Hi Sasch!

Reading this took me back to starting the regimen. I didn't start of well at all. The itching I totally related to. Even my neck and the area below my chin where I didn't apply any BP or moisturizer started to itch and it was red and it burned too. Although I got clear in 10 weeks with the regimen, do keep in mind that during that entire time my face felt like it was on fire because I started at the full amount right away.

Don't get to anxious. As you said you are seeing results, so I think it would be worth it to keep going. For the irritation regarding the neutrogena and jojoba...perhaps you could try another moisturizer. I would hate to see you give up on the progress you have made now so I hope you continue to give the regimen a chance.

nicmic, you are an inspiration! I just thought at this point the side efects would be decreasing. neutrogenia is not irriating my skin, just Dan's moisturizer and jojoba oil. I am hesitant to switch as i dont want to add in another factor but this drynessis killing me. maybe i'll try neutrogenia for combo skin instead of sensitive skin. Do you think i should still increaseBp dose inspite of the current irritation or should i let things calm down some?

Thank You for being such a helpful member on these boards

The neutrogena moisturizer might not be irritating but it might simply not be moisturizing enough - I would suggest changing moisturizers to something richer like cetaphil lotion (even just for nighttime), nicmic and I use it and it seems to work really well with the regimen

Avoid anything marketed towards combination or oily skin because generally these are harsher on the skin and contain things like salicylic acid.

Stick to the amount of BP youre using now and see if things get better if you decide to switch your moisturizer

Thanks XXYY! I have used cetaphi before and its not for me. Will keep on trudging along i suppose and i'll stick with 1 pump

Hi i am just under 2 months on the regimen and i was seriously starting to get annoyed in my 5th and 6th week on the regimen. I carried on breaking out I had 4 large pimples on my right cheek and 3 on my left 2 on my chin and 1 on each jaw line and so many tiny ones on my forehead. Today i realised that i only have the small tiny pimples left on my forehead and 1 dying pimple on my right cheek. just keep the faith don't quit you should give it at least 5 months before you quit or you will never know what could have been i feel like i only have 2 more solid months until my skin is finally clear also the flakiness is gradually going down i should receive the aha at any time this week so that should help. I wish you the best of luck!

nicmic, you are an inspiration! I just thought at this point the side efects would be decreasing. neutrogenia is not irriating my skin, just Dan's moisturizer and jojoba oil. I am hesitant to switch as i dont want to add in another factor but this drynessis killing me. maybe i'll try neutrogenia for combo skin instead of sensitive skin. Do you think i should still increaseBp dose inspite of the current irritation or should i let things calm down some?

Thank You for being such a helpful member on these boards

Thanks for the kinds words, Sasch. I guess its sorta paying it forward. The regimen really helped skin out and I hope that it helps other people as well.

Based on my personal experience I really stuck with the exact amount of BP. Even from the start when my face was so irritated I didn't stop. Although now I look back and think I probably should have gone slowly, it did get my face clear miraculously fast. To have had acne for so long and have it go away in 10 weeks was incredible. It was a struggle but I would go through it again to get my skin to where it is now.

I would go up to the full amount if I were you. I think your skin will never get used to the full amount of BP if you continue to back up on the amount. I would just make sure your moisturizer is one that can really combat the dryness. What were the issues when you used cetaphil in the past? I found it to really work well for me as a night time moisturizer.

Not trying to discourage you but I just want to give you my experience as you seem to be on a similar path that I was on up until this point. I have tried the regimen twice over the past 5 years or so for 6 months each time. I followed the directions exactly both times and got up to the full 2 pumps. Not only did I never clear, but I could never get rid of the constant dryness and flakes. I must have tried 10 different moisturizers, jojoba oil, AHA, etc. Getting out of the shower after washing my face was a nightmare as it would get so dry and tight that it felt absolutely disgusting As with you, my neck somehow started getting irritated as well. I also started developed weird bumps and pimples in places that I never broke out in (around my ears, below my eyebrows, etc) because of the constant and excessive dryness.

I guess some people's skin just can't take the excessive amounts of BP which is weird because I can use the highest strength Tazorac nightly with no issues at all when many people complain about side effects.

I have to say that I think you shouldn't go up to the full 2 pumps of BP, but instead like 1 1/2 or so to solve your acne problems, but keep in mind that it takes a while. Your skin will start to get used to it, and when it does, stick with that amount for a while and then when you've had no breakouts for about a month or so, slowly decrease the amount of BP you use to where you can keep it while still not breaking out. As for your dryness problems, I really think you should use Dan's Moisturizer. You shouldn't be switching up your products so early into the regimen, at least not until your clear.

Are you experiencing dryness and flakiness or just dryness?

Pretty much everyone who goes on the regimen experiences this. It's just how it goes and there's no way around it. You can do things like avoid taking hot showers for a long time or washing your face to much. As for itching, you can use Hydrocortisone cream. I got a itching patch on my face from the AHA I think and it healed it right up and got rid of the very annoying itch it had.

Hope this helped. If you have any questions then just reply.

Good luck! You'll be clear soon!

Oh also, I know I said not to use different products with the regimen, but when you start to get clear but still have dryness, switch the cleanser. Its really drying to the skin, at least for me, and the second I switch to Cetaphil Facial Cleanser it all went away.

Have you tried putting on moisturizer first? Some people have tried doing that and I tried it a few days ago my skin doesn't sting as much and doesn't get as dry, and the BP works just as well! Also, have you tried CeraVe moisturizer? I'm using it now and its really good.