4 replies to this topic

[mini7]

Hello,
I am new to these forums and have finally joined after years of lurking with one important mission which is to warn everyone about Carley's Clean and Clear. I too was completely taken in by the tons of good reviews all over this website and others (whether or not these reviews are real or fake is a whole other issue- I know there have been several message threads on that topic alone). I can only attest to what happened to my own face. I started using this product a little over 2 months ago and things seemed to be going well at first the BAM, I started breaking out with whiteheads on my chin. It wasn't too bad at first then about 3-4 weeks in I began a prolonged and painful breakout all over my chin and the lower part of my face. Instead of just stopping then and cutting my losses, I thought that perhaps this was just a purging phase and I stupidly emailed Carley's for advice. Of course they told me that this was normal for a lot of people, to just stick it out, and sent me an email with quotes from all of these people who had broken out at first, or who had had a slow start with seeing results at first. I stuck it out for a little longer until I literally could no longer take the pain and the cystic acne and I stopped.

I stopped about a week ago and thought that my face would immediately improve. Boy was I wrong. All of the ingredients in Carley's have so clogged my pores to the point that I am still breaking out all over my lower face and above my lips. This is truly the worst break out of my entire life and the pain both emotionally and physically has been staggering. I even missed 2 days of work last week because I was so ashamed at the condition of my face. I am glad that tomorrow is a holiday so I have an extra day to recover, although who am I kidding, it is going to take MONTHS to repair the damage that has been done to my face.

I suppose the only person I can really blame is myself for believing in all the hype and taking such a terrible gamble with my face. In retrospect I realize that my acne wasn't all that bad to begin with. I have always suffered from moderate acne since I was 13 but have been able to mostly keep it under control and hide it with make up. I have NEVER EVER experienced anything to the scale of what has recently happened to my face and I am just so depressed and devastated by what has happened. I'm sorry this is so long and rambling, and there is so much more I can tell but I guess I'll just stop here. I really want to warn anyone out there who is even contemplating buying this stuff that it's really not worth the risk. It has completely ruined my face and I will probably have scarring over this for a long time.

[Ripon10]

Thank you for sharing this, Mini. I looked at all those ingredients and wondered how they wouldn't break you out. I've never met someone in person who used it (or at least admitted to using it).

Have faith, Mini. There are good products out there. Remember who you are shines through from the inside. Get yourself started on a regimen with good products. Before long, you will feel much better about your skin and about yourself.

[mini7]

Thank you so much for your kind words Ripon10. I felt so fragile today when I had to go out and run errands that I almost burst into tears about 3 different times. It's funny, how something like this really makes you appreciate what you had. As I said before, I've never had perfect skin and have struggled with acne, but now I realize how there are so many varying levels of it. This is the worst it's been for me and it has seriously taken a toll on my self esteem. I realize that for the past week or so I have completely stopped making eye contact with people. It's amazing how this disease can so destroy your confidence in yourself.
Well, I am going to take your kinds words with me tomorrow as I head back to work. I'm sure that I will get some stares, but I hope that my true self will shine through. Thanks once again.

[Ripon10]

Always remember these boards have a lot of people who know exactly what you're going through and can offer support. The acne won't go away overnight, but it will get better. One thing that always makes me feel better about myself is exercising. It has an amazing way of boosting self-confidence. Keep us posted on your progress

Edited by Ripon10, 16 January 2012 - 07:22 PM.

[mini7]

Well I went to work today. It was really hard to get out of my car and go inside the building. My co-workers were very supportive however, and didn't stare or make comments, although I'm sure they were wondering what the heck happened to my face. I work at a library and one of my co-workers was out so I had to cover her evening storytime. When my boss told me I would be doing her storytime, I almost had a panic attack. I sat there thinking, there's no way I can do this and have all these people staring at my face! I really did almost start hyperventilating I was so nervous and self conscious. But somehow I got through it. I kept reminding myself that as bad as my skin looks, it's not really about me, its about the kids and families. And I swear to god, that as I was standing up there singing and dancing and telling stories, I didn't even think about my skin once. Of course once it was over and I caught sight of myself in a mirror I was reminded all over again of my face, but at least I actually forgot about it for a little while tonight.