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Hello, I was hoping I could get replies from those having gone, or going through, something similar as I.
I've had acne as long as I could recall (I'm currently 20.) It was mild in middle school and high school. However, in my first year of college, it became cystic and so bad that, as many of you have probably experienced, my self-esteem was so low and I would cry myself to sleep. I ate horribly, over-eating pizza to make myself feel good. Pizza everyday at my dining hall, along with sugars from cookies and ice cream, etc. I am lactose-intolerant, but food was worth stomach pain. (See image 1, "pre")
Then, I stumbled upon a website that taught me about the healing power of raw manuka honey. The mask I made comprised of raw manuka honey, squeezed lemon, and cinnamon. After two weeks, I saw a change in my skin for the better, it was a miracle, it was truly a miracle. I used a gentle cleanser, manuka honey, and benzoyl peroxide. My diet did not change however, but my skin was clear for the first time, and I felt beautiful. (Image 2, 3, 4, 5.)
After being "clear" for about a year, I did a lot of research and reading on all-natural lifestyles, at the same time, struggling with emotional issues and horrible stomach problems (most likely IBS or leaky gut). Stomach issues worsened, so I cut out dairy, THEN gluten.
A bit before I cut out gluten, I also, cut out benzoyl peroxide cold turkey, and over-the-counter non-natural cleansers. I noticed my skin got red, oily, and little pimples appeared. After cutting out gluten, it seems my acne got even worse. This was totally opposite to what I had read happens to people when they go all natural. My diet has changed, and I eat much, much healthier, but my skin is awful.
I made the switch to all natural around January-February, and now, in beginning-August my skin is quite unsightly. It has not returned to the cystic pre-manuka honey days, but I get cystic pimples weekly, and my acne scars are loud and proud. Currently, I wash with manuka in the morning, then spray on aloe vera mist. I wear the manuka, cinnamon, lemon mask in the evenings, wash off, oil cleanse with jojoba, and apply derma-e's AHA, or spray with aloe vera mist. Once or twice a week I used Now's clay mask, and sometimes tone with a natural rose petal toner. It's been months and my skin is not really looking better. (image 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.)
I have been thinking recently of going back to using benzoyl peroxide, but in the end, it wasn't working as strongly as it did in the beginning, but at least I was under control. The issue is, that using BP goes against my values. I know, I know, it sounds stupid, but I believe we can heal ourselves from the inside, from diet to meditation. I believe that just slathering, ingesting, washing with chemicals isn't ethical and that there are unknown risks for using these in the long run. I know that maybe BP wasn't created as this evil chemical, but instead to actually help people, but I will feel so disappointed in myself for "giving in" to the chemical world of topical treatments.
Have you dealt with this?
Oil cleansing could be causing you to break out. I've tried several different oils over a 7 month period and I finally gave up. My skins a lot better now. Also I've found that using a raw honey mask with tea tree oil helps alot
jojoba oil broke me out. One of the very few topicals I've ever noticed causing a problem. Try safflower. Here's why:
And have you tried a BHA?
Your type of acne looks too severe and inflamed to be helped by any of these means. Your acne is very severe in my opinion and inflammatory! Please go to a dermatologist for real treatment.
Acne is genetic disease don't forget and it's not necessarily going to completely clear with a flawless lifestyle and diet. In my opinion you need professional help otherwise you are going to be permanently disfigured. And believe me, scars do not heal - they are permanent. Macules fade but scars are forever indented.
Hey there, first of all I do not think your acne is "severe" it's moderate and looks more hormonal.
I used to believe acne could he healed from changing my diet and lifestyle but after about 8 months of going "all natural" I just ended up as bad. It never helped. I understand you'd like to help yourself and stuff but sometimes acne skin like ours needs help with chemical means as its stronger and does work...and not all harmful.
I've used BP for nearly a year now and recently it started "losing" is effect but I switched up my routine and it seems to be working again. Have you looked into BHA type cleansers? Also maybe Tea Tree oil? That's one natural oil that did help me specifically and so does on my more inflamed spots.
Your type of acne looks too severe and inflamed to be helped by any of these means. Your acne is very severe in my opinion and inflammatory! Please go to a dermatologist for real treatment.
Acne is genetic disease don't forget and it's not necessarily going to completely clear with a flawless lifestyle and diet. In my opinion you need professional help otherwise you are going to be permanently disfigured. And believe me, scars do not heal - they are permanent. Macules fade but scars are forever indented.
I agree with this.
Your acne is very much angry, inflammed, cystic, possibly deeper in the dermal layer of skin which would make me think you would benefit from a retinoid- something that would normalize kertanization and skin shedding. Have you looked into something hormonal? Like BC?
To treat the inflammed lesions I would suggest going to a regular doc, not a derm, and just getting a short dosage of antibiotics, maybe then start on a face wash and topical while on the medication. This would help the body overcome the excessive inflammation. I would see then if after the antibiotics finish if your situation improves.
Its pretty much trial of what works and doesn't per person. I have been work nights 3-5 days a week 12 hrs... and my diet is terrible. I eat all the time to stay awake. Diet Dew is my drink of choice over water. I am doing everything wrong in relation to acne yet I have had no change for the 2 months ive been on nights. Thats me.
Thank you all so much for your comments, ideas, tips and everything.
I have continued to eat clean (well, I recently started eating even cleaner), and have begun to touch my face less. Additionally, I have started using Benzoyl Peroxide (I feel like its effect may wear off, but for now, it has done wonders); I am almost a bit disappointed that I'm using BP because it's not "natural" and is a free radical agent etc., but it has seemed to heal my acne, and I'm not in pain.
My routine is to wash with an organic cleanser (which dries me out even though "gentle", so I will purchasing a milkier organic cleanser soon) in the morning. Then, in the afternoon I hydrate my skin by misting a bit of aloe vera spray, or using a natural toner. In the evening, I oil cleanse with Jojoba (which works very well for me actually, but gives me little acne bumps I never had before; they are not very noticeable but its like small patches of dermatitis on my cheek, where I never used to get acne. Then after oil cleansing, I put on my raw manuka honey, cinnamon, lemon juice face mask for about 30 minutes. Finally, I apply BP. This leaves me face clean, exfoliated, and dewy. I will post a picture soon so progress can be shown.
I am taking all of your tips etc. into account and will be seeing what is the healthiest, most natural, smartest & logical way to fight this acne. I am blessed that I do not struggle with the harshness others must go through with acne, but I know that it's not normal for me to have cystic periods, then clean phases in a vicious cycle.
Thank you x