How To Beat Problem Skin Into Submission
[ 4 February 2007 ]
A question:
I was wondering if you had any advice or product recommendations for those of us with “problem” skin. I still get acne at the age of 27, and though I have been searching for years, I can’t seem to find anything to control it. I am loathe to ask advice at a department store, as I’ve tried so many things before that either make my break-outs worse, or in some cases cause an allergic/sensitivity reaction (Thanks a lot Neutrogena and Estee Lauder!). I’ve started using Angels on Bare Skin from Lush after you recommended it here, and it has improved the texture and look of my skin, but has done nothing to help clear it up (yet…). I’m also using a benzoyl peroxidase cleanser, that seems to reduce the breakouts, but it’s quite harsh – it actually burns the skin on my neck if I don’t wash it all off at night! I already eat well and drink plenty of water, and yet…
Hi kitten.
Here are my thoughts.
In terms of Lush products, if you’re breaking out I would recommend something other than Angels On Bare Skin. Angels is a great product, but it’s pretty ineffective when it comes to spots. Angels is part of my daily routine, but if my skin is giving me trouble, I switch up my regimen.
My complete “oh my god my skin makes me want to throw myself out a window” routine from Lush would be:
Cosmetic Warrior mask
Fresh Farmacy or Herbalism as a cleanser
Tea Tree toner
Enzymion or Celestial moisturiser
Cosmetic Warrior
This is an incredibly stinky mask made from fresh garlic, eggs, grapes, honey & tea-tree oil. When I say fresh, I mean FRESH! Pots of it are kept on ice in the Lush stores, & when you get it home, you need to put it in the fridge. (You might want to tell whoever you live with that it is not hummus or some other delicious concoction for spreading on crackers. Be warned!) Anyway, like I said, it is stinky. It pongs. It is vile. Rank. Repulsive. But the importance of owning sweet-smelling cosmetics falls away when you realise that… it works. I like to coat my face in it about ten minutes before I take a shower. Let it dry out & then wash it off. Use it a few times a week for best results.
Fresh Farmacy
An amazing cleanser. Amaaaazzzzzing. It’s made in huge blocks, & if you want some, all you have to do is walk into a Lush store & ask them to cut you a piece. It’s light pink & kind of a soft consistency — my recommendation is that you keep it somewhere dry, or it will disintegrate. It contains calamine (which is what gives it its colour) to soothe the skin, & a wonderful combination of antiseptic oils to stop spots. Lather it in your hands, wash your face with it, then rinse off.
Herbalism
The other cleanser alternative is Herbalism. Herbalism has the same consistency as Angels On Bare Skin & is used in the same way — get a pea-sized amount, mix with a bit of water, smooth over your face then rinse off. Herbalism is basically the Angels counterpart for people whose skin gives them the gyp — not as strong as Fresh Farmacy, but will do the trick if your skin can be mildly problematic.
Tea Tree Water
This is a toner containing copious amounts of tea tree oil, which is great for angsty skin. After using your cleanser of choice, spray some of this on your face & remove with a cotton pad. It’s really a lovely toner. Keep it in the fridge for hot summer days.
Enzymion
Obviously you need to choose a moisturiser which is right for your skin-type. As you didn’t mention yours, I’ve given you two options: Enzymion & Celestial. Enzymion is a great moisturiser for people with skin that is prone to oiliness. Grapefruit & lime oils will invigorate your congested wee pores. It’s excellent for matte-ifying your skin while keeping it soft & lovely.
Celestial
Celestial is Lush’s best moisturiser for truly sensitive skin. Most “sensitive” moisturisers smell awful — not so with Celestial. Vanilla water & almond milk sweetly fragrance the concoction. It’s a very gentle formulation, containing glycerine & cocoa butter as well as dove orchid extract. Parfait.
Everyone’s skin is different, so what works for your friend may not work for you. The best thing you can do is try, & if something doesn’t work, don’t lose hope! Just try something else. If Lush isn’t your thing — or you want some other options — here’s some basic information which may help you.
Most people think that if they can feel their skin “tingle” while using a product, it must be doing a good job. THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE. That “tingling” (unless it comes from peppermint oil or similar) is your skin being irritated. Stop using anything that causes this feeling!
Use a 1% or 2% beta hydroxy acid product (BHA) or an 8% alpha hydroxy acid product (AHA) to exfoliate your skin. BHA is apparently more effective at cutting through oil, so it’s the preferred option, but some people are allergic to it, so will need to use AHA.
Benzoyl peroxide & tea tree oil are about equal in terms of disinfecting the skin & fighting spots.
If all else fails, prescription treatments may be a good option for you — try Accutane, Retin-A, Differin or Tazorac — but quiz your doctor like crazy & do your own research before embarking on any course of medical treatment. Okay?
Extra For Experts:
Here are some books with good ratings that might give you additional information:
The Acne Cure
The Clear Skin Prescription: The Perricone Program to Eliminate Problem Skin
6 Weeks To Sensational Skin
Beauty By Nature
Super-love & cupcakes,
Gala
Tags: advice,
beauty,
consumption,
how to Share this! + Email This + Del.icio.us
+ Facebook
+ Stumbleupon
+ Technorati
Comment
Read more tagged advice...
Makeup Basics Part Two -- Makeup Application Delicious Cocktails How To Walk In High Heels How To Age Gracefully Dressing For A Wedding Shorts For Men Trends For 2007 and How To Avoid Looking Like A Fashion Victim Choosing Sunglasses That Suit You
Read more tagged beauty...
What Do You Spend Money On? Signature Scents Daily Outfit -- 31st January 2007 Makeup Basics Part Two -- Makeup Application Fashion Report: Summer/Autumn 2007 How To Age Gracefully How Wearing Make-Up Affects Your Career Daily Outfit -- 24th January 2007
Read more tagged consumption...
Melissa What Do You Spend Money On? Valentine's Day Treats Signature Scents How To Dress Up A School Uniform Makeup Basics Part Two -- Makeup Application Fashion Report: Summer/Autumn 2007 Daily Outfit -- 24th January 2007
Read more tagged how to...
How To Dress Up A School Uniform Makeup Basics Part Two -- Makeup Application How To Walk In High Heels How To Age Gracefully How To Throw A Tea-Party Shorts For Men Trends For 2007 and How To Avoid Looking Like A Fashion Victim Choosing Sunglasses That Suit You
what do you think of lush’s fresh pharmacy (i think thats what it is called)? it seemed to work really well for me
I mentioned it in this very article! Look up! :D I think it’s great.
You forgot to mention clindamycin in those doctor treatments— it is definitely way safer and gentler than the other ones. It works so great, I managed to get a bit to keep around the house for emergencies. (Yes. My doctor is cool.)
Lush sounds great ‘w’ I can’t find any stores in the metro detroit area, though. D’you know about how it arrives in the mail? A lot of people seem to have gotten stuff crushed, etc.
Hyuju — Well, it depends on what you order. Bath bombs are pretty delicate & I think the odds of them breaking is pretty high. If you’re buying anything else it should be okay. The soap is solid, everything else comes in bottles or tubs. If you’re worried, when you place an order I would ask if they could tape the lids closed. I always used to do this for customers because no one wants an exploded bottle!
Thanks for the mention of clindamycin, I wasn’t aware it existed!
Pimples are actually an infection, regular breakouts need medical treatment.
it depends on the type of pimple, most people place black heads and white heads under the same category as pimple/acne. the type of acne that is most benefited by medical treatment is cystic acne, which is most likely to leave permanent scarring. most other types can be treated, or at least controlled, with over the counter skin care products.
although i will say you should be careful with casually using prescription medication. treatments like accutane require monthly blood tests to monitor organ function, definitely not something to be taken lightly.
maybe a future topic could be ‘make-up that won’t make your skin break out’... i was on roaccutane in my teens and have had lots of bad experiences with foundations, moisturisers and things ever since.
the best moisturiser i’ve used was clean & clear (oil-free, spf15). the best foundations i’ve found have been maybelline pure which is oil-free and 50% water if my memory serves me correctly… and at the moment i swear by anything napoleon, so the foundation i’m using is minimal makeup (spf10). both of these are really light on the skin and being oil-free don’t clog the skin or cause break-outs (in my experience!).
also – the maybelline ‘pure’ concealer is awesome – it has actually got salicylic acid in it that helps treat the spot(s) you are concealing… total genius!
i also use a special type of contraceptive pill that is really good at helping control your skin, but i realise that’s not for everyone :)
p.s. damnit, i had links in this comment to all the products i mentioned but they’re not coming up :(
Hey everyone, thanks for your advice & suggestions! Like I said on my information page, the idea of iCiNG is that it’s a collaborative effort, & it really looks as if that is blossoming! I’m so happy. Thank you for all your contributions!
Also, Ally — Yeah, the reason for that is that turning off html lessens the probability of spammed comments! It’s annoying I know, but much better than the alternative (no comments at all). Boo on spammers!