Has anybody noticed a correlation between..

Anybody notice this? Just curious...

Acne only on the right side of the face

I'm not saying that I don't get acne on my left side, but it has been predominately on my right side since I got off Accutane about two years ago. I'm not getting any cysts or anything deep anymore, but I have plenty of whiteheads and pustules all over my chin, cheek, and eyebrow area. It's driving me mad. I'm wondering what could be the cause of just one side of my face breaking out?

Also, I can't take estrogen based birth control because of other adverse reactions, so I've been taking a mini pill with progesterone only and I've recently read this may cause acne to get worse. I was curious if anyone else knows anything about this? My neck has recently broken out (only on the right side) and I never used to have neck acne before!

Thanks.

Neck acne

I've never really had an issue with acne on my neck. I will get a few pimples around my jawline but that's about it, except for now. A few weeks ago my neck just starting breaking out like crazy and still is and now I'm having new acne plus the red marks from the old acne. What the heck is causing this all of a sudden? I'm a 21 year old female and I use salicylic acid wash 2x a day on my face and now my neck.

Thanks!

Acne seems to be aggravated by moisturizer

There is no one brand of moisturizer in particular that seems to aggravate my skin because I've used several different products - they all seem to do it. My skin gets super clogged and oily and I will get these pimples that are just full of puss. I was on Retin-A for about 6 months, it was horrible. I would use it every other day (because my skin would peel so bad) and use a moisturizer at night and I finally gave up. My skin was looking so horrible.

For the past few weeks, I got just a generic salicylic acid acne wash and started using it only at night and have now progressed to morning and night - WITH NO MOISTURIZER at night. I use one during the day with SPF. I'm still getting breakouts, but they seem to be less severe and not as many. Plus the best thing, my skin is no longer peeling!!!

Anyway, my question is, does anyone else's skin do better without moisturizer? Everywhere I look I see that people are using one lotion or another... is anyone else in the same boat?

Week 1 - My personal Retin-A log

Hi all.

I have had acne since I started menstruating - when I was 10 I used to have cysts and nodular acne for the longest time. My doc put me on Tetracycline (old school, I know) and a topical ointment and I was able to control it for a long time, but then it just got to the point were the cysts were hurting so bad and deforming my face, so I decided to go on Accutane last year and was the best thing I could have done for myself.

I no longer have deep, nodular acne. I do have surface acne that is generally smaller and not as deep. After Accutane, my doc put me on Retin-A micro. It worked well for a while, but then I started peeling so freaking bad that I couldn't stand it. I didn't have much acne anymore, but my face looked horrible and blotchy because I was peeling so much. My doc told me not to use any moisturizer because that would clog my pores, so I didn't, but then I realized she was dead wrong!

So finally, right now, I am using Retin-A at night. I wash my face with Clean & Clear Gentle Foaming Cleanser, let it dry, apply a heavy cream for sensitive skin from Avon, let that dry and then apply the Retin-A to my chin, cheeks, & forehead. I have only been doing this regimen for a week, but I have already noticed results. Also, last night I put Vitamin E oil on my face and it dramatically reduced my facial redness the same night! So I think I am going to do that a few times a week. I've also learned not to wash my face twice a day because it just drys me out too much and makes me flaky.

So, that is my story and hopefully I will eventually see an acne-free future!