Do I need a moisturizer?

So I have pretty oily skin. I have heard that you should ALWAYS include a moisturizer in your acne regimen. Is that true? Usually by the end of the day (when I moisturize) my face ends up feeling just as oily as it would without the moisturizer. So im not sure if it's even helping, and it may be making things worse. I'm just confused on this issue. Any advice is very appreciated. Thanks

A New Member, But An Old Problem.

I got acne at around age 13. I remember going to my dad at 14 (totally clueless) and asking what to do. I told him I was annoyed with it, and didn't understand why I had when no one else did. He said well you have to scrub your face clean more often. I took it to heart, and with a washcloth scrubbed until my face was literally bleeding all over. I had to see a doctor, that's how hard I scrubbed. I look back at that, and it's funny because I wanted it gone so bad then that I would suffer any pain just to see it go away. Now, five years later I am still raging the war. My back acne and chest acne has really calmed down over this past year. That's been great, but I would swap my face acne for chest, back, or both kinds of acne for that matter. My face is the problem. I avoid social situations, don't hang out with friends on a bad acne night, I have been dropped form a college course because of failure to attend (you only get 4 days, and I just couldn't go into public on those days), I have almost lost my job several times for acne related issues. People who don't suffer severely just can't/don't understand. It affects EVERYTHING, you physical, emotional, and social being. I am engaged, and have been for about three years. I met my girlfriend my last year of high school and she has been my saving grace. She does not see me the way I see myself, she sees a sexy handsome man. I have never seen myself in that light, but she looks at me every day with so much love and desire that it just rocks my world. She has helped me maintain a positive attitude through these later years of acne suffering. For you reading this that have not found a person like her, I hope you do, because it will change everything for you. I have nice thick hair, lovely green eyes (or so I have been told!) and a handsomely shaped face (again what I have been told) the thing is I know only one person looks at me today sees that. All everyone else seems to see is all the acne. About 1 year ago I was working, my acne was at an all time worst, and some little girl looked at me and said what's wrong with your face? Her mom quieted her quickly, but it hit me like a thousand bricks. I, a 19 year old young adult, had been brought to the verge of tears by some little girl. That's when I realized how sensitive I was to my acne, and that I needed to start REALLY trying to get rid of it. It's not like I hadn't been trying, but I knew something had to change.

I say my Dermatologist, and went though about 6 different pill/cream combos. Finally it came time for Accutane. I thought long and hard about it, and then declined. I have not seen my dermatologist since, because I know there is nothing more she can do for me. I then started researching, and researching hard. I found tons of difficult to understand data. One place claims that what you eat/drink decides your acne while another says eat what you want. Another claims they have the miracle acne kit (I've tried them all . . . it was no miracle . . . just a $$ drainer). Another claims humid climate causes more breakouts, while another says the humidity is good for you. There is SO much misleading data out there that I just couldn't even process it all. So I took what I could and have started my own regimen. I created the regimen based on info that seemed generally true on several different places. Cataphyll Cleanser (mild, no fragrance, no harsh chemicals), Baking Soda Exfoliater, which is just baking soda and water (I know it seems strange, but tons of people advocate it, and so far I have been impressed), Tea Tree Oil bacteria killing wash, like baking soda there is so much positive about this out there, a toner with Sylilic (SP) Acid (the only common acne fighting chemical in my regimen. I'm not sure about this toner yet. We shall see), and I finish off with an oil free moisturizer. I've only used this system for a few days, but thus far it's working very well. It's the result of a few days worth of research about acne cures/regimens and I am very hopeful.

It's been a battle my entire life. I am honestly tired of fighting this war. I don't mind the effort it takes to have a daily routine . . . but I need for it to work. It has drained so much from me. It's hard to explain that, but just talking about this issue makes me feel tired. I feel like a tired old war veteran when it comes to the 'war' with acne. So that's my story. I am trying to stay positive, but it's tough every day. For those that suffer with me I understand and feel your pain. It's a hard life, and we did nothing to deserve it. Hey some people are born with horrible birth defects. They may be attached to another person, blind, drug addicted, missing a major limb, have a weak heart etc. etc. They didn't ask for it, but they live with it. There are worse things out there then acne. In the end we all should just be grateful to be alive, living, and breathing . . . because that in itself is a miracle! That's me trying to be positive! I know for those that suffer from acne it seems as hard as any disability out there . . . and it is.

P.S. This site is amazing. I'm not sure about "The Regimen" but I love that there is a community for acne suffers. People who have never spoken with anyone about their acne are posting on this site. They are telling their stories for the first time in public (myself included). I just want to thank the developers, MODS, and the community for being here. This site can help educate the mind and begin healing the hurt that has come from years of holding back about acne. I would love to get some comments, and hear your stories!

P.S.S I also started a blog on my current regimen. Check It out if you’re curious about my results!

Thanks for reading, and being there!
Justin S