35 replies to this topic

[Spotthedifference]

Your skin definitley looks less inflamed. Are you still following the same routine you described in your first post onthis thread or have you changed it in the last two weeks?

I agree.

[twinsfan33]

i have done the following:

clinique cleanser (am/pm)
coconut oil (am/pm)
retin-a spot treat (3-4x a week) OR proactiv clay mask spot treat (on days I dont use retin-a). I usually alternate. I just started that this week. Before, it was strictly retin-a

I haven't touched ACV/baking soda because of how dry my skin had been around my chin.

I started doing the brown sugar exfoliation before and after I shave (once a week), just as spotthedifference instructed, and I use the calming mask once a week about 3-4 days after shaving

[gingergirl22]

i have done the following:

clinique cleanser (am/pm)
coconut oil (am/pm)
retin-a spot treat (3-4x a week) OR proactiv clay mask spot treat (on days I dont use retin-a). I usually alternate. I just started that this week. Before, it was strictly retin-a

I haven't touched ACV/baking soda because of how dry my skin had been around my chin.

I started doing the brown sugar exfoliation before and after I shave (once a week), just as spotthedifference instructed, and I use the calming mask once a week about 3-4 days after shaving

How long have you been using Retin-A and how do you spot treat?
I think things are bound to continure getting better now that you've stopped using the baking soda.
There is a list of comedogenic ingredients in a thread started by Green Gables. Just make sure that your cleanser doesn't contain any of them.

[onefatalgoose]

hey twinsfan33,

I don't think this has been discussed yet, but what is your diet like? Gluten? Dairy? Refined sugars? Refined carbs? Raw/cooked?

Also some people's skin types simply do not like oils. Period. Also coconut oil is one of the only oils (if not the only) that will stay in liquid form unless it's below 78 degrees. So the idea that it's comedogenic is very, very questionable. However, that doesn't mean that your skin will react well to it. So you may in fact be better off without the oil.

Have you considered using something simple like a yoghurt/oatmeal cleanser, and maybe a natural toner? There's a whole thread in the mild to moderate acne forum discussing the use of green tea/green rooibos tea as a toner. If you try it out, make sure you use distilled water, which you can get by the gallon at wal mart.

Anyway, oil cleansing or any oil use for that matter, is hit or miss. So is ACV. So are alot of things i suppose, but these in particular tend to cause polar opposite reactions in people.

But i'd definitely like to hear what you eat on a daily basis. I'm sure you could start eliminating a few common culprits to begin, but i'm not sure where you're at diet wise

Edited by onefatalgoose, 20 November 2012 - 01:36 PM.

[twinsfan33]

I hope all of yall had a fantastic thanksgiving!

@gingergirl22: could you post the link to the green gables post? I searched briefly but couldn't find it. For spot-treatment, I take a TEENY little bit of retin-a and put it on any painful spots, or any spots that aren't over dried. if something is peeling, I WONT put any there because it's already dry. Lately, I've used more clay than retin-a, clay I feel like doesn't dry as horribly and I use a small amount. Spotthedifference really drilled into me "less is more" and so far, so good.

@onefatalgoose, I eat pretty clean, as i'm type 1 diabetic. Breakfast: eggs/egg whites. occasionally i'll have milk and special k protein plus, or old fashioned oatmeal. Snack- protein bar (zone bar, nature valley protein bar on high fat days). lunch- turkey/tuna wrap (whole wheat, high fiber tortilla and swiss cheese), carrots/celery, maybe an apple. snack- almonds, protein bar (if not in the morning),. post workout- protein shake (whey protein- i include this in other meals- apples/bananas/strawberries etc for fruit and milk), dinner- salmon/tilapia/chicken/lean meat, salad, oil-based dressing, brown rice/whole wheat pasta on occasion, more vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, etc). snack- cottage cheese/whey.

Id say its pretty clean. I drink a lot of milk and use about 5 lbs of protein powder every 5-6 weeks. I eat a ton of vegetables, some fruit, lower carbs. lately, i dont even eat bread. I dont eat fast food either or drink soda or juice. i track my food on a food journal online

[gingergirl22]

Here's the link: http://www.acne.org/...gredients-list/

[twinsfan33]

Thank you for the link gingergirl22. Onefatalgoose, we have an inbox trail.

I'm updating with a picture.

My routine the past couple weeks:

clinique cleanser (Am/pm)
dermologica active moist (my favorite moisturizer, I used to use it a lot til I switched to coconut oil and I'm back) [am/pm]

in the pm, retin-a if it's a painful/deep spot, clay if it's more mild/not too dry.

brown sugar exfoliation when I shave, before and after, lightly pressing.

let me know what you guys think! I love how I started this thread with all this organic, natural stuff and here I am straying from it. I feel like a lot more of mine now is scarring

Photo On 2012 12 06 At 12.43

Album: updates

Uploaded 06 Dec 2012 - 11:38

[onefatalgoose]

Twinsfan do you use a shaving cream? Also have you thought about what i said in regards to switching to using the trimmer on an electric in order to avoid irritation of the skin?

Also i'd be curious as to the whey protein you're using. I used to use that stuff, and am gaining more muscle now by eating a more nutrient dense post workout smoothie with raw, free range eggs. I also feel much less bloated if that makes any sense.

Also you consume a ton of dairy, and if it isn't organic and labeled rGBH free, it has loads of growth hormones that you are consuming. And these could have a direct impact on your skin. You might consider cutting out dairy, or switching to organic. They sell organic whey protein powders. They are somewhat pricey though. But have considered making a post workout smoothie using raw free range eggs? It would be a great substitute for the whey protein.

Something i've learned form weight lifting, that might not be news to you. It's not necessarily how much you eat, but rather what you can absorb. And also what your body is able to do with what you absorb. I also use Chia seeds in my post workout shake, along with banana, spinach, and coconut milk.

Also, whenever i used coconut oil topically, my skin appeared very red. Same with EVOO. If you insist on using a topical oil, i'd look into Rose Hip Seed Oil. It's the lightest oil i have ever used, and it absorbs really well. Also i'm not sure if you've considered using the toner i proposed or not. But i feel like adding a moisturizer in to your regimen is only going to make you dependent on the moisturizer, and you won't ever get to the point where you don't need one. I was once dependent on them, but now my skin regulates itself because i never strip it by using cleansers. I consider the toner i use to be the cleansing agent in my skin routine. I don't ever wash off the oil on my skin, and since i don't, i don't produce excess. My skin is now able to regulate itself without any tightness, dryness, redness, or irritation

[gingergirl22]

Thank you for the link gingergirl22. Onefatalgoose, we have an inbox trail.

I'm updating with a picture.

My routine the past couple weeks:

clinique cleanser (Am/pm)
dermologica active moist (my favorite moisturizer, I used to use it a lot til I switched to coconut oil and I'm back) [am/pm]

in the pm, retin-a if it's a painful/deep spot, clay if it's more mild/not too dry.

brown sugar exfoliation when I shave, before and after, lightly pressing.

let me know what you guys think! I love how I started this thread with all this organic, natural stuff and here I am straying from it. I feel like a lot more of mine now is scarring

Looking good twinsfan33! Your skin looks so much less irritated and has an even tone.

[twinsfan33]

@onefatalgoose, I use shaving cream. I use sensitive skin gilette brand.
I haven't switched to anything you've mentioned yet because these past couple weeks have been crunch time/finals week (this week) so once i'm home for winter break, it will be a lot easier.

BUT...with the toner, I literally would use just that, and nothing else, and it would keep me clear and moisturized? and if I did become dry, what would I do to fix it? the rose hip oil?

I use muscletech whey protein. It has whey, BCAAs, and some creatine recovery blend in it, but not a very high volume. I eat it a LOT. you eat the eggs raw? wouldn't that make you sick? eggs are perfect because they have a high leucine concentration, as does whey, so that switch wouldn't be too bad. I've switched my eggs to cage free only the past couple weeks, easy fix.

I'll look into the organic powders, although being a college kid, I usually can only spend my $35/5-6 weeks on whey powder. I used to take HMB also, but that started becoming too costly. If the organic powder wont break me out, i'd consider it if it delivers the same result and is still a high quality protein. do you have a brand name you particularly like?

I probably should switch to organic milk or no lactose at all. I eat cheese and cottage cheese, so those would have to be organic as well? and what about soy milk? I've heard of chia seeds being a superfood before and i've considered them. maybe i'll experiment with them over break.

@gingergirl22, thank you! I'm hoping this is making progress. I'm still getting a few, but they're not too bad and i'm hoping everything seems less inflamed and is calming down

[Starlite]

The acne breakout you have looks almost like an allergic reaction. I would take a look at environmental factors such as whatever detergent you may be using, or hair/skincare products. My friend sometimes breaks out around her scalp because of the products she uses in her hair.

I use rice protein in my shakes every morning. Tasteless and high in protein!

[twinsfan33]

I was horrible at looking at this and keeping up with it the past month over break. I can say the following:

@starlite, I dont use any hair care products except a 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner from head and shoulders. So I'm not thinking its that, because I've been using it for close to 8 years now. Detergent I never thought about.....

in terms of rice protein vs whey, i was in an exercise science lab this summer at my university, and we found that rice protein is far inferior to whey in terms of building muscle mass. however, its definitely something I will look into if it reduces breakouts

I was almost FLAWLESS. for about 3 weeks. finally. and now i have a huge deep spot on my forehead, a couple ones that were painful on the bridge of my nose, and a couple on my chin, all primarily (my thought) due to dryness in the winter climate that I"m in. I'll post a picture soon!

[twinsfan33]

updated photo. any improvements/thoughts?

Photo On 2013 01 23 At 21.28

Album: updates

Uploaded 23 Jan 2013 - 20:23

[onefatalgoose]

Looks like your skin is getting better.  What are you currently doing twinsfan? Internally/topically?

[twinsfan33]

I've been just cleansing and moisturizing in the AM, and cleansing, moisturizing, and using either the proactiv clay or retin-a on the areas where I see spots starting/see spots there. I tend to use the clay if the skin is pretty dry, retin-a if it's hydrated. i'm readjusting to the florida climate, so that requires some time and may help keep me less dry than northern winter.

 

internally, i still take erythromyacin, and I take a fenugreek supplement, cod liver and fish oils, zinc, and have tried to stay away from rGBH milk for the most part.  My diet has been split into high carb day (1x a week) and low carb days (5-6/wk), maybe a medium carb day (~1/week) and I'm not sure if it has any correlation to success, but I can hope so.

 

shaving I still use the brown sugar to exfoliate, and i did it for my chest before shaving there too and the irritation was much reduced compared to before I would use it.

 

I want to try that sea salt toner, I just am hesitant because I dont want an initial breakout period and I want to keep improving. You had said the toner could replace everything and that would be so convenient, I just want to be almost clear before trying it out

[JWaltersRN]

Coconut oil can be comodegenic. I use it everywhere but my face because it is awesome, just not on my face. I use and OCM cleanser with 70% Castor oil, 30% Hemp seed oil and NO CLEANSER or mechanical exfoliators. The baking soda, and other gritty exfoliators will cause microscopic wounds and spread acne bacteria. Chemical exfoliators, Salicylic acid etc, will lift off the dead skin without spreading bacteria. I do a 20% peel once per week, and a manuka honey masks 2x per week. Use the baking soda for shampoo or something, but stop scraping off your face. 

The OCM will control the oil production, light chemical peels will control the skin sloughing and the oils in the OCM keep your face from drying out. Yoi just have to play with it a bit to find the right percentages for your skin. Once you find the right one, the results are nearly instant. Good luck to you!!