Moisturizers never moisturize!?!?!?

[#1]

Moisturizers for my skin type (oily, acne prone, small pimples scattered on my face) never moisturizer my face at all! With the acne, I always end up with a scabby, rough face. I want it to soften up, but nothing ever softens my face. Can you recommend any? Also, why may my moisturizer not have worked? My old moisturizer was a good one, not cheap and was for my skin type It was LUSH Handmade Cosmetics' Vanishing Cream

[#2 · Accepted solution]

1. Do you use a toner? if you don't, try one. Sometimes my skin is perfectly smooth after washing, but more often than not, my combination skin need a toner, especially during unstable or changing season. A toner will wipe off remaining dirt/oil/cleanser and provide a light dose of hydration, thus prepping the skin for moisturizer to sink in better. I love Clinique Toner 2 (contains witch hazel to help minimize acne, glycerin to moisturize, mint is particularly refreshing in the summer, and alcohol to make it dries faster. Yeah, I know 7/10 ingredients off top of my head cuz I've been using it for 5 yrs). If that is slightly dry, I recommend Origins 95% organic purifying toner. If you want something that's more targeting acne, try DDF glycolic toner. Just soak a cotton ball or pad with the toner and wipe, feels good and makes moisturizer sinks in.

2. Do you use any kind of masks or peels? If you are already using a toner, perhaps an enzyme mask or peel will jumpstart your skin again. Enzyme masks and peels encourage cell renewal/regeneration, fancy word for making raw/thin/dull/tired skin into plump/glowy/firm/new skin. I tried Ren F10 enzyme mask one day in Fall/winter and didn't realize how thin and dull my skin was until I look in the mirror the second day and saw how glowy and firm (like a baby's) my skin was. I like Ren F10 enzyme mask but becareful about extreme temperatures or keeping it past expiration date or else it will get grainy and go bad. I haven't used them in a while since toner is good enough, so I suggest reading customer reviews on Sephora.

Lastly, sometimes a rough face is result of too much exfoliation or harsh treatment (generally no more than 2-3 times a week), or the moisturizer is not hydrating enough (despite the fact I have oily combo skin, I use moisturizer for dry combo/normal skin in the summer and moistrurizer for dry skin in the winter, especially since I don't use serums).

[#3]

I have acne prone, oily skin and Origins Make A Difference Moisturizer works great! It softens the skin, but what I like about it is that it never adds oil/grease to my oily skin. I've been repurchasing this product for over a year!!  

[#4]

I have similar skin type with yours.

Every morning and every night, I will use toner at first. I used to use Marykay #2 toner and it works well. When I used it up, I tried several toner, including Clinique, Estee, Kleil's and Dior. I found the Estee soft toner and Dior gentle toner(the light pink one) can make my skin soft and smooth and not that dry as before. But except Dior, other toners make my face painful more or less. So I recommend the Dior gentle toning lotion.

I am using Estee Lauder Hydrationist moisture lotion. The effect is just so so. But you can try some serum. For example Chanel hydration serum. Yes I know it's pricey;-)

[#5]

I myself suffer with acne/combination skin. I have learned that the nicer I am am to my skin and the less products I use, the better results I get. I use Philosophy Purity Face Wash and I try to stay away from any heavy acne treatments because they make my skin more dry and more prone to break out. And instead of using botha moisturizer and foundation, I started using a tinted moisturizer by Josie Maran that contains Argan Oil which is good/safe for all skin types.