Skin Care at Fifty, oh boy!

[SiouzQ.]

This whole menopause thing is starting ALL AT ONCE! Right on time, I guess, as my 50th B-day is on Sunday.

This is the latest: I've always, always had problem skin since I was a teenager, a lot of acne and scarring and I still get some of that PLUS what I think is eczema in a big spot on my right cheek. Always red, very dry, scaly (ie, not attractive at all).

I have no insurance and would really like to avoid having to go to my dermatologist because the office visit is around $90 and she will then prescribe something that is insanely expensive to clear up the acne, let alone the eczema...

I have been trying various combinations of things I already have to varying degrees of success and am about to run out of most of it, so if any of you have any suggestions on how to deal with it I'd really appreciate it!

Right now I've been using a tea tree oil vegetable base soap from Trader Joe's (fairly mild) to wash with and Desonide ointment (used for eczema patches elsewhere on my body). Over the summer I had avoided wearing any make-up but that's changed because if I don't wear anything I feel really self-conscious about the splotchiness and redness. I really would like to go the au natural route but don't want to end up with all sorts of purchases that may not work and sit around cluttering up the bathroom.

Help!

[Sad Eyed Lady]

Have you tried the old stand by Noxema? When I was a teenager and battling the normal teenage acne, I tried everything advertised at the time (Stridex, Clearasil, etc.) and nothing helped until I started washing my face with Noxema. Then a few years ago when I started having flareups of Rosacea I again was trying different cleaning methods hoping, like you, something besides going to the dermatologist would help. I started doing some research on Noxema and was surprised to read that the way it got it's name was a druggist was compounding the cream and a woman came in to buy some more saying that it had "really knocked my eczema"! So, don't know if it would help you, but worth a try and that clean feeling and the nostalgic smell is worth something.

[Aqua Blue]

I really like products by derma e. I use their psorzema creme and really like it. They also have a creme made of oregano for infections that I find quite good. They are spendy, about $20 per jar, but last a long time. I only have found them at whole foods stores, although I haven't looked hard at regular places.

I wonder if you have rosasea instead of exzema. It is more common on your face, is due to sun damage and is red, itchy, pimple like.

[reader99]

My regular doctor prescribed triamcinolone acetonide ointment for excema. It works very well and cost less than $10 at WalMart pharmacy. When I let my dr know my financial situation she charged me barely a third of what they usually charge for an office visit.

[SiouzQ.]

Hmmm...thanks Shalom_Poet, for bringing this up ~ I just checked the symptoms of rosacea and think that's what it may be after all. I don't think I have ever had it before, or at least no dermatologist has mentioned it in the past. Well, if I get some money for my birthday I may go bite the bullet and make an appointment with the dermatologist, just so I don't go chasing diagnoses online and wasting money on products that aren't right. I deserve to take care of myself and if it means spending the money, so be it, especially if it is a medical condition.

I'm also finally going to the dentist on Thursday for a regular check-up and cleaning (which I only do once a year now, since I have no insurance) because it is going to cost $160. I want to keep the nice pretty teeth I have for as long as possible, which means springing for preventative care. I'm very grateful I can muster up the money this time to do it preemptively. I have to get it into my head that expenses like new glasses and certain medications are and will always be a part of the budget, and will only increase as I get older. Grrrr, I'd rather spend money on traveling!

[Wildflower]

Have you tried the old stand by Noxema? When I was a teenager and battling the normal teenage acne, I tried everything advertised at the time (Stridex, Clearasil, etc.) and nothing helped until I started washing my face with Noxema. Then a few years ago when I started having flareups of Rosacea I again was trying different cleaning methods hoping, like you, something besides going to the dermatologist would help. I started doing some research on Noxema and was surprised to read that the way it got it's name was a druggist was compounding the cream and a woman came in to buy some more saying that it had "really knocked my eczema"! So, don't know if it would help you, but worth a try and that clean feeling and the nostalgic smell is worth something.

I'm 54 and have tried many skin care products over the years. I always go back to my old stand by Noxema, from my teenage years, for cleansing my skin. I have mild Rosacea too and Noxema always has a very calming affect on my skin. I also use the old tried and true Olay Moisturizer For Sensitive Skin on my face daily. These two products keep my skin looking its best these days.

[SiouzQ.]

Report: I have been using Noxema for the last 5 or so days and I am noticing quite an improvement! My acne is starting to clear up and the ecxema and flaky dryness seems to be finally fading a little ~ I don't think in all my years I've ever even tried that product and I shudder to think of the thousands (by now) of dollars I have spent on skin care products, dermatologists and expensive prescriptions, cover-up make-up and battling feelings of low self-esteem because of problem skin. I bought a sample tub for about $2.00! Thank you to those of you who suggested it!