yea i think it's worth it, the original green cream is only 1oz and it costs 40$, plus u can try out wether it works for u or not, rather than buying a much more expensive one and then later find that u have no use for it, i'd say go for the sample first

Green Cream is just retinol in a new formulation. If you google "retinol risks" I expect you'll find all the info you need.

ProActiv is BP-based, right? Whole different thing. BP is a powerful anti-bacterial agent, but it doesn't sound like you have a problem with inflammatory acne, so it probably wasn't the right treatment for you. Retinol and retinoids are a far more appropriate treatment for comedonal acne (clogged pores), IMO.

Anyway, I think Green Cream would probably be very effective for your condition, but if you are happy with your current regimen, why not stick with it awhile longer? It takes a fairly long time -- about 12 weeks from what I hear -- to unclog pores. So if you are already making progress, you might as well continue.

Q

A couple weeks. I used very little to start with too. I definately think it's worth it especially to see if it dries you out or anything else. I just bought a full bottle of the level 3 because I like it so much. I've had some drying around my eyes but nothing major.

Here's the Green Cream website:

Green Cream

And here is the Green Cream message board, which makes for very interesting reading!

Green Cream Community

I was over there today and got sucked in. Unfortunately I'm having some difficulty with the registration -- it was supposed to send me an e-mail, never did -- but my info is in the system, so I can't repeat the process. I'm kinda disappointed.

Q

I have inflammatory acne that goes beyond just clogged pores. AHA has been the only thing that has been helping me. AHA's are obviously similar to retinoids in that they exfoliate (in different ways) and so far the AHA has been the only thing helping me clear up. Topical antibiotics didn't do it, BP did for a bit and stopped working, natural treatments were working slowly and disappointingly. I think just because someone's acne is more then clogged pores doesn't necessarily mean they won't benefit from exfoliation.

Oh, I agree ... I'm all for exfoliation. I was just trying to point out that BP is a weak comedolytic agent and won't do much for clogged pores.

Q

What are the differences between Retinol and Retin-A?

Thanks!

I'll do the best I can with this, but if you're looking for a more scientific answer, you might try asking this question over on the Acne Research Board.

Retin A -- also known as tretinoin. Derivative of vitamin A, available only by prescription. Unplugs acne follicles and brings acne pimples (comedones) to the surface (this is why Retin A makes acne look worse in the first few weeks of treatment). Will reverse some of the changes of photoaging. Causes lightening of brown sun spots and leads to the disappearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight (so it's easier to get a sunburn). Causes dryness, redness, tenderness, and swelling of the skin; these side effects lessen with time.

Retinol -- A form of vitamin A. Converts to retinoic acid (tretinoin) once absorbed into the skin, but the conversion is not effective enough to make it as powerful as topically applied tretinoin. Retinol creams are available over the counter, but vary widely in strength and quality. In choosing a retinol cream, the trick is to find one that delivers enough retinol to be effective WITHOUT irritating your skin beyond tolerance. Basically, it has the same effects on your skin as Retin A -- just isn't as powerful.

Here's something I'm still trying to figure out: the effects of the two on sebaceous activity. People who use Retin A often say that their skin seems oilier than ever; once the pores get unblocked, the oil flows freely. I can't find any reason why retinol should be any different; however, the Green Cream website does claim that the product shrinks the sebaceous glands, and many users on the Green Cream message board do mention reduced oiliness. I'm experiencing the same thing myself, but I can't explain why.

Q

Well so far I haven't had too many problems. I started to get a couple pimples but they didn't get very big and one is gone and one is almost gone. Still got a couple more days to see if the after period pimples pop up.

I really think I'm going to try green cream, I'll probably order sometime in the near future! I'm going to start with level 3 out of fear...lol...and if I see a difference I'll move on to level 6. I really hope this works, I'm getting sick of these clogged pores!

Definately try if it you really want to! get a sample though to make sure it doesn't do more harm them good (although I doubt it). I've just had a little bit of drying around my eyes with level 3 but I put it on at night so it's not that big of a deal.

this is definently the next thing im gonna try.. i have a big problem with clogged pores/blackheads... can the green cream be used in a combination with glycolic acid?

I don't really think you'd want both on your face at the same time -- but if you were doing GA peels, or using a GA cleanser, I think you could still use Green Cream. You just have to go slowly with it and be sensible.

You might want to check out the Green Cream board on www.greencream.com -- the moderator there, Kevin, is very friendly and knowledgeable. There are a lot of people there who use a combination of products, so you might pick up some good tips.

Q

Thanks, Q, for recommending this. I wanted to say to others, definitely check out the green cream board, its awesome!! (I've learned so much and haven't even received my sample yet). Sounds like this cream can benefit every skin type, and help restore it to more normal conditions. Many people mentioned how they have reduced their use of other products dramatically. It really helps simplify your skin care.

Hm .. I might benefit from this. I have a lot of clogged pores. The only thing that's helped me so far is anti-biotics plus asprin masks every day and washing my face more often.

Thanks for the great reply. You have been a big help. I might try Green Cream or another Retinol product. I have used Retin-A Micro. I had to use the .04% because the .10% was too strong for me. It worked well for awhile and then this past fall my skin began breaking out and was very irritated by it. I think it may have been due to the change of season and going from the humid summer months to the dry fall/winter months. Maybe a Retinol product will be mild enough to accomplish the same thing with less irritation during the winter months.

I'm reluctant to to back on this type of product though because I have been off of Retin-A for about 4 months and I really don't want to go back through the break-in period with Retin-A (or Retinol, if it does the same thing) where from about week 6 through week 12 your skin breaks out horribly while everything works its way to the surface. Does Retinol do this like Retin-A does?

Thanks again for the reply and the help.

Proactiv tried the crap out of my skin. I think I may try the level 3.

You do go through a purging period in the first few months, and there seems to be a pretty clear correlation between the severity of the acne you started with and the severity of breakouts while purging.

I went in 2 months ago with badly clogged pores but minimal inflammatory acne. I've had nearly constant purging since then, but none of it has been horrible -- mostly bumps surfacing on my cheeks and jaw, and small pimples on my nose and chin. Everything seems to heal very quickly. I can see in the mirror now that most of the gunk that I started with under my skin has worked its way out ... not all, but most, and I am pretty confident that another 2 months will clear me completely.

If you have more inflammatory acne, one approach might be to alternate BP with the Green Cream to keep breakouts in check for the first few months. Obviously you would want to be very careful not to over-dry or irritate your skin.

Q

Antibiotics will help keep clogged pores from getting inflamed, and aspirin masks do the same ... but I don't think either one of those treatments will help clear your pores. And washing too often can backfire on you. If you damage the skin's lipid barrier and your skin starts getting dehydrated as a result, it actually becomes MORE prone to clogged pores. You can help repair this by taking EFA (essential fatty acid) supplements to repair the lipid barrier, and hydrate your skin by drinking lots of water.

Kanmi, I remember seeing in a different thread that you had trouble with Differin. Green Cream should be less irritating, as long as you follow the directions and ease into it. And if you are taking antibiotics, those should help to keep the purging within bounds.

Retinol has some great long-term results. (note, I said LONG-term.) Your skin cells are regenerating and shedding faster, so old red and brown marks disappear. Your dermis gets thicker, which decreases the appearance of lines and scars (though if you have deep scars, this probably isn't going to make them vanish). Also, and I can't remember exactly why this happens, your skin stays more hydrated from within, giving it a healthier appearance overall.

The epidermis gets thinner, though, so you really have to be careful not to pick at your face while using retinol ... it's too easy to leave bright red marks.

Q

Can't wait for my sample. Checked out the messageboard at green cream. Really helpful too. Anyone used rosehip oil at the same time or tea tree oil? If so which one works best with it?