Acne.org Products
-U P D A T E D-
06/06/13
Introduction:
I think this still needs to start out with me explaining my title. In 2011 I was using all natural/organic products to try and help my acne and while it helped somewhat, my acne never actually went away. I care so much about my skin and what I put on it that I absolutely dreaded the idea of putting harsh chemicals on it, but I was so desperate for help that I completely changed my routine.
I was extremely scared to use Dan's BP because of my experience with an old the face wash I had used in the past (bp 6%), but further research into his product made me realize it was the amount of BP in the wash that was hurting my face. Apparently studies have showed that 2% works just as well as 10%, just without the dryness. So I ordered the BP and the AHA and when I received them I jumped right in.
*I however do not use these products anymore as I have developed an allergic reaction to the ingredients. I can not use ANY BP products whatsoever, not just Dans. And I cannot use his AHA anymore. I STILL would HIGHLY recommend them to anyone who has not tried them. I think it was just a fluke for me, and I don't want anyone to miss out on clear skin just because I had a bad experience.
PRODUCTS I HAVE USED IN THE PAST:
Charcoal cleansing bar, & Grumpy Skin Astringent
Clindamycin
Benzoyl Peroxide 6% Wash
Burt's Bees Acne Wash
Neutrogena Pore Minimizing Toner
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
ress Green Balance Facial Toner with Organic Aloe & Tea Tree Oil
Acne.org BP 2%
Acne.org AHA
CURRENT PRODUCTS USED:
(AM)
Neutrogena Facial Cleansing Bar for Acne Prone Skin
Clindamycin Phosphate Topical Solution 1%
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 45
Equate Absolutely Beaming Daily Moisturizer
(I mix this and the sunblock together and the sunblock helps mattify the moisturizer)
1x Vitamin D3
1x Borage Oil
2x Burdock Root
1x Vitamin E
1x Vitamin A
2x Calcium
1x Vitamin B Complex
1x Vitamin C
1 Tbsp Diatomaceous Earth Mixed in with 1 scoop Greens First (Mixed with juice, not water)
(PM)
Ortho-Tri Cyclen Lo
Cetaphil Antibacterial Cleansing Bar
Paula's Choice 2% BHA Liquid
Clindamycin Phosphate Topical Solution 1%
Grapeseed Oil
ETCETERA:
I also exercise regularly, which I think is important for every individual to do daily. This includes running 2-6 miles every day and doing Insanity every morning.
I changed my eating habits also, I have stopped eating fast food and very rarely eat out in general. I drink plenty of water every day (I drink half of my weight in ounces. If this doesn't make sense feel free to ask) I cut out my sweets. It was hard but now I hardly ever even think about it. And by the power of Thor, I have been trying my damnedest to stop drinking soda. Lord help me in my endeavors. Amen.
If anyone has any advice/suggestions/comments on my regimen, it would be greatly appreciated.
I apologize if my thoughts aren't in order but I will try to edit this regularly to help.
Thank You.
Ugh, I sure wish I would of thought more about putting so many harsh chemicals on my face, but I thought it would just clear up the pimples, but it gave me some weird discoloration on my forehead, but it kinda helped with the acne, but now Im stuck with uneven skin color. Sure, if i had the money, it could easily be fixed with a fraxel laser, but I dont have that kind of money to spend, so maybe just maybe, it will fade over time instead of getting darker, more uneven, and larger I hope.
What I have used throughout the years on my face. BP, Sacylic Acid, Erthythromycin Gel, Sulfer, Clindamycin, Mederma Scar Treatment, Witch Hazel, and I never gave any mind to the sun, so I never used sunscreen which was probably a huge mistake and I took 200mg of Doxycycline for 4 months, so my skin, more so my forehead ended up being this weird brownish grey color in certain areas and I recently read that Mederma Scar Treatment can cause a greyish brown discoloration, so that with all the crap I've put on my face definately cause the skin discoloration. Damn acne, if there was no such thing as the crap, I would have nice even colored skin without acne! If only someome could go back in time and completely kill the pimple/acne cell so it would be dead never to reproduce again!
Ugh, I sure wish I would of thought more about putting so many harsh chemicals on my face, but I thought it would just clear up the pimples, but it gave me some weird discoloration on my forehead, but it kinda helped with the acne, but now Im stuck with uneven skin color. Sure, if i had the money, it could easily be fixed with a fraxel laser, but I dont have that kind of money to spend, so maybe just maybe, it will fade over time instead of getting darker, more uneven, and larger I hope.
What I have used throughout the years on my face. BP, Sacylic Acid, Erthythromycin Gel, Sulfer, Clindamycin, Mederma Scar Treatment, Witch Hazel, and I never gave any mind to the sun, so I never used sunscreen which was probably a huge mistake and I took 200mg of Doxycycline for 4 months, so my skin, more so my forehead ended up being this weird brownish grey color in certain areas and I recently read that Mederma Scar Treatment can cause a greyish brown discoloration, so that with all the crap I've put on my face definately cause the skin discoloration. Damn acne, if there was no such thing as the crap, I would have nice even colored skin without acne! If only someome could go back in time and completely kill the pimple/acne cell so it would be dead never to reproduce again!
I have heard from several people that Honey masks can reduce discoloration. Have you ever tried them?
I have extremely oily skin (I have to blot 8-10 times a day) and enlarged pores stuffed with disgusting blackheads. Do you think the Acne.org products would work for me? I've used BP in the past and it didn't do much for me. Do you think AHA would do the trick?
YMED,
I do believe that the acne.org BP would help tremendously with the blackheads and might even help the large pores, so I would try that before the AHA. If you do use AHA, make sure you wear sunscreen!!
As for the oily skin, my first recommendation for you is to take fish oil. Not the kind that is tasteless either. Try Pure Alaska Omega-3 Wild salmon oil. You can get it off of amazon or from Walmart.
When I took this I did not have to blot at all! The only bad thing is I can't stand the taste. However, I have had several people tell me that of you freeze them and take them right before eating you won't have the burping problem.
Before I suggest anything else, what kind of acne washes or products do you use?
No, I've not tried a honey mask. How would you go about it? Will any honey do and do ya just slap the goo on your face and let it harded up or what and for how long would it possibly take? Thanks very much!
From what I've read you can use regular honey, but raw unprocessed honey works best and faster. You have to slather it on and leave it for 15-30 minutes. It won't harden though because of your skin being warm.
This is what I'm doing right now:
Morning
1) 2% Salicylic acid facial cleanser
2) I then apply a toner and moisturize with Murad Oil-control Mattifier
With this I have to blot about once an hour. If I don't apply the mattifier I have to blot at least twice an hour and I look like an oil field. I take a cod liver oil supplement and 1.5g of B5. I also take a multivitamin.
Night
1) 2% Salicylic acid facial cleanser
2) I then apply the toner followed by Retin-A Micro .04%
Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
This is what I'm doing right now:
Morning
1) 2% Salicylic acid facial cleanser
2) I then apply a toner and moisturize with Murad Oil-control Mattifier
With this I have to blot about once an hour. If I don't apply the mattifier I have to blot at least twice an hour and I look like an oil field. I take a cod liver oil supplement and 1.5g of B5. I also take a multivitamin.
Night
1) 2% Salicylic acid facial cleanser
2) I then apply the toner followed by Retin-A Micro .04%
Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
I don't know what type of acne you have, but be aware that Salicylic Acid works at the surface of your skin by exfoliating. It doesn't go deep into your skin like BP does.
You could be oily from not moisturizing, (As crazy as that sounds, that's my experience) I had Super DRY skin when I used that BP wash and I didn't moisturize properly and after an hour my skin would be crazy oily, maybe because it was over compensating.
March 22, 2012
Well the Oil-Cleansing Method isn't doing any harm, and it makes my skin SO soft. In case of anyones curiosity, my mixture is this:
40% Jojoba Oil 60% Grapeseed Oil & 3 drops of Tea Tree Oil. All of this is mixed in an air tight bottle so I don't have to make a mix every night.
The first time I ever tried Oil-Cleansing I used Extra Virgin Olive Oil and I broke out with zits and pimples all over. (Even in places I don't usually break out ie, My forehead) so I discontinued after one use. Further research led me to try again but instead with the before-mentioned mixture. The Tea Tree is drying up my little breakout from my placebo pill and I'm very happy. (When I say Placebo, I am politely telling you I broke out because it's my time of the month
)
I'm so afraid to try the OCM. I don't think I can. I'm already an oily mess and anything with the word "oil" in it makes me cringe.
I think I make more oil just from it overcompensating, that's why I tried. But like I said...EVOO was a HORRIBLE idea, i broke out with little zits everywhere.
March 25th, 2012
Oh. My. Word.
I am so glad I decided to research the OCM more and give it another shot. The absolute strangest thing happened last night as I was cleansing. I was massaging the oil in really well around my chin area and I began to feel something grainy. I looked real close in the mirror and some blackheads had come out of my skin while I was rubbing. How weird is that?!
My skin feels so soft and is getting less oily throughout the day. Also, my marks from my last breakout are healing a lot faster than usual. This makes for a very happy ME!
Anyone else had this experience before?
March 30th, 2012
I forgot how much aloe will help with red marks on my face.
I found some in my drawer yesterday and put it on top of my AHA after it dried for 10 minutes. This morning my red marks were more pink and were smaller. I can't believe I stopped using this. I am going to go back to it and see how it works out.
Also, this morning I mixed it into my sunscreen and applied all over my face and WOW. It really helped to mattify my sunscreen even more than it already was. My makeup when on SO much smoother. Heck yes!!!
April 5th, 2012
I am so incredibly happy right now. My skin is finally cleared up (who knows how long that will last.)!! Woohoo!
I have some pictures but I'm having a hard time uploading them, grrrr. So I will try to figure it out later for y'all. I know how much you kiddos enjoy Before & After pictures!
I had a question for you peeps that I would love answers to!
What are your favorite ways or products for exfoliants and masks? Comment and let me know! I'll see you all again tonight!
(Oh snap! P.S. - I started using Cetaphil Bar Soap Antibacterial and OH EM GEE I really love it. It's not drying at all!)
Congrats on clearing up.
I was wondering if you meant aloe vera gel(FOTE?) when you mention putting aloe over AHA. Hows that going? I currently use one in the am and one in the pm and might try using both at night. If it is the gel i agree on the mattifying effect, helps make oily t-zone appear less so.
I also had a quick skim over your last log and am curious as to whether you are still taking any of the supplements?
To answer your question i like calamine lotion, though i use it to spot treat i have read that others use it as a mask. I also tried using an aspirin mask for a while which did make my skin look good immediately after was too abrasive and in the long run broke me out pretty bad.
Congrats on clearing up.
I was wondering if you meant aloe vera gel(FOTE?) when you mention putting aloe over AHA. Hows that going? I currently use one in the am and one in the pm and might try using both at night. If it is the gel i agree on the mattifying effect, helps make oily t-zone appear less so.
I also had a quick skim over your last log and am curious as to whether you are still taking any of the supplements?
To answer your question i like calamine lotion, though i use it to spot treat i have read that others use it as a mask. I also tried using an aspirin mask for a while which did make my skin look good immediately after was too abrasive and in the long run broke me out pretty bad.
I apologize, Yes. The gel is what I meant :]
I am still taking the supplements. I take some of them for various different reasons, not all for trying to help my acne.
April 19th, 2012
I am completely convinced that the Cetaphil cleansing bar (Anti-bacterial) is the holy grail of face washes. I haven't been this happy for my skin in a long long time.
I know I promised you all pics but unfortunately my camera is MIA. As soon as I find it, I'll take and upload!
The aloe has definitely helped with my pink marks. -Insert Happy Dance-
I also have started using a new eye cream for my dark under-eye cricles which is working miracles! If anyone is interest in that give me a shout :]
Be strong fellow Acne.orgers.
YOUR SKIN LOOKS SO GOOD! wow! how did it look before???
Acowles,
I had a topic before that has some old pictures in my second post that you can find HERE.
May 1st, 2012
Is anyone else completely stoked about summer? I live in Florida so I am very much excited. I cannot wait to go to the beach! Unfortunately, I know for some of you dread summer because of increased oil production and SWEAT. *Yuck* I for one am also worried about this.
But on a side note, I am so utterly happy about my skin that I have not been wearing anything on my face except a little pressed powder on my T-zone and mascara and other various eye makeups. If I am doing anything other than just going to work I will dab a little concealer on my left cheek where I have a couple of scars. I hate hate hate makeup, but I wear liquid or mineral foundation when I think a lot of people might see me. Luckily for me, my boyfriend is also grossed out by makeup on my face and always tells me how beautiful I am when I'm not wearing any.
I think having positive reinforcement like this really helps. No one wants to the only person who thinks their skin is getting better.
I might have told you all about my lovely sister who has started using Dan's products with me, and OH MY GAH her skin is so much better. I would love if she made a log on here but I don't think she has time. But maybe I will get her permission to get some pictures and post them for y'all to see. She has cystic acne and his products have helped her sooooo much. She also used to have this weird coloring and skin texture on her nose, it looked almost ashy but after using AHA it has gone away.
But anywho, I hope everyone has a lovely day!
You have beautiful skin now! I hope it stays that way!
May 7th, 2012
Well, I used my Queen Helene Mint Julep mask aaaaaand, when I woke up the next day I had a little pimple on my chin. Sad day! It was also really really red! I applied some TTO and that seemed to calm it down but apparenlty in my sleep I scratched at it or something because it looked...raw? Weird!!!!!
Your skin looks great!
I had the same problem. 2.5% BP cleared up my skin so well, but it was getting so dry and peely everyone was starting to notice.
I changed to a more natural regimen and now my acne is back and I'm back to square 1 
I'm enjoying reading about your success though!
June 4th, 2012
It's hard to believe it's almost been a month since I've talked to you guys. My life has been pretty hectic but as I was getting ready this morning I decided I could take a couple of seconds to get some pictures for y'all!
I would like to apologize if you have a tiny monitor and these pictures are very large. I feel that it is important to have large pictures though so you can see everything clearer. Also, please ignore my eyelash that fell on my cheek! Haha
SO! On to the updates:
I have stopped doing the oil cleanse because I found it to be too time consuming. I like to get things done fast so I took this out.
I am still completely in love with my Cetaphil Anti-Bacterial soap. This stuff is amazing at removing makeup! Speaking of makeup, I now only use concealer and pressed powder. Proud of me? I am.
I am STILL taking my supplements! I just love them and feel like they might help a little bit.
I did a 50/50 Honey and Aloe mask last night and it made my skin sooooooo soft. Does anyone else do honey masks? It smells horrible to me but mixing it with aloe really toned the smell down :]
Thanks so much to those of you who take the time to read my log! Much love to you all!
Keep smiling my beauties!
Your skin looks great!
I had the same problem. 2.5% BP cleared up my skin so well, but it was getting so dry and peely everyone was starting to notice.
I changed to a more natural regimen and now my acne is back and I'm back to square 1
I'm enjoying reading about your success though!
Thanks so much for the kind comment. I'm sorry that happened to you. Did you moisturize well while using BP?