Multiple skin problems...RANT ON!!!

[natalie78]

My face has decided to rebel against me. When I was a teenager and in my 20's, my skin was clear and healthy...fast forward to my 30's and all hell has broken loose!

My forehead and nose are constantly covered in an oil slick. My cheeks and the skin under my eyes have turned sensitive. Let's not discuss the pimples and blackheads that will not leave me alone! There are treatments for everything, but I really don't want to spend an hour a day slathering my face with product.

I cannot possibly be the only person with a multitude of skin issues! What works? What doesn't work? Shuld I just give up and start wearing a face mask?

 

[jclaybo]

I have a ton of skin issues, have never gotten rid of my acne had it since 13, I have some dark spots from acne,I have oily skin and dry skin, not only do I get pimples but I get black heads and cystic bumps,I'm also fairly light(I'm black) but I have some white patches in some areas-nothing and I mean nothing has worked-here lately I have been using PMD(Personal Microdermabrasion) I also do a baking soda mask 2 times a week and a Sheishedo brightening mask 2 times a week and I use the clairosinic and for the past 16 or more years I have done everything short of buffing my skin off and starting with new skin. Consistency is key for my skin but because my skin changes so much-from oily to dry and back after 3-4 months a skin care regimen that was once working no longer works which is where i am at now. I get pro facials once a month now and I change my pillow cases daily and I drink nothing but water and take vitamins. SO with that being said, I feel your pain hun

 

[natalie78]

^Your skin changes, too? Drives me batty. I spend money on a face regimen only to have it stop working or cause another issues just two months later. Ugh...

 

[inherforties]

My skin did a drastic change about a 1.5 years ago and the regime that worked for me just wasn't working anymore. I took a vacation in March and when I looked at the photos, I was shocked at how awful my skin looked! A friend of mine recommended reading Caroline Hirons blog.

And I'm so glad that I did! In just 6 weeks, I have friends thinking I had a chemical peel or some sort of work done.

The product recommendations are always going to be vary by person. For example, a moisturizer she loves and so do so many people, made my face FLAME with breakouts. But I follow her steps for routines and her recommendations on what ingredients to avoid. I got samples of a lot of products to see what works and now I have a solid regime (though still looking for the right day moisturizer) that has helped tremendously.

 

[V0N1B2]

Aww natalie, I'm sorry about that. It's always a bit of a shock to the system when our bodies up and change something on us!

...... I spend money on a face regimen only to have it stop working or cause another issues just two months later. Ugh...

Sometimes this is the problem. Spending money on fancy (expensive) products, regimens and treatments do more harm than good. Not saying they don't work, but often, they're not for everybody. If you haven't recently made a significant change to your diet and can't account for any other reason for the change, I suggest you visit a dermatologist. I can almost guarantee you any of the products they recommend won't be any more expensive than the fancy name brand stuff you may already be using. I've found they often feel that the simpler the better. If anyone knows skin and skin issues, it's a dermatologist.

 

[Jesssh]

Some things that are safe to do:

- drink a ton of water
- eat a ton of non-starchy vegetables
- manage your stress - try to relax as much as possible (deep breathing, yoga, meditation, take breaks)
- avoid sugar (it's inflammatory) and processed foods

Then I would try:

- clarisonic (may not work for everyone)
- supplements like prenatal vitamins or hair/skin/nails vitamins, alpha lipoic acid, selenium, vitamin e (do your research - I started with some of these for hair)
- exercise

Then you can look at the topical treatments and medications.

I have found that nourishing the body can make my skin very resilient. Work on your lifestyle if it is not already optimized. It takes a lot of different practices to keep skin healthy.

 

[inherforties]

Aww natalie, I'm sorry about that. It's always a bit of a shock to the system when our bodies up and change something on us!


Sometimes this is the problem. Spending money on fancy (expensive) products, regimens and treatments do more harm than good. Not saying they don't work, but often, they're not for everybody. If you haven't recently made a significant change to your diet and can't account for any other reason for the change, I suggest you visit a dermatologist. I can almost guarantee you any of the products they recommend won't be any more expensive than the fancy name brand stuff you may already be using. I've found they often feel that the simpler the better. If anyone knows skin and skin issues, it's a dermatologist.

I grew up with cystic acne and had pretty good dermatologists and found a decade or so ago this was true. But recently, and I don't know if it's the change in skin care or if it's because I'm older, I find all they try to do is push filers and peels to combat 'aging'. I went recently for a cyst that pops up every once in a while and she went on and on about a chemical peel that I know people who get keloid scars (ME!) shouldn't do. And their products are getting increasingly expensive as well. OR, again, that could be my aging skin just cost more to maintain.

 

[natalie78]

I'm not a fan of dermatologists. I saw a couple of them and all they seem to concentrate on is my "aging skin." I know my skin is aging...I get it. But, I also have blemish issues and combination skin. I don't want any fillers or wrinkle fighters.

I get so frustrated that products seem to take care of one or two issues, but completely ignore others. Some fight aging, some fight blemishes, some are gentle, blah, blah, blah.

 

[Love Of My Life]

I'm not a fan of dermatologists. I saw a couple of them and all they seem to concentrate on is my "aging skin." I know my skin is aging...I get it. But, I also have blemish issues and combination skin. I don't want any fillers or wrinkle fighters.

I get so frustrated that products seem to take care of one or two issues, but completely ignore others. Some fight aging, some fight blemishes, some are gentle, blah, blah, blah.

Perhaps a facialist who specializes in skin problems?

I don't know where you live but there are many really good facialists
who can do wonders & try to get your skin under control

But do agree, plenty of water, eating as well as you can always helps

 

[inherforties]

Funny. Just got an email from my Dermatologist telling me about specials on Botox and Belotaro!

There is more than one product needed to address multiple issues (unless you believe the BB cream and CC cream hype, which maybe true for some, but not me). And it isn't a process that's swipe it on in 10 secs and go. But, for me, it's developed into a nice de-stressing time in the am and pm. It feels good to massage and take care of my skin.

Cheap products didn't work on my skin. I went to an esthetician who recommended yogurt masks and simple cleansers and my skin looked awful. So, I do buy more expensive products. I look at it this way, I spend above average amounts on my shoes and handbags. My skin is worth that to me too.

 

[pixiejenna]

I also have skin issues, I have pcos so I stil have acme and now that im over 30 my skin is dryer yet sill oily. One the biggest things that has help improved my skin is improving my diet. Incorporating a lot more fruit and veggies in my diet eating more wholesome foods and less processed foods. I also try to avoid dairy as much as possible(because it makes me break out). Another idea is the next time you visit your DR you may wznt to have your hormone levels checked out. Generally acme & blackheads are caused by either hormones or diet. Or if you were on the pill and went off of it that can causr havoc in your skin as well.

 

[Miss Havisham]

I also don't have much luck with my skin It's extremely oily, with large pores, blackheads, occasionally pimples on face, neck and decolletage, sometimes even red and sensitive. After 8 years of struggling I've become quite an expert. The things that work the most:


- avoiding dairy (that's THE MOST common reason for acnes and pimples, besides hormones) - I'm really not good at this
- avoiding comedogenic ingredients in beauty products (like caprylic/capric triglyceride, myristyl myristate, isononyl isononanoate, most oils - COCONUT OIL, brrrrr) - this isn't necessary true for everyone
- eating anti-inflammatory food
- drinking lots of water
- using retinoids, sulfur and glycolic or salicylic acid in skincare products
- exfoliating
- even (and this is against all anti-aging rules ) 5-10 minutes of sun exposure

I'm also considering fractional laser as soon as I save some money.

 

[themaddieful]

often what causes problems like these which you havent seen before is a change in your skincare or hormones. I know many women whose skin changed during pregnancy, and switching to a new foundation can cause all sorts of problems.

the best thing to do is a face mask. (not the kind that hides your face ) find one that's for oily/acne prone skin and use it once a week to begin with. sunday nights in front of the telly are perfect, they only take ten minutes as well. I used to put mine on while in the bath.

one thing I would say is get a very basic moisteriser. oil-free isn't always the best way, your skin needs oil! if you leave your skin dry it will over compensate and produce a tonne of oil. so moisterise. even the cheapest basic moisteriser applied day and night will be a lot better than a BAD one that isnt' suitable for your skin.

removing makeup properly is something many women ignore. face wipes are not the same as makeup remover, yes they're a good quick fix but they aren't a replacement for a full cleansing. If I've done my makeup (granted, I'm trained in that field so when I do, it's heavy duty) I will use a face wipe to get most off, then some coconut oil on cotton pads until they're coming off clean. a quick splash with water and a spray on toner if I'm feeling kind, and put my moisteriser on. takes 5 minutes as I'm getting ready for bed. do it while the kettle boils, do it while on the loo, YKWIM.

I see you live in texas, which is hot. Sun can cause all sorts of problems for skin, but so can SPF. if your moisteriser has SPF, it might be worth trying one without as this can block pores and cause acne and blackheads.

I hope you find some things to help, and good skin care basics can really be easily slipped and cause major issues. Good luck xxx

 

[natalie78]

The environment hereis a major issue for me, I am sure of it. Heat, humidty, pollen...it all gets into the pores. I do notice that my skin is clearer when I used my Clarisonic daily, but the other issues sill hang around. My skin changes frequently, which is a huge pain!

 

[*schmoo*]

The environment hereis a major issue for me, I am sure of it. Heat, humidty, pollen...it all gets into the pores. I do notice that my skin is clearer when I used my Clarisonic daily, but the other issues sill hang around. My skin changes frequently, which is a huge pain!

My timeline was similar to yours - clear skin in my teens and early 20's, then in my late 20's it started going downhill. But it started and was the worst when I was working in a smoggy, hot area, so part of it was definitely environmental. What has helped me is using a strong salicylic acid astringent. I usually apply it with a q-tip in areas where I feel a break out is coming. It seems to also help after a breakout.