22 replies to this topic

[heitea]

Hello!

This is my second SERIOUS attempt at curing my acne. I say "Serious" because I actually stuck with my clear-skin regimen. In the past, I have actually gotten to a point where I didn't have any acne, but it didn't last very long due to some very stressful things that happened in my life.

My first attempt was super health-centered. I was the happiest I'd been in a very, very long time. I think that was the main cause of my clear skin. I was (and still am) a vegetarian. I was doing sweat-inducing exercising almost every day. I was using a simple cleanser, manuka honey, and tea tree oil topically. I was happy and not stressed. Life was good, and I was pretty much acne-free. If you want to read about it, go to my profile page and click on my posts.

Anyway, SERIOUS attempt number two has to be something that will maintain clear skin even if I'm not so happy. I'm still under a lot of stress (looking for jobs, personal stress, etc), so as much as I'm going to try to not freak out about things, it's slightly inevitable to be somewhat stressed. I need to focus more on topical application.

Therefore, I purchased Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid. This came with a couple samples, one of which included the Weekly Resurfacing Treatment with 5% AHA.

This is my current regimen:

AM & PM:
Albolene Makeup Remover (tissue off)
Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid

Once a week:
Paula's Choice Weekly Resurfacing Treatment (makes my skin feel SO soft!)


I'll keep updating!

Edited by heitea, 22 August 2012 - 12:22 PM.

[heitea]

Hola!

So, I had a really bad breakout a couple days ago that was made worse by the fact that I picked the crap out of my face. For some reason, I always seem to pick my face when it is being SUPER acne prone (around my time of the month). So, all my breakouts are terrible.

Anyway, here's what I did for my face last night and then again this morning:
-Used Albolene makeup remover and tissued it off.
-Splashed my face with water.
-Put some Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid all over my face.
-Put some AHA Weekly resurfacing treatment on my bad pimples (out of desperation, I guess).

Results: This morning, my face was actually a lot clearer and my spots were definitely less angry.
I noticed that this breakout started clearing up a lot quicker than other hormonal breakouts in the past and I think this is due to the BHA

I have been using the BHA for about two weeks and my blackheads have gone away significantly and my skin is a lot softer. I've been taking pictures so I'll be posting them soon.

Yesterday, I ordered Paula's Choice CLEAR 3-Part system (it was 40% off and free shipping with the promo code!), which includes a Cleanser, more BHA, and Benzoyl Peroxide. I'm nervous that it'll dry my skin out really badly, but I've read amazing reviews on it, so I'm also excited that it might work.
I also worked out for 25 minutes yesterday and got a good sweat going.

Alright, progress pictures soon! I love seeing pictures of progress, so I'll definitely put them up as soon as I get some results.

[heitea]

I just washed my makeup off because I picked at a couple zits that came to a head today. For once, I'd love to wash my makeup off and not find a new pimple waiting for me. I still wanted to stay up and watch The Big Bang Theory (haha...), but I didn't want to walk out into the living room where my boyfriend was. He hasn't seen me without makeup in the (almost) six years that we've been together. It's really sad...and frustrating. In fact, it's starting to cause real problems.
Anyway, I put on the Clear Improvements charcoal mask from Origins just to hide my zits because I don't want to re-do my makeup.
I can't wait until my Paula's Choice CLEAR comes in the mail. I have read incredible reviews and I just want it to work for me so badly.

I'll beat this eventually...

[heitea]

WELL. For one, my face is in PAIN. I need this to GO AWAY.

I need to focus on stress-relief because I think it's really affecting my acne and just my overall happiness.

I'm going to try out Paula's Choice CLEAR system once it gets here, but if it doesn't work after a while, I'm going to try hormone treatments. Specifically, Spironolactone, maybe.

Also, exercising is going to help my stress, so it's time to do that regularly. The last time I was really clear was when I was happy all the time. So, that's a HUGE priority for me. Happiness....ahhh...breathing.....smiling... EDIT: I just worked out and it INSTANTLY put me in a great mood!

I got all my AHA samples in the mail from Paula's Choice and I can't wait till my other stuff comes in to try it! Tune in for updates!

Edited by heitea, 24 August 2012 - 07:45 PM.

[heitea]

Last night, I made the decision to be optimistic and happy about my life. Unlike most things that I "decide" on as I fall asleep at night, I actually remembered this one in the morning. I'm SO happy today.

Of course, the fact that my face felt super soft this morning helped my mood a lot

This is my new regimen; just slightly modified from the last one. When my Paula's Choice CLEAR system comes in the mail, it's going to change AGAIN.

AM:
Albolene Make-up Remover
Splash face with water, then pay dry
Wipe off with sensitive skin baby wipes (just to make sure skin is COMPLETELY makeup free)
Tone with Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) using cotton pad
-- Floss teeth while waiting for ACV to dry --
Put a nickel-sized amount of Paula's Choice 2% BHA on entire face, rubbing into skin for good absorption
-- Brush teeth while waiting for BHA to dry --
Put on a TINY, THIN amount of 2.5% BP (Neutrogena, for now, but once Paula's Choice comes in, it'll be Paula's Choice BP)
Paula's Choice sunscreen (sample)
Makeup

PM:
Same as AM except no sunscreen and no makeup

I know it's a lot...but...I think it's helping. It only takes about 10-15 minutes, anyway, so that's not bad.
Once a week, I'll be doing 5-10% AHA at night because it exfoliates the top of the skin while BHA goes deeper. AHA is good for scars and red marks. I want mine GONE.

Woo!

[heitea]

Hello!

My Paula's Choice CLEAR system came in yesterday, so I used it last night and this morning!
I went to an outdoor festival last night with live music and it was humid and I was sweaty from dancing but I didn't get a new zit! yesssss....

I did this new regimen:
Albolene Makeup Remover (PM only)
Paula's Choice Normalizing Cleanser
Tone with Apple Cider Vinegar
Paula's Choice 5% AHA (AM only), Paula's Choice 2% BHA (PM only)
Paula's Choice Extra Strength Acne Fighting Treatment
Paula's Choice Balancing Moisturizer gel sample
Paula's Choice SPF (AM only)
Makeup (AM only)

0_o Woo...that's A LOT of product. It better work. lol

Speaking of working, it seems to be My face is super soft and I didn't get a new spot yesterday or last night. Fingers crossed it keeps working!

[heitea]

AH! My skin is DRY. I'm only going to put the BP on in the morning now, I think. It's a bit too rough for me right now to do twice a day. I'll work my way up to it.

Acne-wise, I ended up getting a spot from that festival. I assume it's from the festival because it was a brewers festival, which means drinking micro-brewery beers and dancing to awesome music. I got a painful spot on my cheek. But that's it. All of my other existing acne is drying up (maybe a little TOO much...lol).

I haven't been using my Albolene makeup remover. I think that's a mistake because I think it's been keeping my skin from over drying. So, I'm going to use a bit of that again.

My mother mentioned that my face was "glowing" yesterday. Also, my skin (other than my spots and dry remnants of my spots) is super soft!
I think this all might actually work. If it doesn't, well, Paula's Choice gives your money back within 60 days. So.... that's good.

[heitea]

Picture time! WEE!
I'm sorry, these are super awkward photos. BUT! I want there to be some sort of reference here for when I get CLEAR! haha







(OUCH. that spot hurts A LOT.)




And, as a quick ref, this is what I looked like when I got clear the first time (and had super long hair!):

Edited by heitea, 27 August 2012 - 04:26 PM.

[heitea]

Hello!

My skin is really really soft! I do have a couple new zits, but they're around other spots that I picked at, so that's the reason. Also, there's one near my lip that showed up because my lips were super dry and I was licking my lips all day yesterday and touching my lips.

I wish I had named this something else... because the name of the thread is really not explanatory at all. I mean, I AM a vegetarian and I AM trying Paula's Choice, but really...it should have been more descriptive. Like, "Paula's Choice CLEAR Experiment." Oh well.

My skin is flaking off because I accidentally used too much BP when I first got it in the mail. Now I'm just using it on my active spots.

Once all these spots clear up (which they're already on their way!), my skin is going to be unbelievably soft. Also, my super oiliness that I sometimes get has lessened quite a bit. I'll post another picture tonight or tomorrow

IMPORTANT: The KEY to getting super clear is DEFINITELY going to be NOT picking at my skin!!!

Also, is anyone else trying or has any one else tried Paula's Choice??

Edited by heitea, 29 August 2012 - 07:42 PM.

[heitea]

I decided it's not really worth posting another picture yet since it pretty much looks the same except the spots are less raised. I'll post another picture when there's an actual difference.

Sometimes I wish I didn't use makeup at all because then I would know that I didn't have a way to cover up a spot if I pick at it. I always have it in mind that if I pick a pimple, it's okay, because I can just cover it up. I REALLY neeeeeeed to stop picking at my skin. It's mostly the culprit of my breakouts.

[heitea]

Hiiii!

My skin feels GREAT. It's a little dry still because of the Paula's Choice benzoyl peroxide. I'm still trying to figure out the perfect amount to put on my face without over drying. Right now, I'm just using it at night on my entire face and in the morning, putting it on any spots that I think need a little help.

Once again, I don't want to post another picture until there is a real difference, which I can tell is actually going to happen. After I wash my face and then let it sit for a couple minutes to let the redness of washing it go away, it's actually looking quite good. The texture of my skin is what is showing the real difference right now, not the appearance so much, though. The red marks of previous spots are still there, so it still looks like I have quite a bit of acne.

OH. Also, something that seems to be helping any new spots that show up: A tiny little spot treatment mask that I put on my spots before bed. A half of an aspirin or (in my case) an Excedrin with a DROP of ACV (apple cider vinegar). The ACV will break down the aspirin in about 30-45 seconds. It will be a mask-like consistency. Just dab a little on your spot after you've done your full facial routine (including moisturizer). In the morning, the zit should be a lot less inflamed and you should be a lot more happy. wee!

I'm feeling great about this regimen. I'm so excited to keep going with it because I think in about 4-5 weeks, I'll only have to deal with a spot or two. If you have acne, you understand why a spot or two would be totally fine, right?

[a.p.]

Hi!

Did you try using the recommended amount of paulas choice 5% bp? I've only ordered her samples. You know how the sample packet is glued on the brochure? Bellow the packet is a description of the product and there is a gray circle. The gray circle is how much of the product you should be using. I wanna say the recommended amount of bp was the size of a dime.

Maybe you could try only using half the amount that's recommended.

[heitea]

Hi!

Did you try using the recommended amount of paulas choice 5% bp? I've only ordered her samples. You know how the sample packet is glued on the brochure? Bellow the packet is a description of the product and there is a gray circle. The gray circle is how much of the product you should be using. I wanna say the recommended amount of bp was the size of a dime.

Maybe you could try only using half the amount that's recommended.

Hi a.p.!

Yes, I have tried the recommended amount. That's what seriously dried my skin in the first place. I'll have to work my way up to that amount but for now, it's just a little much. Thanks for the suggestion, though!


In other news, my skin is still getting better! Only one tiiiiiny new zit in three days . Now all that needs to go away are these red marks and then life will be good! I'm really happy about this regimen so far. It's been two weeks now. I'm estimating that in two more weeks, I'll be clear besides some pink discoloration. Here's to hoping I'll be right!

P.S. I have a job interview on Tuesday and that's exciting! YESS. Everything is positive in my life right now! haha

[a.p.]

Aww congratulations! Acne is a horrible thing and it's always cool to hear when someone has healed their acne!

[heitea]

hola!

first off, a.p., i'm not completely rid of my acne yet

yesterday, i picked at a little under-the-skin zit that I had because I thought it was coming to a head. BIG MISTAKE. I ended up picking at it and then tearing the skin. Boo. Now it's gonna be all scabby and impossible to cover with makeup. Oh well.

The good news is that I GOT THE JOB! That means I'm a high school biology teacher! go me!

The bad part about this is that now I REALLY need to be acne-free...because teenagers will make fun of anything they can. lol. But I'm still on my way, so things are still positive and working.

[heitea]

Hi!

It's been a little more than a month since I've started Paula's Choice CLEAR system. My skin has never felt so soft. I am still getting a few spots here and there, but my overall skin texture is so much better.

Right now, I'm hormonal because it's almost that time of the month, and because of that, I ended up with 2 spots on my jawline. However, any spots that I've been getting go away within two days. It's awesome It takes me hardly any time to get ready in the morning.

If I didn't have red marks, my skin would look SUPER clear. Woop. I just have to wait until the red marks fade and I'll be able to be makeup free!

As a recap, here's my regimen:
AM:
Wash face with PC's Normalizing Cleanser
PC's 2% BHA Liquid (wait 5 minutes)
PC's Benzoyl Peroxide *TIIIINY amount!* (wait 5 minutes)
Aveeno moisturizer with SPF
Makeup (Foundation, concealer, powder, mascara)

PM:
Remove makeup with Albolene
Wash face with PC's Normalizing Cleanser
Alternate every other night: 10% AHA Weekly Resurfacing Liquid or 5% Daily AHA Lotion (wait 5 minutes)
PC's Benzoyl Peroxide *TIIIINY amount!* (wait 5 minutes)
Aveeno moisturizer with SPF
Spot treat with aspirin + apple cider vinegar paste


I take these supplements EVERYDAY:
- 2 Flax seed oil capsules each morning
- Super B Stress complex tablets (one in the morning, another at night)

Edited by heitea, 04 October 2012 - 06:38 PM.

[heitea]

I wanted to compares some pictures from before I started my current regimen (Paula's Choice CLEAR system Extra Strength AND Paula's Choice AHA) and some afterwards. Here is what I was working with before it all. It was pretty bad. Click on it for a better look!




And here is what it looks like as of last week. I ran out of AHA so my face is starting to feel rough again and looking peely and dry. Boo. I ordered some more, so I'm waiting for it to come in.



I think there is an improvement. I just need to get rid of the pesky red marks, which are SLOOOOOWLY fading. The right side of my face looks especially good. Not sure why the left side gets all the spots.

Edited by heitea, 15 November 2012 - 06:55 PM.

[heitea]

Hey! Update!

I pretty much have my acne under control now.

That's really exciting to me. I think that the softness of my face and the no blackhead thing is because of the topicals I've been using (Paula's Choice CLEAR).

I was also starting to think the other day that I am also just growing out of acne. However, the next day, my face literally EXPLODED in zits. It was the time of the month for me....and geez, did my body over-react. Man....So, I was left with two of the WORST scab zits EVEEERRRR. My hormonal acne is always cystic, so of course, I tried to pick at the cystic acne, and that was a bad idea....and I'm sure everyone here knows why cystic acne should NEVER be tampered with.

So, anyway, they have finally healed and my skin is going back to it's normal self. On another note, I think I'm going to cut my hair into a pixie style again! so excited!

I've been trying out a diet to clear my acne and lose a bit of weight, but I just can't stick to it. I'm too obsessed with bread and cheese. I do love my veggies and fruits, but I need comfort food when I get home. haha. I know...it's lame. What's worse is that my younger sister is on this intense diet and she's SUPER thin now and has a six-pack. Way to make me feel like poo about myself. oh well! Happy Holidays!

[heitea]

Also, if anyone tries this regimen out, make sure you're also using the Paula's Choice AHA (or some other AHA).

When I stop using this, my face seems bumpy and is also really flaky. However, when I use it, my face is SO soft and happy and more healthy looking. It's the icing on the cake

[heitea]

Alrighty,

I'm back! And I'm here with an update! So, for the first time IN MY LIFE, I have not gotten a zit in two weeks. Two whole weeks with nothing new. And the best part about it is that I'm also PMSing, so this is when I usually get the worst of my acne.

Alright, so I'm still doing exactly what it says in my signature except I've stopped using the "Paula's Choice Extra Strength Acne Fighting Treatment" (This is just BP). BP has always been way too harsh for my skin, and I think it just exacerbates the problem for my sensitive/acne prone skin.

Here are a few complaints I have about Paula's Choice products:
-The skin on my right hand (which is what I use to apply all my products) is starting to become really flaky and dry, which is embarrassing when I have to point to my students' papers and stuff. This is really probably just my fault-- I need to start using more lotion/wash my hands after using my products.
-More expensive than any stuff that you can buy at a local store.

Here is why I will continue to buy the products (unless they go up in price):
-This is the first time I've been consistently clear
-It's an easy-to-follow regimen, which I need...
-They don't make my face get red or itchy

I do want to REALLY stress that I am also taking a couple vitamins a day. These also might be contributing to my clear skin. Here they are ( I know I've written these out before...):
-Vitamin D
-Zinc
-Super B-Complex
-2 Flaxseed Oil capsules

Anyway, I have put my new pictures in my gallery
CLICK HERE FOR MY GALLERY
I still have some hyperpigmentation and dented in scars...maybe they'll fade a little with time and with the help of chemical exfoliators.

Good luck everyone!
-Heidi

Edited by heitea, 19 January 2013 - 07:40 PM.