2 replies to this topic

[Calyopi]

Hi all, I just found this site/board yesterday and I've had a Great time reading everyone's stories.

I'm 27, white female in NYC and I recently (about 6 months now) developed cystic acne, mainly on my chin, laugh lines. I have a few on my jawline too but they aren't noticeable.

Gentle washing, dab hydrogen peroxide 3% on my cysts and face in general (keeps the zits away, it's a miracle!) then this toner from paula's choice that makes my face feel soft and moisturized (a beginning) and cleans any excess dirt, but super-gently, no irritation, then the 5% (I'm switching to her/the 2% solution as advised by this site) benzyol peroxide, then vasoline pro something moisturizer (it's cheap and it works on my dry face). Then I apply paula's concealer (which actually sticks and covers my large red and white spots) and then I use Laura Mercier foundation in Ivory something. My concealer is one shade lighter than the foundation. Then I dust a teensy bit of Paula's face powder to set the foundation and I'm off. I've become a pro makeup artist that's for sure. But I don';t wear anything else other than a bit of lipstick so I can't wait to be able to throw my foundation away.


This is a two parter really, one about makeup and one about the Regimen (which I have not tried to his exact specifications but am starting to do today and from now on, I know I never apply it right, but I do now!)

I don't know if anyone has mentioned Paula Begoun on this board and if so I'm sorry for wasting your time! But she is a lifesaver for me and I bet she can help pretty much everyone else out there too.

Ever hear of the "Don't go to the cosmetics counter Without Me" or Don't go shopping for Hair Products without Me" books? I read them about three years ago and she taught me everything I know about my skin, she lists and rates pretty much every single beauty product on the market, and she is ruthless, and based on fact and science instead of fantasy land advertising. Anyway, she worked in the industry for 25 years and then decided to help women stop getting conned by the beauty industry. For years she had her books and the website www.cosmeticscop.com and then she started her own line of skin care and makeup (all wildly cheap, based on science and ph balanced, BHA, salicylic acid, alpha's, benzyol peroxide, and lots of other stuff.)

PS, I don't work for Paula's Choice (the name of the company, they are based in Seattle) I just love her and her stuff. It actually works and is cheaper than even drugstore stuff, beauty doesn't have to cost a fortune, another reason i love her.

She explains how skin works and defines every skin care ingredient in the world, in plain english. She thinks the same as the man who came up with The Regimen. I bet he'd love the 2% benzyol peroxide lotion she has, I use the 5% and it's worked so well on regular and large zits, but I'm now on minocycline for my cystic acne.

Anyway, check out her sight, she gives in depth instructions on what you should use (whether it's her stuff or not) and rates thousands of products for free on the website. I'm hooked now, she's never steered me wrong. My hair and skin look wildly better thanks to her stuff. I can't say enough about her and talk her up to pretty much all women (and men who care) I meet. I;ve saved hundreds of dollars on worthless products. Woohoo!

Now I hope that the minocycline works and the cystic acne goes away, then I'll be as perfect as I can get. I'm lucky, I can cover my cycsts with makeup but I still look down when I walk, extremely self-conscious. And I don't have it a fourth as bad as many on this board. My hopes for a speedy recovery are with all of you!

As for makeup, I now wash my face, dab hydrogen peroxide 3% on my cysts and face, which also helps Tremendously and has kept regular zits away for a few weeks now!), then the benzyol peroxide, then moisturize, then concealer then foundation. Sounds like a lot but I keep it minimal.

I'll try to get some pictures up by next week.

Thanks again for all the stories. What a big help all of you have been already!

PS, you can always read paula's Books in any bookstore for free if you're skeptical (like i So Totally Was). then buy em at a discount on half.com . Man I'm resourceful!

:-)! Rachel

[e's mom]

I am new to this website and find it absolutely wonderful.

Thanks for sharing your info. I joined this site today. I am 34 and have cystic acne. This is my second bout, with the last one approx. two years ago. I have a difficult time covering the scars/marks, and it has been quite painful. My dermatologist wants to start me on Accutane, but I really would rather try to avoid that. I have tried pretty much everything out there.

Thanks again!

[cashmira]

I don't know if anyone has mentioned Paula Begoun on this board and if so I'm sorry for wasting your time!  But she is a lifesaver for me and I bet she can help pretty much everyone else out there too. 

Ever hear of the "Don't go to the cosmetics counter Without Me" or Don't go shopping for Hair Products without Me" books? 

LOL Rachel, I just joined recently, and I've been mentioning Ms.Begoun *a lot*!!! I started reading her books in the early '90s (I'm in my early 40's) and they are FABULOUS. I receive her "Beauty Bulletin" emails so that I can read her product reviews on an ongoing basis.

I have saved a ton of money over the years by reading her consumer advocacy advice, and was most pleased when she did get into the production of products eventually. I occasionally use her products.

I really can't say how much I appreciate her unbiased and vast knowledge of skincare and of "Beauty Products". I trust it way more than that of my physician or anyone I ever meet at a cosmetics counter, that's for certain. She is a very knowledgable woman.

http://www.cosmeticscop.com

Cashmira