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SalvadorMontenegro
New Member
 
Joined: 30 Dec 2008
Posts: 9
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Tue Dec 30, 2008 2:54 pm  |
Hi, all. First off, I'm new here. Secondly, I'm a dude. I figured women probably know more about skin care than men, so, here I am!
So, here's my problem:
My skin is dehydrated.
I'm 25 and very pale. My skin is very sensitive, as well. Facial scrubs destroy my skin. For a while I was using them and I looked horrible. It seems now, though, that moisturizers also dehydrate my skin.
Right now I wash with Cetaphil twice a day (morning before shaving and night before bed) and use Eucerin's Q10 moisturizer as an aftershave/moisturizer. For awhile, I was using it twice a day.
Now, I've used a lot of products. Tried a lot of products, that is. Just about every moisturizer seems to dehydrated my skin. I get fine lines at the corners of my mouth, on my forehead and on my cheeks when I stretch my skin. This has been going on for about a year.
To be honest, I look fairly awful right now. I don't have the foggiest idea what's going on. I used to have sensitive, oily skin, now I look like a cadaver and it has been a precipitous decline. I used to smoke, but quit nine months ago. I drink about two cups of coffee a day, but even when I cut that out, my skin looks the same. I drink a lot of water, too. I also take flaxseed oil.
I've always been pretty knowledgeable about skin care, because I had terrible acne as a teenager and very sensitive skin. I can't figure this out, though. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. I use the moisturizer mainly for the SPF, since I'm so pale. But it's making me look awful and I have no clue why. I worry that I've somehow permanently ruined my face.
Please help! |
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Tue Dec 30, 2008 3:39 pm |
Can you list the ingredients of your moisturizer?
You would be better off to avoid lotions, which are oil suspended in water, and go for creams, which is water suspended in oil. Lotions can sometimes dehydrate quickly, whereas creams will keep a protective barrier over your skin.
Sounds like you need a thick cream. La Roche Posay has a good thick cream for sensitive skin called TOLERIANE RICHE which contains shea butter and some other very moisturizing ingredients. There is also a regular version that is not "RICHE" but it is less moisturizing. Try applying moisturizer when your skin is still moist because then it locks some of the moisture in your skin all day. A lot of SPFs are not that moisturizing, so you will need to use a good moisturizer under it, then put the SPF of your choice on top.
Cetaphil is a good cleanser and I use it myself. But there are also more moisturizing cleansers on the market too. I think La Roche Posay has some moisturizing cleansers, also some people cleanse using oils. I dont know the details of oil cleansing but im sure you could do a search for it here. It would be good only if you don't break out anymore. |
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SalvadorMontenegro
New Member
Joined: 30 Dec 2008
Posts: 9
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Tue Dec 30, 2008 3:58 pm |
Here are the ingredients:
Active Ingredients: Octinoxate, Octisalate, Oxybenzone
Inactive Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Cyclomethicone, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Alcohol Denat., Octyldodecanol, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Panthenol, Ubiquinone (Coenzyeme Q10), Macadamia Nut Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Lecithin, Disodium Phosphate, Potassium Phosphate, Carbomer, EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben
The interesting thing is that my skin actually looks better and less dehydrated WITHOUT moisturizer. For instance, right now my face has nothing on it and while it doesn't look great, it looks a hell of a lot better than it did when I had moisturizer on it.
My guess is that maybe moisturizers somehow interfere with my skins natural oils, so that my skin thinks it's moisturized when moisturizer is on it, so it doesn't produce any natural moisture. I have no idea. That's just a guess.
I feel like a freak. I'm the only person I know who actually gets dried out by a product designed to moisturize.
For the record, I can't see a dermatologist right now because my health insurance is in limbo... |
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Tue Dec 30, 2008 4:05 pm |
| One of the ingredients in that moisturizer that is contributing to your dehydration is alcohol denat. (denatured alcohol). You should try to avoid that ingredient. Have you tried the other Eucerin moisturizer for sensitive skin (the cream one) which doesn't contain alcohol denat.? |
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Tue Dec 30, 2008 4:17 pm |
| I agree. Alcohol denat is, in my opinion, one of the worst ingredients in skin care! Cetyl Alcohol is fine though. Some alcohols are actually moisturizing and gentle and recommended for dry skin, while others are not. I find that alcohol denat really irritates and dries my skin, and over the long run I think it is to be avoided. Sometimes I do the "smell test" with moisturizers and other products. If it smells like alcohol, I avoid it. I really think there is a moisturizer out there for you, you have just not found the right one yet. A good idea is to go to sephora and try some free samples, that way you don't have to spend money to know if you like it. You might find that you need to use a natural moisturizer with only a few ingredients. There are actual oils you can just apply on your face which work well for some. Also Squalane/squalene oil at the health food store is both calming and moisturizing, and I know a plastic surgeon who recommends it to his patients to soothe the skin. |
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Tue Dec 30, 2008 4:44 pm |
| I agree that cetyl alcohol is fine. It is a moisturizing alcohol. Not all alcohols are the same. Familiarize yourself with skincare ingredients. Paula Begoun has a good dictionary of skincare ingredients inwww.cosmeticscop.com. Or you can check the individual ingredients in detail inwww.wikipedia.org. |
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SalvadorMontenegro
New Member
Joined: 30 Dec 2008
Posts: 9
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Tue Dec 30, 2008 5:56 pm |
One of the only things that has ever worked for my skin is Thayer's Witch Hazel. It's an all natural toner with aloe vera, so it's actually more hydrating than dehydrating.
I may just say to hell with SPF and use all natural products. I mean, what's the point in worrying about what my skin is going to look like in the future if I don't use SPF when right now it looks awful?
As far as the alcohol denat goes, I don't know. I've used a lot of moisturizers and I tend to get a similar result. I used Olay Sensitive over the summer (no alcohol denat) and I had pretty much the same result.
To be honest, the best my skin ever looked was when I didn't wash it at all. I just used water and I shaved, which was exfoliating.
It's been a wreck for about a year. I forgot to mention that I have a ton of milia, which don't seem to go away. And the products that are supposed to make them go away, don't do it and just make my skin more dehydrated.
To make matters even worse, my skin really stresses me out, which of course, makes my skin worse. So I'm in this vicious cycle. Really annoying. |
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Tue Dec 30, 2008 6:27 pm |
| SalvadorMontenegro wrote: |
| To be honest, the best my skin ever looked was when I didn't wash it at all. I just used water and I shaved, which was exfoliating. |
Why don't you go back to doing what was working for you? SPF is very important, though. Maybe look at an SPF geared especially for men? That may make a difference for you. |
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Tue Dec 30, 2008 7:07 pm |
| There are also natural products with spf! Lots of options for physical sunscreen. There's Devita, Keys, MyChelle, etc... Devita is a my moisturizer/sunscreen of choice. It's lovely. |
_________________
24 yrs old. favorite sunscreen right now: Burnout [now 35] |
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Tue Dec 30, 2008 7:28 pm |
| SalvadorMontenegro wrote: |
The interesting thing is that my skin actually looks better and less dehydrated WITHOUT moisturizer. For instance, right now my face has nothing on it and while it doesn't look great, it looks a hell of a lot better than it did when I had moisturizer on it.
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Studies have recently come out that show that moisturizers actually overwet the skin barrier, which allows more moisture to leave the skin...ultimately causing dryness, increased sensitivity, etc.
I have personally stopped using all moisturizers and facial oils so that my skin does not become dependent on them, and stop producing it's own moisture.
I would find an SPF product you can live with, and just stick to that. I am using ZO Skin Health Oclipse SPF 30. It is not cheap, but it goes on great, keeps your face from looking oily, and has not irritated my skin at all. If you send a PM to ZOskinhealth here on EDS, Donna will send you a free sample.
http://www.essentialdayspa.com/zo-skin-health-oclipse-su-p_10228.htm |
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No longer answering PM's due to numerous weird messages. |
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Tue Dec 30, 2008 8:15 pm |
bethany if you do not use any moisturizers/facial oils.....then what do you do after cleansing....just apply ur sunblock straight away....and what about at night...no product at all on skin after cleansing?  how has this affected your skin in terms of hydration.....do you feel its more drier or better then before? |
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age 33 .. skin dry with odd breakout now and then. skin color best i can describe is golden brown..tans easily |
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Tue Dec 30, 2008 8:49 pm |
| Not Bethany, but I don't use any moisturizers either. I do use other skin care actives (ZO, Nu derm products, C, etc), just not a so-called moisturizer. After using Nu Derm, one does not really need any added moisture, as the skin is healthier. According to Dr. Obagi, occasional use of a moisturizer is fine, he just does not believe in daily use so you skin does not become "addicted" to them. |
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SalvadorMontenegro
New Member
Joined: 30 Dec 2008
Posts: 9
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Tue Dec 30, 2008 9:16 pm |
| I was just thinking that maybe it's not the moisturizer, but the Cetaphil. I've heard that sodium lauryl sulfate can damage your skin. I used Cetaphil back when I was a teenager and was fine with it, but maybe my skin has acquired an aversion to it? |
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Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:37 pm |
Sal..DUMP the cetaphil. They changed their formula, and its AWFUL. It's soooo drying.
If you have no issues with acne, i say dont even use a cleanser. Just use a gentle wash cloth morning in the shower, and just rinse your face with warm water in the evenings.
purpose is even bad too... |
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Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:54 pm |
| Oh my I did not even know Cetaphil changed their formula. Is there a NEW cheap good cleanser , or something similar to the old formulation? |
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SalvadorMontenegro
New Member
Joined: 30 Dec 2008
Posts: 9
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Tue Dec 30, 2008 11:01 pm |
See, I was curious about whether or not Cetaphil changed. It seemed like when they changed their packaging, the product got harsher. It still looks the same and smells the same, but it felt different.
I would do the water only thing, but I run a lot now, so I get pretty sweaty. Also, I have oily skin. I just happen to have dehydrated oily skin. |
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Tue Dec 30, 2008 11:06 pm |
Sal, the running is good. It will increase circulation which might help your skin out.
Drink lots of water, and take fish oil...that helps as well.
id suggest you register (its free) to makeupalley.com
they have a huge database of product reviews written by users. i always go there. |
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Wed Dec 31, 2008 12:54 am |
| simran wrote: |
| bethany if you do not use any moisturizers/facial oils.....then what do you do after cleansing....just apply ur sunblock straight away....and what about at night...no product at all on skin after cleansing? how has this affected your skin in terms of hydration.....do you feel its more drier or better then before? |
Simran,
I wash my face and let it dry fully, then I add whatever actives I am using (either ZO products or a Vivite Vibrance/Obagi C-Rx mixture). Then I apply sunscreen if it is in the morning.
At first I felt a little dry, but within a week my skin had normalized and was no longer feeling dry. I will occasionally use emu oil or the ZO Overnight Recovery Creme, but seldom more than once every 2 weeks now.
Here are some quotes from Dr. Obagi's dermatology textbook on moisturizer * spam alert *:
| bethany wrote: |
Obagi Skin Health Restoration and Rejuvenation
By Zein E. Obagi
Pages 23-24
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No longer answering PM's due to numerous weird messages. |
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Wed Dec 31, 2008 1:58 am |
bethany, the article sounds scary but yet it's so~ true. What about serum at night then? Does that consider a moisturizer too? I guess eye cream is the same thing? So wat u saying is nothing on the face whatsoever at night after cleansing and toning? Or just moisturize like once a wk? Masks are fine?
And in the morning, just Vit C serum & ss, and then makeup? No moisturizer even though face feels dry. What about hands and body?
And finally, my most concerned issue... I've been using moisturizer religiously every night for the last few yrs. If I stop using it now, can I still save my skin from what the article was talking about? Sry for being paranoid. Your reply is greatly appreciated! Thanks!!!  |
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Wed Dec 31, 2008 2:29 am |
yea that article is scary!. Actually I Dont even know what actives are hahaha gonna have to look them up unless someone has a article or something? How do i know which actives are good for me?
Stardusty doesnt using vit c during day time make skin more sensitive to sun? Well thats what i read! |
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age 33 .. skin dry with odd breakout now and then. skin color best i can describe is golden brown..tans easily |
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Wed Dec 31, 2008 4:17 am |
| Really though, this is just one dermatologist's opinion. Others will have different opinions. For example, when I use Retin A, my skin gets very sensitive. Moisturizer for me helps protect the skin's surface so it does not get damaged. I dont know how much of this THEORY i believe. And it is a theory, since I dont see any studies to back up the claim. I think that if you are going to use just a plain old moisturizer with no actives, then it IS useless. But if you are using, say, an AHA moisturizer, or another active ingredient in the moisturizer like vitamin C or Retinol, it is beneficial. IMO |
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Wed Dec 31, 2008 6:27 am |
| simran wrote: |
yea that article is scary!. Actually I Dont even know what actives are hahaha gonna have to look them up unless someone has a article or something? How do i know which actives are good for me?
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Actives mean Retin A or a derivative (retinol, etc), topical C serum, AHA/BHA, etc. Check out smartskincare.com. They have a lot of good information about a lot of different things!
Amonavis, you are definitely correct. This is just one derms opinion. There have been several others come out and say that about moisturizers, as well, though recently. I look at it as everything in moderation. A little moisturizer when you need it is fine. You don't have to quit using oils, moisturizers completely. But, I also don't think one needs them daily, either! |
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Wed Dec 31, 2008 1:46 pm |
| simran, Vit C should be used only in the daytime just once a day as the other forum members told me. The purpose of Vit C is to help protect u more against the sun with your ss. It helps to reduce sun damage as it claims. |
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Wed Dec 31, 2008 1:59 pm |
| Stardustdy wrote: |
| simran, Vit C should be used only in the daytime just once a day as the other forum members told me. The purpose of Vit C is to help protect u more against the sun with your ss. It helps to reduce sun damage as it claims. |
there is soo many conflicting information its all very confusing..........i thought vit c taken internally i.e pill form etc can help protect the skin against sun damage and vit c applied topically on surface skin makes skin more sensitive to sun and hence you can cause more damage  |
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age 33 .. skin dry with odd breakout now and then. skin color best i can describe is golden brown..tans easily |
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Wed Dec 31, 2008 5:05 pm |
simran, from what I know, Vit C taken internally has to be a lot to achieve the same effect if there's any at all. I guess a 1000mg daily of Vit C is good for its antioxidant benefits.
As for applying Vit C topically, it helps to further enhance the protection against the sun reducing free radicals. Also, it stimulates collagen production and provides an even skin tone. I'm not sure if that's true or not cuz I just started using a Vit C serum myself. I've been using it for 2wks and I don't notice anything unusual so yeah.... |
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