Hi Critty! This is a great website and will only get better! Thanks for starting it.

I am slowly starting to realize I have sensitive skin... Had years of blemishes & acne. Did the Acutane route at one point and I was far too harsh on my skin over the years in an effort to get rid of spots. Who knew that dry skin can lead to breakouts? I have scarring - emotional and battle scars. (Look at my dimples, not pimples!)

Now I'm in my 30's and still get breakouts from time to time, but not pimples very often, but bumps, or irritations - usually after being outdoors. I think I may now have rosesea. Hormones are another nasty trigger (and side effect from pregnancies!). And I've learned that chemical sunscreens really irritate my skin (like Le Rochey Posey 60) and I should be using a physical sunscreen with titanium dioxide (like cityblock 25).

So I have some questions about what I should be using. It sounds like you share similar woes. (Sorry to hear about your illness - but bravo for turning things around!). I like Clinique but have been finding the 3 step stings my skin. (read on paula begoun's website she doesn't rate it very high). So I'm currently washing with the Clinique foaming wash, then the mild cleanser, skipping the Clarifying Lotion 2 (burns), moisturizing with Cetaphil (DDML doesn't do much), then using the Clinique City Block 25 (which feels great - she actually ranked it very high). I find Sudocream (diaper rash cream) is great for spots. Is there a good cream to fade blemish spots and redness? What about a nighttime cream for sensitive skin? (should all these comments be in another forum??)

I'm not painting a very nice picture of myself! I'm actually pretty, very outgoing, and quite sarcastic! It will be great to get advice on this forum.

Smiles :)

Ahhh yes it sure sounds like rosacea. Rosacea is often confused with acne as they are close relatives (booo to that family tree), and when rosacea looks like acne it is called "acne rosacea", very original name! My first recommendation is to go see a dermatologist to get a proper diagnosis ... and since I know who you are (wink wink) I can send you mine derm's info if you want, she is really great and in Thornhill. Once you have the bumps of rosacea you want to get it under control and that may be through medicated creams like Metro Gel or Hydro-cortisone cream. There are plenty of over the counter creams, but they don't work as well as the prescription creams, so you must as well get the best cream for your money. Luckily a lot of the creams used to treat rosacea are also good for dealing with acne. It's sooo good that you making note of your triggers: sun, skin care products, red wine, spicy food, cold wind are all triggers for most people. If you can handle using CityBlock, that's perfect (I am too oily for it), and there are other physical blocks out there including Burt's Bees, a new one from Avon I just ordered and lots in the health food stores. When you go to the derm, you can also ask about retinoids (Vitamin A cream) to fade the blemish spots, and the doctor will give you a method of using it (every other day to start or something like that). Retinoids help skin exfolliate faster, therefore reduces pimples and scars and are the only proven wrinkle fighter (a true multi-tasker!). I am confused why you are using the foaming face wash and then the mild cleanser?
Critty :)

Hi Critty. Thanks for your advice. I've been doing a lot of reading about rosacea (but still tricky to spell!) and sensitive skin. Eureka! I was amazed to learn the list of ingredients that cause skin irritations and sensitivity. I looked at Rosacea.org and the symptoms and effects are very similar to what I have/get but I definitely have a much milder form (luckily!). Funny how the sun, humidity, different products, cold, were all triggers which definitely affected my skin. Thanks for helping me see things clearly (pun intended) for the first time in years!!! ...as to your comment about the foaming face wash... well the lady at the Clinique counter said to use it to remove all traces of makeup before I wash. Then the mild cleanser, then clarifying #2, and DDML. I've also been reading a lot from Paula Begoun's book and learned that the ff wash contains ingredients from the list of irritants, #2 is bad bad bad, and the DDML has nothing great about it. So I am rethinking what I use for my skin type and needs. Thanks for the dr. reference - I'm going to be mild & gentle with my skin and see if things change first (probably a 6 month wait anyways!). Cheers :)

I am glad you are figuring out your skin's triggers and you can hopefully keep it nice and calm! I would just use one cleanser ... why bother with two, that's more work!? Rosailiac (sp?) from La Roche Posay (at Shoppers) is nice and cooling, but I do need to use a separate eye makeup remover because I love to pile on the mascara. :)