Thread: Keeping it even and healthy, whatever skin you’re in.

I’m comfortable with the whitey-white skin I am in…which is good because it’s not gonna change. I don't tan and I can't tan (I turn pink, then white...period). When my skin is good, it is great... Unfortunately in the last few years my skin has become more and more sensitive, to the point of needing a dermatologist for my occasional outbreaks of ezema...and some sunblocks irritate my skin, bringing outbreaks more often than I'd like.

I’m looking for good sunscreen/sunblock recommendations (for sensitive faces and for general body needs and for a variety of sunlevels).I’d like all skin-tones and types to weigh in on this, as I assume we’re all in the same boat in needing sunscreens and sunblocks to keep our skin healthy (and to keep us from having daily wear tan-lines that show up when we put on costumes).

I’d also like any recommendations for natural toners/sprays or general good habits to use when I’m working out to keep my sweat from irritating my skin needlessly.

My skin is kind of similar. Ultra-fair, pretty sensitive, looks way better when pampered with clean natural products. Have you ever heard of a skincare line called MyChelle?

Though I've switched to cheaper (yet still natural) stuff, MyChelle is my top choice. Paraben free, heavenly fragrances, beautiful formulations...and it's so calming on my sensitive skin. Even their scrubs and peels don't bother me, which is a miracle. Their sunblock is awesome for the face, though probably expensive for the entire bod.

As for toners, I love the MyChelle Apple Brightening Mist, or rosewater if I'm looking for something a bit more economical.

Another pale girl with some hereditary eczema going on. The best remedy I've personally found is a mix of calamine lotion (for any itching) and then 99% aloe gel. I use the Lily of the Desert stuff:

Lily of the Desert, Certified Organic Grower Aloe Vera Juice, Drink, Gel, Lotion and Skin Care Products

The aloe gel is a total life-saver. Really helps reduces redness and irritation. I can buy it down in the health food section of the local grocery store. Don't know what's available in Japan, I don't know how I lived without this stuff. The other thing I've found that really helps is taking burdock supplements. It's an old herbal remedy for skin conditions and it really does help me.

As far as SPFs moisturizers go, you might try Devita. Also paraben-free and doesn't use chemical sunscreens. They're stuff also has a nice aloe base and is pretty gentle:

Welcome to Devita - Natural Skin Care - Products

The other moisturizer I that I use and was recommended by a dermatologist is just using glycerin and rosewater sprays. Very gentle moisture and non-irritating:

Heritage Products Rosewater & Glycerin -- 4 oz - Vitacost

For sunscreens I tend to go with childrens sun blocks. They are generally much gentler and actually better controlled than their adult counterparts. I like Ocean Potions Kids SPF 50. I also use Ocean Potions Anti-aging Moisturizer with SPF 30. It has Retanol, Vits. A, C & E. The only problem I encounter is finding either during the off season. don't know how that would react to your eczema, but for other issues, such as previous sun damage and repairs, it's good. It's also cheap!

{{{HUGS}}}

For my face, I use MD Formulations "Total Protector 30", which comes highly recommended from my friend who is an esthetician who used to work in a MedSpa.

Total Protector 30

My skin tone is a typical shade of "Minnesota fair." While I tan relatively easily, I refuse to do so because cancer sucks.

I have problem skin; it breaks out and/or gets irritated very easily, even from supposedly hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic products. I've had no problems with this sunscreen, though. As a double bonus, it serves as a nice base for my mineral makeup.

Ozma, do you eat a lot of dairy? My boyfriend's dad has eczema and he tried everything on earth to get rid of it. Then finally he cut out dairy and his rash went away and he hasn't had it since.

As for sunblock, the neutrogena spray mist stuff gives me a rash, so I stick to banana boat or coppertone. However, my grandmas got me some Kiss My Face sunblock for Christmas and I can't wait to use it.

For everyday wear, I use Aveeno and it does well on my skin. However, I also use Rx acne cream. Aveeno makes a moisturizer for sensitive skin. Oh and burt's bees just came out with a bunch of new skin products. You should check them out.

I've started using Aveeno on my face as well and so far, so good. It's an excellent moisturiser for the body, that's for sure - really very impressed by it.

For me sundamage and what appears to be some minor rosacea/hormonal breakouts is the major problem I have with my now quite sensitive skin. Interestingly, I think it is *better* since I stopped using Retinol. I am currently using Trilogy rosehip oil, Trilogy CoQ10 booster capsules (which I use every night now) and either Trilogy Everything Balm or dirty old Nivea Creme or Palmers on top, and during the day, just Aveeno and/or a sunblock/moisturiser.

I'm revisiting exfoliation. Apart from the inflamed bits, my skin when exfoliated is just so much better, and I'm going to try persevering with *more* exfoliation rather than less, as my skin is very dry and old and needs help with the turnover.

Ozma, have you tried mineral sunblocks? You want to look for products in which the *only* active ingredients listed are zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide.

These reflect UV away from your skin. Other sunblock ingredients (Padimate-O, PABA, Parsol, etc) absorb UV and re-emit the radiation in the infrared -- while there is nothing wrong with either mode of protection, the latter tend to be fairly toxic, irritating compounds that exacerbate rosacea and other skin conditions that fair skin is already susceptible to.

The other thing is, don't depend solely on sunblocks for all your protection. If you are going to be outside, get lightweight long sleeve shirts, hats, and even gloves. Columbia and other brands carry activewear made from spf 50 fabric.

I'm a biologist and have to work outside sometimes in hot sunny locations. I generally am covered up like a nun, shirt buttoned up under my chin and around my wrists, wide brimmed hat, bandana around my neck, gloves with the fingertips cut off, in addition to having mineral sunblocks on my face shoulders, and arms.

In addition to sunburning easily and never tanning, I have a bit of rosacea, plus the added problem of having some kind of allergic reaction to the sun in spots that have gotten too much sun over the years -- primarily the backs of my hands and arms. I will break out in a raised itchy rash in these areas even if I have sunblock on and am not sunburning. Keeping them covered is the only solution.

This is what I mean -- this was last spring in the desert. Even my hands were breaking out in a sun rash so I had to wear gardening gloves with the finger tips cut out. I look like a huge dork in the field, whereas my students get to look very hip -- tank tops, shorts, chacos. Oh well. Such is the life of the biologist/porcelain belly dancer. The shirts and pants I use are Columbia spf 50 -- $50 each but well worth it as they are vented under the armpits, quick dry, and as cool as possible.

I mentioned this already in another thread, but I use the Oil Cleansing Method for washing my face. Sometimes I'll add a little brown sugar to it if I want to exfoliate. It may seem counter intuitive to use oil, but a combination of Castor Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil works for me, and has no perfumes or dyed unless you add them. I usually add Vitamin E oil and some Lavender or Tea Tree essential oil.
Cetaphil make a daily face moisturizer with an SPF 30 in it, and is known to be gentle just like their cleansers. I haven't tried it myself though.

As for eczema, my boyfriend had some on the top of his foot from a bad chemical burn he got three years ago. When it flares up, he now uses Australian Papaw Ointment, which I brought back from my trip to Oz in 2007. If you happen to have any friends in Australia, get them to send you a tube of this stuff. I use it on ANYTHING and everything.

~Kaylin

Paula's Choice.

No irritating ingredients, lots of skin-soothing ingredients and effective anti-oxidants. I am often met with disbelief when I reveal my age and I've used Paula's exclusively for the past ten years.

Oh, and has anyone here mentioned drinking plenty of water, a balanced diet, sweating on a regular basis and *GASP* including the right amount of fat in your diet?

(As someone who did the Susan Powter diet, I quickly discovered that going too low fat showed up in my hair, skin and nails. So I switched to a low fat mind set and learned to balance things.)

{{{HUGS}}}

My fave is Sunplay SPF 130. I know they say more than 45 doesn't mean anything but I tell you, I have never burned using this. I use it on my face and it doesn't irritate it. :-) Slight white sheen but if you are pale already, it's no biggie. This is my fave and even visiting dancers I have let use it loved it! I think mine is an import from Japan? If not, we have it here. I can send if you want?

Oh, as far as a nice habit...I use lemon juice on my face as a toner. You can dilute for sensitive skin. I really like it and so does my skin. :-)

I've had very bad reactions to certain sunscreen brands, so I use Neutrogena (45 SPF) Ultra Sheer dry touch sunblock now. I like it because I never feel greasy, and I don't have to worry about breaking out in red splotches. I also use a face lotion with SPF in it every day (either L'oreal or Garnier Fructis). I'm paranoid about sun damage, lol.

My sister has extremely sensitive skin, and a dermatologist recommended Neutrogena for her when she was little. She has to be extra careful. Last summer, she used a new sunscreen spray. I think this is it: Neutrogena Fresh Cooling - Sunblock, Body Mist SPF 45 - 5 oz.

Body skin exfoliators: is there anything that exfoliates better than just scrubbing thoroughly with a washcloth? I'm getting away from oily sugar scrubs because of the residue it leaves on the shower floor.

Originally Posted by Darbla

Body skin exfoliators: is there anything that exfoliates better than just scrubbing thoroughly with a washcloth? I'm getting away from oily sugar scrubs because of the residue it leaves on the shower floor.

I like Paula's Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion with 10% AHA.

Ozma, do you exfoliate your facial skin? I started breaking out too and once I started keeping the dead skin cells at bay, the breakouts lessened. I use dermalogica for a skin care line. Make sure you use a good toner too and exfoliate around 3 times a week.

Originally Posted by maiaraqs

I like Paula's Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion with 10% AHA.

Me too,I´ve cheated with M.D. Formulations though

I´m partial to asian sunscreens.Most work fantastic in high moisture climates but need to be removed with double cleansing or water soluable cleansing oil.

Here are some reviews and comparisons(physical ss is often better for sensitive face skin):
Product Recs - Sunscreens


Maybe Sunkillers baby sun milk spf 38 is avaliable near you to try out Ozma?
I love it:)
JAPAN KISS ME SUNKILLER BABY SUNSCREEN SPF38 PA+++ SENS - eBay (item 200401927779 end time Feb-01-10 19:52:06 PST)

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

My skin is kind of similar. Ultra-fair, pretty sensitive, looks way better when pampered with clean natural products. Have you ever heard of a skincare line called MyChelle?

Though I've switched to cheaper (yet still natural) stuff, MyChelle is my top choice. Paraben free, heavenly fragrances, beautiful formulations...and it's so calming on my sensitive skin. Even their scrubs and peels don't bother me, which is a miracle. Their sunblock is awesome for the face, though probably expensive for the entire bod.

As for toners, I love the MyChelle Apple Brightening Mist, or rosewater if I'm looking for something a bit more economical.

I second this recommendation (and you know how sensitive my skin is). MyChelle is fantastic and eco-friendly. Also look for Avalon Organics; I use their daily moisturizer with spf 18 as well as their cleansing milk.

As for toners: neroli (sweet orange) is the best stuff for skin but rose water or lavendar water work great too. You can also make your own toner out of kitchen spices. PM if you want the recipe. And as for masks, use things you have at home (that you know you're not allergic too) like yogurt, oatmeal, honey, essential oils, tomato, avacado (my fave), etc.

ETA: for exfoliation, try mixing sugar and coconut oil. It works for face and body.