ChelleNova

I'm lactose intolerant, so I rarely eat dairy. I do love ice cream though on occasion. I had to cut out wheat and gluten and have found it near impossible sometimes when hanging out with friends. I eat a lot of veggies, I love veggies. I drink aloe juice, coconut water, flax milk, and lots of tea and water. I love bread and pasta, but I found gluten free options, you can order them from amazon mostly. Instead of flour, I use garbanzo flour. I love curry over rice with tons of steamed veggies. I can't digest meat very well, so I don't eat a lot. I rarely eat meat. When my boyfriend's dad goes hunting, he'll bring back an elk and gives my dogs the bones. I have discovered that wild elk that never feeds on corn is easier to digest for me. I love chips with gaucamole, Juanitas is gluten free. There are awesome cream cheese options as well that taste just like the real thing (I was very sceptical at first). I personally don't care for dairy free cheese. Since processed cheese doesn't have lactose in it, only the enzymes which some people are sensitive to instead of lactose, I can eat small amounts of it. For ice cream you can try soy dream (I love the mint chocolate chip) or coconut milk versions. Serbet is a popular choice, not for me because of how sweet it is, but a lot of people like it. I stear clear of artificial sweeteners because they block the signal from your stomache to your brain and can cause you to eat more than you intended. They also confuse your liver and kidneys and cause your body to think it needs to store fat. I personally never liked their taste, they are gross and don't taste like real sugar in the slightest. They are made from a plant that is toxic, so they are not for me. Bread and pasta have the most drastic change when taking out gluten, but not all brands are bad. I suggest going to a restaurant that serves gluten free pasta and if you like it ask for the brand of it. Rice is also a good option, I like brown rice but will eat white rice sparingly with my curry. I hope this helps some.

It was a huge factor for me. I found out I am allergic to sulfates (the stuff that makes soap sudd) and got bad breakouts all over. I now use all natural soap made from orange peels. I have fewer breakouts and less painful bumps. Some people really are sensitive to it, just remember that detergent takes up to 10 washes with clear water to come completely out of clothes and your washer and dryer could take longer to clear of it. I've also cut out wheat and gluten from having such a big role in my diet. I could never give up french bread or pasta. Keep track of your salt intake too and make sure you aren't using too much, if any, spray deoterants or "axe" type sprays since they can cause breakouts when you sweat. I'm allergic to those types of products myself and most people I know are sensitive to them, so they are used sparingly or not at all. Be careful how much fabric softener you're using as well as dryer sheets. Those also have chemicals in them that can cause breakouts.

Just found these boards, but I have been doing the regimine without knowing it. My skin was always dry and then super oily and itchy. I've tried every product I've come across and I know I worry too much about it. I've been very depressed about how I look. I'm 22, almost 23 now, and I still have severe acne. It actually got worse after high school and even though I'm in college I still get insulted and teased. My family makes comments like "what's wrong with your face?" and "you aren't washing properly." or "you should really do something about your acne." Like I don't own and mirror, shower, soap, or ever tried getting rid of it. Thanks, but I really enjoy my face being covered in red, swollen bumps and can't get through my day unless I get insulted. That's normal, right? COME ON!!! Recently, I've been using glycerine soap, because I'm allergic suddenly to sulfates, and rose hip oil, and witch hazel as a tonar. I've also been taking an herb called agnus castus, but it's only for women. This herb cancels out birth control and can make your period a bit off track for the first couple months, but I do see a difference. I've tried other drugs from the doctor and none worked, I'm even allergic to some. I'm still broken out and recently recieved a bit of a blow; my grandma commented on it saying I need to go to a doctor and use proactiv(all of which I did with no results) because it makes me look too young and I'll never get a good job. I hate the way I look and it makes me feel even worse when people comment like I'm not doing anything about it or like I didn't know I was broken out. I have a lot of allergies, being born premature will make you prone to them, and have to be careful what I eat and use. I've become allergic to wheat and gluten, which can cause acne if eaten in excess. I've ordered "zinc for acne" since I found it on sale with free shipping just to give it a go. I've been drinking much more green tea, I love tea, all day especially in the mornings which has helped some. I just found a glycerine aloe vera soap at the dollar tree that my boyfriend just loves, it had an imidiate effect on my acne, so I'll be picking up more of that. I've never had body acne, but when my face broke out severely almost a year and a half ago I've had painful body acne and basically cystic acne all over. It's painful and embarrassing mentally, emotionally, and physically. I'm drained. I even got to the put of asking my boyfriend why he loves me even though my face looks hideous. I've had more luck with the all natural regimine than I have with store-bought stuff.  I started using glycerine soap because it was safe for me to use after I started getting hives and rashes from regular soap, but I read that it is the best soap to use for acne sufferers. It is awesome! It doesn't have to have any scent, the aloe one has a real light and natural scent, and it doesn't leave any residue behind.

I just had to vent a bit, I just feel aweful when I look in the mirror because all I see is the swollon pustules forming on my skin and knowing I can't stop them.