180 replies to this topic

[SpeciousHope]

Hm...I decided to start a log so I can keep track of my progress. Maybe this will help destress too? Personal log/blog! Woo. So here's my story I started breaking out since I was 11 when I was under an immense amount of stress. Now I'm 19 and I think my acne has calmed down a lot. Currently in college doing the whole adult thing: new apartment, new car, best friend for a roomie, new diets, new situations. I've concluded that alcohol is bad for my liver therefore is bad for my skin. My only problem areas are my Tzone. I only break out in my Tzone.

I started breaking out when I was in the fifth grade and my acne progressively became worst as I got older. I've been on every type of prescription but accutane. I've been on Tazorac, Differin, Clindamycin, Retin-a (on and off three times), etc. etc. I find that the pills like Doxcycline, Minocycline, Tetracycline are virtually useless to me.

Here's what's in my medicine cabinet

Dermalogica Anti-bac Skin Wash
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Scrub (big no-no don't use scrubs!!)
Neutrogena One Step Gentle Cleanser (Complete makeup remover)


Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner
Clinique Take the Day off makeup Remover

GM Collin Acne Complex (liquid for spot treatment)
GM Collin Gel Puracne Gel oxygen (moisturizer)
GM Collin Gel Purifant (face wash)

Olay Sensitive
Olay sensitive SPF 15
Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream

Makeup
Clinique Perfectly Real Make up
Everyday Minerals

Diet
Lactose intolerant >>kicked in when I started college freshmen year =(
Don't drink soda


I am currently on Retin-a micro and I use the Clarisonic Skin Care Brush. I don't use all of those products just some of them depending on how my skin feels. =)

I JUST purchased my Clarisonic Skin Care Brush and received it 10-1-08 so we'll see how that goes.

[SpeciousHope]

Morning
GM Collin Gel Purifant Face Wash
GM Collin Acne Complex (spot treatment)
Olay Moisturizer SPF 15
Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup

Breakfast
home made soy milk and special K

Afternoon
Neutrogena One Step Gentle Cleanser (Complete makeup remover)
With Clarisonic Skin Care Brush 1 minute on Low
Olay Sensitive Moisturizer

Snack
Green Tea
Papaya

Night
Dermalogica w/Clarisonic
Olay Sensitive
GM Collin Acne Complex (I just ran out of retin-a)

Dinner
Spaghetti w/canned tomatoe sauce
Shake and Bake w/chicken breast


I drank over the weekend...so we'll see how my skin reacts. I haven't been working out later since I had exams last week. Will go jogging tomorrow.

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[SpeciousHope]

I seriously think my clinique foundation is breaking me out. I have breakouts around my eyebrows now since I had them waxed last week. Two whiteheads on my chin today. Hmm..I don't really know if the clarisonic is effective for everyday use.

Morning

Neutrogena Scrub
GM Collins Acne Complex
Olay SPF 15
Clinique Foundation

Breakfast
chocolate soymilk
sandwich thing from bakery
special k bar

Afternoon
Neutrogena one step gentle cleanser (make up remover cleanser) w/cotton pad
Dermalogica Anti-bac with clarisonic skin brush
Olay sensitive moisturizer

Snack
papaya milkshake with soymilk
special K cereal original

Still trying to get consistency in my picutres...haven't exactly mastered the lighting yet.

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[SpeciousHope]

I think the clarisonic is spreading bacteria since I had several active pimples. I'm going to lay off that for a week and just use it on my forehead and nose. Last night I fell asleep on my bed watching t.v. when I woke up I slathered some GM collins acne complex on without washing my face first since I was so sleepy. My roommate made french fries for dinner and I had some. We'll see how my face will react to that next week. It's so hard to eat healthy especially in the mornings... I wake up and just grab whatever I see and catch the bus to go to class. Hmm....I also noticed that I don't eat that much. Maybe I'll go on a detox diet this weekend too and a facial? I'm going to go to Sam's club this weekend and stock up on groceries. I'm going to just hibernate in the apt and study since my roomie's going home. My hair has been so dull and dry lately. Ugh I hate it. My health/diet must be affecting it. I remember I could just wash my hair and air dry it last year and wake up happy with my hair. I wouldn't even brush it just go to class lol.

I ran out of retin-a so..I'll just use the GM collins acne complex until I go home. My pretika light should be coming in soon. Target takes forever in shipping. Atleast the package is in the same state as me now.

Morning
Neutrogena Scrub
GM Collins acne complex
OLay SPF 15 moisturizer
Clinique perfectly real foundation

Breakfast
special K bar
bread

Afternoon
Neutrogena One step (make up cleanser) with cotton Pad
Dermalogica
Olay sensitive moisturizer
Everyday minerals (I dusted some on before I went to the mall)

Snack
papaya w/soy milk smoothie

Night
neutrogena daily scrub w/clarisonic
acne complex
olay sensitive moisturizer


Dinner
white rice
chicken cooked with chardonnay
french fries
Green Tea


List of what to buy
Jojoba oil
vitamin e liquid and pill
strawberries
carrots
asparagus
shrimp
celery
blueberries
grapes
salad
apple cider vinegar
special k bar
bare naked smoothies
plain yogurt
lactaid milk
wheat bread
eggs

[SpeciousHope]

Morning
GM Collins Purifiant face wash
Neutrogena Alcohol free toner
Olay SPF 15
Clinique foundation

Breakfast
chocolate soymilk
nutrigrain bar
bread

Afternoon
Neutrogena ONe step (make up remover) face wash
Neutrogena alcohol free toner
Olay SPF sensitive
Everyday Minerals

Gym 40 mins

Snack
Papaya milkshake
Ocean spray craisins trail mix


Night
Neutrogena daily scrub w/ clarisonic
Pretika Light sonic (red light)
GM Collins Acne complex...b/c I ran out of Retin-A
Olay sensitive

Dinner
pasta w/alfredo
garlic bread sticks

Yay my Pretika came in today~! Do i need to wear googles for it? Hmm....I was a little disappointed with how small the Pretika light was and the directions that came along with it weren't very clear. The pretika seems like a cheap plastic toy with batteries. We'll see how my skin reacts. Wow my skin has definite broken otu like crazy...I don't know if it's because of the new clinque foundation that have. Once I start using makeup to cover it's hard to not use it. It's an addictive a cycle. I can't not wear make up. My everyday minerals doesn't give me as much coverage as my clinique but my clinique perfectly real foundation is breaking me out. =(

Well I shall hibernate in my apt this weekend and avoid wearing make up.

[yazgirl]

I've never worn liquid foundation but I've read that it is definitely not good to use on acne prone skin. Have you thought of just getting by with pressed powder? I use Neutrogena Healthy Pressed Powder, it's light coverage but it is completely non pore clogging.

[SpeciousHope]

I woke up this morning and white heads all over my chin. Maybe it's the pretika purging it? I used the pretika light for about 8 minutes last night, two minutes on each section. This morning I used it for 20 mins, five minutes on each section. Wow so I have definitely concluded that my clinique foundation has broken me out badly.

Morning
GM collins Purifiant (face wash)
20 minutes of Pretika light
Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner
GM Collins Acne Complex

Breakfast/Lunch
Green Grapes
Dry Special K cereal (original)
Publix Salted Mixed Nuts
Custard Buns
Swiss Miss Hot chocolate mix w/soy milk

Night
Yogurt Mask for face
Mayo mask for Hair
Cetphil Gentle Cleanser
Pretika light for 10 mins
GM Collins Acne Complex

Dinner
Brown Rice
Spare ribs cooked with chardonnay and garlic

Hmm...yeah I have no food in my apt other then my roomie's food so there goes my detox diet and I'm too lazy to go grocery shopping. But I shall go tomorrow. I've been just been lounging around my room. =)

http://tinypic.com/v...pic=207rkar&s=4

[SpeciousHope]

I've never worn liquid foundation but I've read that it is definitely not good to use on acne prone skin. Have you thought of just getting by with pressed powder? I use Neutrogena Healthy Pressed Powder, it's light coverage but it is completely non pore clogging.

Yeah..maybe I'll give it a try. I have cover girl fresh complexion pocket powder but that clogs my pores up. Thanks for the advice!

[SpeciousHope]

I woke up again with white heads along my chin and Tzone area. Maybe it's my regimen? I don't think the pretika would purge my skin so quickly. That mayo mask that I used for my hair has definitely repaired my dry hair. Yay I'm happy!

Morning
Neutrogena Daily Scrub
Pretika 9 minutes
Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner
Acne Complex

Afternoon
Shower
Neutrogena Daily Scrub
Olay SPF 15
Everyday Minerals

Dinner
Ramen (plain) no additive flavoring
Two slices of whole wheat bread with tuna made with miracle whip
Papaya, Frozen Mixed berries (blue berries, rasperries), soy milk smoothies


Night
GM Collins Purifiant w/clarisonic
Neutrogena Alcohol free toner
Pretika 12 mins
GM Collins Acne complex

[SpeciousHope]

Ahh my face broke out with white heads again. I think it's because I haven't been moisturizing after using the GM Collins Acne Complex which has Salicylic Acid in it. I'm going to moisturize after night now and use less drying cleansers

Morning
GM Collins Acne Complex
Olay SPF 15
Everyday minerals Light, Silk Dust, Multitasking concealer, sunlight concealer


Breakfast
Bare Naked Mixed Berries smoothie
Special K bar
Banana


Afternoon
Neutrogena One Step Complete (make up remover) cleanser w/a cotton pad
Cetaphil Cleanser
Cetaphil Moisturizer

Lunch
Quizno's marinated chicken sub?

Snack
100% nature's own wheat bread with tuna
banana + mixed berries+ soy milk smoothie
fat free vanilla yogurt with green grapes

Night
Cetaphil cleanser
Pretika for 10 mins
Neutrogena Alcohol free toner
Acne Complex
Cetaphil moisturizer

Dinner
White Rice
Chicken sauteed with chardonnay and onions
steamed mixed vegetables

[SpeciousHope]

I stopped using the Pretika Red light yesterday since I kept breaking out in white heads every morning. I guess the light was cause because this morning I woke up with no white heads. I will start using the clarisonic again tonight.

Yesterday night
Cetaphil wash
Neutrogena alcohol free toner
GM Collins Acne Complex
Cetaphil moisturizer

Morning
Neutrogena Daily Scrub
neutogrena alcohol free toner
GM Collins Acne Complex
Olay SPF 15
Everyday Minerals

Afternoon
Neutrogena One step (make up remover) face wash w/cotton pad
Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner
Cetaphil

Snack
banana, mixed berries, green grapes, fatfree light vanilla yogurt smoothie
two slice of 100% whole wheat bread
brownies roomie made

dinner
ramen w/out preservative flavoring
chicken cooked with chardonnay

Night
Neutrogena Daily Facewash w/clarisonic skin brush 1 minute
Neutrogena Alcohol free toner
Pretika for about 1 minute
GM collins Acne Complex
Cetaphil Moisturizer

[SpeciousHope]

So I didn't break out in white heads again this morning. Just three along my chin. Hmm.....I'm going to eliminate the Pretika light from my regimen for a week. I haven't been using my clinique foundation for the past couple of days either and I've begun moisturizing again. I started using my clarisonic again too. Ahh we'll see. I couldn't get a facial appointment for this week since I'm driving back home for the weekend to get my retin-a. I have no classes today! The flu bug has been going around campus so...I shall avoid human contact lol. I guess my regimen results will be apparent in a month? I've been taking pictures religiously everyday and I don't know if I see a difference. I've been comparing my day 16 pictures with my day 1. The recent whitehead breakout from the pretika light/clinique foundation/non moisturizing has definitely not helped. I'll post the past 8 days sometime. My pics are too large to upload onto here and I'm too lazy to upload of them on a hosting site.

Morning
Neutrogena Daily Scrub with Clarisonic
Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner
G.M. Collins Acne Complex
Cetaphil Moisturizer

Breakfast
Brownie
Three slices of wheat bread
soy milk blended with mixed berries

Snack
Green Grapes with fatfree light vanilla yogurt
Gym one hour
shower
Cetaphil CLeanser
Cetaphil Moisturizer
Everyday Minerals

Night
Neutrogena ONe step (make up remover) cleanser
Neutrogena Daily scrub w/clarisonic
Neutrogena Alchol free toner
GM collins Acne complex
Cetphial moisturizer

[SpeciousHope]

I remember when I was 11 and started breaking out I was so miserable. At 15 I decided my goal in life was to be acne free by 18. That obviously did not happen since I'm 19 now...going on 20 soon. Acne is such a frustrating psychological and physiological disease. It was emotionally crippling when I was growing up. I had such low self-esteem. *sigh* Fortunately I am a lot more confident now. Well...I'm trying really hard now with all the different regimens to see what will be successful for my skin. I had just scars before but all this experimenting has made me break out like crazy. So now I'm trying to stick to my previous regimen which was

Neutrogena Daily Scrub
Neutrogena Alcohol Free Toner
Cetaphil
Retin-a Micro

and Everyday Minerals in the morning.

My health conscience eating/non eating has made me drop about 15 ibs. I did not even realize it until I weighed myself last week. My normal weight is usually hovering around 118 now I am 106. Last summer the height of my weight was 125ish since I was on vacation.

My goal. No sugar. No High fructose corn syrup or whatever. I've already eliminated dairy since I became lactose intolerant last year. I will work out for 30 mins atleast 4 times a week. I will avoid drinking since it damages my liver and my liver is essential for eliminating toxins?

My dermatologist is pretty much useless I go into the office, they talk with me for less than 30 seconds and just prescribe some antibiotics for me. I am not allowing myself to be on antibiotics anymore. I have been on them when I was in middle school/high school and they did not help at all. I have tried doxycycline, tetracycline, minocycline and every freaking drug imagineable for about 5 years and did my skin clear up? Nope. Meds are bad. I'll stick to a more holistic approach.

[SpeciousHope]

Drove home today and went shopping. Literally I got off the highway and went to the mall. Yaay! I bought a juicy couture tee shirt and two eyeshadow pots from stila. I will start my retin-a tonight since my meds here.

Morning
Neutrogena Scrub
'' Alcohol free toner
GM COllins Acne Complex
Olay SPF 15
Everyday Minerals

Night
Neutrogena scrub w/clarisonic
''Alcohol free toner
Pretika light for like 1 minute for entire face
Cetaphil MOisturizer
Retin-a Micro

[SpeciousHope]

Woke up with some minor white heads today. I left my camera at my apt so I have nothing to document with...other then my crappy fujifilm 4.1 camera. Oh well I'll wait until tomorrow. Hmmm....I realy think the Pretika is the culprit behind the white heads. Last night I concentrated the pretika on my chin and right cheek and this morning there were white heads on my chin and right cheek. I'm going to lay off it for a week until the Retin-A purges my skin again. Right now I have a minor break out on my right Tzone area cheek. It's not full broken out but it's red and itchy. Has anyone experienced breaking out from using red light?

Morning
Neutrogena Daily Scrub
'' Alcohol Free toner
GM collins Acne Complex
Olay SPF 15
Everyday minerals

Evening
everyday minerals
stila water lily cream rouge pot

Night
Cetaphil with pad to remove cake up
clinique eye make up remover
Neutrogena Daily Scrub
Cetaphil face wash w/clarisonic
Neutrogena Alcohol Free toner
Pretika 30 secs on each area
Cetaphil Moisturizer
Retin-a


I use the moisturizer before retin-a b/c retin-a really dries my skin out and my dermatologist suggested I switch it around. I know I said I would lay off the pretika but it's so tempting to use it. =(

Anyways went shopping again today with friends. yaay. I think shopping makes me feel less unfulfilled. Thus it makes me happy =)

[didi78]

Hi! How long have you been using Retin-A? How do you like the mineral makeup? I've heard from some people that mineral makeup leads to breakouts.

It might help to simplify your skin routine and use it consistently for a few months. Sometimes, it takes a while for something to really work, so after using it for a few months, then you'll really know whether or not it works. Are you also using anything antibacterial?

Good luck with your regimen and with school and everything!

[SpeciousHope]

Hi! How long have you been using Retin-A? How do you like the mineral makeup? I've heard from some people that mineral makeup leads to breakouts.

It might help to simplify your skin routine and use it consistently for a few months. Sometimes, it takes a while for something to really work, so after using it for a few months, then you'll really know whether or not it works. Are you also using anything antibacterial?

Good luck with your regimen and with school and everything!

I've been using Retin-A for over a year now. It's okay. I used retin-a when I was in middle school/high school too but my dermatologist stopped me when my skin was clearing up and put me on clindamycin. -_-
But he put me back on it last year in July '07.I was somewhat clear before. I just had blackheads and acne scars.
Then I started using liquid foundation to achieve the "perfect" skin look which just broke me out like crazy. I ran out of retin-a for two weeks so I'm starting over again. Every day minerals is good. It doesn't give me full coverage but it provides coverage for redness. I'm still trying to find a good concealer to cover the hyperpigmentation. Hmm....I think people will break out more with liquid then certain mineral foundations. I know people tend to break out from Bare Escentuals.

[SpeciousHope]

Today is day 19. But day 2 for my retin-a. I drove back to my apt today. Went shopping again before I left my house since I needed to buy my friend a birthday present so I bought her Roxy perfume? Whatever. I didn't speed so I only used up less than a quarter of my tank rather than half my tank driving back to school. Yay. AND gas prices went down. Woo. Well sucks for the bad economy. Mmm.....I don't think I woke up to any break outs in white heads this morning. I have two postules on my chin and a faint one that erupted on my left my eyebrow.

Morning
Cetaphil w/clarisonic
Neutrogena Alcohol Free toner
GM collins Acne complex
I forgot to moisturize in the morning since I was waiting like 5 mins my the Acne complex to absorb while i was packing =(


Afternoon
Everyday Minerals

Night
Cetaphil w/clarisonic
Alcohol Free toner
Cetaphil moisturizer
Retin-a Micro

It's colder now. I think I'm getting sick since my throat hurst. I came back to the apt and had some Tazo green tea with a drop of echinacea. But I didn't to a chance to drink it while it was warm since I had to leave to meet a friend. =(

What I had today since 4:30 p.m.
Tazo green tea with a drop of echinacea
Papaya mixed berries w/soy milk smoothie
Airborne
dinner was shrimp and spaghetti
papaya raw
some other brand green tea with echinacea and lime
Vitamin C 500 mg

[SpeciousHope]

I still have that annoying sore throat that wont go away. AHHH I don't want to be sick. =(
No white heads this morning! Hmm....I think my skin is clearer now. I have a minor pimple still above my eyebrow and one on my left cheek. I think the one on my cheek was caused by the stila rouge pot (cream blush).

Morning
Neutrogena Daily Scrub
'' Alcohol Free toner
GM Collins Acne Complex
Olay SPF 15
Everyday Minerals

Breakfast
Bare Naked mango smoothie with two drops of echinacea
pastry bread
special K bar
Vitamin C 500 mg

Lunch
Ramen
Mixed berries w/green grape w/V8 promengranate juice smoothie
100% whole wheat toast
Green tea with two drops of echinacea and honey
Vitamin C 500 mg

Night
Neutrogena Complete one step (make up remover face wash) w/cotton pad before shower
Shower
Neutrogena Daily Scrub with clarisonic on forehead and nose
Cetaphil Face wash w/clarisonic on cheeks and chin
Neutrogena Alcohol free toner
Cetaphil Moisturizer
Retin-a Micro

Dinner
Angel hair pasta with chicken and Alfredo sauce
Green tea

[fletch1978]

Hey SH...I just got through reading your log. Wow, you keep alot of detail about your daily activities! It sounds like you have a good diet going. And sorry to hear about you getting sick
One thing that struck me, and I may be wrong, but it seems like you use a HUGE range of products, alternating them, like you siad, depending on how your skin feels. For me, I know that whenever I introduce a new product, be it a cleanser, toner, topical med, moisturizer, etc., that it takes at least several weeks to get used to. And you also have the makeup aspect too, so you have it even more difficult in terms of getting down to basics with skin care. I see that when you breakout, you dont know what may be the culprit behind it exactly, so you eliminate a product for a bit and then reintroduce it shortly thereafter. I'm the same way...if I use something, and the next day I have a breakout, I immediately stop it, leave it in my bathroom cabinet, and come back to it at a later date when i feel like trying something new again. I have been in the process of stopping that behavior for the past couple of months, and just sticking to one regimen, and keeping with it long enough to know for sure if its helping or not (ie 3-6 months). You know your skin better than anyone else, so obviously, do whats best for you. But I would recommend maybe cutting back on alternating so many different products at such a rapid pace, resist buying anything new, and cutting back to just what you NEED (the basics, cetaphil, moisturizer, retin-a and sunblock.) Again, its only a suggestion, and a humble one at that
Good luck with whatever you decide to do!