New here, need MAJOR HELP! for acne and pore refining....
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Sun Dec 05, 2004 4:18 am

Hi everyone. Having the worst time, need a chemical-free or almost chemical-free (no propylene glycol, butylene glycol, etc. or sodium hydroxide or other things such as this) product that is a GEL or SERUM (clearish) that is NOT LOTION or cream.

that is also OIL-FREE (jojoba oil and Vit. E especially break me out badly with cysts).

I need it to refine my skin, i.e. make my pores look SMOOTHER. The gel I was using was great and cheap and effective, but because of fibromyalgia I am wanting mostly natural products.

I want a GEL OR SERUM, NO Lotions or creams please. I don't want a mask, want something to leave on all day, leaving a protective barrier (I have oily/acne skin). I cannot take much hydration or I will break out.

Apparently, the SD Alcohol is what my skin loves in combination with Glycerin and BHA or willow bark or salicylic acid. But cannot find a NATURAL gel with these ingredients that also has NO OILS. Tried many, including ZIA, but it has a heavy oily thickness that breaks me out.

THANK YOU my skin is so bad I don't want to go out at all, I'm using AHAs and BHAs which help a lot, but need something for the pore refining (they are clear, just not smooth).

Generally don't like toners , tried many.

free skin care · Sun Dec 05, 2004 8:35 am

HI there

I think you need to start with a decent skincare line, and my first port of recommendation for you would be Dermalogica.

Look to this line for your specialist treatments (medical clearing gel and skin renewal booster are fab for acne) and your cleansers.

I know you said you dont like lotions but I really would recommend Dermalogica's Active Moist. Its great for skin types like ours.

Right to your initial question. I use Gatineau Diffusance Smooth Facial Gel because like you im scared of traditional creams - you can get it at strawberrynet. Its a hydrating gel serum which means you wont break out from it.

Alternatively, equally good is Cellex C's B5 hydrating gel. I had to stop using this because I was shocked at the rate I went through it, because its a thick gel but I did this grudgingly. If your not on a budget - try this one.

Look into the stuff Ive recommended before making any purchases, and try to purchase from a site/store that has a no-quibble return policy so at least your protected. Checkwww.dermalogica.com to look into dermalogica skincare, which should give you an idea of what theyre all about.

Hope that helps,

Farouk

Sun Dec 05, 2004 9:56 am

THank you so much Farouk, I have many samples of the Dermalogical stuff, and I like it, however, my skin still looks bad, as in the pores and not smooth looking. ALso the Dermalogical still has some bad stuff in it for my skin, a few "bad" chemical stuff. It's mostly natural but not all natural. I can't recall exactly the ingredients, but for instance, my skin hates propylene and butylene glycols and sodium hydroxide.

I will try, however, that other serum you told me about that starts with a "G", and I also used Skinceuticals hyaluronic acid stuff, which I love, but too expensive.

I'm gonna try Reviva hyaluronic acid.

Thanks for that other rec. though, I can't wait to try it.

free skin care · Sun Dec 05, 2004 10:14 am

I just ordered and received a new serum called "Age Limit" serum that is a glycolic/lactic acid serum.It may be something you would be interested in. I got it from my favorite skincare site, cellularskinrx.com. It's a small site but the products I have gotten from them work really well. This is a new one so I can't comment on how it has worked for me. Just started using it but since you want a serum....thought you might want to take a look. Good luck.

free skin care · Sun Dec 05, 2004 12:29 pm

I like Retin A Micro for this, available by prescription only.

free skin care · Sun Dec 05, 2004 12:43 pm

diana yvonne does a pure HA serum which is way cheaper than skinceuticals stuff, about $30-40 I think. maybe that would help?
If you don't mind me asking, is your FM connected in anyway with ME? I ask because my friend may have ME/ FM (drs say she's 'depressed' which she is, but only because for the last year they have been ignoring worstening symptoms). If you have any self help interventions that she can use, I would love it if you could PM them to me. I'm very worried about her Confused

Thanks, Liz

PS...Forgot to say Hi and welcome! Smile

free skin care · Sun Dec 05, 2004 4:57 pm

Hi Ocean,

welcome to the boards. First, you have my sympathies - there is nothing worse than when you cannot get things working for your skin.

Re: Dermalogical products. Remember that samples are really more to let you find out if a product is suitable for your skin (ie if it will cause you to break out). If you are looking for results, it usually takes a month of regular use of any product to start to see them as this is how long it takes for skin to renew. So, if you liked the "feel" of them and did not break out, then at least a one-time purchase of full size might help.

Re: "smoothing" of your pores. I think you need to look to a refining product, rather than a gel barrier-type. There are quite a few brands that do chemical free exfoliating/gommage/microdermabrasion products (Cellularskin RX has a powder type and Epiderm does a microderm)..and exfoliation would give you some more immediate effect on your skin.

Also, take a look at the Babor products here on EDS. They do an oily/combo/acne line with several gels and pore refining products, including masks. (I ordered their sensitive skin mask because it is paraben and perfume free). MD Forumlations also have refining and gel products, but cannot confirm the ingredients (they also do smaller "kits" so you can try the line without buying the full sizes).

Just drop an email to the ladies at EDS and I am sure they would be pleased to make sure there are no "nasties" in the ingredient list.

Also, I would recommend emailing them for recommendations - I mean, they ARE the professionals! They are also always more than happy to send out samples to you and you just have to pay for the shipping.

Hope something in here helps!

free skin care · Mon Dec 06, 2004 5:38 pm

Three legitimately 'all natural' brands that I recommend are:

Dr. Hauschka
Aubrey Organics
Rosa Y Fruta

You might want to check these out and see if they have anything suitable for you.

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