ARFCom ladies, my greatest apolgies for intruding in your forum. But I figured I could grab some decent recommendations here.

I never had much acne/facial problems at all as an adolescent. I was lucky that way. No real skin problems to speak of.

Unfortunately, that seems to have changed this year. It's not terrible by a long stretch, but here's the deal:

I've always been a soap and water type of guy when it comes to my face. And that has always worked well. But soap does dry your face out pretty good, and it seems that since it's gotten cooler and drier out with wintertime, my face is getting really dried out. This has the unfortunate effect of making my skin over-oil itself in retaliation, which is clogging up pores left and right. I'm not getting a horrible amount of problems all at once, but one painful blemish after another is starting to get old fast. Just as soon as one starts to fade, another replaces it.

What kind of facial products work well for this? Washes/scrubs/moisturizers? I'm thinking I need something better and less drying than soap, but I am new to this stuff, and have absolutely no clue what works and what doesn't.

Any advice?

Quoted: Stop using regular soap to wash your face, or if you must, then use a light moisturizer afterwards.  Or, use a heavier one at bedtime and see how that works.

Kinda figured that.  Anything you'd recommend?  Do they make moisturizing stuff just for your face, or is the stuff i'm using for my hands good to go? And what should I wash with, if not soap?

Sorry. I'm a hugely clueless noob on this stuff.

Look for an oil-free moisturizer specifically for your face.  One of the lines, maybe Neutrogena (?) has a line of face care products for men.

Most body lotions and hand creams are too heavy and oily for face use.

Outstanding.  Thank you, ladies! Guess i'll pony up and go to the beauty counter.

Neutrogena and Clinique for Men are both good lines.

I agree that Neutrogena is a good choice.  However, if you prefer to use soap try the Lever 2000 with aloe.  It is the only soap I can use on my face.

My wife hates getting facials.....oh wait..

My wife says that you should try drinking more water and not use any harsh soaps, or commercial soaps like Irish Spring.  I used to have alot of skin problems and most were alleviated by switiching to a glycerine soap.  I like soaps that are made locally, or soap from sonoma soap co, usually found at health food joints.  

Moisturizers are basically oil, and that is not what you want necessarily.

i like the olay facial washes, if youre not afraid to buy them  

Neutrogena has a great moisturizer.  Keeps your skin from getting dry and doesn't make it oily.

Quoted: ARFCom ladies, my greatest apolgies for intruding in your forum. But I figured I could grab some decent recommendations here. I never had much acne/facial problems at all as an adolescent. I was lucky that way. No real skin problems to speak of. Unfortunately, that seems to have changed this year. It's not terrible by a long stretch, but here's the deal: I've always been a soap and water type of guy when it comes to my face. And that has always worked well. But soap does dry your face out pretty good, and it seems that since it's gotten cooler and drier out with wintertime, my face is getting really dried out. This has the unfortunate effect of making my skin over-oil itself in retaliation, which is clogging up pores left and right. I'm not getting a horrible amount of problems all at once, but one painful blemish after another is starting to get old fast. Just as soon as one starts to fade, another replaces it. What kind of facial products work well for this? Washes/scrubs/moisturizers? I'm thinking I need something better and less drying than soap, but I am new to this stuff, and have absolutely no clue what works and what doesn't. Any advice?

stop masturbating

Quoted: Quoted: ARFCom ladies, my greatest apolgies for intruding in your forum. But I figured I could grab some decent recommendations here. I never had much acne/facial problems at all as an adolescent. I was lucky that way. No real skin problems to speak of. Unfortunately, that seems to have changed this year. It's not terrible by a long stretch, but here's the deal: I've always been a soap and water type of guy when it comes to my face. And that has always worked well. But soap does dry your face out pretty good, and it seems that since it's gotten cooler and drier out with wintertime, my face is getting really dried out. This has the unfortunate effect of making my skin over-oil itself in retaliation, which is clogging up pores left and right. I'm not getting a horrible amount of problems all at once, but one painful blemish after another is starting to get old fast. Just as soon as one starts to fade, another replaces it. What kind of facial products work well for this? Washes/scrubs/moisturizers? I'm thinking I need something better and less drying than soap, but I am new to this stuff, and have absolutely no clue what works and what doesn't. Any advice? stop masturbating

But I would die!

Quoted: My wife hates getting facials.....oh wait.. My wife says that you should try drinking more water and not use any harsh soaps, or commercial soaps like Irish Spring.  I used to have alot of skin problems and most were alleviated by switiching to a glycerine soap.  I like soaps that are made locally, or soap from sonoma soap co, usually found at health food joints.   Moisturizers are basically oil, and that is not what you want necessarily.

I'll look into the soaps you recommend. As to water, I might drown if I drink anymore. I average 1.5-2 gallons a day. Three during the summer when i'm working outside.

Boy oh boy did I have the wrong idea about this thread.

Glad it didn't live up to my expectations tho.

WHATS SOAP?

Knew a gal who had the best skin... asked what her routine was... um, nothing.  Not a thing.

All the same, would recommend some vitamin A (sparingly), vitamin E (for sure), plenty of water (also for sure), and check into the possibility that you are having some hormonal issues (yes, men have them too).  If you are having other symptoms, maybe that will give you some clues. Also, if you've changed your diet recently (gone vegetarian, reduced/increased the intake of fat/sugar, etc.), consider that.

Quoted: Knew a gal who had the best skin... asked what her routine was... um, nothing.  Not a thing. All the same, would recommend some vitamin A (sparingly), vitamin E (for sure), plenty of water (also for sure), and check into the possibility that you are having some hormonal issues (yes, men have them too).  If you are having other symptoms, maybe that will give you some clues. Also, if you've changed your diet recently (gone vegetarian, reduced/increased the intake of fat/sugar, etc.), consider that.

You know, I didn't even think of that.

Quoted: Boy oh boy did I have the wrong idea about this thread. Glad it didn't live up to my expectations tho.

Bad dog.  No cookie for you.

Even i'm not that brazen.

(Though I do choose my words poorly.)

Quoted: Knew a gal who had the best skin... asked what her routine was... um, nothing.  Not a thing.

There's no real secret to good skin. Mostly it's genetics & glandular activity....things entirely out of your control.

Diet is overemphasized, IMHO.

Keep your face clean, your hands off it, and that's about as good as you're going to do without serious pharmacutical help.

You may want to see a dermitologist.  I just KNOW I spelled tht wrong!

It could be one a million things, from your soap, to hormones, to whatever...and a specialist can diagnose, and treat YOU. Trying this and that will only take up time.

I personally swear by the Obagi system...but that works for me, and may not work for you.

Aloe vera,its cheap hydrating and works. Like a% of beach for cleaning the bathroom.

Shea butter soap.

Any moisturing soap for combination skin followed by an oil free moisturizer. Oil of Olay is awesome. Nothing too thick or you'll clog dem pores.

Zit cream dotted on any zits at night.