Seriously fed up with my skin!

[Indecisivejo]

Title says it all really, I am so fed up with my skin it's literally driving me crazy!
I have extremely sensitive reactive skin (cannot use anything perfumed or too rich in essential oils) it's very dehydrated/dry but I am also prone to spots, rashes, congestion, redness. How attractive does that sound! It's a very hard combination to deal with!
Am currently using dermalogica but don't feel the results warrant the cost of it! And have also reacted to a few of their products. I don't want to spend so much money on products that don't even really help but can't seem to find anything that doesn't sting, make my skin tight or cause breakouts and redness etc.

I think it's good to try and learn about ingredients and which ones make you react. I have found that a surprising number of products labelled for sensitive skin actually contain alcohol denat., which is horrid on my skin.

A lot of the suggestions on here are great but I think there is a tendency to use a lot of different products, which your skin may not tolerate.

My suggestions are:
A gentle, plain creamy cleanser such as Avene or Dr Hauschka, removed with a warm flannel. Coconut oil if your skin is okay with it.
A basic moisturiser. I have got on well with Olay Total Effects. It is a good all-rounder and contains SPF. I'm having good results with Soltan Dry Touch and BB cream SPF 50 as a better SPF protection.
Dr H always used to recommend not using night cream. I believe that if you use the right cleanser, your face should not feel desperate for moisturiser at night.

I think a really simple routine like this is a good place to start. As your skin calms down, you could start adding in acid toner, serums etc. you don't say how old you are, but you may not need loads of active ingredients yet.
I read Paula Begoun's Don't Go to the Beauty Counter Without Me and I would recommend it, plus look at reviews on Beautypedia.
My skin is now much more tolerant and I have a few more steps in my routine but I do believe that less is often more - plus if you're only buying say one expensive product, it's more affordable!
Also remember to take fish oil, eat avocados and nuts, and drink lots of water.
I'm by no means an expert but I have definitely got better at looking after my sensitive skin by reading a lot about skincare (with a sceptical eye) and always reading ingredient lists.
Hope this helps!

If it were me I would go down the cheap and simple road.

Cleanse with an oil- almond or olive- wipe it off gently with a hot flannel.

If your skin can stand it wipe over with witch hazel

Then use whichever moisturiser other posters recommend for sensitive skin

OP, do you think you may have Rosacea? The symptoms sound similar with the redness, sensitivity and spots. Are your spots heavy acne type spots or smaller and less deep. If you think this may be rosacea you might want to buy specific products for that. A gentle non astringent cleanser and boots has a serum in no7 range that is very good specifically for this problem. I would follow with a light moisturizer with sunscreen for now. I used to work in skincare !

Thanks for your help all of you.
Yes I do think I have mild rosacea, I get deep spots the red sore lumps but I also get the whiteheads and congestion. If I use anything harsh my skin feels ten sizes too small, light formulations aren't enough but anything heavy and I breakout. Plus my skin can look shiny loads even tho I'm not at all oily, think I'm very dehydrated. Why do most products contain perfume FFS!!
I have to be careful with any spf too as all I've tried burn my face and the natural ones are white and greasy grrrr. I don't wear spf unless it's very hot and I know I'll be outside loads but still not found one anyway.
All I want is something to remove make up and cleanse my skin (currently using dermalogica ultracalming cleanser which I quite like) somethin to hydrate like a spray or serum (just reacted to ultracalming mist) then a moisturiser to make me feel comfortable, not break me out or make me red and burning or make me shiny!!

I've no idea what ingredients irritate my skin; all I know is that the more products I use, the more likely I am to have a bad reaction. I therefore keep my routine as simple as possible. If I cleanse and moisturise with almond oil/wheatgerm oil or coconut oil (these are the ones that work for me) then I can get away with a sunscreen on top - I use Ultrasun Face.

I dislike oil cleansing/moisturising

Ah that's a shame - discovering oil probably saved my face! Everyone's skin is different so it has to be largely trial and error but I'd still recommend using as few products/ingredients as possible. For me that means cleanse, moisturise and sunscreen but no serums, toners or whatever.

Yes I think your right, I just feel like I'm missing a step when I only cleanse and moisturise but think that's something I need to get over lol. Need to find a sunscreen now!

Have you tried Ultrasun Face? It's unperfumed so smells like a chemical works but I've never had a reaction from it. If you live near a John Lewis they often have a tester.

Yes I have used ultrasun but I found it dried my skin out a lot (contains alcohol!)

Celestial moisturiser from Lush should be perfect for you. It's light yet still very moisturising, and v calming.

Have you tried the aloe range from the Bodyshop?
It is unperfumed and works well with sensitive skin

I never pay full price. If you sign up to emails there is often 40% off.

It does sound like you have rosacea but you need a diagnosis - see your GP! You may also need proper prescription treatment.

The next thing is that your spots are not acne spots, they are rosacea spots and want treating differently.

This video with Dr Sam Bunting is good for explaining and I've linked to some other stuff of hers with recommendations.

drsambunting.wordpress.com/?s=rosacea&x=0&y=0

www.mumsnet.com/qanda/dr-sam-bunting-facial-cleansing#Rosacea

In summary her advice is:

All products to be fragrance free

Cleanser - bland, non-foaming: Cetaphil, La Roche Posay Rosaliac Cleanser, Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser

Exfoliation - Salicylic acid only, no scrubs, no other acids, salicylic may help take redness down and treat the spots

Moisturiser - again v bland, water based: Cetaphil moisturiser, Avene Anti-rougeurs

SPF - really important (says 88% will see an improvement by using sun block) but must be a mineral block not chemical eg SKinceuticals, CLinique Cityblock, La Roche Posay Anthelios Extreme Fluide SPF 50

Makeup - no Longwear products as too ward to cleanse so irritate your skin

Medication: there are lots of prescription treatments for rosacea, see a doctor!

Hi,
Thank you, I'm going to stick with my cleanser and moisturiser that I'm using as I do like them and contain no fragrance etc.
I have seen that video, however some of those recs do contain fragrance! And that sunscreen is chemical
What products are there that are just salicylic acid for exfoliation??
Thanks.

Oh crap - I think the issue is it's soooo hard to find something for rosacea. The Skinceuticals def is a mineral SPF just expensive .

The same applies for 'just salicylic' - all the manufacturers chuck other stuff in which is hugely annoying. Often witch hazel which is irritant. You could try looking at Clearasil pads. Paula's Choice do good salicylic products (called BHA) and she's obsessed with avoiding fragrance and irritants, you could start with the milder 1% and see. She does have an anti-redness one which fingers crossed would be better.

If you are still struggling I'd suspect your answer is prescription meds not skincare.