54 replies to this topic

[willow569]

How bad were your clogged pores?

I've also been using salicylic acid (2%) (Paula's choice 2%) for 6 months and it isn't doing much for my very persistent clogged pores! I had the best results when I combined it with a 15% AHA. However this was also a little harsh and it didn't work that well.

I would say I have had a mild but persistent problem with the clogged pores for the last several months. They kind of come and go - mostly on my forehead, a couple of spots around my nose and mouth. I don't usually have a lot of them at once, but they keep going away and then coming back in the same places. Prior to developing this problem a few months ago, I was totally clear using salicylic cleanser and lotions by neutrogena, and never broke out in the places I am now. The salicylic acid products just don't seem to be doing the trick for me anymore. So far the mandelic is bringing the blocked pores to the surface, but is getting rid of them pretty fast after that. No major drying or irritation either. I'll update on how this is working for me as I continue to use it. Its got lots of great recommendations on this messageboard though!

[left210]

I got a sample of the garden of wisdom mandelic acid. Now I have a few questions for LionQueen or anyone who has used this. Do you put it all over your face? If so, do you go up around the eyes too? Also, how much do you use - how many pumps for your entire face? It seems like it absorbs really quickly. I initially tried one pump but it only covered the bottom half of my face and I had to put another pump for the upper half of face. Please help. I think I am going to like it but know I will be impatient to see the results.

Also, does the sample size pump only put out a small amount at a time vs. the full size bottle? I ordered a full size bottle today.

[LionQueen]

I got a sample of the garden of wisdom mandelic acid. Now I have a few questions for LionQueen or anyone who has used this. Do you put it all over your face? If so, do you go up around the eyes too? Also, how much do you use - how many pumps for your entire face? It seems like it absorbs really quickly. I initially tried one pump but it only covered the bottom half of my face and I had to put another pump for the upper half of face. Please help. I think I am going to like it but know I will be impatient to see the results.

Also, does the sample size pump only put out a small amount at a time vs. the full size bottle? I ordered a full size bottle today.

I use it all over my face ... not TOO close to my eyes, though I cover my whole nose, including the bridge. The per-pump amount is small (their packaging is not fabulous) so it usually takes several squirts. I make a dime-sized puddle in the flat palm of my hand and that is enough to cover my face.

Effects are cumulative and can sneak up on you, so try to be patient. Do not apply it to skin that is overly red or dry ... if you start feeling sunburnt, take a few days off until your skin goes back to normal.

What concentration did you order, and are you using any other treatments with it?

[left210]

I ordered the 15%. I have been trying a sample of the GC 3 & 6 but will be trying to get pregnant in the next few weeks so I will not be able to use the GC. Should I apply the MA morning and night since I wont be using anything else. My routine is cleanse with either Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Tea Tree wash or cetaphil bar (depending on if I am jessfoliating or not at the time. Then I have been using neo sometimes, jojoba oil sometimes and aloe vera gel sometimes. As you can see I dont have a consistent plan but can actually see some improvements since I started this a month or so ago. I initially tried BP but it was too harsh for me and gave me wrinkles so then I started trying other stuff to counteract the effects of the BP. The jess method has given me some improvements but still have lots and lots of clogged pores. Hoping I can find a routine that will help with that and still be able to continue it when I get pregnant.

[LionQueen]

I would start out by using it once a day for the first week, assuming you have already quit the Green Cream. If you are perfectly fine at that level of usage -- no dryness or irritation -- you should then be able to use it twice a day.

Just pay attention to what's going on with your skin, use common sense, and be patient if you need to.

Also, I think you will find the Tea Tree wash too drying in combination with the mandelic. Stick with the Cetaphil bar. If you want to use TTO, just get some of the oil and use it as a spot treatment only. Mandelic is anti-bacterial, so you should not need TTO all over your face.

Jojoba should be a nice moisturizer with the mandelic. Not sure about the aloe vera, I only use it on sunburn.

[ChildoftheSea]

How is mandelic acid on active papules? Also, is it possible to become resistant to it? You know, like it works for a few months then quits helping. I know quite a few oral antibiotics do that.

[LionQueen]

How is mandelic acid on active papules? Also, is it possible to become resistant to it? You know, like it works for a few months then quits helping. I know quite a few oral antibiotics do that.

From what I have read, mandelic is effective against moderate acne -- pustules and papules -- but is not considered a strong enough treatment for nodules and cysts.

I have never heard of anyone becoming resistant to it and I can't see how it would be possible. But I'm no expert. You could get more information on the SkinCare board at Diana Yvonne -- see link in my signature. The forum host, DebbieNIR, has a background in biochemistry and is highly knowledgeable.

[left210]

I have been using the GOW for about a week now. Yesterday when I got home from work my chin was peeling really bad. I exfoliated and it looks better but my question is - is this normal? Does this mean I need to take a break with it for a day or so or is this what it is supposed to do? Is this part of unclogging the pores? I didnt put any on this morning but would like to put it on again tonight. My face isnt red or sore just had the peeling.

[LionQueen]

I have been using the GOW for about a week now. Yesterday when I got home from work my chin was peeling really bad. I exfoliated and it looks better but my question is - is this normal? Does this mean I need to take a break with it for a day or so or is this what it is supposed to do? Is this part of unclogging the pores? I didnt put any on this morning but would like to put it on again tonight. My face isnt red or sore just had the peeling.

Some peeling is normal. As long as your face isn't red or sore, you are just fine. Do you have a moisturizer that you like?

[willow569]

I got peeling my first week of using this too (and I am only using 10% mandelic) - it started after about 5 nights in a row of using the mandelic. I gave it a couple of nights off and then started using it again.

[left210]

Thanks - good to know the peeling is pretty normal. I will start it back tonight. I use aloe vera gel, jojoba oil and sometimes Neutrogena to moisturize.

[LionQueen]

Thanks - good to know the peeling is pretty normal. I will start it back tonight. I use aloe vera gel, jojoba oil and sometimes Neutrogena to moisturize.

If you gently massage your face with the jojoba oil and your fingertips for a few minutes when it looks flaky, that might help. The oil should soften up the flakes to the point where you can rub a lot of them off. Just be really gentle.

[Petrarch Fan]

Yay! After using NuCelle for over a month (and continuing), all I have to say is, Pores and blackheads? What are those? Minimized pores, non-existing blackheads--what a difference! I don't sell NuCelle, but I keep sounding like it. Just really happy, that's all.

[willow569]

I like the Nucelle too. I am having trouble using it in combination with the Differin though. My skin was just getting too dry using both. I am trying to figure out how to keep it in my regimine, because it works really well. I may just continue to use it around my nose and in the smile line areas. I used to get frequent blocked pores on the sides of my nose, but the mandelic has helped prevent them almost completely. Once my skin is more used to the Differin, I'll probably work the Nucelle back in for the rest of my face. It is definitely a fabulous product!!

[the_se7en]

Which Nucelle product are you using?

[willow569]

Which Nucelle product are you using?

I am using the Mandelic 10% serum. I tried their mandelic cleanser too, but wasn't terribly impressed. I do like the serum a lot though!

[ChildoftheSea]

I don't want to curse it but... *whispers* I think it's working!

I'm down to one semi-active papule, and only three healing ones.
I've been using it for about 4 weeks, and it's working great. However, I'm still peeling. It's handled with lotion and some exfoliation, but still rather annoying. Willing to put up with it though, because I'm getting clear skin!

My routine:
Morning:
Wash with clearsil bar (not anti-bacterial)
apply mandelic acid to any active or healing spots (allow 5 minutes to dry)
apply lotion to dry areas

Night:
wash with clearsil bar
possibly exfoliate
apply mandelic acid over whole face (allow the full half hour for absorbtion)
apply lotion to dry areas


The Mandelic acid I use comes from the Garden of Wisdom. The 15% no-alcohol serum

I would recommend getting the 5 ml samples first. That's how I realised I needed to order more- and which one to order.

I'm so excited!

[daria]

can you use this while taking accutane?

[ChildoftheSea]

The only problem I see in that is the dryness factor. Acutane dries you out, and so does mandelic acid. I don't think you want to be that dry.

[daria]

i have really sensitive skin so would this be too harsh on my skin? i have persistent mild acne and many red scars...i also heard it may cause even more scarring or burn your skin if you put this on a scar that hasn't healed yet
would you recommend nucelle or garden of wisdom?