[tealeaf522]

Hello. I am new to this site and am seeking help!

I started having small dry patches on the apples of my cheeks when I first moved to NYC 5 years ago (from LA). As I've been getting older, I've noticed the dry patches getting bigger and worse. I grew up with super oily skin and my T-zone is still an oil factory but the apples of my cheeks are ridiculously dry and flakey (but below that, the rest of my cheeks are normal). I'm sure the east coast winters only worsen the condition, but I don't know what to do about it.

In the evening, I use Shu Uemura cleansing oil (I just started using the heaviest one because of this problem) - this cleanser is the ONLY cleanser I've used that truly takes off all my make up. I'm affraid the cleanser may be drying me out (is this possible if it's oil based?). Recently, I've been using a sample of Khiel's Ultra Hydrating Moisturizer. This combo has not had an adverse effect, but has also not helped. I've taken to putting Vaseline or Khiel's lip balm on my cheeks. Surprisingly too, even though I've been using products made for dry skin types on my super oily T-zone, I have not had any terrible break outs.

In the mornings I don't usually care what I use. Currently, I am using Clean & Clear Oxygenating cleanser and a moisturizer with spf15.

Please can someone make a suggestion on what to do about my cheekbones? Thanks!

 

[YorLooks]

Sounds like you've invested good $$ into a skin-care routine that's not addressed your immediate concers (yet). Your skin's programming is out of wack, and needs to be normalized. Give your skin at least 2 weeks to see visable changes while trying this inexpensive routine.

1. Try this, to calm/regulate your skin, try using a milky cleanser. These generally will not strip the sking of natural oils and moisture. For a more effective cleanse leave the cleanser on for a few minutes (just like you would your laundry

) (BabyMajic's Lavenar Milk Bath)

2. Use RoseWater to "freshen" your skin, after cleansing.

3. Use your "dry skin" moisturizer sparingly (waterd down) in your T-zone. Apply and blot off excess from the Dry areas of your face.

4. Once or 2x weekly use a moistuizing mask. Queen Helena's Apricot Moisturizing Mask is good.

5. Ditch the OilySkin products, vasoline and balm.

 

[Naturally]

Good tips from Yorlooks - and DEFINITELY ditch the vasoline and balm - they can actually exascurbate (sp) the problem.

 

[tealeaf522]

thank you for the tips Yorlooks and Naturally...

Question: Yorlooks, when you say that I should ditch the oily skin products, do you mean to stop using the Shu Uemura cleansing oil as well?

 

[YorLooks]

thank you for the tips Yorlooks and Naturally...

Question: Yorlooks, when you say that I should ditch the oily skin products, do you mean to stop using the Shu Uemura cleansing oil as well?

.....For now yes, it's not helping your immediate situation. I reseached the reveiws and most folks like it. I"m not familiar with the product but admitantly would be hesitant to use an oil to cleanse my skin. But, being thrifty, I'd try to get as much use out my inve$tment as possible, wait until your skin has been normalized then introduce the product to see if it works for you.

 

[tealeaf522]

Thanks for the tips!

 

[bad cat]

I agree that you should use products to address your specific needs.

Living in NYC means you have access to soooo much. If you are able financially maybe you can go over to a Sephora, Bliss spa, or Whole Foods.

They all carry very nice brands and some are very resonably priced. The one thing I know for sure is that drug store bought stuff never worked for me and ended up giving me many skin problems until I began using sosmething more natural and without so many ingredients with words you can't even pronounce.

I can recommend a couple of sites and lines to try. I think you'll be amazed with the Talulah Natural Skin Care in particular, they offer gentle natural skin care. Kimberly Sayer also offers a complete full sized 7 product kit for your skin type.

Talulah Natural Skin Care :: Portland, Oregon
Beauty Brands: Makeup, Perfume, Skin Care and Hair Care Products at b-glowing.com.
Kimberly Sayer of London
upurea - natural and organic hair care, skin care, body care and home fragrance products

All of these sites are wonderful to shop at and they all are very caring and take the time to help you out. I honestly recommend you take a look.

Good luck and I hope you find some answers

 

[tealeaf522]

thanks so much badcat!

I will definitely look into all those sites.

 

[Naturally]

Using an oil to cleanse the face isn't that unheard of and works great - provided it's an oil that won't cause blockage or anything. There are some good ones out there - and I know DHC has an Olive Oil based cleanser that is great and doesn't cause extra oiliness to the skin.

 

[skincareteacher]

Use all of the same brand, too. That really helps because all the steps are formulated to work together. skincareteacher.com

 

[ellacarey]

i just joined skin care talk and found your post about your crazy combination skin. i agree with bad cat: talulah skincare makes some really fabulous products. my skin is pretty similar sounding to yours, which was really difficult to get under control. i started using Talulah's Vanilla Bean Cleanser, Green Tea Toner and Oma Serum 2 about eight months ago and have never looked back. it really helped to calm down my complexion and this autumn i started using their honey mask and calendula cream, which i could just about eat. i love them! the owner and her staff are also super helpful and i like that i don't feel uncomfortable e-mailing them with questions i have about what to use on my skin. i've learned a lot about how to care for my skin type and they're not pushy about sales. also, ask to be put on their mailing list. they send out special offers and information about products and really good recipes once or twice a month.

 

[YorLooks]

.....For now yes, it's not helping your immediate situation. I reseached the reveiws and most folks like it. I"m not familiar with the product but admitantly would be hesitant to use an oil to cleanse my skin. But, being thrifty, I'd try to get as much use out my inve$tment as possible, wait until your skin has been normalized then introduce the product to see if it works for you.

It's been a few years since that post. Since then I've tried using a few Oils as part of my facial cleansing routine, And I found it to be ....not as bad as I thought it would be.
I've tried Bio-Oil and Olive Oil; but my skin is a little drier these days.