Please help. I am contemplating a burhka to cover my skin....

[EbeneezerSlouch]

I am nearly 36 and always had dodgy skin. Oily t-zone, with a few big spots p/month (rarely clear). But recently I have developed horrible dry, red, sore patches on my forehead and around my nose and mouth. As well as hormonal spots. Gee, I am a picture.

I have binned the nivea facial wipes which may have caused/certainly exacerbated the dryness and am now cleaning my face with aqueous cream mixwed with water, rubbing off with a muslin. Days on and still looks awful.

has anyone got any ideas what I can do? short of a paper bag? oh, and I am skint so please don't recommend creme de la mer or similar.

Thanks loads

gosh, ebenezer, I have been meaning to get around to posting the same thread!

I have always had oily skin, with spots, so have used a light clinique wash-off cleanser and light moisturiser. Now, I still have the spots, but dry skin and flaky patches [attractive]. So need to sort out the dry skin without greasing up the spots.

i will be watching with interest.

I have v sensitive skin and have to be v careful about what i use - have found that aqueous cream drys my skin out (??!).

i use clinique conforting face wash which is really creamy and nice but have found I am allergic to their moisturisers. At the mo am using simple moisturisers.

Aside from that, DD gets v mild excema as do I (round dry patches usually on body) and I have found they flare up at this time of year - I have put it down to the central heating! If there's a possibility it's a bit of excema or something like that then your GP should be able to help - DD has hydrocortisone which is wonderful stuff.

Otherwise all I can suggest is sticking to hypoallergenic, really rich products (I think I was OK with ponds too), not scrubbing your face when you wash as this can make things much much worse. Oh and maybe put the rich creams on the bits needed rather than all over the spots as well.

HTH

I have oily spotty skin and have started using Dermalogica medibac range, which really seems to be helping.

they also do a great moisturiser called Active moist which is for oily skin, so moisturises but without the spots.

I can sypathise. My spots were so bad a while back I had to get some anti-biotic cream from the doctors (it is called Eryacne and is brilliant). When they're not so bad (non stressed, non pms), using facial exfoliator every day seems to help.

Like 'Annthecat' I have oily spotty skin and have done for the last 25 years. The only thing that keeps it under control is the Dermalogica products - Medibac facial wash and Active Moist. My skin is a mixture of oily and dry and this is the only moisturiser that maintains the balance

I have a fabulous dermatologist here in Paris. She is an acne specialist who has written loads of papers about the treatment of acne. One consultation is about 70 euros. Let me know if you want more info.

In the mean time, use Sensifluid cleanser (by A-DERMA) which will stop irritating your skin.