A Deeper Clean

[TimmyBoston]

A couple of months ago, I purchased some Nancy Boy FaceWash, which is pretty good stuff, but I'm 25 and I don't have the clearest skin in the world, so now I'm thinking the NB might not be enough or an oil digger and acne fighter to handle my face. Does anyone have an recommendations on a soap to replace might current face wash (or something I can use in a rotation) that might help to clear up my complexion?

[Mama Bear]

typically a 'deeper clean' means your skin gets even more dried out.... which, when you have young and oily skin (like I used to.. I have old and oily skin now.. ) means you are scrubbing, cleaning and degreasing.. alot.

This will actually strip your skin of natural oils that are needed and with time your skin will start to make even more oil to make up for the loss..

If pores are getting clogged, steam them open before cleaning.. don't scrub or use harsh soaps or cleansers. Use natural soap with high quality oils in it. Stripping your skin of oil is actually the worst thing you can do...

don't use lotions that can stay in your pores.. you want a clean face without any residue and you want to clean when your pores are open.. albeit very gently. Wiith time, your skin will manufacture less oil to make up for the stripping and as you get older, it will get better... take it from someone who has gotten older and knows...
Merry Christmas Timmy!!

[19george]

I also have oily skin and I use Papoutsanis olive oil soap. I find that it has done wonders for my face. If you know of a Greek import market near you, you'll be able to pick up a 250g bar real cheap (I pay $1.35 for mine). I don't know if there's a huge Greek population in Indianapolis though.

Online I really haven't found anything nearly as cheap unless you're willing to buy in bulk.

[Lynchmeister]

If pores are getting clogged, steam them open before cleaning.. don't scrub or use harsh soaps or cleansers. Use natural soap with high quality oils in it. Stripping your skin of oil is actually the worst thing you can do...

Sue-

That's a great tip that I've never thought to try! Based on Timmy's description, I would say he and I are in the same boat both being 25 and having less than perfect skin/complexions. Through the wisdom of this forum, I've switched from über-aggressive cleansing to simple, mild cleansing and I've noticed a decent improvement. The thing is, I do this before showering, so as you say, my pores are probably tighter than a drum and my results probably aren't what they could/should be. I'm going to switch up the order of things and see what happens.

[berzerkeleyan]

This will actually strip your skin of natural oils that are needed and with time your skin will start to make even more oil to make up for the loss..

If pores are getting clogged, steam them open before cleaning.. don't scrub or use harsh soaps or cleansers. Use natural soap with high quality oils in it. Stripping your skin of oil is actually the worst thing you can do...

don't use lotions that can stay in your pores.. you want a clean face without any residue and you want to clean when your pores are open.. albeit very gently. Wiith time, your skin will manufacture less oil to make up for the stripping and as you get older, it will get better... take it from someone who has gotten older and knows...

+1

I also have oily skin and I use Papoutsanis olive oil soap. I find that it has done wonders for my face.

+1


Take it from me -- stripping the skin of all oil with a harsh cleanser, and building it back up by applying various topicals and moisturizers is not only time consuming, it is unnecessary. I know, 'cause I've been doing it for a long time.

My routine for ten years was an elaborate series of benzoyl peroxide soaps, moisturizers, prescription medications and the like to keep my face "balanced" and free from break outs. A month ago, I started to use Olive Oil soap because I had read how good it was for the skin. I had also gotten tired of my twice daily ritual for face maintenance. I have to say, OO soap has been a real revelation for me. Since starting, my skin looks great, and I'm not spending 20 minutes a day applying four different products.

In all honesty, I'm still using two medications. But the benzoyl peroxide soap and facial moisturizer have been tossed. I think by the New Year, I'll test my skin and remove the medications from the rotation to see what happens.

That's been my experience so far. I'll likely post again in a month to report how my skin is doing.

[TraderJoe]

A month ago, I started to use Olive Oil soap because I had read how good it was for the skin. I had also gotten tired of my twice daily ritual for face maintenance. I have to say, OO soap has been a real revelation for me. Since starting, my skin looks great, and I'm not spending 20 minutes a day applying four different products.

Glad its working for you, bud

Which one are you using on the face?

[vespergo]

yes, olive oil soaps does work great, especially if the climate is really dry. it's got a good balance of moisturization and cleansing. you can usually find some high quality ones at TJ Maxx. My preference being a line called Olivia Care.

[Mottern Man]

Tim,

Sharps all over wash has cleared me up dramatical. and its gentile for sensitive skin to boot! I did a review somewhere.

[berzerkeleyan]

Glad its working for you, bud

Which one are you using on the face?

I've used three: Aleppo, Olivella, and Papoutsanis. All three were good, but my face seemed to like Aleppo the best. It seemed to remove just the right amount of oil to keep my face ultra supple, but yet clean.

[TraderJoe]

I've used three: Aleppo, Olivella, and Papoutsanis. All three were good, but my face seemed to like Aleppo the best. It seemed to remove just the right amount of oil to keep my face ultra supple, but yet clean.

Good stuff. I'd say the Olivella was the most gentle in terms of cleansing, yet though it does cleanse well. Would you agree?

[berzerkeleyan]

Good stuff. I'd say the Olivella was the most gentle in terms of cleansing, yet though it does cleanse well. Would you agree?

It's funny you wrote that, because my least favorite out of the bunch is Olivella. It feels like an above average soap to me, very nice. However, even higher end soaps leave my face juuuust a tad dry. Aleppo and Papoutsanis seem to be gentler on my face. In a pinch, no question I would use Olivella. But if you gave me a choice, I feel Aleppo is better -- not just for my face, but all over.

Another perfect example of YMMV.

[TraderJoe]

It's funny you wrote that, because my least favorite out of the bunch is Olivella. It feels like an above average soap to me, very nice. However, even higher end soaps leave my face juuuust a tad dry. Aleppo and Papoutsanis seem to be gentler on my face. In a pinch, no question I would use Olivella. But if you gave me a choice, I feel Aleppo is better -- not just for my face, but all over.

Another perfect example of YMMV.

Very true!

The Greek (Papoutsanis), I would say, has the best scent. Though I like the organic smell of the olive in the others as well.

[berzerkeleyan]

The Greek (Papoutsanis), I would say, has the best scent.

Agree 100%! Great smell.

[scotrace]

A female friend once indiscreetly told me:

"you're so lucky you have oily skin - you'll never wrinkle."

I was insulted at the time, but at 44, I get it. Oily skin is a lucky stroke!

[TimmyBoston]

My pores are constantly clogged. Any advice of how to clear this up?

[Tinzien]

yes, olive oil soaps does work great, especially if the climate is really dry. it's got a good balance of moisturization and cleansing. you can usually find some high quality ones at TJ Maxx. My preference being a line called Olivia Care.

Whole Foods Market for the win!

I swear I spent at least 10 minutes gawking at their soap selection yesterday.

[TraderJoe]

My pores are constantly clogged. Any advice of how to clear this up?

Have you tried Jojoba Oil?

Yes I know, its an Oil....but it works for people (even with oily skin) to help balance the level of natural sebum.

[TimmyBoston]

Have you tried Jojoba Oil?

Yes I know, its an Oil....but it works for people (even with oily skin) to help balance the level of natural sebum.

I've never even heard of Jojoba Oil, what is it?

PS What's sebum?

If you can't tell, I'm not very knowledgable about skin care.

[TraderJoe]

I've never even heard of Jojoba Oil, what is it?

PS What's sebum?

If you can't tell, I'm not very knowledgable about skin care.

Sebum is your skin's natural oil.


Jojoba Oil:

Unlike common vegetable oils, jojoba oil is chemically very similar to human sebum. Most jojoba oil is consumed as an ingredient in cosmetics and personal care products, especially skin care and hair care.



What does that mean for you? Well I'm not sure if you have oily skin or dry skin...but it may work for you. I have dry skin in the winter (normal in warm weather) and what it does for me is makes my skin more supple. I apply it in the evenings after washing my face, and before applying moisturizer.

For people with oily skin, who are prone to clogged pores, the Jojoba will help to regulate your skin's sebum-production system and therefore will help to minimize oil production.



Bottom line, its relatively inexpensive, and might be worth a try. There are a couple reviews on jojoba oil, including one by me.....Here

[TimmyBoston]

Thanks buddy. I'm going to look into that.