Greasy skin/large pores/blackheads. Can I ever make it stop?!

[NatashaRf]

Just that really please.

I'm now 35.

And STILL greasy skinned, blackheads/blocked pores on my nose and chin.

Get actual spots on my chin before my period still.

I've tried so many different skin cares.

Do I just need to accept this is my life?

If you're similar and have found a routine or products that help please advise.

Just to add I eat well generally (do find my skin is worse if I have sugar/refined carbs but that's not often) but I think I'm a greasy person - for example hair needs a wash every other day or it's gross.

It never stops but if you break out you can ask the dr for a topical to knock the bacteria on the head.

I’m oily but I don’t break out after having treatment.

I've scaled back my skin care and found my skin has improved dramatically.

I'm still greasy but more at the end of the day rather than as soon as i wake up.

I use Gallinee face vinegar and their foaming face wash. They're products are prebiotic and it really seems to suit my skin. I no longer moisturise daily and instead use a hydrating facial oil 2 or 3 times a week before I go to sleep. And for spots I use acnecide.

My skin is in no way perfect but it's definitely improved.

You need La Roche Possay Effaclar range , wash-tone and cream. Is a God sent believe me

I feel you! The only bonus is that you won’t get premature lines!
I use Liz Earle cleanse and polish, an antibacterial face wash and a non comodogenic moisturiser - I avoid any areas with large pores/ only moisturise the bits that need it, occasionally use none. Occasionally I’ll use the Liz Earle toner on a cotton wool pad, with a few drops of tea tree oil. Go easy though, my skin was fine but might not be the best idea if you have sensitive skin.
Don’t touch your face.
Wash masks or use disposables.
Clean pillow case each night.
Hair off face.
Lots of water, exercise and fruit and veg too. When I was younger and it was particularly bad, I’d stay away from oily curries etc.

No it never stops, I have 10 years on you and then I think it can get worse for some people during peri/menopause.

If I had to distill what I have learned over the last 30 years, it would be this:

1. What works for one person doesn't necessarily work for someone else, e.g. oil based cleansing, particular toners
2. You need serious skincare ingredients, so either a doctor or a dermatology service. I am using Dermatica with tretinoin, niacinamide (good for oily skin) and clindamycin (antibiotic)
3. It is just as much about what you put in your body, if you have a hormone imbalance, such as PCOS, then no amount of potions on the surface will solve it long term - the pill/HRT can help but has to be right for you. The only thing I think makes a difference food wise is cutting down on dairy, but again what works for someone doesn't always work for someone else!

Hate to break it to you, but I’m 47 and still have this. What works best for me is oil cleansing, azelaic acid, nicotinamide and making sure I’m well moisturised. Have do steer clear of anything harsh like Alpha H or peels, which you would otherwise think would help, or my skin doubles its already copious oil production for ages.

I’ve heard good things about spearmint tea. Off to try that next!

Skin & me has worked wonders on my 30s oily skin - a mix of prescription tretinoin, azelaic acid and Niacinamide, and the tube gives an exact dose so you can't overdo it. Even my husband has noticed the difference and after 4 months my skin has never looked better. It's £19.99 per month but I'm saving so much in fancy skincare that I no longer need.

I'm 10 years older. It hasn't stopped for me but I've found LRP Effaclar a real help. I use the cleanser and Effaclar Duo.
My open pores have got worse with perimenopause hormones. And I think I'm greaser than ever! I like blotting sheets rather than powder.

My partner had a really bad skin cutting back in dairy has really helped

It’s never stopped for me. I’m 43 and pores are huge now I’m peri menopause. Always shiny and oily! Have 2 large spots on my face as we speak! All I can advise is eat as healthily as you can and get loads of sleep. The best skincare products I have found are Aesop in two minds range. Pricy but works for me. Good luck op!

Roaccutane was the only thing that worked for me.

I’ve had great success with Skin&Me recently - I’m
absolutely terrible at sticking to a routine but it makes it so simple that even I’m managing it! I had similarly congested, oily/combination skin. It’s really improved a lot - sebaceous filaments in particular are loads better and I’m much smoother and less congested with more of a glow.

Thanks everyone!!

Off to research skin+me!

This post could have been written by me. I've tried everything and nothing ever worked... Until I found Effaclar.

My routine is now entirely LA roche posay except kiehls vit c serum in the morning which has also made a big difference! I also use LA Roche posay retinol

I am 40 and have similar skin issues.

Recently I contacted the gp and was advised to try acnecide cream. You can buy this over the counter for about £7 a tube off their website. It is clearly marketed at teens but the blurb says it stops the bacteria that causes spots.

I got their cleanser and spf moisturiser too. First time in years my skin is spot free. Pores also reduced, less redness too.

Hope this helps. It's a cheap but effective option x

The foreo mini face exfoliating thing has helped clarify my skin. I use it probably 4 or 5 days a week. I assume by helping the pores not get blocked.

If I'm having a bad week, the nip + fab salicylic acid day pads are effective at clearing a breakout.

Mine is pretty much just my cheeks. I've always been oily, but since starting the minipill it's gotten worse (a common effect)

I strongly recommend the paula's choice products, especially the BHA 2% liquid exfoliant, my holy grail when it comes to acne. However, I've recently been breaking out due to a hormonal treatment, and I got something stronger (Duac) for the inflamed pimples. It's working wonders. You need to find the root cause though and be extremely serious and consistent about skincare.

My routine:

AM
Cerave foaming cleanser
2x/week BHA 2% PC
spf 50

PM
Double cleansing
Either BHA 2%PC OR AHA 5% PC
Hydrate

You sound like me op!

My skin really dried out when i was pregnant, I was delighted! Sadly 6 weeks later the greasiness returned!

I found washing my face twice a day and moisturising helps. I've tried fancy ones and cheap ones over the years. Not found much of a difference.

Would you try a medical treatment? Topical syuff never really did it for me. Topical medication maybe, or Spironolactone? Really good for acne prone and oily skin. There's no point suffering needlessly. If your GP practice has aa GP sympathetic and knowledgeable with skin issues, that would be my first port of call. Otherwise a private derm (with no vested interest in selling you something). Seems to me every other service - beauty clinics, online service etc - need to sell you something and are therefore biased.

Aldi salicylic acid toner is really good…. And cheap!

Another vote for LRP effeclar.
I am also greasy but the bonus is you are less likely to be wrinkly later.

Glad you’re looking in to it OP - absolutely zero pressure, but I think there’s some kind of referral thing if you’d like, PM me if you’re interested and I’ll investigate! It’s honestly been great for me (zero other vested interest!)

For interest, my routine (now skin has settled down after adding a retinoid - before this I would have skipped morning actives)

AM:

Cerave smoothing cleanser
Nip&Fab Glycolic pad (I use extreme as my skin tolerates them really well, the normal is also great, have also dabbled in Paula’s choice but find it more irritating)
Cerave Hyaluronic serum (or whatever moisturiser I lay my hands on)
Garnier or LRP Shaka facial SPF

PM:

Superfacialist vit C oil + Cerave smoothing double cleanse
Skin & Me niacinamide/azaleic acid/tretinoin combo
LRP cicaplast baume B5
Blistex cream or lansinoh on lips

Should probably add vitamin C but I’m not mad about it as an ingredient and I’ve reacted to a few different preparations.

Oh also re. hair - I’ve recently discovered the umberto gianni scalp restore range as I was having greasy hair ++ with a really irritated scalp + flakes and it’s absolutely brilliant - has genuinely transformed my scalp and hair in about 5 washes and one use of the scalp scrub!

Same OP. Skin & Me is good. Skin definitely clearer.

I have actually found a few topical things over the years that reduce the spots and blackheads though.

But the only thing I've ever found to really make my skin less oily (I'm a shiny oil slick within an hour of washing and doing make up) is high dose Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). It's a regime suggested on lots of acne websites. I don't do the high dose anymore but it really cleared my skin quickly when I went to oil overdrive (with bad acne) after having my first child and hormones went crazy. Now I find that making sure I take a strong B vitamin complex every day really helps.

What is your current skincare routine, OP?