If I had back all the money from all the fruitless trips to the dermatologists over the years…I’d have a big pile of money. I have severely dry skin and atopic dermatitis, I used to scratch so hard in my sleep I’d give myself giant bruises. And I’m allergic to everything. (I know, boo frickin hoo.)
I recently tried something called Zim’s Crack Creme, a ghastly name for a lifesaving product. They sell it at the drugstore next to the Cortaid. It’s a brown liquid (not a cream - or creme - at all)that smells strongly of cloves when applied, dries quickly, and I have normal skin for the first time in my life. YMMV, and it doesn’t have sunblock. I always have at least two bottles in the house, in case God forbid I spill one. I mentioned it awhile ago in another thread about skin, but I think it’s worth repeating.
No, Quasi, that’s for the hands. All that handwashing is really hard on the hands, so you need heavy duty stuff to keep your skin from drying out so bad it cracks. Those products are way too heavy to use on the face.
Personally, I really like St. Ives Hypoallergenic Oil-Free Moisturizer. It’s really light, but it really moisturizes. It’s oil-free, fragrance-free, dye-free, hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic (doesn’t clog pores and cause pimples), and isn’t tested on animals. It runs about $3 bucks a bottle (I’ve had the same one for almost 2 years) at Walmart, so if you try it and hate it you’re not out much.
Begoun’s book is where I got the information about sunscreens from, plus from a couple other articles IIRC. From what I recall, the stuff in your foundation can help but isn’t the best as a replacement for an application of sunscreen.
The full name of the lotion I bought is Bath & Body Works Luxuries - Purely Silk Body Lotion, in Coconut Lime Verbena. They may make a special face version, but I use this stuff on my face too. It absorbs well into the skin, in my experience.
The sunscreen that I use is Neutrogena UVA/UVB Sunblock Lotion 45 SPF. It contains Vitamin A and E as well. Label says it’s non-comedogenic and fragrance-free, so it should go easier on sensitive skin than many sunscreens.
Oh, Quasi, that was priceless. Well, unless you count the cost of the coffee that I spit on my monitor instead of swallowing.
Thanks, BadBaby but regular Oil of Olay is still too oily; it makes me break out. They have an oil-free version that isn’t too bad, but it doesn’t have sunblock.
It’s really hard to find an oil-free sunblock for the face.
I know people who swear by Cornhusker’s Lotion, but I’ve never tried it. I have used the Udder Cream for my hands; in fact, I have a small tub sitting here on my desk. I’ve never tried it on my face.
I have seen the Zim’s Crack Creme, kalex, but thought it was for hands or feet. But I have more trouble with oilyness than dryness, which is why I am attracted to the oil-absorbing claims.
I love the whole St. Ives line, CrazyCatLady, and I have tried that moisturizer, and liked it, but I have trouble finding it. The Wal-marts by me don’t always stock it, frustratingly enough.
I was at the beauty supply store last night, and found some Physician’s Formula Oil-free, oil-absorbing moisturizer, so I bought it. I am wearing it right now, but my first impression is it is too heavy, and it didn’t have sunblock, which, thanks to this thread, I am obsessing over.
If I don’t like it, it’s not a complete loss. I can always give it to my sister; she has drier skin than I do.
I’m going to keep looking, anyway. Thanks for all your suggestions.
Hi Wintermute - if you’re looking for something mattifying I suggest Vichy’s Normaderm Anti-Imperfection Hydrating Care.
However, you’ve said that your skin is combination… um, are you sure? You get oily and shiny in the T-zone, and are dry and flakey on your cheeks? Or do you get oily and shiny in the T-zone and are more normal on the cheeks? Or when you use heavy products do you break out everywhere? Depending on your answers I would maybe suggest something else. (Speaking as a cosmitician.)
Also, just as an FYI - the 2 in 1 concept for moisturizer and sun-screen isn’t actually that terrific. Obviously using something is better than using nothing, however, the proper way to apply moisturizer and the proper way to apply sun-screen are different.
Moisturizer should be gently massaged into the skin, whereas sun-screen should be patted on top of the skin - meaning you want to apply a thin layer over your whole face and not massage it in. You will get much better sun protection this way.
That is why I always suggest using 2 different products.
Hi, Alice, thank you so much for the information.
I would say that my skin is oily in the T-zone and more normal on the cheeks, but a lot depends on the time of year. It’s oilier now and flaky in the winter, but I still can’t use anything too heavy.
Where should I look for that product you mentioned? And do you have a favorite sunscreen? Is sunscreen really that important, when the most sun I get is on the drive to work and the drive home? I’m almost never out in the middle of the day, not even on weekends, being a night creature at heart.
And, since you’re being kind, what do you recommend for blackheads? I get them in that oily T-zone.
Thank you again for your recommendation.
Winter
Alice in Wonderland was my favorite non-horsey book when I was a kid. 
Hooo K…
For blackheads - BioTherm’s BioPure Masque. Put it JUST on your nose and T-area - leave it all night (really.) When you wake up your black heads will be gone. It is equally effective if you get a pimple once and a while. If you get many, you’ll need something else. I use this on my nose about once a month - not a black head to be found - even if I go for a facial. Start off with once a week - you’ll be able to taper off use after about 4 weeks.
I would vary your product based on the time of year - obviously in the summer you will need something lighter - again I suggest BioTherm’s BioPure Matte Hydrating Fluid. When winter rolls around you can suplement this with an additional moisturizer for your cheeks.
here is a link to the BioTherm website. It’s the Canada site but I believe it links to the US site which should have stores. BioTherm is much easier to find in the US then Vichy is. www.vichy.com is the Vichy site just in case - it is distributed in Maryland but they will ship it.
Sunscreen is pretty dern important, IMHO. If you get very limited sun exposure you can use a lower SPF, but you should still use it every day. For sunscreens I recommend people get one that is comfortable for them - some products feel very heavy - this is uncomfortable for many people. Biotherm makes a great line, as does Vichy, however Loreal, Revlon, Ombrell, etc all make very good products as well - it’s a mater of finding one that’s comfortable.
Clean and Clear Dual-Action Moisturizer! Clean and Clear Dual-Action Moisturizer! It’s reasonably priced and Wal-Mart usually carries it. It’s very light and non-greasy, and has salicylic acid built right in. Now, before you say that it would be too harsh on your face, let me tell you that I’ve never been prone to acne, neither before nor after using this (though I do have pimples); however, I have incredibly greasy skin if left to its own devices. This stuff moisturizes the dry-skin-that-would-flake-off-leaving-oily-skin-behind and leaves my face tingly. In the summer I cut my foundation with it, 50/50. It’s wonderful.
I will mention (and I hope you don’t take offense to this) that this stuff is great for my twenty-year-old face, but that it wasn’t strong enough for my mom. You didn’t mention your age (or I didn’t catch it), but that is something you might want to take into consideration.
lovelyluka - if you are using the correct moisturizer for your skin you shouldn’t have pimples. Really.
Salicylic acid is very harsh on the face - for a spot treatment is fine, but I wouldn’t recommend that anyone, save for those with severe acne, apply it all over their face in a moisturizer. (And actually, even for those with severe acne I would be reluctant - there are other products that are as effective, but less drying. White clay is a good example.)
Another vote for Mary Kay products.
I’ve used Oil of Olay since I was 14. I’ve tried other stuff but I keep coming back to this. The key with moisturizing is a good exfoliation beforehand; the moisturizer seems to really penetrate better without greasiness.
Another fantastic product is Mary Kay’s TimeWise® Age-Fighting Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 15.
I have recently gotten into the habit of applying a generous amount of Vitamin E oil before bedtime and I can already see the difference.
lovelyluka, I’ve tried the “Clean & Clear” moisturizer, but I sometimes use a mask with salicylic acid, and the combination was too harsh. But I liked the moisturizer ok.
angelabaca, that would probably be too heavy for my skin. Especially with the humidity we have here on the east coast. But thanks for the suggestion.
Thank you again, Alice for volunteering your expertise. I’m sure you get questions like this all the time.
No worries wintermute. I was toying with the idea of an “Ask the Cosmitician/Makeup Artist” thread, but I think a lot of people think they’re over done…
Anyhoo - any store that sells Biotherm products should give you a squirt or two in a small jar to take home and try before you buy. There’s no sense in buying the stuff if you hate it.
Is Udder Cream the same thing as Bag Balm? I love Bag Balm!
Wintermute, if you’re looking for a moisturizer without sunscreen, you might want to try aloe vera gel. I use it during the summer when my face gets oilier. The aloe vera gel moisturizes my skin without making it feel oilier. I apply a thin layer of gel after cleansing while my skin is still damp. I wait about 10 minutes for it to absorb and then I apply sunscreen. At night, I wash my face and apply aloe vera gel. My face feels nice and soft.