 2 mins she told me I actually have normal/combination skin and my breakouts are caused by using unnecessarily harsh products and foundation

So now I don't know what the heck to put on my face. I'm so used to all the anti-blemish, mattifying, oil free stuff I don't know where to start (I did actually have hideous acne for years, it just seems that I have finally grown out of it!)

The therapist was lovely and recommended lots of posh products but I'm on a budget. So cleanser/toner/moisturiser wise I'm thinking something from the shelves in boots. For foundation I can stretch to something from a counter.

So all you lovely normal skinned people, what should I be buying?

Why do you need to put anything on your face if your skin has finally balanced out? :) I wouldn't risk upsetting the balance again.

Well I need to wash it with something (I do a lot of sweaty sports) and I honestly don't know what to use.

And at least half of the week I don't bother with make up, but I like having the choice to wear it without it making my skin bad

Buy a Clarisonic.

Have you tried the La Roche Posay range? It's not super expensive and Boots often has offers on. I had acne for years until a course of roaccutane sent it packing and I really rate their various products, which I have mixed and matched depending on how my skin is playing up at any given time.

I think you might get on well with the Physiological Cleansing Gel (it's wash-off but non-foaming, which is quite important - foaming products are probably going to be too harsh). They also do a Physiological Toner which is very gentle. They have loads of good moisturisers depending on what your skin needs - maybe Effaclar H, which is specifically aimed at skin damaged or made sensitive by harsh anti-acne treatments? Duo would also be good in the short term to use on blemishes but not as a long-term treatment.

Avène is a similar range, also available in Boots and around the same prices. I've used a few of their products although can't remember precisely what (they do a very gentle cleanser that is very good, though, and another soap-free gel cleanser).

I think if you stick with those two ranges you can't go far wrong.

Bonsoir the clarisonic looks great but is a bit beyond my price range atm. Might see what I can persuade dh to spend on me for Christmas though

lurking that's all really helpful, thanks. I will have a look at those ranges

I second the la roche posay, gentle but really good

I third the rec for La Roche Posay. I rate their Toleriane cleanser - lovely and mild. I think we have similar skin, OP, except that mine is still a little bit further back in the getting-better process!

Didn't the posh facial lady have some suggestions? She's the one who has seen your skin.

Skin Truth hot cloth cleanser from Sally's is very similar to the Liz Earle one at a fraction of the price and is fab

If you are looking more bargain prices, the Boots own brand No. 7 range is good for cleansers and toners. Simple are also good. You need to cleanse, tone and moisturise, just look for 'normal to combination' products and if in doubt, use the 'normal' products.

Sugar quill has it!

Superdrug hot cloth cleanser is budget & skin friendly.

I just use nivea personally as it works for me. I like lancome teint idole ultra 24 hr foundation for weekends and Dr jart bb cream for work days

Seriously, plenty of hot then cold water does the trick. Most especially on your face.

Hellllo! :)
I was just browsing mumsnet and seen your thread

I used to constantly ' break out' and think i had acne, until i spoke to a beauty therapist that said 'harsh' facial cleansers like clearsil can actually cause spots as they strip all the natural oil from your face which makes your body/skin produce even more.

I switched all my facial products to 'sensitive' and my skin totally cleared up! still have some red marks though from the bad patch i went through :(

If i wear makeup i use garnier makeup remover, it's about 3 quid and it's oily? gotta shake it and put it on a makeup pad, it gets it all off! and then i just either splash my face with water or a gentle cleanser, then moisturize! :)

it didn't chanage over night by the way when i switched all my products! i'd try changing everything with cheap alternatives for a month or two and work out what works for you! also when i drink lotss of water my skin always looks really good... but lately i seem to find myself reaching for pop/fizzy drinks! :P need to get back to water!

Hope it all works for you :D

Oh and i use avonshop.co.uk/product/skincare/moisturisers-and-creams/avon-care-light-moisture-refreshing-face-gel-cream.html and
www.boots.com/en/Palmers-Cocoa-Butter-Formula-Fragrance-Free-Body-Lotion-250ml_1039003/

depending on what my skin is behaving like!. coco butter if it's getting a bit dry, i've tried higher end ones such as estee lauder and they broke me out, too moisturizing for me! x

Oh and foundation i was inlove with estee lauder futurist.. which is now d.c'd, but their doublewear is also amazing! however i put it on with a wet sponge because otherwise it goes on abit too thick.!
when i'm on more of a budget i use no7 instant radiance foundation. They have a tool at boots that matches your skin tone to a shade!

I've tried other drugstore foundation brands but no7 is the only one that doesn't break me out and doesn't look orange!, Hope this helps?
oh no7 also do a mattifying one, ive never tried it though - you could always go to boots and get a tester pot of the foundation you want :)

debhenams give you enough 'tester' to last 1 to 2 weeks if you want a higher end one! x

Wash your face with water, nothing more. Then use a light moisturiser.

Wow, thanks everyone. You have given me lots of options to think about

I am intrigued by the idea of just using water. I know I must sound bonkers but for so many years I had to use so much stuff on my face (much of it on prescription) that I am almost anxious about giving up all of the products.

Also because I sweat so much (whilst wearing a helmet) I really might need more than just water from time to time.

I have found that Avene will send me free samples for registering on their website and answering some questions about my skin type so that will give me something to go on.

But all the super budget suggestions have been great (and are probably what I will end up buying)

You are all brill

water is okay but only if you don't use makeup. If you have makeup on, I would really recommend you double cleanse with a very gentle cleanser (I use Neutrogena extra gentle cream cleanser then a damp flannel).

i also use avene moisturiser (skin recovery cream).

Simple soap and water only, mild moisturiser if your skin feels tight, I use Olay.

Poss gently make up remover wipes on stubborn mascara, nothing more.

And plenty of fresh air and fresh fruit/veg.

I use olay daily washcloths..you lather them up with water use on face and rinse with luke warm water
they are very gentle but also exfoliate enough

i then use a bha for the combo bit

I have oily/combination skin and had years of acne, with some stress-related breakouts periodically. The best I've found (having tried many more expensive brands) is the Boots No7 'Beautiful Skin' range, the one designed for oily skin.

But everyone's different, might be a good and inexpensive starting point.

I have the opposite problem - when I had a facial, I was told my skin isn't oily, it's actually very dry, which could be causing my skin to produce more oil, leading to spots.

I'm now using the body shop vitamin e range as it's really gentle. My skin isn't perfect, but there is a vast improvement.

La Roche Posay all the way! That said any French pharmacy brand will be fantastic, Avene, Vichy, LRP...So much research goes into making their products. I had acne since my 30s and LRP sorted it and now....touch wood....I have great skin (for me!)

La roche posay effeclar is amazing, like you I suffered from acne for years and years. Not my skin is oily, with some dry bit and occasional breakout.