Acne.org Products
Hi, I am 27 years old and have battled acne for most of my life. I've tried various products over the years with no success. I suffer with continuous white heads and bumpiness all over my face and also hyper pigmentation mainly around the lower part of my face. I'm not quite sure if my skin is dehydrated or dry (after recent research I'm thinking dehydrated). Approximately 2 and a half months ago I went to a beauty place for advice and was recommended to try a fortnightly microdermabrasion. I went for the first one and I'm not sure if it was that or the cetaphil cleanser and moisturiser I tried for the first time, that brought out tonnes of bumps all over my face. I am aware the cetaphil made me bright red and burnt my face though so I discontinued use. When I went back for the second one I mentioned it to her and she had a look and advised against a microdermabrasion and went for a light salicylic acid peel instead. My skin just went from bad to worse and I ended up at the doctors being prescribed anti biotics for a skin infection and a possible form of dermatitis. I'm about half way through a 3 month course. Everytime I try to re introduce products I break out and my redness gets worse. It's only after all this happened that I started researching and found out about comodegenic ingredients. The products I was using before the procedures seemed to be reasonably ok, they didn't keep everything away but they weren't as bad as what I'm now experiencing. Everything I seem to try just breaks me out and I'm just in such a depressed state. Before the procedures I was able to wear foundation and it looked fine, atleast I could cover my face, but now it just feathers up all of my dry skin and I can't wear it. I'm now back to using nothing but water and hoping the anti biotics help to clear so much again. I have zero confidence, my depression is at its worst and I'm driving myself crazy trying to find products that will work for me. Benzoyl peroxide makes me intensely itchy so I want to avoid that, I know salicylic acid can bring more up to the surface but I hate it cause I surfaces everywhere but then doesn't seem to improve. My skin is generally quite red, dry and very sensitive. I cannot seem to find any product that only contains non comedogenic ingredients and nothing too harsh. I'm desperate to find something and to get the necessary moisture back into my skin so I can wear make up again. I just really want my life back.
Sorry for such a long post, any help would be so much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
That does sound to me like you have picked up some kind of infection from the procedure. Maybe even an allergic reaction. Specifically because you didn't have this problem before. Maybe a good idea would be to try a different beauty Therapist and get a second opinion as doctors are good for medical problems but a beauty therapist would likley know more about which products were used and what to use.
For what it's worth Cetaphil brings me out badly in closed commedones.
I think I was wrongly advised with the microdermabrasion as after much research since then it seems that it's not recommended for people with active acne. I naturally changed product afterwards to something that's supposedly a fail safe and recommended after skin procedures (cetaphil). I'm fairly sure I had a bad reaction to this and I'm thinking it was the sls. Going back to the beauty therapist I told her what I'd been experiencing and she suggested the acid peel, but I think that just further aggravated my face. After finding the courage I went to the doctors and she prescribed tetracycline, I'm about half to three quarters of the way through my 3 month course. They did initially clear the infection and my skin generally within the first maybe 4 weeks. I tried to re introduce the products I used before everything and I just constantly broke out. The thing is my face is dehydrated, it's a mix of what looks like a little oily but is very dry. I'm unable to wear make up or anything. I've resorted back to just water the past week whilst I search for new products but I'm in such a bad place mentally.
If I post a link to two products I'm looking at, would you take a look through the ingredients? A second opinion would really help, I'd appreciate it so much.
I'm in the same boat! My skin is so dry and red and sensitive, but i'm scared to use moisturiser in fear of it breaking me out more!
I'm currently using cetaphil moisturiser but not sure if it's helping or hindering yet ... I'm still breaking out in acne and little closed comedones but not sure if its because im just so dry and irritated.. Or the cetaphil!
On 25/04/2016 at 6:09 PM, SJ88 said:
What make up are you using? The acids in your cleanser are good for cleaning out the pores but if they are getting clogged up by the make up aftef cleansing then its like a never ending cycle.
I have known microdermabrasion to be recommended on Acne skin types personally.
Cetaphil didn't agree with me at all, it looked like it burnt me and broke me out in little bumps all over my face after one use.
I've barely wore make up for the last two and a half / three months, but when I had it was no 7 stay perfect foundation. I'm unsure about it but then I've not used it much since buying it. I find the coverage pretty sheer, I'm fair but have alot of redness etc too. My previous foundation did seem to be good for me but it was completely the wrong shade and it's an old and cheap foundation now.
Late to the post but would love to hear if you have experienced any improvement? If your skin is really sensitive its best to use products that are going to assist and further treat your irritation and inflammation. I suggest possibly using a Manuka honey mask which is great for healing and bringing moisture back into the skin. Aloe Vera is also very good at calming down redness and inflammation. Possibly look into the brand Avene since some of their products are specifically designed for sensitive skin. I would also suggest staying away from any fragranced products or products containing fragrance as an ingredient.
Less is more! Keep it really simple. Unperfumed cleanser or soap and nothing else until your skin has really calmed down. Dove soap is really gentle and is all I use. I am on dianette which controls my acne . Go and see a derm and get proper medical advice before you try anything else. These beauty clinics are all about taking your money. You need to see a skin expert before you do any serious damage. All the very best. Take care and keep posting.
Hi, I've not posted in a long while and things have changed alot since then. I actually ended up being prescribed isotretinoin last year and recently completed almost one year. I'm now around 5 weeks post treatment. For over a year I've been using the same products, I settled on la roche posay toleraine cleanser and aveeno daily moisturizing lotion. Ive had no problems with either and they are non comedogenic and very gentle. Iv'e not used anything harsh on my skin since the days of differin which was awful. My face is much calmer for it and ive had no irritation, its been great through treatmemt and im hoping it continues to be as i really dont want to resort to chemicals again.