Difficult sensitive skin and the right moisturizer and/or primer?

[satellitekind]

Hi everyone, this is my first post here and I was hoping you could maybe help me pick out a good moisturizer and possibly a primer?  My skin is kind of all over the place, it's hard for me to classify it, but I think it might be combination, and it's definitely sensitive.  I used to have terribly oily skin that's gotten a lot better, but even though it seems like it should be easier to manage now, I still get and have loads of blackheads (that are temporarily helped with a Clarisonic brush) and large pores around and on my nose and rough skin with all that kind of gross stuff that builds up way more quickly than it seems like it should for non-oily skin.  My acne has gotten worse within the last year, too.  The worst part about that is that almost every time I get a pimple now it leaves a dark scar and even ones I've had for a while don't seem to be fading...(I'm using a rosehip seed oil serum every day for it, but I'm not sure how well it's working). 

Aside from that, though, my skin somehow seems really dry at the same time?  I'm still confused if it's that or just flaking for another reason, but it's pretty noticeable if I take the time to look, even in my T-zone.  

So long story short, I'd really like to see if anyone else has experience with these problems and even if you haven't, if there's a moisturizer that works well for you, or a primer that helps conceal the flakiness/roughness/dryness?  Preferably a water-based one for the moisturizer due to the acne.  Right now aside from the rosehip serum, which I think was supposed to do some moisturizing, I'm using Philosophy's "On a clear day" oil-free moisturizer, which doesn't break me out or anything, but doesn't seem like it's helping much with the dryness on a daily basis.

Cost isn't really an issue, I'm willing to look at anything if it's recommended, but of course reasonably-priced would be a big plus.  Thanks a lot!

 

[magosienne]

A combination skin is oily in the t zone and dry on the cheeks. Now that said, you can take into account external factors, weather, health issues, the products you're using. I can't draw a general rule out of my personal case, but although my skin is combination, during winter i will use a moisturizer for dry skins, because usually the moisturizers for combo to oily skins don't provide enough moisture for your skin, especially the mattifying ones.

The rosehip serum is good, but if you're still experiencing some flakes and dryness, then i think you could try a more hydrating moisturizer. I could suggest Weleda almond hydrating cream, or a more expensive but really good option, Korres thyme honey moisturizer. This is for dry skins but a tiny amount will be enough for the day, and you can apply more overnight. I can also suggest Hydraphase from La Roche Posay, which is for dehydrated skins (you have a formula for combination skins). That should help, and you can always add a few drops of oil if you feel you need more moisture.

For the acne scars, they will take time to fade, sadly. Beware of AHA ! That's what's usually suggested for fading scars but they're too aggressive for sensitive skins. Always try them somewhere it won't be noticeable. What i have personally tried and works, is applying lemon juice with a cotton pad all over the area, i do that especially when i have lots of blackheads or pimples in one specific area, it sanitizes it. You can also use one drop of lemon or lavender essential oil on the scar itself with a q-tip. For the biggest scars you can apply a bandaid and leave it overnight.

Another suggestion which you may be doing already is wear sunscreen, so that the sun doesn't ruin your efforts.

For the primer i own two, Makeup Forever's HD primer, they have a green tinted primer, and MAC's prep+prime. They both work well, the green primer covers half of the redness you might have, but my preference goes to the other one. It has a sort of creamy consistency, which is better if you have any dryness issue, the other one is a gel and my skin doesn't seem to agree with it as much.

One thing that's bothering me is your rough skin and the build up you're talking about, are you sure you tolerate well your clarisonic brush? Maybe it's too harsh and your skin is trying to compensate. That could also explain the flakiness.

 

[satellitekind]

Thanks, this really helps, I'll definitely try out the lemon juice thing soon since we probably have it around the house. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />  And thanks for the moisturizer recommendations, I'll look into them!  I've heard good things about MAC's Prep+prime.

The build-up actually is not there only in the day after I've used the Clarisonic brush; it gets rid of it. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />  Now I can see where it might be drying me out, but I'm kind of hesitant to stop using it because it's so far the only thing I've found that gets rid of my skin's weird dirtiness so that it's really not noticeable to other people after years of dealing with that.  I've never found anything that cleaned as well...  Maybe if I switched to another cleanser to use with it, it would be less drying?  Also, if I get a better moisturizer it might not be a problem anymore, either.

Thanks a bunch again, these are good suggestions!

 

[glitterprince]

What are you cleansing your skin with? I know the Clairsonic can be used with "all" kinds of cleansers, but I'm just curious...if you're having areas of dryness you might be over-agressing your skin. A lot of times, "sensitive" skin is really just dry skin that's putting on a disguise. Dry skin gets angry and is unable to defend itself from the environment and VOILA- sensitivity. A lot of times if you work on REALLY hydrating your skin, you'll notice the sensitivity going away. You mentioned that your skin used to be oily... and I know a lot of times people with oily skin start using products that aggressively treat oil...Anyway, just curious...but look at your cleansing routine AS WELL as your moisturizer.

As for primers... I ADORE the Laura Mercier primer- and it comes in several formulations for different skin types. But since you suspect you have a sensitivity issue you might want to avoid their "hydrating" primer (because of some of the ingredients) and just get their original foundation primer (it's still kind of hydrating). Or get samples of both, and see if either one works.

 

[satellitekind]

I use the Clarisonic every other day with Neutrogena Extra Gentle Cleanser for Sensitive Skin, I think that was the name.  It seems to do a good job cleansing, but maybe it's still too harsh?

Okay thanks, I'm going to look for some samples for sure. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[divadoll]

I have eczema on my face so when my skin gets into contact with an ingredient it doesn't like, my face would because raw and red and bumpy-rough.  It also looks like it is peeling.  This occurs in my cheek area and not at my forehead or nose.  My nose and forehead would become greasy looking.  I look like a hot mess when this happens.  I use hydrocortisone cream (very small amount) to help it along and release the raw feeling.  Maybe the clarisonic is too harsh for your skin and now your skin is irritated by it.  I think sometimes its the other way around... it is irritated skin that mimics dry skin. 

I use the Oil Cleansing Method.  Jojoba oil and castor oil.  A witch hazel/rosewater toner to remove the oily feel.  My skin is now well adjusted and I've not had any problems with it since I began using it.  I think some cleansers, no matter how gentle it is supposed to be can have adverse affects on sensitive or allergy prone skin.

 

[reesesilverstar]

I have combo sensitive skin. I'm oily on my cheeks but dry around my mouth and chin area, sometimes my forehead. So I guess my T is upside down or stops short or something...  Anyhow, stop using the Clairsonic... Face brushing has done more harm than good in my experience. I had a run in with an evil face brush and am still nursing my wounds. Just do the oil cleansing method, or use a creamy cleanser when you clean your skin. Witch hazel with tea tree oil in, is my toner of choice. I just spray it on and pat it in - no cotton pads. Then I dampen my face and massage on some Cetaphil. Every 3rd day I use a Glycolic Acid lotion to help with removing the dead skin. I find it's a simple enough routine and it's been working for me.

 

[divadoll]

I think you'll find that if you give the oil cleansing method a try or even a non-foaming cream cleanser, your skin won't be as irritated.  Don't be afraid of using oil to cleanse because only oil can get dissolve oil (clogged pores, black heads etc) Best of all, it is relatively inexpensive.  Start with extra virgin olive oil, you should have some in your pantry anyways.

 

[magosienne]

I agree about oil cleansing, it removes everything /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> I use sweet almond oil, i'm very partial to it as it's soothing and been in the bathroom as long as i can remember.

 

[Katkuta]

I really like dropping nightingale ( It was featured on Oprah Winfrey show and it's Victoria Beckham favorite mask)..You can find it on Bella Taro..www.bellataro.com ( they sell the original one)!!