Oily Skin Tip!

[AttitudeofGratitude]

Hello All,
I am really new to CPAP use, but I wanted to pass on a tip regarding oily skin and mask slippage/leaking during the night. Just before bed, wash my nose and forehead, and for most, this would be enough.. but not for me. So, I used some of my Boots Brand Expert Instant Matte on the area where my mask touches. It is made for use under makeup and such, as it is clear and reduces shine. It worked really well, and I won't be without out it at bedtime! They sell it at Target, for around $5 or $ - its in a tiny box, which holds a tiny bottle. A little goes a long way. I hope this works as well for you as it does for me.

[DreamDiver]

Hello All,
I am really new to CPAP use, but I wanted to pass on a tip regarding oily skin and mask slippage/leaking during the night. Just before bed, wash my nose and forehead, and for most, this would be enough.. but not for me. So, I used some of my Boots Brand Expert Instant Matte on the area where my mask touches. It is made for use under makeup and such, as it is clear and reduces shine. It worked really well, and I won't be without out it at bedtime! They sell it at Target, for around $5 or $ - its in a tiny box, which holds a tiny bottle. A little goes a long way. I hope this works as well for you as it does for me.

AttitudeofGratitude, Welcome!

Reading the ingredients of the product, it looks like it's basically a witch hazel astringent. Other than the slightly heftier price, what makes this superior to plain drugstore-branded witch hazel followed by a mild facial moisturizer?

Excellent avatar, by the way.

[CPAPcub]

I've got great results using Clearasil face wash. Comes in a plastic tube, scrub your face and rinse. Get's all the facial oils out and makes for a much better mask seal.

[torontoCPAPguy]

I use plain old soap and water. Ivory plain. Followed by a simple alcohol wipe across my forehead and cheeks (the type that diabetics use prior to injection; they are a wee pad in a foil envelope). Most importantly, I wipe down my mask and gear every morning upon awakening to get rid of the oils with a plain green II wipe and give the whole shebang a wash in disinfectant soap once a week on the weekend. Have not had much in the way of problems with sealing that a wiggle of the mask does not resolve. The ResMed S8 Autoset II has a mask fit guide built in where it showss graphically how good a fit you are getting when you put it on. I am known to have oily skin BTW.

The other things that I do is keep a small container/jar of astringent wipes handy for travelling. In case the hotel has lousy soap.

[AttitudeofGratitude]

Hello Dream Diver,
I couldn't seem to find the ingredients, but I do know this.. Within this tiny bottle of magic is some sort of "absorbent powder". So perhaps this powder is suspended in witch hazel? The thing I love is that the powder keeps me oil free all night, whereas my strict regimen of mask washing in the morning and face washing before lying down had not. My Mom says oily skin helps you look younger longer. I am crossing my fingers!!

Thank you for the warm welcome. It's so nice to have a place where we can share what works for us, and ask for help too! So glad to be here.

[DreamOn]

So glad to be here.

We're glad you're here too! Thanks for the tip. And welcome to the forum!

[scotty]

Thanks for the Expert Instant Matte tip, OP. I'm going to try that. I'm also going to try some witch hazel to see what helps more.

My skin gets very oily very fast, so even if I use alcohol to wipe my whole face by early morning my skin is so oily my mask leaks and starts that loud BZZZZZ! noise which always startles me awake. Once I even woke up to the sound and to myself whipping my hand out to swat some giant mosquito that suddenly attacked me in my dream.

No matter how dry, clean, and oil free my face is when I go to bed and no matter what I use to clean it, it's all back maybe 5 hrs later.

[OldLincoln]

Just before bed I wash Both my face AND mask cushion twice with diluted liquid Joy detergent, then wipe both with witch hazel on a section of paper towel. Normally that lasts all night.

[chipnoon]

Just got my CPAP yesterday and had problems with the seal toward morning. Thanks for the tips!

[SleeplessInOntario]

I think I have the same problem. I wash my mask every morning and my face before going to bed. The seal is good at first but around 3AM I start getting leaks.

Thanks for the info about Boots Brand Expert Instant Matte. I'm going to try to get some or something like it.

[jimnsc]

Welcome to the forum AofG and thanks for the tip. This from one who has oily skin also.

[DaveL]

Welcome to the forum SleeplessInOntario!

I am in Mississauga and have trouble getting cpap supplies and equipment from my supplier. They don't have real experience using cpap. I would appreciate hearing if others have better experience

regards
DaveL

ps the comments about mask cleanliness are very helpful

[DaveL]

I use plain old soap and water. Ivory plain. Followed by a simple alcohol wipe across my forehead and cheeks (the type that diabetics use prior to injection; they are a wee pad in a foil envelope). Most importantly, I wipe down my mask and gear every morning upon awakening to get rid of the oils with a plain green II wipe and give the whole shebang a wash in disinfectant soap once a week on the weekend. Have not had much in the way of problems with sealing that a wiggle of the mask does not resolve. The ResMed S8 Autoset II has a mask fit guide built in where it showss graphically how good a fit you are getting when you put it on. I am known to have oily skin BTW.

The other things that I do is keep a small container/jar of astringent wipes handy for travelling. In case the hotel has lousy soap.

Good to see another Toronto cpap user You seem better informed than I! I haven't found out about reporting and analysis software yet. I hope to learn more.

DaveL
Mississauga

[ozze_dollar]

I found my face was getting very dry and felt sore in the mornings. So now I use a moisturiser and it seems to help with the mask. Who would know?? It might have nothing to do with it. We just keep on battling.

[DaveL]

I found my face was getting very dry and felt sore in the mornings. So now I use a moisturiser and it seems to help with the mask. Who would know?? It might have nothing to do with it. We just keep on battling.

Devil's in the details. It is the little things I learn here that make compliance possible. My DME is no help. Mouth breathing? An opportunity to sell another mask.