californiaEstie

I am really happy but really scared! All birth controls have such an extreme of negative and positive reviews- I'm tired of settling for mood swings, weight gain, pms, acne, etc! So I've decided to get off!

I've been on birth control since I was 15, and I am now 21. I honestly don't know how bad my acne really is without it. I am still on Differin and Duac and that hopefully will be my saving grace... But does anyone have feedback, after being on BC throughout the formative years? Anything I can do preventatively? I am starting a new job and vacationing in Vegas next month and I would like to be mostly clear if possible.
Hopefully I will lose instead of gain weight haha!

Hi all!

I want to share a new product I have been using in an effort to stop relying on prescriptions so heavily. I am lucky to have good insurance at the moment, but that will end the moment I move out of my house. (Boo) So anyway, I love Differin and can't imagine stopping it right now. Duac, however, I've always looked at as a chore. It works well, but the consistency is sticky and it dries out my skin. Nothing I can't counteract, but it's far from pleasant. So that is the first thing I am looking to replace.

I found PCA Skin Phaze 33 Cream on a whim as I was browsing skincare products online. I got it on sale for $15, but it ranges anywhere from $11-18 on various websites. It contains 5% BP, so I thought I would give it a try as it had good reviews. I've been using it for 2 weeks now, only on my T-zone. It's amazing- I feel it's a lot better than Duac in terms of consistency and how your skin feels. It's also a lot cheaper. My only concern is taking clindamycin out of the picture. That's why I am only recommending this product to people with mild acne, or who have gotten control of their breakouts for the most part. For moderate-severe, use at your own risk I suppose. I can't comment as I luckily am not dealing with that level of acne. It may work though, so if you have the budget, try it.

My skin feels a whole lot smoother, happier, and clearer. I would still get occasional pimples even when using Differin, Duac, and a nightly spot treatment. Since starting this PCA cream I haven't had any. I know I will get some... but this is doing a really good job of keeping me clear and not irritating/drying out my skin. It also has a lot of other ingredients that are cosmetically beneficial to the skin.

Just wanted to share!

http://www.dermstore...aze 33_2302.htm

Key Ingredients:

Benzoyl Peroxide- 5%
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil
Lactic Acid
Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil
Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A)
Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil
Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract

Ah huh.

Just curious! I read a bunch of reviews, and with most BCP there are 2 different sides. I saw a lot of positive, but some really negative. Does anyone on the org have personal experience with Yasmin? I recently started taking Trinessa again and, coincidentally (?), my forehead is breaking out. It never breaks out! I really think Trinessa is doing it, and I don't think it helps with my weight or skin anyway. So I am going to start taking Yasmin soon. I am also considering taking Spiro too. I think it may help with my keratosis pilaris, if not my acne/oil production. Please let me know your thoughts and experiences!

As I learn more and more at esthetics school, I see a trend towards wellness & health. That's something I've never been very good at. I am inspired & hopeful. I want to be healthier and I want to know more natural ways to be beautiful & heal. (For myself and to help others) I'm going to start slow because I want this to be a lifestyle change and not just a temporary interest. I would love to hear from everyone on the site, whether you are an expert in well being, or you want to be more involved in it like me! I'm excited. : )