3 replies to this topic

[HedraHelix]

I started posting about this on another thread but have decided to do my own separate log. I have moderate acne (maybe moderately severe) and want to try the no washing method.

My goal is to wean myself off of wearing makeup and using any type of cleansers, treatments or moisturizers at all to let my skin heal itself. I've gotten so far away from the fact that my skin is an organ and I need to let it do its job without me interfering and creating a cycle of problems and irritation. During our whole human history all these cleansers and creams were never used. These products are very new. You don't see tribal people with acne. They leave their faces alone except for water. Advertising is the only reason we think we need to wash our faces more frequently than any other part of our bodies.

Right now I'm weaning myself off salicylic acid and washing only once a day to take off my makeup. In the morning I don't wash, not even with water. So far I'm at the end of day 2:

Day 1
Morning:
tea tree pad
no makeup (I didn't have to leave the house this day)
Night:
exposed cleanser
exposed salicylic acid gel

It felt itchy and oily all day and I couldn't wait to wash my face

Day 2
Morning:
no washing
makeup
Night:
rubbed jojoba oil on face then exposed cleanser
little less SA gel mixed in with moisturizer

itchy, not as oily but I think that's because I was wearing a powder makeup
I couldn't resist picking a little bit just because it was so itchy and when I scratched dead skin came off. I HAVE to resist this!

We'll see how this goes. I'm assuming this is going to take a long time. First I have to wean myself off the products then I want to go through a period of no washing.

Wish me luck!

[tree23]

congrats on making this decision! ok let me first say I'm a cheater - I'm on accutane - so quitting using products was easier for me than it will be for you. I just want to tell you it will be SO worth it when you find a way of keeping your skin clear without putting things on your.. skin.

I was just looking at my hands today because for the first time in years they actually match the rest of my body. I used BP, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid for years before giving them up. Because I would squirt the product in my hand, and then rub it on my face, they turned my hands AND my face an ugly, irritated red. I think I was just as embarassed of my red hands as I was my acne-ridden face. Since stopping all those crazy harsh products, my skin is slowly healing. My hands turned back to normal quicker than my face, but I'm sure with time, and especially once I stop taking accutane, my face will match the rest of my body too. Its so close!

[LikeRaindrops]

It just proves that skin heals itself better than anything we can do for it. I was thinking about this the other night because I used to use E45 cream on the dry skin on my knees and elbows, but I stopped using it because I couldn't be bothered, to be honest. Now they are softer than all the time I was using the E45.

[HedraHelix]

I just thought I'd update what I've been doing. My skin has actually improved. My pimples are less inflamed. Still itchy. I think that means its healing. Maybe I'll post a picture in a few days.

Day 3

Morning:
no washing
no makeup

Night:
no washing


Day 4

Morning:
no washing
applied makeup

Night:
rubbed jojoba oil on then washed off with exposed cleanser
mix of cream and salicylic acid gel