2 replies to this topic

[Brandy]

Hello all.
I am new here. I am 35-years-old, mother of two boys. I have had acne since age twelve, and tried it all. Long story short, tried Dan's regimen beginning tuesday night, and now it is Sunday and I am totallly clear! I am thrilled!
But my reason for writing is in regarding makeup, specifically foundation.
After reading Dan's information on benzoyl peroxide, and realizing that the reason that BP works is that it produces an oxygen-rich environment in which the p.acnes bacteria cannot live in. I got to thinking, alot of makeup has antioxidants added (vit. A,C,E, etc.), in fact, it seems the majority of foundations these days have added antioxidants, some even add some salicylic acid, which does have some antioxidant properties of it's own. I am sure we have all used these products since they are advertised to be good for our skin. But I am thinking, and I hope Dan and others will share their thoughts on this, but I began to realize that if we are trying to provide an oxygen-rich environment in our skin in order to kill the acne bacteria, then using other facial products such as foundations and lotions even sunscreens that contain anti-oxidants is actually conter-productive, and could render the BP useless.
Has this been discussed here before? I apologize if this subject has already been discussed, but I was just wondering. I am going to stop using any foundations with any anti-oxidants, and toss my foundation and powder which contains small amounts of salicylic acid as well (those never seemed to help anyway). I am going to try to find just a basic, oil-free, non-comedogenic foundation that has not been loaded down with anti-oxidants. Well, actually I am going to try to go makeup free as much as possible, but want to find a foundation for when I do desire to look a little made up.
If what I am thinking in regard to the antioxidants actually encouraging acne bacteria by removing oxygen from the skin, then no wonder I could not get my skin clear before!
Does anybody have any thoughts on this?
Thanks for reading.

[cashmira]

Does anybody have any thoughts on this?
Thanks for reading.
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Paula Begoun, aka "The Cosmetics Cop" discusses this thoroughly (and much better than I could). You can see her website and articles -- look for the "Learning Links" in the left hand column for the articles -- at http://www.cosmeticscop.com

Cashmira