Acne.org Products
So, bright_eyes, I read in another thread that Dan's AHA was giving you problems with big red zits, and that you've switched to Walgreens brand. Is that still the case? Has anyone else had this problem?
Yeah it seems to bring up those under the skin ones up and makes them big and hurtful. I've tried it 4 times now and each time it has the same effect. I tried it again this past weekend, and woke up saturday with 6 new ones. 
BUT, I love the Walgreens Nature's Finest Alpha Hydroxy Lotion. It seems of helped my face. For me, it actually helps those under the skin bumps and red spots. I use it at night after the entire regimen. 
After ALL of that I put extra virgin olive oil on the red spots and it's HELPED somewhat. 
I'd like to know if anyone else had this problem with his AHA?
I got my mineral makeup from their website: www.everydayminerals.com If you want to get minerals in a store, I had good results with Bare Minerals from Sephora (or Ulta).
Get the sample pack from the EM website is my suggestion. You get a sample of 3 foundations, a blush, and a face product (concealer, mattifier, etc.) and all you pay is shipping. Depending on your usage, one sample foundation can last about a month.
I've got updates including pictures, I'm just totally unmotivated to put them up this week. Things are looking good, though!
Before you order, think about whether you might need the matte version of the powder. I've never needed much mattifying with my makeup, but for some reason, EM was kind of shiny on me. When I reorder, I'm going to get the matte version so I don't need to reapply and blot as much. Just food for thought.
Ok, so it's been WAAAAAAAAY too long since I've updated. These pictures are from almost two weeks ago, Friday 4/3/09. It was an ok week, nothing horribly bad. Last week was bad for my right cheek for some reason. I don't know why, but I got 4 pimples, 2 of which were fairly big, on my right cheek. Nothing on the left and only a little tiny one on the chin. So weird! I wonder if I'm sleeping on my right side more? I suppose I could wash my pillowcases. It's just odd that that happened. I usually get them all over, not on one side.
I'll take more pictures tonight after moisturizer, but it looks like I'm finally out of room for attachments. I'll need to post them as links, which I know is a pain. I wish they gave us more room! But I suppose I got more to fit than most people because I resized them. Hopefully you guys will still look when I have to link everything 
Ok, so I'm taking pictures and then waiting a week to post them, apparently!
Things are going well. I'm thinking I should be breaking out much worse right now because of hormones...but I'm not. Knock on wood, but I think my hormonal acne is getting much better. Now if the redmarks would fade faster! A lot of the stuff you see in these pictures is gone (like the ones next to my right eye and on my chin).
Also, I found a new use for Dan's cleanser! I was thinking today that my face might get better if I were more diligent about washing my makeup brushes. (I'm really not very good about that.) I ran out of the stuff I'd been using to clean them and was just going to use water. I took my big puffy brush and rinsed it for awhile, squeezing and pushing the water out. Then I figured, I might as well try the cleanser.
OMG best decision ever! Old makeup started STREAMING out of the brushes! It was DISGUSTING! I washed my big powder brush 4 or 5 times and towards the end, the stuff coming out was grey colored, not even tan like my makeup. SO GROSS! I've been putting that stuff on my face!!!
So yeah, I did that with ALL my brushes. My concealer brush wasn't so bad, but my blush brushes were. I did everything, eye shadow (brush and sponge), blush brushes, eyeliner brush, even my brow brush. All of them are totally clean now! Maybe that will help me clear up even faster?
Anyway, THANKS DAN for making such a great cleanser!!!
Ok, like I said last time, I'm out of attachment room, so here are the links to my pics. This will allow me to keep bigger pictures, so y'all might get a better idea comparison-wise.
Hope everyone is doing well!
I finally just ordered the AHA, so hopefully that'll get here this week I can incorporate it at night to help reduce redmarks.
I cannot tell you guys how happy I am with everything right now. I'm at the point where I'm just using a light application of mineral makeup (back to Physician's formula now that my EM samples have run out) with just the littlest bit of extra coverage on spots. Actually, yesterday I went to Target just wearing mascara. No powder/foundation at all! And I felt fine doing it.
I'm also going to be adding a facial sunscreen now that its so warm and I'm outside so much. I've felt horrible not using one all spring. I'm going to try the Aveeno SPF 30 for face and see how it does.
I've changed my routine slightly, so make sure to look at my new sig.
And for those of you still trying to decide whether to get the regimen, I say try it. So much of what we hear on the forums is when the regimen fails, because people are naturally inclined to be more open when something doesn't work. It brings them back to share their experience. I think that's why we hear more about the flaking and redness from people than we do from the ones that it works for (like me.)
If you've started already and are maybe struggling with certain things, just keep going. Unless you're having severe reactions, it'll get better with time. Be gentle, use the right amount of BP and moisturizer, and keep in mind that it takes time. 4 months in and I'm still getting small random pimples, but I haven't had a deep painful one in my cheek for OVER A MONTH now!! That's a big deal!
Anyway. Hopefully I'll post more pictures this week
Alright, so I finally got the AHA, and holy crap is it runny! I don't like it being in a tube that has to sit on the cap, because everything squirts out if I don't hold it shake it upside down first. Ugh. I know its harder to get all the product out of the pumps, but at least it doesn't do that.
Since I don't have any active pimples (!) I couldn't really spot treat, so I spread a very thin layer on the worst redmarks I have on my cheeks and chin. No stinging or itching at all, but I didn't use very much. I used the regular moisturizer after awhile all over my face, but not very much. That was Wednesday night.
Thursday night I did the same.
Then yesterday morning, I noticed two small pimples on my chin. They were the kind with the firm center that can be squeezed out really easily (sorry, that was gross). Then last night there was a 3rd one above my left eyebrow.
Has this happened to anyone else on the AHA? They're not big inflamed whiteheads or anything, but it sure is weird that after being clear for so long, this happens. I really want something to help the redmarks fade, and everyone says AHA will do that, but is this the downside? I'm going to skip a couple nights and apply it again Monday or Tuesday so hopefully this won't happen.
Also, Thursday night I was ridiculously tired and I was rubbing my eyes for a minute. It's such a bad habit, and I know that, but it's so comforting. I've done it my entire life with no ill effects, but Thursday around 1 am I look in the mirror and there's a vertical bruise on my nose, between my eyes. WTF? I didn't rub them exceptionally hard or anything, but my skin bruised! It's going away, but Friday morning I had to cover it with makeup.
Does BP make the skin that sensitive?
Anyway, other than those two minor things, everything is great! My skin feels and looks good for the most part, I would just like to help the old stuff fade now. If I can do that, I will feel like the regimen has been a success for me.
I will try to post pictures tonight, weird bruise and all.
Ok, here are pictures, as promised.
It's weird, you can't really see the vertical bruise between my eyes on my nose, but its there.
The one on the forehead is one of those I talked about in my last post, as is the larger one on the end of my chin. Caused by AHA? I don't know. Guess we'll find out after I use it a few times.
Getting so close to being clear. I want to be able to go out without makeup this summer during the day!!
Wow, your skin is looking amazing!! Especially the chin area, there is such a difference. Your whole face though, just looks really pretty and evenly toned.
ETA: I hope it's not the AHA causing your breakouts though..Im also going to be counting on that to reduce redmarks once im sorta clear.
Yeah, I think the AHA isn't going to work for me. I spot treated last night, and sure enough, this morning I woke up with a new one above my right eyebrow. Again, nothing big and inflamed, popped easily enough, but annoying as all hell.
It's weird, because I use a scrub w/ AHA on my chest and shoulders and it helps.
I'm going to wait a week after last night and see what happens.
Thanks for the support and for reading, daisy_doo!
Since I don't have any active pimples (!) I couldn't really spot treat, so I spread a very thin layer on the worst redmarks I have on my cheeks and chin. No stinging or itching at all, but I didn't use very much. I used the regular moisturizer after awhile all over my face, but not very much. That was Wednesday night.
Thursday night I did the same.
Then yesterday morning, I noticed two small pimples on my chin. They were the kind with the firm center that can be squeezed out really easily (sorry, that was gross). Then last night there was a 3rd one above my left eyebrow.
Has this happened to anyone else on the AHA? They're not big inflamed whiteheads or anything, but it sure is weird that after being clear for so long, this happens. I really want something to help the redmarks fade, and everyone says AHA will do that, but is this the downside? I'm going to skip a couple nights and apply it again Monday or Tuesday so hopefully this won't happen.
Hey halon2 - I would suggest skipping the moisturiser after the AHA, its actually really moisturising. At first I felt all gross after it 3/4 dried, but afterwards it feels kinda smooth and in the morning even nicer. Maybe because of the moisturiser in the AHA and putting some on after, that might be the cause?
(And about the firm centered ones - yes it was gross, but as soon as I read it I was like 'yes! someone else gets those too!!')
Ps - your skin's looking awesome and your eyes are really standing out, if that makes sense?
You need to change how you're using your AHA. First off, don't apply some sort of lotion after applying your AHA as it moisturizes in itself. Secondly, rotate the days you use it or skin irritation will most likely occur causing breakouts or just really red skin. Moisturize during the day, then apply AHA instead of your moisturizer at night. Do this every other night. On the nights you aren't using your AHA before going to bed you can either choose to skip moisturizing altogether or just moisturize with your usual facial lotion. Hope that helps.
You look great! I just read through all of your posts and we seem to have similar breakout history.
After being on the regimen for 6 weeks I'm probably 95% clear and just dealing with the red marks and cycle breakouts too (I noticed it 2 weeks after my period and then a few right before). I started using AHA a week ago and at first I wasn't sure about it because it seemed to bring up pimples, but don't give up. I kept using it and when I went back and looked at my before picture I realized my skin looks so much smoother and, well, like skin again. It also eradicated my dryness - my neck was one huge dry, cracked mess and it's now it's great. After reading what someone else said about makeup going on better, I concur! I have some EM samples too and after getting a fluffier brush that's more gentle and applies it more evenly, I love it. AHA is the icing on the cake.
And here's to going out in public without makeup and not feeling ashamed for the first time!
Hey bronze and scooz thanks for the support! Its great to hear that other people see the clearing, especially since no one in my real life has really mentioned it. Then again, I haven't seen my best friend since before Easter, and she's really the only one that notices these sorts of things. But not even my sister said anything 
zoetrope I want to continue with the AHA, and I should have been clearer about using moisturizer with it. I didn't apply it on TOP of the AHA, only in the spots where I didn't use AHA (like my nose and upper forehead) so that they wouldn't get dry.
It's finals week right now, and I can honestly say its the most stressful I've ever had. When I am a teacher, I will NEVER ask my students to go through some of this crap! But its all I can do right now to get the complete regimen done twice a day, so I'm waiting to do the AHA until I can do it consistently every few days.
I'm trying, I really am. Good news is that the Coppertone SPF 15 I have is non-comedogenic and good for the face and I've used it without breaking out, so I don't need to get new stuff. Yay!
Ok, god, I have to finish this 6 page final in the next few hours and then get some sleep. Damn.
Well, grrr. I tried the AHA again Friday night, and sure enough, I woke up Saturday morning with one zit above my right eyebrow. There is now a line of them from the AHA. Maybe next time I apply, I will make sure not to apply there and see what happens.
So, I was talking to my sister today and she was upset because she's about to turn 30 and her skin is breaking out and is dry and oily and just not in great shape. Sunscreen breaks her out really badly too, so she's always overly tanned and is starting to get wrinkles and will likely have age spots. Anyway, she hates trying to find stuff because cleansers dry her out or don't ever wash off, and moisturizers break her out (legitimately they do...its weird.)
I told her I've been using Dan's stuff since January and she said that she's noticed quite a significant difference in my skin, and that I don't break out around my period anymore. I told her about the cleanser and how well it cleaned my brushes, and that both the cleanser and the moisturizer are completely dye and frangrance free, and actually pretty cheap. I don't know that she needs BP, though, but she can always spot treat with it, I suppose.
She's decided to order the travel kit and try it for a couple weeks. I told her at the very least that she will love the cleanser and moisturizer, and since they're legitimately quite a bit less expensive than ProActiv, Neutrogena, Aveeno, etc. that she can afford them. I had NO IDEA the large bottle of cleanser is only $9.00! That's insane!!!
I'll let you guys know when she orders it and how her progress goes as well. I'm hoping at the very least that she'll get to a point where she can wear sunscreen. I'm seriously afraid that she will get skin cancer. Cancer of all types runs in our family, and my mom just had 2 moles removed.
Other than that, things are going pretty well for me! My friends' graduation was yesterday and so I was in all sorts of pictures. I can honestly say that I won't mind them being put up on Facebook without being retouched, so that's great! My skin looks healthy and glowy in the pictures (I'll try and post one), and since I'm wearing less makeup, I look more natural too.
Loving things right now, just hoping the AHA works out!
So, things are going AWESOME!
Seriously, I can't believe this is my skin. Sure there are little things going on here and there and some of the deep redmarks from last winter haven't gone away yet, but holy crap!
I took some photos Wednesday night after I got home from an evening out. I think it's important to remind myself how the rest of the world sees me, and that includes makeup 95% of the time. I had applied makeup around 7:00 pm and these were taken around 11:30, no touchups. Memo to self, need more blush and reapply lip gloss every once in awhile to avoid washout on lower half of face...
Anyway. You can see the line of small pimples that were AHA caused above my eyebrow. However, I used the AHA Tuesday night and I avoided that spot and nothing bad happened. I'm going to try it again tonight and hit above my eyebrows to see what happens. It's really kind of weird.
Will also update with makeup-less pictures tonight.
Ok, here are the pictures!
Seriously, LOOK AT MY CHIN NOW! Go back to the first post with pictures and look at it then!!!
Man, I love this feeling.
This is the sunscreen I'm using.
Just in case anyone is curious about a sunscreen to use. I really haven't ever broken out from it and have yet to burn, either (even with AHA usage).
These are the results I love to see. I kept getting so discouraged because I kept finding logs where people would eventually get clear but their skin was too dry and red. I honestly don't think they followed the regimen properly.
I do have two questions though. Does your face still get dry and red from the regimen? and how come you only use half a pump in the morning?
Thanks to everyone that's been stopping by! I love to know that seeing my progress inspires others to try it or keep going! Westacious, I'm confident that if you stay with the regimen as it is supposed to work, tweaking here and there for your own skin needs, you'll be clear. Of course there are people who have reactions to the regimen, but it really should work for most people.
RazorG, I'm glad you asked those questions. They're actually related, so I'll answer the BP usage one first. I only use 1/2 pump because of 2 reasons. The first is that I'm worried about getting the BP on my clothes during the day and bleaching them out. I don't care about the stuff I sleep in or my sheets (which are white) but my everyday clothes I can't afford to replace because I bleached them. I'm in college and live right next to campus, so I walk everywhere - even in the summer. And for some reason, our family (especially my father's side) is prone to sweating. All my siblings sweat more than most people, so it's a risk to wear BP during the day for me.
Its also tied to your other question. I never noticed much redness, but I don't have terribly sensitive skin. The drying was bothering me a bit, so I just cut back on my morning application to stop that. Once I realized that I was seeing decent results using between 1/2 and 1 pump in the morning, I decided to keep it at that level. Sometimes i use 1/2 pump, sometimes 1, just kind of depends on what my hand does. It's not planned, just the way it happens.
I know that if I used the full 2 pumps morning and night I would probably be seeing even better results, but the risk of ruining my clothes and the dryness (especially in Colorado) outweighs the potential reward of clearing up a few weeks sooner. That's just a personal choice I made.
Updates: Things are going ok. I've continued to try the AHA every 4th night or so, and every morning I wake up with one little whitehead somewhere on my face afterward. I stopped applying it above my brows, and that helped, but I've gotten them on the side of my nostril, on my chin, my temple...just random places. I'm wondering how close I am to my 30 day guarantee, because I might send it back if this keeps happening.
I also have a few very small blemishes from hormonal acne. I know they're hormonal, because they're not healing as fast as the whiteheads from the AHA. It sucks, but its part of being a woman. The worst part is that after being relatively clear for so long, when I get a pimple now I want to squeeze it... Just need to keep my hands off my face!
Other than that, I'm good! There's been a bump on my left cheek that I thought was going to become a big deep papule, but its been there for a few weeks and is receding now, so I don't think it will ever come through. That's good news I suppose.
Yep, so that's it! I know I need to post makeup less pictures, and maybe I'll try to do that this weekend. Sorry I've been slacking on those!
Have a good Memorial Weekend, and make sure you stop to thank those who deserve it!
