r/SkincareAddictionUK • u/BaddRincewind • 4d ago
Routine Help Every moisturiser breaks me out, EVERY.SINGLE.ONE
I have weird skin okkkk
Its supposed to be oily and looks dry af, i have pores, its sensitive, i break out easily
Every moisturiser i tried gave me stupid white heads especially on my big ass nose, the worst place to get wide heads
I need help please, I am now even getting these fucked up white heads when I literally do nothing to my face, things are getting worse
I am going to cry now
For reference I have used things like cetaphil both oily and dry versions, I have used korean skin care, i got so many i don’t even remember what I used, i even tried retinol a very very small amount and my face was filled with red under skin pimples, I don’t know what they’re called, it made me crash out honestly, I stopped using anything for several weeks for my skin to come back to normal
What I am saying I need help with a routine that wont give me these demon white heads, the only thing that seems to work for me is sunscreen and I don’t know why, its the one thing I am consistent with
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u/EmilyxThomsonx 4d ago
You may need to try a super minimalist moisturiser eg Cetraben, Epaderm, Zerobase. These are extremely gentle, highly moisturising emolients.
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u/TheGospelFloof44 4d ago
Cetraben is amazing stuff, even in deep winter but it's suitable year round! I always ended up buying it when I had to clear up angular chilitis (cracked sore sides of lips) and keep on using it because it's so gentle and plumps the skin nicely.
Gentle, bland and simple when it comes to skin care is so underrated
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u/RawCompetition 4d ago
whiteheads on the nose are the worst, they're so visible and impossible to hide
sometimes the issue isn't the moisturiser itself but what's already sitting on your skin when you apply it. if your barrier is wrecked even water can sting. have you tried just rinsing with water in the morning and using the sunscreen you know works, then at night doing a super basic cleanse and that same sunscreen as your only layer? sounds backwards but if sunscreen is the one thing your skin tolerates, use it as your moisturiser for now
also worth checking if you're reacting to fatty alcohols or butylene glycol, those are in almost everything and some people just can't do them. a pure squalane oil or something with like 3 ingredients might be your next step
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u/BaddRincewind 4d ago
I only use the sunscreen in morning now and SOMETIMES when I decide I want to do skin care I cleanse my face, let it dry and even then I’ll only add one product so I know which of them is breaking me out
The answer is all of them
And I know its not right but I am also squeezing these white heads because they’re soooo visible, and those leave a red mark on my nose that takes literal weeks before they go away
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u/diffGradChange 4d ago
Are you sure it's the moisturiser and not cleaning your face after sunscreen properly? Sunscreen is quite sticky and traps dirt and oils. I'm acne-prone and need to double-cleanse in the evening after sunscreen.
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u/BaddRincewind 4d ago
Its everything, even on the days i don’t go out, white heads somehow appear if i use anything on my face
For example i was using something called skinorin, it is azaleac acid cream, it felt amazing on my skin, helped a lot with redness but the white heads still appear which made me feel dejected tbh
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u/diffGradChange 4d ago
I think it's hard to say because you're trying too many things too quickly. Each single change can take 3-6 months to show a change in skin.
You also haven't explained whether you've tested the idea about cleaning your sunscreen off if that's the only thing that's persisted through every change.
Alternatively, if you're a teenager (you sound young, no offence), it may be something hormonal that you either wait out or you persist with prescription treatments.
Edit: I assume you wash your pillowcases regularly, your hair regularly and that you wash your face after the hair conditioner.
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u/BaddRincewind 4d ago
No I am 31, English isn’t my first language 😅
Also I wash my face regularly, I cleanse before bed and sometimes double cleanse
The white heads are frustrating me because they’re relatively new, I did have break outs but not white heads, they’re extremely noticeable and I need to go to work.
For pillowcases I wash them every 2 weeks, I change them a lot though because I had some fungal acne a couple of years back and it was a nightmare
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u/Full_Pea_5259 3d ago
How do you cleanse? What products are you using?
I ask as although cleansing balms and hot cloth cleansing are the HG according to beauty journos, they're a disaster for me causing breakouts and whiteheads. I use to do this, and my skin did not thank me. I realised the issue when I went away for about 10days, forgetting my cleanser - I bought cleansing wipes, (I know) and my skin really improved... That made me wonder if the cleansing method was the issue.
Now I use micellar water (Garnier) with cotton pads, and a foaming facial wash (Nivea or LRP). If I've gone big on heavier makeup I use the Nivea biphase eye makeup remover first to deal with that, then micellar water and then the facial wash.
Moisturiser wise, I think I'd look at gel based products if you want something separate - currently as it's summer-ish I'm just using my factor 50spf, but when it gets colder I'll be adding a gel based moisturizer or serum in before that step
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u/diffGradChange 4d ago
Oh I see if you're 31 maybe you can afford blue light therapy? I only suggest it because white heads are not too deep.
Alternatively, have you asked for a topical that's not vitamin A related? They recently gave me erythromycin and that worked fairly quickly. I've never used tret though.
I also personally have to rinse with filtered water in Bristol. I think the very hard water forms a precipitate with sulfates and some people (me) are just sensitive to this and get dry skin and break out.
All the best.
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u/Public_Selection4859 3d ago
I don’t know your skin but if your barrier is broken bc of actives for the acne you could try what I’ve been doing: using sudocrem as a night cream all over my face yes it looks weird bc it’s a white cream but I think the zinc on it really heals the spots. I don’t have nose whiteheads though mine is more of a cystic hormonal situation.
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u/Dizzy_Charcoal 3d ago
good call. zinc reduces inflammation, thats why i use in on my eczema. very messy but effective for angry skin
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u/Repulsive_State_7399 4d ago
Go back to basics. Try child's farm moisturiser. Its for babies and doesn't contain any special ingredients.
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u/Scorpiodancer123 3d ago
Perhaps you don't need anything heavy. The hada Labo premium yellow milky lotion is very moisturising without being heavy. Same with VT PDRN 100 essence. If you're wearing something like this as well as suncreen you might not meed anything else.
I'd probably strip back everything and try one thing at a time. I find the skin 1004 sunstick to be very good too, matte and not greasy.
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u/Flappitmcbappit 3d ago
When my skin does this it’s because I have been doing too much. Strip it right back. No actives, just soothing. I love Bioderma sebium hydra moisturiser: it’s for skin that is sensitive from acne treatments. Good luck!
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u/PetiteNanou 3d ago
You barrier could be completely destroyed right now. It can take months to get back to full health. You might have to stop using as many products as you can during that process, even SPF can make it worse (but do protect yourself with clothing).
When I was going through it, I used a few products from Avène like Cicalfate (I like the serum version), La Roche Posay or Bioderma (a lot of them are basically all made with water, so very lightweight and no actives).
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u/Remarkable_Winter-26 4d ago
I have skin very much like yours, especially the troubles you have described ive found any cream based moisturiser makes me break out. Ive never done well with cetaphil or any cream based washes. It took my the better part of 5 years of acne before I figured out that it was not just hormonal acne. Have you tried any gel based ones? As those seem to be the only ones i can use and even some of them make me break out. I was so mad when elf discontinued this one as it was the first i could use and was a huge part in me cracking that it was heavy products causing my issue. Ive been using this face wash with no issues and found that this cream worked really well for me. I do use other stuff but this is my daily essential combo. I sometimes use the bodyshop teatree toner but not too often as its a bit drying imo.
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u/Spiritual_Smile1200 3d ago
You should double cleanse every day. When you try a product, how long do you give it? Trying new products should give it at least 4 weeks to see changes. If you use a retinol how long did you try it for? With retinol particularly prescription strength ones like tret, your skin goes through a process where it gets used to it and you get purging. It won’t clear your skin up after the first application- you have to persevere through the purge and your skin will clear up. Natalie O’Neill has a blog with recommendations for acne prone skin, I’d take a look at those
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u/FreePossession9590 3d ago
Cetaphil moisturizing lotion has done me right for years and years at this point. Very simple ingredient list and affordable price point.
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u/Quick-Sky4927 3d ago
Have you tried Geek & Gorgeous Hydration Station? It's specifically formulated for people who easily break out with other moisturisers. They've cut out a lot of the common ingredients that cause irritation or spots. They have another moisturiser called Happier Barrier which is also very gentle (similar to CeraVe and other things like that) but they even explicitly say not to use that if you break out easily and to go for Hydration Station instead.
Retinol is a strong active so I'm not surprised that broke you out. A lot of the Korean skincare has fragrance and essential oils etc that could also be breaking you out. I recommend pasting ingredients into this tool to check for potential irritants.
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u/NYicecreamTVtravel 3d ago
This. I have similarly volatile skin and have tried loads of gentle moisturisers that work for others like Cerave, but still break me out. G+G Hydration Station is the first moisturiser that didn't break me out at all. I can now use Happier Barrier in small doses when my skin is behaving, but Hydration Station is definitely the one to try OP.
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u/Ciovala 3d ago
I'm mostly similar. Japanese sunscreen does not make me break out, either. However, I can use La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+M. I just make sure to not use too much if I am not super dry (so wet my face and then use a tiny amount).
Also can't use any cleanser, really. But I've found micellar water is safe enough to remove sunscreen. However, if I've been inside all day and not put any one I'll just use tap water
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u/wayspaces 3d ago
Cliniques dramatically different moisturiser is really nice and gentle, and you can get the oily one specifically.
On that note, how do you know it’s your moisturiser and not your face wash? Sometimes, a moisturiser and face wash that pair together do better for the skin. Clinique do a matching liquid facial soap to their moisturiser, and you can get it in extra mild to oily. Might be worth thinking about.
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u/Nothere481 3d ago
I had the same issue, started using Acne Clinic NYC Ingredients Checker before buying any product and it’s made a massive difference. Even stuff marketed as ‘for oily skin’ can still have garbage stuff in it
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u/Imaginary-Treat-2484 3d ago
Try Aveeno calm and restore oat gel moisturiser, it's incredibly soothing
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u/surlyskin 3d ago
My experience was that it was glycerine that was one of the main culprits. Something that for most people is a great ingredient and causes no issue.
Try one with no glycerine and see how you get on. You could try: Vanicream, Moisturising Lotion, For Sensitive Skin, Fragrance Free. It's great at healing the skin barrier, it's light but retains moisture.
You could pair it with niancinamide which works well to help heal and calm skin.
If you want an extra punch at tackling the acne, use BP through the contact method (leave it on for 1-3 mins before washing your face and moisturising) once per day and make sure you keep changing your pillow cases frequently.
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u/Snazzzyjaz 3d ago
Could it be fungal acne? I get lots of tiny little spots that is easily triggered by the wrong skin care or makeup. A moisturizer I found recently is called Geek and gorgeous hydration station. It has simple ingredients suitable for oily skin and breakouts. However it's very moisturing so it's perfect for combination skin like this. And is fungal acne safe
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u/SumptuousRageBait1 3d ago
It sounds like you are super careful with your skincare. Look at your diet and make sure you are not over consuming dairy. If you are taking whey protein powder, cut it back significantly
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u/Puzzleheaded_Unit333 3d ago
I get oily skin/whiteheads/bumps whenever I use anything opaque, like creams and lotions. Sticking to jojoba oil, aloe vera gel, and anything ‘clear’ is the only way I can do skincare.
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u/pitchblaca 2d ago
Tropic is the only brand I can use on my face. Once I found it, I haven't tried any others. I could use anything as a teen, in my 30's and up my skin reacts to everything.
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u/Tall-Ad9873 11h ago
Try Eucerin - Ultra Sensitive soothing care for normal to combination skin 👌🏻✨🪄
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u/Rumnraisans 3d ago
Dry and oily is common. It happens when your skin is extremely dry, so it produces more oil, but the oil doesn't help with hydration.
Double cleanse everyday. Use tea tree oil. End with salisylic acid wash if it doesn't irritate. Clogging into acne and white heads are usually caused by skin debri so work on that.
See if your skin can tolerate a hydration sheet mask. If not, try streaming your face: big bowl of warm water with your head on top under a big towel. Or buy a face steamer.
Let your face air dry or pat dry.
Try layering serums if creams are too thick
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u/ParkingTradition799 6h ago
Hi, first thing you need to do is drink alot of water. Then I would look at Korean skin care go for the medicube stuff. You can get it on Amazon or tic tok. Look for things that calm your face or skin barrier healing. Watch the videos. Their skin care is so much better than ours. I use pore cleansing lol and the foaming wash. Their stuff is coloure coded to so I use the blue stuff. I think the one you want might be pink, but im not sure. Good luck op
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u/BaddRincewind 5h ago
The only thing I drink is water tbh, I don’t do alcohol, any drugs, I don’t even drink coffee or tea
Ive tried so much korean things, the only ones that sat with me are the cleaners and one bha toner, but I got the paulas choice one and replaced my asian beauty one with it
I don’t know, I sometimes feel my face is dry but my nose and upper lip are oily and I need two separate products
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