24 replies to this topic

[justacaligrl]

So initially I didn't think I was going to post anything on here about my journey. But I've been reading logs from other people and it was just so encouraging! In addition, I want to keep track of my (hopefully) progress. So here goes...

I've had acne pretty much forever it feels like. I honestly can't remember when it started exactly, but probably around when I started high school. I'm 25 now and still dealing with it. Mostly whiteheads, papules, and pustules, with the rare occasional nodule. Oh and it's always from the sides of my lips downwards and outwards. I'm told that's hormonal acne. I don't know if that's true, but regardless, it's always there. I don't have severe acne. Sometimes it's moderate, sometimes it's mild. But it's never not there! And I hate it. I hate it I hate it I hate it.

Over the years I've tried a lot of different things, prescriptions from the dermatologist, proactive, over-the-counter products, accutane (twice), and the list goes on. Accutane cleared up my skin both times, but also both times it only stayed clear a year. Then I was right back to where I started. Super frustrating!

So a week or so ago I came across this website (I'm not sure how I've never seen it before!), ordered the regimen products from Dan, and after browsing around the site for a while, I've decided to commit. Keeping a log kind of makes it official that I'm doing this. I'm committing to the regimen and praying to God that I finally get the results I want, CLEAR SKIN!

So I started the regimen on Friday, May 27, 2011. Which means that I'm on Day 6. I have naturally dry skin (probably due to the two bouts of accutane in my past), so I'm trying to ease myself into the whole process so my skin doesn't totally dry out.

This is what I've been doing so far (not very exciting):

Morning-
Dan's cleanser
(let it dry, about 5 mins)
Dan's moisturizer

Evening-
Dan's cleanser
(let it dry, about 5 minutes)
Dan's 2.5% BP
(let it dry, about 15 minutes)
Dan's moisturizer

Friday I'll be starting week 2 and I'm going to start using BP both in the morning and at night. I'm nervous about that because my skin is already getting very dry. But I also ordered some jojoba oil today, so I'll be adding that in to the regimen too, which hopefully will help!

So far my skin feels dryer. And with the exception of a zit below my lip towards the side of my chin that I just got yesterday, it kinda looks like it's clearing up. But I'm not taking that to mean much. I also just finished my period a week ago, so this is the clearest time of the month for me.

I may post some pictures. I took some Day 1, and some more today. But I'm not sure yet. We'll see if I have the confidence to.

[side note question: i only break out on one area of my face, from the sides of my lips outward and downward, so should I use BP everywhere or just on that area of my face? I don't really see the need to put the harsh product where I don't even break out, especially with the skin drying out effect, but is that okay or should I be putting it everywhere anyways? Thoughts anyone???]

[averagejoe88]

Looking forward to hearing your progress!

Interesting about the location of your acne, that is EXACTLY where mine is... really nothing to scoff at on my upper/outer cheeks or forehead... but around my mouth is a constant warzone. Do you remember who told you that it was hormonal acne? I've never heard that, but maybe I'm just spewing testosterone? haha

[justacaligrl]

Thanks! I'll be reading your progress too!!

I've heard from multiple sources that acne there is often from a hormonal imbalance. But it can also be perioral dermatitis (I do notice a different depending on my toothpaste), and then I've heard often you break out there because of friction/irritation/greasy foods/etc. So who know really!

[justacaligrl]

Day 9

Just a quick update!

Still keeping to pretty much the same regimen. I'm using a bit more BP than when I started but still only at night. I also added in jojoba oil last night for the first time. I liked it so I'm going to use it again tonight. I put it on after I cleansed, rubbed a bit to loosen flakes/dead skin, and then lightly wiped off with a washcloth (leaving a thin layer still on my face). Then once that seemed pretty absorbed I did BP and then moisturizer as usual.

My skin is actually basically all clear right now... Although red marks are definitely still there. And I'm not holding my breathe for it to stay this way. I've read week two can cause breakouts. Also I'm still in my clearest time of the month, so we'll see what happens in the long run.

So far I'm happy with the ways things are going though! I feel like my skin is clearing up and that I'm taking care of it better than before. My skin is still a bit too dry for my liking, but I probably need to use more moisturizer. It just already takes so long to rub in it's hard to be patient! I'll work on that.

[justacaligrl]

Day 10

So here's the new regimen starting today:

Morning
acne.org cleanser
-let dry a couple minutes
acne.org moisturizer (1 pump) w/5 drops jojoba oil mixed in

Night
acne.org cleanser
-let dry a couple minutes
jojoba oil mask all over face
-let sit about 10 minutes
-lightly wipe jojoba oil off face (leaving a thin layer)
acne.org bp all over acne-prone areas of face
-let sit 15 minutes
acne.org moisturizer all over (2 pumps)

[justacaligrl]

Day 16

So I bumped up the BP to both morning and night yesterday, finally. And my skin has also been starting to feel less dry/rough lately. I think the combination of my skin just adjusting to the regimen and the addition of jojoba oil have worked well.

I still get occasional breakouts, but they seem to be less severe and go away much faster. The frustrating part right now is all the red marks! I haven't really been wearing makeup which is a big deal for me. But between old scars and red marks that are prominent from any recent acne, no matter how mild, my skin looks so much worse than it actually is!!! it's frustrating!

I'm trying to wait till i've been on the regimen a month before i start using AHA. But I have such pale skin that without makeup my scars just show SO MUCH. grrrrr!

Otherwise, things are going alright and I'm pushing on!

[ibpwninacne]

go for the aha its magical

[justacaligrl]

Day 32

Still going strong on the regimen. My skin definitely seems clearer to me. Not all clear yet, but better. Generally the last 2 weeks I've had one zit at a time, and every once in a while none at all. So not a huge deal. Right now I have a couple which is frustrating, but it is "that time of the month", so I was kinda expecting it. It doesn't seem as bad as last month though. Acne seems smaller and dries out quicker.

My skin may be a little off right now too because I'm on vacation at a lake house. Lots of sun and wind in my face. My skin is definitely drier than it's been in a while. Yuck! And I didn't bring my jojoba oil with me because i didn't want it to get messed up during the flight. I definitely miss it!

Oh and I bought the acne.org AHA so I'm going to start adding that into the regimen when I get back home on Thursday. I'll let you know how it goes!

[Kairasa]

Hello there! I am glad you decided to share your experiences with us, and equally glad that it is going well!

Good luck with the AHA. =)

[northlincs4kylie]

I'm on day 32 today so basically as far on as you are I feel you about the blasted red marks!!! Makes you feel like it hasn't improved at all sometimes cos your face still looks as bad even though there is less active acne!

[justacaligrl]

I completely agree. The red marks can be so frustrating! But I am excited to try the AHA this week for the first time. And I have to remind myself the red marks DO fade in time.

Good luck on your journey!!! It's kinda nice someone is about at the same place as me and we're both pushing on!

I'm on day 32 today so basically as far on as you are I feel you about the blasted red marks!!! Makes you feel like it hasn't improved at all sometimes cos your face still looks as bad even though there is less active acne!

[psych0sis]

Hey good luck!

Looking forward to your updates!

[northlincs4kylie]

I know I'll keep checking on your progress do you pick your spots??

I often do which is probably why I have so many red marks, but I still seem to get them even when I don't pick! Frustrating!

How do you use your Jojoba? I ordered some recently and not really sure what to do with it when it comes!

[justacaligrl]

I don't really pick my spots anymore. Every once and a while I'm tempted but I try very hard NOT to. It definitely makes a difference in how much scaring there is after. It can be hard though!

For the jojoba oil, if my skin is seeming really dry I put it all over my face after I wash it. Then I let it sit for a while just to absorb some. Then I wipe it off lightly with a washcloth, leaving some on my face. Then I continue with BP. If it's less dry I usually will just add a few drops in with my moisturizer at the end of the regimen. Sometimes if it's super dry I do both of those. Hope that helps you!

I know I'll keep checking on your progress do you pick your spots??

How do you use your Jojoba?

[justacaligrl]

Day 34

I noticed I haven't really just listed in a while what my regimen is. So here it is!

Morning

1. wash face with acne.org cleanser, let dry
2. cover acne prone areas generously with acne.org BP, let dry about 15/20 minutes
3. cover whole face with acne.org moisturizer (adding a few drops jojoba oil if extra dry)

Night

1. wash face with acne.org cleanser
2. cover face with jojoba oil, let sit for 5 minutes (may skip if face doesn't seem dry)
3. lightly wipe off excess jojoba oil with washcloth
4. cover acne prone areas of face generously with BP, let dry about 15/20 minutes
5. cover whole face with acne.org moisturizer (may add jojoba oil drops if extra dry)

Also, I rarely wear makeup anymore. That's definitely not something I'm used to but it hasn't been a big deal actually. When I have an event I will still put a little on. But I find the texture of my skin on the regimen just doesn't look very flattering with a lot of makeup over it. And obviously it's also just better for my skin to not wear it.

Keep on keeping on!

[justacaligrl]

Day 44

Pretty discouraged today... My face is totally breaking out and I have no idea why.

I did add AHA into my regimen every other night or so, but I started that 10 days ago so I think I would have had a reaction before now. And I haven't even used it the last few days.

The only other thing I can think of is I have had some greasy food the last couple days, but it's not like that's totally abnormal for me either.

I'm gonna keep going and hope this passes but I'm not very happy with things right now. Just makes me wonder if the regimen is working for me or not... Frustrating.

[northlincs4kylie]

Hey girl! How's the Regimen going for you?

I'm up to day 49 and seem to have been breaking out over the last couple of days. As you're ahead of me I was just wondering if you've been making any more progress

[justacaligrl]

Things are starting to calm down... Still getting a couple new zits and there are one or two that just seem to be lingering FOREVER. But I "think" things are on their way back to normal. "Fingers crossed"

It's frustrating to not know what causes a breakout! I'll do a full update soon. Just waiting for this breakout to completely clear up. It is better than it was though...

Hope things are going better for you too!

Hey girl! How's the Regimen going for you?

I'm up to day 49 and seem to have been breaking out over the last couple of days. As you're ahead of me I was just wondering if you've been making any more progress

[northlincs4kylie]

My breakout appears to be going down and nothing tooooo bad coming up again yet so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Hope you're breakout is clearing up nicely.

[justacaligrl]

That's great that your breakout is clearing up!!! Mine is definitely not, i'm about to post a full update. Ugh! But I'm happy for you!

My breakout appears to be going down and nothing tooooo bad coming up again yet so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Hope you're breakout is clearing up nicely.