Oily skin even oilier with Retin-A Micro?

A little background info:

I started using benzamycin, prescribed by my general physician, a little over three months ago to eliminate my breakouts and reduce oiliness. While I haven't had a breakout in months (knock on wood), my skin is still very oily.

Which brings me to last week:

I went to a dermatologist for the first time last Wednesday and she gave me Retin-A Micro. She told me that my face should feel like a mask in the morning and to only moisturize if it gets flaky. Unfortunately, all the Retin-A Micro seems to be doing is making my skin oilier! I think the benzamycin worked a lot better at making my face seem mask-like in the morning. Right now my skin is blotchy, flaky, and oily. Gross.

I'm really, really frustrated right now. Only an hour after I got out of the shower this morning my skin was as shiny and there was a visible layer of oil on it.

Am I doing something wrong?? I'm applying a thin layer of RMA at night after I wash my face with Cetaphil, and only moisturizing the flaky areas with an oil-free moisturizer. I've been using a damp washcloth in the shower to help remove some of the dead skin too.

Help!

P.S. I am not taking a antibiotic.

MAC Questions

I have a couple questions, and while the Makeup Alley reviews are helpful, I'd like some input.

1. With Everyday Minerals, the olive fair color blends perfectly into my skin. What do you think the equivalent would be with MAC? (I'm trying to avoid going to an actual counter... ).

2. Has anyone here used the Mineralize Skinfinish Natural pressed powder or Fix+?

3. Has anyone ordered MAC off of Amazon? The prices seem too good to be true.

At this point, I just need a concealer for a couple leftover red marks and a powder to even things out (I don't really like the way mineral makeup is looking on me these days). If you can help answer my questions, it would be greatly appreciated!

Sooo who has tried the new Clean & Clear Blackhead Eraser?

If you don't know what I'm talking about, click this: http://www.makeuptalk.com/forums/f12/new-c...aser-83243.html

I was wondering if it was worth the price?

Woe is Me

I just have to complain about a couple things:

1. I have finals this week.
2. I developed a cold sometime between when I fell asleep Thursday night and woke up Friday morning, which caused me to a) have to call in sick to work yesterday, and b) miss a really fun bonfire last night with people I have not seen in a while. Added bonuses are: red/irritated nose thanks to tissue usage, sniffling, phlegmy cough, can't taste anything I eat or drink, and a voice that sounds like I've been smoking a couple packs a day for my entire life. (I rarely get sick, sometimes I manage to go a year without so much as a cold, so I'm not used to it.)
3. My "monthly visitor" arrives on Monday.
4. If I'm still sick at the end of the week, I will most likely not be able to attend a Christmas party Thursday night or a show Friday night.
5. A cyst managed to erupt during the course of yesterday on my chin, and doesn't look like it's going to go away any time soon.

I guess one of the positives are that this morning at a work meeting one of my co-workers said she "wished [she] looked as gorgeous as [me] when [she is] sick." Oh, if she only knew how I looked when I woke up this morning...haha.

I've actually been in good spirits today despite all this. It's just that it's a lot all balled into one, you know? Anyhow, I just wanted to get allllll that out. If you actually read it, I present to you a special treat...something you don't see to often....a trio of dancing cats!

Lonely

My emotions travel in waves. For a few days I'll be super happy and life is great, then I'll come back down to reality for another few days where I'm discontent and lonely -- and the cycle continues. Lather, rinse, repeat.

I eat dinner alone constantly. Sleep alone every single night. Spend Friday nights home alone. Saturday nights sometimes too. Every Sunday night I'm alone. During the week after class I'm alone. People are busy with their lives and I don't want to beg them to come over and keep me company. I think the last time I went out with friends was two and a half weeks ago.

It blows. I physically can't keep myself occupied 24/7, even though I'd really like to. Being alone starts to eat away at you after a while.

/rant.