Desperate skin help

Jun 11, 2016

Katie G.

I have to weirdest skin. One day it's super oily and the next it's super dry. I don't change my skincare or makeup routine or eat anything weird. I don't know what's wrong. I have acne but by skin flakes off from dryness. I can't apply makeup with my fingers or brushes because the makeup sticks to my skin and falls off. I use a makeup sponge though. But I don't know what to do. Please help I'm desperate. What primer or anything do you recommend?

Jun 11, 2016

Kiya N.

Have you tried the proactive three peice system?

Jun 11, 2016

Katie G.

Proactive makes it worse I have super sensitive skin. I've gone to two dermatologists and I'm going again monday.

Jun 11, 2016

Sabrina K.

Sounds like your current skincare routine just isn't agreeing with your skin. What kind of products do you use? And what did your dermatologist say about your skin?

Jun 11, 2016

Roz X.

Your skin may be creating more oil to counter dryness that is occurring through your skincare routine or environment. It's a natural, protective reaction our body has...especially considering skin is our largest organ.

I'd bring an oil like jojoba, which mimics skin's natural sebum, into my routine and be sure to wash with detergent - free cleanser, such as CeraVe. Believe it or not, this will actually work with your naturally oily skin tendencies and simultaneously address dryness. I'd also avoid drying alcohols and use an aloe-based, alcohol free toner. Paula's Choice has great ones for hydrating without causing irritation. You may be over exfoliating, which would also cause this pattern; oily followed by dryness and flaking.
I'd bring a list of products I'm using with for the Derm and write down my routine so you remember when in the examining room. It's easy to get distracted in there.

What are you currently using?

Jun 11, 2016

Katie G.

I use the CeraVe dry skin -and sometimes oily skin but 98% of the time the dry skin- cleansers. When I use that I use my medication from my derm which is only.025 retinal. I wait at least 20 minutes and then I use the cerave nighttime moisturizer. In the morning I use the cerave am moisturizer. The next night I would use jojoba oil to cleanse and then a mix of jojoba oil, Rosemary, and lavender oil as a moisturizer.

Jun 11, 2016

Roz X.

It sounds "low dose", understandably, because it's the minimal prescription dosage, but Retinoids need time for skin to adjust. It's working on a deeper level of the skin and you can endure side effects, much like it sounds you are experiencing, if you don't acclimate skin slowly. This doesn't apply to everyone, but it does to most. It is a prescription due to it's strength, even at low doses. Even when they increase doses, Derms usually encourage acclimation.

What you see in dryness and flaking is actually irritation. I'd wait a good hour before applying a prescription Retinoid after washing and toning. Then follow that with my moisturizer. I'm not sure how long you've been using the script, but for dry skin, I'd recommend starting once or twice a week..on the same evenings diligently. Oily skin, every 3rd day...snd work from there once skin adjusts. I don't want to assume you are using a lot of the prescription, but if you didn't already know, just a tiny dot can do your entire face. For now, I would just kinda pull it back to let your skin calm itself.

Oils can be paired with a moisturizer to help prevent this in the future, applying after your moisturizer has set in, providing it is light. I'm not a fan of the lavender and you skin may not be either. For my own skin, it's not compatible. If you are using a Clairsonic, usage patterns may also be contributing...as well as which brush head you are using. If you don't have one, I can't say enough about how fantastic they are..lol

Glad to hear you have the jojoba and CeraVe in your routine, but I'd definitely bring in a hydrating toner free from potential irritants. The CeraVe in a jar is thicker and so you might want to consider treating skin with that. (There's a $2 coupon on their site) I hope that helps. Also, glycerin..can't say enough about it; you can grab that at the drugstore. Paula's Choice also has a "Hyaluronic Acid Booster" that works well with other favorite skincare products to draw moisture to skin and help retain it. I'd add a drop of oil on dry days to my foundation..just a hint..when applying in dry areas.

Jun 11, 2016

Katie G.

I am using the cerave in a jar 😊. It's amazing. The derm told me not to use a toner. But the thing is, last night I didn't even use my medication. I just took my makeup off because I was at a friends.

Jun 11, 2016

Sabrina K.

Maybe the elf makeup wipes you were taking about a few days ago that made your face burn is messing with your skin.

Jun 11, 2016

Katie G.

Maybe yeah cause I used those to wipe off my makeup.

Jun 11, 2016

Kitty K.

The CeraVe in the jar is great! But I truly recommend you try out using it during the night time, and using a light lotion during the day.

The CeraVe cream is very heavy, and has given me that same effect... foundation balls up with it and some parts flake off.

I stick to using the lotion during the day as it plays well with make up and use my cream for night time.

Jun 11, 2016

Katie G.

Kitty I use the night cream cerave lotion in a jar at night and the cerave am moisturizer in the morning 😊