Fresholi | Melting Pot Café

Does anybody make a facial hard soap bar/liquid wash. It is for me.....I am Sick of using what I have and getting no results. Since we  moved the change of water has played havoc with my skin. I get spotty outbreaks.......but what I don't get is how my skin can be dry and sensitive yet oily as well. Are there any experts out there.
I don't mind trying a mild baby bar to be honest but obviously it would have to be right for facial use.
In the past I have used J&J clean and clear, then I went to the opposite end of the scale and tried the Aqueous bars. Literally noooo lather whatsoever......I know there isn't mean to be with those but I do know I needed something with a little more cleansability IYKWIM.
I'm tired of the spots I think. I don't have many but it would be nice to have clear skin for a change (never had that). Something mild and unfragranced I think. Ta peeps. ;)

Hi Jane (liking the new avatar by the way - I say another  :hi: to Jane  ;D).  I can't help much on the soap front as you know.


This is actually very common indeed.  I think this was discussed somewhere on another board.  Dryness often leads to a more sensitive skin & is perhaps a combination of over velous cleansing & excessive activity of the the skin function.  It is common to see those who are prone to breakouts assume that it is caused by oiliness and therefore, over cleanse and strip the skin of its natural moisture and acid mantle. 

This then stimulates the sebaceous glands to produce more sebum and by stripping away the acid mantle, the skin is more exposed to bacteria (the acid mantle helps to reduce bacteria on the skin).  Not only that, the skin can actually become dehydrated (we are talking water here).  So yes, gentle cleansing and maybe try some tamanu when you get the breakouts - its fantastic (but a bit pongy).

I hope that helps & I'm sure someone will be able to meet your requirements  ;D

Thanks Helen. Glad you like my mug. ;) My hair is much longer than that-it was tied back. If I remember rightly we were on the beach and it was very windy. Not exactly a glamour shot eh!! ;D

Regarding the Tamanu, do I just dab it on from the bottle then? I presume it's a liquid oil.

Tamanu is a fixed liquid oil but a very thick one indeed (with a very unique aroma).  You can apply directly to the area or blend it 20-30% into another carrier such as fractionated coconut oil and/or hazelnut oil.

Have a look at this information about tamanu oil... (http://www.fresholi.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7&Itemid=1)

What are you using at the moment? Have you tried using a facial oil or cleansing balm? I love both as gentle but effective cleansers, and I used to be strictly a soap n' water gal. Despite what you might think using a facial oil or balm does not leave your face oily when gently wiped away with cotton wool or a face cloth. In fact it helps balance your skin and stop you skin producing too much sebum.

I agree with Sharon  ;D

I make a tea tree facial wash,

Hi Jane,

I used to get outbreaks all the time, really big red lumps around my nose area and top of the cheeks. I started using a salt bar a few weeks ago and haven't had any outbreaks since then! It really worked well for me and I wouldn't use any other soap on my face now. I also use a facial serum once a day.

Hmmmm so many different ideas.

I have never tried facial oils or a cleansing balm. I really wouldn't know where to start regarding what to choose in the shops etc. I suppose it depends on individual skin types as to what works etc. Sharon what is it that you use?
I like the idea of the salt bar, though I will have to try a few things out I think. Time for experimentation.

Jane, if you would like to try out a salt bar, pm me with your addy and I'll send you a sample

I make a Tea Tree Facial Cleansing Cream and a sensitive skin wash (not soap but surfactants).

thanks Mai...I did have a look on your website btw. I think I will avoid tea tree at the minute, until I know what is going on with my skin that is. Thank you for replying.
To Sarah, thanks for letting me know what you have. I'm sure my skin is sensitive and might benefit from something less intrusive on the skin.

could try my calendula soap, it's not scented,  not sure it's on the site, I don't mind sending you a sample to see if it will help

Elbows in....I don't make anything to sell ya! but somewhere in the forum (soz I cannot remember where) member Emma made a liquid soap and started a topic....not sure if it was mild enough for facial skin though...miself I just use a simple cleanser and hydrolats for toner...unless am being lazy...in which case its panda eyes in the morning!!!! ;)

Thanks Mai. I'm not sure what to try just yet. I'm going to see how my sking behaves over the weekend just by changing a few different routines etc.

Jane I always advise to go as simple as possible when changing due to problems with their skin, and I think your skin would benefit from a plain mild oil such as sweet almond or jojoba to start with. I know you might be wondering how an oil could help oily skin, but it really does work! (oil attracts oil and helps cleanse your pores gently, without aggrevating your skin). You can use it as a cleanser (using a face cloth and warm water) then add a little extra oil as a moisuriser.
After a week or two when your skin is more balanced and clear you can start to look at other products that have more therapeutic ingredients.

hth
Sharon

Yes, I do agree! Part of my regime is to use a cleansing oil with oils perfect for problem skin; I have temperamental skin and it has actually balanced things out. I tend to alternate with my cleansing cream then the skin wash then the cleansing oil, depending on time of month, stress levels and when my skin is looking 'off'!
I also now use a serum that helps too - I never thought my skin would like an all-oil serum but I have no problems with it!
I used to get monthly outbreaks and (touch wood) I haven't had those for a long time either.

I love oil serums as well! People are always amazed how well their skin responds and usually say something along the lines of .."I didn't like the idea of oil on my face but it really works"  ;D

That was exactly what I thought until I found a formulation that works for me!
Works for other people too!

I have been trying the aqueous bar on my face, just because I was fed up of my skin being dry whilst using the facial wash. All that happened was I got many more spots around my hair line. My skin was soft and certainly not dehydrated in any way but this regime just doesn't work for me. it wasn't cleansing my face at all.
Can you girls be a bit more specific in what you use (to an absolute beginner ;)),i.e. where would I buy the serums etc. Are these products I might be able to get on the high street? I would be very interested in an oil for problem skin. If you'd rather not post on here what products you use you can PM me.   

Jane, I have put a sample of the facial serum in with the salt bar. Ingredients are listed on it.

So would you use...lets say S A oil as a cleanser to remove make up? And if so would you rinse it off afterwards or just leave the oils to soak into the skin?

If you use it just as you would a cleanser then use a warm muslin cloth (or other face cloth that you have ran under hot water) to remove.  Then use a hydrolat afterwards  ;D

This said, cleansers do have some added value of other ingredients & actives and are more readily removed from the skin. 

What...is a hydrolat? Sounds like a flying bottle of milk, but I imagine it isn't.

 :mwaha:  Ok, my explanation (as per the main site)

Hydrolates (sometimes called floral/herbal waters or hydrosols) are a by-product of the distillation of essential oils.  During distillation, steam is passed through the plant material, which evaporates the tiny essential oil molecules in the steam.  As the steam containing the oil molecules travels through the still, it cools and condenses back into a liquid (water containing essential oils), which is collected.  The essential oils usually float (and sometimes sink) so that they can easily be drawn off the water.

Although most of the molecules of essential oils not soluble in water (and can therefore be easily drawn off), some of the aromatic molecules are water soluble and therefore give the water its own aromatic character and therapeutic qualities.

As you can see flying milk it is not although that does sound a much more fun explanation  ;D