The Ultimate Regimen

Hey all!

I'm 23, and I've suffered from acne since I was about 15 or 16. It has been a long and one-sided battle, consisting of a dermatologist's care, internal and external prescription meds, and all the products a drugstore has to offer. I've finally found success in the following:


MORNING:
Baking Soda face scrub (just water and BS, it is a similar exfoliant to ones that are used in spas. My skin cleared up DRAMATICALLY once I was able to get rid of excess dead skin and allowing the BP to seep into my pores)

Basis bar soap

Oil of Olay Sensitive Skin Lotion



EVENING:
Baking Soda face scrub

Purpose bar soap (a little harsher and more drying than the Basis bar)

Acne.org Benzoyl Peroxide

Spot treat scars with Vitamin E oil (purchased at Target)




After trying the regimen, I thought I had clear skin. And then I experimented with baking soda.... and WOAH! AMAZING difference. It helped get rid of pitted scars, as well as red scars, and my skin is so much smoother with a much more even and vibrant complexion.


PS I must note that I am on birth control, ortho-tricyclen generic "Sprintec". When I am off of my pills for the week during my period, I notice that I start to begin chest or back acne, which means that the pill is definitely giving my face an advantage and a leg up over not being on the pill and just using BP.

The Ultimate Regimen

Hey all!

I'm 23, and I've suffered from acne since I was about 15 or 16. It has been a long and one-sided battle, consisting of a dermatologist's care, internal and external prescription meds, and all the products a drugstore has to offer. I've finally found success in the following:


MORNING:
Baking Soda face scrub (just water and BS, it is a similar exfoliant to ones that are used in spas. My skin cleared up DRAMATICALLY once I was able to get rid of excess dead skin and allowing the BP to seep into my pores)

Basis bar soap

Oil of Olay Sensitive Skin Lotion



EVENING:
Baking Soda face scrub

Purpose bar soap (a little harsher and more drying than the Basis bar)

Acne.org Benzoyl Peroxide

Spot treat scars with Vitamin E oil (purchased at Target)




After trying the regimen, I thought I had clear skin. And then I experimented with baking soda.... and WOAH! AMAZING difference. It helped get rid of pitted scars, as well as red scars, and my skin is so much smoother with a much more even and vibrant complexion.


PS I must note that I am on birth control, ortho-tricyclen generic "Sprintec". When I am off of my pills for the week during my period, I notice that I start to begin chest or back acne, which means that the pill is definitely giving my face an advantage and a leg up over not being on the pill and just using BP.

Success Story

I just wanted to share my story with everyone, since I suffered with acne for as long as I can remember. I am currently a 23 year old female, who experienced acne in various forms since 15 or 16. Senior year of high school, it really got to me. A week before prom, I was freaking out about my face and broke down in front of my mother, and I am not the type of person to let others see my weaknesses. So it was a pretty tough time for me. In reality and in hindsight, my acne wasn't that bad, but I was under the care of a dermatologist over the next 2.5 years or so. I was originally prescribed a cocktail of antibiotics, Avar gel, Differin, and Clindomyacin. In time, I learned that antibiotics were not healthy in the dosages and in the period of time in which I was taking them. I tried to wean myself off of them, while consistently using my topical creams. It took some time, but my face returned to its awful self. I was devastated.

I continually fought this battle through college, and always wore makeup to cover my acne and scars. During my senior year of college, I started having woman problems and was passing out from my monthly cramps. As a result, I was put on birth control, which I had hoped would clear my acne as well. Immediately, my oily skin disappeared. How exciting! This was another area I struggled with, and I was so happy to be relieved of it. It was short-lived, however, as my skin got worse throughout the semester. Soon, I started to develop cystic acne, which was painful, increased the longevity of the pimples on my face, and caused my scarring to worsen. In fact, all of the open wounds I endured on my entire body and face began to scar terribly. I would experience something as minor as a scratch and it would take weeks (literally weeks, this is not an exaggeration) to heal, and even then it would leave behind pink skin. I would start monitoring my pimples, noticing that from coming to a head to the scar disappearing, it would take 6-8 weeks of my life, as well as 6-8 weeks of my self-esteem. Always a body-conscious and insecure girl, these pimples and scars did nothing for my perception of my self-worth. I started withdrawing socially, choosing not to go out or have people see me before I had put makeup on. This really put a stress on my relationship with my boyfriend, who never understood how I felt or why I thought the way that I did. This was a major sore spot in our relationship, and I chalked it up to his clear skin and lack of understanding. I resented him for it.

A year later, we fast-forward to the present, as I am in my second year of grad school. I am FINALLY experiencing the clear skin that I always wanted and dreamed of. The kind that you are proud to show off. I finally feel like I have my confidence back, and that I am ready to face the world. After probably a thousand dollars worth of different makeup and acne products, I finally am happy.

I ended up switching birth control, which seemed to jive with my hormones better, though I still experience scarring. I learned that birth control often blocks the absorption of some vitamins, though my gynecologist claimed she had never heard of it. But I found people online who claimed to have the same issue that I had, so I'm sticking with it.

Anyway, I tried using Neutrogena on-the-spot treatment at the end of October 2008, and saw immediate results. Then it kinda bottomed out, but still gave me a level of clear that was worth maintaining. Soon after I ordered the big pump bottle through acne.org (Dan, thank you!!), and started the regimen. I read on this site that certain makeups have bismuth in them, which causes cystic pimples. I tried to read my makeup labels very carefully to see if they contained this ingredient, but I couldn't find a trace of it. Nevertheless, I decided to try a healthy form of mineral makeup that someone referenced on acne.org, and I am so thankful I gave it a shot! It's Joppa Minerals (joppaminerals.com) and I have noticed an amazing transformation on my face. Something in my old Maybelline makeup must have been irritating my skin. Then, to eliminate my scars, I started popping Vitamin E pills, and spreading the sticky goo on my face before bedtime (only at bedtime - it's too sticky and shiny to wear during the day). A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I can't believe how much it has helped! It has cut healing time by at least half, if not more. I love it!

Ok, this was a really long story, so thanks for being patient with me. Here's my regimen, in case you were curious:


Morning:
Shower with Basis bar soap
Spot Treat with Acne.org benzoyl peroxide
Oil of Olay Complete Sensitive Skin Lotion
Joppa Minerals makeup


Bedtime:
Purpose bar soap
Spot Treat with Acne.org benzoyl peroxide
Apply Vitamin E directly to scars
Take birth control (Ortho Tricyclen generic called Sprintec)



Best of luck to you all and don't give up. I almost did, but my persistence has paid off! I'm starting to love my skin again! I used to get compliments on my clear skin, and I just got my first clear skin compliment and it feels so good!!