Greasy/dry skin (male)

[swingstar]

Hi girls

I'm male and am fed up with my facial skin.

First some history... When I was around 14 I was badly sunburnt twice in the space of a few weeks. Both times the skin totally peeled off (not sure if this had any lasting effect, but I had to go to hospital the second time around since it was so severe). Around the age of 15, I started to get pimples. To combat that, for a few years I used a nail brush and scrubbed my face twice a day using Clearasil. Surely that didn't do my face too good, but I didn't know any better.

Since then, I've always had greasy skin or dry skin. I can never get the perfect balance, well only rarely. I stopped using Clearasil recently and have been using Clean & Clear with the toner and moisturizer. I only use my hands now to cleanse. It seems to be a bit better but not perfect. I don't understand why no other men seem to have this problem. Most of my friends don't even wash their skin and it always looks fine.

Anyway, it's not so much that I care how it looks, it's that I can always "feel" the grease. So I am always aware of my skin, I can just "feel" it. It's either too dry or too greasy. I also hate maintenance, I wish I didn't have to worry about it.

So if anyone has some tips, it'd be much appreciated. I've even thought of seeing a dermatologist. Maybe it has been damaged and somehow it can be fixed.

Thank you

[Judi]

Welcome Swingstar, Its sounds has if your skin has been through quite allot, I would see a derm, may reason for that is to find out how much damage has been done by the burn and the scrubbing.
It sounds like you have a problem with combination skin. Some of the products are overly drying and causing some of your problems. Until you get to see a derm Try using Cepitical cleanser, and use moisturizers meant for combo skin. Go to either a Large drugstore or dept store and they should be able to get you into something that will help till you see the Doctor.
Welcome again to the forums and please introduce yourself to the other members under introduction forum. Load of Great Advice and really great people as well. Hope some of the info help. Talk to you later.

[vogueboy]

Yes, it sounds like you have combination skin. Like Judi has suggested, try using Cetaphil because it's a neutral ph cleanser.

However, I recommend getting a cleanser, toner and moisturizer made for combination skins. Try using a medium to high-end line products for men like L'Oreal, Lancome, Bio-Therm and Clarins.

Allow 2 weeks to see any results. It won't be an over-night quick fix. You will see positive results.

Good luck

[swingstar]

Thank you, hadn't heard of combination skin before. Certainly sounds like that's what it is. Some days it can start off dry and end up greasy, and others just greasy all day! It's the bane of my life!

[Rose]

don't worry, I know loads of guys with bad skin-- you're not on your own! You could always go to a dermatologist, he or she could prescribe some tablets or cream for you.