ouch, my face!

[gwingwyn]

hi all, i'm realllly new here but i've been reading all your posts and thought i'd put this down to see if anyone has any advice.

I have suffered terrible skin on my chin for ages now and really don't know what to do. i have real solid blocked pores (not blackheads, but real deep under the skin bumps). About once a month they get infected (menstruation related i guess) and i get a bunch of whiteheads / sore red bumps.

i'd like to clean it all up but i tried to extract, and got all red and infected, so i'm obviously not very good at this! I did use teatree afterwards and tried not to touch my face but didn't work!

i tried the OCM thing for about a week - it has worked wonders on the rest of my face but - all of my chin and around my mouth have got really dry and sore. although the bumps seem to be coming closer to the surface and easier to extract.

i love wearing makeup so i really need something to clean my face with that doesn't dry up my skin so bad. i don't want to use a chemical moisturiser but oil (tried almond, sunflower and olive) won't seem to sort out this dryness.

i tried honey but that was awful, really dried my sensitive skin.

i'm going to try OCM without the castor oil for a few days and see what happens there.

is it worth pushing on through until my face adjusts or does anyone have any other ideas?!

also, it says on the original OCM page that you shouldn't use this method every day, so does anyone have any ideas for daily natural cleansing?

look forward to hearing your thoughts! and HI! - i'm so glad to have found this place!!

thanks

EmJ

[AngelBee]

[spiderdust]

Try the OCM with a little less castor oil. I don't think I'd do it without any, since the castor oil is what does most of the cleaning. The olive oil helps to keep the castor oil from completely drying out your skin... although since it sounds like you're getting dry and sore areas, the proportions of castor oil and olive oil need to be adjusted somewhat.

If it was bringing the bumps closer to the surface, it sounds like it was helping a little!

[Mallori]

Can I ask what kind of makeup you are using?

Switching makeup was a key step for me. HTH.

[gwingwyn]

Hey. I use a max factor cover up! sometimes a clinique one.
i'm quite sure they're not doing me any good.

um, have i gone mad or was this post longer the other day?!

[Mallori]

I just made a connection, I also have major breakouts on my chin, and i've finally connected it to fabric softener. I don't use the stuff until spring, when I start line drying. Sure enough, whammo! I got another breakout, I could actually watch the dang things form. I am currently stripping my laundry with dishsoap in hot water with a vinegar rinse.

I also put in an order for Charlies Soap. I cannot wait til it comes, and it's not costing me any more than store bought detergent would.

I'd also switch to mineral makeup. It covers better than you'd expect. I also now moisturize with a layer of aloe followed by a smidge of jojoba. I love it.

[gwingwyn]

i noticed that i touch my chin a lot and that spreads the infection. my own worst enemy.
i now only use Ecover washing products so hopefully that reduces the risk of allergies to clothes.

i followed the advice and now use a OCM every night with much less castor oil
no new spots right now, just scars. but then my time of the month for new spots has passed so that could change later.

but the skin has dried out and left flaked patches which no amount of oil is moisturising.

i found your longer post i my email box, and i like the sound of your cleanser. might try and run up something like that for regular use.

well, what an experiment!

oh - does the rosehipseed oil moisturise? i feel like i need something to counteract the flakiness and soften my skin. reapplying a tiny drop of the OCM solution does stop tightness but doesn't have the effect of a traditional moisturiser.

[Mallori]

The rosehip seed oil does moisturize, but I didn't like it as well as i'm liking jojoba. I find with either one, if I use it around my eyes, where I need it, I cannot wear eye makeup. It will run down my face through the day. So I don't wear eye makeup right now, and it doesn't bother me to have to give it up..

I'm still working on perfecting my routine. The fabric softener really did a number on my body, it was really a headsmack moment when I realized what was going on. But i'm glad I realized it.

Anyway, hope you find something that works. I feel like i'm close, now it's just down to giving it time to work. Things I really like: Honey, b.soda, ACV(diluted), jojoba. Everyday Minerals too, best foundation i've tried, and there have been many.

I didn't care for tea tree oil, but I know many, many people have had success.

My latest find: an egg white/lemon juice mask. I mix 1 TB egg white, a squirt of pure lemon juice, and schlep that all over my face. Let sit for 20, rinse with cool water. I do that right after cleaning and before moisturizing at night.

Good luck to you, acne stinks.