I have been experiencing breakouts on my face more than I have in years. I have been using a face scrub every day before my shave in the shower and then preshave lube (cetaphil) before lathering up. Could I be using too much product which is clogging my pores more than usual? Any ideas would be greatly appreciated as this is ruining the quality of my shaves.
Breakouts possible cause?
- Thread starter Lamboy
- Start date
Don't know the cause but did you use both the scub and peshave before the breakouts. If not just try eliminating one product at a time. Neither is indepesable for a great shave.
I have adult acne and find a post shave wash with salasylic acid is essential to clear out the impact of any residue product. . I use neutrogena anti stress or calming.
I have adult acne and find a post shave wash with salasylic acid is essential to clear out the impact of any residue product. . I use neutrogena anti stress or calming.
I don't think you should be using the scrub at all. In fact, there are many studies that conclude all the scrub does is cause microcuts on your skin that are susceptible to irritation and infections. In the morning, I just use a good cleanser in the shower with BHA (salicylic acid) and that's all I need for a good deep clean prior to shaving. After shaving, I use a 50/50 mixture of Neutrogena "Pore Refining Toner" & Thayers "Alcohol-free WH". The toner has glycolic and salicylic acid and is 35% alcohol and when mixed, the alcohol content drops to half so it's not harsh at all. I find that it leaves my face refreshed and very soft after a shave. Sometime, I'll follow with a good oil-free moisturizer or ASB that also has a little salicylic acid (i.e. Neutrogena, Kyoku, Menscience to name a few).
I exfoliate in the evening and this ensures that any trapped hairs get out. Again, I don't use a scrub. I just use a good salicylic acid (2%) cleanser followed by an AHA night cream. I use either Menscience of Image Skincare, but there are are multiple brands out there that have AHA.
Since following this routine, my ingrown hairs have dropped ten fold and my acne breakouts are almost nonexistent.
Good luck.
I exfoliate in the evening and this ensures that any trapped hairs get out. Again, I don't use a scrub. I just use a good salicylic acid (2%) cleanser followed by an AHA night cream. I use either Menscience of Image Skincare, but there are are multiple brands out there that have AHA.
Since following this routine, my ingrown hairs have dropped ten fold and my acne breakouts are almost nonexistent.
Good luck.
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I would stay away from anything harsh on your face... I think the scrubs are total hype. Try going with a mild soap (I use a softsoap bodywash gel formula (not their butter lines) but rather something like this... http://www.drugstore.com/softsoap-b...te-and-mango-infusions/qxp152948?catid=184087 Very lightly wash your face without using pressure and see if that helps. The scrubs and harsh soaps will only irritate your face in my opinion.
+1 on staying away from scrubs. I've had acne and have oily skin. The citaphel shouldn't be the issue but I do recommend a moisturizing aftershave balm. Micro abrasion from the scrub+dry skin+ irritation from shaving+alcohol based AS= skin break-out (for me it has!)
I've adopted a very similar routine and it's helped tremendously. I went to DE shaving to reduce the ingrown hairs and it has, but I still need the Salicylic acid face wash (I like Neutrogena) and I also use a toner. I may use an exfoliating scrub at nite once in awhile, but I'm not sure that's really doing much. I tried using a scrub every morning before shaving, but it was too irritating for my skin and then I switched to using it at night which was better, but still not good. Later I tried doing the opposite and just using very mild cleansers, but my oily face just clogged up and broke out. Everyone's skin is different and obviously it changes as you age and/or if you change your diet, etc so I don't think there's a one size fits all solution.
- Thread starter
- #7
I have stopped using the scrub and I think the breakouts are lessening. I will skip shaving a few days and keep washing my face to clear it all up and hopefully start on a fresh canvas. As much as it pains me to not shave 
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I have stopped using the scrub and I think the breakouts are lessening. I will skip shaving a few days and keep washing my face to clear it all up and hopefully start on a fresh canvas. As much as it pains me to not shave
Good idea. I started using Menscience microscrub almost daily when I first started DE shaving a few months ago and it was awesome for the first week or so. Then I started to notice that my face was getting nicked easier and was much more irritated after shaving. I then started to notice some breakouts. I read several sites and found good information about the downside of the scrubs. I then got rid of the scrub and stuck to the MS Daily Face Wash morning and night. Sometimes, I'd use an old synthetic shave brush at night to lather the face wash and exfoliate any possible ingrown hairs (I read that a perfect time to exfoliate your facial hair is midway between shaves). This has done wonders for me.
Additionally, I use a good oil-free moisturizer at night and once or twice a week I use a 2% Salicylic Acid toner or gel at night.
Try it out and see how your face does. As for brands, I love Menscience products, but they are pricey. You could try Neutrogena's "Ageless" line or "Skin Clearing" line. All good stuff. Good luck.
I have stopped using the scrub and I think the breakouts are lessening. I will skip shaving a few days and keep washing my face to clear it all up and hopefully start on a fresh canvas. As much as it pains me to not shave
Good plan, especially before a shave. I used to use St. Ives scrub, the one with crushed and shredded apricot pits, and my face felt great UNTIL I put on a face tonic. If you still want to use a scrub, use it on days you DON'T shave and follow it with a good daily moisturizer. Kiehl's has very good products, but they aren't cheap. For the money I think St. Ives is fantastic, as long as you can handle the eternal shame of shopping in the women's make-up section.
i would avoid anything with too much oil in it... using pre shave oils regularly caused me spots
and make sure you properly wash your face and maybe try which hazel or some spot cream after your shaves
and make sure you properly wash your face and maybe try which hazel or some spot cream after your shaves
* make sure you wash your face before bed is what i meant to say.. they use w/hazel
- Thread starter
- #13
My face is almost clear again with just a couple spots left. I will be keeping it simple the next couple weeks by only using the facial cleanser. Nothing more for the time being. I have fairly oily skin naturally so I only use alum stick or alcohol Aftershaves to keep things from clogging.
