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I've struggled with cystic acne all my life since age 15. Up until my 30's I kept thinking I would outgrow it but I didn't. During this time I used OTC acne products and my skin was always red, irritated, and they ultimately didn't do much but dry my skin out. In my 30's I did 2 rounds of accutane. Love the stuff and I had crystal clear skin but the effects didn't last. I did Proactive for about 10 years and it helped but again my skin was red, peeling and irritated. Antibiotics helped when my skin was really flaring up but you can't take those forever. I became a vegetarian, ate organic, and led a very natural lifestyle overall. This helped but the acne continued. In my 50's I became desperate and was so embarrased by this disease that would not stop!
What did not work
OTC acne products, including BP --- too irritating
Raw diet and general organic diet --- felt great but did not stop acne
Oil cleansing --- messy and caused plugged up pores
Short-term remedies that work but you can't use them longterm
Accutane --- fantastic stuff...wish I had been one of the lucky ones where it stops acne forever...
Antibiotics --- great for awful flare-ups and calming the skin. Nice to have on hand.
Spironolactone --- worked great in combo with other treatments but can't use forever
Birth Control
Long-term remedies that work and can be used forever without harm
These remedies work together...using just one may not accomplish the goal of clear skin
Tretinoin (retin-a) --- this is the gold standard. It takes forever to kick in so people often give up.
But think about it...tretinoin restructures the pores and skin so it takes awhile to accomplish this. It normalizes how the skin functions. You may have to experiment to get just the right formulation of tretinoin. I like the generic .1% cream.
Spearmint tea --- this has a natural anti-androgen effect that is as effective as spironolactone (google it). I make my own blend of spearmint with a little chamomile and hibiscus and use as a loose tea. Drink 2 strong cups a day for a medicinal effect. I like it with soy milk --- shake up the carton for a latte effect!
Cetaphil Antibacterial Bar Soap --- this is a best kept secret. It is an amazing cleanser that is very mild, rinses clean, doesn't strip skin and lowers surface bacteria count.
Neutrogena Lotion for Combination Skin --- this lotion is very very mild and keeps down oil. I have unusually sensitive skin and this is about the only one I can use without problems.
Avoid these foods and chemicals (these are all documented and researched items that aggravate acne) --- dairy, sugary foods including all sugars, honey, etc and foods with them, white flour and overly processed foods, very spicy foods, alcohol, red meats, Sodium Laurel Sulfate (is in most toothpastes and shampoos - go organic), flouride, sunscreen on the face (even ones for sensitive skin - wear a hat), anything you think you may be sensitive to (everyone is different and it seems most people prone to acne have underlying food and chemical allergies that are further irritating the skin...you may want to get formally tested...I finally did and it made a difference.). Find a non-flouridated, non-SLS toothpaste at the health food store. Many adult acne sufferers actually have perioral acne that can be aggrevated by regular toothpastes. This type of acne happens not just around the mouth but along the jaw and up around the nose and forehead too.
Eat as organic, fresh and natural as possible.
Be outdoors often, walk, play, laugh, be with friends.
Try hypnosis and get a personal CD made just for you...hey it works!
Do yoga, deep breathing, keep a journal.
Read Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now". Listen to his talks. Be inspired.
Hope this helps!
Namaste and blessings ~ CVD
Edited by cvd, 25 October 2011 - 11:25 AM.
