You're a good candidate for the regimen. My skin is similar to yours. It's fair and prone to dryness. The only differences really are that I had severe acne, and my red marks last years.

 

Anyway, at first you'll be miserable. Your skin will be so red, dry, and irritated (especially because you have light skin). You'll regret having started the regimen. You probably won't want to go out in public. But push through it. I'm a baby, so you can do it if I can do it.

 

Also, you shouldn't apply makeup. You don't need it, and it will most likely hinder results.

I haven't put on makeup for a few days so I'm definitely going to severely limit how much makeup I'm using, and be sure to make my application of it light.

Hearing about the misery does scare me if it's worth it, I'll do it. How long does that bad period last? Maybe I'll ramp up on the BP extra slowly.

Will the Regimen help with closed comedones and all the little bumps and blackheads that make my complexion so uneven?

I'd switch to a 2.5% BP formula, such as Neutrogena On-The-Spot or the Acne.Org BP. 10% is a very harsh formula and is likely what's causing the severe dryness and redness. 2.5% is much gentler, yet just as effective on acne as stronger formulas.

2.5% BP when used all over can still cause some uncomfortable dryness and redness, but this typically lasts only about 3-4 weeks and then your skin gets used to it and it doesn't get red anymore. But yeah, the first few weeks can be a little trying.

My son also has a lot of closed comedones and blackheads and unfortunately BP is not as effective for this, so careful extraction is really your best bet for removal. BHA (salicylic acid) is better for whiteheads and blackheads but you mentioned this didn't help you. You may want to try non-alcohol Stridex pads (with BHA) and see if they help. They helped alot with the closed comedones (about 2 years) until we had to switch to BP as more and more inflamed acne appeared and the Stridex pads were no longer cutting it.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

I ordered the full regimen kit so I'll be jumping on board and trying that. Hopefully it isn't too hard on the onset.

Just read a bunch of accounts of the tub Cerave moisturizer causing breakouts and closed comedones. Something to do with the fatty alcohols. That could be playing a factor.

Sounds like the best course of action is to give the regimen a good college try; don't give up too early; see how it is a month or so in; add in the AHA and see if that helps; then if not, look at different BHA treatments/etc.

Good luck with the Regimen! If you run into problems or have questions, please don't hesitate to ask!!

I just joined but have been following acne.org for quite some time.

My acne was JUST LIKE YOURs. It actually runs in the family.

http://www.myclearface.com/

hands up and hands down. The only thing that worked...every time.

You're so pretty!

Your skin sounds similar to mine, and the regimen worked great for me personally. I'd recommend using the Jojoba oil or something similar with your moisturizer. Also adding a tiny bit of AHA early in helps if you feel like the dry patches of skin are driving you crazy. Good luck!

I just joined but have been following acne.org for quite some time.

 

My acne was JUST LIKE YOURs. It actually runs in the family.

 

http://www.myclearface.com/

 

hands up and hands down. The only thing that worked...every time.

 

 

***

 

Also, word to the wise. When using A.org regimine. I have found that getting my face anywhere near a isopropl/soapy-detergent mixture does treacherous things to the surface/tone of my skin.

Good luck with the Regimen! If you run into problems or have questions, please don't hesitate to ask!!

I appreciate it!! Thanks! I'll def post follow up.

You're so pretty!

Your skin sounds similar to mine, and the regimen worked great for me personally. I'd recommend using the Jojoba oil or something similar with your moisturizer. Also adding a tiny bit of AHA early in helps if you feel like the dry patches of skin are driving you crazy. Good luck!

Thanks dear!! That's encouraging to hear. How does it work to add in a little amount of AHA early on? I'm anticipating to get really dry. I'll grab some Jojoba oil too (maybe just from Amazon though.)

 

Good luck with the Regimen! If you run into problems or have questions, please don't hesitate to ask!!

 

I appreciate it!! Thanks! I'll def post follow up.

 

>You're so pretty!

Your skin sounds similar to mine, and the regimen worked great for me personally. I'd recommend using the Jojoba oil or something similar with your moisturizer. Also adding a tiny bit of AHA early in helps if you feel like the dry patches of skin are driving you crazy. Good luck!

 

Thanks dear!! That's encouraging to hear. How does it work to add in a little amount of AHA early on? I'm anticipating to get really dry. I'll grab some Jojoba oil too (maybe just from Amazon though.)

Using just a little bit of AHA will exfoliate the dead patches of skin off without over aggravating your face. I mix a squirt of Eucerin's Intensive Repair (Moisturizer with AHA in it) with a squirt of the regimen's moisturizer. I figure mixing a tiny bit of AHA into two squirts of moisturizer would produce similar results. As far Jojoba oil, just make sure it's cold-pressed

Hi, I have somewhere between mild and moderate acne and wanted to see if other forum members were like me and found success with the Acne.org Regimen.

A description of my skin (see attached pics):

 

• Combo & frustrating. I get very dry and flaky (even right now) on my cheeks and chin (where I do most spot treating), but can get oily during the day, especially around my nose and on my upper T zone.
• Run-of-the-mill mild to moderate acne with associated red marks, hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone. Don't think I have very much scarring luckily, and when pimples heal they do go away.

   

  • I am pretty sure I have full blown acne cosmetica: tons of non-inflamed white or skin tone bumps ALL OVER my forehead and chin and especially around my mouth. (This is in fact where I apply most of my concealing makeup, I'm realizing.)
• Light body acne, on my shoulders, upper back and butt. (Just a lil')

My routine:

 

• Cerave foaming cleanser and tub moisturizer day & night.
• 10% spot treating benzoyl peroxide (if I over-use, it tends to make me red, dry, and flakey).
• Used to apply salicylic acid toner, but haven't recently. Didn't ever really help.
• Makeup in morning - light usage of concealer under eyes; and I apply Laura Mercier Mineral Powder to conceal (realizing I need to clean my brushes more and probably try a new powder). This is probably a vicious cycle where I cover up more around my chin and forehead which further inflames it.

I'm really worried about the flaking and dryness part of the Regimen, as my skin is prone to get flakey and it's so frustrating and hard to deal with especially when trying to go out or be presentable.

Any words of wisdom? Thanks!

I've been on the regimen about 9 weeks and I substitute Dans cleanser and moisturizer w CeraVe (which you already use woo hoo) but his BP is the strong stuff. My skin still gets pretty dry from time to time. You really have to see how your skin reacts and adjust accordingly. Listen to your skin and don't try to fight what it's telling you. Don't be afraid to use less bp thanDan recommends. I use WAY less because my skin is dry and I live in a dry climate. But the regimen HAS worked for me. Give it 8 weeks no matter how bad it gets then see how you feel. Here's my blog experience in case you're interested in seeing how my progress went

Jojoba oil can be used right away when you start the Regimen and works well to give your moisturizer extra hydrating power. Just add a few drops to 2 full pumps (or full finger) of moisturizer and mix in the palm of your hand before applying. AHA+ is a great add-on to the original three Regimen products but you should not begin using until your skin fully adjusts to the BP treatment, which typically takes 3-5 weeks for most people. The best way to incorporate AHA+ is to add a pea-size amount to 2 full pumps of moisturizer, see how your skin reacts. It stings the first several times, just FYI and can cause mild redness. Then you can gradually increase the ratio as your skin adjusts. Very few people can tolerate straight AHA+, most people find it works best diluted with their moisturizer. AHA+ (10% glycolic acid) basically gives you a mild chemical peel, which sloughs off dead skin layers and flakes which weeks of treatment will leave behind. But yeah, I'd wait until around the 4-week mark before experimenting with that or you may get really red.

Let us know how you do!