I really can’t believe I’m writing about skincare AGAIN. I’m so sick of thinking about it!
Luckily my skin has improved significantly over the past few months so I’ve been able to think about it less and less. The real turning point was when I started using a Differin prescription I got from YoDerm (which I reviewed here) in conjunction with finding a foundation and moisturizer that my skin mostly liked.
Before Differin
Using Differin. Better, but not good enough!
(I say “mostly liked” because it still took me a couple more months to pinpoint some ingredients that were still disagreeing with my skin.)
I switched to Bare Minerals foundation because the only ingredients in it are pigments and physical sunscreens. I figured, let’s go back to basics and if simple pigments and sunscreen irritate my finicky skin, well, I’d better just lay around indoors for the rest of my life. But in all seriousness, I’d used Bare Minerals throughout college so I kinda knew it would work for me. I use the original one, which has SPF 15.
As far as moisturizers go, I tried to find one without the ingredients I know my skin hates:
No fatty alcohols. That means cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol…basically anything that ends in “-yl alcohol”.
There’s nothing inherently wrong about fatty alcohols; in fact, they’re extremely moisturizing for your skin. But for some people they do cause irritation, and after a loooong process of elimination, I determined that this group of poor, unfortunate, irritated-skin-having souls includes me.
No silicones. This one took me forever to figure out.
I had found a moisturizer I liked and used it for a few months but wondered why I still kept getting clogged pores that sometimes turned into big zits. It wasn’t the Bare Minerals makeup, it wasn’t the acne medication, it wasn’t my hair products. Had to be the moisturizer.
I was disappointed by this development because the moisturizer I was using feels and smells great. If you’re looking for a gel moisturizer and your skin doesn’t mind silicones, definitely give it a go: Dr. Jart Water-Sure Gel.
Soooo with those two ingredients out, I wasn’t left with much to go on. Since I’d gone back to basics with Bare Minerals makeup, I thought I should do the same with my moisturizer, and what’s more natural than oil?
The prospect of using an oil as moisturizer was a little scary after all the oil-free indoctrination I went through as a teen, but I figured the results couldn’t be worse than with anything else I’d tried over the years.
Back in high school when my skin was perfect and I never gave it a second thought 🙁 🙁 🙁
I did a lot (A LOTTTTT) of research and landed on this extremely informative blog post that discussed the fact that all oils are composed of several acids, including oleic acid and linoleic acid. People with skin that’s prone to clogged pores (me) are usually deficient in linoleic acid, so moisturizing with a high linoleic oil is beneficial.
After some hemming and hawing, my choices were this grapeseed oil and this rosehip seed oil. In the morning I mix two drops of each in my palm and apply to my face after cleansing. At night, I do the same thing, just after letting my acne treatment dry.
And YOOOOOOOO. My skin is looking great.
My skin now that I use grapeseed oil + rosehip seed oil as moisturizer
No pimples, no clogged pores, just an overall clear tone and some residual scarring on my chin from past breakouts. Are you kidding me?! Why didn’t I try this sooner?
Let’s look at the progress pictures all together:
Before starting Differin
Using Differin
Differin + rosehip seed oil and grapeseed oil as moisturizer
Um yeah, I’ll let the results speak for themselves.
So if you have easily clogged pores and struggle to find a moisturizer that works for you, try an oil that’s high in linoleic acid. I’m shocked at how well this has worked for me. You may have to do some experimentation to find the right blend, but here are the ones I’m using:
- 1-2 drops of Hobe Naturals grapeseed oil
- 2 drops of Life-Flo rosehip seed oil
Oils, I’m sorry I ignored you for my entire lifetime. Please forgive me.
Sean says
Hi, how long did you use the oils before you noticed a difference and are you continuing to use them?
Chanelle says
Hi Sean! I noticed a difference in the feel/hydration of my skin right away, but would give it about a month to let your skin adjust its natural oil production. Nowadays I just use the oil when I feel extra dehydrated. I also mix it into my body lotion. Hope that helps!
Vanessa says
How long do you wait for the Differin to dry before using the oils?
Chanelle says
I would wait about 20 minutes, then pat on the oil.
Janine says
You and I are on the same page with the Differin and oils. I wouldn’t call my skin especially acneic, but I’ve always had some subclinical acne on my forehead, and mild hormonal zits. Oil level is normal but I can feel that I’m naturally too high-oleic (you can tell because the oil on your face feels thick and greasy instead of light, liquid and delicate). I’m all about simplifying face care, and nowadays I’m having great results from just CeraVe hydrating cleanser and OTC Differin at night, and Olay All Day Moisturizer SPF 15 for combo skin in the morning (the one for normal skin works fine too but the combo skin one has a slighty more elegant texture.) My skin looks and feels super.
In the recent past I was using this homebrewed oil mixture with great results: 1 part rosehip oil, 2 parts grapeseed oil, and then i adjusted the oleic/linoleic balance by adding a bit of coconut oil, because the very high-linoleic mixture was actually drying out my skin. So maybe 1/4 part coconut oil. My mix also included beneficial essential oils: geranium, lavender, tea tree, and a bit of lemongrass to drown out the tea tree stank.
I was cleansing with Pond’s cold cream at this time, and using Thayer’s rose petal witch hazel, which is an amazing product, and Differin.
My skin looked very flawless and beautiful. But now that I’m just using CeraVe cleanser and Differin, my skin still looks great.
Steal my oil recipe, though. And that witch hazel is something everybody needs in their life. It’s alcohol-free, moisturizing because it contains glycerin, and it smells amazing. Witch hazel has so many benefits and even gets rid of precancerous cells.
Amy D says
Wow! Thank you for sharing your skincare research and success story with your own skin. I have heard that rose oil was good, but I’ve never heard of grapseed oil also being good for the skin. Amazing. I just got into essential oils. I’ve been trying frankensence on my hyperpigmentation, but haven’t seen any difference yet. Peppermint oil is amazing for congestion, circulation in my feet when doing tough exercise as well as helping my breathing during hard cardio workouts.
S says
We have nearly the exact same routine! Bare minerals had been the go to for years and back to the differin with rosehip and jojoba after struggling to find anything with non comedogenic oils or silicon. So far so good.
Diana Met Danny says
Wow your skin looks amazing! I need to try using oil on my face, I’m a little scared still but I think I will now!
Brianne says
You look gorgeous! I was very against the oil thing too, but I just started using one and it really works!
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says
I’ve been experimenting on and off with natural skin care oils and I love using oils on my face for cleansing. I can see the difference in your facial skin clarity from your photos. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Carol Cassara says
I never try oil based products on my face because I feel like my face gets more oily. This doesn’t sound like that and I’ve been hearing good things about grapeseed oil. This is actually worth a try.
Dogvills says
Oh this is so different from what our grandmothers told us. That we have to keep our face squeaky clean to avoid getting breakouts, when all we actually need is a good oil preparation to keep our skin moisturized. Dry skin is more prone to breakouts – that is what I found out early in life. 🙂
Annemarie LeBlanc says
Thank you for sharing your story. I will have to look for the -yl ingredients and avoid them. Finding the right moisturizer is a hit and miss process and I am happy you found the products that worked for you.
Louise Bishop says
Wow this stuff worked very well for you. The difference is night and day.
CourtneyLynne says
I’m all about using oils for my skin and hair!! I was scared for years because I was convinced I would be an oily mess, but they work wonders and soak roghtbin. At least they do for me lol
Seattle Travel Blogger says
Skin care is so important.
You look great. I can see the differences in the before and after pictures.
Tracey says
You’d think putting oil on your face would it make more oily and cause you to break out. Instead it looks like the opposite! Your skin is glowing!
Melissa says
Thank you for the lesson on the oils and why we should be using them on our skin. Your skin does look good. I will try and take your advice and add this to my daily regimen
Ashley says
Oooo I should try this! My skin gets so dry and nothing seems to help. I didn’t think about using grapeseed oil on my face! I use it when I cook!
Chanelle says
I heard it’s great for cooking! You may have to purchase a different kind for your face since there are different purity standards for cooking and cosmetics.
Rosey says
So many people tout the benefits of oil. Hurrah that they really are working well for you too!
Carrie@thelavenderhytta says
I love using oil as a moisturizer. It has also really helped my skin improve as well. I have had a lot of people question my sanity over using oil but it definitely works and I definitely recommend it as well.
Tami Qualls says
My daughter and I are both going to have to try this. We need moisturizer but we are currently breaking out.
Janell Poulette says
Wow, your skin looks great after using those oils. Not that it looked bad before! I have really got to start using reship seed oil and grapeseed oils.
Lisa Collins says
Your skin is looking great and i can see the results! Glad you found a combination that is working for you!
Pam says
I love BareMinerals makeup. I have different skin issues than you, but I know that finding a moisturizer that works for you is so important!
Tonya Wilhelm says
I’ve heard a lot of good things about both those oils. I’m glad you are finding success with a natural product. Your skin looks amazing.
Kelly Hutchinson says
I have struggled with finding a good moisturizer that didn’t break me out. I would have never thought about the silicone in them. Who knew?!
Marcie W. says
I love that you made it a point to get in tune with your skin and its unique needs. I use all natural products yet still have issues, so these oils are a must try for me!
Neely Moldovan says
I cant use many oils because my skin is super sensitive. But I have heard great things about a few of them.
Neha Saini says
This is awesome. Natural products are best to be used for skin.
Divya says
So interesting! I use this anti-aging blend that includes a few of these oils that you mention. I can definitely notice a difference!
Colleen Lanin says
I’d love to give these oils a try! I’ve been looking for a natural way to moisturize my skin, and I think this could be just the thing.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That is so awesome! Of course using all natural moisturizers and other products is best for the skin. All that man-made stuff really gunks up everything.
Robin Rue says
Wow, I can definitely see the difference. So happy to know this actually works 🙂