1205 replies to this topic

[fbmbassist]

Just a quick question, for those who have had success with this regimen.

I am on my 20th day of doing the water only regimen and have noticed oil production going down significantly. It is to the point where my face is quite dry, but mostly around my mouth area. I have not been using a moisturizer at all as I hope for my face to produce the oils naturally. Am I correct by not moisturizing?

Hi MisterTwo,

I notice that when I wash my face with hard water (i.e. tap water that has lots of mineral deposits, like calcium), my face gets too dry, even itchy. In my condo we have soft water coming out of one shower head, and hard water coming out of the other bathroom. When I shower in the soft water bathroom, my skin is super soft, comfortable, and clean. Never over-dried.

I always showered in the hard water bathroom and for a couple days I tried the other one, and my skin felt so much better. The calcium buildup is visible on the hard water shower head.

I heard getting a shower filter can help. However, you should probably go to someone's house that has soft water and try it out first.

In terms of moisturizing - I find that if I do it too much, my skin becomes dependent on it. But if there are some really rough, dry, itchy parts, I would moisturize to stop the irritation. Just use something gentle and non-comedogenic.

Best of luck!

[jaybirdmanpupp]

how would this work for me cuz all i use on my back is hot water and its the worst acne i get on my back. As u said u noticed parts u didnt treat doing better at one point. If thats the case wouldnt my back be good or am i in that 10 percent of real acne sufferers? can anyone explain this?

[anyabekx]

jaybirdmanpupp,

It could be that the water you're using on your back is too hot. Hot water can irritate and stimulate the skin to produce more oil, especially if you take long showers. How about trying a cooler shower for a few weeks and see how you go?

Also, if when you wash your hair, you rinse it off leaning backwards in the shower (like most people do) allowing the suds to go down your back, then these chemicals could be irritating your back. Not to mention clogging your pores. You could try rinsing out the shampoo by leaning forward, but watch your face!

Just a thought. And remember that depending on how long you've been using chemicals, your skin could take a awhile to get back into balance.

x

[nick_nodular]

Hmmmm....Interesting.
I've been using many types of products. Im gonna give it a shot, and step back from using them.


Also, I have been using many types of whey protein and pre-workout suppliments. I think I'll step back from that as well for a while.

[fbmbassist]

So I tried the water-only method for a while, and came to the conclusion that it works if you have the right type of water and the right skin type. Every tap water source has a vastly different array of minerals, chemicals, fluoride/non-fluoride - just look at your municipal district's annual report. And people have skin with different thicknesses, types of acne, and natural oil production.

When I tried this method with bottled water, my skin loved it. But my skin doesn't like the particular tap water in our area. It made my cystic acne worse, and the dry parts too dry. And it doesn't work for girls who wear cosmetics, since you need a cleanser to remove that stuff.

I recommend trying it out though, and trust your instincts on whether it will work for you in the long run. The main point that JanCarlo is trying to make is very true - your skin can re-learn how to heal itself once you remove all the harsh chemicals. I no longer use any topical ointments or medicated cleansers, and my skin is much happier.

But as JanCarlo says on the first page, it will take a little while for your skin to adjust, which is why you might want to try the vinegar/baking soda/cetaphil method for a while. I use different products based on the those same principles, and I'll post my method once I'm completely clear.

Also, STOP PICKING if you haven't already. It really does help to leave your skin alone.

[mattimus]

Hello! First post here.

I haven't had clear skin in years, and I'm tired of it. Your post really makes a lot of sense, and it's something I've often contemplated but was too nervous to try. Well, I'm finally going to give it a shot. I'm fed up with paying hundreds of dollars a year in prescriptions and co-pays when my skin looks no different. Thank you for sharing this- I know it'll be hard at first, but I think it's the only sensible way to go.

[javafriday]

So I'm a little confused with the whole water regime. Because I wear make up would I still use a gentle cleanser to remove it? And if not, how does just using hot water work? And I'm not supposed to use a moisturizer at all?

I'm sure these topics have been asked before and I apologize to have to bring it back up but noticing that there's over 50 pages I thought it'd be easier for me to just ask it again.

But the whole theory of not using any more chemicals on the face sounds logical. Right now, I'm just using the philosophy cleanser called purity twice a day. My under eye gel and moisturizer from DDF and the BP gel from DDF as well (mostly for spot treatment). I also recently bought a blue/red light lamp 4.5 weeks ago and am not sure if it's working at all.

Another thing I should mention is that I think my acne has to do with my hormones changing all the time. I went off my birth control pills a few months back and notice that sometimes for a week my skin will be flawless with no new breakouts but right before my cycle comes my face will break out with 5+ pimples. But recently it's gotten worse, but I think that had to do a lot with my work stress.

If anyone can address these questions for me though, that'd be great. I'm really excited to try anything at this point.

[omgu8myrice]

Why does everyone on here think they're a doctor..

OP, I've never used chemicals on my back or chest (other than mild soap on my chest) and I still get acne there. Why?

I broke out badly all the way up until 10th grade which is when I tried treating it. Why? Why did i get acne in 10th grade (pretty bad acne at that) if I wasn't the one causing it? Your idea makes sense in theory, but wrong in real life. Why do people have strokes, heart attacks, get cancer, etc etc? The body isn't perfect. Much like our heart could stop working at any moment for no reason, we can get acne.

[Adam08]

Why does everyone on here think they're a doctor..

OP, I've never used chemicals on my back or chest (other than mild soap on my chest) and I still get acne there. Why?

I broke out badly all the way up until 10th grade which is when I tried treating it. Why? Why did i get acne in 10th grade (pretty bad acne at that) if I wasn't the one causing it? Your idea makes sense in theory, but wrong in real life. Why do people have strokes, heart attacks, get cancer, etc etc? The body isn't perfect. Much like our heart could stop working at any moment for no reason, we can get acne.

Did it get bad all at once?? Or was it a gradual thing? Did you pick and pop when you first got it?

[fbmbassist]

Why does everyone on here think they're a doctor..

OP, I've never used chemicals on my back or chest (other than mild soap on my chest) and I still get acne there. Why?

I broke out badly all the way up until 10th grade which is when I tried treating it. Why? Why did i get acne in 10th grade (pretty bad acne at that) if I wasn't the one causing it? Your idea makes sense in theory, but wrong in real life. Why do people have strokes, heart attacks, get cancer, etc etc? The body isn't perfect. Much like our heart could stop working at any moment for no reason, we can get acne.

If you read JanCarlo's post more carefully, you'll notice that he distinguishes between the hormonal stuff that you had, and what people have now in their 20s when they should have grown out of it. He's saying that there are many people like him who should have been done with their acne (no more raging hormones) but because they ravaged their skin with chemicals, it's having a hard time healing. So the irritation causes more pimples. He's not saying that washing only with water when you're a teenager will prevent pimples. That's obviously not true for most people.

[fbmbassist]

I'm re-posting this part in the hopes that people are more likely to read it:

"So this method is only for specific number, but majority of people:

If your parents do not have acne right now, or that if they have little or no trace of scarring; if you have acne only on your face, and only in specific areas where you keep putting medications; if acne only exists on a section of your face; if you rarely get neck acne; if you have mild to moderate, but not serious acne on back or chest; if you have no acne growing on pubic area; if you have little or no acne growing on your limbs; if once in your lifetime, you have not been using medications, and as a result, you barely notice that your're clearing up, but when you continued medications, your acne flared up again, and became maybe worse for the first few weeks, then this method will work for you!" - Jan Carlo

[fbmbassist]

So I'm a little confused with the whole water regime. Because I wear make up would I still use a gentle cleanser to remove it? And if not, how does just using hot water work? And I'm not supposed to use a moisturizer at all?

I'm sure these topics have been asked before and I apologize to have to bring it back up but noticing that there's over 50 pages I thought it'd be easier for me to just ask it again.

But the whole theory of not using any more chemicals on the face sounds logical. Right now, I'm just using the philosophy cleanser called purity twice a day. My under eye gel and moisturizer from DDF and the BP gel from DDF as well (mostly for spot treatment). I also recently bought a blue/red light lamp 4.5 weeks ago and am not sure if it's working at all.

Another thing I should mention is that I think my acne has to do with my hormones changing all the time. I went off my birth control pills a few months back and notice that sometimes for a week my skin will be flawless with no new breakouts but right before my cycle comes my face will break out with 5+ pimples. But recently it's gotten worse, but I think that had to do a lot with my work stress.

If anyone can address these questions for me though, that'd be great. I'm really excited to try anything at this point.

Hi javafriday,

Since I'm a woman I'll try to help you out.

Yes, you do have to use some sort of cleanser to remove make up, unless you apply a primer underneath mineral make up to help remove it. I use a toner/moisturizer underneath make up that helps wash it off, even just with water. I don't know how well it would work for liquid or cream make up. But whatever the primer is, make sure it's something that helps your skin instead of causing more acne. I use my own concoction that's been helping to clear my skin (essential oils, hydrosols, etc.). It creates a slippery texture when you wash your face.

Nonetheless, I still prefer to use a gentle cleanser because I would be concerned about clogged pores. Makeup isn't built to be removed by water, so I'd be worried that over time my skin would clog up. You could use a natural food mask for deeper cleaning, but that's a whole 'nother board discussion.

If you read Jan Carlo's post carefully, he's not saying to switch to water right off that bat. You want to start with something gentle like Cetaphil and combine it with the ACV and baking soda methods he talked about. Then you can slowly wean yourself off of those. But he's a guy, so he's not thinking about girls who wear make up. He's talking about healing your skin naturally, and unfortunately make up isn't part of that process since our faces shouldn't be covered in that stuff anyway.

And yea, our skin tends to go bonkers during our cycle, but there are things you can do to help control your hormones and acne flareups internally. If you haven't already checked out the holistic forums on here, I highly recommend them. This post is mainly just talking about topical stuff.

P.S. I don't actually use the ACV/baking soda myself, but so many people on this forum say it works so you might give it a try.

[mattimus]

Been doing the ACV, Baking Soda, and Aloe Vera Gel treatment for almost a month now. I wash my face with Purpose after I work out.

My skin looks ok, but I still have trouble spots around my mouth. Just white heads, but they're so irritating. I did read that some chapsticks can encourage this, so I'm going to switch to Vaseline. Hope that works.

[*MEaGAiN*]

for makeup I heard some ppl say they wash with an oil like neem or jojoba...would this work? If i just use one of those to get my makeup off? then just use sunscreen in the morning...and maybe tea tree oil as spot treatment?

[jan carlo]

bump

[Adam08]

hey jan carlo, any tips for flakey/dead skin without the use of moisturizers?

[Aaron123]

I started this 5/30. It's now 11/30. Here's an update:

It's definitely not cured. Red spots are everywhere, the skin's a bit bumpy, and I get about 1-2 whiteheads every week or two.

Not sure if I should keep with this, but seeing all the other people with ridiculous amounts of products in their sigs sickens me to no end, when it's so obvious the products are not working for them since they're still here.

Dunno what to think. Maybe I'll keep waiting.

[barmpot]

I agree with some of the original post but not all of it.

For example you say areas left untreated are free of acne, well I don't do anything to my upper back (can't reach it) but I still have a few painful spots dotted about every now and then. I'm waiting for this to hopefully go away.

I think it depends on your severity what you should use. I've had acne for 6/7 years and it's gradually calmed down. Now I wash my face with water (no face wash) and just apply skinoren cream at night which i've been using for the past few years. When I was in highschool this was unthinkable because my acne was out of control. Skinoren cream is a good one to use because it doesn't have any side effects to my knowledge. Benzoyl peroxide and similar products turn the skin red after prolonged use. I know because my inside cheeks have a red tinge from years of use and not knowing better.

[DNG]

I definately agree with the underlying message of the original post. I got a pretty bad breakout (never really had them before) and so I ran to the store and destroyed my face with products, resulting in more acne. I was in this spiral a year or so before I realized what the problem really was. Im quite certain that if I would have just continued doing what I was before, and left the breakout alone, it would have been gone in a month.

[sad-ed]

i think i fits the description of being too paranoid about my acne and thus causing it to aggravate.

so ultimately, what do you suggest that i apply on the face? do i still need a cleanser? i am quite confused about this part. so what will be left in the regime?

and what's your view on aha to fade scars?