Recs for summer skincare regimen for congested skin?
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Wed May 06, 2009 7:18 am

I am currently using Jan Marini skin care products, and my key product for keeping pimples (few) and blackheads/whiteheads (many) at bay is the Bioclear cream, which contains salicylic acid and azelaic acid. Now that summer is almost here, and I know I will spend some time in direct sunlight (wearing high SPF, of course!), I think I should leave the acids out to avoid hyperpigmentation.

Can anyone recommend another product to help with the congestion, that doesn't contain acids?
(Besides the Bioclear, I'm currently using JM Bioglycolic cleanser, C-esta serum, Transformation cream/Skin Silk Hydrator, Skinzyme mask and SPF 30)

I was thinking of trying JM Nightzyme, even though I know it's not gonna be as effective as Bioclear.

I'd appreciate any tips! Smile

free skin care · Thu May 07, 2009 9:02 pm

Well, what works for us isn't guaranteed to work for you (I'm sure you already know this) so it's kind of pointless for me or anyone else to suggest a regimen.

free skin care · Fri May 08, 2009 1:40 pm

Annonymous wrote:

Well, what works for us isn't guaranteed to work for you (I'm sure you already know this) so it's kind of pointless for me or anyone else to suggest a regimen.

I disagree. Isn't that the whole point of this forum to ask/answer questions, give/ask for advice, etc? It may or may not work but it gives someone a few ideas.

BP, bha, tazorac, and oral antibiotic (especially) are the only things that have ever worked for me. HTH

free skin care · Fri May 08, 2009 2:26 pm

violetta.... I'm early 40's, combo skin with large pores. Prone to congestion, although I RARELY see blackheads any more.

What has worked for me:

1. Cleanser -- I switch between PSF papaya cleanser, Dr. Bronner's Rose cleanser, to JB Organic cleansing milk. I really don't attach a great deal of importance to cleanser since it doesn't have a prolonged contact with your skin.

2. 2nd step cleanser - microfiber cloth to wipe traces of cleanser away, also provides physical/gentle exfoliation (which can help reduce clogged pores)

3. PSF - 5% BHA solution. I apply this at least once a day after cleansing, focusing on nose and chin where pores are largest.

4. Weekly --- I exfoliate with a physical microderma scrub. I make my own, but the scrubs by either PSF or Naturderm are absolutely lovely. The only reason I don't use them is because I mix up my own batch to save $$.

5. Weekly --- clay mask --- either French Green or Rasshoull Clay --- I mix up my own... if you want to purchase a mask, PSF's acne mud mask is absolutely lovely... Jurlique's Recovery mud mask is very well formulated as well, but a little too steep for my budget. In the summer, I apply a clay mask twice weekly.

6. Weekly --- and this may help more than anything else to reduce congestion... After cleaning your face thoroughly, apply a generous amount of pure jojoba oil and massage it in circular motions all over your lovely face for at least 10 minutes. Focus on the areas with the greatest amount of congestion. Sit down and catch up on the news while you do this... Rinse off with tepid water and wipe off traces with a microfiber cloth. You'll actually see plugs of sebum fall out.

When you first start this... it's called the Oil Cleansing Method, BTW... you may want to do it more than once a week to clear out your pores, then settle down to once a week for maintenance. This is probably one of the best things I learned about on EDS, right up there with PSF skincare and mineral makeup. Smile

Hope this helps,

Athena

P.S. If at all possible, try to find a mineral makeup that works well for you.... the inert ingredients in powdered MMU are less likely to react to acids on your skin, clog your pores or contribute to any breakouts. Unfortunately, in the dead heat of summer, I've found that MMU doesn't hold up so I have to use conventional foundation during the warmest months of the year. Try to counteract this with thorough cleansing and makeup removal in the PM...

free skin care · Sun May 10, 2009 11:18 am

Violetta,

Topical treatments can work well to deal with acne prone skin and certainly if you are prone to acne then you need to exfoliate on a regular basis.

However if your skin is oily and congested then more than likely it is due to hormones. It is either an excess or sensitivity to a form of testosterone called DHT that causes our sebaceous glands to enlarge and over produce oil which in turn leads to blackheads, whiteheads and spots/cysts etc. If you are able to control this androgen then you should see a decrease in oil production and an improvement in your skin. Some women do this through birth control pills. It is also possible to see an improvement eating a clean healthy low GI diet as this way of eating through stabilizing blood sugar improves sensitivity to insulin which in turn has a knock on effect on your hormones. You could also try taking a herbal anti-androgen such as peppermint or licorice tea or taking a Saw Palmetto supplement. These herbs are able to block the conversion of testosterone to the more harmful form DHT and so over time you should have less oily skin and less bumps and acne.

I have been taking Saw Palmetto it is still early days but it seems promising. One thing I would say though is check with your GP or if you can a qualified Herbalist before taking Saw Palmetto. I think you would be okay drinking the teas though. It takes around 6 weeks to see the results but if you found it worked it would allow you to ease up on some of those harsher treatments in the height of summer.

Good luck!

Tue May 26, 2009 1:39 am

tsjmom, athena123 and pandora77: Thanks for all your suggestions! Smile

(Sorry for replying so late, but I've been away)

You're so right, tsjmom: The whole point of this forum is to share knowledge and advice, even though not everything works for everyone. So thanks for sharing!

I have actually tried most of the things you guys suggest. I have been struggling with these skin issues since I was a teenager (I'm 32 now). Have tried a lot of different skincare and treatments. My father and sister have the same skintype more or less, so I believe it is in the genes and has to do with hormones. I did take birth control pills before, but as I'm not in a relationship right now and don't really like the idea of taking pills, I'm trying to find other solutions. The best so far has been the Jan Marini skincare, and Bioclear being the key product (salisylic acid/azelaic acid)
But never tried herbal anti-androgens, so will check that out! I tried jojoba oil for moisturizing, but unfortunately did nothing for me. But will try it for cleansing as suggested, too se if that can help.

What I'd like to do is continue using the Bioclear, but I stopped a few weeks ago as I'm afraid the acids will cause damage on the skin, as I do intend to spend some time in the sun this summer (wearing SPF 30 at least).

Those of you who use BHA, do you think I'd be ok continue using Bioclear during summer (PM only)?

Sorry about looong reply Anxious

free skin care · Tue May 26, 2009 5:01 am

violetta wrote:

Those of you who use BHA, do you think I'd be ok continue using Bioclear during summer (PM only)?

Sorry about looong reply Anxious

Any method of exfoliation you use, whether it's BHA, AHA, or mechanical exfoliation, will increase sun sensitivity.

If I'm not mistaken, the Bioclear cream only has 2% salicylic acid. If that's the case, you should be OK, provided you use a good sunscreen (a hat would be an added bonus!)

However, how many hours are you thinking of spending in the sun? Are you talking about just walking/outdoor activities? Or actually suntanning?

Tue May 26, 2009 6:17 am

Josee: I think you might be right re. the salicylic content (2%). Can't remember exactly. It also contains azelaic acid, but I don't think azelaic acid increases sun sensitivity.

I mean actual suntanning, as I am going to Spain this summer and know we will be spending time on the beach. I will use high spf though, and a hat.

My skin is not sensitive or thin, rather oily and a bit rough/thick.

Tue May 26, 2009 7:22 am

pandora77 wrote:

Violetta,

You could also try taking a herbal anti-androgen such as peppermint or licorice tea or taking a Saw Palmetto supplement. These herbs are able to block the conversion of testosterone to the more harmful form DHT and so over time you should have less oily skin and less bumps and acne.

I have been taking Saw Palmetto it is still early days but it seems promising. One thing I would say though is check with your GP or if you can a qualified Herbalist before taking Saw Palmetto. I think you would be okay drinking the teas though. It takes around 6 weeks to see the results but if you found it worked it would allow you to ease up on some of those harsher treatments in the height of summer.

Good luck!

Pandora77, how much/how often do you reckon one would have to drink the teas to have any effect? I'm not sure if liqorice tea would be a good idea for me, as my blood pressure is slightly high. I do drink peppermint tea from time to time, but not regularly.
Are you taking Saw Palmetto for acne purposes? I did a bit of research just now, and it looks interesting. I definitely prefer natural treament whenever possible Smile

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