Cutting out skin care products improves skin?

[bertiebow]

Really curious about what others thing of this. I have had mild acne for about a year and have tried various things to try and fix it. When I was younger I was lucky enough not to get teenage spots and so never really bothered about my skin, just used wipes or baby lotion as make up remover and splashed my face with water in the morning.

I've been reading quite a bit about people who have cured their acne by cutting out all skin care products. Seem like a lot of people have pretty drastic success with letting skin heal itself e.g. here - www.acne.org/not-washing-or-water-only-reviews-1202/

Has anyone else tried this?

It's difficult to judge because other people might well consider my skin very imperfect and in need of correction, but I've never cared that much. My mother was very anti vanity and make up was never really a part of normal life. I was an eighties teenager so makeup for dressing up was certainly around, but I only really wore make up on stage. I hung out mostly with goths and as my skin is very pale and my hair very dark I fit in fairly well as is. Plus I am very shortsighted and putting on makeup was very hard - if I take off my glasses I can't really see my face!

My spots improved dramatically when I stopped cleansing in the morning and just splashed with tepid water. Spots reduced, skin was softer and calmer.

I've never understood why people use cleanser in the morning. A splash of water - and if I'm particularly sweaty, maybe a rub with a flannel - works fine for me.

I use cleanser in the morning when I use facial oil at night and it makes my skin feel cleaner to me, otherwise I just use a muslin cloth and warm water. Works ok for me so far.

I'm in Greece, still makeup free, just using sunscreen (my lip has finally healed, not risking it ever again) and a swipe of micellar in the evening. My skin feels amazing. I think I will ditch everything else...

Floisme it can be really helpful for reducing allergy symptoms for me (I have dust and pollen allergies so the allergens do sit on your skin and in your hair). I prefer evening showers unless it's hot and I'm showering twice a day, so easier just to use a very gentle cleanser.

Ah yes, I can see your point Hopeful. I've never managed to identify what sets off my skin so I just use as few ingredients as I can.