Your skin sounds EXACTLY like mine! Or how it used to be, rather, before I found what worked for me.

Cysts, blackheads, the works...Started when I was about 14 and I'm now approaching 22.

I've been breakout free for 8 months because of the regimen I found.

If you'd like to give it a try, here is a list of the products and the regimen:

Wexler Resurfacing Microbrasion Step 1: Skin Resurfacing Cream

-This facewash is awesome. At $35, It's a little on the pricier side, but worth it. It has teeny little crystals that slough away the dead skin cells and bacteria from the day, leaving you fresh and clean. You can buy online or at Bath and Body Works.

Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner

Mario Badescu has an entire line against fighting cystic acne...but It has never worked for me, short of two or three products (which I will be listing). One of them being the Glycolic Acid Toner. After washing your face, put some of this Toner on a cotton ball and wipe any excess debris. It costs $18, and I order mine online. I believe the line is also available at Ulta.

Wexler Exfoliating Glyco-Peel (2-3x Week)

-This box contains two steps, 1, a container (30 days worth) 10% glycolic peel pads, and a container of Skin Neutralizer pads. Costs about $45. in my opinion, the most important steps in the whole routine.

*The glycolic peel pads sound scary, but trust me when I say it won't make your skin peel excessively or anything. It's not drastic, but very, very effective. In fact, it's my second favorite skin-care product, ever. It round-house kicks pimples in the face.

*The Neutralizer pads are important. It counteracts the Gycolic acid, and balances your skin's Ph.

**The directions say to use these pads 2-3X weekly. This depends on how sensitive your skin is. If I feel a breakout coming on, I use them more frequently. If you have sensitive skin, this is your first time with the pads, and you don't want any dry skin to occur, use as directed.

**Word of advice, cut the pads in half! The pads have enough on them to cover your whole face, and you'll save money getting twice the use out of them.

Aztec Secret Healing Indian Clay

THIS STUFF IS AMAZING. I use this all the time.

Mix equal parts clay powder with equal parts Apple Cider Vinegar, mix well, and you've got yourself a kick-BUTT facial mask.

Sure, its green and it smells like apple cider vinegar, but I'm not kidding, it's a Godsend.

It quite literally sucks all of the gunk out of your pores. You can feel your face pulsating while its working!

Just leave it on for 20-30 minutes (or until it gets firm, or dry) and wash off. In just one use my blackheads were smaller, and all of my acne problems seemed to be improved.

I also use this as a spot treatment for acne cysts. Just dab on a thick amount, wait for it to dry (or harden) and peel the clay off, then reapply and repeat the cycle until the cyst has come to a head. I last monday used this for a cyst that was coming up, and it had come to a head by the end of the day!

Body Images Body Benefits Loofah Bath Sponge

Seriously, go buy these things. They come for a 2 pack at Walmart. The best face-exfoliator in the world. I use it every time I wash my face.

Regimen:

1. Wash face with Wexler Resurfacing Microbrasion.

*(Use your facial sponge!)

2. Use Mario Badescu Glycolic Acid Toner

2. Apply Wexler 10% Glyco Peel, wait directed time.)

3. Apply Wexler Skin Neutralizer

4. Use Aztec Healing Clay 2-3x/week

(Side note, Get on the pill! Most breakouts on the chin and forehead region are caused by hormonal imbalances. However, if you're the type to accidentally skip the pill, this isn't a good idea.)

Stick to that every day and your problems should go away like mine did!

If you have oily skin WITH dry flakes your skin isn't really oily..its dry and dehydrated and its probably over producing oil because you may be using drying products on it (products made for oily skin/acne treatments).. Try using hydrating cleansers or cleansing lotions with an oil free moisturizer until your skin settles down.. Then you incorporate acne treatments (Benzac etc) into your routine.. Be careful with the benzac though make sure your hydrating your skin after because it can be very drying..

OH and be careful with the clarisonic too much exfoliation can end up irritating your skin

Good luck!

I'd be careful using any of those alcohol based products. Sure they clean and kill bacteria but I believe they harm your skin and can leave redness like crazy. I started using cleansing balms and I have pretty much the same skin type as you. My favorite is Hush&Dotti's cleansing balm. It's fantastic. I've been using it for 2 weeks now and I already see a huge improvement. I bought both the original and sensitive and so far so good. I'll update in another week and show you the results. Before and Afters.

Stef