Need help with Oily Combination Skin

bray_wanderer

Has anyone experience of the Clarins and Clinique ranges for oily/combination skin?

I’m 30, and my skin hasn’t improved much since I was a teenager. I don’t wear makeup (because I fear clogging my pores further). I have to wipe my forehead at least twice during the working day due to oily build up. My cheeks are perfect – I wish the rest of my skin was like my cheeks. My nose is oily, particularly the little patch of skin either side of it. And my chin always has two or three spots, with the potential for many more.

I have tried pretty much every product, changed to silk pillows, altered my diet, even had my thyroid checked – all fine. Never smoked, rarely drink.
I’d never stuck to a regular cleansing/toner/moisturiser routine before.

5 weeks ago, I splashed out on the Combination-Oily Skin Clarins range having read great things online. I really believed it would change my life, the hundreds of reviews were that positive.

I got the cleansing milk, the green toner and I use a tiny amount of Clinique oil-free moisturiser everywhere except my chin. I’ve been following this routine twice daily for 5 weeks. I’ve been using a Clinique exfoliator once a week also.

And my skin is worse than normal. I’ve ended up with far more spots on my chin and some on my cheeks and nose where I never had spots before. I was hoping maybe it was just my skin clearing itself out, ridding itself of deep dirt I didn’t know was there? Is this a normal part of a new routine?

I find the Clarins toner leaves my skin extra greasy, I’ve reduced the amount I use but even the tiniest amount dabbed on with a cotton ball leaves a film which I have to wipe off after a couple of hours. The new breakouts have evened out now, but my skin is exactly as it was before I started this routine. Oily and always the potential for a couple of new spots on my chin.

Today, after 5 weeks using Clarins, I have changed over to the Clinique combination-oily skin range. And straight away my skin FEELS like something is happening.

The Clinique gel wash is foamy and lathers, and my skin felt a little tighter after using it (where the Clarins milk simply did nothing – like rubbing in a moisturiser and then washing it off). The Clinique Toner stings a little and it doesn’t leave such an oily shine to my face. The Clarins toner didn’t sting, or have any effect other than a shiny head. I haven’t used a moisturiser today but will stick with the same oil-free Clinique one from their combination range.

The only major downside of the Clinique range is the unpleasant smell. Hugely disappointing to me, as it’s somewhere between odourless to slight chemical smell. My favourite thing about Clarins was the lovely smell of the toner. It smells so fresh and clean on my skin afterwards (even if it leaves me with a big greasy head). It’s almost enough to make me stick with Clarins.

Has anyone experience of either of the above ranges?

I know people will tell me tight skin and burning are not a good thing, but at least I can feel something happening. It feels like it’s drying my skin where Clarins is probably much more gentle, and I suspect too gentle for my impatience.

Maybe I quit Clarins too soon? How long should I stick with a product to see an improvement?

I’ve been taking photos as I go along, and am looking forward to see how my skin looks after a few days using Clinique.

I'd love to hear some feedback from others who have used either of these product ranges as if these don't work, then I fear I've tried everything there is and will have to accept my skin will always be like this.

Toto Wolfcastle

It's a good few years since I used those Clinique products but they absolutely wrecked my skin. I know you feel that the tightness and burning are good but just be careful with them because my skin has never fully recovered. I got a facial while I was using them and face mapping (Dermalogica) and as soon as she looked at my skin the woman knew I'd been using Clinique. I can't help with recommendations because my skin is a bit different to yours now but don't confuse harshness with success.

bray_wanderer

Thank you for the reply and your experience. The last thing I want to do is wreck my already bad skin.

I expect if I keep using these Clinique products for a number of weeks, my skin will dry out completely. At the moment, dry skin would be my dream, I find it so embarrassing how I always look like my forehead is sweating [due to the oiliness].

The chemical smell of the Clinique products did unsettle me though. I suppose any tingling sensation feels like success right now - I'm just so sick of always having a few spots at age 30! It feels unfair, especially since most teenagers nowadays seem to have beautiful skin!

If anyone with combination skin can recommend any other ranges, I'm open to suggestions. I will have to use up the Clarins/Clinique products I have, but open to trying others then.

Lotus Flower

I've had the same reaction to Clarins moisturisers, they break me out. Clinique make some great products but it sounds like the ones you're using are harsh. Stripping your skin is not the way, your skin will only produce more oil to compensate. Personally I'd avoid anything foaming and go for something like Clinique Take The Day off Cleansing balm and a flannel.

An acid toner would do wonders for you, Pixi Glow Tonic or Clarins Exfoliating Toner, for example. Both are gentle and not paint strippers.

For skincare, you can't go far wrong with La Roche Posay, they have ranges for oily skin

mrsdewinter

Have to +1 Toto. Clinique didn't wreck my skin but the 'tightening' effect countered by the overgloopy moisturiser did me no favours.
I have oily skin also and although I still get the occasional breakout (when the diet goes to pot), the 2 steps that helped me most in recent years (I'm 41) were giving up dairy milk (still eat cheese, yoghurt, etc) and, last thing at night, lathering on the coconut oil, removing it with a hot flannel and then applying a night oil. The night oil may be a step too far but look into the coconut oil thang: I now look forward to how dewy my face feels post coconut oil.

bray_wanderer

Thanks for your replies

Can I ask, what does La Roche Posay range smell like? Bit of a weird question, but I'm very sensitive to smell, and really can't stand anything with a chemical smell.
Has anyone experience of their oily range?
Can I ever hope to have crystal clear skin?

I went back to Clarins last night and decided to stick with it for another while. It is all alcohol free and definitely very gentle. It was the scent that lured me back, after again smelling the clinique toner.

And Lotus, I have the Clarins exfoliater you mention.

SarahMollie

Hi OP,

Firstly, sorry you've been having trouble with your skin for so long. I suffered a good bit as a teen so I know how frustrating it can be. My issue was mostly acne (although also extremely oily at times) and a combination of an antibiotic called Minocin and the later the pill has thankfully kept it mostly at bay.

I have to say that if you have real problem skin, the first thing I'd do is step away from Department Store brands like Clarins. They're nice and whatnot for people with normal skin but they're not for people with skin issues. Also, the people who work behind their counters only know as much as their employer has told them - they're not skincare specialists.

I go to a dermatology nurse practicioner every few months for a microderm and glycolic peal and my skin is much better since I've been seeing her the last few years. She's been able to help me target issues in various areas on my face, like redness, dryness, open pores, acne scarring by applying different types of the peal solution to the various parts. My skintone is now more even.

Shes also got me to give up most of my department store skincare (I used to use a lot of Clinique and Lancome) in favour of Image skincare. I even use a specific cleanser once a week in certain parts of my face to help wiht my pores.... its really targeted.

I don't really find it any more expensive that what I used to use and I'm much happier. Also she works part time from home and the rest of the time shes under a consultant dermatologist in one of the top private hospitals, so I feel like I'm still getting great quality treatments, only not paying consultant fees.

If you want to PM me I can share her details if you're in Dublin?