4 replies to this topic

[jake212]

Hi guys,
So, here's the story. I have been using salicylic acid leave on pads or lotions since high school, and have had relatively clear skin until recently. I have also used bp. I am 25 and have developed cystic acne.

I have tried to wean myself off salicylic acid before because all these products are skin addictive and the chemicals are bad. I mean why use them if im breaking out anyway. Every time I stopped using topicals BAM massive flare ups. I think this is because I didn't wean off of them. I am doing this because like many others, I got one pimple when I was younger and ran out and piled on the products. Basically I think I gave myself acne when in reality I had a few pimples that weren't that bad.

Over the last few months I have slowly lowered the use of bp and salicylic acid. Toward the end whenever I would use the topicals they would just irritate my skin and I would get itchy cysts.

I just finished a month of washing my face with water only. My face became very oily, my forehead became bumpy, and on the final day of one month I had 4 huge whiteheads on my nose. My face wasn't looking pretty, but it wasn't looking absolutely horrible. Also, if I did it strictly caveman and went a day or two without water my face would be full or whiteheads.

I recently decided to use a natural cleanser to help unclog pores twice a day.

I bought dr bronners tea tree soap. It has helped my forehead a lot. It is less bumpy and becoming smooth, but I am breaking out elsewhere. After washing my face is red and dry. This goes away though. I have gotten whiteheads on the sides of my face and cheeks. Nothing major but noticeable, and I have developed a few under the skin itchy red zits. Again nothing major but noticeable and uncomfortable. Is this purging or am I having an allergic reaction? I just washed with water only and my face feels better...more calm.

Basically, If i wash with water only my face becomes congested and an oil slick. If I use this soap some of the acne clears up, but my face is irritated and I have other new acne issues.

I'm not sure what to do. Any advice would be appreciated. Also, I heard there is a 6 month breakout period when coming off topicals. Is this true is there anything to help the skin adjust better?

Thanks!
P.S. I am not going back to topicals this is it!

[jake212]

Thanks Ashley Nicole.
Salicylic acid basically unclogs pores and changes the rate at which your skin regenerates and sheds dead skin cells. After a lot of research and self experimentation if you stop using it your pores become clogged. Just imagine, I have been using it 3 times a day for probably 6 years. I have tried to come off of it cold turkey many times but this resulted in huge breakouts. This time I weaned myself off. My skin must be severely addicted. I dont like the idea of having to use something forever to keep pores unclogged. I tried the water only water for a month but my face clogged up and became very very oily. I was expecting it to become a little clogged because I was not using salicylic acid and my skin was adjusting. Anyway I feel I need something gentle to help remove the clogs and dead skin cells. I was hoping the natural soap would unclog my pores, and i did help with my forehead but created other issues. Anyway the ingredients are below. I just washed with water last night and my skin is still a little dry but the itch underneath cysts are gone. So, I agree I think i either need to cut back on washing to once a day or every other day, or find a super gentle cleanser and use it once a day until all the plugs are gone!

Dr Bronner Tea tree oil soap:
Organic Coconut Oil*, Organic Palm Oil*, Sodium Hydroxide**, Water, Tea Tree Extract, Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Salt, Citric Acid, Tocopherol

[Heather Lynne]

If you want to keep doing it the natural way instead of putting all that crap on your face, try some african black soap. Works well on acne. Can be a bit drying, but nowhere near like tea tree oil. Nothing a little moisturizer won't cure.

[tree23]

If you want to keep doing it the natural way instead of putting all that crap on your face, try some african black soap. Works well on acne. Can be a bit drying, but nowhere near like tea tree oil. Nothing a little moisturizer won't cure.

I was going to recommend the same thing - the african black soap (made by dr. woods - probably available the same place you can find dr. bronners products).
Also Humphrey's makes a decent cleanser/moisturizing cleansing milk with witch hazel and jasmine. It is for sensitive skin.

I don't use either of these things regularly because I'm on accutane. I would definitely recommend them to someone not on accutane though!

[jake212]

Thanks guys! I actually am using natures place soap b/c it is ph balanced and good for super sensitive skin. I posted in another thread about a transition product. I started using organic apple cider vinegar for about a week. It made me break out a bit but i think it ultimately helped pull out all the plugs and balance my skin a bit. I switched to the soap because I think it was a little much and burned my skin a bit. As of right now my skin is doing well. I have a few zits put they literally come up in a day and if i pop them they are gone in the morning. i don't recommend popping but they are a "clean" pop...easy and are gone by the morning. I am gonna use the soap for a bit and wean myself off. Keep you posted. As of tight now excited and very optimistic!!!!