Oily skin really getting me down

[goodsturdygirl]

My skin is AWFUL. Worst it's ever been. So oily and chin is covered in spots. Some on forehead too plus blackheads and congestion all over t-zone. I have one of those metal pore extractors and I can get so much disgusting gunk out of my skin all the time. It actually feels squishy from the oil 🤢 I don't know what to do. I've been using clean and clear cleanser, Paula's choice 2% bha, & fenty cookies n clean face mask which has charcoal in. Increased how much water I drink (now 2-3 litres) and wash my pillowcase and hair regularly. Use biore watery essence spf. Also started taking vit b 5 as I heard that is supposed to help 😔 what else can I do?? Or what should I do differently? Open to anything, even the latest style of bag to put over my head 😭

Stop immediately with the clean and clear cleanser. It will only be stripping your skin and making it produce more sebum - it's awful stuff. You need a gentle balm cleanser. I use Emma Hardie. You need some kind of glycolic acid and use that maybe 2-3 times a week until your skin gets used to it. I use Beauty Pie and k use it in the morning everyday now as Im used to it. The Gycolic acid has made the biggest difference to my skin. I really notice when I miss it. Then a retinol at night. SPF during the day. I don't use a moisturiser but sometimes a light day oil good.I like Neighbourhood Botanicals. Finally when I get a proper break out I use acnecide once a day after cleansing on the problem areas. I have acne for 30+ years before I worked this one out and my skin is better now at 40 than it has been since I was 10!

Oh and try to not touch your face much. Try not to pick. Give everything a good 6 weeks to settle as that's how lomg - if not longer - it takes for your skin to settle with a new routine

I have excessively oily skin and the large pores and breakouts that come along with it. The only thing that has improved it for me is skin+me monthly prescription. I still have oily skin, but less than it is3d to be, the breakouts have gone and my pores are a lot better.

Niacinamide is going to be your best friend here. I suffer with oily acne prone skin and have found the CeraVe foaming facial cleanser has helped balance my skin out a lot.
In the morning I use CeraVe renewing SA cleanser followed by CeraVe AM Facial Moisturising Lotion with Sunscreen (contains Niacinamide)
Evenings the foaming facial cleanser, alternating with Glycolic acid toner, vitamin C or retinol. Then a simple lightweight moisturiser before bed as a heavy moisturiser makes me wake up with really oily skin.
Hope this helps

See your gp and either take a combined pill liked dianette or Yasmin or fi for spironolactone. Those will deal with the oiliness

This is counterintuitive but I've had oily skin all my life and recently had a lot of success with rosehip oil. I used to wake up with my face like an oil slick and during the day would have to use tissues patted on my face to soak up the oil. I now use sulphur bar soap (from Amazon) and a very gentle moisturiser - Avene Tolerance Emulsion. And rosehip oil in the evening straight after I've washed my face. It is totally stopped all the oiliness amd bonus is that it's also very cheap!

Personally I recommend Face theory products, the niacinamide serum from there really helped my skin which is very oily. They also have a lovely oil free moisturiser and some excellent cleansers.

Definitely ditch the clean and clear and don't use any stripping cleansers like face wash. You need oil to combat oil, so going for a balm cleanser and a serum to treat your skin will do you much more good. Cleansers that strip the skin will make it increase even more oil.

The Ordinary does a really nice rosehip oil.

I have oily skin and use the Ordinary. Agree with the advice on not stripping the oils from your skin - you want to work with it not against it, and stripping it will cause your skin to produce more.

You don't mention a moisturiser but that will help as well, just because your skin is oily doesn't mean it doesn't need the moisture.

As above, change your cleanser to something gentler like cerave and add a niacinamode serum in. You will see a difference in about a week. It really helps restore the skin barrier and regulate sebum production. The ordinary, beauty pie and facetheory all make a decent one that doesn't cost too much.

This is way too much .

Glycolic isn't great for this either IMO

DERMATICA or Skin and me . Get something actually medicated and not overpriced marketing nonsense

But isn't that what's so hard about treating acne prone skin? What works for one person might not for you. There's so much trial and error. And each time you try something new, you need to give it months before you know if it will work for you. I should know, I've been doing it for literally 30 years. You definitely don't have to spend loads of money but I always like recommendations. And glycolic acid has been a game changer for me. Initially recommended to me by a private dermatologist 10 years ago it's made a huge difference to my skin.

Thank you so so much ❤️❤️❤️ I am taking notes & the clean & clear is in the bin!

I follow the Dr Natalia Spierings ( my derm ) school of less is more .

Cleanse
Moisturizer
Spf
Tret / retinoid were suitable

Occasional BHA may help . LRP have great products and

The cleanser you've recommended is over £30 , full of essential oils and fragrance . Just not really necessary or helpful ingredients !

Do not use a balm cleanser on your skin type till it becomes a more normal skin type. Yes to stop using the clean and clear. Cerave SA face wash is nice and mild and although a bit pricier Dermalogica special cleansing gel is just lovely and does last ages as you only need a very small amount. I also love Dermalogica daily microfoliant. Superdrug Simply Pure hydrating serum is great for oily skin. I use it just as a moisturiser a lot. I also use micellar water a lot esp in the evening to remove make up followed by REN glycolic acid or Paula's choice 2%. Although Sunday Riley Luna is an oil it sinks in beautifully and it has retinol in it. You only need a couple of drops so it lasts for ages. You don't need it every night. Apply straight after acids and you don't need anything before or after

I’m still an oil slick at 46. Things which have helped me:

• less dairy and refined sugar
• Dermatica prescription with clindamycin (antibiotic) and niacinamide and tretinoin
• Clinisept spray
• Fragrance free skincare - Cerave, LRP, Cetaphil, Avene
• Keeping well moisturised
• Mineral foundation
• Mattifying/blotting sheets
• Spot patches like Dots for Spots
• Benzoyl Peroxide on breakouts
• Not picking or squeezing my skin as a hobby
• Hormone replacement, first the contraceptive pill and now oestrogen

More oil did not work for me at all.

It's better already - I got the wash with niacinamide in & the sulphur soap & some acnecide & some rose hip oil. I'm actually wondering whether the clean and clear wash was the thing that made it so oily!!

If you want to try oil cleansing then I'd highly recommend the Superfacialist Vitamin C cleansing oil - Sainsbury's often have it on offer for about £7. I tend to use it morning and night, and sometimes follow at night with a gentle foaming cleanser.

Neal's Yard rose facial oil is also great, but pricey.