My shiny, oily, blotchy skin and foundation after menopause

[StormyLovesOdd]

Please help me, I don't have many wrinkles and people tell me I look younger than my years (50) BUT I was kicked into menopause a few years ago when I was 44 and diagnosed with breast cancer, I'm okay now thank goodness but I think this has really effected my skin.

I now have oily skin, red patches and open pores which look really awful, I can't seem to wear foundation without it going really really shiny, I've tried so many different brands, powder, oil blotting sheets, everything but nothing sticks, it just goes shiny and slides off my face even double wear didn't stick around for long is there anything else I can wear/do to make my skin look better. It's really effecting my confidence.

I already cleanse my face morning and night with Superdrug's hot cloth cleanser and I don't think I can improve on the cleansing much I just want something to help me look fresher and polished when I go out

I must be past help

Don't have any advice unfortunately, but I'm the same. Similar age and also had breast cancer. Hopefully someone will reply.

I’ve got incredibly oily skin. You could try niacinamide for open pores.

Have you tried Bare Minerals foundation, the powder one that you buff in? That works with the natural oils in your skin.

Placemarking. Also oily.

Hi op so you are happy with your cleanser, as a 44 year old with the same skin as you describe, I can highly recommend alpha H liquid gold, after cleansing and removing eye make up, I put this on alternate nights and it has made my skin the best it has been.

I have tried many creams etc but this is fab!! quite pricey but should last a while. I also recommend face theory cera-c pore reducing toner daily. I use face theory ocuwake eyecream, followed by face theory Amil-C whip in the day (and face theory relaxing night cream) and la Roche possay invisible factor 50 in the day.

Make up wise I find too much and it makes my skin dry in the pores and shiny on my t zone so, I use L'Oréal infallible concealer where I need it, followed by a light dusting of no 7 airbrush away finishing powder or, for a bit more coverage just a bit of Garnier BB anti aging cream. I also love Olay regenerist glow serum to give a healthy glow.

It sounds like alot but it has taken me years to be comfortable in my skin and now I am.

Good luck I hope you find a good regime. Oh and loads of water.

Urban decay all nighter foundation. Has amazing staying power & covers everything.

But you need a primer first, especially for oily skin and then one to brighten to stop the foundation looking ashy. I recommend honey dew by NYX (recommended by Sali Hughes).

And Paula's Choice do brilliant skin care for oily skin. Quite pricey so get some smaller kits to try first & look for deals. They often do flash sales.

Tretoin from skin and me plus Paula’s Choice - as above. introduce both slowly. Urban decay or EL double wear light with optional setting spray. Honestly I was a slime ball and now don’t really need powder. It’s a miracle!

Here are my tips...
Wear as little makeup as you can get away with and especially avoid oils and anything which will clog your pores even more.
Wash your face with lukewarm water and cleanse thoroughly with something like Cerave.

Thank you everyone, I'm googling everything your all recommending though I think some of these are probably out of my price range.

Are any of the BB creams worth trying ? I know they do some that are oil free like the Clinique one?

I've tried EL double wear and it did stay put but made my skin look dead. Is EL double wear light better?

A good mild BHA toner maybe try Paulas Choice, also try the anti redness toner from Face Theory. It helps me a lot when I had red or sensitive skin.

Anything with colloidal oatmeal helps calm my irritated skin too

I've tried Garner BB cream but it just disappeared in my oily skin as soon as I left the house. I'm back in my office soon and need to smarten my self up to help my self confidence. I feel such a mess

Thanks everyone, I'm reading and making notes on all these. It's my birthday soon so I could treat myself with my birthday money

Never tried anything from Bare Minerals but it sounds interesting

I had no joy with bare minerals - it sat in my pores ans made them look enormous. It went a bit flagged. Lilly Lilo was better (and cheaper and does sample sizes) but honestly the EL double wear light has made my skin look pretty amazing. Counter staff matched me ans gave me a decent sample so easy to try ans you can buy online for less.

Oh ans yeah the light is the important but. The ordinary is horrific!

Dermalogica medibac is great for oily and red, blotchy skin.

I also use Rosalique primer which is a base for red skin, followed by phorea foundation then pressed powder. Both Rosalique and phoera were advertised on Facebook and they are honestly brilliant products.

Thanks everyone, I might give the double wear light a try and look into the other recommendations too. I now have a long shopping list saved on Amazon

I struggle with oily skin too. I've also got sensitive skin and eyes and react to lots of products.
Maybe try a different cleanser? It may be too heavy or have something in your skin is reacting to. If my skin doesn't like something it gets even oilier, worse pores and under skin bumps etc.

I wouldn't splash out on the Double Wear foundation personally, I don't rate it at all and have read many posts on here saying the same. Primark do a dupe of it for £5 which isn't too bad.
Rimmel 16 hour foundation is good, and Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse is good if you want something that's quick to apply. Set it with a little loose powder. You could also look at trying a primer and/or setting spray.

I use Garnier Micellar Water, it's very gentle and gets rid of the oil. Then I use a Nivea moisturiser for sensitive skin with spf. I sometimes use Superdrug's glycolic acid toner at night, and that does improve the texture of the skin and pores. I also use a face wash to remove make up at night as it seems to suit my skin better than using a cleanser.

My dermatologist advised me not to use toner at all - it enlarges pores.

Definitely try niacinamide for oily redness it is inexpensive and works a treat.