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[Zahara]

Here is my daily regime:
Morning: Acne Free Benzoyl Peroxide Cleanser
Acne Free Toner
Acne Free Benzoyl Peroxide Cream
Alba Green Tea and Aloe Oil-Free Moisturizer
Purpose Oil-Free Redness Reducing SPF30

Afternoon (or once I am done with my daily activities):
Olay Facial Express Vitamin E Wipes (to remove all makeup)
Tea Tree Oil essential Oils applied non-diluted by q-tip to zits

Night: Acne Free Cleanser
Acne Free Toner
Acne Free Cream
Jason's Aloe Vera Gel

Weekly: Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask (When used as cleanser I mix it w/ the Acne Free cleanser, when used as mask used directly out of bottle)
Desert Essence Foaming Bamboo Exfolient
I also sometimes use a Salicylic acid spot treatment, or on popped pimple I use neosporin, and hydrogen peroxide.

I used to use Proactiv it worked for me, though it did take a while to start working (it did not make things worse though). I started in March of 2005, but I saw a decrease in its effectiveness in January of 2006. Early July I stopped using Proactiv and switched to Acnefree which is similar but cheaper and, has higher benzoyl peroxide percent in the cream. It has worked for the most part but during my period I break out to no amends. I have been contemplating visiting the dermatologist something I have never done though my older sister who also suffers from acne (she used both proactiv and acnefree and they worked great for her, but proactiv over time did lose effectiveness) has done but with few results. But that was in the 90’s when they had fewer developments. Also I do recommend Acnefree if you have been considering Proactiv but think it is to expense, but make sure you have a good moisturizer (I hear Clean and Clear Morning Burst Moisturizer works well). It is avaliable at most drugstores, and all purpose stores (fred meyers, target, wal-mart).

I was wondering what prescription medicines you have used that have worked? Also if you think anything I am doing now is making it worse (mixing products)?

[Brandy]

Hi Zahara,
and welcome!
You are using a lot of products there.
If your acne is mild-to-moderate, do consider giving the Clear Skin Regimen a try. Many of us here use it and have good results with it.
I think one of the reasons Proactiv and products like it fail to work is that it is just too harsh. That grainy cleanse is very irritating. And there is no recommendation for moisture.

The heart of the CSR is gentle cleansing (nonmedicated, gentle, nonscrubby cleanser), generous amounts of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, and oil-free moisture).

I'll give you a link, read it and see what you think.



http://www.acne.org/regimen.html