timaku

I have this same problem. The edges around my nose are especially flakey. What actually happened is that I ended up applying a bunch more than normal moisturizer at night and more in the day. It eventually eliminates the flakiness (after 2-4 days). Downside is that you are left with oily shiney skin. My solution to that is to blot the oil away. I wait 20-30 minutes after moisturizing to do this (only in the morning, no one sees my oiley face at night..., but blot if you're going out at night though). This method works pretty well. I still have minimal flakes around the edge of the nose, but much less than before. My skin doesn't seem to flake anywhere else other than the nose (it used to flake on my chin and cheeks).

And as long as I'm blotting (with oil paper, kleenex, napkins, any clean paper source), my skin looks OK.

Michelle,
Some of the moisturizers I have tried that come to mind are: Phisoderm Clarifying Gel Facial Moisturizer, Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion, Olay Complete Moisturizer for Combo/Oily Skin, Neutrogena Oil Free Moisturizer, Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion. These all had similar consistency so I'm not sure why one is "gel" and the others are "lotions"? I understand you are trying to help me, but at this time I'm not in the market for a moisturizer. The CeraVe one I use on my body is fine and I'm content to simply not use one on my face. Frankly, for the past 4 months my face has been the clearest it's been in 30 years just using a prescription sulfur cleanser and Dickinsons foaming facial wash. I don't want to start tinkering with moisturizers and goof things up. Thanks anyway though!

Nah, I was just wondering if you did. Cream-based products tend to have heavier occlusives and more humecants in them, which is why they can feel heavier and greasier especially on oily skin. Some people with oilier skin have only used creamy products so they wonder why their skin feels sticky and sweaty, which switching to a lighter "moisturizer" usually corrects that.

Lotions can have the same, higher viscosity (thickness) as gels, but lotions tend to have more skin-softeners and humecants than gels do. Lotions and gels, while they can be quite similar in looks and thickness, they are not interchangeable words.

Anyway, I'm happy you've obtained really good results from your new regimen! Congratulations!

Waaaaiiiiit a minute, what are some examples of gel-based moisturizers? I have acne-prone oily skin and I use Cetaphil Hydrating Lotion. When my face gets shiney, I just blot the oil away using an oil wipe, tissue, or paper towel. But this gel-based stuff sounds like a step up. Can someone point me in the direction with a few quality gel-based moisturizers?

Sweet. I'm glad you found something that worked for you. I'll keep .05% Tazorac and 75 mg Minocycline 2x a day in mind while I am experimenting with prescription stuff.