STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

theotherjess · Chanel

Dry skin + breakouts = ???

juno · Nine West

the breakouts are probably caused by something other than normal dirt and make-up. even touching your face can transfer bacteria (so i've heard). i'm not a huge fan of the clinique system, i've never had much luck with it. you might try switching products, to a mild cleaner (i like cetaphil) or even one of the oil-washes that have been mentioned in Lucky or Shape. if nothing else, mention it to a dermatologist, the break outs may be a result of something other than skin irritants. HTH

Deuce · Dooney & Bourke

I have the same problem and have tried everything. I found that clinique wasn't the best thing for me. I did like the idea of a system but it just wasn't the one. I really like Proactive it is definitely better than clinique. I also use a nutrogena pore refining cleanser when I forget to order my proactive. I have also heard great things about the dermalogica line, which I am trying next. Also my derm told me to watch the cafinee and believe it or not it made a huge difference in my skin. Drink lots of water.

Hope this helps

esquiress · Marc Jacobs

good for you for taking care of your skin, with that ethic all you need to do is find the right system and you are good to go.

from your post it sounds like your skin might be overcompensating to combat the dryness by creating more oil which in turn gets clogged up and creates break outs.

here are a couple of options:

change cleansers, imo the clinique soap (step 1 i think?) is too harsh, i used to be on the system too (back in college, there used to be a clinique counter in our student store) but i really wasn't very impressed w/ it. i recommend NARS balancing foaming cleanser w/ their hydrating lotion and brightening serum or cream.

another option could be going to your dermatologist and getting either erythromycin or clindamycin (both antibiotics), they are topical (no pills to swallow) so you just put them on your face like you would toner at night and that should help kill bacteria. while you're at the dermatologist, ask about Retin-A, whenever i get a pimple, this is what i use to get rid of it and my skin responds extremely well, the pimple literally shrinks overnight and is gone after two days. make sure to wear sunblock all the time though, this is good advice in general but esp. important if you use Retin-A.

now for the most extreme option of all--accutane. my friends have gone on this and the results have been miraculous. it's heavy-duty medication and majorly dries you out at first but they've all raved about it. however, i have read about serious side effects like depression so you probably want to seriously discuss this option w/ a doctor and go from there.

good luck and hth!

theotherjess · Chanel

esquiress, I think you're right about Clinique being too harsh. I think I'm going to go back to Cetaphil. One more question: if I use the gentle Cetaphil, should I use some other toner/lotion with it or just the face wash? I've tried both the gentle and the oily skin formula and if I remember the gentle usually worked better for some reason.

Elle · Hermes

I think that the dead dry skin is probably clogging your pores - switching to cetaphil and a mild toner should keep it from getting so dry and flaky and therefore clogging your pores. Plain witch hazel is a really great non-irritating toner you might want to try.