Sad about my skin :(

[BrittKa]

Hi! I'm looking for advice on skin care products. I'm currently using clean skin care products, I use a cleanser, hyaluronic serum and moisturizer and exfoliate a couple of times a week but I'm just not seeing any improvement in my skin. Please help. ❤️

[quspork]

What specific items are you using, @BrittKa and how long have you been using each one?

[BrittKa]

Hi @quspork, I've been using Viva biofoaming cleanser for about a month. I use Viva hyaluronic acid serum twice a day and then Indie Lee Daily moisturizer twice a day. I was told to wash my face just with water in the morning and use the cleanser at night. I also use Viva Exfoliating gel twice a week. The serum I've been using for about 6 months and all others for a month. 

[quspork]

@BrittKa Have you noticed an increase in breakouts since starting the Viva? I was looking at the cleanser it has a LOT of essential oils in it, which can often trigger acne. Foam cleansers also tend to have a higher pH which can strip your skin of necessary moisture leading to an overproduction of oil. I'd at least look at swapping out the cleanser for a gentle cream, gel, or milk. And to tackle the acne, I'd look at adding in a BHA/salicylic acid serum (or pads). There are ton of options depending on your price point. If the moisturizer and hyaluronic acid are working for you then no need to change. Also, you'll want to add in a sunscreen to help protect your skin from sun damage, especially if you are exfoliating. 

[Emy10]

Oily skin many times means dehydration.

First make sure you drink enough water Everyday, or constantly enough.

Also, I would suggest Not to use "drying" products often, if you already arnt, then I would suggest to gently exfoliate atleast 2 times a week, and using a good but not too heavy moisturizer (gels are good for oily skin, but also certain creams).

Do not be afraid to try day creams and see how your skin react; sometimes the skin needs to adapt and reajust, so try light moisturizer creams. 

A light night cream would be a good thing too.

I personally do Not suggest any Neutrogena products. Neither Clean and Clear. 

I'm also oily in the T-zone and been using the Tatcha cleanser (it's also a gentle exfoliator), and I'm talking about the original one, not the new Rice Wash, I tried it and I didn't like it as much as the original one. 

As for a moisturizer(day/night), I use pretty good and inexpensive ones from Elf and also sometimes I switch to my No.7 Day cream.

Good luck 🙂

[Anonymous]

@BrittKa I use Biore Charcoal Nose Strips for my blackheads.

[WinglessOne]

Hi @BrittKa  What improvement(s) are you hoping to see in your skin? What issues are you trying to address? 

[BrittKa]

I have a fair amount of breakouts and blackheads. Forehead is very oily throughout the day too.

[Emy10]

Whats your skin situation?

Also note that ''clean'' doesnt always mean better; i read about this and many times ''clean'' skincare isnt checked/verified for ingredients as good as other more known brands, also, many ''clean'' brands try to hide not clean ingredients with theyre very complex names. So be careful with the whole ''clean'' thing.

It might take more time, but always do some researches.

I personally dont care for the whole ''clean'' thing, because we all know so well how brands try to cover things. 

[BrittKa]

Hi! Yes, I've been doing some reading and sounds like clean doesn't mean what I think it means. My t-zone is very oily throughout the day. I usually have a couple of under the skin pimples each week and many blackheads. 

[tg1973]

You need a BHA product to clean those pores and prevent clogs. Even just Stridex pads in the red box (alcohol free) from the drugstore will start getting rid of those blackheads surprisingly quickly, but The Ordinary and Inkey List have products that will work better faster. BHA dissolves in oil, getting the pores clean all the way down.

[BrittKa]

Thanks! @tg1973 . What are your thoughts on toner and retinol cream?

[meou]

@BrittKa retinol is amazing and one of the most proven ingredients in skin care. It can cause purging though so it's highly recommended to go low and slow go allow your skin to adjust. 

Toner for me - I love but it is definitely not nevessary. I usually have one exfoliating and on hydrating toner on hand that I alternate between as needed.

[BrittKa]

@meou oh awesome! Is there a retinol cream you recommend?

[meou]

@BrittKa I'm just starting my retinol journey so I'm using the The Ordinary Retinol 0.2% in Squalane, Signs of Aging Serum 1 oz/ 30 mL which is an oil serum. However the Kate Somerville +Retinol Vitamin C Moisturizer 1.7 oz/50 ml is on sale and calling to me...

[BrittKa]

@meou I have heard good things about the ordinary! I do like a good sale. Any moisturizers and sunscreens you’re can recommend? I feel overwhelmed with all the options out there 😅

[meou]

For sure @BrittKa 

For sunscreen the one on Sephora that I've heard the best things about is Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Invisible Broad Spectrum SPF 40 PA +++ 1.7 oz/ 50 mL but it's been sold out forever so I haven't been able to try it.  I LOVE my purito centella sunscreen (comes scented or unscented) which is a chemical sunscreen and I have their comfy version which is the mineral to try soon.  

Moisturizer wise - I find that one really personal and I have different ones for different days (Canadian weather ... Humid to freezing in a day) so I'd actually recommend getting some samples and seeing if you like a light weight gel or a thicker ceramide cream or something in the middle.  I keep all three on rotation and right now I'm using the cosrx green tea soothing gel, the cosrx moisture power enriched cream and the goodal vita c cream. 

From rereading the thread I did notice that you mentioned blackheads and oily tzone as a concern a BHA toner might work well for you like the Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA + BHA Pore-Tight Toner 5.07 oz/ 150 mL or Farmacy Deep Sweep 2% BHA Pore Cleaning Toner with Moringa + Papaya 4.0 oz/ 120 mL . Would not use it daily or in conjunction with retinol or other exfoliants but it might be a helpful addition (PM only) 

[BrittKa]

@meou Thanks so much! Yes seems I’ll just get my summer skin under control and then winter will be here and I’ll need to switch some things up 🙄.

are you saying for both those timers not to use daily or just the farmacy one?

[meou]

@BrittKa for both. You don't need to exfoliate daily - your skin takes time to regenerate so over-exfoliation (whether it's using too many products in a day or using one product too many times in a week) can lead to irritation or a damaged skin barrier. 

Everyone's skin is unique though! So it's totally possible that your skin will be fine using daily I just always recommend starting slow and working up to what your skin feels it needs.

Honestly find a good cleanser you enjoy, a moisturizer (doesn't need to be different for AM or PM) that keeps your skin hydrated and a sunscreen you like enough to wear every day even when you don't go outside and everything else you can play around with. 

[BrittKa]

@meou yes! Makes sense! Thanks for your help. I will likely come across more questions haha

[meou]

@BrittKa feel free to dm me or just post again. Lots of people on here with different philosophies and approaches to skincare so it's always interesting to see the different perspectives and recommendations 😊