The survey identified me as an OSNW. My major problem is mild acne, pimples just never seem to leave me be. I started following the regimen for OSNW acne, but with no noticible results and some skin dryness as a result, I'm starting to wonder if I've gone down the wrong path!

I am borderline oily/dry, so I decided to read the DSNW chapter. Very different regimens!! The oily/dry divide, especially as it relates to acne, is huge! DSNWs should stay away from any salytic acid, benzoly peroxide - any over the counter acne meds. Just what I've been using!

I've heard that sometimes your skin can manifest itself as oily because it is really compensating for underlying dryness? Any truth to this?

I imagine if I stopped using the acne meds and switched to a moisturizing regimen- all hell could break lose! Anyone else out there going through the same thing?

The survey identified me as an OSNW. My major problem is mild acne, pimples just never seem to leave me be. I started following the regimen for OSNW acne, but with no noticible results and some skin dryness as a result, I'm starting to wonder if I've gone down the wrong path!

I am borderline oily/dry, so I decided to read the DSNW chapter. Very different regimens!! The oily/dry divide, especially as it relates to acne, is huge! DSNWs should stay away from any salytic acid, benzoly peroxide - any over the counter acne meds. Just what I've been using!

I've heard that sometimes your skin can manifest itself as oily because it is really compensating for underlying dryness? Any truth to this?

I imagine if I stopped using the acne meds and switched to a moisturizing regimen- all hell could break lose! Anyone else out there going through the same thing?

Yes! I am a DSNW, on the border in many of the categories. Right now I'm a D, but once summer kicks in, I'll probably be closer to an O.

I hear ya on the different regimens, as I have some concerns that the DSNW regimen may not do much for my clogged pores. I'm in a catch 22, as many moisturizers make me break out, so I'm afraid to use them and subsequently stay dry and flaky all the time. I then wonder if the dryness and flakiness makes me break out more, due to the tight dry skin plugging up the pores. So I recently started on Retin-A to see if that helps. hopefully it will combat the breakouts and tendency to wrinkle at the same time. I'm still trying to find a moisturizer I like, as I loved the Atopalm at first but think it may be breaking me out now. I'm almost thinking of trying a moisturizing toner to get the moisturizing benefits without the emollients of a lotion or cream. Interesting that she's not fond of toners, as I find that the moisturizing, alcohol free ones are soothing and moisturizing.

Also, my skin does tolerate benzoyl peroxide very well, as well as BHA. The benzoyl peroxide has worked for me for years. In fact, my best skin was when I was on Proactiv, I was breakout free, but then became very dry. And I've read in some other sources that chronic benzoyl peroxide use over time can be aging to the skin, so I'm paranoid about using it, but it does keep breakouts away for me. However, my skin also borders on S and R, so it may be a bit more tolerant. I am an S by virtue of the fact that I break out in pimples, not necessarily allergic reactions per se.

Let me know what works for you!

Marcy

Good to hear I'm not alone. Funny you say you are borderline S/R - I feel the same, I hardly ever have stinging or burning reactions, my sensitivity is mostly acne.

Benzoyl Peroxide usually helps keep things under control for me too - my breakouts usually occur around my period and then really Benzoyl doesn't do much. I get pimples anyway. But I do feel it keeps things at bay, which is why I'm hesitant to let it go. I didn't know that about long term use & aging though...that just might convince me!

Let me know how the Retin A works - perhaps the prescription route is the best way to go while still moistuizing. Were you using anything at all for acne with the Atopalm? Maybe you just need the extra element of a prescription acne medication with the right moisturizer. The elusive search for the right moisturizer....

Keep me posted on the search! Thanks!

Kate

With the Atopalm, I was using Retin-A, going slowly as recommended in the Baumann book, and I was using benzoyl peroxide on the off nights on my jawline, upper neck, and forehead, where I am prone to breakouts. What was weird was that I broke out in unexpected areas where I never breakout. Since those areas weren't being treated with the benzoyl peroxide they broke out.

I'm thinking it was due to the Atopalm, since I have the understanding that the Retin-A causes you to purge alot in the beginning, and it's usually in the areas where you already break out, since they're the clogged up areas. But who knows, the Retin-A may have brought up some gunk in those other areas, not sure.

Yes, the search for a good moisturizer goes on! I have one that I just got called Avene Trixera, but will not try it for a few weeks. I want my skin to stabilize a bit before adding something new. Then I will introduce it and see what happens. It's supposed to help rebuild the barrier as well.

I'll keep you posted!

Marcy

Have you tried the CeraVe line? Sounds alright and cheap too!