Moisturizer for acne prone skin

[amber913]

I am acne prone with combination skin on the oily side. Now that i'm older, my skin also gets dry and flaky VERY easily.

I've tried all of the washing techniques i've seen on mdc (OCM, WO, honey, etc.) with no success.

I need a moisturizer. When i washed and used a moisturizer, my skin was nearly clear. Can anyone suggest one for my type of skin? Something that won't make me break out further?

Thanks!

[Abarat]

I'd keep it simple just using a plain oil that doesn't impede the natural functions of the skin such as olive, grapeseed, hazelnut (reccomended for oily skin), evening primrose, avocado, hemp or safflower. I usually go with olive or grapeseed because they are less expensive and easy to find.

I can usually find olive and safflower at the grocery store. You may need to go to a health food store to find the other oils.

[notjustmamie]

DH's skin tends toward oily and he use straight aloe as an aftershave lotion. It seems to work pretty well for him.

[sunnysandiegan]

I am in my early 40s and previously had skin similar to what you are describing: combination tending towards oily. Then, I started getting dry patches with the oil slicks. What a mess!

My hormones were out of whack and my cycles were off course. I worked with an Ayurveda practitioner and she had me working on my digestive system and reproductive system to get things back in order. For my face, she specifically told me to use rosewater in as many products as possible. (I'll share my products below.) While I was detoxing, my face (and skin in general) still showed signs of distress but it also started evening out in terms of oily and dry patches. Now, my skin is "normal"...not even combination anymore, no oil slicks and no dry patches, just moist, soft skin. I am still detoxing, though, so I still have some visual imperfections so I cannot use the word "clear" to describe my skin.

Here is what I use:

Jason rosewater hand & face soap
Heritage rosewater (as a toner and pick-me-up spritzer and light moisturizer)
I created my own blend of oils for my eye area (sweet almond oil, rosehip seed oil, vitamin E). I just use 1-2 drops spread between my two ring fingers and applied gently around the eyes.
Then, I use a few drops of unrefined coconut oil spread among my fingers over my entire face, neck, and décolletage. I live in a warm climate and my coconut oil hasn't solidified just yet, so I have it in a amber bottle with a dropper. I am about to place an order for a small jar (among other bottles/jars for all my own concoctions) and I will put some of my coconut oil in that. When it solidifies, I'll just dip my fingers into the tiny jar (half-ounce) and let the CO warm up and liquidify before applying. Since it is a small amount, I am not concerned about contaminating it. I wouldn't want to stick my fingers into the main jar repeatedly, though.

[loon13]

Originally Posted by notjustmamie

DH's skin tends toward oily and he use straight aloe as an aftershave lotion. It seems to work pretty well for him.

Ditto to this. My DH is prone to breakouts and asked what natural lotion he could use after shaving. I suggested aloe vera gel, and he's quite happy with it. He's using the Lilly of the Desert Aloe Vera Gelly.

[marimara]

I currently use Derma E Pyncogenol Moisturing Gel, w/ Yes To Cucumbers Cream around my eyes and on dry spots. I also have Avalon Organics Vitamin C Serum to use to occasionally.

For something cheaper, try Derma E Wrinkle Treatment Gel. It comes in 8oz bottles I think for like $9. I used it and it works just as good as the Pyncogenol Gel so when this runs out I'm going back to other stuff.

I have really sensitive skin that can be acne prone when my hormones are out of whack. I also get dry patches in my advancing age ( 32 ).

[amber913]

Originally Posted by marimara

I have really sensitive skin that can be acne prone when my hormones are out of whack. I also get dry patches in my advancing age ( 32 ).

I'm 32, too, and there's a huge difference between what my skin was and what it is--except for the acne. I've been dealing with it for way too long!

Thank you for your suggestions, and i'm open to more!

[russsk]

I tone with acv and water, and moisturize with shea butter. This has really helped keep my skin balanced.

[amber913]

FYI: The aloe is working beautifully. I just have to find a reasonably-priced organic gel before i destroy all my aloe plants!

[~Nancy~]

I have had similiar skin problems.

What worked for me was using a Clarisonic brush (like the sonicare toothbrush, but for your face)

I use Kiss My Face Olive Oil bar soap with the the clarisonic brush.

After that, I use aloe (I like Lily of the Desert), and a little coconut oil on dry areas, and around my eyes.

My skin has never looked better; even pores are smaller. My acne is gone, and my over-all texture has had a big improvement.

[loon13]

Originally Posted by amber913

FYI: The aloe is working beautifully. I just have to find a reasonably-priced organic gel before i destroy all my aloe plants!

Glad to hear it! We get the Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Gelly from Vitacost.com
They have very good prices on lots of products.

[catnap70]

I alternate between coconut oil and a mix of aloe vera gel with a squirt of Rose facial oil from MRH. I think I have Classic Rose right now but have used Wild Rose in the past and liked it a bit better. I just put a squirt of each in my hand and mix them up together before applying. It took some convincing for me to put straight oil on my acne prone skin but it really does work better for me. I also like the MRH Rose castile soap for washing.

[MyLilPwny]

I had chronic acne and very oily skin for over a decade of my life, but I cured my acne and oily skin 100% with a series of 10 liver/gallbladder flushes a few years ago, and now I'm left with dry skin on my face that always has to have some kind of moisturizer. The rest of my body is fine and never needs any moisturizer, but the skin on my face is so dry and damaged from all the topical acne products I used to apply on it. My favorite moisturizer for my face is pure shea butter (I use Alaffia brand) and then pure emu oil would be my second favorite. I also have used almond oil, coconut oil and jojoba oil, but those are too greasy for me.