Cystic Acne! Make Up Issue

timmybob13

I hope I'm not bringing up a new thread when theres already one on this, but I searched and couldnt find anything

Im 21, with Cystic Acne. I've had acne since I was 14 or so. The doctor has me on Minocin, and a nightly gel, but I'm still getting break outs.

I've 3 foundations now..... but I dont think any of them are any use!

1. Seventeen : Spot On ....... Dries out my skin and it looks terrible! ..but all 3 make me look horrific!!...and when I get home and see my face, I'm mortified!! Theres me thinking I look nice today, and thats why people are staring.....and then I see this terrible disaster!!! plus, all the shades make me look like a goth! I've normal Irish skin, but all the shades are too light even for us ghosts!!

2. Maybeline BB Cream ........... Absolutely useless!!!! Slides off and doesnt cover sh!t!!!

3. L'oreal True Match foundation .........slides off too!!! in fact with this and no.2, I have to be careful when I'm brushing my teeth, taking a drink, moving my hair out of my eyes!!!....because one bit of water, or one small wipe, and its messed up!!! Terrible!!!


I need a foundation that doesnt dry out my skin, doesnt budge with the slightest touch, and isnt gone within the hour!! ....and hides the acne scars!!

If any other acne sufferer out there can help me, please, throw your acne sister some advice!! I'm going to Boots tomorrow for a new foundation, but seeing as moneys tight, I don't want to do the same as those 3 times before......spend money on a useless product!!!

P.S ....No more Elizabeth Arden! Its just an expensive Pan Stick, both terrible for skin breakouts!!

dee_mc

I've no experience of your particular issue, but I have found it very hard to find the right shade of foundation in the past and would advise getting samples from one or more of the make up counters in boots (or a pharmacy or department store). You might have to bring your own little pots to put the samples in, but ask for enough to try each foundation for at least a day or two. Lancôme do some lovely foundations; yes they are more expensive than the brands you mentioned, but they give out decent sized samples and I find with their make up a little goes a long way. Make up forever do the same but I don't know if they even have stores in Ireland anymore! Re shade, might be worth trying the No7 thing that matches your shade to your skintone.
Best of luck with finding 'the one'

bscm

Revlon Colourstay is high coverage but can be heavy and possibly drying. Vichy Dermablend gets a lot of love.

Try Debenhams if you're near one, almost all counters will happily give you samples to try out. UD Naked Skin is quite nice (I've combo-oily skin with lots of lovely spots, cystic acne and scarring to cover and I found it to be good for how light it feels). Estee Lauder Double Wear is supposedly good.

Twee.

Moved to Beauty

thalia_13

Vichy dermablend is amazing, it really gives amazing coverage. Use the dermablend setting powder with it, and unless you constantly rub at your face, it doesn't budge! Worked v well on cystic spots on my jawline, nobody knew I was struggling with them as I had them covered so well. There are some great tutorials on YouTube by acne sufferers, and they look flawless after application, but would have bad skin when bare faced.
I learned so much from watching those clips, esp with concealer application.

Good luck hope it clears soon! A strict LA roche posay regim ( effeklar) really helped me get back on track! Now to cure frownlines!

timmybob13

Epic thanks a million!!

I think my sister bought me some of that dermablend before, but I can't remember what I thought of it!!
Today in Boots, the assistants where pointing out loads of foundations to me, that I've used over the years, but can't remember what they were like!!
I've been wearing make up for what, 8 years now? so theres been so many come and go! worst has to be Elizabeth Arden and pan stick, no breathing room! I remember using Dream Matte Moose when I was younger, when it was all the rage, but it dried out my skin too much!

I was told today that my problem with the patchy make up was probably because I was putting powder on straight after my foundation, which dries out the skin, so thats whats been making the skin really really flake! I got Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Moose today, its meant to have powder already in it, so I dont need to put any on! I'll see how it goes anyway, I'll have it on tomorrow!

Gunna look up that LA roche thing now! .........I got really bad acne on my jawline at one stage too! and on my shoulders! but theyve cleared up now...... but....... one other question........ what can help fade the marks??

I've also got one or two cuts from acne that still havent healed!....I know the one by my fringe on the scalp has been there since my birthday back in june! Any tips how to heal them??? ........i might try some coconut butter in the mean time

bscm

Patchy make-up could also be a sign of dehydrated skin. Any liquid foundation with water (aqua) in it can actually be absorbed during the day leading to patchy make-up if your skin is dehydrated. It might be worth talking to a dermatologist to see if you have dehydrated skin, or trying something like Hydraluron under your moisturiser to see if that makes a difference. My skin is actually dehydrated (despite being combo-oily) and I've noticed a difference since changing up my routine to put some moisture back into it (less spots, less flaky skin, more even skin tone and reduced pore size around my nose).

For fading marks, rosehip oil is quite good. I use it at night and it fades my cystic acne scars within a week (as opposed to their usual 3 week recovery time). It doesn't do much to active spots though, they have to be fully "dead" for it to work it's magic. It basically helps encourage cell renewal so scar fade, and flaky skin diminishes.

Check our Caroline Hirons blog also OP. What she doesn't know about skincare isn't worth knowing

SusieBlue

As someone who suffered from terrible acne for the same amount of time as you, I will firstly say that if its cystic minosin and topical lotions will do nothing for you. I was on both for years and they honestly made little to no difference for me.

Would going on the pill being an option for you? I had chronic cystic acne all over my face and neck and the pill was the only thing that cleared it up. Within 3 months of starting on it my skin was crystal clear. I still have scarring, but thankfully, its fading. I'm on Yasmin and I find it great. It has done wonders for me!

If you want something to hide the spots and scarring, you need full/maximum coverage with a matte finish. Anything with a glowy finish will just make you look greasier. Avoid BB creams, they'll do nothing for you, neither will anything with light/medium coverage.

In my own experience, I have found these foundations amazing for hiding flaws:

Estee Lauder Double Wear
MAC Studio Fix
Dior Airflash (amazing for a flawless finish)

They're more expensive than the average chemist brand but they'll last longer and you'll have to do fewer touch ups so it works out better in the long run.

Also invest in a heavy duty powder, I love MAC Studio Fix compact. I put a lot of it on, and it really sets the foundation into your skin and makes your skin look more even.

I'd also recommend using Bio Oil on the scarring every night before bed, and leaving it on while you sleep. It really does work wonders.

ncmc

I also have acne (at 34 due to poly cystic overlies so I feel your pain about trying to get good coverage without caking on to the skin. The best I have tried is Dior Forever, it is incredible, good coverage, but with a dewy finish so it doesn't dry out and it lasts ages. It is expensive though, so I don't use it every day. I got the woman at the Dior counter to put some on me before buying because like you I had made some expensive mistakes. I went off for a few hours before deciding if I liked it.

For every day I use L'oreal BB cream, and then use a concealer over the 'bad bits'. It's slightly more coverage than other BB creams I have tried and has a matte finish.

I also second the recommendation for La Roche Posay, it really helps minimise my break outs.

lukesmom

Have the same problem have you tried acnecide? It's €13 in most chemists and after 4 days and nights use all mine have dried up. I also recommend doing an at home glycolic peel once a week. I get mine from bravura. The difference is amazing with both these products on my skin. The peel gets rid of the red marks left after the acnecide dries the spots out. I highly recommend this regime.

I also recommend revlon colorstay but get the one for dry skin as it's actually better for oily skin believe it or not. Use a powder after to Matt.

csi vegas

lukesmom wrote: »

Have the same problem have you tried acnecide? It's €13 in most chemists and after 4 days and nights use all mine have dried up. I also recommend doing an at home glycolic peel once a week. I get mine from bravura. The difference is amazing with both these products on my skin. The peel gets rid of the red marks left after the acnecide dries the spots out. I highly recommend this regime

I've been using Acnecide also, for over a year now, ever since Panoxyl was done away with. It's better than Panoxyl, a lot less drying.
I don't have permanent spots per say but I get a mad breakout in one area every month which lasts around two weeks - it wouldn't if I used the Acnecide daily though - the spots would be gone in around three days but it is pretty drying alright - I often struggle with patches of dry, flakiness after two/three days of using it, luuurvely huh?

But OP - if you deal with the dryness associated with Acnecide in the right way such as regular exfoliation, calming, moisturising face masks, maybe a tea-tree toner and a good moisturiser (acne-prone skin needs moisture too, despite just about every acne moisturiser being super drying and making your face 'tight') then the results for you could well be worth it.

(I've been meaning to look for something to sort the dry patches but I'm kinda lazy with my skincare) ...
Lukesmom - I never knew you could buy something like glycol or salicylic acid, thought that was something unavailable to the public/reserved for salons. Had a quick look at their website and am amazed by the prices
- it's all so reasonable! I. want. this. stuff. ALL of it! Thanks for mentioning the name.

BTW L.mom - do I remember correctly that you were on the vaping forum looking to get started on e-cigs? How did you get on?

http://bravuralondon.com/

lukesmom

csi vegas wrote: »

I've been using Acnecide also, for over a year now, ever since Panoxyl was done away with. It's better than Panoxyl, a lot less drying.
I don't have permanent spots per say but I get a mad breakout in one area every month which lasts around two weeks - it wouldn't if I used the Acnecide daily though - the spots would be gone in around three days but it is pretty drying alright - I often struggle with patches of dry, flakiness after two/three days of using it, luuurvely huh?

But OP - if you deal with the dryness associated with Acnecide in the right way such as regular exfoliation, calming, moisturising face masks, maybe a tea-tree toner and a good moisturiser (acne-prone skin needs moisture too, despite just about every acne moisturiser being super drying and making your face 'tight') then the results for you could well be worth it.

(I've been meaning to look for something to sort the dry patches but I'm kinda lazy with my skincare) ...
Lukesmom - I never knew you could buy something like glycol or salicylic acid, thought that was something unavailable to the public/reserved for salons. Had a quick look at their website and am amazed by the prices
- it's all so reasonable! I. want. this. stuff. ALL of it! Thanks for mentioning the name.

BTW L.mom - do I remember correctly that you were on the vaping forum looking to get started on e-cigs? How did you get on?

http://bravuralondon.com/

I stayed smoking the real ones I'm a silly girl. Yeah the bravura stuff is fantastic

csi vegas

lukesmom wrote: »

I stayed smoking the real ones I'm a silly girl. Yeah the bravura stuff is fantastic

Well, least the thought was/is in your head and is something you may consider again in the near future

come on over to the darkside...where we vape with the lights off

Back to not hijacking your thread OP (sorry!): As for foundations, Maybelline have a new one, which has a powder core, on promo offer atm in Boots I think
http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Face-Makeup/Foundation/Fit-Me-Shine-Free-Foundation.aspx

Also, someone else mentioned Estee Lauder Double Wear - it's also available in a lighter formula.

Whatever you use though, you should get a primer for before your foundation - one that isn't drying but will hold your base in place at the same time. I have Garnier 5 Second Blur and it reduces shine and pores fairly well but it also adds a bit of softening moisture - just a teeeny bit is all you need. Just a suggestion.

oky

I would recommend No 7 Stay Perfect foundation along with a primer such as their “Airbrush Away” one. It’s much cheaper than the likes of Estee Lauder Double Wear and does a similar job without your skin looking so masklike either (having said all that I still keep the Double Wear for events such as weddings where I know that it needs to stay put for nearly 24hrs!).

For lighter coverage/everyday try Bare Escentuals Ready Foundation which comes in a compact as opposed to loose powder. It is supposed to be hypoallergenic and will let the skin breathe which is probably better for it in the long run. I find that it looks very natural as well so you don’t look over-done just popping to the shops etc especially if you are trying to cover up acne marks.

A couple of other posters have mentioned La Roche Posay and I too have found those products do wonders for my skin while still being relatively inexpensive. Oily skin does get dry too and some people theorise that oil is over-released in response to dry patches potentially giving you even oilier skin, so make sure to moisture it well which will actually help in putting on makeup as it would remove the patchiness that can sometimes occur.

Bellissima Beauty

Hey I have bouts of pretty bad acne too but also have ridiculously dry skin which makes finding a foundation that works nearly impossible. I used to use makeup forever but realized that was actually causing me to get more spots. As soon as I switched to YSL Touche Eclat foundation my skin cleared up a good bit. It is really nice and moisturising and looks really natural but I think it has pretty good coverage (you may want to throw on a bit of concealer with it too though if its not enough for you). Its dear enough but lasts ages and is honestly worth every penny. Really recommend you give it a try, they'll probably give you a sample too if you ask!

thalia_13

Boots currently doing 3 for 2 on skincare. Got my Vichy Dermablend, Vichy serum and Normaderm moisturiser, with the moisturiser being free (€18)... So if you still have yet to buy any products now is the time!!

all_smilz

Plus one on the Dermablend-I have to use opal which is quite pale but still dark on me so blend it loads. I have to say I also found the Oil Cleansing Method great for cleansing acne skin and removing heavy make up.
It covers scarring and stays fairly well put on a 12 hour shift in the labour ward which is saying something!
Limited in shades but I do occasionally blend it with something lighter. It felt very heavy on at first but I learned to blend and you REALLY do get excellent coverage.
Best of luck hun! Its tough I know! Im 33 and only have mild acne but its the scars!!!!

timmybob13

Jaysus cheers for all the replies guys!!

My flakey skin seems to have cleared up! ............ I don't know what was up with my face at the time!!
The girls in Boots said the same as one of the commenters above, ...that putting powder over my foundation was dying my skin out more (I was putting powder on straight away after putting on my foundation ...was ok to do that when I was a teen, but not now!!)

I've ditched the powder now......... all I use is Rimmel Stay Matte (with the purple cap) now, and I look so much better!! ....I had really flakey skin even last week, but now my skin seems to have cleared up!! ...it stays on fine now!!.....no more coming home, seeing my face, and being mortified that I was out in public like that!!!!.... it was shockin bad I tell ya!!!!

I think what worked was just washing my face even more with soap...... I was really sick there for the last week, ...was sweating buckets... rank!... and I had to keep washing my face all day to get the sweat and grease off..... ughhhh.... but it helped big time!!

Also....... I've gone off the tablets I was on, one of them was also making my metabolism slow down massively, ......myself and the doctor were blaming the implant for the terrible break outs,...... but it actually does make more sense that it was those tablets....... I went on them last summer (2012), gained 3 STONE!... my skin had finally settled down before then (after being put on an acne tablet like minocin...tet something!...back in january of that year) ...and after a few months on those evil tablets, I was getting acne on my chest, back, shoulders, when I never had before in my life!!
The tablets are mental health related, so you don't really have to be worried, plus, they were beyond the high dosages.... one has a max of 225 but I was on 300...and the other I was on 45, the max of that tablet.

I was really sick with the flu there lately...... I was 12 stone at one stage (up from 9! I'd never gone above 9 in my life before the tablets!) ....lost about half a stone...... but after the flu, ...and a lot of stress lately, I've lost another half a stone. Maybe the weight loss has helped the skin a lot too!!....... I never looked heavy, I'm fairly tall, its not like I was obese, but extra weight has to have an effect on your skin!

I'm going to look into the La Roche, continue with me aul soap buddie, keep using the Tea Tree Cleanser and Moisturizer (both Boots) , and going to look into that Acnecide!

I seen that Acnecide has the same ingredients as Oxy 10........ I'd been looking for oxy since seeing a video on youtube by "gossmakeupartist" ......he's fantastic!!.......couldn't find Oxy anywhere, must be a British thing! ....... he highly recommends it, so I'm going to give it ago!!!

One question.........................

La Roche..... I'm totally confused by their site, I don't know what to click on to find out whats best for my acne! What La Roche yokey bob do you guys recommend?????