1299 replies to this topic

[Jofo]

hello sir
i first started in febuary last year and stopped in around may. though if u still have acne the first thing i would do is to find out the source of ur acne. like i said i was washing my face like crazy because i didn't know it was caused by my diet at that time. i think not washing at all doesn't cause acne but only contributes and aggravates when acne is caused by something else in my case it was the diet.

over these past 3 years i've read tons of shit online and let me tell u, only about 5% of the shit i read actually worth my time now when i think about it. i came across numerous forums and blogs and stuff where people suffering a similar and even some in my opinion, the same condition i currently have and they all point to the same(or similar) solution. unfortunately, i accidentally lost all the links after i bought a new pc about 7 months ago. here are two recent ones that i came across just weeks ago before i've decided to come back to do nothing.

http://www.imminst.org/forum/index.php?sho...st&p=377878
http://rosacea-support.org/community/viewt...?f=4&t=2054

very similar to say the least and interesting reading. but it isn't really all about my research and people having success. actually some people here on acne.org have success with this regimen. even i had success with it when i started but it was all because of my impatience that i decided to look for "short-cuts". this is the only way so far that i've discovered that actually offered improvements. over those couple of months, dead skin build up decreased over time and my skin was definitely more hydrated. if the deadskin builds up slower over time, eventually there comes a time it doesn't buildup anymore. however, this alone is enough motivation for me to go for a year. no hard evidence other than this common sense and some other people restoring their skin by leaving it alone.

there's a reason why the dead skin develops much more drastically and more on some areas. my nose has the most because it is the most severe and less on other places. the deadskin to me, also serves as an indicator of how severe the condition is. i remember having tons of dead skin right below my lips last year but now on day four, i barely have any there.

Thanks for the links, Boogerman.

I noticed that you also mentioned excessive oiliness in your list of skin ailments, which I also happen to be suffering from (pretty much only in the nose area). Have you noticed any reduction in oil as a result of the do-nothing regimen?

I also wanted to get your opinion on moisturizers, since you never made mention of them specifically. Has your extensive internet research given you any reason to believe that moisturizers should be excluded from the regimen? It seems like they wouldn't necessarily be a problem seeing as how all they are intended to do is provide extra moisture to your skin. Fortunately my skin hasn't deteriorated to the point of not being able to absorb anything. In fact I regularly use CeraVe moisturizer which absorbs into my skin within a matter of seconds (although it causes my face to produce extra oil later on) and it makes sense to me to add whatever extra moisture I can to my regimen. Wanted to hear your thoughts on this.

I'm currently in the process of searching for the cause of my acne. I'm developing a diet plan composed of anti-inflammatory foods as well as vitamins and supplements that have been purported to cure acne (zinc, chromium, magnesium, etc.). With any hope this will at least tone down the severity of my breakouts. Maybe I should look into gluten/grain like you did.

Sigh... it's so hard to know what to do. I recently bought a high-strength glycolic peel that I'm very tempted to begin using to speed up the skin regeneration process, but I'm worried that it will only kill my skin even further rather than heal it. The do-nothing regimen has me questioning everything I'm doing.

[Boogerman]

Thanks for the links, Boogerman.

I noticed that you also mentioned excessive oiliness in your list of skin ailments, which I also happen to be suffering from (pretty much only in the nose area). Have you noticed any reduction in oil as a result of the do-nothing regimen?

I also wanted to get your opinion on moisturizers, since you never made mention of them specifically. Has your extensive internet research given you any reason to believe that moisturizers should be excluded from the regimen? It seems like they wouldn't necessarily be a problem seeing as how all they are intended to do is provide extra moisture to your skin. Fortunately my skin hasn't deteriorated to the point of not being able to absorb anything. In fact I regularly use CeraVe moisturizer which absorbs into my skin within a matter of seconds (although it causes my face to produce extra oil later on) and it makes sense to me to add whatever extra moisture I can to my regimen. Wanted to hear your thoughts on this.

I'm currently in the process of searching for the cause of my acne. I'm developing a diet plan composed of anti-inflammatory foods as well as vitamins and supplements that have been purported to cure acne (zinc, chromium, magnesium, etc.). With any hope this will at least tone down the severity of my breakouts. Maybe I should look into gluten/grain like you did.

Sigh... it's so hard to know what to do. I recently bought a high-strength glycolic peel that I'm very tempted to begin using to speed up the skin regeneration process, but I'm worried that it will only kill my skin even further rather than heal it. The do-nothing regimen has me questioning everything I'm doing.

hello
from what i remember, the oil did reduce marginally over the course of those three months. definitely not enough time for the skin to heal. i think the oil acts as a part of the healing process, more oil and dead skin on the most damaged area, and less on others, like my forehead and cheeks. i believe it acts as a moisture/healing barrier underneath the dead skin, the (over)production of oil is a reaction triggered when the skin is damaged. other than that, i cannot say the oil had decreased in any way significant. but i do believe it goes away when the skin is restored to normal, since it's not needed anymore.

on moisturizers. i've used tons of different moisturizers and nothing worked and i've read tons of contradicting information online. none of the stuff i read is to be believed in my opinion. the "5%" i was referring to is this thread and stuff related to this. i have given up my hope on ALL commercial moisturizers to cure this condition. i still don't buy the idea of keep wetting ur face is gonna help heal the skin because these are two different things. and that is exactly what a moisturizer does, hence the glycerin and water. the skin wants to repair itself, but instead moisture is offered by a moisturizer so it doesn't need to repair itself. it might even offer enough moisture to make the skin dependent on it and everytime u don't apply it, ur skin falls apart again. eventually, u still have to stop everything for it to heal. my take on it, if u need a moisturizer, use a good oil like maybe hemp oil, emu oil, jojoba oil, squalene oil or any "good ones". otherwise nothing for the skin to heal. to maintain healthy skin, use sunscreen when go out, use a oil(some oils have sunscreen), and limit shower and water contact. each time the skin contacts with water, the skin loses some moisture. people with healthy skin don't really notice it. after years of showering and washing face, skin degrades. on my damaged skin this is totally apparent and obvious. water is the biggest ingredient moisturizers consist of. that's why i dont buy it.

definitely check out the grain/acne. i was surprised because u see, i used to eat loads of rice and some oatmeal everyday and i always was getting acne. i accidentally discovered this when i started eating beans for breakfast and my acne died down a lot. beans as a supplement of rice cleared me up completely.

bottomline, i wouldn't recommend using the peel nor any moisturizer. i mean usually, women age much faster because they touch water much more than men, u know with all the makeup washing off, moisturizing, and showering. women in my old country look golden even when they're in their 50s and in some cases 60s, probably due to the lack of makeup and products available. and please note that all this information is in my opinion and probably none of them is tested or verified by any means.

[jmaaan]

Wow thanks for all the info Boogerman. But yea I'm washing with a cleanser but I just went camping with some friends for a few days and only rinsed with water and the dead skin is building up pretty quick. I'm going to try and let it build up for as long as I can handle it and then maybe remove a little part to see how the skin underneath is healing and then go from there, idk though I'm thinking about removing it in about a week and if it needs more time I'll keep letting it build but right now it looks bad and looks like my skin has dirt on it so idk how much longer I can keep it on for. Also do you have any other links like those? Thanks

Edited by jmaaan, 19 July 2010 - 01:26 PM.

[bamberry]

Gonna be honest, I did not read through 47 pages of replies, but got to like page 3. Very interesting. I noticed many people mentioned being sensitive to just water. I kind of wonder something - maybe it's not your skin, maybe it's the water? I mean water is a natural thing for the most part until humans get their hands on it, they pump it full of chemicals like softeners, chlorinate it ... etc. I noticed when I moved states a year and a half a go that my hair got way more brittle where I live now than before - it HAS to be the water, I used to have crazy soft hair and now its way more akin to straw. I wonder how your skin would react if you used distilled water or something like Fiji or Voss or one of those highly purified waters to wash your face. Has anyone tried? They are mostly free of any minerals or salts that could strip moisture, as far as I know ...

[Boogerman]

Well Jmaaan, I don't know about you, but I look like a freak right now. Even my near blind parents notice the abomination that is my face.

As far as washing goes, I absolutely CANNOT let water touch my face now, because it is red and painful. Hell, I can barely eat today due to the pain and itchiness. However, I think it is supposed to happen. The whole point is to not disrupt anything and let the skin do its work, hence no washing, no touching and stuff.

And absolutely here are all the links in my current favorites. And it's really a shame I didn't save the links from the past year. I think I had like 4 to 5 links. Those were the ones convinced me to do this "do nothing" regimen initially. Google is your friend if you want even more. Hell, I might even try to go look for the ones from the past when I have time.

http://www.skincaretalk.com/basic-skin-car...rated-skin.html
http://www.acne.org/messageboard/Natural-R...50#entry2498550
http://curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=1557788

I hope this helps.

[jmaaan]

Well Jmaaan, I don't know about you, but I look like a freak right now. Even my near blind parents notice the abomination that is my face.

As far as washing goes, I absolutely CANNOT let water touch my face now, because it is red and painful. Hell, I can barely eat today due to the pain and itchiness. However, I think it is supposed to happen. The whole point is to not disrupt anything and let the skin do its work, hence no washing, no touching and stuff.

And absolutely here are all the links in my current favorites. And it's really a shame I didn't save the links from the past year. I think I had like 4 to 5 links. Those were the ones convinced me to do this "do nothing" regimen initially. Google is your friend if you want even more. Hell, I might even try to go look for the ones from the past when I have time.

http://www.skincaretalk.com/basic-skin-car...rated-skin.html
http://www.acne.org/messageboard/Natural-R...50#entry2498550
http://curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=1557788

I hope this helps.

Thanks for the links and yea could you look for the other links too whenever you have time? Anyways started this on the 10th of july but this is not my first time trying, it is my third but this time I wanna keep the dead skin on for as long as I can. It looks sooo bad though Idk how much longer I can do this. It itches, flakes horribly and just looks like dry patches all over my face. And I hate waking up in the morning and it flakes because I roll around in my sleep so in the morning the skin on someparts is like barely hanging on so I have to remove it. The skin underneath does look a little better but I can tell this is going to take a loong time and I'm scared cause when school starts Idk if I'll be able to keep the dead skin on and let it build

[yourworstnightmare]

I've been thinking about it a lot and I've realized that it's going to take a little while for the skin to fully heal, not just a few months. I removed a little off of my nose and it looked pretty normal, no more little bumps, so i'm guessing in a month or so it should be somewhat healed. I can't leave it on my skin when school starts cause it's a new year, I don't want to be questioned again you know? so by the end of summer it's off my face until next summer I guess. I also realized that light pink cheeks and forehead is 10x better than having acne, so I'll learn to deal with it. It's a lot more noticable to us because we know it's there. A lot of people with fair skin have red/pinkish cheeks and they don't seem bothered by it. I've been so self conscious that I barely went out this summer and it's pissing me off that I'm letting this control my life.

[Boogerman]

@jmaaan
Yes, I would definitely look for the old links when I have time. And what a coincidence, you started on the same day as I did.

Anyways, I've developed really thick dead skin flakes when I started. They started to fall off after a week and a half. I don't know how to describe it really, as I'm not American. But it's like a much thinner dead skin mask is let behind when the "thick" dead skin falls off.

Try to sleep facing upward, and I know it's hard. It helps I think. Day by day, appearance wise, I'm looking better and better so please be patient. And I can totally understand about the pressure of school. I faced the same humiliation since the last time I did this was during school in February 2009.

I assume you are starting school in September. There is still time, the dead skin development calms down drastically after the burst during the first two weeks. The "thin dead skin" I said looks just like normal skin even up close and becomes apparent when the "thick dead skin" falls off. Oil is visibly unnoticeable since it is trapped between the "thin dead skin" and the actual skin.

I'm not going to lie here. Yes, it is going to take a long time. Yes, it is miserable and I feel it too. I also have school coming up in October. College. The thing is if I had stuck with this last year, I would be out playing basketball with my buddies right now. I'm just glad at least I started this on 10th of July 2010 instead of new year.

@yourworstnightmare
I feel you man. It's controlling my life too. I have yet to go out one time this summer. That's why I emphasize so much on getting this done once and for all.

Edited by Boogerman, 24 July 2010 - 08:17 PM.

[jmaaan]

I've been thinking about it a lot and I've realized that it's going to take a little while for the skin to fully heal, not just a few months. I removed a little off of my nose and it looked pretty normal, no more little bumps, so i'm guessing in a month or so it should be somewhat healed. I can't leave it on my skin when school starts cause it's a new year, I don't want to be questioned again you know? so by the end of summer it's off my face until next summer I guess. I also realized that light pink cheeks and forehead is 10x better than having acne, so I'll learn to deal with it. It's a lot more noticable to us because we know it's there. A lot of people with fair skin have red/pinkish cheeks and they don't seem bothered by it. I've been so self conscious that I barely went out this summer and it's pissing me off that I'm letting this control my life.

Yea I feel the same way like my skin is damaged to the point where a month of not washing will be beneficial but not cured for good. I think it will take months of me not washing and healing for me to fully be cleared but when I do I will never doubt myself again have the most confidence ever, I swear. But yea I start school in early August so it sucks and I really have no idea how I'm going to keep up this regimen when school starts. And also I don't have acne at all just lots of dead skin and redness, no pimples or anything so that's part of the reason why this is so frustrating. The only way I can describe my skin is just damaged.

[jmaaan]

@jmaaan
Yes, I would definitely look for the old links when I have time. And what a coincidence, you started on the same day as I did.

Anyways, I've developed really thick dead skin flakes when I started. They started to fall off after a week and a half. I don't know how to describe it really, as I'm not American. But it's like a much thinner dead skin mask is let behind when the "thick" dead skin falls off.

Try to sleep facing upward, and I know it's hard. It helps I think. Day by day, appearance wise, I'm looking better and better so please be patient. And I can totally understand about the pressure of school. I faced the same humiliation since the last time I did this was during school in February 2009.

I assume you are starting school in September. There is still time, the dead skin development calms down drastically after the burst during the first two weeks. The "thin dead skin" I said looks just like normal skin even up close and becomes apparent when the "thick dead skin" falls off. Oil is visibly unnoticeable since it is trapped between the "thin dead skin" and the actual skin.

I'm not going to lie here. Yes, it is going to take a long time. Yes, it is miserable and I feel it too. I also have school coming up in October. College. The thing is if I had stuck with this last year, I would be out playing basketball with my buddies right now. I'm just glad at least I started this on 10th of July 2010 instead of new year.

Thanks, please post those links when you find them. And I've never experienced this "thin dead skin" so I hope it comes in the near future cause right now my face looks pretty bad.

[Chiba]

Hey ladies and gents

I am a female who has not washed her face in three weeks! I have worn Bare Minerals make up a couple of times, some mascara and then at the end of the night I take it off with some jojoba oil or I rinse it off....
Although I am breaking out, they're itty bitty pustules and I do have a ton of blackheads on my nose but I'm ok with that, plus the amount of blackheads has decreased. Also, I'm not too paranoid about water hitting my face, when I shower I just let it hit my face as long as it's not scalding hot water but other than that my face doesn't get any other washing. I love this non-regimen, it's so freaking liberating,

ANYWAYS, I've had acne since I was 13 but it was always pretty light....then sometime about two to three years ago, I was using a really harsh scrub and moisturizer on my face and broke out terribly, it was so bad, I went to a dermatologist who gave me some anti-biotics and I completely free of acne! Then I realized they were terrible for you
and stopped taking them and did just BP which I realized was ALSO evil to your skin
and weaned off of BP and just did a mild cleanser and moisturizer got a few cysts here and there then I then went on a camping trip and decided to set myself free and have been for three weeks now hahahaha.

I find it helps not to look in the mirror and just not give a rat's a** about how your face looks....

Also, why is everyone so paranoid about sweat? What, in it's chemical component would make you break out?

Good luck to all!

[hardcore_herbivore]

This is such an awesome thread! I'm glad to see people having success by not washing their faces.

As for me, I never had acne through my pre-teen and early teenage years (I guess I was more of a tom boy), but when I got to be like 15 or 16 I started buying into traditional beauty ideals... I started wearing make-up, washing my face, and using moisturizer. I didn't break out suddenly, but since then my acne has gotten worse and worse.

Dan's regimen cleared me up for a long time (also made my skin dry and red), but a couple of months ago it stopped working. After quitting the regimen my skin went back to being oily (it had always been oily before the regimen). I went to a skin specialist who recommended microdermabrasion and laser treatment, so I tried both. None of it helped at all, so I decided to see what would happen if I just let my skin do it's own thing. I had nothing to lose.

I didn't use anything on my skin for a month maybe (no soap, make-up, moisturizer, etc.) Now I've started occasionally soaking my face in sea salt or gently scrubbing my face with it. I only get it wet in the shower about once a week, and never worry about wiping or rinsing off sweat. My actual acne situation hasn't changed much; however, I've noticed that my skin's moisture/oil levels seem to have normalized. No more super-oily skin around my forehead and nose! Also, I have less whiteheads and clogged pores around my nose.

Anyway, I'm hoping with continued exercise, healthy eating, regular sun, and leaving my face alone, my body will heal my face. I am leaving for college soon though, so it's hard to have that kind of patience :S

Edited by hardcore_herbivore, 02 August 2010 - 12:04 PM.

[Chiba]

That's really awesome! When you shower, how wet would you say your face gets? I'm not sure if I should stop putting my face under the water for a while, or just let whatever amount of water that dribbles down from my scalp and from the shower head run over my face. I've noticed that my cheeks are still a bit tight, as is my forehead (which is also insanely shiny), so perhaps limiting my water exposure for a while will help.

Have you experienced any flaking? I've been doing this for a week or so, although again not strict, and noticed some mild flaking, but nothing too severe. I also only really have new pustules and blackheads. The pustules I am getting, as long as I don't touch them, seem to dry out pretty quickly, but then leave a hard scab, which I'm not sure if I should leave alone and let fall off. Since I actually have quite a few on my chin, it is causing some embarrassment, but I do think it's improving, especially in terms of redness!

As for sweat, I'm not sure why it's a subject causing people to be paranoid about it and breakouts - my only real concern is whether leaving the sweat on my face will cause prolonged irritation and dryness due to its natural salt content, and salt is comedogenic (supposedly). There have been a few instances where I've been to the gym and had sweat drip into my mouth, but it didn't taste salty at all, so perhaps a lack of over-cleansing and drinking more water helps make it less salty haha.

Do you have any pictures that you could post up of your progress so far?

I'm not sure how to answer how wet my face gets.....but I should note that it doesn't get wet unless I wash my hair...OH, and might I add that I try not to get shampoo on my face...I dunno, I let the water hit my face full blast when I rinse my my hair.....

I've experienced flaking but only on areas where old pimples are healing.
I wouldn't touch those pustules, the reason being is that I have tan skin and whenever I pick those little frakkers I get hyperpigmentation I can tell you have fair skin, so that might not be a problem for you, but I am saying that if it's leaving scars behind it, it can't be too great for you to pick em.

I dunno, I wouldn't worry too much about perspiration though, I think the point of this "experiment" to go au naturel and sweating is a regular skin function, if anything, I would think it'd help....I read somewhere that sweat is actually good because it helps your skin build an acid mantle to reach a certain pH...

Pictures....I will work on that...

[hardcore_herbivore]

As for me, I never had acne through my pre-teen and early teenage years (I guess I was more of a tom boy), but when I got to be like 15 or 16 I started buying into traditional beauty ideals... I started wearing make-up, washing my face, and using moisturizer. I didn't break out suddenly, but since then my acne has gotten worse and worse.

I didn't use anything on my skin for a month maybe (no soap, make-up, moisturizer, etc.) Now I've started occasionally soaking my face in sea salt or gently scrubbing my face with it. I only get it wet in the shower about once a week, and never worry about wiping or rinsing off sweat. My actual acne situation hasn't changed much; however, I've noticed that my skin's moisture/oil levels seem to have normalized. No more super-oily skin around my forehead and nose! Also, I have less whiteheads and clogged pores around my nose.

Anyway, I'm hoping with continued exercise, healthy eating, regular sun, and leaving my face alone, my body will heal my face. I am leaving for college soon though, so it's hard to have that kind of patience :S

I was like you as well, only I decided to wear makeup a few years earlier than you. I wish I hadn't decided to wear makeup, or at least not foundation, as my acne situation might not have been as it is today!

How long did it take for your moisture levels to balance out within that month? My face seems to be getting quite oily (although it's also very hot, so it could be sweat in there too), and when I look in the mirror I'll sometimes see little hairs stuck to my face Do you only shower once a week then, or are you showering often but just avoiding getting your face wet? I seem to be getting more blackheads, but I don't think I really have any new clogged pores or anything.

I'm starting university in the fall myself, and I'm also going off of my birth control pills (which have never really aided my skin), so I know how you feel. Not looking forward to meeting new people with lots of acne!

Yessss, I read your original post, and it seems like we are in very similar situations. It didn't take long at all for my moisture levels to balance out. It's like as soon as I quit with the products my face wanted to normalize. I didn't keep a log, but if I were guessing, I would say it took about 2 weeks. It's hot here too, I work out, and I sun bathe, so I sweat a lot, but it doesn't seem to make my face oilier. I probably shower about once a week (I get my face wet but don't wash it). Yeah I know that makes me sound like a really gross person, but honestly I've been eating a really healthy diet and trying to live healthier and somehow I just stink less. Also, my hair is short, so I don't need to wash it too often. I haven't been consciously avoiding getting my face wet. As I said, I've been doing sea salt soaks. But if that doesn't start to help, I'm going to try avoiding water completely instead. I don't quite understand about the little hairs on your face though? I have hairs on my face but only the ones that are like growing there...

Hah, the thought of going to college with my face looking like this is thrilling. At lease I know I'll be making friends with people who aren't shallow! lol

[Riyon Smith]

I also afraid like you when my acne increased day by day. I was very much sad to see all this but I clear up my face regularly because it removes to dead skin from your face & make it shiny. for problem you could take doctor's advice. this is not a method to remove acne friend.

[AgieMei]

you inspire me! I'm thinking of doing this "routine" I already quit concealing my zits with makeup up because i noticed that it breaks me out more. Now I'm using organic apple cider to clean my face,I'll see how it goes... But if i doesn't work out I'll probably go with this "non-washing technique" it makes sense to me. Plus it wouldn't surprise me if the big name companies put stuff that breaks out your face,i mean if your face is clear who are they going to sell thair stuff to?I also quit all the acne washing products. They do not work! THAT'S WHY WE ALL KEEP ON BUYING THEM!

[yourworstnightmare]

So i realized that this regimen is pretty much shit unless you actually have acne. The irritation in my skin has gotten a little better since i started this, but not fully healed. I'm going to the derm sometime next week to get a cream and get this cleared up before i go back to school. Right now, My skin doesn't look bad but i'm not satisfied. My nose, inner cheeks, and middle of my forehead are still irritated, but my forehead isn't that red but not my skin color either. The derm i'm going to is supposed to be really good so i'm hoping she gives me something to get rid of the irritation and dead skin..which currently isn't on my face. I will check in from time to time and let you know what cream she gives me, if it's working or not etc. Good luck to everone who is trying this, I hope you guys get better results than i did.

[iceguy]

This comment has been removed.

Edited by iceguy, 20 August 2010 - 02:58 AM.

[hardcore_herbivore]

As for me, I never had acne through my pre-teen and early teenage years (I guess I was more of a tom boy), but when I got to be like 15 or 16 I started buying into traditional beauty ideals... I started wearing make-up, washing my face, and using moisturizer. I didn't break out suddenly, but since then my acne has gotten worse and worse.

I didn't use anything on my skin for a month maybe (no soap, make-up, moisturizer, etc.) Now I've started occasionally soaking my face in sea salt or gently scrubbing my face with it. I only get it wet in the shower about once a week, and never worry about wiping or rinsing off sweat. My actual acne situation hasn't changed much; however, I've noticed that my skin's moisture/oil levels seem to have normalized. No more super-oily skin around my forehead and nose! Also, I have less whiteheads and clogged pores around my nose.

Anyway, I'm hoping with continued exercise, healthy eating, regular sun, and leaving my face alone, my body will heal my face. I am leaving for college soon though, so it's hard to have that kind of patience :S

I was like you as well, only I decided to wear makeup a few years earlier than you. I wish I hadn't decided to wear makeup, or at least not foundation, as my acne situation might not have been as it is today!

How long did it take for your moisture levels to balance out within that month? My face seems to be getting quite oily (although it's also very hot, so it could be sweat in there too), and when I look in the mirror I'll sometimes see little hairs stuck to my face Do you only shower once a week then, or are you showering often but just avoiding getting your face wet? I seem to be getting more blackheads, but I don't think I really have any new clogged pores or anything.

I'm starting university in the fall myself, and I'm also going off of my birth control pills (which have never really aided my skin), so I know how you feel. Not looking forward to meeting new people with lots of acne!

Yessss, I read your original post, and it seems like we are in very similar situations. It didn't take long at all for my moisture levels to balance out. It's like as soon as I quit with the products my face wanted to normalize. I didn't keep a log, but if I were guessing, I would say it took about 2 weeks. It's hot here too, I work out, and I sun bathe, so I sweat a lot, but it doesn't seem to make my face oilier. I probably shower about once a week (I get my face wet but don't wash it). Yeah I know that makes me sound like a really gross person, but honestly I've been eating a really healthy diet and trying to live healthier and somehow I just stink less. Also, my hair is short, so I don't need to wash it too often. I haven't been consciously avoiding getting my face wet. As I said, I've been doing sea salt soaks. But if that doesn't start to help, I'm going to try avoiding water completely instead. I don't quite understand about the little hairs on your face though? I have hairs on my face but only the ones that are like growing there...

Hah, the thought of going to college with my face looking like this is thrilling. At lease I know I'll be making friends with people who aren't shallow! lol

I'm still on week one, although I've rinsed my face quite a bit. I've gone 2-3 days without a rinse, and my skin feels fine, but I do see mild flaking on my cheeks I find that whenever I get hot, my face gets significantly warmer and I produce more oils. This has been this way since I started using products on my face. I also have a mild (self-diagnosed) case of hyperhydrosis, and have been prone to facial sweating since like, the 6th grade. So all of that might be contributing to my oiliness as well. I would shower less, but I just hate not showering after working out at the gym - all the sprays on the machines, the dirt and dust... gross! Plus, sitting and laying on the cleaner, I just prefer showering. But I didn't shower today, my skin didn't sting with the sweat on my face! The last time I went to the gym, my skin was stinging so badly with sweat on it. This is pushing me to go all of August without rinsing my face, even not just once a week. After the one-month mark, I'll rinse once every week or every two weeks, and then continue upping this until I find an amount I feel comfortable with. I've also noticed that I don't really stink too much, other than my arm pits a bit, but I was being really lazy with my Certain Dri, and when I lessen its use, I'll get stinkier and sweatier. Without my body washes though, I find I don't feel as sweaty, and my skin actually feels as soft as it does when I moisturize, but without the residue.

Lol by little hairs, I mean like.. particles, things in the air, getting stuck to my face. Like if you stand in front of a fan that is a bit dusty and are sweaty, you might have some particles on your skin. No one has said anything, so hopefully it's only I who is noticing.

I've been using water alone for my hair, and it's still pretty oily compared to when I'd shampoo (although for not shampooing in over a week, it's surprisingly nice). I think it's potentially contributing to my oily skin, since my forehead is the oiliest part of my skin, but maybe it's not related at all.

You might want to cut out the sea salt soaks, just because salt can be quite drying and even irritating, and if you are doing them often, it might be contributing to your breakouts. It would probably be best to not use any product, even something as simple as DIY salt water, just to eliminate any topical sources for breakouts.

Lol that's true about the friends thing! Although I don't really know how sociable I'll be if my skin is flaky, oily, broken out AND red (as my redness is not going awaaaay arg). I think I just need to stop being a pussy and say "Fuck it, it's just acne". I've seen so many guys with acne, even severe acne, who are all "la dee da" and go about their day with confidence, why can't I?

That's weird that your face stings when you sweat. My face used to do that--only when I used BP though. Haha, maybe it is just you noticing the little hairs and particles. I haven't noticed any of those on my face... And yeah, my forehead is oiliest too. It probably has to do with hair

I totally took your advice and stopped using salt on my face. I didn't use anything--not even water-- for maybe a week, but my face didn't look any different. So yesterday I decided to try using honey on my face for a week to see if that helps it any. I really should have given doing nothing to it a little more time, but I'm losing patience with school about to start! My acne hasn't improved or even gotten any worse in so long. It just always looks the same-- always looks bad

Yesss, I agree! It's so great to just say, "Screw it, it's just acne!" Haha, I can do that most of the time, but then eventually I look in the mirror and that dredges up those acne insecurities that I tried so hard to get rid of

I saw your post about being sick... I hope you feel better!

[SClippers]

No difference...