My skin is suffering...

[frckls]

Alright it may just be an exaggeration. But the thing is my oily skin (of which why I earned the nickname 'oil rig' from my family, so nice of them) I had back in the tropical country of Indonesia (but had much tamed down by Oatmeal Serum, I believe), now turns into almost dry and tight, thanks to the super-shitty weather we have here in the Netherlands (2am-bright cheery sunny with winds, 5am-raining and windy, 9pm-hailing and super windy). And since I'm always on my bike back and forth between faculty buildings, grocery store, and home, that doesn't help my skin at all, obviously.

I can't even no longer use my favorite Microdermabrasion Gel that often anymore because it starts to sting a bit. I don't know how many layers of skincare do I need to really add, since I already have DIY Na-G serum (Niacinamide, Glucosamine, aloe vera gel), Awesome Sauce, Oatmeal. During the day I layer it with tinted moisturizer and at night with EMC.

Anyone has any solution whatsoever aside of wearing a ski mask everywhere bearing the risk looking like a bank robber?

I never thought I would ever have the normal-dry skin woes. I thought it would only happen in my dream.

[Xarata]

My skin has always been happiest with a minimalist approach. It sounds to me like you mainly need more moisturizing in your new environment.

I've had a really good experience using the lavender lotion as my moisturizer, but i have different skin from yours (pretty balanced, but sensitive- too much skin care easily pushes the balance to an extreme in one direction or the other), so i can really only recommend that you get more moisture now than you did in indonesia. I think we have a lot of people on here from the netherlands so i'm sure someone who can relate will recommend specific fav. products.

[Cupcake]

Yes, absolutely echo what Sam said about keeping it simple. You need a balance of hydration from the serum and moisture from an oil or moisturising gel to 'seal in' the hydration underneath. If you're happy with the Oatmeal or maybe GT&A serums, I'd suggest adding a simple moisturiser. Save the more sophisticated ingredients until you're balanced. No matter what other non-medical concerns you're dealing with in skincare, solving sensitivity always comes first because that stability underpins every other result. I'd recommend Jojoba Moisturiser as it's gentle, effective and as close to skin's own sebum as possible. I haven't tried the Lavender Moisturiser as a face moisturiser but if the formula suits you, the lavender oil will help sooth the sensitivity. Keep it simple and be patient.

Side rant Skin can do a lot to heal itself but not if we confuse it with too many complicated elements in our routines! I'm quite sure a lot of skin reactions are like stress, the skin saying "enough! I can't cope!" rather than a specific ingredient causing a problem.

[frckls]

Alright. So both of you simply suggested me to drop the other first 2 serums and just stick with Oatmeal and a moisturizer?

[JenW]

Climate has such a huge effect on skin. If you were in Indonesia, and now you are in the Netherlands, I am guessing it is a much drier and colder climate. I have to change my routine up when colder weather hits.....and I think that is the norm for most of us who go through a cold, dry Winter.

How often do you exfoliate? I know for me, I have to reduce the frequency when the weather gets colder. My skin just gets more sensitive. I can't do more than twice a week and sometimes only once. One substitution you could try for cold weather is the Microdermabrasion Cream rather than the gel. I do agree with the other gals in that too many actives at once is probably not a good idea when your skin is reactive. You absolutely need to address the sensitivity first. Go for a week or two with the simplest of routines...then add in one treatment type product for another few weeks. I switch moisturizers to one with heavier oils and add in Oatmeal Serum (because it is mostly a Winter product for me.) I guess I am trying to tell you that this is all pretty normal for climates that run a full scale of seasons weatherwise......and I guess I am just used to my skin being just a little angry in the winter.

[frckls]

Alright. I'll try to drop the first two first and see how it goes. Then gradually add them back in once my sensitivity issue is already tackled. Thanks guys!!

[JenK]

I work outside year round in New England so I know what you are going through. I agree w/ the other ladies, less is more to get your skin happy again. Sometimes the best thing for me to do is stop everything but diluted kiss cleanser (I use this very diluted all the time) and spf.
My skin is odd and long term use of oils and butters causes it to STOP producing its own oil. I went from OILY skin to DRY unhappy skin after 6 months of oil use. I also found my skin hates a lot of wax.
Have you tried the Lavender Toner? That has really helped my skin stay balanced. I've also found my skin does best if I mix SN's Vit C serum in w/ my moisturizer/spf (cerave am...one of the only things I can use w/o my skin going CRAZY...plus it is pretty cheap!!). The Vit C serum is diluted and buffered but I still get some benefits w/o my skin getting upset. Sometimes I don't exfoliate for weeks!!
Good luck!!