AutreMonde

Salut,
Allow me to explain what has improved my skin...
(Keep in mind that these were solutions for my skin, and that we all have a different skin type.)I've struggled with oily skin for some time and tried masking it with different sorts of makeups, oil-absorbing lotions, among other things. Many have left me unhappy in the end and the claims have failed me.

-MAKEUP. Oil absorbing makeups and 'Matte' formulas have done nothing for me. Some have made my skin worse. I'll put on primers, foundations, and powders in the morning and be shiny by the middle of my 1st period of class. Touching up is a hassle and I'm just oily again by the middle of the day. I've tried wearing little makeup at all, and this did nothing for me.
**SOLUTION: I'm not wearing makeup at all on my skin. Though my acne was borderline severe, I had to endure for a little bit to get the results I was looking for. If I AM wearing makeup, I actually go for liquid foundations that AREN'T matte or labeled oil-absorbing. I've stopped using liquid foundation all together and my skin (and acne) has improved. But I sometimes used Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation or Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Foundation. However, I tend to use matte for some powders, like Maybelline's SHINEFREE loose powder. All of these are oil free and non-comedogenic.

-MOISTURIZERS. I've used products 'specially designed for combonation skin' that claim to absorb and prevent oil from forming. This has only made my skin more DRY, which is unbearable. Dry skin only makes my oil production more active, because it's craving that hydration.
**SOLUTION: I avoid these brands. Don't avoid a moisturizer just because you have oily skin! Moisturizers for sensitive skin keep me soft and supple (or as soft as you can get with acne...) like Neutrogena for Sensitive skin and CeraVe is my personal, and affordable, favorite. Neither of which contain oil or clog pores!

-OTHER. I've used primers (Like Smashbox:both expensive and inaffective) designed for oily skin, skin-conditioning agents used for oil control(I.E. Proactiv Daily Oil Control), among other things. These might help a little, but not only are the time consuming, but that's just one more thing to apply, to buy, and to fit into your routine.
**SOLUTION. Keep it simple. I've stopped using oil controls and special primers. BUT I am wearing a primer (Covergirl and OLAY Simply Ageless Primer Syrum. I'm only 17 and this works for me)for when I wear powder. It gives the makeup something to cling to and prevents some oxidation, dryness, and oiliness.

**SO WHAT HAS AIDED MY OILY SKIN MOST DRAMATICALLY?**

-JOJOBA OIL. (Please see here for more info. I'm not a doctor, but I sure do enjoy the effects of this stuff: http://www.acne.org/jojoba-oil.php )What? Applying oil to an oily face?! Sounds crazy, but this stuff doesn't clog pores. It's actually a wax that's similar to the oil on your face. SO, "in theory", It tricks your skin into thinking that the jojoba is your sebaceous oil (so I've heard). Jojoba Oil is silky and when added to a lotion, creates a 'super moisturizer'. It's odor-less and reduces flakiness too! I've started using this a week ago (I checked out Dan Kern's regimen) and have seen nothing but improvement. I started using a couple drops at night to adapt my skin, and am now using it in the morning. During the day, I'm  half as shiny as I was, and my acne has actually cleared up a lot too!
I bought it at a health foods store for $10, and the shelf life is like a like time.

Salut,
I need an SPF that won't stick to the flakiness I'm experiencing, you know when you apply your SPF and it rolls off white with dead skin? Ick!
I have a moisturizer from the Body Shop called Vitamin E Moisture Lotion SPF 15, in a pink tube. It doesn't say on the packaging that it's non-comedogenic or oil free, but it does state that it's non-greasy... Should I trust this stuff? Has anyone tried it?

Or, even better, recommend an SPF that won't grease me up or flake off, but stick moisturize me.
I have combonation skin with moderate acne and haven't been wearing a lot of makeup lately to clear it up, so I don't have a whole lot of protection. And I live in the desert so it's kind of important..
THanks <3

Salut,
I've decided (though it took every ounce of courage and low self esteem) to stop wearing foundation for the time being..

Cons of wearing makeup:
Expensive. Some how whenever I apply it, my skin looks flakey. it feels very dry, and I'm breaking out terribly at the moment so it doesn't look nice anyway.. My face peels whenever I wear concealer regardless of what kind I use. and I'm shiny as it is so its a hassle doing touch ups.

Pros of wearing makeup:
I'm semi-disguised. sort of protected from the elements.


Cons of NO makeup:
My face is utterly exposed. I'm insecure. Difficult to make eye contact. It's annoying when my hair brushes my face. been sort of itchy. I tend to touch and fiddle with my face more. I'm zit city, red like a lobster from inflammation. people stare or make remarks...

Pros of NO makeup:
Saves money. I can TOUCH my face(though i try not to). Maybe I'll clear up a little..? I'm not irritated from removing makeup all the time. I don't have to worry about stripping anything off after school. I can sleep in 30 minutes. Can apply moisturizer when needed. Some friends recommend it..


Is it worth going without makeup?
More importantly, will my face at all benefit from not masking it in foundation every day?

Salut,
My skin is oily, moreso in my T-Zone. I break out a lot on the sides of my face and jawline.
I have a lot of trouble finding a foundation what won't cake around the blemish...

But I'm interested in Laura Mercier. Has anyone tried this line? I understand it's expensive, but would it cover raised blemishes? It has many claims of being perfect and very natural looking. Would this be a good choise for acne prone, oily, sensitive skin?

Salut,
My skin type is combination. I'm pretty oily in the T-Zone, and oily-normal on the sides of my face. I have Moderate acne with the whole shabang: inflamed bumps, white heads, black heads, etc. but I only really break out on the sides of my face and jaw line..

I'm sort of obsessed with makeup cuz I'm so insecure with my face, but am smart enough to use oil free and non-comedogenic, clean my brushes, change my sponge everyday, and remove it when I'm home from school. I don't wear too much of it, I'd like to think.

By my 2nd period of school, I'm already shiny and I hate putting more on because it looks so terrible and unnatural.. I've tried blotting sheets, tissues, napkins, etc. I want something that won't slide off and come off on my finger if I accidentally touch my face!

I'm still deciding which foundations to use. Recommendations are welcome.. A list of things I've tried:

- Almay TLC Liquid Foundation (sticky, wipes off,  still oily, bad color choice)

- Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation (ok, still oily)

- Revlon Colorstay Loose Mineral Powder (weird texture, cakey)

- Studio Gear- Studio Matte  Liquid Foundation (sheer, broke out)

- Covergirl TruBlend  Liquid Foundation (sheer, I 'm still oily)

- Covergirl TruBlend Compact Powder (sheer, I 'm still oily)

- Covergirl Oil Free  Liquid Foundation (sheer, I 'm still oily)

- Covergirl Oil Free Compact Powder (sheer, I 'm still oily)

- Maybelline Purestay Compact Powder (weird texture, cakey)

- Maybelline SHINEFREE Compact Powder (cakey, I 'm still oily)

- MAC I refuse to use because it's cakey and so bad for your skin

- etc..

Since I'm an active theatre student, its important to have clear skin on stage, or at least the appearance of an even-toned, matte complection. Plus, it would boost my confidence not having to stare at redness every day.
Should I give up with the makeup? I'm not sure I could!