Very oily skin - need ideas

[bambinaballerina]

So, before having kids my skin was very oily and had acne (quite bad, especially on forehesd and cheeks), I used a mixture of products but never with a precise idea in mind, never had a routine and never had sunscreen (horror).

I had my DC in 2017 and 2019 and now my skin is slowly getting oily and pimply again (it was dry during pregnancy and post partum).

I'm using clean and clear moisturiser and a sunscreen (Anthelios, gel cream, doesn't break me out took much). Other products make me break out.

Should I start using something stronger? I'm 28 not sure if I should prevent first signs of aging (don't have them atm). I'd like to start understanding skincare and use something consistently.

Drink. spearmint tea.
Get DIM supplement
Use the Ordinary ascorbic acid powder mixed into your sunscreen - it really cuts oil and acts like a primer and is good anti ageing.
Ditch clean and clear anything - too harsh.
Ditch dairy

I too have very oily skin. I would switch to a more gentle cleanser.

The thing that helped my skin was using a hydraluronic acid to help with dehydration. So I use Hydraluron from Indeed Labs before sunscreen. It seems to balance my skin and has stopped it being too oily.

I’d also use a salicylic acid of some sort a few evenings a week to keep pores clear.

Tea tree range or seaweed range from
Body shop are good and gentle

Plus the glycolic nip+fab pads few times a week

If your getting spots & you’ve had quite bad acne before I wouldn’t bother with anything cosmetic I would see the dr.

At 28 you shouldn’t be getting spots anymore. There must be an infection in your skin which will feed off the oil.

Skin infections are quite hard to treat so don’t waste money on over the counter cures that won’t work. If your baby is under a year you’ll still be getting free prescriptions so make use of them.

cks.nice.org.uk/acne-vulgaris This the treatment protocol for acne.

I never had acne till I was about 17, nothing worked long term except dianette which gave me migraines so I’m contraindicated now. I was offered roaccutane at 30 but was scared of it due to media stories so I limped on till 41 when I went on the contraceptive implant and it went cystic. I took roaccutane for 4 months & although my skins still oily the infections been killed so I don’t break out anymore.

I use this Paula’s choice aNd it’s made such a difference. Stopped breakouts and my skin just feels more under control. www.paulaschoice.co.uk/skin-perfecting-bha-liquid-exfoliant-m2010.html?dwvar_m2010_size=fullsize It’s not cheap but you don’t need much, I just put a bit on my fingers and spread it on, instead of cotton wool - so it lasts ages.

One other thing I use which is cheap as chips is this from Superdrug www.superdrug.com/Skin/Moisturisers/B-Essence-Facial-Lotion/p/605300 it’s a liquid that you splash a bit on after washing your face. It provides a lot of hydration but doesn’t create more oil. I find that my skin is oily but actually dehydrated which then makes it produce more oil. This liquid helps hydrate without adding any heavy product. I just moisturise as normal afterwards then.

I meant to add, be careful with using oily skin moisturisers - often they can be harsh and don’t provide enough moisture which then actually makes the oiliness worse. Try something light with hyaluronic acid as that will provide hydration with out the heaviness. I use Clinique dramatically different hydrating jelly. I also use same sunscreen as you - it’s good!

Good advice, thanks! I will look into buying something light to clear the skin, but that doesn't block my pores (which are quite big).

I used to have a sample mask from REN, glycolic mask, and that gave me amazing skin, but it's a bit expensive. I will have to look for something similar but cheaper. Salicylic acid, heard about it a lot, I must try it!

What moisturiser do you use? I have one from Elizabeth Arden which is too heavy.

Have you had your hormone levels checked?

Skincare wise I like the ordinary - their glycolic acid and niacinimide

@HermioneWeasley yes, a couple of times over the years but the cause of the acne was never found. Only getting pregnant cleared it, but the oily skin is still around, mainly on forehead and chind and nose.

Try an oil cleanser. I had skin you could fry chips on, and thought adding more oil to that was madness, but was told on here that an oil cleanser would help. I wish I could remember who told me that so I could thank them profusely, because they were so, so right. That and niacinamide has transformed my face!

I also use Niacinamide.

theordinary.deciem.com/product/rdn-niacinamide-10pct-zinc-1pct-30ml?redir=1

I’ve been using this at night, only a couple of drops as it’s the brightest orange you can imagine and it’s improved my skin like nothing I’ve ever used before.

theordinary.deciem.com/product/rdn-100pct-organic-virgin-sea-buckthorn-fruit-oil-30ml?redir=1

I think I will try niacinamide from the ordinary and a retinol cream from Indeed Labs. I put a Simple skincare moisturiser yesterday and woke up with a small pimple! Will go straight into the bin.

I though about starting with retinol once a week and see how it goes. Will get the face wash another poster recommended from superdrug and maybe a glycolic acid mask (the one I love is way over budget). And stay clear of alcohol, it seems to make everything worst.

@MrsMcnulty20 yes, that sunscreen is amazing! I used one from Neutrogena years ago that was fab from oily skin, but it's out of production. Most of the others make my skin breakout.