So starting in the middle of june I was fighting with a cluster of what seemed to be just non inflammed acne. small flesh color bumps. You hear alot of people complaining about them. Ive been getting them for quite a while now just here and there but it ONLY bothers me when they are in these clusters. For me the clusters only happened on the right side of my face where my bangs hung down. I mostly had them on my forehead as well. I was at the derm for another reason and I brought it up to him thinking he would tell me its just mild acne, clogged pores and to try SA or that he would try to give me differin or something. He said I think it isnt acne it is a skin yeast infection or Fungus. I know sounds gross! He said its a fungus that grows on all normal skin BUT when it over grows is when its an issue. It thrives on oily skin (which I have) and is very common in hot humid weather. It mimics small acne. It is specifically called Pityrosporum. SO, he said take these pills for 28 days and if it is Pityrosporum then it will disappear decently quickly. Ive been taking it for 2 weeks and pretty much all my tiny bumps are gone. The ones on my forehead are all gone. Just thought id share this since I know there are many complaining of these bumps on their face and forehead. Im going to try to find out more about it when Im done with these pills like,, does it come back.. do I need to do something to maintain it. Ive found a few articles on it.

here is part of an article.. "Pityrosporum folliculitis is a condition where the yeast, pityrosporum ovale/orbicularis spp. (also called Malassezia furfur), gets down into the hair follicles and multiplies, setting up an itchy, acne-like eruption."

Most article mention it itches sometimes. Ive read it does not have too, mine did not, but once I started taking the meds I felt like it did some, although I dunno if it was my imagination because I knew that is can itch LOL!

anyway, hope this can help someone.

I'm getting a little bored with writing the same advice over and over again in this forum, so I'm starting this thread to put down everything I know.

UPDATE: This thread kind of wandered off course over time, so I've decided to close it. If you have questions about the products I recommend, please feel free to PM me.

For those of you who don't know me: I'm 42 and have had acne since I was 12 or so. Information I came across on this board has enabled me to clear up my mild/moderate acne to the point where no one ever realizes I have acne at all. And after spending a lot of time and money trying out various products, I'm finally down to a pretty simple regimen that is working well for me.

So ...... if you have primarily comedonal acne (clogged pores, whiteheads & blackheads), here is what I have found to work:


PAULA'S CHOICE BHAs (available at www.cosmeticscop.com)

I only started using this product recently, but I am a total convert. I think this should be your first line of defense. I never thought salicylic acid would work on my face -- I've had horrid reactions to other SA products -- but this stuff is awesome!

I use the 2% BHA gel. The 1% isn't strong enough for me; I think it's probably for people with highly sensitive skin. The 2% liquid was messy to use, and my skin didn't like the 2% lotion at all.

I recommend trying this product first because it is CHEAP -- about $15 for a 4 oz bottle, which will last you for months. You can get sample packets extremely cheaply if you want to try out the different formulations before placing a full order.


GREEN CREAM/DIACNEAL/Other mild OTC retinoids, such as Jan Marini and Vivant products

If the BHAs aren't quite enough to purge your pores, or if you want to improve the overall quality and radiance of your skin, I recommend these products. They are not cheap. GC goes for $40-50 per bottle, and a bottle lasts 4-6 weeks .... but it is one of the best products I have ever run across. It really works. There's a long GC thread in the OTC forum, and here a couple of useful websites: www.greencream.com, www.lindasy.com

I buy my GC from Linda Sy because their customer service and shipping are just amazingly good. Most people with normal skin can start with Level 6; if you have very sensitive skin, you may want to start with Level 3.

I am currently layering GC on top of the BHAs at night. After cleansing, I apply a thin layer of the BHA 2% gel all over my face, wait 30 minutes, then apply a small squirt of Green Cream. I usually use Level 9 (I've been at this for awhile) but sometimes dial back to Level 6 if my face seems to be getting sensitive.

I used Diacneal for awhile, and found it effective as well ... but GC just made my skin look prettier. If you live in Canada or Europe, Diacneal may be easier for you to get your hands on. It is made by Avene.

EDIT: Just wanted to add that for people with mild acne, these OTC retinoids can actually be more effective than the stronger prescription products because the irritation factor is so much lower. I used Retin A for awhile, and although it cleared my pimples, it made my skin look horrible .... red, oily, and irritated. It's great for moderate/severe acne but I think it's overkill for mild.


MANDELIC ACID

If your skin doesn't like BHAs ... try mandelic acid. It is awesome against blackheads especially, and there's a long mandelic thread in the Blackheads forum if you want more information.

If you have oily skin, the best mandelic product is probably the 15% Vivant mandelic serum, available at www.dianayvonne.com (I think she sells samples). If you have dry or sensitive skin, or are using topical retinoids, you are better off using the 10% or 15% alcohol-free serums from www.gardenofwisdom.com.

I was using mandelic with Green Cream all summer (I combined the 10% and 15% GoW serums) and just loved it .... but now that winter has set in, my skin can't take the drying effect anymore. When the humidity sets in again, I will probably go back to using mandelic.

I have a lot of these like hard removable pimples on my face.

Like it is usually skin color, and when you put your finger over it, it is hard.

These things appear quite often, they don't have a white head or anything.

In fact, most of the time, I just simply grab a tweezer, grab on to it, and literally pull it out.

After I pull it out, there is a small red hole in my face, no blood no nothing, then the next day when I wake up, it is covered up

Don't get me wrong, I love these kinds of pimples vs things like pustles and what not, it's just that I'm curious.

I used to use Dan's BP twice a day, and then I did BP twice a day + AHA+. I ran out of BP and havent been able to afford it for a couple months, so I've been using AHA+ only twice a day. My skin is really smooth and its helped prevent breakouts, but I'm still left with a bit of non-inflamed acne on my face, mostly on my chin and sides of my face. What do you guys recommend for clearing that up? Below are a couple pics. (sorry about the bad quality)

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/7756/s4021797pn5.jpg
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/9842/s4021799qm3.jpg

Hi everyone!

I've had acne on my chin for several years now. Recently, I've noticed that it has stopped but I have remaining bumps left behind. The derm has told me that it is scarring...but I don't understand why I'm getting new little bumps if it is indeed scarring. (Also, some existing bumps disappear). Doesn't sound like scarring to me.
Anyways, just wondering if anyone could help...maybe share some advice.

Thanks
-glide123

ok i've heard of putting urine on your face for pimples but does it work for blackheads too??

and those of you who think it's gross get over it!!!!

i have 40% mandelic acid chemical peel bottle from sesderma 3 ounce for only 25 dollars let me know

I noticed these hard lumps under my skin mostly along my jaw line. They aren't red or inflamed so they don't bother me as much but the fact they aren't going away does weird me out. I've had them for more than 3 months.
When I google it things come up saying it can be calcium deposits? I also remember reading a book how some products can make calcium deposits under the skin.
Am I going to have to go to a dermatologists and have them dissect it? I can't afford it.

I have been prescriped metrocream for my non-inflammatory acne consisting of under the skin comodones, and blackheads. Has it worked for anyone??

My derm just put me on it...

Please respond!

so about two weeks ago i switiched to a new regimen, using a mixture of apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil for a face wash, epsom salt scrubs in the morning, jojoba oil as a moisturizer during the day and at night i apply epsom salt dissolved in water and leave it on all night. I have a bunch of comedones, some are white heads and some have black heads. Ever since i have started this regimen my comedones have been bursting into zits one after the other. I think this regimen has helped my skin already, it seems to be cleaning my pores very nicely, my black nose pores are getting smaller and way less black.. So are my comedones turning into zits a good thing? Is this what comedones normally do when they are leaving? will they eventually all burst and then i will be acne free? Or is this a sign that i am doing something wrong?
Please help guys

I have decided to start using retin-a in my attempt to smooth my shallow scarring and enlarged pores, as well as FINALLY get rid of my blackheads. However, after doing research I found that there are a few weeks of MAJOR BREAKOUTS. i was wondering if there is a way to lessen this by prepping your skin beforehand by using an over-the-counter retinol before using prescription strength. Does this make any sense? You know, exfoliate with a less intense version so as to lessen the amount of "stuff" that's being brought to the surface during the real treatment. Does anyone have any ideas? I would appreciate any input! Thanks.

I have these bumps on my chin, they are always there and have been as long as I can remember at this point. I used to have a lot of small bumps on my forehead as well, which seemed fairly similar, maybe slightly more inflamed. The ones on my forehead are completely gone with regular use of BHA, though, and the ones on my chin haven't responded at all. I've been using 2% BHA daily for quite a long time with no change in this particular area. Any thoughts?

[attachment=12508:chin.jpg]

I just have these small pimples/bumps on my forehead nowhere else (back is clear,cheeks and chin is clear,chest clear)..i only get those fucking spots/pimples on my forehead, it looks so disgusting and fucked up...everything is clear down from my eyes..evertyhing up the eyes looks like viet-fucking-nam

so I started taking accutane on and off since december 07 (some higher doses, some ultralowdoses) in june i started taking it continously...20mg for 3 months,40mg for 1,5months ...didnt really do shit but giving me a bad IB and redness in the face,and some red marks on top of that..thanks you motherfucker.....but i dont get cysts anymore.. i popped my last pill on 10th of November since it didnt clear it all..

so i figured maybe what i have is folliculitis on my forehead...so i bought some ketoconazol shampoo (2%) and started washing my forehead 1x / day with it beginning last thursday (20th of november), letting it sit for 5 minutes and then rinse...but it was way to drying / irritating ... my skin was ultra-fucking-dry and red...

i think my skin is still to sensitive from the tane?

Now ill go 2 days without doing anything to my face now,letting it regenerate a bit.. and then try to wash with the ketoc. 2x per week , would that be enough to fight folliculitis?

i hate to go out, always wearing a fucking beanie/wooly hat/cap.. :\

Iv been using BHA for a while and it has really helped my skin after a bit of experimenting but now im looking to use AHA to reduce my red marks. Is it advised to use both AHA and BHA? i was thinking of alternating between them every second night, cuz atm i only apply BHA every second night.

would really like some advice on this

thanks

Wow ... this stuff is really, truly, honestly amazing. I just had to let you all know about it.

After 4 months on retinoids (Green Cream, Diacneal, Retin A), I have managed to get rid of all of my old bumps and inflamed acne ... but the pores in my T-zone were still getting badly congested every couple of weeks, resulting in blackheads and microzits. Since I'm a habitual picker, and my skin is currently very fragile from the retinoids, these clogged pores were creating a real problem for me.

As soon as I started reading about mandelic acid, I knew I had to try it. The trouble was, the first MA product I tried really does not work well with Green Cream -- and I LOVE Green Cream and will not give it up! I could see that the MA was zapping the blackheads and tightening my pores, but unfortunately it was also burning my skin -- which is not supposed to happen. Mandelic is a very mild AHA.

Anyway, I finally found a new MA product that I can use with retinoids, and I am just loving it. My pores are tighter and clearer than I ever thought possible and my blackheads are almost entirely extinct.

So here are my product recommendations:

If you have oily skin and are NOT using retinoids, you should be able to use the Vivant mandelic acid serum sold on the Diana Yvonne site. I suggest buying a sample first to try it out. This is probably the purest, most powerful and effective mandelic product out there.

If you have dry or sensitive skin, are using retinoids or other anti-acne products, or just find that you can't tolerate the Vivant mandelic, you are probably better off going with the alcohol-free mandelic acid serum made and sold by Garden of Wisdom. They make a 10% version and a 15% version. Sample sizes are available. I use the 10% if I'm layering it under retinoids and 15% if I'm using it by itself.

Mandelic acid needs about 30 minutes to absorb into the skin and "do its thing" -- so you should apply it to clean dry skin, and not apply anything else for at least 30 minutes.

A little more info about mandelic acid: here's a quote from Deb, the Forum Host at the Diana Yvonne SkinCare Board:

It works in the same manner as salicylic acid, except it cannot penetrate as deep into the pore as salicylic acid. Thus, it increases cell turnover within the pore, causing the release of comedones. As soon as you stop using it faithfully, just like salicylic acid, back they come!

I think the reason people rave about mandelic acid is that it is an AHA with some BHA properties. As well as being antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and lipid permeable (thus the pore exfoliation), it is a gentle 15% AHA at a low pH. AHAs exfoliate the epidermis much better than with salicylic acid, which cannot penetrate very deeply into the epidermal layers. So, the skin is smoother, tighter and more even in tone. Thus, the AHA activity combined with the lipid permeability aids in the appearance of smaller pores.

CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!

The last couple of months small bumps have been forming under the skin of my forehead, their tiny and unoticable untill after a shower, when they are surrounded by patches of redness.

I also have the same problem on my nose, but it's alot more noticable (being almost permanently patchy red). I can only hide this for a short period of time by applying Skinoren Cream (Azelaic Acid 20%).

I have suffered from acne in the past, but only whiteheads around my jaw and lower cheek area. Never really had problems with Nose&Forehead. Any ideas whats causing it ? or even what it is..

Iv been using BHA for about 4 months now, however i keep getting dry skin, which then leads to breakouts. A couple weeks ago the same thing happened, so i stopped BHA but convinced myself that others had good results so it cant be the BHA, however, today after about a week of using it, my skins really dry again. Now im wondering if its too drying for me and the problems i have are caused by BHA, and without BHA i wouldnt have such dry skin?

advice would be a real help, thanks

The only other stuff im using is Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel and Neutrogena Moisturizer.

I've had blackheads on my nose since i was 12(now 17) and they can't leave. thats why i call them super blackheads. I've tried popping(or extracting),Biore nose strips and scrubing them.I guess they're pretty deep. I have a really claer face but my nose is always oily.do you guys have any suggestions?

Ok, so heres the deal. I have had this problem on my nose for almost a year. The problem has occured off and on, mostly on. It only mkaes a presence on the right side of my nose. Once in awhile I get a stray pimple on the left side. The right side is cursed by little cluster of pimples. The pimples look like they are coming directly out of the pore and sometimes have a little white head, other times they are just raised and red. If anyone has had this problem or does have it please let me know what you have done for it. I have tried everything. It really has bothered my social life and work life. I try to avoid conversation with anyone in fear that they are staring at it. Heres a few pictures. Note: I only get them on my nose, the rest of my face is seemingly clear.

I have just started using GC (level 6) as a way of reducing blackheads on my nose and thankfully so far i have not had any outbreaks! I had the cream in my cupboard for ages but was put off using it due to adverse effects (many spots) that i had with retin a micro 0.1%.

I have been surprised by GC so far though, as i was expecting it to be a lot stonger than what it is.
I was informed not to use it more than once every other day but i have been able to use it twice a day, straight away, with no adverse effects. Maybe cause my skin is oily and/or used to power products (mandelic 15%/bp 10%).

MA really is not for me after 2 failed attempts. I mean dont get me wrong it did get rid of blackheads but left me with an incredibly oily and blotchy nose. Hopefully if my skin holds up i will continue using GC (level 6) along with "The Blackhead Masque" and after 4 months review the situation and maybe go up to GC level 9!

Anyone else use Green cream for blackheads on the nose specifically and how has it gone for you so far?

Cheers

I am planning to drink ACV with a juice because I can't stand the taste, but can it remove blackheads as well?

ok so I've been struggling with pretty bad acne for about a year now... Blackheads used to be a big problem until i tried steaming my face. My dad recommended this and in a little less then a week, I was cured from all my blackheads (mainly on my nose and chin)

1)Put some water on the stove to boil (enough to fill a cereal bowl)
2)While the water is coming to a boil, use the time to cleanse your face completely without applying any medicines or mosturizers after.
3)Once the water is boiling pour it in a bowl, get a towel, and cover yourself so that your head is directly over the steam and the towel keeps the steam in. (it's like a steam room for your face)
** it shouldn't be burning you! you just want the warm steam to open your pores and make you sweat**
4) try to stay under the towel, over the steam for about 10 minutes and then wash your face using your usual regimen.

I seriously don't have any blackheads after a week of this(once a day)... although i haven't found the cure for my acne, my blackheads are gone!

Some people might argue that sweating breaks you out, but if your face is clean there shouldn't be any dirt there or bacteria to enter your pores, DONT DO IT IF YOUR FACE HASN'T BEEN CLEANSED FIRST!!!!!

Good luck,
let me know what you think.

Hi everyone,

I'm really hoping someone will be able to help.

I'm in my early 20's and have suffered with mild-moderate acne on my chin and jaw line since 16. I have tried everything, erythmoricin worked v.well but unfortunately i became resistent to it. There have actually been periods when i have had no acne but unfortunately this didn't last.

At the moment i am doing a very intensive 1 year course and am pretty stressed, so as a last resort i am on dianette. I have not had any hard hormonal bump type spots but my skin is still breaking out after 3 months. I think i get milia, my skin is bumpy anyway and eventually these little bumps get inflamed and turn into a spot... so not sure what to do

I sometimes think the contraceptive pill doesn't help at all and am tempted to come off it completely, but am also scared what might happen. Have been on the pill since 16, dianette for 3 months.

Could anyone advice me about returning to erythmoricin. I haven't taken it for years but am i still resistent to it? Would it halp with milia? Or should i persist with dianette?

Thanks for any replies.

Im a 17 year old Filipino. I have moderate acne. How many weeks would the lemon juice would take effect?

I use a 10% oxy wash then a toner and then a 10% peroxide all over my face i get no redness or irritation using it twice a day but i've noticed that there is still acne under my skin like unless i put pressure on my skin i can't feel it and i was wondering if there were any suggestions of things i could do about it because i'll pretty much try anything at this point nothing has really irritated my skin i mean it gets pretty oily and i don't eat much bread or sugary foods so...i'm just hoping to get it under control.

I don't know why I did it, as I know it never turns out well. But basically I just went mad trying to squeeze out some blackheads on my forehead and ended up just making a big bloody mess

Thankfully its the weekend so I wont have to see anyone for a couple of days, any suggested methods to bring down the inflammation? For instance will a cold bag of peas help, or maybe exercising to bring down the redness? Or should I just stick it out, leave my face, and hope for the best.


Cheers

I purchased dans Alpha Hydroxy Acid. I am on the regimen, and my face is clear. I do have a lot of black heads on my nose. Nothing noticeable unless your are really close to my face. So if i start to use AHA on my nose, how will that bring them to the surface?

Will i break out?

or do they just gradually come out?


Thanks!

hi im using a salycid acid cleanser with
tretinoin and clindamycin phosphate and this has cured my cystic acne. havent had a break out in months, but my nose has blackheads now. What can I do to get rid of them? thanks
no other places have blackheads

Hello,
My name is Mike, I am new here. I am 37 and have had acne my whole life. The last 8-10 years though has just been mostly blackheads and some body acne. I am going to try the Nizoral for my body and face a couple times a week to see if it helps. I also started mandelic acid a few weeks ago and I can't believe how good it's working. I basically wake up and there are 50 or so blackheads half way hanging out of my nose...I just have to grab them with a tweezer and slide them out. Great way to wake up huh!!

I am also going to try the oil cleansing method using castor and sunflower oil every other day. Question is, can I use a BP cleanser before the Nizoral? or use the nizoral by itself? My goal is to clear up the body acne and pimples I get on my face and scalp with the Nizoral....and use the OCM to keep my nose clean while the Mandelic acid is working.

I am thinking this:

Morning: Wash with BP cleanser, then use Nizoral on body/face
Night: Do oil cleansing method, then apply Mandelic Acid before bed

hi does 1% salicylic acid exoflaite the surface as well as 5% aha for daily use. or is it only good at exfolaiting inside pores?

second are the acid cleansers good for exofliting, or no because not enought time on face?