need skincare advice

FuzzieAlum · #1 06-20-2002, 04:49 PM

Help! I soooo need some skin help, and I thought for sure some of ya'll could help me.

All my life I have had very oily skin. (I got it from my mom, who is in my 50s and has more zits than wrinkles.) I spent 10 years on Retin-A, and then finally at the age of 23 a dermatologist put me on Accutane. God bless him, my skin finally became relatively normal after that - still oily, but much less broken out.

But now, a few years later, my skin has become very dry over the past six months. My makeup base isn't drying; I wash gently with Cetaphil twice a day; I've given up on pressed powder, and yet my skin is still dry. As in, it's visibly flaky if you look closely.

I don't know what to do - I've never had dry skin before - and I've read that if you need a moisturizer while you're still this young, you're probably using too aggressive a cleanser. But you can't get gentler than Cetaphil! (And this is a face-only problem - my body is still oily.)

Any tips? Thank you!

33girl · #2 06-20-2002, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FuzzieAlum
I don't know what to do - I've never had dry skin before - and I've read that if you need a moisturizer while you're still this young, you're probably using too aggressive a cleanser.

I don't think that's true at all! Some women just have drier skin than others and have to use moisturizers even in their teens. I think ethnic origin has something to do with it as well. I personally use baby wash (Johnson's Head to Toe) on my face.

Are you working in an enclosed building with recycled air? Sometimes that can really put your skin in a bad way.

FuzzieAlum · #3 06-20-2002, 05:56 PM

I am in a dry, enclosed building, but I used to be a flight attendant - talk about dry air - and I was like the only flight attendant I knew with oily skin! The air in here isn't THAT dry, at least.

xok85xo · #4 06-20-2002, 06:03 PM

I use moisturizer, but i also live in a very very dry climate where it's a must..i'm pretty sure that they make light, oil free moisturizers for people with combination skin..you may want to check into it..Also, your face is so dry because of the accutane, another thing to try on top of moisturizer would be to drink more water..

FuzzieAlum · #5 06-20-2002, 07:05 PM

I've been off Accutane for two years - you can't use it for very long. So I don't think that's the culprit. And I drink a TON of water.

But I will try some moistuizer. Anyone know of one that won't be too greasy and pore-clogging? After all these years of being oily I'm kind of afraid of it!

AggieDZ · #6 06-20-2002, 07:12 PM

OOOOh! Try Aveda products, they're the BEST! I have combination skin like you've described, & I LOVE the way their products work. They have the most amazing smell & use natural ingredients that are animal/environment friendly. I use their creme cleanser, exfoliant, toning mist & oil-free lotion. You can only buy Aveda products at their salons/spas.

KappaStargirl · #7 06-20-2002, 09:18 PM

I have heard good things about Aveda products, although I have yet to use them. I think KappaStarboy would banish me to the couch if I came home with another beauty product.

FuzzieAlum, I am on Accutane right now (God bless health insurance), so I too have been shopping around for moisturizers, etc, even though I've been oily and acne-prone all my life. I use Kiehl's, which they sell at Nordstrom. They have a normal-to-dry skin cleanser which does not leave my face feeling tight, and they have a cucumber-based toner that doesn't burn me and is alcohol-free. As far as moisturizer goes, I like Neutrogena, because it not only moisturizes, it has an SPF 15. I am naturally pale and avoided the sun like the plague even before I went on Accutane (why I took a job in SoCal I'll never know), and it's important to me to have sunblock. Origins also makes nice moisturizers, but you have to mix the sunblock in because it doesn't naturally come with an SPF. You might also want to try Philosophy or Oil of Olay Daily UV Protectant.

Do you know about all the new laws governing Accutane?? I swear, it's easier to buy a gun these days than a month's supply of Accutane.

juniorgrrl · #8 06-21-2002, 12:30 AM

I've been using the Almay Milk moisturizer for over a year now and I love it. I'm usually not a fan of Almay products - the foundation is thin and watery and doesn't cover at all. But this moisturizer is great. Its oil-free and has a sunscreen in it. I don't have dry skin - and I don't use any cleanser on my face other than plain water. I just like to use a moisturizer to hopefully keep my skin young.

I would highly recommend it. It gives your skin a glowy look to it. And at $9 a bottle, its a steal compared to a lot of stuff!

aggieAXO · #9 06-21-2002, 01:21 AM

I understand what you are going through. I have been on Accutane 2X (had a relapse about 1 year after the first usage). I still break out which is frustrating but have much less of a problem. My skin is much less oily (yes GOD bless insurance and accutane). Anyways, I see a dermatologist on a regular basis and I have tried Cetaphil -it dried my skin out and made it raw and I broke out worse. How long have you been on it?

I use this fantastic lotion that my dermatologist recommended-I can't remember the name but when I get home in the AM I will look-it is great-most lotions are pore clogging for me (even the clinique, E. arden etc.. etc..) but this lotion is fantastic! I can only use Dove soap on my face-that is it, any other soap or cleanser makes me break out and dries my skin out. I also use Retin A on my nose every other day, I can't use it anywhere else b/c it makes my skin raw and that hurts. I hate my skin-blah!!!!

I have also had laser treatment for acne scars 2X-has anybody else tried any other modalities to get rid of scars? They have shrunk but are still present (I have them at the crease of my nose)

I think I have spent more on my damn skin then on anything else I own.

CutiePie2000 · #10 06-21-2002, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by FuzzieAlum
Help! I soooo need some skin help, and I thought for sure some of ya'll could help me.

I don't know what to do - I've never had dry skin before - and I've read that if you need a moisturizer while you're still this young, you're probably using too aggressive a cleanser. But you can't get gentler than Cetaphil! (And this is a face-only problem - my body is still oily.)

Any tips? Thank you!

I feel your pain...I am an ex-Accutane user and I sometimes need a moisturizer.

Cetaphil makes (or made) a moisturizer called Nutraderm.
It has a pink (fuschia) label on it. See if you can get it...my dermatologist recommended it as it is light and non-pimple causing. If you don't see it at the drugstore, sometimes you have to ask for it behind the counter (it is non-prescription, but sometimes they tuck it back there...not sure why)
This is a different moisturizer from the Cetaphil moisturizer product with the green label (which I have not tried, but I am worried that it will be richer and more greasy than Nutraderm).

Another one which is light and non-greasy is Effidrate by La Roche-Posay. It is a bit more expensive, but still good.
I buy it at my dermatologist's practice. It is more $$ than Nutraderm but still good. Effidrate is somewhat oil absorbing which I quite like.

I see that you live in Washington..if you ever come to Vancouver, BC, pop in to see my dermatologist at her Le Peaux practice. She sells skin care products out of her practice and they are ones that she personally recommends. (I find that when you go to the Dept. Store, the sales ladies will tell you everything and anything and you don't know who to believe!)

Good luck!

rswall · #11 06-21-2002, 08:42 AM

Have you checked with your dermatologist about this? It could be a flux in your horomones- did you recently start/stop a new birth control method? Or it may just be that your body's natural horomones changing thus causing your skin to dry out. Where do you live? Is there a significant change in the weather from season to season?
I've never really had a problem with my skin, but my doctor/dermatologist have told me that the most important product for your skin (next to sun screen!) is moisturizer- regardless of your age! It's what keeps your skin looking young. I like the Neutrogena "Healthy Skin" moisturizer with SPF. It's a light moisturizer that helps with skin clarity and texture- I'm only 24, and use it as a "preventative" measure. I've been using it for several years and it has decreased tone of my freckles- and it keeps my skin soft and acne free.
Most importantly- don't over use products or add products to your routine- it will just cause your skin to become more irritated.

sigmagrrl · #12 06-21-2002, 09:06 AM

I started having serious issues with my skin after I started losing weight and my hormones went nuts. I am now on a regimen of :
AM: Wash with an anti acne skin cleanser, no toner (it's actually pretty useless for most), Clindagel (prescription), Lustra-AF (for marks and discoloration), moisturizer. I don't use base any more due to the fantastic results. I just use oil absorbing powder, mascara and gloss.
After I workout: splash of water, slight layer of moisturizer (cuz I'm still sweating it off anyway)
PM: Anti acne wash, Differin cream (AWESOME PRESCRIPTION PRODUCT!!), Lustra AF, moisturizer, and I thoroughly cover my lips in Vaseline, (they are so soft ! It's my trademark feature!)

I don't have any dry skin problems now. I think Retin-A and Accutane are WAY too harsh if you don't have cystic or severe acne....They severely strip the skin of natural oils. Younger women are afraid of the word OIL, but you need some, it naturally keeps the skin supple. You'll wish you had some of that oil later, so don't destroy your skin by stripping it and being overly aggressive with your skin by overusing masques, toners, or anything alcohol based...

Also, STAYOUT OF THE SUN!!!!!!!!!! I CANNOT STRESS THE DAMAGE IT DOES THAT YOU MAY ACTUALLY BE FIGHTING RIGHT NOW (meaning, it could be causing what you are questioning)!!!!!!!!

Can you tell this is a topic I relish?? Is this my career calling??

FuzzieAlum · #13 06-21-2002, 03:09 PM

Thank everyone for your advice! I'm going to be going to the store for some moisturizer now. I too love Aveda products because they smell so good, but I might try for something less pricey.

In answer to some of the questions:
1) I avoid sun like the plague. Too much skin cancer in my fam.
2) Been on the same birth control for three years.
3) I don't think the weather in Seattle changes all that much. Even though it's drizzly in winter, it's not that humid.
4) Accutane was the most wonderful thing - I did have severe acne. I'm willing to put up with the tradeoff of dryish skin now (nothing compared to when I was on it, I mean my lips had never been so chapped in my life!).
5) Been using Cetaphil for about a month ... my skin started getting dry about six months ago, and I've been switching to progressively gentler cleansers. I do wear makeup, so I don't want to go to only water.
6) I still get acne on my body, how awful and annoying is that?
7) No, I don't know about the new Accutane laws ... I know I had to be tested for pregnancy every time I got more (even though I was on Depo and not having sex).

cougar15 · #14 06-21-2002, 04:37 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by sigmagrrl
[B] Lustra-AF (for marks and discoloration), moisturizer.

I am curious about the Lustra-AF you mentioned in your reply because I have pale skin, which causes any little scar/spot to stick out more. For some reason I have always had dark circles under my eyes so I was wondering if this stuff would help and whether it is prescription. If anyone has advice on how to get rid of dark circles I would appreciate it too! I have been using something my Loreal I think and it hasn't really done anything so I am still hunting.

Thanks!

KappaStargirl · #15 06-21-2002, 04:38 PM

For those of you that may be past but not current Accutane users, let me tell you what I am having to go through to get it:

At first, I didn't have any trouble. That was starting in about November or December of last year. I went to my dr, and after proving that other prescription meds did nothing for me, she wrote me a prescription for Accutane. I took it to the pharmacy and they said "We can't fill this, you have to get an approval from your HMO before we can give it to you." Fine. I call my dr and a week later my approval comes through. I take it. I love it.

Come about April, I go to the pharmacy for my refill and he won't refill it. I KNOW I've got refills left on the prescription. I ask why, and he said that some people were suing the company because they got pregnant on Accutane. FRIGGIN' IDIOTS!! Didn't they read the instructions? Didn't their doctor talk to them?? Anyway, to make a long story short, those of us on Accutane who have half a brain

*pause for lip balm reapplication*

and take the drug properly are now being punished for other people's stupidity. Pharmacies will no longer refill Accutane. Every time you run out, you have to go to your doctor and get a new prescription with a little yellow sticker attached to it. For women, that means a pregnancy test every month. Thanks to my HMO, I had to take a dr 45 minutes from my house. That's a hike, especially since I have to get on the 405 and fight the El Toro Y to get there. Grrrrrrr. And when you get the drug, it comes with an 11x14 sheet printed on BOTH sides with warnings.

Ugh, no wonder they say Accutane causes depression. It also causes a pain in the butt.