Good Cheap Skin cleaner!

NikkiTony

Bit of a long shot....I mean is it possible to get cheap stuff for your face that doesn't cost a bomb!!

I have really bad black heads on my T zone, espically my nose, I clean my face twice a day, once at bed time using facewipes, cleanser/Toner and again in the shower in the morning using Dove soap, but I do wear make up, I have to to try and cover them up !

However no matter what I use I can't seem to get rid of them.
Does anyone know of anything reasonably priced that's good for removing black heads and how to keep them at bay ?!

Thanks

newlywed

Have you tried the oil cleansing method?
http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/

jenniewb

Ah, feel for you OP, I don't have an oily skin issue (I have extra extra dry fickle skin issues) but can say that tea-tree oil is an excellent antibacterial agent and could be worth using a basic cleanser and then toning with diluted tea tree oil before moisurising.

I would say though that the Garnier Naturals blackhead facial wash is a good one- I sometimes get my skin clogged with horrible moisturisers and this stuff really helps to calm the clogged spots caused by the moisturisers. Its got 2% Saylicit acid in it and (although you probably shouldn't!) is fine to use on closed eyes too- no pain what so ever!- just remember to keep your eyes shut. Just wanted to mention that as I cannot do the same with normal soap as it stings like lemon juice! (also not recommended.)

snorkmaiden

Something that used to clean my skin like nothing else was Anne French Cleansing MIlk. Be careful - it is very very running - like water but is a white liquid. Put a little bit on some cotton wool and cleanse away (mind your eyes as it stings a bit there). Then splash face well with cold water. I got lots of girls onto that and I think it did work for them. YOu can get it in Boots still I think - A white bottle with blue floral on it, I seem to remember. I was not exactly plagued with acne and blackheads but it certainly cleaned my skin! They do a good face mask as well.

SRH_2

First up, keep your routine simple to avoid aggravating your skin and causing it to pump out more oil. A great and relatively inexpensive cleanser is Simple Purifying Cleansing Lotion (around £2.99 in Boots and supermarkets etc). It is creamy and doesn't foam up but is good at getting rid of oiliness. Put a dollop on your skin, gently rub in circular motions all over (even gets eye makeup off) then get a facecloth, rinse in warm water and remove the cleanser. Do this a couple of times (cheap as chips exfoliation!) then splash your face with more water to make sure all the cleanser is off.

For a once-a-week blitz do an asprin facemask (assuming you are not allergic to asprin):
1. Dissolve 3-4 Aspirins in the palm of your hand with a couple of drops of water (water soluble ones are good for this). Add drops of water till you have a thick paste.
2. Smooth the paste on over your skin, avoiding the eye area.
3. Leave to dry for 15 mins.
4. Gently rub in circular motions all over then rinse the asprin off with warm water and a facecloth.

Asprin contains a mild acid which will lift up the dead skin cells and help unblock pores without being too brutal. It is also anti-inflammatory.

FYI - I used to be a beauty journalist and have tried and tested countless £40+ cleansers, and while Eve Lom is what I would buy if money was no object, I find the Simple cleanser brilliant. For drier skin my choice is L'Oreal Demaq Expert Cashmere Milk Make-up Remover. Bit more expensive than the Simple one but richer for getting rid of flaky skin.

Hope this helps!

SRH_2

One more thing - forgot to mention Biore Porestrips. You wet your face, stick them on over the blackheads, leave to dry then (very very slowly) pull the strip off. Do it slowly and you will see the blighters pulled right out. They are around £1 each at Boots etc but you can get them cheaper by buying in bulk (usually direct from Japan) on eBay.

IronMaidenFan

I'm another advocate for the oil cleansing method. It sounds and feels weird putting oil on your face but once you get used to it there is no other cleanser like it IMO.

I hadn't oil cleansed for a week but did it last night and massaged for 30 minutes and can only say that my face loves it and only ever feels clean and moisturised when I cleanse this way. I usually do it twice a week.

I have oily skin which I am grateful for as I don't have any wrinkles and I'm in my 40's. My pores are refined and I don't have a single blackhead thanks to OCM . The use of harsh soaps and cleaners with sulphates in dry your skin out which then produces even more oil to compensate so it's a vicious circle.

There's an excellent thread on here about OCM - give it a try.

b4be

hi ,ive have sometimes problems with the same skin type/issues , i use distilled witch hazel , a few quid for a large bottle at asda with a few drops of tea tree essentail oil added , works as a cleansing toner , i also have had a bottle of the ready made version from boots aswell . think its about 3.75 , light and non clogging on the skin , and last a long tone too