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[solved, updated 1/7/2012] Oily Skin Solutions
sidhaethe
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
So my skin is oily like a motherfucker, and has been since around age 9 or 10, hooray puberty. While the acne has finally cleared up on its own some 20+ years later, the actual oiliness has not come down even a little.
I have heard that moisturizing can help, and I think there's something to it: if I use products that dry out my skin, or wash it too often, my face will look very very very dry (i.e. almost feels like it's splitting when I smile), but within literally half an hour I can see dots of oil where my pores are, and after that it's all downhill.
I am a woman, so makeup occasionally enters into the picture. Unfortunately, due to the oiliness (even though I only use oil-absorption/prevention and/or water-based products), I have pretty much had to swear wearing makeup off because I am tired of my face being a reflective surface by noon each day, and/or having my makeup come off "juicy" on everything in the meantime. (Also, I'm black, so it just looks like I smeared shit on everything, which is unpleasant.)
I have used various skin care products, dermatological prescriptions (when I was a kid and had the acne; nothing worked), various types of blotting papers (I can render them transparent every hour on the hour), plain old wiping my face with my hands and/or tissue every opportunity, and washing my face 3-5 times a day (which I try not to do because it's drying).
Am I missing anything? Or should I just count my blessings that I still look 15 at age 32, and probably will until I'm 70? Both my parents are also very oily, though they both had fewer skin problems than I did/do.
I have heard that moisturizing can help, and I think there's something to it: if I use products that dry out my skin, or wash it too often, my face will look very very very dry (i.e. almost feels like it's splitting when I smile), but within literally half an hour I can see dots of oil where my pores are, and after that it's all downhill.
I am a woman, so makeup occasionally enters into the picture. Unfortunately, due to the oiliness (even though I only use oil-absorption/prevention and/or water-based products), I have pretty much had to swear wearing makeup off because I am tired of my face being a reflective surface by noon each day, and/or having my makeup come off "juicy" on everything in the meantime. (Also, I'm black, so it just looks like I smeared shit on everything, which is unpleasant.)
I have used various skin care products, dermatological prescriptions (when I was a kid and had the acne; nothing worked), various types of blotting papers (I can render them transparent every hour on the hour), plain old wiping my face with my hands and/or tissue every opportunity, and washing my face 3-5 times a day (which I try not to do because it's drying).
Am I missing anything? Or should I just count my blessings that I still look 15 at age 32, and probably will until I'm 70? Both my parents are also very oily, though they both had fewer skin problems than I did/do.
sidhaethe on
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Might be helpful. Particularly the sections about things in your control such as diet and pills you're on.
This.
Also, when looking for a moisturizer for oily skin try to find something with lots of lavender and citrus in there, which help to matify and curb oil production.
With makeup it can be a bitch. Before I found the right skin care regime I had super oily and super dry spots with the t-zone. I went to Sephora with a friend on vacation and we picked up this stuff: Medi Matte Spray. It's seriously one of the best thing- she lived in NYC, I lived in Florida and summers were a bitch. Blotting papers never worked but when the shinies started I'd spritz some on and go back to looking matte.
I picked some up again when we left CA for Hawaii. I've no longer got absurd oil issues but this stuff also helps with the shine I can get from being outside a lot and sweating without disturbing makeup.
I don't wear makeup at all anymore (I used to wear it more when I had blemishes - though still not a lot), though I am getting married in October and I would kind of like a light makeup job that won't shine through by the time we're done saying our vows! :P So I will definitely look into the Medi Matte Spray, thank you.
Looking over that site for Oily Skin, I'll give it a better read when I get home tonight. Re: toners, I admit to being skeptical. I've tried a looooot of different toners with no luck, but I'll take note. Also tried: clay masks. Everyone says to use Benzoyl Peroxide products but I've never seen the remotest improvement with them, so *shrugs*.
I'll see what I can do about my diet. I'm not a big sweets/junk food person and never have been, though. The site's got a lot to work with, so thanks, I'll work my way through and see what's what.
I've found that the tea tree spray toner at Lush helps, but when it's warm out I'm still an oil slick in the afternoon. So I mostly wear waterproof eye makeup with a primer
And for the face it's usually the translucent Perfekt gel or Dr. Feelgood with some powder over (right now it's this one and I love it)
So you can make do, but if my mom and her sisters are any indication my skin's oiliness is probably hereditary and there's not much I can do besides deal. Though if anyone finds the magic cure, let me know!
I also use the Lush Tea Tree Toner and have for years. No alcohol, just juniperberry (to detox), tea tree (for oil), and grapefruit (brightening and oil control). Mmmm.
Toners can help a lot, a good astringent can beat oily skin but you'll want something more gentle to use for freshening up during the day.
Also, depending on how often you use a clay mask you could be doing the same thing as over washing would.
If you can afford it, getting a good facial every 6 weeks or so helps too.
This is generally true, but I've had good luck using witch hazel as a toner, which is usually distilled in 10% or so alcohol.
Witch hazel if not used too much would be a really good option for her to use in the morning or at night. Both might over dry her skin but once a day could do wonders.
What kind of facewash are you using currently? If you're using something for breakouts and you're not actively breaking out--stop. Get something new.
I've been using Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel for about a month and a half now, from using Neutrogena on a regular basis. Switching to a better face wash that doesn't dry me out has done wonders for my skin. My skin feels soft and smooth, and it's not quite as oily as I was dealing with before.
You can go to their website and take a test to narrow down what products would be good for you, and they'll send you a package of several different trial products to see what may work for you.
I wash my face in the mornings because if I wash my face at 11pm and wake up at 6am, I guarantee you my face is an oil slick. I think it's something about when I'm sleeping that contributes - even after a couple hours of napping my face is extremely oily. Or maybe I just wipe my face a lot more than I'm conscious of when I'm awake.
I currently just use our antibacterial hand soap or my regular moisturizing body wash to wash my face. I stopped using blemish soaps as soon as my face cleared up, which is about.... a year now?
I used to use witch hazel to clean my scalp when I started my dreads, so I may still even have some on hand (unless that stuff expires).... will look into all these options, thanks!
I would definitely pick up just a face wash then. The skin on your face is very different and far more delicate than soaps made either for your hands, or for your body.
If there's any makeup stores nearby you, go in and ask tell them what you're looking for and ask for a sample. See if they can give you a sample big enough to last you several days, or a store that has a generous return policy like Ulta stores (you have 60 days to bring something back as long as you have the receipt and original packaging).
cetaphil, particularly the one for normal to oily skin (it's the clear one, not the one that looks like..umm...semen), has made so much difference for me it's insane....i usually wash with it in the morning and at night i just use water, because i too find that i'm really oily in the morning (especially during summer)
I've never been much for toners (I've also tried a bunch of different kinds) until recently. I just picked up DDF's glycolic toner a few weeks ago, and it's amazing. I feel like I have new (and better, obviously!) skin. It's way more expensive than any other toner I've tried, but it is also so worth it.
How soon should I expect to see an improvement if it's working? Are most products like Proactiv where you "should" see improvements in 30 days or so*? Or can you tell within 1 or 2 weeks or something?
I will also look into that Medi Matte spray this weekend. Small control group!
*I did try Proactiv when I had acne, too btw - it was wierd, it got rid of my big pimples but then I broke out in tiny rashy pimples all over, which to me was worse!
While I am happy with the way Cetaphil leaves my skin feeling (not too dried out right after washing), and it's good at quickly drying out any blemishes that do pop up, it has not done anything noticeable about the amount of oiliness or how quick my skin is to oil up after washing... i.e. I am still an oil slick when I wake up in the morning, and by noon.
I am now considering adding the toner to my Cetaphil routine to see how they work together and/or if things improve from there. How should I use the toner? Right after washing, or for mid-day touch-ups? Or should I use the toner in the mornings instead of washing my face, or [other]?
Or, alternatively, is there something terribly wrong if Cetaphil had no impact on my oil production and I should move right on to trying something else? Or should I give it another week or two? Any and all suggestions still appreciated, I want to be sure I'm going about this the best way possible.
1.) Cleanser, to get up all the junk. cleansing agents also take out excess good oil/vitamins/minerals as well though so...
2.) Toner, to rehydrate and start putting "good" things back into the skin. Also, rehydrating right after washing prolongs the
3.) Moisturizer, to finish the hydration and replenishment. Also moisturizers, depending on what one you're using, can have ingredients to help repair skin/keep oil down/protect from sun/be antimicrobial, etc.
Yes, it is getting dirty when you are sleeping. You could be doing any number of things to your face while you sleep, including but not limited to laying on your dirty hands and laying in little puddles of your own drool.
I think it's important to note that using a good quality facial cleanser and moisturizing properly is the key. If you do this, you don't need to worry about drying out your skin.
It's worked pretty well for me, and I've been doing that for a little over 10 years now.
For face wash, I use "Herbalism" and then use a tea tree water toner and a light moisturizer and grease lightning on problem breakout spots. good stuff.
I have no idea whether it's the cleanser or the toner that caused this, although I am starting to suspect the soap, as I have pretty much stopped using the toner (I didn't find it helped with the oiliness anyway). I don't know whether I'm just allergic to something, or what else could be causing it, but I never had this problem with regular hand/body wash, nor with other acne cleansers. Not to mention I'm still oily like a motherfucker anyway!
Since I also suffer from hyperpigmentation, the very last thing I want is to keep trying different products and risk a bunch of scar/freckles on my face on my wedding day, so I think I'll just go back to the face soap, which although apparently being horrible for my skin, doesn't actually make me break out, and try this again later
I hate my face so much.
Also, sometimes when you change products and your new product is doing a much better job, you will break out for a brief period of time while the new product starts super-cleaning your system and dragging all that crap to the surface. This can also happen right after you get a facial. But the best way to know if it's a reaction, or if the stuff is doing its job, is to go see a derm. Sometimes if you go to a really nice salon the facials tech will help you out, too.
I'm sorry to hear you're having troubles, I know facial problems are some of the worst things.
I have never had a facial. There are a lot of things I was willing to try, and if I weren't trying to prep for my wedding, I would, but the fact that any breakouts whatsoever will leave black marks on my face that last two months or more due to my hyperpigmentation issues means I really don't want to mess with it anymore at the moment
So, yeah, probably should have tried this sooner, but I only really thought of it just recently.
I took that stuff, and it was brutal while i was taking it, but no lasting ill effects.
I second going to a dermatologist for a lasting solution, but a facial might be a good pre wedding thing to do. just be careful what you let them put on you.
Really? I was also on accutane for about 6 months in my late teens. It cleared up my acne, but yes the side effects were pretty severe.
I do have one lasting effect in that my skin is much, much, much more dry than it was back then. That could be because I'm just a lot older now, but it is so dry that if I do not moisturize after washing my face, my skin flakes noticeably.
Other things to check, since you are black, is what your putting in your hair. If you are perming it and putting spray in it, or have it natural and putting oil in it, it could be getting to your face. I suggest changing your pillow case a few times a week (even if you wrap your hair) and making sure you are keeping your hands out of your hair during the day. My skin has calmed down exponentially since chopping off my hair and going natural, both because of shorter length, the ability to wash it more, and switching to lighter natural products. If you're oily skin is only on your face and the back of your neck, it could be your hair.
Edit: I guess this thread was necroed by a spam bot, whoops.
But no matter; I'm just posting to let anyone who might care know that, seriously, Milk of Magnesia. If you have facial shine, use it, it is awesome. It doesn't cause breakouts (or help with breakouts, for that matter), it just makes the difference between whether or not you feel like you need to mop off your face by noon every day. In fact, I go my whole work day and even when I'm getting ready for bed at night I sometimes am surprised that I haven't already washed my face because it still has a matte look.