Does anyone else have skin like me.....

[Indecisivejo]

Ok so I'm a fair skinned red head and my skin has always been naturally sensitive but over the years has become even more so and I would now describe it as hypersensitive/reactive. It's also dry and feels 10 sizes too small if I don't put moisturiser on straight after showering/cleansing (happens no matter what cleanser I use so isn't from using anything too harsh and I don't use foaming) but my skin often looks shiny through day but isn't at all oily it still feels tight and uncomfortable even when shiny (extremely dehydrated I guess) I also get spots still, sometimes whiteheads and sometimes those sore red lumps, sometimes both together :( and often get more rashy type clusters of spots. I cannot use anything fragranced on my face. Make up is very hard work, cannot wear foundation it looks awful on me but tinted moist looks shiny and gives no coverage. Cannot wear powder no matter which one! I'm using no7 intelligent colour which is best of a bad bunch. Oh and mineral foundation is a NO NO.
does anyone else have freaky skin like this? What do you use?
(My skin cannot tolerate lots of products so can't do the whole cleanse,acid,hydrate,serum,cream blah blah lol)

The cleanser I'm using at mo is ph balanced (derm ultracalming)
Which oil based one do u use and which water based one? What about moist?

Where do you buy avocado oil from? I'm a bit wary about using only that on my face, avocado oil is very fatty (good fats) so worry it would cause spots used neat?

I have used a'kin and it didn't agree with me, I tried the rose and geranium creamy cleanser which irritated my skin and I HATED the smell it made me feel physically sick, and the 24hr unscented cream which again didn't seem to suit my skin.

My skin is very similar but has improved recently since I started using Cetaphil cleanser and cream. I add a few drops of argan and rosehip oil at night. I can't say I am convinced ny skin is properly moisturised but I am very loathe to try anything new as it is so much better. I recently tried La Roche Posay Efaclar and it set my skin off.

The thing that made the immediate difference was stopping using Simple products. I had used them for years as they were 'sensitive'. My arse. They were terrible for my skin.

I am going to try not washing my face in the shower. I have resisted it feeling it is faffy but probably worth a go.

M

Oh no! It's my favourite cleanser ever. I even save to get it if I'm strapped for cash.

Sorry I've not been much help

Also I use Piz abuin anti allergy 50 spf face sun cream. I haven't had any problems with it and it is cheap. I buy it online as they don't tend to have it with the normal range in shops.

Neal's Yard Remedies Calendula Cleanser is really soothing for dry /stressed skin. It's from the sensitive range.

ICJump don't apologise I'm grateful for your suggestions :)

I've started doin my face at the sink rather than shower to see if it makes a difference, not so far though but only been few days (used to do it at sink but missed the waking up feeling of washing in shower but will behave myself)
I haven't tried cetaphil cleanser but refuse to even try with that ingredients list :(. I didn't get on with rose hip oil but may try Argan oil mixed in my moist maybe??? Where u get yours from?

Now on hunt for new foundation/tint after the comments about the no7 intelligent colour but am not hopeful as think I've tried most!

Not sure if this has been said already but only try one new thing at a time each 2-3 weeks or so, so you can work out what works for your skin.

Also my skin can't do water (which I know sounds mental) that's why the avene extremely gentle cleanser works for me- you wipe off without the need for water.

I'm in Australia now, so get my avocado oil in the supermarket here (so very cheap and economical, as it lasts for ages), but I think when I was in the UK it was in Holland and Barratt. It will feel oily initially, but my skin soaks it up now, and it really doesn't break me out (in fact the opposite.) For years and years I have tried high end, low end, you name it, and really cutting it back to this has been a miracle. Previously, I would always always have one or two breakouts, alongside sensitive, combination skin, but now I basically never get a breakout (and if I do it's because I've put another product on my skin, especially a sunscreen or something.) But you will have to find which oil suits you ultimately, and oil cleansing method does take a while to really work, and a while to get used to the different feeling.

I started with castor oil and almost overnight saw a difference, but then found it really drying and a bit harsh, so I have tried, coconut oil (breakout), olive oil (breakout), sweet almond oil (fine but not moisturising enough, so a bit dry), and finally avocado oil, which has been a revelation. It is just really anti-inflammatory. Your skin sounds stressed - I think you should try and really simplify. I have never tried Argan oil, so if you can't find avocado, maybe try that and see how you go.

My oils are from Akamuti but only really because I buy them in a local shop. They seem fine to me.

I often think water might be bad for my skin. It is for my hair but can't seem to feel happy getting clean without it. Addicted to hot water!

Just had a look at the cetaphil ingredients and they do look awful. It was recommended to my sil by a dermatologist and seems to work ok for both of us. Can understand your wariness though!

Blue cap Aveeno? Often third off in boots. Cheap as chips really.

I swear by it on my face. And DS eczema. Green cap doesn't give me enough moisture.

I wash with la Roche efaclar wash at night to remove make up (twice) and then use creamy in morning with a flannel, have had Liz Earle but currently loving elemis. Pricey though.

The big spots if they are on your chin are hormonal and frankly skin care won't resolve them. Note you get them on alternate sides usually each month.... That's your ovulating side.

Try evening primrose or agnus castus depending on whether you're light or heavy (periods). I get my Agnus from Amazon as H&B are such a rip off.