Acne.org Products
okay, so ive decided that im not going to post in this thread again until all the flakiness/dead skin is gone, however long that may be. Apart from the flakes, Ive been clear for some time. Im currently pouring some water over my face every 2 nights as of 2 days ago. im doing this because it is what waterwater and alexalmighty did and their flakeage eventually went away by doing something very similiar to that. I think that the not washing at all was good to give my skin a rest, but now its time to bring back a little water.
haha I actually did something similar to this after a friend of mine was talking about how he stopped using all of the face wash stuff and just rinsed his face with hot water and suddenly the pimples stopped.. hmm conspiracy perhaps?
Anyhow. I was looking for all natural remedies and stuff and actually came across this site.. well their myspace site and then it led me to thier site.
they are called [removed] and they have an all natural acne product.
I didnt buy it, lol.. but I did steal their idea and put together some oats, and such and made my own, which actually is working like a charm.
I would suggest (because im a germ a phob) washing, but perhaps with something natural. Clays, Oats... things like that. If you check out their site they have a mess load of other all natural house hold remedies you can try, but then again so does this message board.
All depends on what you're looking for 
My skin was flaky too when I only rinsed it once a week. Now it's not, just in dryer areas. It stopped coincidentally when I used a light exfoliation on it. Your flakiness is just the dead skin sloughing off on its own, only it's in excess so it's having trouble. I would take my finger nail and be able to scrape it off my face. It was just icky rolled up dead cells under my nail. I don't have that anymore and exfoliation hasn't interfered with my oil production or skin tone. It did, however, make my skin super smooth and softer than before with an added glow.
I read testimonials of people who see older women with beautiful glowing and young looking skin and their secret being a once a week baking soda paste. As far as I can tell it's done nothing but good and it's PH balancing so it won't harm you. If you leave all that dead skin on your face it will start to look dull and lifeless!
My skin was flaky too when I only rinsed it once a week. Now it's not, just in dryer areas. It stopped coincidentally when I used a light exfoliation on it. Your flakiness is just the dead skin sloughing off on its own, only it's in excess so it's having trouble. I would take my finger nail and be able to scrape it off my face. It was just icky rolled up dead cells under my nail. I don't have that anymore and exfoliation hasn't interfered with my oil production or skin tone. It did, however, make my skin super smooth and softer than before with an added glow.
I read testimonials of people who see older women with beautiful glowing and young looking skin and their secret being a once a week baking soda paste. As far as I can tell it's done nothing but good and it's PH balancing so it won't harm you. If you leave all that dead skin on your face it will start to look dull and lifeless!
well I surf. I am sure once I get back in the water it will go away on its own . Baking soday is nice too, I have used it and i definetly saw a difference but I think it was just temporary and probably did more harm than good since my acid mantle wasn't strong enough to handle at the time.
from user john1234 on July 19,2008:
"I have kept in touch with a VERY famous dermatologist. This is what she says about acne.
>> Avoid anything that will kill off the bacteria since you depend on these to
>> unclog the pores (e.g. benzoyl peroxide washes, acne bars , pumps,
>> ProActive etc. The bacteria breaks down triglycerides to free fatty acids, which
>> activate the enzyme that digests the glue between the skin scales, and
>> help unplug your pores. If you lived in the jungle with no cosmetic companies, you
>> will not have acne.
In other words, don't kill of the bacteria! The bacteria is essential to unplugging pores."
...looks like I am on the right path heheh
Very true. 
I read that benzoyl peroxide only lasts so long because it kills off the bacteria, then once that bacteria outsmarts it, it's useless and the breakouts continue; bacteria mutates. Makes much sense considering people have the same problem with it being temporary.
Not to mention it's a pretty drying and unmerciful chemical that can hurt your skin even with a moisturizer. I have permanently damaged sensitive and rosacea prone skin with broken capillaries. Thankfully I've found nature's cure a) leave it alone b) give it vitamins and all natural aids c) stop worrying cause it's finally gone!
hey, im on my 3rd day i think. skin is looking better for me already. just exercised and showered but left the sweat on my face without washing. just wanted to know your experience of donig this. does it cause breakouts?
look up user Waterwater... he ran a lot and just left the sweat dry on his face. It's natural, let it run. I'm on day 4 and still my face is looking better and better. I got one small pimple on my chin area, but I bet it will be gone by night or scab. It's amazing how fast your skin heals when left alone.
Don't even think about breakouts. Haven't you heard of the Law of Attraction? What you attract you become so why are you thinking of what you don't want? Think of what you do want... that is the problem with people. Ever notice people who constantly think like "oooo my back hurts!!!" or people say "I think im getting sick" and they do. Guess what I haven't thought about being sick for over 6 months and I haven't. I ain't worried. Society puts us in fear constantly and I think that is what keeps people from being all that they can be. Kind of makes sense to me that back in the day people weren't as prone to acne because no tv, no computer, basically no bullcrap telling you "worried about a problem breakout" yippeee! haha I actually laugh at it just because of how dumb they are. Believe me though I was once in fear about this acne thing but now I am not. I am finally taking action and doing all that people THINK is bad for us and my skin is thanking me big time. That's why I partially hate this site, because everyone is full of fear on what to eat what not to, what to put on their face what works what doesn't,etc meanwhile lowering their very own bodies defenses. It's all fear and everyone is just feeding off it, so once I am completely clear I never plan on coming back here again (I'm at 90%). WE ARE SO POWERFUL! Think positive people It's scientifically proven that positive thoughts are 1000x more powerful than negative ones. Keep it + because how can your body heal when it is in constant fear?
(send me a message if you want me to show you how to let go of fear,worry, and doubt. Simple method that is easier to do than me telling you how it works and why it is so effective)
note: I wouldn't be surprised if this got censored because I speak the truth from personal experience. All of these companies want your money! They don't care if you suffer.
Smile, you are alive!
"The acid mantle and its role in acne
Our skin's main function is to literally hold everything together, ie. keep our organs in a collective group. To do this effectively the skin needs to be strong, elastic and keep everything in, as well as keep things out. The things we want to keep out are excess moisture, viruses, bacteria, fungi, corrosive things, and keep our body at the correct temperature and moisture level.
The pores on our skin regulate the temperature and moisture levels, and the combination of oil and sweat glands (sebaceous and sudoriferous glands) on our skin keep it healthy and elastic. THE COMBINED EXCRETIONS OF OIL AND SWEAT FORM THE "ACID MANTLE" WHICH SURROUNDS OUR BODY AND HAS A pH OF 5.5.
The ACID MANTLE is our body's first defense mechanism against bacteria invading it. The slight acid conditions are disliked by bacteria. The acid mantle develops at puberty for our adult system.
When we are children we do not have an acid mantle, hence why children are more exposed to disease, viruses and fungal infections like ringworm, that adults do not tend to get. The mantle around a child is pH 7, which is neutral.
The change from a mantle of 7pH to a more protective ACID MANTLE happens at puberty when we start producing more hair on our bodies. Each hair follicle has at least one sebaceous or oil gland, which becomes active as the hair starts to grow and this changes the balance of oil and sweat on the skin. The hormones that control sweat also become active, hence the whole surface of the skin in a teenager is totally different to that of a child. The body is trying to create a safer, more protective environment. THE OIL ON OUR SKIN PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE!!!!
It is now that the problem of acne starts to occur, with the skin becoming clogged with oil and dead cells, forming small pimples and black heads. A teenager often feels that they are not clean so they tend to wash until the skin feels "squeaky" clean, stripping the skin of oil, and if using soap, altering the pH to alkaline conditions. This is opposite to what the body is trying to achieve, to protect the body, so it will naturally produce more oil, in order to correct the body to the "safest" condition which is a pH of 5.5. The continued cleansing of the skin with alkaline products like soap create a see-saw effect on the bodies hormonal system, which controls the amount of oil being produced. In order to correct an alkaline skin condition it will have to produce much more oil than a neutral or slightly acid condition. Therefore one of the simplest ways to prevent an imbalance occurring is to get young teenagers to use an ACID BALANCED CLEANSER. A cheap natural alternative to a commercial cleanser is acidophilus yoghurt.
Suzanne Hull, owner of Living Nature, has found the above explanation, though a bit involved, very helpful for teenagers to not work against their body, but with it.
So this is the first step. Unfortunately some cases have gone past this and have developed a severe problem, or have had an acne condition for many years, which requires treatment."
[Edited link out]
wOw is all I can say. This whole time I have had this problem I have been altering with my bodies hormones by over drying my skin and having them work extra hard without me even knowing. NO MORE! Fvck the FDA and all Dermos who give out crap. My condition shouldn't have lasted this long. I am so fortunate to have found this thread before it was too late. I'm going to take a poo and put it in a bag then place it outside the door of the dermo that prescribed me to the chemicals
27thof November:
Week 5?
I've been having a breakout across the face (many many small ziys) which I'm quite certain that it's been caused by crappy sleep pattern (4-5am). I'm on my way to rectify that.
Face is flakey. I've went as long as not washing my face for 4 or 5 days, then snapping back washing once at night. Face is not really dry but you do get to see the flakes.
I've noticed one thing, my face tends to get VERY flakey when I don't get enough sleep or being generally stressed out. Just some food for thoughts here.
Overall the face is not doing good. TOO many marks.
27thof November:
Week 5?
I've been having a breakout across the face (many many small ziys) which I'm quite certain that it's been caused by crappy sleep pattern (4-5am). I'm on my way to rectify that.
Face is flakey. I've went as long as not washing my face for 4 or 5 days, then snapping back washing once at night. Face is not really dry but you do get to see the flakes.
I've noticed one thing, my face tends to get VERY flakey when I don't get enough sleep or being generally stressed out. Just some food for thoughts here.
Overall the face is not doing good. TOO many marks.
well if you've been on accutane i'm guessing your case is/was more severe. My case was never close to accutane. My skin was frankly never at moderate. It simply was getting aggravated by all of these chemicals that suck you dry, and that is definetly not something you want to do. I have learned that you have to work with your body in battling this ie. leaving the Acid Mantle a lone and I do believe you are doing the right thing mate. Look up AlexAlmighty if you haven't yet. I believe he had some cysts when he did it and was completely clear at around 3-4 months and had major improvement at 2 months. Keep your head up. I know you are beginning to see the light at the other end of the tunnel.
I'm on day 5, and yeah i've had one or two small pimples pop up on my chin but literally at the end of the day they are scabs. Everyday I am turning the last pages of this chapter in my life is how I see it.
note: give this video a shot youtube.com/watch?v=clD3vuQGoJQ . It should make you feel better, and you just never know maybe some energy parts inside you aren't flowing right and you need to unlock them all the best
"I recently worked with a client on this issue, and it was a huge success. Here are my recommendations: Don't just tap on "getting rid " of the acne. Tap on the -often intense- negative feelings surrounding it, like anger , shame, not wanting to look in the mirror, hating your face, your looks etc. Dig up specific memories when you were -fort example- ridiculed, shamed, or critizised. When did this condition start? What was the situation at home at that time?(Very important!). It's not just the hormones - there is a whole -painful-story behind acne." -Carna Zacharias-Miller EFT practitioner
your so powerful man, use your mind wisely
Who's right??? 14 hours or 14 days?
The acid mantle, the combination of sebum (oil) and perspiration on the skin's surface, protects the skin and renders it less vulnerable to dehydration, damage and attack by environmental factors such as sun and wind. The acid mantle inhibits foreign bacteria flora and fungi growth (pathogens) through its alkali-neutralizing capability. Thus it is the key to true skin health and beauty. This very fine film, with a slightly acidic pH, rests on the skin's surface, acting as a barrier to diseases and the elements. It becomes compromised when the skin is washed or exposed to elements. The body works hard to keep this barrier intact, but once it is damaged, it can take up to 14 hours to restore. By then it is usually under another assault and the skin begins to appear dry, wrinkled and aged.
http://www.naturesmist.com/skin_acid.php
The acid mantle is a fine film layer, slightly acidic, made up from skin oils, sweat, and dead cells. It is one means the skin uses to protect itself from bacterium, and moisture loss, and environmental damage. Pollutants, harmful bacterium, contaminants are normally alkaline in nature, so a slightly acid skin surface helps fight off these harmful elements and prevent them from entering into, and damaging the skin. Maintaining the acid mantle is recommended for good skin health. When the acid mantle is damaged it takes approximately 14-17 days to repair itself. (assuming no other damaging products are applied to it)
[Edited link out]
yepican said:Who's right??? 14 hours or 14 days?The acid mantle, the combination of sebum (oil) and perspiration on the skin's surface, protects the skin and renders it less vulnerable to dehydration, damage and attack by environmental factors such as sun and wind. The acid mantle inhibits foreign bacteria flora and fungi growth (pathogens) through its alkali-neutralizing capability. Thus it is the key to true skin health and beauty. This very fine film, with a slightly acidic pH, rests on the skin's surface, acting as a barrier to diseases and the elements. It becomes compromised when the skin is washed or exposed to elements. The body works hard to keep this barrier intact, but once it is damaged, it can take up to 14 hours to restore. By then it is usually under another assault and the skin begins to appear dry, wrinkled and aged.
http://www.naturesmist.com/skin_acid.php
The acid mantle is a fine film layer, slightly acidic, made up from skin oils, sweat, and dead cells. It is one means the skin uses to protect itself from bacterium, and moisture loss, and environmental damage. Pollutants, harmful bacterium, contaminants are normally alkaline in nature, so a slightly acid skin surface helps fight off these harmful elements and prevent them from entering into, and damaging the skin. Maintaining the acid mantle is recommended for good skin health. When the acid mantle is damaged it takes approximately 14-17 days to repair itself. (assuming no other damaging products are applied to it)
[Edited link out]
It makes more sense on the 14 day one for our cases. Maybe if we had used chemicals for 1 week straight it would take 14 hours. Just my thoughts...
Hey guys, it's been a while since I've been here. My skin's not doing bad, I still get pimples but seriously, its "normal zits" like you would see from an average teenager, so I don't really care. In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm only getting zits cuz of my terrible sleeping patterns at this point, cause it went from 1-2 am to 3-4 am and that's usually when I start breaking out, so I'm gonna chill out on the late sleeping, but its kinda hard with excessive assignments and exams coming up.
I seriously haven't paid that much attention to my face, and am getting pimples I used to get when I was in grade 8, which were the pimples that I freaked out over and started using soap and cleansers on my face for (harshly). I'm 100% convinced I only get pimples because of stress and (unorganized) sleep patterns. I don't think food makes much difference for me personally.
Oh, I also take a lot of olive oil in my diet, and have been taking Vitamin C pills and Cod Liver oil for a while now. I am by no means perfectly clear, but I'm "normal" teen-type clear, which is more than I can ask for. I think even that will get better if I sleep properly, so its my fault at this point.
Good luck to all you other guys trying this out. Just modify the regimen to your liking if you'd like (which is what I did) and its all about experimentation. Don't worry so much about the process, as much as the result....its going to very discouraging at first, so I think the wave of people who're encouraged by the experiences of me and Adam should try this over the christmas break if they're too scared to try it while school is in session or something. The flaking generally lasts 1-2 weeks (did for me atleast) and in that time, the flaking is TURRRRRRRRRIBLE.
But just go thru with it. Seriously, a little bit of flaking we can all handle, zits we can't. Plus, I'll take a couple of small pimples over two big ones anyday. KEep your goals realistic and dont look for a completely clear face within even a month. At this point, I do this regimen not for the sake of doing a regimen, but because its what I actually should have been doing ALL ALONG. This is how my family has treated thier skin, and they're all fine, and this is how I will always treat my skin from now on.
Remember: STRESS AND SLEEPING PATTERNS PLAY A HUGE ROLE. ELIMINATE ANYTHING YOU PUT ON YOUR FACE ASIDE FROM WATER.
The end and good luck. I'll be back sometime and answer any questions or whatever else I see on here.
day 5: skin looking even better! skin looks like its normalizing, excess oil and dry skin subsiding. I believe the reason why this method works has a lot to do with the acid mantle. Previous to not washing, i washed my skin WAYY TOO MUCH. i was using an exfoliator like every morning and night which probably increased the production of skin cells. I must have damaged the acid mantle ( if thats possible), leaving my skin susceptible to damage and vunerable to bacteria etc. When my skin eventually normalizes completely, i think i will wash will cold water like every 3-4 days.
Had a thought though. Say if you were to use topicals, coudn't you mix acv with moisturiser to create an artificial acid mantle?
I may experiment on my forehead
I'm going to add something to this discussion, that I've found interesting.
One of my housemates always has had small bouts of acne...like he would get a pimple once in a while. He never used anything on his face last year, from what I remember. This year, after a breakout, he started using Sepctro gel's line of BP or whatever they have. Funny thing is, last year he'd get a break out and then not get any serious pimples for another couple of weeks. This year however, since he's used the Spectro line, he's continually gotten pimples on an almost daily basis. It's really wierd to see the negative effect that acne "treatment" has on normal skin. The sad part is, once you fall into the trap of using them, you just want to keep trying different ones thinking your skin isnt "compatiable" with one product over another.
This dude is a consistent dude. He always eats the same ways, the same patterns, sleeps the same time everyday, wears the same clothes in the same order every week, so its NOT that he did something different with himself...the conclusion is the adding of the "treatment". But yeah, just an interesting pattern that I've noted. I swear to God, if EVERYONE on this site tried the "caveman regimen" for a while, we could extract the success rate of it and see the effectibility of using no topicals. At this point, I regret ever having let my face be exposed to any chemicals or skin irritants at all. Keep it simple.
I'm doing good as always, only I did a no-no and drank a little bit of Sangria on Thursday. I tried not to but the person who bought it put a glass in my hand and made me. 
I've also been eating a lot of dairy products. My acne has come back a little bit on the sides of my face. I know I don't react well to it!
Still, I'm not going to go crazy over a few pimples. I'm very happy with the overall condition my skin is in from not putting topical chemicals on it.
ok, I agree that chemicals could agrivate or cause acne. But not washing your face at all? Perhaps the acid mantle can fight off some bacteria and stuff, but what about infections and things that are too strong for it? I've seen people from a certain "backward" culture who don't wash very often and they often get impetigo and ringworm and still have acne. Perhaps if you live in a sanitized environment and aren't exposed to anything... Also, you'll find that even people in the deep jungle use things to wash with, it's just usually natural. I live in India for 4 years and even in villages people wash their faces with stuff, milk, oil, aloe vera, tumeric, even urine. If you go back through history you'll find every group of people had their "cosmetics". And how do we even know if cavemen had clear skin or not? They could have had terrible skin. anyway, I can't argue against something if it works for you, and if you have found a cure for your acne that's great. But I just thought I'd bring up these things.
day 9: Well lets just say that if you were to take away the red marks from the BP that I used "oooo so genorously" (what a joke) I would be close to 100%. The pimples I have gotten now I wouldn't even call pimples because they are so small and unoticeble + are gone by night or the next day when I leave them be. In one week I should have my Acid Mantle back and I really can't see it getting any worse at this point. If alexalmighty got rid of his doing this method with cystic acne, you can to. It's all about taking that leap and wanting a change in your life. I really do believe that these chemicals got people this far away from being clear now. Without an acid mantle you are basically acne prone and is why you must keep using the products to fight the bacteria day and night,etc. Just think everytime you irritate your skin, your bodies defenses react to fix that by giving you more oil which in reality is doing its best to protect your skin. But your body wouldn't need to do that if you don't strip it... I haven't irritated it in over a week and my body is probably still in a little trauma and settling into being normal back when I was clear. I'll be back in a week.
I believe that you should wash ur face to some degree, but just much less.
Maybe only once a day or something, maybe just use water, or possibly some sort of moisturizer.
Everyone is different. Not washing at all is hopefully temporary for these people, just trying to get the acid mantle back on their skin, otherwise that would be gross.
the bottom line is. we weren't ment to have acne. In the majority of cases, acne is not always caused by bacteria and not washing. i think some people don't understand natural beauty and the fact that our body makes its own medicine. we have adapted. our skin has adapted to fight whatever it has to fight. putting these unnatural chemicals on our faces, will not only irritate the skin but its not natural. surely its bound to fail. ive not washed with any cosmetic product on my face for about a week now. my skin is looker better than when ive used any topical. i swear. please try
How do you know for certain that cavemen didn't have acne?
also - how do you know cavemen didn't wash their faces?
Acne is a modern fairly new disease maybe cause of increasing pollution. Have you ever seen people who live in the mountains or away from society? their skin is so clear!
As for do cavemen washing there faces...my friend and i went camping for the whole summer and just never even thought about 'washing our faces' that much. guess we'll never know though.