Junior Member

Posts: 9
From:
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 04-04-2003 10:35 PM            

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The Retin A Micro that I'm on right now causes me to flake a lot, although not as bad as the original retin a. It's really hard applying makup on my skin when it's constantly flaking cuz of the medication. It would take me 10 minutes to apply the foundation, and an hour just peeling off the flaky skin (i know, gross). It looks like my face is coming off. So, please, does anybody have any tips that can help me?

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Member

Posts: 22
From:
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 04-04-2003 10:56 PM            

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moisturizer...........
i use neutrogena sensitive skin. i love it, it doesn't clog my pores or make me break out at all. but there are tons of good ones out there i'm sure, just make sure to get one that is non-comedogenic and is water-based and oil-free. so just put some moisturizer on after washing your face in the morning, give it a coupla minutes to set in, then put the make up on- it makes it go on soooo much more smoothly and evenly. hope this helps!

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Veteran

Posts: 365
From:
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 04-05-2003 03:12 PM            

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Get some jojoba oil. it will really help your skin to become soft, and it will not break you out. I have soft skin for the first time in years. Just make sure to get 100% pure. You can get it at a health food store or somewhere like GNC.

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Member

Posts: 52
From:Canada
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 04-05-2003 03:25 PM            

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I know the annoyance of flaking skin; here's a trick I find helps. Before I put my makeup on (make sure your skin is TOTALLY dry), I buff it with a dry washcloth lightly. I find it skims off the top flaking layers so that I don't have big flakes in my foundation. Do NOT do it with a wet cloth or with moist skin...you will make your face raw and very red.

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Senior Member

Posts: 201
From:midwest, US
Registered: Jun 2002

posted 04-06-2003 10:08 AM            

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I can certainly sympathize: I use Retin-A .10%, and I flake all the time. I had to change my make-up application completely too.

After I gently exfoliate, I use a sunscreen from Proactiv that adds a little moisture without clogging pores, then I use a cotton swab (q-tip) to apply foundation only to my red or dark marks. I also found that my skin looks better without the foundation all over it, which surprised me. Good luck

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Junior Member

Posts: 9
From:
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 04-06-2003 06:30 PM            

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Thanks so much for all the replies everyone. The whole exfoliating idea is great, I dunno why I've never thought of that. I think I'll try each one of them and see which one works best.
Brammerkm, does the Proactive sunscreen you use contain Benzoyl Peroxide, cuz I've tried all the Proactive solutions before and the ones that contain benzoyl peroxide tends to irritate my skin a lot?

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Member

Posts: 47
From:
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 04-07-2003 04:52 PM            

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Exfoliating (especially with a wet cloth) does leave your skin red and raw. Scrubbing your skin when you're using a treatment like that can really irritate your skin. What I would suggest is finding an enzyme cleanser where it just kills the dead skin for you and then the skin will literally roll off while it's still damp. LUSH's enzynamite facial cleanser is awesome. Proderm makes a good cleanser too (LUSH is cheaper). But you just wash your face with it, rinse and then use your hands to rub your face and all this gross dead skin will just roll away without scrubbing!

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Junior Member

Posts: 8
From:NJ
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-07-2003 08:08 PM            

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My skin flakes a lot too...so what you do is scrub it of with a loofah (on top of a facial scrub) but the key is to scrub SLOWLY. do not scrub too much or you will end up with scabs and open wounds [I should know...it took forever for my scabs to heal.] Then apply a moisturizer [or even lotion] and let dry for about a minute..then apply your foundation. Don't let the moisturizer or lotion dry off completely or it'll be harder to put on your foundation. Hope that helps!

`Sunshine Gerl

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 675
From:New York
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 04-08-2003 10:46 AM            

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self:
I was very flaky in the beginning weeks of using Retin A micro. I am into my 10th week now, and I am not dry at all. Try to moisturize with something like Complex 15 available in drugstores. Also as badly as you want to exfoliate, it is really is not recommended on Retin A micro-it IS an exfoliator itself. Remember not to use too much of the Micro, remember to cleanse with something gentle, and as a last resort, try using it every other night for just a few days, till your dryness improves. Good luck with it. D-

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Junior Member

Posts: 9
From:
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 04-08-2003 09:56 PM            

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Red Bean- Is Lush available in drugstores?

DeeDee- I've been looking for a good moisturizer. Is Complex 15 the best for acne? I heard that Cetaphil and Purpose are also good, but then I don't know of all the moisturizers to choose from which one is the best for my horrible skin.

Thanks so much for the replies everyone.

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Veteran

Posts: 266
From:usa
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 04-08-2003 10:26 PM            

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I remember a time where NOTHING would help my skin from being so darn dry and makeup would look hideous so i couldnt even wear any.

I suggest an exfoliater first or a buffpuff sponge. Do not rub too hard. It's better lightly and gentle for numerous reasons.

Then try moisterizing.

That is the only thing that helped several times when I HAD to wear makeup. And still i would have to redo it over and over again because my skin would still be flaky. It was awful. And using the buffpuff so many times in a row made my skin red.

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Senior Veteran

Posts: 675
From:New York
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 04-08-2003 10:44 PM            

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Self,

Sadly, moisturizers that work favorably for us acne sufferers are hard to come by. It basically is trial and error...sorry. But what one likes, the other may hate.

What I can share with you about Complex 15 is that it is not elegant, fragranced, or beautiful feeling, if that is what you are going for. What it is , is a light moisturizer that absorbs nicely into the skin without that greasy feeling. It helped me get through that dry period. As I mentioned, I am not dry anymore so I don't feel the need to use it these days. You will get beyond that dry point too, just remember to use your medication sparingly, and don't use anything else that may annoy the situation. Good Luck!

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