Skin care...some help please!

[Aurora63]

I will be 30 next year, yet I still break out. I have been using Clinique for the past two months, the oily skin liquid soap, mild toner (no alcohol in it) and the moisturizer. However, I think it's drying me out and exacerbating the problem. Despite the acne and sometimes oily skin, I find myself very dry in some areas.

Can anyone recommend a good line for battling acne without drying out my skin? I have tried so many things, from drugstore to dept. store and prescriptions, and I am tired of wasting money and having this problem!

 

[goofinoff]

I work for Clinique. Have you tried the acne line from Clinique at all? If the breakouts are your main concern, try the antibacterial soap. What it will do for you, is cleanse your skin from dirt, oil and bacteria. I would suggest that you go with the Gel moisturizer instead of the lotion. The lotion may be too oily for your skin. If you still feel dry, try the moisture surge extra in your dry areas. this will help lock in the moisture. I don't think the mild clarifying lotion is doing enough for you. All of the clarifying lotions have alcohol but it is purely a cosmetic alcohol to keep it in a liquid form so it doesn't crystalize. I would say go to the #3 clarifying lotion. Don't use the #2 because it has menthol in it and that my irriate the acne. So here's what I think you may need:
1. Antibacterial soap
2. Clarifying #3
3. DDMG (the gel)
4. Moisture surge extra (for your really dry areas)

PM me if you have any other questions or concerns!!

 

[disneymama73]

I have combination skin, and I absolutely love Mary Kay's TimeWise 3-in-1 Cleanser and Moisturizer for Combination Skin.

 

[RNMOM]

Perhaps you have Rosacea and not just acne.

I got the best advice here on the board a couple months ago. I am 52 and have very sensitive yet dry with oily area skin. I have a very red face all the time with oozing areas and red spots. I started using Cetaphil face cleaner and the difference is amazing. I have almost normal looking skin with just a little residual red spots. My family comments all the time how much better it looks. I don't have the itching or any of the former problems.

I have tried all the over the counter, prescription and department store brands for sensitive skin. The answer for me has been a bottle of lotion that costs less than $10 and lasts a long time.

Just my 2cents for what it is worth. If you can't get it to clear up you might consider a dermatologist so you don't get scaring from the outbreaks.

 

[MzDiz]

Perhaps you have Rosacea and not just acne.

I got the best advice here on the board a couple months ago. I am 52 and have very sensitive yet dry with oily area skin. I have a very red face all the time with oozing areas and red spots. I started using Cetaphil face cleaner and the difference is amazing. I have almost normal looking skin with just a little residual red spots. My family comments all the time how much better it looks. I don't have the itching or any of the former problems.

I have tried all the over the counter, prescription and department store brands for sensitive skin. The answer for me has been a bottle of lotion that costs less than $10 and lasts a long time.

Just my 2cents for what it is worth. If you can't get it to clear up you might consider a dermatologist so you don't get scaring from the outbreaks.

I love the Cetaphil lotion in the big ol' tub. It's so mild that I don't even worry about getting it in my eyes. I used that for my son when he had such severe eczema that his clothes would stick to his oozing sores. It never irritated him.

 

[Melissa M]

www.acne.org
This program worked for me.

 

[musicotb]

I've been using Biore's new pore minimizing exfoliating soap and oil-free moisturizer, and I used to brak out a lot.
That and a combination of my birth control have GREATLY reduced my breakouts!

 

[belle_of_the_ball]

proactive!!!!! i love it!!! I almost never have acne now.


Remember, if nothing you use works it might be time for a trip to the dermetologist. Sometimes you need things stronger than the stuff you get OTC.

 

[ktpool]

I used to take medication and use face cleansers and ointments prescribed by dermatologist, but I found that using Acne-Free from Wal-Mart works better than the scripts. I still have a couple of break-outs the week before 'that time', so I just picked up the Severe Acne-Free regimen last night. I hope it clears up those stragglers.

It is so not fair that I am closer to menopause than my teens and I am STILL breaking out. It is one cruel joke!

 

[AuroraBorealis]

Clinique never worked for me. It just hurt my face. (No offense to those who love it-- I'm sure it is great for some, but not me.)

What does work for me (and what was recommended by my dermatologist) is Cetaphil and a combination of Aveeno Clear Complexion and Ultra Calming lines. Both lines are very gentle and very effective. Dryness and redness were a huge problems for me and now they are not an issue.

 

[FSUGrad97]

As some of the other posters have mentioned, Cetaphil is fantastic AND my skin is a bit on the wacky side due to being pregnant. I usually have oily skin even when I am not expecting, but if I use products for oily skin, my face gets incredibly dry and even oilier. My face started breaking out at around 30 (I'm 31 now) also. I have tried several lines, but my current plan is working great!

I use Cetaphil to clean, Neutrogena's oil free SPF 15 moisturizer, and Sea Breeze toner astringent for sensitive skin to clean up if I am not wearing make up. I have had a couple of breakouts, but nothing like I've have before. Also, my face is smoother and my makeup goes on better.

Hope that helps.

 

[AshAlytwins]

I have combination skin, and I absolutely love Mary Kay's TimeWise 3-in-1 Cleanser and Moisturizer for Combination Skin.

I stand by Mary Kay because I have been a skincare consultant for 8 years, and the reason I started was because of how well the products worked on my oily skin!! If you would like to try the product I will gladly send you some samples!!!! No obligation!!!

 

[caitycaity]

i'm a cetaphil fan as well.

 

[SusanWasHere]

I love the Cetaphil lotion in the big ol' tub. It's so mild that I don't even worry about getting it in my eyes. I used that for my son when he had such severe eczema that his clothes would stick to his oozing sores. It never irritated him.

totally off topic - but your kitties are soooo sweet and adorable!!! you must be kept nice and warm at night!

 

[sajetto]

I am A LONG TIME sufferer. I've been through the following:

birth control
anti biotics
cleocin
Accuntane (the big dogs)
Proactive
The knock off proactive


Now.... I'm using Spa Sciences microdermabrasion kit and acne treatment and its actually working. I've had a hard time believing it, but who would have thought.

 

[jbthi]

I have skin problems. I have rosacea but I also have acne that I blame my diabetes for. I have used cetaphil in the past and it did help but for the past two years I have used Proactiv and I love it. I use it twice a day, the cleanser, the astrigent and the repairing lotion.

I also go to the dermatologist. She prescribed Metro Gel for the rosacea but I just use every once in a while on my nose if I am having flare-ups.

 

[Lassie Lynne]

I absolutely love Cetaphil cleanser too. I have used many many things in the past, but also had the breakouts and dry combo face thing. Once I did a little research into why my face was acting that way and what products would do such a thing, then I started using things that were giving me better results and cost less money.

I will also advise you to look into this book: "Don't Go to the Cosmestic Counter Without Me" by Paula Begoun. Unfortunately, she has gone more hi-tech and now has her own line of cosmetics and only does updates via her website Cosmeticcop.com (which has subsciption costs for some information, but not all) so the book is now out of date. If you can find the book second hand, better yet, since a lot of the product info will be out of date, but, the information that she has in the front of the book regarding ingredients, types of skin, care of skin, exfolliation, etc. is really good and helped me be informed of just what ingredients are in skincare.

 

[spazzyjazzy]

I also use the Cetaphil Cleanser. I love it. My daily moisturizer I use is Oil Of Olay. I never use anything else.

 

[Gina]

I was soooooo sick of breaking out, especially at this age, and I was this close to ordering Proactive and trying that. Instead, because of a different infomercial being on than the Proactive one, I tried switching from regular liquid foundation to mineral makeup. I know *I* sound like an infomercial now, but I swear to you I don't break out at ALL now. And not only that, my skin is in way better condition overall. I am actually proud of my skin now. (About time!!)

Could it possibly be your makeup?

-gina-

 

[Nala56]

I have had oily, troubled since since I was 12, I'm now 50. I have tried everything, I mean everything. I was on accutaine in my late 30's and my skin was great when I was taking it, but you can't take it very long. I use Oxy wash with 10% benzoine peroxide, Clinques clarifying #4, many different matte lotions (clinque, estee lauder, etc). But still oily.

I have just recently tried Mary Kay Time wise microdermabrasion kit. I bought sample over e-bay. OMG, I love this. I've only been using a week but I can't believe the difference. I just ordered over e-bay a complete set today.

My skin is not as oily, not as red, and just looks better. I'm still using oxy and clarifying lotion and Estee Lauder double matte foundation. Like I said it's only been a week, but so far I'm very pleased.