Moisturiser that won't freak my skin out?!

[smudgedlipstick]

Please help?

I have developed the lovely adult acne ever since I had my dd (3years ago) which still hasn't sodded off. I have very sensitive skin which is now quite oily (yet dehydrated) and so sore most of the time, I can't find a moisturiser that doesn't freak everything out my face is consistently irritated, any suggestions people? I have been eying up the nip+fab glycerine serum, I just can't put up with my face being so sore all the time

La Roche Posay Toleriane range is excellent for irritable skin. Mine is very allergic to loads of things and the Toleriane moisturiser really helps. Also Clinique Moiature Surge too but it's a bit pricier.

Smudged, yes I have tried the glycolic serum. Not sure about it though.
It can be a bit stingy, and it's very fragranced.
I had high hopes for it, and was very disappointed.
I have found more superior active serums, and moisturising ones too, so I don't know where to place this one.
It's currently on my shelf getting dusty.
Definitely love the pads though!

Dr Hauschka. Works miracles on upset and inflamed skin. It is the only thing that gets my skin back to normal if I have any kind of flare-up (have v sensitive ,celtic, mildly rosacea prone skin) Doesn't bring me out in spots. There are specific treatments for acne etc, I use the month long treatment when my skin starts looking red and irritated and everything seems to be making it worse.

I cant have Simple either...I cant use my eczema cream on my face as it feels like I have been scolded.

Badger Balm is the thing I can currently tolerate

I think people think because it's called Simple it must be ideal for sensitive skins. But it's not. Good branding though.

Can I also say la roche posay? There's a new baume which I've been using and it's excellent, my skin has never been better.

DD has really sensitive acne but dry skin, poor soul. Her skin hates most things but she gets on with the LRP toleriane ultra 0% (richer but no colour/fragrance etc) and the Weleda Sweet Almond soothing facial cream which is richer than the LRP but still suitable for sensitive skin. The weleda is better as a winter moisturiser and the LRP as a summer.

I second the LRP Toleriane range and Weleda almond range. Please don't use coconut oil on your skin, it might suit some people but I would not recommend it, it will clog up you skin. Gentle is the way to go until your skin settles.

Bioderma Sensible miscellar water is a great make up remover and morning cleanser and La Roche Derma cleanser for evening cleanse or second cleanse. Toleriane Fluid to moisturise.
Escentual has 30% off French pharmacy brands until tonight so you could order them online as they are cheaper than buying them in Boots. They have a starter kit for Toleriane range and a travel size Bioderma miscellar water. You could try them before you commit to full sizes.
www.escentual.com/la-roche-posay/larocheposay154
www.escentual.com/bioderma/bioderma013/

Nip + Fab pads are less than 1/2 price in Boots atm, highly recommend.

The best advice I've had was from someone on here a while back - she recommended switching to products designed for sensitive skin (rather than the oily/spot prone/teenagery stuff I had been using) and whaddayaknow, my skin's a lot happier. I alternate between Boots Botanics organic moisturiser and oil (night only), and the Superdrug hydrating serum depending on what face make up I'll be wearing that day.

At what point in your skin care regime do you use the glycolic pads? That's the only thing that is put me off so far ok beautifully you have put me off that, it doesn't sound like something that is going to go well with my skin, thanks. Lrp toleriane will be next on my list I think then since it's had so many people mention it. Anyone used a facial oil? I keep looking into them also but don't know which one would be suitable. Anyone use one? I like the idea of st irking to sensitive skin products, I do usually go for things that say acne prone or something along those lines, but they are so drying and stingy, and more recently, making my face swollen 😷

I have horrendous cystic acne and am having good results with dermalogica intensive moisture balance.

On another note, I was just about to go back to the doctors for the first time in years, as my skin was getting worse and worse. Thought I'd try one of these blue light things first (£115 off amazon but with a 45 day money back gaurantee). Within a week, it's calmed my skin right down. I'm mega impressed.

I find Eucercin good.

I don't use acids so can't advise on the glycolic pads. I tried rosehip oil from Neal's Yard and it did not agree with my skin at all. I've been using Aurelia Night Cell Repair Oil and love it. Clarins Lotus Oil seems to be very popular too. I see Una Brennan range for Boots recommended a lot and it is much more affordable than the above recommendations. I haven't tried it yet but will when my current products run out.
www.boots.com/superfacialist-rose-miracle-makeover-facial-oil-30ml-10144878
This is the Aurelia Oil I use.
www.aureliaskincare.com/products/cell-repair-night-oillocover=true&settingsSaved=Y&shippingcountry=AT&switchcurrency=GBP

Oh and this is excellent when your skin literally hurts. You could try to blag a sample from a Clarins counter if there is one near you to see how you get on.
www.clarins.co.uk/sensitive-skin-skin-beauty-repair-concentrate/C010403003.html?start=11

Hylaronic acid is your friend. I had the same issue and really it was all down to dehydration. Avoid dry skin products and opt for hydrating ones. I swear by Clarins Hydra Quench Cream Mask. It does not irritate my skin and I apply it as a moisturiser and leave it on overnight. My skin is soothed and hydrated with no breakouts. Try layering a hydrating serum underneath like Avenue or Superdrug's Simply Pure which is v cheap and extremely effective. I cleansed with something anti-microbial and calming like Dermol 500 lotion which you can buy over the counter - ostensibly for dry itchy skin but prescribed to me by dermatologist for adult acne/Rosales and sensitivity. I used a hot cloth to cleanse with this and have not had any problems since. Good luck OP. I've been there it is horrible but it will improve.

I emailed Victoria Health to ask for help with The Ordinary products. They suggested a routine using 5 different products which came to the grand total of £29. I've been using them for two weeks now and my skin is definitely improved. Worth a try.

Sorry Avene not Avenue!

I wouldn't use any oils if you've got acne. I use LRP, avene or cetaphil moisturisers fir my sensitive skin. I had good results with LRP Effeclar Duo for cystic acne which is a chemical exfoliator and anti inflammatory. Don't use the microbead exfoliators. I would really just change to a very basic cleanser & moisturise from a good sensitive skin brand and for your spots I would first go to your GP. Ask about azeliac cream/acid.

If your skin is oily but dehydrated you need to avoid acids and exfoliates as they will dry and irritate the skin, prompting it to make more oils (and more spots).
I have always had spit prone and dehydrated skin and what has been working for me this winter is the Garnier Skin Naturals 'Goodbye Dry' cleansing wipes (they have rose oil in which is soothing to skin) and Burts Bees daily moisturiser which is super nourishing but not so thick that it causes breakouts. I love it and it always leaves me with a healthy glow (rather than a sore face!). No nasties in there either. Highly recommend.

Also up your water intake. I increased my daily water intake to 2 litres a day - my breakouts were worse for the first week or so, after that the difference was amazing. Face felt plumper, pores were smaller and lots of people commented. More energy and better concentration were added bonuses

Aurelia range, the only range of Probiotic skincare, have been using it for about 7 years, my youngest Daughter gets spots, said I must be mad paying for this, (now £52 a pot, plus postage) Is now a convert! It has all completely natural ingredients. We both suffer with Eczema. I eventually couldnt even use the Simple range. You need to be careful with Retinal products, they can make your skin photosensitive.

Ok I have bitten the bullet and made a decision 😂 I have purchased the ordinary buffet and the advanced retinoid 2%. Hopefully this will make some sort of difference for me, if not then I now have quite a long list of brands to try, thanks all for your help! I definitely need to up my water intake, I am one of these people who never feel thirsty so have to consciously make myself drink something other than coffee

Well done OP. I hope you like them both, the retinoid is fabulous. No hyaluronic acid to add moisture?
You could get the glycolic nip and fab to use on alternative nights with the retinoid. I use them after cleansing, and before essences/serums. But, that wouldn't be for a while. Give the skin a chance to get used to the new things first.
I have just had The Ordinary azelaic acid, and the moisturiser delivered, so I'm excited to try them both. I'm wary of moisturisers though, as I said earlier, preferring to use serums and natural oils, and my mizon snail recovery gel. My skin has been so dehydrated and flaky lately, so I will give it a try.

I really want to tackle my skin, so fed up of looking in the mirror and wanting to cry.

Thanks for your suggestion beautifully! I thought the buffet would hopefully give enough moisture, tbh they all baffled me and after reading them for hours I thought I would just go for those two and see how I get on. I am feeling pretty hopeful of these as I reckon it probably is all the other crap that is in facial products that my skin doesn't like so hopefully these stripped back basic will do the trick 👌 I fell your pain, I sit putting my war paint on every morning looking at my face thinking how shit it looks, I wish it didn't bother me but I worry about it most of the time. Would you use the retinoid every other day to start with? My skin care ATM consists of Liz earl hot polish buffed in with my foreo Luna, then usually some form of moisturiser, I used to use some form of acne wash in between but it was destroying my skin so haven't used that for months.

I also have oily, dry, patchy, dehydrated skin with acne.

It's a joy.

But I can now go out make up free after switching to Spiezia. It's incredibly gentle and natural - a lot of the 'sensitive skin' stuff suggested above would kill my skin - and it's really cleansing and hydrating.

I can even put it on my son's very dry/bumpy skin. He loves it! (He's 6 though...)

They do trial packs as it's expensive - but lasts for months.