Transforming my DP's face with a skincare routine.

[Lobeli]

My DP has bad skin. It's blotchy. He produces a lot of sebum which means he's prone to spots. He has patches of eczema on his face. He has some really dry patches (the eczema) and some really greasy patches. He has quite sensitive skin.

It's really getting him down. He's at the end of his tether. He's asked me for help because I have a good skincare routine and very good skin (not a stealth boast!).

But I'm not too sure where to start. I've just kind of experimented with my skincare routine and its working okay. But my aim for my skin is wrinkle-reduction, even tone and 'glow'. Not really what he's after.

So, where do I start?
In terms of products:
A gentle face wash to begin with?
But what moisturiser (he uses Nivea ATM)?
Any other products to dry up the greasy patches? And nourish the dry patches?

In terms of routine:
A gentle exfoliate with a soft rubber brush to start with?
Then washing with gentle face wash twice a day?
Followed by products? What products?

You ladies are so knowledgeable and helpful. Please help me!

I love my skincare too but my DH can't be bothered with the faff of my routine.
Try The Inksy List or The Ordinary websites. They can build a skincare routine around your DH's issues using around 3 or 4 products.
Or try Cerave. I'd say he needs a good cleanser, then salicylic acid or a gentle scrub or liquid exfoliant then a good moisturiser and if you can get him to use an SPF that would be a bonus.

I have dry/greasy areas on my face and swear by Clinique 72hr moisturiser (not the 100hr, weirdly it’s not the better one for dry skin according to the lady in the lab coat).

I would say face wash just in the morning - he won’t need to remove make up presumably so once a day will be fine.

Cerave is good - I have the salicylic acid one, which is good (my skin is dry and sensitive).

Moisturiser - focus on finding one for sensitive skin - don’t worry if it’s not a “mens” one. I find men’s ones have a lot manly fragrance added. My DH uses my Clinique dramatically different moisturiser.

Thanks for all your replies so far, I am really grateful.

I haven't heard of Cerave so will definitely look out for that. I use some Clinique stuff but I've never been all that impressed with it for my skin but it might work better on his.

He's not fussed about 'mens' products at all, he'll use anything I direct him towards.

Which Nivea does he use? I have similar-ish skin by the sound of it - eczema, sensitive, with some spot breakouts on my nose.

The best my skin has been is when I used jojoba oil each night, after washing with sls-free shampoo! (I used Faith in Nature). At the moment I use Nivea soft (the white one), which has jojoba as one of its ingredients, which I think is why it works for me. Anything fancier just makes my skin red and sore, so I keep it as simple as I can, but it's taken trial and error to get there

Not what you want to hear, but could a lifestyle change help? I had undiagnosed allergies that presented as awful eczema, oily face (so spots) but dry everywhere else, and terrible asthma. After my diagnosis cutting out milk transformed how I look and feel.

It might not be food, for some it’s pets, dust, products etc.

I feel for him as I remember how much it got me down- I broke down in tears at the doctors but even before that I just used to feel like I looked old and awful.

I tried every skincare product under the sun, nothing helped. Now I use simple moisturiser after washing my face with water. My skin looks amazing now.

I have sensitive skin and following one of the plans from the ordinary brought the beginnings of visible changes within a few days. Plus it’s not too expensive and seems quite functional.

Is he has actual excema id steer clear of the actives listed above.
I'd start with a mild face wash suitable for excema such as cetaphil or cerave or la Roche posay and pair it with a gentle moisturiser.

If he’s clean shaven, Dermatica prescription will sort him out without him having to do a whole routine. You just slap it on and moisturise a bit later.

Depending on your budget, could you sign him up to skin & me?

I’ve recently joined them and i’m on month 3 and its been such a difference to my skin.

i originally signed up for the prescription retional but after the consultation they gave me something else to start with and honestly my skin is so good atm!

my current thing is £25 a month for my ‘nightly dose’, but i think you have the option of delaying or pausing your order so you can just buy.

i think atm you can do a free trial for a month and pay just for the postage, i did this originally and saw a difference in 2 weeks so decided to stick with it

Nip fab do a teen range, sounds like a salicylic acid scrub may be good and I think the teen range is based on that

Also one wondering if a change in diet might help! Certain foods can really affect some people. My DH cut out dairy, alcohol and caffeine and now has horribly youthful skin that he does sod all to maintain. I don’t have his willpower sadly …

Hi everyone,

Thanks again for all your inputs.

@BackOnTheBandWagon He uses the white Nivea one with Jojoba

@catfunk We haven't had an eczema diagnosis but he very strongly suspects it is because he has eczema elsewhere on his body and all the signs are consistent.

@sarahc336 I'm a bit nervous of going for things like salyclic acid because his skin is so sensitive and reacts strongly to new products. My thinking is to start off gently just with a new face wash, then add in other products over time.

@Covetthee and @OriginalUsername2 Those are great shouts, thank you. I'll look into them. I'll present a personalised type of approach as an option. He's asked me to help but there's only so much I can do. I've told him he should think about seeing a dermatologist but he's been a bit reluctant.

@Nosleepforthismum and @Cheekyandfreaky I get your point, especially about allergies. But DP's skin is bad no matter what kind of diet he's got at the time and he's had lots - he's currently vegan because we watched a video on YT about a cow that kind of moved (moooved?) into a couple's back garden and fell in love with their dog, and now the idea of eating animal products repulses him. He's had long periods of vegetarianism, then periods eating meat. He hasn't eaten dairy for years.
I'm not sure what to do about other possible allergies.

Hi everyone,

Sorry to revive an old thread but I just wanted to update and say a massive thank you to everyone who helped me a couple of months back.

I spent a small fortune on skincare stuff and we've settled on a really good Cerave routine which is working absolutely wonders for DP's skin.

His dry patches have cleared up, he hasn't had breakout for ages, his skin feels smoother, and has a really even and quite glowy tone.

Thank you all so so much. I really was stressed when I posted back in January and had no idea where to begin. I am so grateful 😻

Wow that is good news (only just reading your old post now!). Proves you don't need topend £££ on a routine and some of the more simpler stuff is best.