96 replies to this topic

[Axxith]

So I never thought I would actually get clear, but right now I am 100% acne-free. All I have to do is deal with acne marks (thankfully no deep-pitted scars) that are annoying--as if acne itself wasn't enough! Nonetheless, I want to share what I take and perhaps it can help you.

*Note: I probably shouldn't be taking all these supplements, but my gosh acne has ruined my life to the point where I have convinced myself that 'no acne' outweighs any potential side effects. Stupid? Yeah. Did it work for me? Yeah.


I take:

-Vitamin A (10,000 IU with a fatty meal)
-Vitamin C (500mg--helps with the Immune System which indirectly helps with acne by destroying free radicals)
-Zinc Picolinate (50mg with a meal)
-Vitamin B5 (I use to take like 5 a day, but now I take 1 a day because I didn't feel comfortable overdosing on this vitamin--500mg)
-Fish Oil (1,200 mg and I take 4-5 a day)
-Niacin (500mg [taking two 250mg tablets] the flush kind...has helped with bacne and inflammation quite well)
-Vitamin D3 (1,000 IU and I take two, it makes my skin glow )
-Magnesium Malate (I hear it helps by regulating hormones; 2-3 tablets a day
-Evening Primrose Oil (Even though I am a male, I still take it because of the GLA and it helps with hormones--I take about 3-4 softgels a day and I believe it's 1,000-1,200mgs I don't remember)
-Alpha Lipoic Acid (I take two 600mg a day--it's a super-powerful antioxident)


Yeah, that's a crapload of pills. But the Vitamin A & C have helped my body (whether or not my acne), Zinc, Fish Oil, Magnesium Malate & Evening Primrose Oil are keeping my hormonal acne in check, Vitamin D, and Alpha Lipoic acid are making my skin glow.

I typically have had oily skin...but now I feel like these vitamins keep that in control (not completely dry, but not completely drenched in oil...normal :])


I have used S.A. and I find it doesn't do much, so I switched over to BP (Neutrogena On-The-Spot). I occasionally use the BP, maybe every now and then but I feel like I don't need it as much. I use the Acne.org Alpha Hydroxy Acid about once every three days to help speed up the red marks I had from previous acne (as well as over my body...makes my skin baby smooth!).

I use Head & Shoulders Classic 2-in-1 Shampoo (I find it doesn't give me acne flare-ups nor makes my face red after a shower with typical shampoo. Also, I think it may help clear up my back).

I hardly touch my face and pretty much I have a 'Relaxation Session" where for an hour or two I listen to YouTube videos of hypnosis/relaxation 10-min clips to relax me and eventually put me into a light nap. The point is it helps relieve stress.

I have done 2 Chemical Peels (one 10% to begin with and then a 15% TCA Peel). I will do a 20% TCA peel in like 4-5 weeks. I'm 18 so I don't have any wrinkles period, but it does make me look like i'm 15 or 16 lol.

**And that's it! I have spent well over 500 on my face and it looks...ok. My chin & forehead acne have completely cleared up. Both sides of my cheeks have completely cleared up, but unfortunately I am spotted with red acne marks. I'm hoping that by 2010 I can have a clear face, free from red marks and acne

You don't know how GOOD it feels to wake up and not see any new bumps. I have been doing this 'regimen' for about 3 months now. Although I have added the glutahione, vitamin D, and alpha lipoic acid recently (about 2 weeks ago?)

If you have any questions, just ask.



****Here is an updated picture of how I look now =)






*********Youtube video on my regimen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sF1Ky1jcYE

Edited by Axxith, 12 May 2010 - 08:11 PM.

[ILoveMyPuppy]

what tca peel do you use? and do you use any face wash?

[DireStraits]

Interested read there.
I have some questions.
Have you changed your diet also to accomodate for your acne?
What were the results you noticed when adding Vitamin A to your regimen? (I'm using betacarotene atm)
Is this an expensive regimen to maintain?

Edited by DireStraits, 26 October 2009 - 04:47 AM.

[Axxith]

TCA/Face Wash Question:


I used the Perfect Peel 10% TCA Solution and I used the Makeup Artists Choice 15% TCA Peel kit for my second peel. I found more results with the 15% peel, but I believe it waqs simply because it was a stronger solution. I saw a shrinkage in my hyperpigmentation and a faded color, but as i've kept reading online it typically takes 3-4 peels before I get significant results. I will never go above 20% TCA Peel on my face at home--it's already rather dangerous to do it by myself but I have my limits.

I do not use a face wash. The only thing that comes close is the Head & Shoulders 2-in-1 Classic Shampoo in which I purposely let it fall to my back and a bit on my face. It has Pyth. Zinc in it which I believe helps and it was suggested on this forum.

--------------

Diet/Vitamin A/expensive questions:

I really wanted to change my diet when taking these supplements, but it was just way too hard for me. I would still eat fruit and occasionally veggies + grains, granola, etc. But I still ordered pizza and had burgers from IN-N-Out, Panda Express, Chipotle, etc. I do, however, drink a TON of water. I have nearly cut out all my soda and sugar in-take simply by drinking water with each of my meals. I really don't know how I was able to substitute water with all my meals, but I just got use to it and I believe that has helped as well.

I added Vitamin A about 3-4 months ago; it was one of the first items I added. To tell you the truth, I honestly don't see that much of an effect, but I don't think I would notice since I am taking quite a bit of pills. However, I know Vitamin A is important and I will continue to take it anyways.

This regimen can be expensive, but at the same time it can be cheap. I always found that topicals didn't really help me, or if it did it would eventually stop working (as I found out with SA/BP). However, these vitamins are working very well in covering ALL my bases, so instead of buying creams/topicals, I bought the pills. I'd say I spent $70-100 on all these pills, and so far I have only needed to refill a few times. Now mind you, this cost is completely dependent on what brands you buy, how many you take, etc. And since each pill bottle comes with different amounts (60 tablets, 180 tablets, 250 tablets, etc.) you will slowly have to refill and when you do, it will be by the bottle you went through instead of the entire batch.

[DireStraits]

So you're saying that you're able to 'cheat' and you'll be able to get away with it?

Edited by DireStraits, 26 October 2009 - 08:43 PM.

[Axxith]

So you're saying that you're able to 'cheat' and you'll be able to get away with it?

If you're reffering to 'cheat' as eating whatever I want, then yes. But I also exercise (in the form of dance + sit ups), but I have no regular routine about it. Now I dont overdose on these pills--I take the recommended amount that is not toxic. These supplements have allowed me to do whatever and whenever, so I'm really happy about it.


The last time I got a pimple was...maybe 2 weeks ago? Once I get my acne marks out of the way or to the point where I can feel confident, I will start weaning myself off these pills (but still take Fish Oil or a few other key supplements nonetheless). It is tedious to keep track of what pills to take and when, but gosh clear skin is worth it in my opinion. Each time I take a pill I know it's an attempt to help my acne.

[DireStraits]

So you're saying that you're able to 'cheat' and you'll be able to get away with it?

If you're reffering to 'cheat' as eating whatever I want, then yes. But I also exercise (in the form of dance + sit ups), but I have no regular routine about it. Now I dont overdose on these pills--I take the recommended amount that is not toxic. These supplements have allowed me to do whatever and whenever, so I'm really happy about it.


The last time I got a pimple was...maybe 2 weeks ago? Once I get my acne marks out of the way or to the point where I can feel confident, I will start weaning myself off these pills (but still take Fish Oil or a few other key supplements nonetheless). It is tedious to keep track of what pills to take and when, but gosh clear skin is worth it in my opinion. Each time I take a pill I know it's an attempt to help my acne.

Yes I was.
This might be hard to answer, but have you pin pointed the actual supplement that allows you to cheat.
Cause man...theres just days when i'm out with friends and they all wanna go for McDonalds or KFC and I kinda have to just go along and eat that crap...

[Axxith]

Yes I was.
This might be hard to answer, but have you pin pointed the actual supplement that allows you to cheat.
Cause man...theres just days when i'm out with friends and they all wanna go for McDonalds or KFC and I kinda have to just go along and eat that crap...
[/quote]

I completely understand what you mean, it's hard to say no. I'll put down which vitamins I believe are helping me the most (with the top being the best and so on):

1. Niacin (two tablets of 250mg, so 500mg total). I really feel this helps with inflammation. Doing this once a day will help flush out toxins in your body and it's great. It will make you all blotchy and red ("flushing") but it's typical and will go away.
2. Vitamin D (1,000 IU) I'm not sure why, but this vitamin (also hear it's a hormone) really makes my skin glow (hard to explain) and has cleared up many.
3. Zinc Picolinate (50mg) I believe this helps balance hormones, help hasten the healing process of acne, etc. It's great!
4. Fish Oil
5. Vitamin A

[Hello2032]

Where do you buy all of these??? All I ever find are multi vitamins.

[Axxith]

Where do you buy all of these??? All I ever find are multi vitamins.

Go to amazon or GNC. I got Evening P., Magnesium Malate, and Taurine from Source Natural. I got Vitamin A, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Vitamin D from GNC. Just type in the name of the supplement you want on google

[Swits]

can you tell us your schedule for taking all these vitamins/supplements? or do you take it all at once?

[Axxith]

My Schedule:

No, I don’t take all the pills at once. I’m afraid some pills may cancel/lessen the effects of another, so I have taken my pills at different times of the day. Here’s my schedule:

1. The moment I wake up: I take 1 B5 pill and 1 Vitamin C tablet
After making breakfast and eating, I take one Vitamin A pill and two Fish Oil pills.
An hour or so before I eat lunch, I take two evening primrose oil gel capsules.

2. After making/buying and eating lunch, I take two fish oil pills, take a 50mg Zinc pill, and a magnesium malate pill.
1-2 hours after lunch I take an Alpha Lipoic Acid pill and a Vitamin D-3 tablet.

3. After dinner, I have a taurine pill (somedays if I remember), 1 evening primrose oil capsule and a glutathione pill.

Then, about an hour before I go to sleep I take two niacin tablets.

[liquids]

Everything your taking is good but Vitamin A 10,000 IU? Thats ALOT daily for 18 year old. The daily recommendation is 4000 IU. Once you get totally clear of hyperpigmentation cut back on that vitamin A youll be smooth sailing. Not a bad regimen for 18 year old. Im impressed

Also you do know Glutathione pill combined with vitamin C is a skin whitener? NOT lightener?

Edited by liquids, 20 November 2009 - 12:07 PM.

[nick1990]

for those of you wondering where to buy these supplements, go to discountanabolics.com
I am not spamming or any crap like that, its just i bodybuild and after looking around forever for a cheap place to buy supps, i finally found this place.

NOW Foods has really good quality ingredients, and happen to be pretty cheap in comparison to other name brands.

If you dont want to go to the website i listed above, go to bodybuilding.com

They are pretty cheap as well, but i noticed the DA.com has them beat by at least a dollar or two on everything, plus shipping is cheaper

Oh, and Axxith, what does the zinc, niacin and taurine do for you?
Has it been helping?

thanks

[Axxith]

Is 10,000 IU Vitamin A a lot? I never thought it was liquds. However, I may take it once every other day in that case. As for glutathione an vitamin c, I actually took out glutathione because I think it was whitening my skin haha. I like my current skin color, so I stopped taking it.

Nick1990: The zinc helps restore any damage cells, I believe. It also helps regulate hormones to a certain extent. Niacin flushes toxins out of my body. As for taurine, I stopped taking that and didn't notice any adverse effects.


Also, I just did a 20% TCA peel on my left cheek and we'll see how it does in a week!

[eccentricpuzzle]

I REALLY want to try this, but I have a huge fear of swallowing pills (all psychological, I've tried working through it).

Vitamin A/D/B-complex/EPO/Fish oil all come in liquid form (or come in a gel capsule I can break open to swallow in juice).

Vitamin C comes in chewable.

But I'm wondering if I could chew and/or crush (add it to yogurt or something) the Zinc and Niacin tablets...?
I already chew my ibuprofen no problem. I also crush up Imodium haha.

I take a multiple vitamin, and I was trying to just double the amount I was taking. I checked most of the maximum daily allowances, but then I realized some of the minerals could be going over and it began to make me nervous.

[CarrieE]

thanks for this recommendation! I am going to try some of these supplements.

[Axxith]

UPDATE: I am currently acne free, still Well, I did get a noticeable inflamed blackhead on my chin not too long ago, but that went away quickly. I also ran out of Evening Primrose Oil (capsules) and wasn't able to obtain more until just recently. However, my face remained clear and hopefully with the re-addition of EPO I can keep on track with my regimine. Same with vitamin A but once I got paid from a modeling gig I hastily purchased it.

I am also purchasing pure retinol (1.0%) to use on my hyperpigmentation on my cheeks. To be honest I think my hyperpigmentation may be somewhat indented (which scares the crap out of me), but if they are..it's barely any. Thus with the use of retinol (brand: SkinCeuticals) and 20% TCA peels in the future I can further fade them away.

I changed my Alpha Lipoic Acid brand from Vitamin Shoppe to GNC (I started out with GNC and I believe they're of better quality).

I am still eating junk food (I had Inn N' Out today), but the thing is I'm drinking water like crazy. Whenever I'm thirsty it's water. Whenever I eat pizza, burgers, even breakfast it's always water I turn to. Not only is it helping my body deliver nutrients (a.k.a. my myraid of supplements), but also how I feel. That and i'm not drowning my teeth in sugar baths from soda.

I haven't worn make-up in about a week (i've been indoors! Haha) and letting my skin breathe has done wonders for it. (Yeah I'm a guy, but I only wear Bare Minerals powder make-up with their Kabuki Brush and man...it provides *natural* coverage that doesn't make me look like I'm wearing a mask. It looks natural and how my skin would look like without post-acne marks).

I have continued to use Dan's AHA+ and it's doing pretty well...I think I need something stronger (hence my retinol 1.0% future purchase). I believe Niacin is doing wonders for my skin, although I feel it makes me oily (perhaps because of the flushing? It's only termporary).

And on a side note, i'm dying my hair light brown for the Spring Semester (college). I'm excited for the change

[eccentricpuzzle]

UPDATE: I am currently acne free, still Well, I did get a noticeable inflamed blackhead on my chin not too long ago, but that went away quickly. I also ran out of Evening Primrose Oil (capsules) and wasn't able to obtain more until just recently. However, my face remained clear and hopefully with the re-addition of EPO I can keep on track with my regimine. Same with vitamin A but once I got paid from a modeling gig I hastily purchased it.

I am also purchasing pure retinol (1.0%) to use on my hyperpigmentation on my cheeks. To be honest I think my hyperpigmentation may be somewhat indented (which scares the crap out of me), but if they are..it's barely any. Thus with the use of retinol (brand: SkinCeuticals) and 20% TCA peels in the future I can further fade them away.

I changed my Alpha Lipoic Acid brand from Vitamin Shoppe to GNC (I started out with GNC and I believe they're of better quality).

I am still eating junk food (I had Inn N' Out today), but the thing is I'm drinking water like crazy. Whenever I'm thirsty it's water. Whenever I eat pizza, burgers, even breakfast it's always water I turn to. Not only is it helping my body deliver nutrients (a.k.a. my myraid of supplements), but also how I feel. That and i'm not drowning my teeth in sugar baths from soda.

I haven't worn make-up in about a week (i've been indoors! Haha) and letting my skin breathe has done wonders for it. (Yeah I'm a guy, but I only wear Bare Minerals powder make-up with their Kabuki Brush and man...it provides *natural* coverage that doesn't make me look like I'm wearing a mask. It looks natural and how my skin would look like without post-acne marks).

I have continued to use Dan's AHA+ and it's doing pretty well...I think I need something stronger (hence my retinol 1.0% future purchase). I believe Niacin is doing wonders for my skin, although I feel it makes me oily (perhaps because of the flushing? It's only termporary).

And on a side note, i'm dying my hair light brown for the Spring Semester (college). I'm excited for the change

That's great! I'm really happy for you. And mineral powder is the absolute best. Very light.

I've already noticed a difference in my skin with just EPO and Vitamin C. I can't wait to add B5/Vitamin D/Fish Oil (says I am on my sig but I haven't started it yet)

[Axxith]

That's great! I'm really happy for you. And mineral powder is the absolute best. Very light.

I've already noticed a difference in my skin with just EPO and Vitamin C. I can't wait to add B5/Vitamin D/Fish Oil (says I am on my sig but I haven't started it yet)

Thank you! And yes EPO is great for the skin as well as Vit. C. You'll notice an even greater, positive difference with Fish Oil i'm sure. It makes my skin look great and it's even making my hair look healthy. Update us on your status as you progress