26 replies to this topic

[acowles]

My skin almost 5 months ago was experiencing a smallish breakout. Before that I had really nice skin, except for the random pimples. After this breakout, everything went downhill from there,

Right now I have the worst acne of my life. It's really making me emotionally hurt, and I feel disgusting every day.

The pictures do not accurately show how bad it is.

I just started a new routine 2 weeks ago:

Morning:
Lush Fresh Pharm.
Tone w/ Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel
Moisturize w/ Aloe Vera

Night:
Remove makeup w/ oil cleansing (castor + grapeseed+ tea tree)
Lush Fresh Pharm.
Tone w/ Thayer's Rose Petal Witch Hazel
Moisturize w/ Aloe Vera
Spot treat w/ either Tea Tree oil or Drying Cream


Exfoliate a couple times a week w/ Neutrogena Oil Free Daily Scrub w/ Sal.Acid

Mask 1-2 times a week (Queen Helene Mint)



I think I can contribute this acne to me stopping my Retin-A (.04%) But that was over a month ago. And I stopped using my Clarisonic over a month ago too.

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[acowles]

bump. no one?

[NeedAdvice124]

I know how horrible it can be. I have pretty much perfect skin my whole life 17 years, with the exception of a few pimples and maybe a breakout every once in a while. Recently I have been breaking out not so bad still pretty much mild acne. I decided to change my diet which has helped I think, your acne isn't so bad but I know how horrible it feels but trust me it does get better, just watch what you eat and if you feel that horrible go to a derm who might give you some anti biotics.

[acowles]

Ya i still can't decide if I should start using my Retin-A micro again.

thank you for the kind words

[MakeupLoser]

i have had really bad skin and i have tried everything you could think of ! ive tried it nothing has worked, it got me really depressed and upset cause my friends are the typical long blonde hair and clear skin kind of girls and my acne made me feel horrible ! ... but i want to share with you what cleared my skin up dramatically ! cause ive read number of reviews and i hope someone will read this and then will make them try what i have tried ! ...... bascally if you think about the stuff your putting on your skin at the moment, i bet you use alot of products think of the chemicals and then what thats going to do to your skin when your older ! so stick to simple and less products. all i use is simple triple action cleanser in the morning, then cetaphil lotion - and at night simple triple action face wipes, then the same cleanser and the same cetaphil ! none of that is harse and its cleard my skin up sooooo much ! i hope you try it cause its worked for me

[Dboy28]

I feel your pain. I'm 14 I don't have terrible acne just lots of blackheads on my forehead (little bumps) and like 2-3 red pimples. It gets me do self conscious it's unbelievable. My grades suck because of it. My social life is terrible. But consider yourself lucky you don't have bad acne by the look off your pictures. It will fade with time you will find a product to get rid of your acne I guarantee it. Just keep trying it will get better.

[acowles]

thanks for the replies.

bump.

anymore tips?

my acne is quickly spiraling out of control

[lightersUP]

What were you using when your breakouts started?

I can definitely relate to how you're feeling. A few months ago I tried the OCM using olive, castor, and tea tree oils. Unfortunately this gave me the worst breakout of my life. If you continue to use oils in your regimen, just be very cautious and try not to use too much, and clean up any extra residue. I believe the oils I was using slowly clogged up my pores until it was too late and my face erupted with so many pimples I lost count.

Overall though your regimen sounds good. Time will only tell if it works out for you though. Good luck!

[acowles]

I think this is because I stopped using my retin-a (.04%) I marked off every sunday any changes to my skin care routine on my calender, and i was breaking out a tiny bit so i stopped the retin-a, and everything exploded.

[KateLibby]

You need to go to a dermatologist soon. There are so many things they can help you with. I had the same thing happen to me when I was 25. Mine was hormonal. Which I think most breakouts in females are. Starting ortho tri cyclen birth control and benzaclin cleared it up completely. Go to a derm. They can help. It might take 2-3 months to see a result on what they start you with but just keep it up.

Good luck.

[acowles]

I tried benzaclin, but it ended up making my skin really dull and old looking .

im thinking of booking an appointment soon. i wanna do it at the end of may so i can give my new routine a chance, so im not tempted to rush to the derm and get all these new topicals and etc.

[Ghost08]

Acowles,

Your skin in your pictures looks just like mine used to! I also have used benzaclin before and I know what you mean about making your skin dull.
Have you every tried Dan's products?

Your facewash contains perfume and SLS, which can both be very irritating to your skin.

[acowles]

Acowles,

Your skin in your pictures looks just like mine used to! I also have used benzaclin before and I know what you mean about making your skin dull.
Have you every tried Dan's products?

Your facewash contains perfume and SLS, which can both be very irritating to your skin.

No I haven't used his products! I'm not really a fan of BP.

And i dont know why I listed that as my facewash. I used it once because I remembered I had a chunk of it left over. I'm currently using raw honey as a face wash and leave it on as a mask for an hour at night.

[redpimples]

Honestly If i were you I would save my money and not bother with a dermatologist. They just want to sell you stuff that you can already find out about on the internet. I believe you are using way to many chemicals. It seems like your face is irritated yet oily. That I believe says one thing and that is that you are stripping your face of its natural oils by using all the products you are using and while that is happening your face is trying to make up for the oil you are washing away which explains the excess oil. What helped me a ton after years of different products was to completely STOP using everything. I now only wash my face with water ONE time a day in the morning when I shower. I also do not soak it I quickly put it under the showerhead for 3 seconds tops and thats it to make sure water drips on every part. Then when I dry it I take a clean papertowel each time and pad the water off which also takes the extra oil off(try it). Do that only once a day when you shower and if throughout the day you find yourself oily then gently pad it away with some clean toilet paper or tissue. I would also recommend urine therapy but that seems to be a little to "wild" for the American culture. I have only one question for you, how is your digestion? If you want to know anything else let me know.

[Rheks]

Hi hun,

I am no expert at all, but it seems like whats happened to you is really similar to me, I use to have really clear skin and like 4-5 months ago my skin was alot better, and only recently has it gotten really bad.

The things I can suggest are to as people have said perhaps see a derm, so they can determin the cause of the it, as it could be products or from the inside. But personally I have never visited a derm, because they seem to just give you really medicated treatment which doesn't work and just agrivates.

What I am doing is trying to treat it from the inside as well as out, by eating alot better and cutting out sugar and dairy. Maybe evalute when the breakouts happen, and what you had eaten a week before that, as well as your period times.

I'd also suggest to not use so many products at once, the list you have made seems like a lot, and your skin may not beable to deal with it. The biggest mistakes I have made is by using so many different things at once or trying new things over and over.

I suggest that you cut out the aloe vera, because I use to use it but it didnt seem to moisturise well at all. Try get a standard oil free moisturiser.
stick to using the witch hazel and tea tree, as I have been using them and they seem to work fantastic on redness & spot size, but can be a bit drying so get a good moisturiser!

Also, I wouldn't exfoliate, I don't know if its just me, but everytime I do, it agrivates the hell out of my skin, especially if its a scrub! maybe get a more gentle one? or use a natural exfoliatan like oatmeal?

Edited by Rheks, 02 May 2012 - 06:49 AM.

[ohsailor]

Sorry that you're going through such a bad time with your skin.

I'm recovering from a difficult period with mine + I know how frustrating and upsetting is that nothing you seem to do works.

I have a few ideas/tips that you might want to consider:

• zinc supplementation - this saves me from too much inflammation. I certainly notice the difference if I stop for a week.
• try eliminating gluten and dairy - these are common triggers for acne. I was already a vegan so there was no dairy for me but reducing my gluten intake to practically zero has done wonders.
• cut down on caffeine - this increases stress hormones in your body which can lead to acne. I don't drink any caffeine at all any more, but as with zinc, I notice if I have too much caffeine and my skin starts to break out.
• eat as much fresh fruit and vegetables as possible
• you might want to think about using a BHA/AHA - BHA's clean out pores and can help inflammation. AHA's exfoliate and can prevent red marks.
• change your pillows/face towels regularly
• avoid touching your face as much as possible

[Green Gables]

You really might want to consider a) getting moderate sun exposure or b) supplementing with vitamin D-3. There is a lot of evidence that points to D-3 deficiency and inflammation in the skin. D-3 is actually a "pre-hormone" and not really a vitamin. It regulates all sorts of functions in the body. You look pasty white and it's doubtful that you're getting all the D that your body needs.

When I had my own vitamin D levels checked (and they were low), my doctor recommended supplementing with AT LEAST 5,000 IU a day in over the counter softgel pill form. My doctor stays up with current research and says there is no harm supplementing up to 10,000 IU a day. Your body will make that much anyway if you're out in the sun.

I use Vitamin D-3 Gold in 5,000 IU strength. Amazon link: http://www.amazon.co...ASIN=B005G73N3I

[acowles]

Honestly If i were you I would save my money and not bother with a dermatologist. They just want to sell you stuff that you can already find out about on the internet. I believe you are using way to many chemicals. It seems like your face is irritated yet oily. That I believe says one thing and that is that you are stripping your face of its natural oils by using all the products you are using and while that is happening your face is trying to make up for the oil you are washing away which explains the excess oil. What helped me a ton after years of different products was to completely STOP using everything. I now only wash my face with water ONE time a day in the morning when I shower. I also do not soak it I quickly put it under the showerhead for 3 seconds tops and thats it to make sure water drips on every part. Then when I dry it I take a clean papertowel each time and pad the water off which also takes the extra oil off(try it). Do that only once a day when you shower and if throughout the day you find yourself oily then gently pad it away with some clean toilet paper or tissue. I would also recommend urine therapy but that seems to be a little to "wild" for the American culture. I have only one question for you, how is your digestion? If you want to know anything else let me know.

I don't think I could just not use anything......................and urine therapy? I'd never do that haha. & My disgestion is fine haha

Hi hun,

I am no expert at all, but it seems like whats happened to you is really similar to me, I use to have really clear skin and like 4-5 months ago my skin was alot better, and only recently has it gotten really bad.

The things I can suggest are to as people have said perhaps see a derm, so they can determin the cause of the it, as it could be products or from the inside. But personally I have never visited a derm, because they seem to just give you really medicated treatment which doesn't work and just agrivates.

What I am doing is trying to treat it from the inside as well as out, by eating alot better and cutting out sugar and dairy. Maybe evalute when the breakouts happen, and what you had eaten a week before that, as well as your period times.

I'd also suggest to not use so many products at once, the list you have made seems like a lot, and your skin may not beable to deal with it. The biggest mistakes I have made is by using so many different things at once or trying new things over and over.

I suggest that you cut out the aloe vera, because I use to use it but it didnt seem to moisturise well at all. Try get a standard oil free moisturiser.
stick to using the witch hazel and tea tree, as I have been using them and they seem to work fantastic on redness & spot size, but can be a bit drying so get a good moisturiser!

Also, I wouldn't exfoliate, I don't know if its just me, but everytime I do, it agrivates the hell out of my skin, especially if its a scrub! maybe get a more gentle one? or use a natural exfoliatan like oatmeal?

thank you for the great suggestions! ive been trying to eat better, i can just never find good foods :/

Sorry that you're going through such a bad time with your skin.

I'm recovering from a difficult period with mine + I know how frustrating and upsetting is that nothing you seem to do works.

I have a few ideas/tips that you might want to consider:

• zinc supplementation - this saves me from too much inflammation. I certainly notice the difference if I stop for a week.
• try eliminating gluten and dairy - these are common triggers for acne. I was already a vegan so there was no dairy for me but reducing my gluten intake to practically zero has done wonders.
• cut down on caffeine - this increases stress hormones in your body which can lead to acne. I don't drink any caffeine at all any more, but as with zinc, I notice if I have too much caffeine and my skin starts to break out.
• eat as much fresh fruit and vegetables as possible
• you might want to think about using a BHA/AHA - BHA's clean out pores and can help inflammation. AHA's exfoliate and can prevent red marks.
• change your pillows/face towels regularly
• avoid touching your face as much as possible

ive been using honey a lot recently; is that a BHA or AHA? and yes ill try zinc soon thanks!

You really might want to consider a) getting moderate sun exposure or b) supplementing with vitamin D-3. There is a lot of evidence that points to D-3 deficiency and inflammation in the skin. D-3 is actually a "pre-hormone" and not really a vitamin. It regulates all sorts of functions in the body. You look pasty white and it's doubtful that you're getting all the D that your body needs.

When I had my own vitamin D levels checked (and they were low), my doctor recommended supplementing with AT LEAST 5,000 IU a day in over the counter softgel pill form. My doctor stays up with current research and says there is no harm supplementing up to 10,000 IU a day. Your body will make that much anyway if you're out in the sun.

I use Vitamin D-3 Gold in 5,000 IU strength. Amazon link: http://www.amazon.co...ASIN=B005G73N3I

haha it's so funny you say that! i live in Seattle, Washington. It rains A LOT here. getting sun is pretty rare. not a lot of opportunities to get exposure

[ohsailor]

No, honey is not an AHA or a BHA as far as I'm aware.

BHA's are salicylic acids and AHA's are acids like glycolic, mandelic and lactic.

As good as the natural route can be, sometimes OTC products are needed. You may want to consider researching products on Acne.org forums or on MakeupAlley (review site for cosmetics) The messageboards are really helpful over there (you have to sign up but its free) as lots of members have similar skin to ours (acne etc) but are very very knowledgeable on products and skin care in general, especially with the benefits of AHA and BHA and pH etc.

I would recommend products but I live in the UK so we probably don't have anything similar to you. I've tried Paula's Choice BHA 2% Liquid (which I liked initially but I think I have a reaction to but if I hadn't reacted to it then I would definitely have continued using as it works well on inflammation and dries up spots quickly) and there are lots of positive reviews of this BHA and her AHA gel is good as well (I don't use on my face but use it for my chest)

Good luck

[acowles]

No, honey is not an AHA or a BHA as far as I'm aware.

BHA's are salicylic acids and AHA's are acids like glycolic, mandelic and lactic.

As good as the natural route can be, sometimes OTC products are needed. You may want to consider researching products on Acne.org forums or on MakeupAlley (review site for cosmetics) The messageboards are really helpful over there (you have to sign up but its free) as lots of members have similar skin to ours (acne etc) but are very very knowledgeable on products and skin care in general, especially with the benefits of AHA and BHA and pH etc.

I would recommend products but I live in the UK so we probably don't have anything similar to you. I've tried Paula's Choice BHA 2% Liquid (which I liked initially but I think I have a reaction to but if I hadn't reacted to it then I would definitely have continued using as it works well on inflammation and dries up spots quickly) and there are lots of positive reviews of this BHA and her AHA gel is good as well (I don't use on my face but use it for my chest)

Good luck

i use a exfoliant a couple times a week w/ SAL.Acid in it.

thanks!