I'm getting so frustrated with my dratted skin!!

[mandilly]

Okay, so about a week and a half ago, I decided I needed to change my facial routine since I found that when applying my MMU, the MU was enhancing uber dry flakes all over my face, and overall turning out far too chalky.

Ugh.

Therefore, I decided I needed a new cleansing/exfoliating routine, and from there it has been frustrating and downhill.

I started doing a honey and sugar scrub while in the shower to help exfoliate my skin. I believe this process, done every other day, is the only change that hasn't angered my face, and frustrated me. 1 point for the ONE positive change in my facial routine.

I then was told, and read about, the OCM. I started this every other night as well (alternating with the honey and sugar scrub process), and my face has starting breaking out. However, I don't think it's purging. I find that even after removing ALL the EVOO and CO, my skin is left unbelievably greasy. Therefore, instead of doing a 50/50 EVOO/CO, I added more CO to the routine. This hasn't helped. Now the breakouts have increased, my face still seems to be releasing oil, and I'm getting angry. Every time I peek at my face, I see small pimples appearing here and there. I'm beginning to believe that the OCM isn't for me.

Okay, whatever. I was then suggested, and read about, using a glycerin + water sprits to help maintain moisture. Okay, so I mixed a 1 part glycerin to 9 parts distilled water. While I find the actual act of spritzing my face refreshing, I find that the water soaks into my skin, while leaving behind 'drops' of glycerin. Therefore, I have to smooth in the surface glycerin. Again, this seems to be too oily, even for my dry skin.

I've attemped coconut oil, and alas, no results and only a few more pimples.

Now, I don't know what else to do.

Here is what I /need/ to accomplish with my skin:

-I have occasional breakouts, sometimes hormonal, and otherwise from a clogged poor or two.

-I believe I have oily skin, however I cannot be certain considering I have horrible dry flakes on my cheeks. Perhaps I have combination/oily t-zone?

-I need to exfoliate and keep my skin hydrated so that the MMU (which I've been spritzing with rose water to attempt to mask the chalkiness) applies more naturally, and doesn't 'flatter' my dry flakes.

I think I've given up on most herbal/natural face washing, and I believe I need some good brands and names of cleansers, exfoliators, and moisturizers, and I desperately need help before I get even more frustrated at the skin that is mine.

 

[magosienne]

you said the change dates from a week and half, please allow your skin some more time to get adjusted to the new regimen.

about the cleansing oil method, if you do have occasional breakouts i have found out myself it is better to take the excess oil off with some toner/floral water. i guess a normal skin could go without that last step.

if the breakouts are hormonal, see a doc and ask to get some stuff to regulate your hormones, because whatever product you're using, it won't solve the problem at its source.

also be careful with the scrubing process, used too often it can become harsh. too much use of a scrub and your skin will produce more oil to get back all that has been lost by a harsh scrub. sometimes i think your skin have a mind of its own, so treat it gently. getting rid of oiliness is a long process. don't feel discouraged, but know that it takes time.

make sure you drink enough water, it will help with the dry areas of your face.

 

[Kathy]

Great advice Aude! I use a face brush from the Body Shop every day in the shower and it really works to exfoilate dry flaky skin. I use a cream cleanser with it because my skin is dry, but you might try something for combo skin like their Grapeseed line with the facial brush. hth

 

[peachface]

Over exfoliating can actually harm your skin...

I was doing something similar to what you are doing. I was using Aveeno Daily Scrub in the morning and OCM at night (and using face towel to wipe away at the end was exfoliating my face). It felt nice for a while and then my skin didn't look so good. And anytime I put on any moisturizer, it hurt.

Apparently, over exfoliating can strip away the layers of our skin that's protecting it from the environment and make it more sensitive as well as make the skin produce more oil...

I stopped using both Aveeno Daily Scrub and OCM a few days ago and started using a normal cleanser.

Good luck!

 

[vitaeZ]

I don't remember if you have sensitive skin? Or if you've ever said?

But is is possible it's the coconut oil that's causing the problem? Have you tried just EVOO? Or another type of oil?

Also, if you do have sensitive skin [or even if you don't], you really should add new things in slowly. That way, if a problem arises, you can more easily pinpoint what caused it.

I agree with what's been said about over-exfoliation - that's been part of my problem for the last couple of years, I think. I think if you do the honey/sugar scrub 2-3x a week, that would probably be enough.

The other thing I remember hearing is that after cleansing with the OCM, some ladies still use a cleanser on their face (not sure what they're using though). But that would help remove the rest of the oil.

Lastly, I just wanted to tell you that I've had really oily skin & cystic acne for several years now. I recently just started using OCM, followed by Tea Tree Oil spot treatment and emu oil as a moisturizer (and the honey/sugar scrub every few days) and so far so good. I have seen some new pimples, but there aren't many and they certainly don't hurt like they usually do.

So - I'm right there with ya as far as being new to this stuff. Don't give up yet; you may just need to change things up and try some other combos.

[[hugs]] It's frustrating, huh?

 

[mandilly]

Okay, I'm going to give the OCM a little longer just to make sure that it isn't just purging.

However, in hindsight, I find that before I altered my facial routine, my skin was in good condition, with the exception of the dry flakes that were brought to my attention by the MMU. Originally, I used the Clinique 3-step system for oily skin. However, I believe the alcohol based toner is what was really drying me out.

Therefore, I think switching to a simple cream cleanser (used with a face brush when showering for exfoliation), and a good night and daily cream, may be the best solution for now?

I think my BIGGEST problem is actually identifying what type of skin I have. I was told oily, but the dry flakes on the cheeks suggest otherwise.

Here is my description:

-Red hair, fair complexion, sunburns very easily (someone told me that most fair women that sunburn have oily skin types. I'm not sure if this is a good statement, however I thought I would tell you just in case it may play a part)

-I don't see extreme oil in my t-zone (ie: don't see dabs of oil emerging from pores), though I find that the t-zone, mostly around my nose area, is usually shiny and sometimes slick.

-I have visible pores and blackheads around my nose area

-My cheeks usually feel tight after cleansing, and sometimes even after moisturizing

-My cheeks are the areas where the dry flakes are located

-My cheeks have no shine

I'm beginning to think my skin type is more towards combination/oily? Any ideas?

I think once I can identify my skin type, adjusting my facial routine will be much easier.

 

[Maysie]

It does sound like you have combination skin. I have almost the same problem, oily in the tzone and leaning towards dry on all other areas of my face. Before I started on my new routine I had flaking dry patches and oily parts and had to slather large amounts of heavy moisturizer on my face at night. I believe the following products have saved my skin: Mario Badescu enzyme cleansing gel (its very gentle and the glycerin in it makes it moisturizing, but it rinses clean without any residue), Body Shop Soothing Aloe toner (the main ingredients being aloe and water...and it doesn't have any harsh ingredients like alcohol), and Oil of Olay thermal skin polisher (its a creamy self heating exfoliator with really gentle beads, so its recommended for use everyday), and finally Neutrogena moisturizer for sensitive skin. Here is my routine in the morning and then in the night: Oil of Olay polisher folled by MB enzyme cleanser, then toner, and moisturizer. I find with all of these products together my skin doesn't need that much extra moisture, so the light Neutrogena moisturizer works. Also I've begun drinking 8-12 glasses of water a day which helps a lot. Good luck finding products that work for you! I know it can be frustrating...

 

[magosienne]

yes, it does sound like you have a combination skin. if so, use gentle products that are made for that skintype. their goal is to give back some balance to the skin, so that the oily areas are more matte, and the dry ones get more moisture. you can either go for combination skin moisturisers, or get two, one for oily skins and one for dry skins. i used to do that in the past when my cheeks were really dry and my t zone really oily.

an option you might want to consider is to consult a derm (which you might have done before but i still suggest it). i think a professional could help you determinate more accurately your skintype, and he can also provide you with some products.

 

[mandilly]

Thanks for the insight, everyone.

I would really love to not have to get two separate products, one for each area, but if that's what I have to do.

I'm thinking of giving the OCM and honey sugar scrub a little more time. If I don't find an improvement in the breakouts, then I'm going to switch some Oil of Olay products, since I believe OoO gets decent reviews, and it relatively inexpensive.

 

[CzarnyElf]

I think U have combination skin-I have similar-exept I am not so oily in my T zone(rather normal) only my cheeks are dry.

I think U should change your scrub(sugar might be to harsh and some people might be allergic to honey)-I would change to some gentle scrub(maybe enzyme scrub?)

About OCM-how do You remove it?

I am using OCM(i mix 70% olive oil light,30 % castor oil and rose seed hip oil(couple of drops).I remove it with very warm towel(couple of times so there is nothing left on my face),After that I use toner(but not always).Another tip- If U have sensitive skin make sure Your towel (for removing oil)is very soft(egyptian cotton for example)

 

[mandilly]

Yeah, I'm definitely beginning to believe that I'm a combination oily type. I suppose it could be worse. I thought that honey was an emollient amongst other things? Hmm, anything I could replace honey with that both moisturizes and prevents breakouts? I thought honey was not only an emollient, but also an antibacterial and an antiseptic.

Am I mistaken?

I remove my OCM with a normal washcloth a couple of times as well. After that, I didn't bother using a toner, however as suggested above, I used rose water as a toner the last time I finished my OCM. However, I still felt like there was too much oil left on my skin, and I have already altered my EVOO/CO ratio so that there is significantly more CO than EVOO. Hmm. I'm guessing using a non-alcohol based toner instead of rose water would be much more effective?

 

[acneXpert]

I won't recommend using a lot of products for the treatment of pimples. Just wash your face with water, use some good home remedy and don't squeeze your pimples. If you really do wanna try some rub-on treatment then try the one that uses clay as an active ingredient.

 

[magosienne]

Originally Posted by acneXpert /img/forum/go_quote.gif I won't recommend using a lot of products for the treatment of pimples. Just wash your face with water, use some good home remedy and don't squeeze your pimples. If you really do wanna try some rub-on treatment then try the one that uses clay as an active ingredient. i second clay, green clay is really great for oily skins.

 

[monniej]

your skin is probably confused! that's a lot of products and procedures in a very short period of time. i would suggest going back to basics! a gentle cleanser like cetiphil, a basic toner and moisturizer for normal skin for the next few days should give you some idea how your skin performs normally. then decide which direction to go in. jmho~