Hi all,
I tried out using apricot kernel oil as a cleanser, and I think I was doing it wrong. Nay, I know I was doing it wrong, and now I have a couple of those red, swollen pimples (at least that's what they seem to be) on my chin, and some smaller ones on my forehead. Now, here's where my real idiocy comes in.
I figured that since facial cloths were too abrasive (caused some breakouts, even when I knew they were clean cloths), that I'd just splash rinse and use my hands. The splash rinse method was working well for a while with the LRP toleriane dermo cleanser, but I think it's finally caught up to me. I bought these cotton make up remover rectangles (though I don't actually wear makeup) that are very smooth, and have been using a combination of distilled water and thermal spray water, and I'm not noticing any new problems (I also stopped the oil cleansing for now). My whole reason for trying oil as a cleanser was to see if it would retain more hydration, and so on. Maybe it's the changing season, or maybe my dryness score is improving, since I occasionally look slightly shiny (that's a new thing for me, and a very good thing, since I'm starting to cope better with the very cold and dry environment where I work).
But this leaves the question: was it the oil that caused these breakouts or the tap water, or am I using too much moisturizer? Or do these things just happen?
The sulfur mask is working on the inflammation and swelling, I just hope it's safe to use on two consecutive nights, since I had to use it last night too.
I noticed similar symptoms (though much less severe) when I tried it with olive oil some weeks ago, and stopped using it since it seemed to do it's job and I wanted to try something lighter. So I tried jojoba oil, and even then, very small tiny red bumps (should have been a clue), and it got absorbed too quickly into my skin, so I that's when I decided to go for a different kind of oil.
Either way, I'm retreating until it calms down, and then I'll see if maybe starting over without tap water will do the trick. Maybe even since I'd be removing more of the cleanser this way.
I also have the MD forte replenish hydrating cream arriving soon, so perhaps that will solve all my problems.
Anyway, sorry for this long post, I can't believe I held out this long on the tap water, old habits die hard I guess.