Inspired by another thread - What if you can't wash your face?

[KingCanuteIAm]

Ok, following the "I don't wash my face thread" I suddenly realised that I have the perfect forum to ask for help with my particular ishoo

I cannot use water on my face! It is only the "mask" area (from hairline around my jawline). Getting water on the skin makes it burn, makes it red and sore. Once the redness has passed the area flakes and stays sore. Even a drip running down from my hair leaves a trail.

Sooo, I have terrible skin, there is very little I can use to clean my skin, so far I have found a very expensive rosewater that I can use without any side effects. I can use most moisturisers, cleansers and toners though, as long as I don'thave to wash or rinse them off!

I want to use an exfoliator, my skin is very congested and I have patches that get flakey. I have tried almost everything else so an exfoliator is my next port of call (and possibly last ditch attempt) to get things better, I am well over 30 years old and yet have never had any time without at least some spots

My problem, I cannot find a single exfoliator that does not expect you to rinse them off, it seems that the rinsing action actually helps them to work IYSWIM. I have tried one which I tried to take off with cleanser but that did not work out well - it took ages to get off, left my skin greasy with residue and did not make any discernable difference apart from that!

So, you very clever lot, do you have any ideas what I could try next? Please!

A rough flannel?

sandpaper

But a flannel has water on it...

I am not sure that using dry sandpaper or a dry flannel will have quite the effect I was after

What about one of those electric/battery things that are a bit like a sander, but for your face?

Sorry, that's probably completely unhelpful!!

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An abrasion kit?

Ooh, I know, I know
How about a buf puf (sp?) but use your rosewater instead of water? It's an exfoliation pad thingy, think you can get them in boots.

Or microdermabrasion at a salon.

PMSL: I knew somebody was going to recommend the Oil Cleansing Method!!

Something like these maybe
I have used something like them.

Boots do their own too

Pruners (and Mummyfor 3 ) I don't think oil would inflame it and the method would probably work quite well, however, it wouldn't have the exfoliating action I am after.

In the shower I am just careful not to get my face wet, I am very good at squeesing the water from my hair so it doesn't run down my face!

I don't think it is a water thing as it is the same wherever I have lived, I have lived in hard and soft water areas... It couldn't be something stupid like flouride could it

I am not sure about salon abrasion - it seems a bit severe (not to mention £££s!)

Tortoise, do you have to put water on them to use them? They do look interesting!

No,no water needed. They are moist (I hate that word!). Have a cleaner on them like erm wet wipes really. But have a rougher side to exfoliate with.

Hmm, sounds like a good starting point before I hit the salon

Thanks everyone!

I have started looking into home abrasion kits now though... I wonder if they actually live up to their own hype?

How about the face masks that peel off? I had one (although it was from NZ so I can't recommend it). It felt like it was peeling off the top layer of my skin when I removed it - like peeling off PVA glue My skin did feel particularly smooth afterwards.

It may be worth having a salon treatment to start and then keep on top of it yourself.

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I need to get somthing working on my blaocked pores and blackheads so I think I would need something more than the oil... although it is one to try as a "BETWEEN METHOD" (sorry caps lock!) method IYSWIM!

SD, I have not tried a peel off mask, I will have a scout around. Or is there anyone who could recomend one?

have you tried bottled water? could it be something in the taps?

Have you gone to see a doctor/dermatologist about it, as it sounds very bizarre?
I third/fourth oil method and it's ilk. If you use a muslin cloth, it does help exfoliate, but is not too abrasive. It might be better to do a little over time than to give your face an almightly shock, especially if it's so delicate.

Could you not add salt or sugar as an exfoliator to the oil method?

I swear by the Clarins gentle face peeling stuff: here

I absolutely love the stuff and... it involves NO water as the point is that you rub it on and then the process of rubbing it off exfoliates and cleans the skin. It makes my skin feel sooo good afterwards.

I got lost in all the random helpful suggestions but on cleansers, I always use milk cleansers as I find my skin gets too dry otherwise. Again (sticking with the theme here) I like the Clarins milk cleanser - alpine herbs - which works well for me and I've been using it for years and years.

Edward, it is the same with bottled!

Bleh, no, I just thought it was not life altering enough to bother them with IYSWIM! The odd thing is, my skin is not actually delicate, apart from water, just about anything goes!

DMT, that is a good idea, do you think it would be aproblem getting it off? People say it takes a bit of effort to get the oil off would adding something mean I end up rubbing myself raw?

Bling, thanks, I will look at those. I quite fancy a peel mask, something about them just makes me feel that I would fell clean after one

Maybe you could use a toner and cotton wool pads to take it off?

I've tried this peel off mask before, it's really good:

www.montagne-jeunesse-store.com/sess/utn1549cb486deebcf/shopdata/0020_FACE+MASQUES/product_d etails.shopscript?article=0015_Cucumber%2BPurifying%2BPeel-Off%2BMasque%2B%3D28XL-NCPO-EFS%3D29

And its only 97p and free delivery

I've used loads of their masks and they're all great (off to order some now I've found free delivery too!)

Thank you!

I have ordered a couple of masks!

Do you thik toner would help remove the oil more easily? Why is it the usual method doe s not employ toner or something to get the stuff off?