Another moisturiser and/or sunscreen has given me a face-full of spots! Arrrgh. *pics*

[LividofLondinium]

This is probably more a rant/crying onto other MNer's shoulders than looking for advice (although any would be good of course), but yet again I've woken to a face-full of tiny spots.

I'm 47 and it's only since I turned about 42 that I've had trouble finding either a moisturiser or a sunscreen (or combination of the 2) that doesn't upset my skin. My skin isn't dry or oily, and I don't consider it "sensitive".

I used to use Olay (with added SPF 15 I think it was) with translucent powder on top - fine until I hit 42. If I was outside a lot during the day I used to use Boots Soltan Face Once (SPF 30 or 50) with powder on top. Used to be fine, now it's not. I then tried without the powder on top in case that was the problem...nope...spots.

I tried Body Shop Vit E moisturiser...spots.

Thankfully I've solved the moisturiser issue with REN, but the sun protection is still a problem. Yesterday, after reading very good reviews about how it doesn't cause spots, I tried Simple Kind to Skin Protecting Moisture cream SPF 30, which felt lovely but look at the state of my face! It also feels very slightly tingley and irritated.

I was going to try Ultrasun Face SPF 50 tomorrow ( I'll be outside for a few hours so want proper protection) but...well, my heart sinks.

Another that I'm going to try is La Roch?e-Pos?ay Anth?elios XL Tint?ed BB Comfort Crea?m SPF5?0+ because that has a lot of good feedback, and was recommened to me because it's unlikely to cause spots. We shall see.

Doing some research it seems it's a common problem for sunscreens to cause spots, so looks like I have the choice of protecting my skin or having a bad complection.
Anyone else have this trouble?

[LividofLondinium]

I would suggest not using a soap if you have rocasea
What's the reason, Dame?

I've never been able to work out what causes a reaction so I just keep the number of products and ingredients as low as I can
This is what I try and do if I can too Flo. It's helped by my rabid dislike of the beauty industry, which IMHO use lies brilliant marketing and psychology to extract as much money from women as possible, by convincing them they need to use up to 6 different skin care products per day! They leech off of our insecurities to look young and beautiful, and can eff off with their horrible, often expensive, chemical coctails of (usually) animal-tested shite. You have to have brilliant detective skills to understand what you're really buying, which we wouldn't need to do if the industry was better regulated
Sorry, about the rant I just felt I needed to vent after sodding Simple messed up my face for a couple of days I wonder if I can get a refund?

[MrsCaptainReynolds]

Dermalogica make a good oil-free facial SPF.

Astalift daily protector SPF 30 is excellent too (anti-aging too).

Most moisturisers (and make up) with built in SPF will never live up to their advertised SPF, it's just nonsense.

You need to use a moisturiser which suits your skin type AND an oil free facial SPF cream/lotion, IMO.

If you are getting a bit of adult acne something like La Roche Possay Effaclar range would be good THEN the SPF.

By the way, in summer when you are sweating more and using suncream on face, hands and body, a simple thing to do to keep your face clear is to change your pillow case every night or every couple of nights. Especially if you notice you are waking up pimply.

[MrsCaptainReynolds]

www.amazon.co.uk/Dermalogica-Matte-Sunscreen-Lotion-Fluid/dp/B007SPPQV8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1430584803&sr=8-2&keywords=Dermalogica%20oil%20free%20spf&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

www.amazon.co.uk/Astalift-Day-Protector-30g-SPF35/dp/B00D1G9PHY/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1430584905&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Astalift%20daily%20protector&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[MrsCaptainReynolds]

And a review article from the guardian you might be interested in:

www.theguardian.com/fashion/2013/may/25/modern-facial-sunblocks-beauty-sali-hughes

[FrugalFashionista]

I have mild rosacea, currently in remission, and castile soap is brilliant for my skin (actually my dermatologist recommended it when I was trying to overcome perioral dermatitis). However, it is not enough to shift heavy-duty sunscreen, I need micellar water for that. Potetially anything that cuts grease would work, but oils cause lots of problems for me. I also get acne from lots of sunscreens, and some suncreen chemicals are itchy or stain my clothes (Hawaiian Tropic ruined a white top!). Physicals tend to be scary white. Right now testing Neutrogena sunscreen, good so far but it has only been a week...

I read INCI lists a lot but they are so complex that I have never been able to work out what I am allergic to. I get an itchy rash from something in makeup.

OP I think I've gotten carried away with skincare So many false promises! Also, lots of people seem to have vested interest in creating demand for multiple products So far, very simple routines have worked best for me. And a big hat and sitting in the shade gets a big thumbs up from me too! If your bumps don't fade over the weekend, perhaps see a GP or a dermatologist? Rosacea-spectrum skin disorders are shape-shifters and sometimes medication or specialist treatments really help!

[LividofLondinium]

Thanks Mrs. I must admit I find it hard to spend more than about £8 £20 on anything I put on my face. It would be OK if I could get samples to try before I buy, so I'll see if they do them.

Another issue I have with sun creams is that they need to be reapplied every couple of hours. This, of course, is not possible if they're worn under make-up Which is why I've always gone for the long-lasting, apply once products if I'm out for a while. The mineral ones should last longer I think because they are a physical barrier rather than a chemical one that breaks down in UV.

Good point about the pillow cases! Funny enough it crossed my mind this morning that I should change it more often so I have a fresh one for tonight

[mrsdavidbowie]

You can get a small size of the cleanser for about £8 which might be worth getting.
Or pop to local dermalogica salon ..they should have samples.
I buy the big 500ml salon sizes.twice a year..works out at less than £2 a week

[LividofLondinium]

Thanks Mrs. Just found 8 salons really close to me! Good, I like samples

castile soap is brilliant for my skin
So lovely that something so "natural" works for you, Frugal, and was also recommended by a Dermatologist i.e. a doctor. It sounds right up my street and would be ideal for my morning cleanse

Physicals tend to be scary white
Don't they just! If I could use a tinted powder in top they'd be OK. I'll be trying different things out over the following weeks so I'll see.

So far, very simple routines have worked best for me
This is what I'm finding. When I've been stuck at home and not used products or washed my face for a couple of days I've not had a single spot.

If your bumps don't fade over the weekend, perhaps see a GP or a dermatologist?
Or wear a nice summery balaclava
Last time a product caused an outbreak like this (it didn't really show in the photos but the redness was actually tonnes of tiny spots clustered together, like a load of blocked pores, rather than just redness IYKWIM) the redness had gone by the following morning, and by the day after the skin was pretty much back to normal. This is also the only time my skin has actually felt sore too, so I hope it's "just" something in Simple that it hates. Weirdly I never get spots on my nose or chin (and rarely on my forehead)

[Indecisivejo]

Dermalogica also do one called solar defense booster which you can mix into your REN moisturiser

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Soaps tend to be too harsh for rosacea prone skin even ones that are meant to be gentle. I recently bought some Cetaphil after reading about how gentle it's meant to be and found it really drying.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

The fact you say your skin is better when you don't wash it for a couple of days might mean it's the soap that's irritating your skin.

[LividofLondinium]

It might do Dame. I'll have to keep a diary of what I do or don't do and see if I can find a pattern. When I've not washed my face for a couple of days I've also not worn make-up, used make-up remover, sunscreen or moisturiser. So far the triggers have been sunscreens or moisturisers containing SPF, but I'll be more careful with everything from now on.

[Floisme]

Livid I completely agree with you about the beauty industry. I can rant for England about primers and serums and don't get me started on 'anti ageing' creams!

[YourBubzYourRulzHun]

vix I've just ordered the Dr Hauschka as its on offer in Debenhams, hope it works!

dame how is your skin now? Did it calm down?

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Yes, completely calmed down. I just use E45 wash and Allergenics cream now. Cool water not hot.

[passthecheese]

I suffer from this sort of thing too. And annoyingly it can be things I've used before with no problems, then after a break it either leaves my skin red and sensitive or spotty. What has worked in the past is the Calypso once a day SPF30, this has alcohol in it, but worked very well in 2013, I found my skin was protected and absolutely fine. But sadly not so well nowadays but is fine on oilier areas like my forehead and nose. Also the Calypso facial skin SPF30 which is £4.99 from Amazon or even cheaper from Home Bargains. This feels slightly drying on my cheeks but is working well this year.

One other item that is working for me this year is the Dr Jart Premium Beauty Balm cream from Boots which has mineral sunscreen SPF40.

I use Clinique Take the Day off Balm cleanser which I started using this year and find brilliant. It leaves my face really clean with no residue but not overly tight. For comparison, I also like the Emma Hardie cleansing balm, and the Superdrug Vit E hot cloth cleanser but they seem to leave a slight residue in comparison.

[CanISayOfHerFace]

Clinique City Block SPF 40 is slightly tinted and makes a great primer.

My skin can be prone to spots if I put on something that disagrees with it. So far so good with this though.

I make sure it's completely taken off in the evening with a facewash then a cleanser removed with a hot, clean flannel.

[LividofLondinium]

Yes, it's annoying when something that previously worked suddenly makes skin react.

I woke up this morning, after using Ultrasun Face SPF50 (washed it off with soap, then used REN moisturiser).....and my face is clear! No redness from the spots on Saturday, and it's back to its post-zit smoothness What a relief. Next stage is to try and tone down the whiteness of it with a tinted powder, and that's my "outside all day but want to look good normal" sorted ready for the hike/pub lunch combos

I've packaged up the Simple so will try and return that tomorrow. Ordered samples of Avene and will see if I can get some of the Clinique City Block too. Oh, and bought some castille soaps from this little company so can't wait till they arrive . Feeling a lot more optimistic, thanks dear MNers

[SirVixofVixHall]

The clinique city block 40 is a chemical block (I react to it) but the 25 is a mineral (I'm fine with that one).

[LividofLondinium]

Thanks for the heads-up SirVix

[LividofLondinium]

What I have just learned is that if you wear spf then you need to double cleanse in order to get it all off properly

I double cleanse too...soapy hands, rub, rinse, repeat. Squeeky clean Or if I'm removing make-up I either use Body Shop Chamomille eye make-up remover then soap and water, or coconut oil, wipe the gunk off with tissue, then soap and water until the oil is gone. I think it's something in the chemical SPFs that I react to, because I was fine with the Ultrasun removed with soap/water combo last night.

[SirVixofVixHall]

Might well be Oxybenzone you react to, its a very common allergen. My face looks like yours in the pic if i use it.

[Fearofsluggies]

Great advice from people, esp that night time DrHauschka one, SirVix, want to shuffle off and buy that!

I too have the dreaded rosacea but have been treating it for years so v used to all your concerns.

First - only use one new product at a time, only one new one every couple of weeks the days of going on a supermarket sweep and playing with it all are over my friend. Rosacea skin (or mine anyway) hates lots of new things or change.

I oil cleanse with extra virgin olive oil with some castor oil mixed in - cheap and nothing there to irritate me although other people find almond oil or sunflower oil even better. I love the look of some of those balms, but in my experience even Eve Lom has raised the demon red bumps - the yummy essential oils are to blame.

The best face one I've found is this one which I found via its super high makeup alley rating, also rates 4.3 from 140 reviews or something on amazon. The other one I had great results from for a year before it suddenly made me break out was this.

Also beware of foundations and bb creams - bobbi brown bb and maybelline bb both made me react, but boots cheap botanics bb cream didn't and is only £5 (seems to be constantly on offer)

A good mn recommendation for rosacea was Ole Henrikksen Nurture Me. But may look at your REN one.

Also I just swept up all my new-ish but failed makeups, creams etc and gave them to a friend with tougher skin than me. Made us both feel better, why have them around wasting space and going off.

[LividofLondinium]

Just thought I'd come back and update and let you all know how it's gone...

I took the Simple moisturiser back to Boots and they gave me a refund no bother at all. So put that money towards the Lily Lolo tinted finishing powder which was pretty good over the Ultrasun Face SPF50. The tint is a little too dark if I'm not careful so I'm going to get the untinted version to tone it down a bit.

The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Spf 50+ Ultra light tinted fluid was a success, so I can use that when I'm only going to need protection for a couple of hours.

Received a sample of Avene mineral block but not used it yet. Will give it a go when I can risk waking up to spots the next day, although I think it will be fine.

Frugal the soap bars arrived and I love them! Been using the Coco castile on my face with no trouble at all. I didn't like the sound of it at first - thought washing with what amounts to a bar of oil would leave a greasy feeling - but it's lovely. And it cleans so well, even removes the sun block.

Thanks Sluggies, will add those to the list of potentials.

So I think I've nailed the spot problem (totally clear skin, at least for now)...thanks MumsNetters