Problem with Zits

**rrobbins** · 12-01-2010, 10:54 AM

Prior to DE shaving, I shaved in the morning and in the shower. My only preparation was washing my face before applying Gillette Gel or something of the sort.

If it makes any sense, I have oily/dry skin. In the winter, the dry part is more apparent, so I put lotion on my face after showering. In the summer, I do not really need it.

Since my skin is a bit oily, I am prone to a zit or two. I also get an occasional ingrown hair.

Since I started DE shaving, I wash my face, use pre-shave (either Origins Easy Slider or Em's), lather (KMF or Em's and last two shaves were with CF Lime), shave, rinse with warm water, apply witch hazel, splash with cold water, apply either Castle Forbes Lime AS or Em's AS. Since the temps are a bit cooler outside, I also need a bit of lotion afterwards. Last night, I washed my face with Dr. Bronner's citrus, lathered with CF lime cream, rinsed with warm water, applied witch hazel, splashed with cold and used CF lime AS. The result seemed much better.

Since I started DE shaving 3 weeks ago, I have probably accumulated two months worth of zits.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Rick

**BCatl** · 12-01-2010, 11:21 AM

According to what you said about your skin, I would suggest you use De la Cruz sulfur ointment at night according to the instructions on the jar. You can get it at Walgreens for like $5.00. It will help to clear the acne, and it will be beneficial to your skin.

You put this stuff on and rinse it off after 10 minutes. A lingering sulfur smell is present but it's not too bad especially if used in the afternoon or at night (i.e. before the next day). Good luck whatever you decide.

**TEAK** · 12-01-2010, 11:21 AM

I have started the oil cleansing method as part of my preshave and it keeps my skin pretty clear. Also you might look into some of the acne prevention stuff from Dermalogica, its expensive but a little goes a long way and it works wonders!
You can do a search on here or on google for the oil cleansing method to learn all about it. It might seem odd covering your face in oil but surprisingly it works. One word of advice if you have oily skin like I do I use straight castor oil with some tea tree oil and glycerin mixed with it.

**Luc** · 12-01-2010, 12:01 PM

That's a lot of products post-shave... I'd say try to reduce them to 1-2.

Maybe a splash with witch hazel...

**Go West Young Man** · 12-01-2010, 01:53 PM

A) you're using too many products, it's no wonder you're breaking out, and B) work on improving direction angle and pressure of shave - all of those when done incorrectly can cause shave bumps to appear.

**California Cajun** · 12-01-2010, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by rrobbins

Prior to DE shaving, I shaved in the morning and in the shower. My only preparation was washing my face before applying Gillette Gel or something of the sort.

If it makes any sense, I have oily/dry skin. In the winter, the dry part is more apparent, so I put lotion on my face after showering. In the summer, I do not really need it.

Since my skin is a bit oily, I am prone to a zit or two. I also get an occasional ingrown hair.

Since I started DE shaving, I wash my face, use pre-shave (either Origins Easy Slider or Em's), lather (KMF or Em's and last two shaves were with CF Lime), shave, rinse with warm water, apply witch hazel, splash with cold water, apply either Castle Forbes Lime AS or Em's AS. Since the temps are a bit cooler outside, I also need a bit of lotion afterwards. Last night, I washed my face with Dr. Bronner's citrus, lathered with CF lime cream, rinsed with warm water, applied witch hazel, splashed with cold and used CF lime AS. The result seemed much better.

Since I started DE shaving 3 weeks ago, I have probably accumulated two months worth of zits.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Rick

When I was a teenager, I could not use aftershave because of zits (I would use it anyway if I had a date or other special occasion). At the time I used an electric razor because my dad did.

I don't know if no aftershave is good advice or not, but I didn't use it.

**Kcaps** · 12-01-2010, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by Go West Young Man

A) you're using too many products, it's no wonder you're breaking out, and B) work on improving direction angle and pressure of shave - all of those when done incorrectly can cause shave bumps to appear.

+1

In your case minimalism might be the key. My face is also oily and prone to zits, but when I started wet shaving my face improved dramatically.

**cernel_joson** · 12-01-2010, 02:20 PM

In my opinion, every time you use a product you're increasing the chances of irritating your skin. My approach may not work for you, but it works for me. I don't do any pre-shave. I just wash thoroughly with an exfoliating cleanser--this removes dead skin and dirt while making the skin smoother for the shave. Post shave I try to keep it down to one or two treatments: a skin toner with witch hazel and salicylic acid, and if it was a particularly bad shave, an aftershave balm (currently C.O. Bigelow for both).

If you're shaving in the shower, you also might not be lathering up your face well enough. With the time you're saving by cutting out the products try shaving outside.

There's always the chance that it's a hormonal or genetic thing, in which case, see a dermatologist.

**squirrel_nut_zipper** · 12-01-2010, 02:23 PM

I completely agree with the "less is more" comments here. I used to be acne prone back when I used cartridge razors (not realizing at the time that the "lift and cut" technology was causing the bulk of my problems). I was using all kinds of stuff to clear it up: exfoliating scrubs, clay masks, benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and etc. None of this really helped much, and I think it actually aggravated my skin and kept the problem going. Once I began shaving with a DE, I noticed the bumpy texture on my cheeks (which were ingrown hairs, but I didn't realize it) completely disappeared, and my skin started clearing up all over. The only products to touch my face nowadays are pre-shave oils, shaving soap or cream, and Trumper Skin Food as an AS -- no more scrubs or harsh chemicals. The less I've done, the better my skin has gotten.

**gull** · 12-01-2010, 04:25 PM

You've got a complicated shaving routine. I just wash my face, lather, shave, and out the door I go.

I would recommend getting rid of the preshave oil and any aftershave you might be using.

**LionelHutz** · 12-01-2010, 08:48 PM

What kind of acne are you getting? small whiteheads and blackheads (non-inflamed blemishes) mean that something is clogging your pores, trapping oil. Bigger, inflamed (puss-filled, for lack of a better description) zits mean irritation has broken a follicle wall, and white blood cells have collected and eventually worked their way to the surface. Also, while it seems counter-intuitive, dry skin can cause breakouts, as your oil glands kick into overdrive to compensate.

Lots of "soap" products actually contain highly comodogenic (pore-blocking) or irritating ingredients, even "natural" ones like bronners. List of comodogenic and skin irritants are all over the internet, but, like all else, YMMV. Everyone's skin has different things that set them off. I'm not sure, but my gut says the citrus extracts/oils in the cream/AS you are using could be the culprit.

Since it seems like your skin was mostly fine before beginning DE shaving, you might just wait it out to see if everything settles down as your technique improves and you start getting less irritation. Or you can reduce the products you are using and introduce things in a controlled, experimental way. Hard to have the patience to do, but it can be worth it to find the products that work well and don't cause break outs. Like others here, I would recommend starting with dropping the pre-shave and AS, and just wash your face, lather, rinse, Alum/witch hazel, and your regular moisturizer.

I had acne prone skin before discovering DE shaving, so I've had to pay a lot of attention to which products aggravate things. I also have used a regular topical cream specifically for acne (no affiliation, but I use dan kern's stuff from acne.org and have nothing but great things to say) for a couple years. Good luck!

**rickcharles606** · 12-01-2010, 08:59 PM

Welcome to the site, and I want to echo what many of the others have already said, you may need to cut down on the products that you introduce to your face. I too am prone to breakouts, but have recently found the winning combination for me.

Clinique makes a line of men's products that were developed by a dermatologist, they have no fragrances or other uneeded additives. I use their soap to wash my face, then use whatever shave soap or cream I feel like,shave and then splash with cold cold water to close the pores, then use the Clinique moisturizers. Works wonders.

Even when I get a tad of razor burn, the clinique products soothe it perfectly. Good luck, as every face is different. As others have said, you may need to systematically remove products from your routine to find what's causing the irriation.

**rrobbins** · 12-02-2010, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by LionelHutz

What kind of acne are you getting? small whiteheads and blackheads (non-inflamed blemishes) mean that something is clogging your pores, trapping oil. Bigger, inflamed (puss-filled, for lack of a better description) zits mean irritation has broken a follicle wall, and white blood cells have collected and eventually worked their way to the surface. Also, while it seems counter-intuitive, dry skin can cause breakouts, as your oil glands kick into overdrive to compensate.

Lots of "soap" products actually contain highly comodogenic (pore-blocking) or irritating ingredients, even "natural" ones like bronners. List of comodogenic and skin irritants are all over the internet, but, like all else, YMMV. Everyone's skin has different things that set them off. I'm not sure, but my gut says the citrus extracts/oils in the cream/AS you are using could be the culprit.

Since it seems like your skin was mostly fine before beginning DE shaving, you might just wait it out to see if everything settles down as your technique improves and you start getting less irritation. Or you can reduce the products you are using and introduce things in a controlled, experimental way. Hard to have the patience to do, but it can be worth it to find the products that work well and don't cause break outs. Like others here, I would recommend starting with dropping the pre-shave and AS, and just wash your face, lather, rinse, Alum/witch hazel, and your regular moisturizer.

I had acne prone skin before discovering DE shaving, so I've had to pay a lot of attention to which products aggravate things. I also have used a regular topical cream specifically for acne (no affiliation, but I use dan kern's stuff from acne.org and have nothing but great things to say) for a couple years. Good luck!

The zits are not out of control, but they are puss filled. Three shaves in a row produced one zit each. I prefer not having zits, so I don't have to worry about lancing one while DE shaving. I cut out some of the products over the last two shaves, and the results seem much better so far. I honestly think that the pre-shave oils might be the culprit in my case. Origins has sesame and jojoba oils, which might not be good for oily skin, and the ratios are unknown. Em's has at least 5 or 6 carrier/fixed oils, some of which might not be suitable for oily skin. Although Dr. Bronners tends to dry my skin, it does soften the beard nicely before applying lather. Last night, I whipped out a fresh feather, washed my face, lathered, shaved WTG, WTG, XTG and ATG, rinsed with warm water, splashed with witch hazel, splashed with cold water and experienced my best shave so far in less time.

Thanks for all the posts. If I figure out anything definitively, I will keep you posted.

Regards,

Rick

**twoods** · 12-02-2010, 09:55 AM

very light pressure, Watch your angle, follow the grain, rinse your razor often, don't use products with very strong perfumes.

As a straight user I also cold shave every morning and it's done wonders to my sensitive/dry skin. Nothing worst than using warm/hot water on your face.

**LionelHutz** · 12-02-2010, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by rrobbins

I honestly think that the pre-shave oils might be the culprit in my case. Origins has sesame and jojoba oils, which might not be good for oily skin, and the ratios are unknown.

Jojoba oil is actually supposed to be a great moisturizer that doesn't cause break-outs, but I don't know about sesame oil. Also, the farther down the ingredient list something is, the less likely it is causing the problem. I've heard that focusing on the first four or five ingredients is most helpful.