Facial Cleanser for mature sensitive skin?

[CecileBC]

I've looked into it before. I could only find one place that sells zinc pyrithione. It's considered medicinal so there are lots of rules for it even in the US. I actually want some pretty bad for my own personal soap. At a concentration of 2% (you can't get that level of concentration without prescription in the US), it would greatly help with a skin condition I have called tinnea versicolor. It's non transmittable but I've had it since I was a child and there's no way to get rid of it. But the medical grade stuff will at least make it disappear for a while even though it will always come back. Zinc Pyrithione is, not surprisingly, not cheap. I used to get the selsun blue 2% in Canada off the shelf but can't get that here in the US, the highest anything goes is 1% over the counter.

I really would rather use my own stuff. I used to itch like mad all the time. I've had to go to sensitive skin everything including laundry soap. My stuff is the only thing that doesn't make me itch non stop. Well, except for right now because I've been eaten alive by mosquitos this year and it's only June. I'm to the point that I don't even want to open my front door for fear I'll let them inside the house even during daytime. They're really really bad this year.

I've tried to find a retinoid cream for a while but they're either really expensive or have terrible reviews. I used to buy from the brand The Ordinary for treating pimples and the like. They were incredible. And their price was great. Then covid hit, they changed their recipes and their reviews have all crashed and burned.

I hope you find a solution...

ZInc PCA is natural and approved by Ecocert, we have it here called Zincidone - it's a water-soluble sebum regulator, but I don't know whether you can find it in the US... and it may cause irritation to such a sensitive skin as yours...

I personally found that cutting down on dairy foods made a big change. I looooove my cheese, and being in France we can truly indulge (!), but we are now a gluten-free and lactose-free family, and it did make a change in ...well almost everything. Problem: I crave my crispy full-gluten bread with soft creamy cheese on top so much, that when I give myself a break, I go nuts ....and without no exception, the next day, I feel heavy from indigestion + suffer from a bad skin day !!

 

[VikingChick]

I’m throwing in another vote for oil cleansing. I used this method for probably 10 years but recently switched to balm because it works better for my current lifestyle. I used a 50/50 blend of castor and grapeseed oil, and used a similar process as @Shelley D although after holding the hot washcloth over my face, I just wiped it off and was done with it. It’s totally counterintuitive to wash oily or acne-prone skin with oil, but it really balanced out my skin. Plus it’s dirt cheap!

I’ll also echo that certain foods have been known to cause my skin to kind of flare up. Dairy, sugar, & alcohol are among some of them. If I’m eating well and drinking enough water - and getting good sleep - it definitely shows on my skin.

 

[CecileBC]

I’m throwing in another vote for oil cleansing. I used this method for probably 10 years but recently switched to balm because it works better for my current lifestyle. I used a 50/50 blend of castor and grapeseed oil, and used a similar process as @Shelley D although after holding the hot washcloth over my face, I just wiped it off and was done with it. It’s totally counterintuitive to wash oily or acne-prone skin with oil, but it really balanced out my skin. Plus it’s dirt cheap!

I’ll also echo that certain foods have been known to cause my skin to kind of flare up. Dairy, sugar, & alcohol are among some of them. If I’m eating well and drinking enough water - and getting good sleep - it definitely shows on my skin.

Yes, I forgot about sugar and alcohol, but they are definitely on the "sebum modifier" shelf !

 

[MelissaG]

I hope you find a solution...

ZInc PCA is natural and approved by Ecocert, we have it here called Zincidone - it's a water-soluble sebum regulator, but I don't know whether you can find it in the US... and it may cause irritation to such a sensitive skin as yours...

I personally found that cutting down on dairy foods made a big change. I looooove my cheese, and being in France we can truly indulge (!), but we are now a gluten-free and lactose-free family, and it did make a change in ...well almost everything. Problem: I crave my crispy full-gluten bread with soft creamy cheese on top so much, that when I give myself a break, I go nuts ....and without no exception, the next day, I feel heavy from indigestion + suffer from a bad skin day !!

I will look for it and see what I can find out.

 

[Tammyfarms]

I hope you find a solution...

ZInc PCA is natural and approved by Ecocert, we have it here called Zincidone - it's a water-soluble sebum regulator, but I don't know whether you can find it in the US... and it may cause irritation to such a sensitive skin as yours...

I personally found that cutting down on dairy foods made a big change. I looooove my cheese, and being in France we can truly indulge (!), but we are now a gluten-free and lactose-free family, and it did make a change in ...well almost everything. Problem: I crave my crispy full-gluten bread with soft creamy cheese on top so much, that when I give myself a break, I go nuts ....and without no exception, the next day, I feel heavy from indigestion + suffer from a bad skin day !!

I just started gluten free and already see my skin clearing. I’m not completely dairy free but have cut way back on dairy.
@MelissaG if you aren’t set on making your own, you may want to try a Ceravie cleanser. I was making my own and tried several formulations, including soap, but was unhappy with the results. At some point I may try making something similar but I have other focus’s right now.

 

[Shelley D]

I’m throwing in another vote for oil cleansing. I used this method for probably 10 years but recently switched to balm because it works better for my current lifestyle. I used a 50/50 blend of castor and grapeseed oil, and used a similar process as @Shelley D although after holding the hot washcloth over my face, I just wiped it off and was done with it. It’s totally counterintuitive to wash oily or acne-prone skin with oil, but it really balanced out my skin. Plus it’s dirt cheap!

I’ll also echo that certain foods have been known to cause my skin to kind of flare up. Dairy, sugar, & alcohol are among some of them. If I’m eating well and drinking enough water - and getting good sleep - it definitely shows on my skin.

I know ~ it really seems odd to cleanse with oil ~ and for me, especially coconut oil, but go figure with a little olive oil to keep it from drying out my skin, it actually works . But I was at a point years ago that I almost went to a dermatologist but I had no insurance and didn't really want prescription facial cleansers so I tried the oil cleansing

ETA: I have wondered if I made a coconut & olive oil soap for my face if that would work but at the same time I'm afraid to mess with what's working
I also haven't tried any other oils for the cleansing part, but I have added the ostrich oil to rosehip seed oil for after cleansing ~ it seems to calm my skin even better and feels silky after it absorbs into my skin. I don't get facial rashes anymore, and rarely get pimples and it seems to help with crepe skin ugh getting old sucks
It wouldn't hurt to try while you're researching facial cleansing recipes

 

[Ephemerella]

I’m throwing in another vote for oil cleansing. I used this method for probably 10 years but recently switched to balm because it works better for my current lifestyle. I used a 50/50 blend of castor and grapeseed oil, and used a similar process as @Shelley D although after holding the hot washcloth over my face, I just wiped it off and was done with it. It’s totally counterintuitive to wash oily or acne-prone skin with oil, but it really balanced out my skin. Plus it’s dirt cheap!

I’ll also echo that certain foods have been known to cause my skin to kind of flare up. Dairy, sugar, & alcohol are among some of them. If I’m eating well and drinking enough water - and getting good sleep - it definitely shows on my skin.

I've been washing my combination face with straight-up castor oil for over 10 years. I use a very fine facial exfoliating pad and just scrub it in, letting the hot water of the shower or basin warm it into my skin. I've since changed to using soap with the same exfoliating pad however, and it's been working well for me too. In fact, I prefer my soap now as the only drawback with oil cleansing is there is an oily residue in the shower/basin.

Using castor oil, I did not need to moisturize after unless I was staying in a very dry climate or my skin was very stressed (sun, wind, pollutants). Using my soap, which is heavy on the shea and OO, I follow up with apple seed oil on my face.

If I find myself without castor oil or my soap (ie unexpected travel), I'll use 5/50 OO and sugar (brown is ideal) on my face, and also on my hair if it needs dose of moisture. For my face, exfoliation is key to keep my pores clean and from getting clogged.

 

[Gaisy59]

I've been washing my combination face with straight-up castor oil for over 10 years. I use a very fine facial exfoliating pad and just scrub it in, letting the hot water of the shower or basin warm it into my skin. I've since changed to using soap with the same exfoliating pad however, and it's been working well for me too. In fact, I prefer my soap now as the only drawback with oil cleansing is there is an oily residue in the shower/basin.

Using castor oil, I did not need to moisturize after unless I was staying in a very dry climate or my skin was very stressed (sun, wind, pollutants). Using my soap, which is heavy on the shea and OO, I follow up with apple seed oil on my face.

If I find myself without castor oil or my soap (ie unexpected travel), I'll use 5/50 OO and sugar (brown is ideal) on my face, and also on my hair if it needs dose of moisture. For my face, exfoliation is key to keep my pores clean and from getting clogged.

This is interesting because while i was looking for licorice extract to help with my rosacea the woman helping me suggested i also try caster oil. So i bought a bottle, brought it home and put it away, and then couldn’t remember why i bought it until now when you mentioned it. Thanks for the memory jog

 

[Frijoles]

This is interesting because while i was looking for licorice extract to help with my rosacea the woman helping me suggested i also try caster oil. So i bought a bottle, brought it home and put it away, and then couldn’t remember why i bought it until now when you mentioned it. Thanks for the memory jog

Have you found that licorice extract helps with the rosacea? I tried castor oil but it's drying for my ultra sensitive skin.

 

[Gaisy59]

Have you found that licorice extract helps with the rosacea? I tried castor oil but it's drying for my ultra sensitive skin.

The jury is still out i think, but it seems to be making it better. I had a couple of sore itchy bumps on my forehead and they went down after a couple of days. The tiny bumps on my cheeks seem to have gone down. I may have left treating the rosacea too long, but prescribed medicine wasn’t helping and i didn’t know about home treatments until recently. I was always told by dermatologists that there isn’t really any treatment . It’s frustrating.

In all honesty i prefer the licorice extract way better than medicine. I intent to keep it up. I will try the castor oil too and see how that works, but i am never going back to a prescription. Also, someone told me to add a couple of drops of the extract into a bowl of hot water and steam my face. I will also try that. If anything it will feel nice and spa like .

Sorry about the lengthy reply.

 

[Frijoles]

The jury is still out i think, but it seems to be making it better. I had a couple of sore itchy bumps on my forehead and they went down after a couple of days. The tiny bumps on my cheeks seem to have gone down. I may have left treating the rosacea too long, but prescribed medicine wasn’t helping and i didn’t know about home treatments until recently. I was always told by dermatologists that there isn’t really any treatment . It’s frustrating.

In all honesty i prefer the licorice extract way better than medicine. I intent to keep it up. I will try the castor oil too and see how that works, but i am never going back to a prescription. Also, someone told me to add a couple of drops of the extract into a bowl of hot water and steam my face. I will also try that. If anything it will feel nice and spa like .

Sorry about the lengthy reply.

No need to apologize. The more details the better. Thanks.

 

[AliOop]

I've been washing my combination face with straight-up castor oil for over 10 years. I use a very fine facial exfoliating pad and just scrub it in, letting the hot water of the shower or basin warm it into my skin. I've since changed to using soap with the same exfoliating pad however, and it's been working well for me too. In fact, I prefer my soap now as the only drawback with oil cleansing is there is an oily residue in the shower/basin.

Using castor oil, I did not need to moisturize after unless I was staying in a very dry climate or my skin was very stressed (sun, wind, pollutants). Using my soap, which is heavy on the shea and OO, I follow up with apple seed oil on my face.

If I find myself without castor oil or my soap (ie unexpected travel), I'll use 5/50 OO and sugar (brown is ideal) on my face, and also on my hair if it needs dose of moisture. For my face, exfoliation is key to keep my pores clean and from getting clogged.

Castor oil works beautifully as an oil cleanser to keep my skin clear, but unfortunately I’m one of those folks from whom castor also promotes lots of hair growth. That’s great for scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes: not so much for my upper lip, chin, and checks.

 

[Gaisy59]

Castor oil works beautifully as an oil cleanser to keep my skin clear, but unfortunately I’m one of those folks from whom castor also promotes lots of hair growth. That’s great for scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes: not so much for my upper lip, chin, and checks.

Seriously?! Is this true? If so then i am not even going to try it on my face for rosacea

 

[AliOop]

Seriously?! Is this true? If so then i am not even going to try it on my face for rosacea

Apparently it only works that way on some folks - others have no such reaction at all. Maybe try rubbing it just above your temples (where our hair is often thin) and see if you get any new growth there.

 

[Gaisy59]

Apparently it only works that way on some folks - others have no such reaction at all. Maybe try rubbing it just above your temples (where our hair isoften thin) and see if you get any new growth there.

Lol i am a hairy beastie…if hair is gonna grow trust me it will grow. And i do not want to tempt fate after all the money i have put i to electrolysis $$$$

 

[AliOop]

Lol i am a hairy beastie…if hair is gonna grow trust me it will grow. And i do not want to tempt fate after all the money i have put i to electrolysis $$$$

Girl, same! Electrolysis, lasers, all the things. Still comes back, too. Fortunately, the upside is having super thick hair on my head. My hairdresser remarks after each cut that there’s more on the floor than most of her clients have on their heads.

 

[Tammyfarms]

@Gaisy59 and @AliOop, same with the hair. I’m not complaining but the hair on my head is almost too thick as it can cause headaches. But what’s up with all the other areas, lip, chin, neck, legs, etc. I don’t even want to know how much I have invested in electrolysis and laser hair removal. A new batch of facial hair seems to have sprouted and I’m back at electrolysis.

 

[VikingChick]

So funny (or maybe not), here I am lamenting about my hair that was never really thick but is now a LOT less full than it used to be (and teasing doesn’t work as well as it used to). But my arms, face, legs, etc. have never really required a lot of intensive attention. It reminds me of the conversations I’ve had with my curly-haired friends (and daughter). They want straight hair, I want curls (or at least body). You alway see and want what you don’t have!

 

[Gaisy59]

Girl, same! Electrolysis, lasers, all the things. Still comes back, too. Fortunately, the upside is having super thick hair on my head. My hairdresser remarks after each cut that there’s more on the floor than most of her clients have on their heads.

Ditto about the hair too. Takes an hour to dry

 

[Gaisy59]

@Gaisy59 and @AliOop, same with the hair. I’m not complaining but the hair on my head is almost too thick as it can cause headaches. But what’s up with all the other areas, lip, chin, neck, legs, etc. I don’t even want to know how much I have invested in electrolysis and laser hair removal. A new batch of facial hair seems to have sprouted and I’m back at electrolysis.

BUT in all honesty not as much as when i started thank goodness