Yeeeeeeah, this is not a good week. All sorts of new pimples, mostly fairly deep and painful, and all very red. They're all on my cheeks and chin, and they get irritated when I lean my face on my hand (which I do frequently) and when I sleep, because I sleep on my side.

On top of all that, my skin is really dry around the corners of my mouth and nostrils, the makeup I'm using rubs off like crazy and sinks strait into my pores (guess I need new foundation). Today because I was sick of my skin looking dry I used a heavier moisturizer and it s feeling really good. Plus, it has SPF, which is really relieving. But to make it worse, my hands are so freaking dry because I have to wash them between each step and then after applying makeup and they're rough and scaly for the first time in my ENTIRE life. I hate it!

Gonna drink more water, giving up alcohol for a month, trying to eat more fruits, but none of this will help with hormonal acne and overwashing my hands.

I might post pictures later, but probably not. Some big uglies on my face right now.

Yeeeeeeah, this is not a good week. All sorts of new pimples, mostly fairly deep and painful, and all very red. They're all on my cheeks and chin, and they get irritated when I lean my face on my hand (which I do frequently) and when I sleep, because I sleep on my side.

 

On top of all that, my skin is really dry around the corners of my mouth and nostrils, the makeup I'm using rubs off like crazy and sinks strait into my pores (guess I need new foundation). Today because I was sick of my skin looking dry I used a heavier moisturizer and it s feeling really good. Plus, it has SPF, which is really relieving. But to make it worse, my hands are so freaking dry because I have to wash them between each step and then after applying makeup and they're rough and scaly for the first time in my ENTIRE life. I hate it!

 

Gonna drink more water, giving up alcohol for a month, trying to eat more fruits, but none of this will help with hormonal acne and overwashing my hands.

 

I might post pictures later, but probably not. Some big uglies on my face right now.

Bummer girl! Gah, believe me I know the feeling. I would DEF try something like the pill or a herbal hormonal pill. I'm sorry to hear this though. Just stay in good spirits and being a little healtheir never hurt anyone. Talk to you soon!

Holy crap it has been WAAAAAAAAY too long! (6th week on the regimen!)

I didn't want to post pictures the last couple weeks because my hormonal break out was terrible. I get big pustules on my cheeks and a few on my chin. I guess now that my regular everyday stuff is going down, the hormonal stuff seems just that much worse. I'm going to have to go on the pill for this stuff, I think.

I still haven't ordered the AHA or jojoba - still cause of $$ issues. I'm kind of hoping Dan's cleanser runs out soon because it is so drying. And the moisturizer isn't creamy enough for my taste. I think I might experiment with changing one when I run out. I love the BP though!

Stress has been ridiculously bad lately, so I think between that and hormones, there isn't much improvement, except on the underside of my chin. I think that's looking better. And I haven't gotten any big forehead pimples either. Tradeoff being the skin right next to my nostrils isn't in great shape...

Here are pics from tonight!

Holy cow! Your face has changed heaps since your first post!!!

Everything looks calmer and smoother! Awesome!

If you're looking for a good moisturiser (dont know ifyou have it where you are) but I've been using nivea oil-free moisturising fluid with uv filters - its a little thicker than the dkr one, but not too heavy and has a little oil-controlling power too, just a suggestion!

Good luck - I hope it continues to work well for you, and that I can expect results like that in a month too

Hey, I'm on the regimen too, its doing okay for me so far. Still got some zits, but they're mostly average sized separate ones, compared to the giant clusters I used to get all over my chin.

I'm glad yours is going well, keep us updated!

Thanks for the support, bronzeleo and leonardo! I wasn't sure anyone was keeping up, but its great to know that someone else is seeing a difference. The people I see every day don't care enough to notice stuff like this, and the people that do care I don't see often enough Glad to hear that you're seeing some progress too, leonardo!

I haven't tried any Nivea products before, but I've seen them around here. I do need a little heavier moisturizer for the daytime, plus one with SPF would be really helpful. We get a lot of sun exposure in Colorado, and I walk pretty much everywhere, so not having enough SPF could really bite me. I really liked the Aveeno one I was using, but I don't know if it will break me out or not on the regimen.

This week I'm going to start using 1/2 pump BP in the mornings to see what happens. I'm still using 1 1/2 pumps at night and that's going fine, so I think its time to add a little more in. I'm just so worried about bleaching my clothes during the day!

Thanks for the support, bronzeleo and leonardo! I wasn't sure anyone was keeping up, but its great to know that someone else is seeing a difference. The people I see every day don't care enough to notice stuff like this, and the people that do care I don't see often enough Glad to hear that you're seeing some progress too, leonardo!

 

I haven't tried any Nivea products before, but I've seen them around here. I do need a little heavier moisturizer for the daytime, plus one with SPF would be really helpful. We get a lot of sun exposure in Colorado, and I walk pretty much everywhere, so not having enough SPF could really bite me. I really liked the Aveeno one I was using, but I don't know if it will break me out or not on the regimen.

 

This week I'm going to start using 1/2 pump BP in the mornings to see what happens. I'm still using 1 1/2 pumps at night and that's going fine, so I think its time to add a little more in. I'm just so worried about bleaching my clothes during the day!

I'm also watching your thread and as I said before, I think your skin is DEF improving girl. Keep it up, k?

Thanks! I'm trying to keep my hopes up during this really stressful midterms time. I'm hoping that after another 2 months I'll be clear except for hormonal acne.

Thanks again for reading and for the support!

Oy. I'm so out of sorts right now. I took these a few nights ago and meant to post them but then had to take off to South Dakota for a funeral. I took my stuff with me, but wasn't totally diligent.

I decided I don't like using BP in the morning because it balls up under my makeup, no matter how long I wait for it to dry. I'm up to 2 pumps at night right now. I'm going through moisturizer pretty fast, and am thinking I will order AHA this week. My mom said that she's noticed the actual acne has gone down a lot, but the red marks are still there. AHA will help with that, right? And having AHA for moisturizer at night the other stuff will last a little longer, hopefully.

Two new painful small pimples on my forehead that popped up the day after these pictures. Hopefully they'll go away as fast as they showed up! Other than that, not much has changed...

By the way, I ordered some mineral samples from Everyday Minerals (they send 5 sample sizes for free, just shipping, which was $3!) and I'm hoping that will help with skin texture and developing new blemishes. I got a super nice blush and a highlighter along with 3 different shades of foundation. Hopefully one of them is the right color. Even the large sizes are considerably cheaper than getting them at Sephora, Ulta or a salon.

I cannot say enough how much I hate the Neutrogena foundation I'm using. It's thin, so it doesn't cover well; it rubs off ridiculously easy, no matter if I cover it with powder or not; it sinks straight into my pores, making them look huge; and it smells bad.

I can't wait to get rid of this stuff, but I need a suitable replacement first!

I decided I don't like using BP in the morning because it balls up under my makeup, no matter how long I wait for it to dry. I'm up to 2 pumps at night right now. I'm going through moisturizer pretty fast, and am thinking I will order AHA this week. My mom said that she's noticed the actual acne has gone down a lot, but the red marks are still there. AHA will help with that, right? And having AHA for moisturizer at night the other stuff will last a little longer, hopefully.

 

Two new painful small pimples on my forehead that popped up the day after these pictures. Hopefully they'll go away as fast as they showed up! Other than that, not much has changed...

I have the same problem, I tried to start using 1/2 a pump of BP in the morning and I applied moisturizer with SPF15, I waited five minutes for it to dry and then spent five more minutes with the blowdryer (cool setting) on my face, and it still clumped up underneath my foundation, I looked soo gross at work and school I was extremely embarassed and was covering my face with my hair the entire time (I know that's bad too because of the oil in my hair). Anyway, I decided I don't want to go through that ever again, and I absolutely will not go out in public without makeup! I use Revlon Colorstay, it's really the only foundation with awesome coverage that doesn't break me out, although my pores are a little big though, and like you said about Neutrogena this foundation enhances that as well.

I'm in the beginning of week 4, and to be honest I have broken out more than I have seen improvements but I have missed some steps recently, like when I go over my boyfriend's and i'm too lazy to wait for the BP to dry. I went to sleep once without applying moisturizer, but other than that i've been pretty good and I have not seen any improvement. I hope by two months I will start clearing up! I'm so frustrated right now.

Hey there! How's everything going for you now??

Hey electric_feel, sorry to hear you're having clumping issues with the BP too! Mine wasn't bad enough that people could notice during the day; I just noticed it when I was applying my makeup. I've since ordered some mineral samples from Everyday Minerals and now that I have some mineral powder, I can use BP in the morning. I'm not using much because I'm very paranoid about bleaching shirts I wear during the day, but at least I can use 1/2 pump!

bright_eyes, things are going good! I'm having a bit of a hormonal break-out, but it is MUCH less severe than it has been the past few months. This time it is just 5 active pimples, and only 1 of them is obnoxiously huge and sensitive. The others were pretty small and are going away quickly! YAY! Other than that, I'm really not dealing with much new acne, just fading red marks that make it look like I still have acne.

I did notice today that the skin around my eyebrows is flaking, so I think I need to be more careful with my BP application around my eyes. I'm getting a little too close, I think!

I also figured out that Dan's Moisturizer is designed to work with the BP. The reason I wasn't liking putting it on in the morning was because I hadn't put any BP on, and the moisturizer had nothing to grab on to. It was just sliding around. That's changed now!

I've got new pictures, all from this morning, including one with makeup, so y'all can see what I actually look like to the rest of the world! I LOVE MY MINERAL MAKEUP!!!

Hey electric_feel, sorry to hear you're having clumping issues with the BP too! Mine wasn't bad enough that people could notice during the day; I just noticed it when I was applying my makeup. I've since ordered some mineral samples from Everyday Minerals and now that I have some mineral powder, I can use BP in the morning. I'm not using much because I'm very paranoid about bleaching shirts I wear during the day, but at least I can use 1/2 pump!

 

bright_eyes, things are going good! I'm having a bit of a hormonal break-out, but it is MUCH less severe than it has been the past few months. This time it is just 5 active pimples, and only 1 of them is obnoxiously huge and sensitive. The others were pretty small and are going away quickly! YAY! Other than that, I'm really not dealing with much new acne, just fading red marks that make it look like I still have acne.

 

I did notice today that the skin around my eyebrows is flaking, so I think I need to be more careful with my BP application around my eyes. I'm getting a little too close, I think!

 

I also figured out that Dan's Moisturizer is designed to work with the BP. The reason I wasn't liking putting it on in the morning was because I hadn't put any BP on, and the moisturizer had nothing to grab on to. It was just sliding around. That's changed now!

 

I've got new pictures, all from this morning, including one with makeup, so y'all can see what I actually look like to the rest of the world! I LOVE MY MINERAL MAKEUP!!!

Hey...hey....I'm glad things are looking up for you. I think you look fantastic, btw. I also can see a difference in most of your pics.

As for the hormonal acne, try taking Evening Primrose oil caplets. I heard they can help alot with pms symptoms. Including acne.

I'm trying to find new makeup as well. The kind I'm using now makes my face look dry and flakey, I'm looking for something more natural, but also covers up certain problem spots. Keep it up and keep in touch.

Thanks!!!

I don't really have many other PMS symptoms, at least none that I can't control. I get moody and crave certain foods, but I recognize it and can deal without taking anything. Acne is my worst PMS symptom, IMO, so I'm gonna keep doing the regimen and if it doesn't help with hormonal after a few more months, then I'll try supplements

I'm trying to find new makeup as well. The kind I'm using now makes my face look dry and flakey, I'm looking for something more natural, but also covers up certain problem spots. biggrin.gif Keep it up and keep in touch.

Hey Halon2 - thanks for the comment on my page!! Its awesome to have a gaggle of people who are going through the same thing commenting on your progress

I'm using the jojoba sparingly where I need it and only at nighttime at the moment. Just moved up to a big pump morning and night of BP and places I didnt think could flake have started... blerk!

A note on mineral makeup - how.awesome.is.it? I used to be liquid all the way, now I can get away with using concealer and loreal true match minerals and its awesome. Love it.

Anywho - keep up the awesome work!!

xx

Ah, the beauty of Spring Break! Usually normal stress + ovulation = massive painful breakout. This time, just a few pimples that all went away in a few days! In fact, right now I have only one active pimple on my face!! ONE! The rest are healing and fading. The one in the crease on my chin is the only one I'm dealing with right now.

I cannot tell you guys how good that feels!

I need to re-order soon, and am thinking of changing moisturizers to something with SPF in the daytime. I'll probably get the Olay stuff recommended here and see how I like it. It's been just over 2 months, so I think its probably safe to switch something out for now.

Anyway, here are some new pictures. The lighting was kind of terrible, sorry about that.

Ah, the beauty of Spring Break! Usually normal stress + ovulation = massive painful breakout. This time, just a few pimples that all went away in a few days! In fact, right now I have only one active pimple on my face!! ONE! The rest are healing and fading. The one in the crease on my chin is the only one I'm dealing with right now.

 

I cannot tell you guys how good that feels!

 

I need to re-order soon, and am thinking of changing moisturizers to something with SPF in the daytime. I'll probably get the Olay stuff recommended here and see how I like it. It's been just over 2 months, so I think its probably safe to switch something out for now.

 

Anyway, here are some new pictures. The lighting was kind of terrible, sorry about that.

I've just recently seen this page and saw ur photos! Oh my gosh ur acne has improved so well and I'm so happy that everything's good with the regimen! Well done, makes all of us new users more positive about improving as well! lol! =)

I've just recently seen this page and saw ur photos! Oh my gosh ur acne has improved so well and I'm so happy that everything's good with the regimen! Well done, makes all of us new users more positive about improving as well! lol! =)

I'm so glad to hear that its encouraging for you! I am seeing general overall improvement in my skin, but the redmarks aren't fading very fast. I've started using a different moisturizer in the morning as well, one with SPF 15 and is a bit thicker. So far, so good!

Yesterday and today, though, I've had a few more hormonal pimples come through. No biggie compared to the last few months

Well, some good news and some bad. First the bad. I think the Aveeno Positively Radiant + SPF has made me break out some, which is frustrating. I went to get the Ultra Calm + SPF last night, but it was $15 and I just couldn't do it. I'll go back to Dan's moisturizer in the morning for awhile. But I'm running seriously low! I can't find the Olay moisturizer + SPF that is recommended in stores here. I suppose I could order it online, but then I'd have to pay shipping. What a pain!

Good news! With Colorado being so dry and having to wash my hands so much with the regimen my hands were getting dry and itchy. I finally found a lotion that 1) doesn't have a strong smell 2)absorbs easily but doesn't dry too quickly 3) works! I love it so much!

I also bought Head and Shoulders shampoo to see if that will help with breakouts along the back of my hairline and on my upper back. It's got zinc in it, and people say that their Derms have told them to use it, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I'll let you all know how it works out.

Well, I think I have it finally figured out with my acne. The regimen is seriously helping with the regular stuff, but I get 2 rounds of hormonal acne. I get 1 round during ovulation (7-10 days before my period) and they day or two before I start. That's what the cheek stuff is that I get, and some of the nastier ones on my chin and by my lip.

I've stopped using the Aveeno and I haven't gotten anymore of the little blackheads/whiteheads. A lot of what's on the pictures is from the Aveeno Positively Radiant. That kind of bums me out, but there's nothing I can do about it right now except move on.

Here's today's pics. I'm all shiny because I'd been cleaning and was a bit sweaty. They're kind of gross, but I have to keep going with this log or else I'll kick myself later. The big one on my cheek is actually two small ones that have popped already. The one on the corner of my mouth isn't so bad. It's healing and I'm trying not to pick at it...

I definitely see results!!! Very nice... I'm glad this regimen is working for you.

Well, I just re-ordered and committed myself to another 2 months on the regimen. Hopefully my hormonal acne will continue to subside and the older red marks will fade more. At the end of this 2nd round, my goal is to have ONE DAY with clear skin. I don't care when it is or why it happens, but by the end of May, just one day would be awesome. This means few to no red marks and no active or healing pimples.

I'm going to ask my mom to order the AHA to try and speed the process a bit. Do you guys think this is doable?

Well, I just re-ordered and committed myself to another 2 months on the regimen. Hopefully my hormonal acne will continue to subside and the older red marks will fade more. At the end of this 2nd round, my goal is to have ONE DAY with clear skin. I don't care when it is or why it happens, but by the end of May, just one day would be awesome. This means few to no red marks and no active or healing pimples.

 

I'm going to ask my mom to order the AHA to try and speed the process a bit. Do you guys think this is doable?

Definitely doable - just make sure you use a small amount (thin layer) when you first start using it, and use it at a time where you know you've got nothing on and something to occupy your mind - if you start itching, you'll know what I mean!!

I've found after using it every other day, it makes my face smoother and my makeup seems to sit better.

Try it and see what you think - a tube will last you FOR-EVER.

If you get it - let me know how you go

xx

PS - Im totally with you on your goal

Well, I just re-ordered and committed myself to another 2 months on the regimen. Hopefully my hormonal acne will continue to subside and the older red marks will fade more. At the end of this 2nd round, my goal is to have ONE DAY with clear skin. I don't care when it is or why it happens, but by the end of May, just one day would be awesome. This means few to no red marks and no active or healing pimples.

 

I'm going to ask my mom to order the AHA to try and speed the process a bit. Do you guys think this is doable?

YAY! halon, glad to hear it! I know what you mean about the clear skin...one day!! Yeah, the AHA will help alot, especially with red marks and it just makes your skin GLOW! It may purge you a little bit at first, but that's to be expected. Although for some it doesn't. Anyway, thanks for keeping us updated and I look forward to more posts/pictures.