15 replies to this topic

[SweetJade1980]

(if this is under the wrong forum, I'll understand if it's moved)

I think that the importance to great skin is finding products that won't break you out or be overly harsh. I know how much you love Dan's Regimen but in case there's something in it that bothers you're skin you NEED to know how to find a suitable and safer alternative.

I know some people wanted me to list products that I like, but that are more affordable than what I use ;-) Remember the key is finding the right ingredients and knowing what they are and to visit various websites/boards to get reviews and testimonies on the products that you are interested in.


Cosmetic Dictionaries: http://search.barnes...erid=2TS43V6LD0

Non-Comedogenicity Listings:
http://www.zerozits....es/article6.htm
http://www.zerozits....fecosmetics.htm
http://www.clearcomp...om/rateyour.htm

Personal Ratings:
http://www.icompact....views/index.cfm
http://www.makeupall...duct/search.asp
http://www.emakemeup...15df0888470&v=2

Reviews:
http://www.cosmeticconnection.com/
http://reviews.beautybuzz.com/
http://www.faceonline.com/reviews/

Men's Websites:
http://www.menessent...ip...tips1.html
http://www.basenotes.com/grooming/
http://www.groomingl....com/shave.html
http://www.malessent...m/shop/home.asp


Suggestions for Regimen products:
(Based on my own personal trials or the Sage Acne Safe Ingredient List)

CLEANSERS:

$3.50 - $8, 1oz, 2oz, or 4oz. Face Dream Facial Cleanser. Can be customized. You can switch the Borate for glycerine and could probably add in treatment ingredients.

$4.50. 6oz. Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash

$5, 6oz. Clean & Clear Continuous Control Acne Wash, Oil Free

$5, 8 oz. Oxy 10 Balance Oil-Free Maximum Strength Acne Wash, 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Medication

$5, 8 oz. Oxy Balance Deep Cleansing Shower Gel for Face and Body

$6, 8.5oz. Neutrogena Body Clear Body Clear Body Wash, Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment

$7 - $13.30, 2oz - 4oz. Mychelle's Pineapple Enzyme Cleanser. Good cleanser has the ingredients on her website, didn't break me out and yes...it smells like it's name but the scent doesn't last too long. Has samples and trial sizes too http://www.allmyskin.com

$12, 8 oz. ZIRH Clean.

$12, 8 oz. ZIRH Shampoo. I use this as a body wash and it doesn't dry my skin nor cause breakouts. I think it could be gentler than the Clean.

$14.80, 6oz. New Twist's Rasberry WIld Gelle Cleanser:
Whole Leaf Aloe Vera Concentrate, Purified
Water, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamide DEA, Cocamidopropyl, Betaine, PEG-150 Distearate, Citric Acid, Sodium Chloride, Methtlparaben, Fragrance, Imidazolidinyl Urea, D&C Red No.33, FD&C Blue No. 1.

$15, 6oz. New Twist's Watermelon Bead cleanser:
Whole Leaf Aloe Vera Concentrate, Ammonuim Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyethylene, Polysorbate-80, Extracts of Sage, Calendula, Arnica, Comfrey), Carbomer-940, Triethanolamine, Methlparaben, Fragrance. (this is supposed to have BP in it too)

$15, 8.5oz. Grekin Active Skin Cleanser. Contains: Purified water, tea dodecylbenzenesulfonate, cocamidipropyl betaine, diazolidinyl urea, methylparaben, propylparaben, and propylene glycol.

$15- $21, 4oz or 8 oz. Total Skin Care Salicylic Face and Body Wash

$16, 8 oz. (any) Anthony Logistics Body Cleansing Gels (should be gentler than the glycolic cleanser)

$16.80, 8 oz. New Twist's Pineapple Triple Fruit Cleanser :
Whole Leaf Aloe Vera, Concentrate, Purified Water, Cocamidopropyl, Betaine, Glycolic Acid, Malic Acid, Tartaric Acid, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Glycerin, Cetyl Lactate, Xanthan Gum, Proplene Glycol, Imidazoilddinyl Urea, Urea, Sodium Citrate, Extracts of (Blue Bottle, Roman Chamomile, White Dead Nettle, St. Johns Wart, Marigold, Lime.) Mathylparaben, Fragrance, Propylparaben, Retinyl Palmitate, D&C Yellow No.11.

$17.50 - $30, 4oz - 8 oz. Sage Facial Shampoo. 4 strengths, my perfect strength was a 50/50 combo of Regular & X-Strength.

$18, 8 oz. Anthony Logistics Glycolic Facial Cleanser (I'm 98% happy with these ingredients).

$21, 8 oz. Proactiv Solution Deep Cleansing Wash - With the exception of the Tallow this seems like a Great product. At one point I was contemplating this one.

$22 - $28, 8.5oz. DDF Salicylic Wash 2%, Glycolic Exfoil. Wash 7%, Medicated 5% BP Wash, or Wash Off Cleanser. (they have others that are more gentle/moisturizing that may also work. The Salicylic wash is good at removing mascara, and isn't too harsh).

$27, 8 oz. Facial Cleanser for Oily & Problem Skin. I've tested this as a body wash (no problems) and it is actually very similar to a DDF Cleanser I used so this would make a good cleanser. http://www.skinfirme...m/page.asp?id=9

$28 - $30, 8 oz (any) PeterThomasRoth Cleansers. Some are gentler others have AHA or BP in them.

$29, 4oz. IsoCare Skin Control Cleanser. Highly concentrated will last 4 or more months if you don't wear makeup (3 months if u do). Cleans wonderfully, leaves my skin soft, doesn't strip, nor does it break me out. This is my Favorite and only facial cleanser.) http://www.isocare.net/skin_type.cfm


MOISTURIZERS:
Most lotion/cream moisturizers are going to have at least a 0 - 2 (very tiny bumps or pimples if anything) degree pore clogging ingredient, but that doesn't mean it will cause a breakout for you.

$3.50 - $8.50, 1oz, 2oz, or 4oz. Face Dream Lotion. Normal or Sensitive Formulations in Light, Medium, or Heavy consistency. I've used the Normal-Light lotion for over 2 years and it's NEVER broken me out. Contains AHA, but you can add in BHA or take out ingredients you don't like.
(Sorry, this is the only moisturizer I trust so I don't know how well the others might work. There's not many I feel comfortable reccommending but remember we all have different skin, so you could still be able to use things I didn't suggest and weren't able to use things I did)


$5, 2.1oz. Clean & Clear Facial Moisturizing Mist, Oil Free (might be moisturizing enough)

$9, 1.7oz. Alpha Hydrox AHA Facial Treatment, Extra Strength, Oil-Free Formula
(perfect except it has Sea Kelp -5 on the list but the 10% AHA might override this.)

$9, 8 oz. Aqua Glycolic Hand & Body Lotion. (My derm suggested I use this as a face lotion 5 years ago and for 2 years I loved it but, I only stopped because it had minor pore cloggers and I freaked out about it at the time. I can't honestly say if it made me break out but these are the cloggers: Cetyl Alcohol - 2, Peg-100 Stearate- 1, and Stearyl Alcohol- 2. Now that I'm wiser, I probably wouldn't have ditched this product since I use products that sometimes have ingredients with a 1 or 2 in them, but now I'm loyal to Dream Products (love the scents).

$10.50, 4 oz. Neutrogena Moisture Oil Free Formula, SPF 15 has Emulsifying Wax- 0-2 clogger and Peg 100S Stearate - 1 degree clogger. Some of you seemed thrilled with this one and I think you've made a good choice.

$15, 2oz. Grekin Refirming Gel, from Acneworld. Contains: purified water, aloe barbadensis gel, glycerin, triethanolomine, hydrocortisone, polysorbate 20, carbomer, DMDM hydantoin, methylparaben, fragrance.

$29, 2oz. IsoCare Skin Control Gel. Great light moisturizer gel with a very gentle % of AHA. Leaves no marks, doesnt' burn irritate/raw skin, heals, softens, evens skin tone, and even helps eliminate some pimples! Another product I love (I use at night) and it should last 2 -3 months depending on usage.

$40 - $65, 4oz - 8 oz. Sage Pink Gelloid Moisturizer. (Gave my skin a nice glow, but made it look oily in the summer. Good if using treatment products that are overly drying though.)


BENZOYL PEROXIDE:
(I personally don't use BP because it gives me marks. I don't know how effective these will be, but most passed my test)

$5, 1oz. ZAPZYT-- 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Gel (probably want to see if they have a much smaller %)---has Laureth 4 (a 5) which is supposed to be a very irritating and pore clogging, but drugstore.com has a review on the product...maybe the BP overrides it.

$4, 1oz. Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10, Maximum Strength

$10 2Pc Kit Nature's Cure Acne treatment for either Men or Women. 60 tabs/ and topical

$5, 1oz. Oxy Balance Acne Treatment for Sensitive Skin, Vanishing

$13 - $40 2oz , 4oz, or 8 oz. Sage Skincare Fix Zit or Miracle Zit Formulations (this works but it still gave me dark spots) 4 types of products in strengths of: 2.5% Extra Gentle, 5% Gentle, 10% Normal, XX Strength, XX Strength with Sulfur (can mix strengths). Fix Zit is designed for to be soothing for more dryer or sensitve skins, and Miracle Zit has fewer ingredients so it might be preferred, neither should break you out.

$16, 1oz. Physician's Choice pHaze 35 ACNE GEL WITH 2% SALICYLIC ACID (includes 10% BP and 5% sulfur, very little product would be needed)

$22, 3oz. Peter Thomas Roth BPO Gel 5% or 10%

$27, 4oz Gly Med Plus Serious Action Skin Medication No. 5 or No.10 (# represents % of BP)

SALICYLIC ACID (or Glycolic) Alternative for BP:
$3.50 - $7, 1oz, 2oz, or 4oz. Face Dream Facial Toner. Can add AHA & BHA to this. gentle, non-drying, and didn't break me out.

$3.50 - $8, 1oz, 2oz, or 4oz. Face Dream Acne Gel. Can Also add AHA & BHA, didn't break me out.

$5, 1.2oz. Clearasil Stay Clear Zone Control Clearstick, 2% Salicylic Acid Acne Medication

$7, 4oz. Home Health Blemish Treatment Lotion (it's a liquid though, but it works). 0.5% BHA

$9, 1oz. Bye Bye Blemish (2% BHA). Found at Ulta, Sally's Beauty Salon, etc (LOVE this product)

$10 2PC kit Nature's Cure Body Treatment for either men or women. 60 tabs/ 3.5oz Spray

$15, 2oz Grekin Blemish Control. (2% BHA, effective as a spot treatment on cystic acne). Contains: SD Alcohol 40, salicylic acid, aloe barbadensis gel, coneflower extract, yarrow extract, witch hazel distillate, triclosan.

$15, 4oz of Paulas Choice 2% BHA solution (zaps, heals, and no spots...love this)

$15 - $24, 4oz or 8 oz.Total Skin Care Alpha & Beta Exfoliating Toner (like Paulas but still debating on this one)

$16, 4 oz., Proactiv Solution Revitalizing Toner (6% AHA)

$27, 4oz. ISOCare's Skin Control Toner. This is a great toner, exfoilates, lightens, heals and zaps. It's too drying to use all over, so I usuallyy only spot treat. 1 Bottle lasts me for months...

$27, 8 oz. GlyMed Plus Serious Action Skin Astrigent No. 5 or No. 10 (# represents % of BHA)--this is tempting but it may need to be diluted.

$32, 2oz. Zirh Fix, Salicylic Clarifier


NOTES:
I used FreshSkinCare, Ulta, Drugstore, Total Skin Care, and Sephora for the above prices.

I posted the ingredients to products that don't readily have an ingredient listing on the web.

Remember some of these are more potent but you can use as a spot treatment or probably dilute with water or aloe to cut the % down.

New Twist is a new product line that I thought looked rather cool. I'm contemplating on trying their Pineapple cleanser myself. Anyway, their products comes in 2.5oz or 8 oz bottles. Unfortunately I haven't found many places where they can be purchased, a store called http://www.FreshSkinCare.com (sells them for less) and from the manufacturer.

DREAM PRODUCTS can be purchased from Denise Merryfield at DreamProducts@yahoo.com . She is VERY friendly and reputable. She will help you customize the products to your liking. Scented (14 choices) or Unscented. She can add in a sunscreen (8, 15, & 30), but I use Coppertone SPF 30 Gel instead. She will also add in or take out ingredients for you. Email her for the ingredients, a price list, etc.

www.TotalSkinCare.com sells some of the above brands at a discount (sometimes Drugstore.com is cheaper than them). They even offer $10 off GC every month (and extras for the holidays) which makes these products more affordable for you I hope.

www.acneworld.com sells only Grekin Products but they offer $5 coupons every month.

Sage Skin Care has package deals and offers monthly specials.

Paula's Choice offers free shipping or discount shipping for nearly every holiday and samples.


Yes, I know some of these look expensive but if you are interested in any of the above products let me know and I'll see if I can find it for less (some of them are sold for less elsewhere). Remember, some of these are more potent but you can use as a spot treatment or probably dilute with water or aloe to cut the % down.

I KNOW that there's more products out there, but I made this list this past Summer so I'm sure that there's good products that I've missed. If I have time I'll update the list with other products. In the mean time, if you know of products that haven't broken you out, please list.

Still need recs for Masks, Shampoos, Exfoilatiers, Lighteners, etc

Thanks =)

[Maniac_22]

Ah mannnnn... you didn't put links on the products!!.... Come on! :oops:

LOL, Just kiddin. That is alot of great information definately saves me alot of time! :wink:

[SweetJade1980]

Remember eliminating acne is half the battle for some. The other half occurs when you get marks leftover. Sometimes those are caused by using products that were too harsh in the first place. Is it really worth it to use a 6% BHA to zap it in 3 days if it leaves a scar that lasts a year to heal??? NO!!!

I've been there and done that and caused some others but to a lesser degree.Yes, I have used Mederma for scars/lightening and it's effective at that, but for those interested in some other more natural forms of skin lightening products, here's products that offer both HQ, but also Kojic or other forms of lightening ingredients. I have had hormonal and "regular" acne for 15 years now ( naturally oily skin too), so different products help to treat them (yes I've done the Dermatolgist route before and my skn looks better now than it did on the topicals).

While I'm always cautiously looking for new things that might make it better, I will NEVER push my skin too far again. For the past year I've been using IsoCare's Skin Control Gel (treats, heals & prevents), Credential's Glycolic Serum, and Bye Bye Blemish to help with the exfoilating & skin lightening (that wasn't even their purpose). Right now my skin is about 95% smooth & even toned. Plus, thanks to these, Spiro and My diet (most improvement), I'm 98% clear and haven't even touched my skin lightener and lemon juice in weeks (for my face)!

Some people say that if you have red marks some those things won't work, but if it's blemishes/hyperpigmentation (brown or seemingly black marks) they will. I've tried a variety of these and with some degree of success. While I know that our skin is very different these products are 98% - 100% free of pore cloggers and what may work for me may not work for you and vice versa. So here's what works for me and also some tips. Hope this helps someone. =)


By budget, effective products that worked for me:
Peter Thomas Roth--
definately more pricey, I haven't bothered with his face lighteners, but his Body Brightener (no HQ) and Body Lighteners (HQ added) are good and help to treat existing acne. Occasionally some online stores will have these product for 10-30 dollars less (thank heavens).

Rhonda Allison Super Skin Lightener--2oz liquid/gel in a bottle for $32 (used to be $20....how they take advantage of us). Contains (possibly taken HQ out), Kojic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and Licorice Root. This Works VERY well as a zit zapper too, so use sparingly or you'll regret it. Check the Rhonda Allison or go to a Greatskin store, both also sell skin lightening sampler/kits.

Super Strength Skin Lightening gel/liquid--
2oz bottle sells for $15 and is almost as effective as Rhonda A. You can find this at a store called Stretchmarks and it's more natural based containing aloe, Kojic Acid, and Glycolic Acid. Also, doubles as an effective acne treatment as such has earned a high spot in my cabinet.

Night Dream Lotion--
This product is by Dream Products and comes in a sample size, 2oz or 4 oz (less than $10). This contains aloe, vitamins, bearberry extract, kojic acid, licorice root, and AHA. The Night Lotion works VERY well, you can see a difference in 2 days time. She makes a variety of natural based, Home-made (in a lab), custom scented/non scented, and custom formulated prodcuts. She will add or take out or subsitite an ingredient if you are uncomfortable with it. She can add BHA, sunscreen, etc... I've been using her Dream Face Lotion for the past 3 years (never caused a breakout) in the Normal/Light consistency formula.

Lemon Juice---
whether this is from concentrate or from fresh lemons, this works well on it's on. It also makes a great catylist, helping to accelerate your results when used under a skin lightener. You may need to alternate days since this can be an irritant for some.


Additional products:
Bye Bye Blemish--
This infamous product comes in a 1oz bottle and looks like calamine lotion. While other companies sell this very same size for $17 - $25 for nearly EXACT ingredients, this brand sells for less than $10. You may find this at your local stores, but Sally's Beauty Salon and Ulta.com sell this. Not only does it work to zap the tough zits (give it 2 plus nights, not one), but it also exfoilates wonderfully. After I spot treated I sometimes had extra left, so I would just wipe a thin layer on my marks and, I didn't notice it immediately, but when I did, WOW! I've been using this for 7 months and it really has helped to lighten/exfoilate my blemished/hyperpigmented areas too. One bottle lasts me about a month or so.

Paula's Choice BHA---
Any good BHA product will do, this one comes in 2 sizes, the larger size sells for I believe $15 (price increased). It's a 2% liquid solution and it doesn't leave any marks, nor burns (even on open ones), but still works to dry them up well. Try not to use a 6% BHA product unless you don't get marks, for it does a good job at burning them off if you aren't careful....0.5% - 2% BHA should be effective enough. For similar or more natural alternatives (may try when I finish this bottle of paula's) there's Totalskincare's Alpha & Beta Toner and Physcian's Choice Smoothing Toner or Nutrient Toner. Some toners may dry out even oily skin so it's best to alternate days or just spot treat with them if that occurs.

Glycolic Serum--
This is a Private Labled product therefore if you do a search you can find it for less, however I buy it under the Credentials brand and pay about $22 at Dermstore. This 1oz product is so effective at treating wrinkles, brightening/lightening, exfoliating, and shrinking pores that some spas sell this for $80!!! While I'm not certain it's my miracle product, it does contains, Glycolic Acid, Squalene, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, and other nourshing ingredients. It's not toughted as a lightener, but it's exfoilating properties ,while gentle and non-burning, do work on those areas too. If you are interested in purchasing for less, you can pay $17 for a min. of 3 bottles each, directly from the manufacturer, Esthetically Yours.


Suggestions:
1. To prevent scarring and heightened pigmentation, use the least % of a product that is effective for you.

2. Using Sulfur, AHA, or BHA will help to exfoilate your skin.

3. Look for products that contain, Aloe, Collodial Sulfur, AHA, BHA, Kojic Acid, HQ, Azeliac Acid, Bearberry, Licorice Root, and/or Squalene to prevent or lighten blemishes/marks.

4. More natural forms of AHA would be from sugar cane (glycolic acid), malic acid (apples, apple cider vinegar), and Milk (latic acid). Other citruses may also help, but I've only tested lemon juice.

5. Try pure Vit. C crystals mixed in your fav. moisturizer or treatment product to aid in a more even skin tone.

6. Make sure to take a good multivitamin (w/o idiodine) that has selenium (other vitamins & supplements too) in it to encourage skin cell turnover for faster results.

7. While most women may not want to take advantage of this, Erythromycin Solution (zaps & exfoliates) and Clindamycin/Cleocin T solution (prevents marks/ blemishes/ hyperpigmentation) are also good.

8. Try to stay away from products & ingredients that may be effective but you KNOW irritate or cause marks. Ingredients such as Triethanolomine (read that somewhere), Toothpaste as a treatment (left a mark) and Benzoyl Peroxide (my major "no no") may hinder your progress.

9. Try to find products that are effective, and also the least comodegenic, if not at all. There are lists you can check one of which is on Sage Skin Care's website. It has a listing of Safe Ingredients and also has a listing for Safe Cosmetics & other products.

10. Remember to use a sunscreen with as high an SPF as possible, yet won't clog pores (On my face I use Coppertone SPF 30 Gel in a green/blue bottle mixed with some Dream Lotion) to help prevent hyperpigmention.

Also for the men that may be concious of using possible "women" products, Peter Thomas Roth, DDF, Zirh and Anthony Logistics are good lines . Specifically the men based line to help with shaving, etc, Zirh and Anthony products (have their own websites) are even cheaper than most women's products. Men are so lucky ;-)

[SweetJade1980]

I just don't have the time like I used to. I had links at one point, but you know how healthboards is....

[Maniac_22]

OMG you are either an expert copy and paster or incredible typer. You made ur first post 5 minutes before the second and they are both HUGE with a ton of information! DANG

[SweetJade1980]

LOL, These were originally posted in the Summer, I updated them a bit and hopefully I'll be able to and others will update them further. =)

[Jessica]

Thanks so much for taking the time to do that. I really appreciate it. You've helped me a lot.

[Maniac_22]

I dunno but I think she ment that if you were starting a Regimen of your own that those were the ok products out there. Come on, ya gotta give her some credit look at all the info!

[SweetJade1980]

Fatman
LOL, I made a list of products that would NOT clog your pores according to the Comedogenicity lists and my own personal experience.
While this list is far from "done," if you noticed I tried to put a blend of products in there from the "natural" to the "regular" stuff with a variety of prices in between. Some of these products I favor more than others, but I know that some people can't purchase through Mail Order/Internet and so products at Walmart or their local Drugstore is what they have to choose from. Yet, no where in there do I say that 10% BP is cool. I added the BHA because some people can't use BP. Of course, there's other options to replace the BHA for those that can't use either. =)

If you look at the other post I made, I say something to the effect of DO NOT OVERDUE IT! Therefore, No, I wouldn't use some of those treatmemt products, like BP (at any %), because I KNOW they are too harsh for me and/or will leave a mark. Yet, I've used products, like the cleansers, that have AHA or BHA in them and they weren't as bad as you'd think (some are really gentle). Some of those cleansers would also be effective as a body cleanser and as such, that area would probably get less treatment product than your face, so there's no danger of drying your back, etc out. Infact none of the products I've personally used on my body has ever dried me out as harshly as Dial, Ivory, or Safeguard bar soaps.

I absolutely advocate using the LEAST amount of effective treatment product (some of those are so gentle you don't feel anything, yet they work) and a cleanser that cleanses but doesn't strip your skin or make it flakey. That's what IsoCare does for me, there's others that are also good, Like Sage (50/50 Regular/Extra Strength that was my old formula) or DDF, but they pulled a bit too much moisture from skin and I prefer more natural products, so I stopped using them.

Everyone has a different oil balance and mine certainly has dropped over the years, due to treament I'm sure, and things I loved weren't good enough (too harsh or too gentle) or were no longer neccessary. Plus, I also mentioned at the bottom of my loooong post, he he, that since some of these products were stronger than usual, that you could dilute (50/50, 25/75, etc) them with water, aloe, or your fav. lotion or use less frequently. Afterall, effective and Non pore clogging skincare can be hard to find at times, so you've gotta do what you can.

Anyway, did that address your concerns? ;-)

[SweetJade1980]

Always glad to help :wink:

[mouse]

[spots_suck]

I've just noticed that some products (like the moisturiser i JUST SLAPPED ON MY FACE!!!) are labelled non-comedogenic but contain things like cetearyl alcohol or ceteareth 20 - known pore-blockers!!! The buggers....