Acne.org Products
So hey, I just recently turned 23. I've had acne since I was 17, the main brunt of it just lasted between 1-2 years, and for that I'm grateful, but for the past 6 years I've been fighting against my grimey skin.
My spots are usually on my chin and jawline, VERY painful at times. I get a few around my hairline, I know why that is, because of hair greasiness. I'm generally a pretty greasy human being! I hate it! I even had a spot inside my ear once, it was so painful, not to mention embarrassing. I also have some minor body acne. I mostly get painful lumps on my lower back that don't develop into whiteheads, lumps on the back of my shoulers/upper back that usually do. Sorry if I'm being a bit graphic...
Anyway, I'm just so sick of it all. I've stopped wearing foundation, but now the world has to see my grimey skin. I don't think I mind that much, I still looked bad even with make up on. I'm just so oily, I wash and dress and come lunch time, my skin is shiny and my hair is stuck to my head, lank and greasy.
I'm eating relatively well I think - tons of fruit and salad, vitamin supplements, hot water with lemon, peppermint tea, low dairy, and dark chocolate if I really want a treat. I rarely drink alcohol, don't smoke, and exercise regularly - which I have noticed, does make a bit of a difference and give me a nice overall healthy glow to my skin. I get a fair amount of sleep, that's never really been a problem.
At the moment I don't have a cleansing routine as such - I used to be product-mad, so high maintenance, then I swapped to Lush products and home remedies like Witch Hazel solution, my Mom's Nivea cleansing cream - just basic, timeless products I guess. But lately I'm wondering if it wouldn't be better to just stop using anything on my skin at all.
I just feel at such a loss, I've started a new job and I work full-time hours like a lot of people, but I'm tired of feeling gunky, yuck, grimey, greasy come lunchtime and having to feel gross for the rest of the day. Does anyone else know what I mean?
Sorry for the long essay, but if you can think of some remedy or concotion that could help me out - something natural, please, don't tell me to take the pill or slather BP on my face - I would massively appreciate it! I just want to be able to go about my days feeling fresh and clean - not an oil slick!!
I know exactly what you mean. Your acne sounds exactly like mine, except that addition to the cysts, with the grotesquely oily skin I got all kinds of blackheads and other acne. And my acne started when I was 10.
The cysts, however, turned out to be an allergic reaction to citrus. I figured that out many years ago. Jaw/chin acne does not automatically indicate 'hormonal acne' as people here keep saying. Besides, almost all acne is hormone related, even when it's an allergic reaction. There's a correlation between histamine and androgen levels.
The oily skin went away when I started avoiding processed foods, which in effect means sugar and bad fats. Do you still use margarine, crisco or vegetable oils other than olive oil? Eat foods fried in those oils as most commercially fried foods will be and = trans fat?
Have you tried avoiding different foods to see if you have an intolerance to them? In addition to possibly directly causing a pimple, intolerances can damage digestive system, cause inflammation, elevated histamines, etc which can lead to oily skin and acne over time.
What do you mean by tons of fruit? Maybe it's too much. Do you eat the fruit by themselves, like as snacks? What about veggies? Especially sulfur containing veggies like broccoli, spinach, kale, cabbage, onions, garlic, etc?
Do you binge eat? Chew your food well? Do you have any noticeable digestion issues like indigestion, bloating, gas?
What supplements have you tried? Before the diet changes, I was taking zinc, b-complex and C and it made my skin a lot less oily.
In the meantime, try wearing your hair in barrettes off your face so the oiliness is less noticeable. And try powder mineral makeup. The zinc is potentially beneficial for your acne/inflamed skin, and as a powder it's great for oily skin. I recommend Everyday Minerals. There's a huge fanclub on the Cosmetics board. It is all in the application though. I recommend a flat top brush. And you use small amounts.
Also, try applying milk of magnesia topically. It absorbs oil and the magnesium is potentially beneficial for your acne/inflamed skin. There's a thread on this on the cosmetics board as well. I never tried it because my skin was no longer oily when I heard about it. But even Paula Begoun recommends it and she doesn't recommend many home remedy type things. Just this and aloe vera I think.
If I had the acne cure Id be a billionaire, just try things, stick with them for a month and see how they go on ur skin....everyone is different and reacts differently to different products.. I havent found anything that works for me and Im 28, this has been going on since I was 14....
Good luck....
*Moderator edit, URL removed - read the board rules. *
Trent
Wish I could help with this one but at 49 I still have acne and have tried all but accutane which I am not even going there. Seems like things that are harsh just make things worse in my case and with eczema on top of that gentle is way better for my skin. People don't recommend cetaphil cleanser or lotion but it has helped tons for me. Now with wrinkles and lines starting to form its a triple threat. Good luck, Elf
It sounds like you have hormonal acne, judging by the super oiliness and the locations of your breakouts. I have always had oily skin, not just a little shiny but the type where I am almost dripping halfway through the day. No amount of blotting papers, powder, primer, or anything else stopped my skin and hair from looking like a grease pit.
My derm put me on spironolactone, which has dramatically decreased my oiliness AND my breakouts. After 6 months, he feels I am still way too oily and I'll be starting Accutane in May to try to stop the oil in its tracks. If you've never taken spiro, it might be worth checking on. It has made a big difference for me, more than any of the other million medicines I've tried.
I think what it comes down too is that you need to detox your body. I suffered acne and blackheads for years until I started doing research about adopting and maintaining the right diet, along with cleansing the body of accumulated toxins. My face is now clear and free of blemishes. For more information about detoxing and utilizing the "Master Cleanse" diet, check out this blog "Renew-Your-Mind.com".
