Face cream suggestions for a 20 year old with combination skin?

[Sheri Matthews]

Hi all!

For most of my teenage years I used whatever oil-free face cream that was the same as the brand of anti-spot stuff I was using. However now I don't feel like these creams are doing enough for me. They either leave my face feeling too dry or really greasy (leading me to think that they're striping my skin of natural oils). 

I have combination skin, sometimes greasy t-zone but dryer cheek areas. My skin is also sensitive, I have eczema, not on my face, but else where so I have to be careful with overly perfumed products. 

I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions or recommendations for what I should use? price-wise I'd be willing to pay a little more for a good product! 

Thank you! 

 

[divadoll]

You should check out the Oil Cleansing Method (OCM)!  I can't rave enough about this and I've been doing this for over 2 years now.  The oils clean better than any cleanser on the market but it doesn't strip your skin.  

Oily skin cleansers just make your skin dry which makes your skin produce more oils to compensate. 

I use a combination of jojoba oil, sweet almond oil and castor oil.  

 

[classntrash]

Instead of experimenting with face creams, I recommend trying Cetaphil as a cleanser (the Gentle Skin Cleanser, NOT the Facial Cleanser) and using the Clarisonic a few times a week.

It has worked wonders for me, and it's only around $10 at drugstores! It accommodates both my oily areas (mainly t-zone) and my dry areas (cheeks). I noticed that my skin is much more balanced these days. 

My skin has improved noticeably after I started using cetaphil and clarisonic together.

As for face creams/moisturizers, I've been using the Neutrogena Oil-Free  Moisture Combination Skin in the mornings, and Aesop Primrose Hydrating Cream at nights. 

But, I think the key the cetaphil/clarisonic combination - highly recommend!!

 

[onthecontrary]

I really like the Juice Beauty moisturizers. I tried the type for oily/acne prone skin (got a sample in my Birchbox) and ended up picking the oil free for all skin types in my Beautyfix and I love it. It's really light, not really scented, plus it's natural. My skin is oily and sensitive, plus I use prescription acne creams, so I have trouble finding moisturizers that work with all those variables (anything with added fragrance burns, even some for sensitive skin that don't have fragrance disagree with the acne creams and burn/feel weird, but I haven't experienced that with the Juice Beauty ones). I used to really like Philosophy's "On a Clear Day" but it's been discontinued (though sometimes it pops up on sites like Hautelook). Their new version "Clear Days Ahead" contains salicylic acid, so I haven't tried it. Boscia makes really great moisturizers as well, but they are a little pricier. 

I will second the suggestion of using Cetaphil as a face cleanser. I've found that if I use a very basic, bare bones cleanser and not something designed for a specific skin type or problem (like oil control or acne face washes) my skin looks a lot better. Some other ones I liked were Philosophy Purity, Boscia Purifying Cleansing Gel (a tad pricey, I got a sample and was sad when it ran out), Purpose (cheap!), Trader Joe's gentle cleanser (this one was really nice, also very cheap ~$6 or 8.5ish oz, if you live near a TJ's go check out their beauty section, they have some great stuff). Right now I have Neutrogena Naturals gentle cleanser, I like it enough but probably wouldn't buy it again because it has fragrance added- not enough to both my skin but I just don't really love the smell. Hope this helps!

 

[magosienne]

I would say go for minimal ingredients list, definitely no perfume, no alcohol in the formula is better but i've had a few with alcohol in them and tolerated them well. I usually go to my healthfood store buy a face moisturizer with aloe vera, and right now i'm using a hydrating mask from Decleor (it sucks as a hydrating mask, but it's good for daily use).

La Roche Posay, if it's available to you, has a good hydrating moisturizer for combination skins.

I haven't really found the holy grail, but my current moisturizer added to my sunscreen (a face sunscreen from Vichy), seems enough for my skin. At night i use another moisturizer more targeted towards soothening my skin (i have rosacea).

Edit : i forgot to mention Caudalie, their new Vinosource line has a moisturizer for combination to oily skins, and one hydrating for sensitive skins. I tried samples of both, and i was happily surprised by these moisturizers. I have a slight preference for the sensitive skin hydrating moisturizer, but that's usually what i target, i don't mind blotting my extra oil.

 

[MissLindaJean]

I second what a lot of the ladies are saying here. A simple cleanser that's gentle enough for all skin types is a great start...I love Philosophy Purity Made Simple and have their oil version for nightly removal of makeup and Boscia products. Caudalie is another fave, but I'm currently using the Boscia Clear Complexion and Philosophy cleanser with my Clarisonic Mia. I get a little greasy in the Tzone, as well, but mostly around my forehead and chin. I use a Caudalie facial mist before moisturizing am and pm and sometimes throughout the day. I try to do oil free with spf moisturizer for day and a nice thick cream at night.

 

[spasalondeal]

1. Olive oil and sea salt scrub: Mix 1 teaspoon of olive oil with ½ teaspoon of sea salt in a small dish. Scrub your face for 5 minutes and then wash with clean water. The results will be remarkable. You will see a visible glow and shine on your face. Olive oil will also nourish your skin.
   
2. Cucumber facial scrub: Blend a medium sized cucumber with 1 teaspoon of honey until a fine paste is prepared. Add 1 teaspoon of almond oil and 1 teaspoon of wheat germ. Use it as a scrub for 5 minutes. Wash with water and pat dry. You will notice a shine and radiance that this scrub gives your face. Cucumber scrub is also effective in removing dark spots and freckles that act as beauty stoppers.
   

You can use these two home made scrubs to make your face clean.

 

[amstern]

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer comes in both regular and oil free and is a great all around moisturizer. It's not too heavy but I've had great results.

 

[Terbear]

You'll definitely want something that can exfoliate without stripping your skin-I see someone mentioned Purity Made Simple and I'd also recommend Bliss' Fabulous Foaming Face Wash or Origins Checks and Balances. I've had nothing but raves for those three. You can also try the Argan Oil (I like the Josie Maran one) at night. it absorbs pretty quickly and I can definitely see a difference in the health of my skin! Good luck!
 

 

[Permanentmakeup]

 Garnier, Neutrogena and Loreal all have a good rang of face products..... Currently I am using Garnier Light Cream