18 replies to this topic

[ariesgirl55]

Hi everyone, I've been suffering with mild-moderate acne breakouts for a while now, and I've visited my doctor several times and now see a dermatologist. My results have been less than ideal, I hate the way my skin looks (acne wise and health wise) and I really need some opinions!!

I'm currently trying to get my acne under control, however, the prescription drugs I'm using are only making me breakout more and overall, my skin is blotchy, red marked, bumpy in certain areas, dull and UNHEALTHY.

I currently use Bactrim (an antibiotic), Differin (retinoid) and Duac (BP + clyndamcin)

I hate all this crap I'm putting on my face! I'm almost at the two month mark of consistent use, but I am not pleased with my skin's appearance, I'm trying to live a healthier lifestyle, and I want to use ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS. Instead of all these BS cleansers/toners/astringents/drugs/moisturizers I've been damaging my skin with in the past. Can someone PLEASE give me advice? Should I consider dropping my regimen, and what natural products do you recommend? I actually think I may even have a mild case of rosacea (my nose is always red) and probably like many people, I have dark dark circles under my eyes

I need something to prevent and control pustules/whiteheads and hopefully something to diminish redness/redmarks and give my skin a healthy glow. My skin is generally pretty normal, it was a lot more dry, but since using Differin, I know longer flake, and my skin is actually a lot more oily!

Please please please any advice is appreciated!

[AKL]

Please realize that it may take a long time (several months) before you start seeing results, when using retinoids. Have a look at the retinoids forum (pinned threads) for more info.

If you're looking for a natural approach, check out the Nutrition and holistic health forum, starting with this thread: http://www.acne.org/...t-lead-to-acne/. It's a bit overwhelming, but well worth the read.

Good luck!

[eyelean123]

Hey! I just posted how I cleared and am controlling my acne, which i did mostly naturally. I hope it can help!

http://www.acne.org/...-before-afters/

[ariesgirl55]

Thanks guys! And AKL I am gonna stick with my retinoid

However, in the future, if possible, I'm gonna look to more natural methods. For the time being, I need to let this regimen run its course

[allrighty]

Try tea tree oil on the spots...and manuka honey with brown sugar as a once weekly face scrub.

[arqa22]

go on a safe diet

meat\fish+fruits\vegetables

if its hormonal, buy some say plametto and take it, you dont need to worry about side effects cuz your a female[only 1 thing to watchout is that you will gain fat easily[higher appetite] so watch your calories intake].

[ariesgirl55]

Thank you both for the suggestions!

[Nope.avi]

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Edited by Nope.avi, 08 August 2012 - 08:11 PM.

[ariesgirl55]

Lol I was in a state of delusion. In all honesty, I'm happy with my current regimen. I thought all the PIH meant my skin was worse than it was. I would like to continue with my treatments for the next few months and see if they're successful. Hopefully in the future, I can look for more natural products but for the time being, I think what I'm using is helping heal my acne and fade my spots (very slowly!)

[smileysteffe]

Hello!

I have been suffering from mild -moderate acne for years, and this past month i got sick off all the harsh creams and things the doctor kept giving me to put on my skin.....so i decided to go natural!
At Night-
I have been removing my makeup with extra virgin olive oil...it kind of melts it away..massaging it in to my face for about 2 mins, then i wet my face and lather my Olive oil Soap bar up and also massge this onto my face, it kind of emulsifies...i rinse this off.
I then cleanse my face with the olive oil bar and using my clarasonic mia!
I use a clean face cloth to slightly pat my skin dry then wait 5 minutes to air dry
once it is dry i have been applying teat tree oil diluted, to any pimples or areas i feel i may be getting a new pimple...although there seem to be getting much less these days .
I then apply a small amount of aloe vera gel to my face like you would a moistriser! and leave it on over nite!

In the morning-
I wash with my clarasonic and my olive oil bar, and i use an oil free simple face moistuiser...i am wary to use my olive oil as a moisturiser just because i dont think my make up would like it!

Since using this my red marks or scars have faded, any new pimples do not develop in to the large devil spots they used too and my over all skin quality is smooth and healthier!

i know everything depends on different peoples skin type but it seems to have really have worked for me so far!!! hope this gives you some ideas!

i have also been following a dairy free and healthy diet, drinking plenty of water!

xxx

[ariesgirl55]

Smileysteffe, did you just quit your regimen? I'm not too interested in stopping cold turkey, but I would love to do something like you're doing once I maybe get my skin under control!

[smileysteffe]

I never went on the regiem off this site.I am still taking my daily anti bitotics and i am on birth control, but i stoped applying the dalacin topical solution i was using, stoped using the harsh chemical face wash i was using and just went for it...lol...over the years i have tried lots of topical creams, paid lots of money for top of the range cleansers toners, tried lots of store face washes.....and i decided to go natural, as i use EVOO on my body alot, so i thort i should really give it ago as i do not suffer at all from acne on my body,,,kinda made sense.....i could still be in the honeymoon period atm, but it is working for me....

[ariesgirl55]

That's great! I may consider using something with EVOO since I live off that stuff (my mom always cooks with it...but it's really nourishing for your skin and hair). Do you find that it helps with evening your skin tone? I want more of a healthy even glow to my skin, I tend to be really red and tired looking.

[ramblinrose]

Hello!

I have been suffering from mild -moderate acne for years, and this past month i got sick off all the harsh creams and things the doctor kept giving me to put on my skin.....so i decided to go natural!
At Night-
I have been removing my makeup with extra virgin olive oil...it kind of melts it away..massaging it in to my face for about 2 mins, then i wet my face and lather my Olive oil Soap bar up and also massge this onto my face, it kind of emulsifies...i rinse this off.
I then cleanse my face with the olive oil bar and using my clarasonic mia!
I use a clean face cloth to slightly pat my skin dry then wait 5 minutes to air dry
once it is dry i have been applying teat tree oil diluted, to any pimples or areas i feel i may be getting a new pimple...although there seem to be getting much less these days .
I then apply a small amount of aloe vera gel to my face like you would a moistriser! and leave it on over nite!

In the morning-
I wash with my clarasonic and my olive oil bar, and i use an oil free simple face moistuiser...i am wary to use my olive oil as a moisturiser just because i dont think my make up would like it!

Since using this my red marks or scars have faded, any new pimples do not develop in to the large devil spots they used too and my over all skin quality is smooth and healthier!

i know everything depends on different peoples skin type but it seems to have really have worked for me so far!!! hope this gives you some ideas!

i have also been following a dairy free and healthy diet, drinking plenty of water!

xxx

i am also looking for a natural regimen so this is giving me great ideas, thank u!! i dont usually wear makeup but this is a great tip to remember when i do!

[smileysteffe]

Im not sure if it is the EVOO or the Aloe Vera that is helping my skin tone, if im honest but my skin has looked less red and patchy.....The Aloe vera is good for healing and the EVOO for moisturiser...so im not sure !

I dont know if you drink wine?? but i am a white wine drinker and the next morning if iv had a few glasses my skin is reder than usual...apparently this is sompthing to do with the sulphates that are in wine?!?! so i avoid wine if i want my skin looking good for a certain occasion!



Even if you dont wear makeup there are lots of natural cleansing bars you will be able to find in your health food strore! worth a look

[ariesgirl55]

I'm gonna look for a good natural cleansing bar, thank you!!

And lol I don't drink, so that's not the cause. But I think the Aloe must really sooth the redness! I'm gonna use it next time my skin looks really flushed or red

[ramblinrose]

i'm a wine drinker too! more important is that i picked up some dr. bronner's baby soap. it's pure castille soap, fragrance free, made with organic oils: water, organic coconut oil, potassium hyrdroxide, organic olive oil, organic fair deal hemp oil, organic jojoba oil, citric acid, tocopherol

[ariesgirl55]

Ramblinrose, that sounds awesome! I'll have to check it out

[ramblinrose]

ur welcome ariesgirl55!! i love the dr. bronner's line of products! theyre all natural & loaded with organic ingredients.