11 replies to this topic

[Need Solutions]

Ive just been to see a dermatologist and to say im upset and angry would be an understatement.

I explained to him over and over again how blocked up my pores were and how dry and dehydrated my skin was and he just didnt seem to listen or take anything in whatsoever.

I really needed him to suggest me some good products for my skin type. when asking him about this he said "neutrogena's meant to be alright" basically the first company that came to his head, one of the ones that does the most advertising. Didnt even suggest any specific products just said this.

When asking him about face wash he just basically said you use any. Even though I told him they dry out my face so much.

He prescribed me differin and some doxycyclin antibiotics and as far as I know neither of these are any use for unclogging very blocked pores. although they probably would work on the actual pimples.

He also said how diet doesnt affect acne. Which it clearly does.

I really needed a professional opinion and some good recomendations for products and I got neither of these things..

=(

[snsdgirl14]

I'm sorry your experience wasn't good. I understand how frustrating it can be - sometimes derms will say certain things and since I know so much about skin I'm just doubting their advice, but then again, I guess they're the one with a medical degree. Personally, I use doxy 2x a day and it has worked great for my skin - no more pimples anymore really. I would say you might as well try using what he prescribed to you. At this point it looks like the things you have been doing before are not working, and you're going to have to try something new to improve your skin. The skin works in really weird ways honestly, and who knows....this might be what your skin needs.

I think you really need to moisturize though. I understand you're scared because of the blocked pores, but not moisturizing can lead to even more blocked pores. I get blocked pores VERY easily and my CeraVe moisturizer never blocked any for me. I used to never use moisturizer because I have oily/combination skin but now I can safely say it's part of my skin routine everyday because of how much it's improved my skin.

[Murph89]

Thats the unfortunate thing with dermatologists. I've been through 5 in the past 6 months and i finally found a great one who is willing to talk to me over the phone vs me coming in and seeing him and paying $150. You just gotta find the right one. Ask family members or friends for referrals. Thats how I found this one.

[Sasch83]

Need Solutions, i agree with the other posters....derms in general are not really knowledgeable in treating acne and sometimes you have to do a lot of the leg work (unfortunately). They tend to throw a retinoid and antibiotics at you usually starting with the least irritating one (such as differin).

With that said, if you want to build a skin care regimen then you have to ask yourself what you hope to achieve? Do you want to go natural or chemical route, etc etc.

If you want to do natural, then many people suggest just to wash your face with cool water only - you can follow this up with an apple cider vinegar or green tea toner and then moisturize with an oil (jojoba) or aloe or a combination.

I believe people use SA or BHA to unclog pores. There are lots of tips on the board in terms of brands

Good Luck!

[Need Solutions]

I'm sorry your experience wasn't good. I understand how frustrating it can be - sometimes derms will say certain things and since I know so much about skin I'm just doubting their advice, but then again, I guess they're the one with a medical degree. Personally, I use doxy 2x a day and it has worked great for my skin - no more pimples anymore really. I would say you might as well try using what he prescribed to you. At this point it looks like the things you have been doing before are not working, and you're going to have to try something new to improve your skin. The skin works in really weird ways honestly, and who knows....this might be what your skin needs.

I think you really need to moisturize though. I understand you're scared because of the blocked pores, but not moisturizing can lead to even more blocked pores. I get blocked pores VERY easily and my CeraVe moisturizer never blocked any for me. I used to never use moisturizer because I have oily/combination skin but now I can safely say it's part of my skin routine everyday because of how much it's improved my skin.

Thankyou, I guess im just going to have to figure it out on my own by the sounds of things. This dermatologist didnt seem to have a clue and I think he would of just prescribed the same thing to whoever walked in with acne regardless of how bad it was or what type it was etc..

Yes your right about the moisturizer I deinately need to find one, the thing is there's so many blocked pores and stuff on my face I dont think id be able to tell if it was blocking them any more or not =/ but I definately agree with you. Hope your ok.

Thats the unfortunate thing with dermatologists. I've been through 5 in the past 6 months and i finally found a great one who is willing to talk to me over the phone vs me coming in and seeing him and paying $150. You just gotta find the right one. Ask family members or friends for referrals. Thats how I found this one.

Yes I supose I will just have to try and find another one or just try and sort it on my own sounds the best bet, doesnt seem like any of these people really know in depth about the different ingredients in skin products, he just seemed intrested in destroying all the acne, not bothered if my face was destroyed in the process.

Need Solutions, i agree with the other posters....derms in general are not really knowledgeable in treating acne and sometimes you have to do a lot of the leg work (unfortunately). They tend to throw a retinoid and antibiotics at you usually starting with the least irritating one (such as differin).

With that said, if you want to build a skin care regimen then you have to ask yourself what you hope to achieve? Do you want to go natural or chemical route, etc etc.

If you want to do natural, then many people suggest just to wash your face with cool water only - you can follow this up with an apple cider vinegar or green tea toner and then moisturize with an oil (jojoba) or aloe or a combination.

I believe people use SA or BHA to unclog pores. There are lots of tips on the board in terms of brands

Good Luck!

Yes your right, thats exactly how it came across. It just seems so strange how someone that has made a living in looking after someone's skin cant recommend some good quality products. All they seem to know about is the drugs to destroy the acne and dont seem interested in any other side of things. there must be something very wrong with the system if none of them know anything about the products on the market.

I dont really mind weather its chemicals or natural too be honest, im just looking for the thing that gets the best results.

Ive already got a good 2% BHA its just a gentle face wash and a moisturizer I seem to be struggling with.

Ive been thinking about either the "purpose" cleanser or the "acne.org" one. but I live in england so would have to order them both on the internet.

As for the moisturizer I really havent got a clue too be honest. Ive read so many different things good and bad about all different types of moisturizers there seems to be problems with all of them, but mabye Im just been fussy, but I really want to make sure I get the right product because everyhing ive tried so far seems to have a negative impact on my skin. The aloe vera is a good bet but ive read it can be drying so I dont know.


Im just so confused with it all aha =/

[Sasch83]

Do not use purpose - it has some pretty nasty ingredients and it dried my face out. Honestly, my holistic derm says a face soap is not a necessity at all, even if you sweat. If you do want one though, google organic ones that have minimal ingredients and chemicals (it does make a difference - trust me) As for aloe, you can add vegetable glycerin which has a 0 rating for comodogenic material (it shouldn't break you out).

Stay away from the commercial brands.

What kind of acne do you have?

[Need Solutions]

Do not use purpose - it has some pretty nasty ingredients and it dried my face out. Honestly, my holistic derm says a face soap is not a necessity at all, even if you sweat. If you do want one though, google organic ones that have minimal ingredients and chemicals (it does make a difference - trust me) As for aloe, you can add vegetable glycerin which has a 0 rating for comodogenic material (it shouldn't break you out).

Stay away from the commercial brands.

What kind of acne do you have?

Thanks your suggestions are good.

I would mabye feel better cleansing with a little bit of something rather than just water but mabye it isnt neccessary. I could mabye do with finding a gentle one to use 3/4 times a week instead of twice a day just to make sure my face is clean. From what ive seen of organic cleansers they seem to contain alot of oils and stuff and my pores are so blocked already so ive just got very paranoid about putting things on my face that could further block pores, but mabye im just over reacting.

Ive looked into the glycerin a lot and it seems in low humidity (where im from its probably pretty low humidity) it can be drying as humecant can draw moisture from the lower layers of the skin gradually drying it out. (people have reported) and a few quotes from different sources

"In low humidity conditions (dew point below 1.5°C) humectants will pull moisture from the skin and hair, since the air is very dry. This way they are drying. If you don´t want your skin & hair to dry out, apply moisturisers other than humectants"

So this kind of took me back to square one haha =/

It seems asif ive over-researched everything and have found a reason that every single thing could be bad for my skin. The trouble I read about how excellent something is, then find someone saying "dont put that on your face it will do this or do that" Its made it so hard for me to choose anything.

I cant get out the mind set of fearing the worst for everything because everything ive tried so far has had bad consequences.

The type of acne I have. I would say all these things describe my skin.

Very Dry - Very Dehydrated - Tiny tiny black dots everywhere - Pustules - Blackheads - Whitehead - Blocked pores All sorts. I know this sounds discusting but it doesnt look quite as bad as ive described although it is bad enough to have made me barely leave the house for the last month.

Basically a mixture of everything and the last 2/3 weeks ive totally lost control of how to stop it from getting worse, let alone start trying to improve it




If I can just find some ingredient or product that will keep moisture in my skin after a shower and wont block pores at all I will be on the way to starting to improve my skin. and allow me to use the BHA without excessively dry skin.




Sorry for the long one, I just want to give people as much information as possible so they may have some suggestions, and thank you for your help.

[Sasch83]

Do not use purpose - it has some pretty nasty ingredients and it dried my face out. Honestly, my holistic derm says a face soap is not a necessity at all, even if you sweat. If you do want one though, google organic ones that have minimal ingredients and chemicals (it does make a difference - trust me) As for aloe, you can add vegetable glycerin which has a 0 rating for comodogenic material (it shouldn't break you out).

Stay away from the commercial brands.

What kind of acne do you have?

Thanks your suggestions are good.

I would mabye feel better cleansing with a little bit of something rather than just water but mabye it isnt neccessary. I could mabye do with finding a gentle one to use 3/4 times a week instead of twice a day just to make sure my face is clean. From what ive seen of organic cleansers they seem to contain alot of oils and stuff and my pores are so blocked already so ive just got very paranoid about putting things on my face that could further block pores, but mabye im just over reacting.

Ive looked into the glycerin a lot and it seems in low humidity (where im from its probably pretty low humidity) it can be drying as humecant can draw moisture from the lower layers of the skin gradually drying it out. (people have reported) and a few quotes from different sources

"In low humidity conditions (dew point below 1.5°C) humectants will pull moisture from the skin and hair, since the air is very dry. This way they are drying. If you don´t want your skin & hair to dry out, apply moisturisers other than humectants"

So this kind of took me back to square one haha =/

It seems asif ive over-researched everything and have found a reason that every single thing could be bad for my skin. The trouble I read about how excellent something is, then find someone saying "dont put that on your face it will do this or do that" Its made it so hard for me to choose anything.

I cant get out the mind set of fearing the worst for everything because everything ive tried so far has had bad consequences.

The type of acne I have. I would say all these things describe my skin.

Very Dry - Very Dehydrated - Tiny tiny black dots everywhere - Pustules - Blackheads - Whitehead - Blocked pores All sorts. I know this sounds discusting but it doesnt look quite as bad as ive described although it is bad enough to have made me barely leave the house for the last month.

Basically a mixture of everything and the last 2/3 weeks ive totally lost control of how to stop it from getting worse, let alone start trying to improve it




If I can just find some ingredient or product that will keep moisture in my skin after a shower and wont block pores at all I will be on the way to starting to improve my skin. and allow me to use the BHA without excessively dry skin.




Sorry for the long one, I just want to give people as much information as possible so they may have some suggestions, and thank you for your help.

And its appreciated. You sound like you have run of the mill type of acne. My skin is dehydrated as well so if you find a good moisturizer, feel free to share

Good Luck!

[Need Solutions]

Do not use purpose - it has some pretty nasty ingredients and it dried my face out. Honestly, my holistic derm says a face soap is not a necessity at all, even if you sweat. If you do want one though, google organic ones that have minimal ingredients and chemicals (it does make a difference - trust me) As for aloe, you can add vegetable glycerin which has a 0 rating for comodogenic material (it shouldn't break you out).

Stay away from the commercial brands.

What kind of acne do you have?

Thanks your suggestions are good.

I would mabye feel better cleansing with a little bit of something rather than just water but mabye it isnt neccessary. I could mabye do with finding a gentle one to use 3/4 times a week instead of twice a day just to make sure my face is clean. From what ive seen of organic cleansers they seem to contain alot of oils and stuff and my pores are so blocked already so ive just got very paranoid about putting things on my face that could further block pores, but mabye im just over reacting.

Ive looked into the glycerin a lot and it seems in low humidity (where im from its probably pretty low humidity) it can be drying as humecant can draw moisture from the lower layers of the skin gradually drying it out. (people have reported) and a few quotes from different sources

"In low humidity conditions (dew point below 1.5°C) humectants will pull moisture from the skin and hair, since the air is very dry. This way they are drying. If you don´t want your skin & hair to dry out, apply moisturisers other than humectants"

So this kind of took me back to square one haha =/

It seems asif ive over-researched everything and have found a reason that every single thing could be bad for my skin. The trouble I read about how excellent something is, then find someone saying "dont put that on your face it will do this or do that" Its made it so hard for me to choose anything.

I cant get out the mind set of fearing the worst for everything because everything ive tried so far has had bad consequences.

The type of acne I have. I would say all these things describe my skin.

Very Dry - Very Dehydrated - Tiny tiny black dots everywhere - Pustules - Blackheads - Whitehead - Blocked pores All sorts. I know this sounds discusting but it doesnt look quite as bad as ive described although it is bad enough to have made me barely leave the house for the last month.

Basically a mixture of everything and the last 2/3 weeks ive totally lost control of how to stop it from getting worse, let alone start trying to improve it




If I can just find some ingredient or product that will keep moisture in my skin after a shower and wont block pores at all I will be on the way to starting to improve my skin. and allow me to use the BHA without excessively dry skin.




Sorry for the long one, I just want to give people as much information as possible so they may have some suggestions, and thank you for your help.

And its appreciated. You sound like you have run of the mill type of acne. My skin is dehydrated as well so if you find a good moisturizer, feel free to share

Good Luck!

Doesnt feel or luck very run of the mill to me, looks horrible =( aha.

I will do, my life has basically been dedicated to trying to find the right stuff for my skin at the moment, which is very strange, but im that desperate to stop it getting worse. hahaaa.

I will let you know if I find anything good.

Good luck too =)

[Ripon10]

Please don't rinse your face off with only water. I know people like to go "natural" but you need to get the oils off your skin that the skin naturally produces. Water does not do that. Dan's face wash is okay. Purpose is okay. Have you seen the thread on here about green tea and sea salt? I have not tried it but it is worth reading.

[Need Solutions]

Please don't rinse your face off with only water. I know people like to go "natural" but you need to get the oils off your skin that the skin naturally produces. Water does not do that. Dan's face wash is okay. Purpose is okay. Have you seen the thread on here about green tea and sea salt? I have not tried it but it is worth reading.

Ok, Yeh I do believe I probably need something to get everything off too be honest. My main problem is finding a moisturizer though and it feels asif my skin is literally been destroyed. The dry and dehydrated feeling is so bad. I was really hoping this dermatologist could help me with this after my skin and was absolutely gutted with his severe lack of knowledge of products too be honest.

Its not like I havent researched moisturizers, its the fact ive probably over researched them and have found bad points in every single one. My pores are so blocked im just petrified of a moisturizer making this far worse but I cant go on without one.. =/

Also ive got this moisturizer

Sebamed - Clear Face Care Gel ph 5.5
Ingredients: Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Sorbitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Pantenol, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Gel, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Carbomer, Sodium Citrate.a

It doesnt really contain pore clogging ingredients.
But it doesnt really seem to do anything and if anything seems to make my face seem abit dryer probably due to the face of humecants drawing moisture from the inner layers of the skin if the humidity is low.
Im so confused!

[Ripon10]

My esthetician recommends petroleum jelly. Try using it at night and wash off in the morning. Did you try adding a few drops of jojoba oil into the moisturizer? The ingredients look pretty good. I use Lumiplexion. I use the cream, but she has a clear gel moisturizer as well that's more for active acne. It's lightweight. I wouldn't say it is intense moisture, but it's not going to clog your pores.

Do you have active acne or just blackheads and clogged pores? Basically I get a zit here or there but the main thing I fight off are the clogged pores. I have been very faithful the last couple weeks about using my glycolic acid and my face has never seemed clearer to me. It goes deep and brings everything to the surface and removes the bumps. I tried Dan's, and although it was okay, I've had much more success with Lumiplexion. I started with the 10% and then bumped up to the 12% recently. I've really noticed a difference with this extra boost. She also sells a 15% that I'll eventually go to as well. Have you used glycolic acid before?

Edited by Ripon10, 10 August 2012 - 06:44 PM.