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What products are you using for make up?
Hey!
I have some product reviews you can check out on acne.org.
At the moment, I'm trying not to use too many products, but generally these are my stable picks:
- Bourjois healthy mix concealer (I also use it instead of foundation most days, then blend it in all over with NYX HD or Lilylolo powder)
- NYX stay matte foundation
- Zevras cosmetics foundation
- Nars sheer glow foundation
Hey hey! Some overdue updates on how my skin is doing, with photos. You can see the date on each photo - ranging from this summer (better skin, more vitamin D, more relaxed!), last month, and 2 of today. I found out I might have a mild case of rosacea, at least according to the most recent dermatologist I saw a couple of months ago.
My current supplements:
- Nicadan
- garlic pills with allicin
- as needed: gluten blockers by Enzymedica for a possible gluten allergy (I still need to get checked out for it)
And that's it for now. Since nicadan has a mix of vitamins and omegas, I don't want to overdo it with extra supplements.
Makeup is usually the same as before. Still trying to find a light talc-free powder that matches my skin color.
Hello, is anyone still following this log? I just wanted to post a general update and some no-makeup pics.
I apologize for the delay in responding to messages - I have a heavy workload so I don't come on here as often as I used to. Not logging on as often has helped me maintain a healthier and less stressful attitude towards my skin, and myself in general. So, as much as I love acne.org, I can't dedicate as much energy on here, but I hope that the archive I built over the years will be useful to many of you. In fact, I still get responses to my older threads from people who are struggling. I want to stress that I only give general advice, as I'm not a doctor and cannot possibly have answers for every individual case. For general advice, please follow my posts & this log.
My update & photos:
- Still on a low histamine, gluten-free, low dairy diet. I might try to be a bit more paleo, but for now I'm just trying to eat as healthy as possible.
- I only take a multivitamin every day as a regular supplement - it's prescription-strength, and it's called NIcadan. Actually, I cut the pill in half and only take half every day because more than that makes me feel a bit nauseous (I'm a petite person, so I adjust the dosage). I think the vitamin C and the niacinamide are the most helpful vitamins in this cocktail.
- I also take Adrenal Cortex every morning to help with low cortisone and adrenal fatigue.
- I sometimes take half a DIM supplement when my skin is acting up, and a garlic supplement (as me for specific brand if you are interested) when my immune system feels weak.
- When needed: digestive enzymes and SOD (to lower histamine reactions).
Tests:
- Saliva tests for hormones & stool tests for parasites ---> Upside: more accurate than blood tests etc, but too expensive!
Here are some photos of my skin in broad daylight with no makeup on...I used to get terrible anxiety over my skin looking less than perfect, but now I decided not to give a f***k.
Hey, thank you for keeping a log. I follow from time to time and it is very helpful to know others' treatment plans.
Q: I would like to ask how the garlic supplements are doing for you? I take them as well, an extract version in the form of a pill, and I feel like it makes my acne worse or at least is not helping.
On 10/13/2016 at 10:42 AM, mexx said:Hey, thank you for keeping a log. I follow from time to time and it is very helpful to know others' treatment plans.
Q: I would like to ask how the garlic supplements are doing for you? I take them as well, an extract version in the form of a pill, and I feel like it makes my acne worse or at least is not helping.
Maybe you have a fungal issue? Usually fungi do not respond to antibiotic treatments.
I take enzymatic therapy garlinase 5000.
1 hour ago, mexx said:21 hours ago, WishClean said:Maybe you have a fungal issue? Usually fungi do not respond to antibiotic treatments.I take enzymatic therapy garlinase 5000.
Oh I see, so you take the enzymatic garlinase for fungi?
No, I started taking it when I had a bacterial infection, and after that cleared up then I kept taking it as an antioxidant. I don't think it helps for fungal infections.
Anyone still reading this?!?!
Here's my update, edited from another post:
Most important thing: Keeping stress at bay (my worst breakouts came during times of extreme stress), meditating for a few minutes in the morning, yoga whenever possible, trying not to get fixated on my skin and focus on more important things instead.
Acupuncture.
Once a month: lactic peel facial. ABSOLUTELY NO ACNE-RELATED PRODUCTS LIKE B.P. , salicylic, or glycolic - those make my skin worse, I think mainly because of histamine issues.
Other topicals: aloe vera gel, andalou organics skincare, weekly turmeric-honey-yogurt mask (I use Fage yogurt, but any plain yogurt with no gelatin is ok), Irish mud mask as needed.
LOW HISTAMINE LIFESTYLE - this is very important if you have any histamine issues (you can get your antibodies tested to see if you have this). Check my other posts on this. Also, I'm doing a part-time keto diet that is relatively low carb, but not extremely so, and with some fruit, and this has helped minimize breakouts even more.
Supplements: Coconut oil (MCT oil in my coffee every morning), turmeric, vitamin C or Nicadan (1/2 a capsule a few times a week - my derm prescribed it). As needed: digestive enzymes, probiotics (PB8 vegan), amlaki (antioxidant), DIM (pure DIM by Olympic Labs - now I only take it when I have a pre-period breakout), garlic supplement as needed (for detox and to fight infection), zinc. 
Diet: Almond milk, almonds, eggs (fine for me, not good for some), fresh veggies, some chocolate (my biggest weakness, but dark and white is ok), some ice cream (coconut, yogurt-based), etc...just trying to eat as simple as possible, but I still can't cut out sugar. Stevia sweetener helps though.
AND: Through this lifestyle, the cysts in my ovaries (from PCOS) are now gone. I got my most recent scan a few days ago, and the doctor said everything looks healthy.
Here's a very recent makeup-free photo.
Hi WishClean! I remember you from some years ago. Glad to read your update.
And wow, you managed to make your cysts go away? I'm really impressed, just did my annual ultrasound and there's still loads and loads of cysts on my ovaries. I'm still on birth control and taking a lot of supplements, my skin is pretty clear besides a few little pimples every now and then, but I'm dying to get off bc, clear the ovarian cystsand alsonot destroy my skin in the process. Will try to add some of your supplements to the bunch I'm already taking, namely turmeric, dim and garlic!
On 2/22/2019 at 5:06 PM, Pianina said:Hi WishClean! I remember you from some years ago. Glad to read your update.
And wow, you managed to make your cysts go away? I'm really impressed, just did my annual ultrasound and there's still loads and loads of cysts on my ovaries. I'm still on birth control and taking a lot of supplements, my skin is pretty clear besides a few little pimples every now and then, but I'm dying to get off bc, clear the ovarian cystsand alsonot destroy my skin in the process. Will try to add some of your supplements to the bunch I'm already taking, namely turmeric, dim and garlic!
Hey Pianina,
I haven't logged in for a few months. Hope everything is well with you.
Just wanted to add something to my routine, for those still following. I still do all of the above, and I have added l-glutamine powder to help with gut healing (just pure powder, no fillers or capsules, by Source Naturals - the only brand I've tried so far). I take very little (1/4 tea spoon) every morning on an empty stomach. I have been taking it for almost 2 months now, and have noticed improvement in my digestion and food tolerance.
I also take, on an empty stomach, wheatgrass supplements and celery juice. These are great, and make my skin glow!
Hi there @WishCleanI was wondering if you might be able to give me some advice on DIM - I have started taking it and it has cleared up my cystic acne a lot but my normally regular period (sorted via diet despite my PCOS) is over a month late for the first time ever! Did you experience this at all and any advice about what to do? Thanks!
On 6/20/2019 at 8:18 AM, Haenerys said:Hi there @WishCleanI was wondering if you might be able to give me some advice on DIM - I have started taking it and it has cleared up my cystic acne a lot but my normally regular period (sorted via diet despite my PCOS) is over a month late for the first time ever! Did you experience this at all and any advice about what to do? Thanks!
Hi @HaenerysHow long did DIM take for you to see some improvement. I have mild acne with some recentcystic flare ups and hope this will help.
TIA
Ok, one more thing to stress: probiotics! But, some of us cannot tolerate fermented foods, and that includes most probiotic strains. I suggest introducing SINGLE strains at a lower dosage (always start a new supplement at a lower than prescribed dose) and see how you do. If you can tolerate yogurt, then you should try acidophilus. I used to take Solgar, and now I am happy with Now Foods' acidophilus. My skin looks healthier and a bit brighter.
Other things that have helped me: avoid unnecessary carbs like bread and cereal, and keep the good carbs like fruit in moderation.
LOW HISTAMINE DIET was a game changer for me. Read my previous posts.
DIM
TURMERIC
GARLIC
OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT
GINGER AND ROOIBOS TEA
Zinc and elderberry
Green juice in the AM with some drops of MCT oil
NIcadan from my dermatologist, though I only take a very low dose whenever I'm feeling hormonal.
IF POSSIBLE, make sure your supplements are made of a vegan/vegetarian capsule (cellulose etc), and do not contain many fillers. (Nicadan is not the best, that's why I am taking a very low dose or take some months off, but for those considering acutane, this is a better alternative and not dangerous).
Hi everyone, I am still getting DMs after all these years. I'm not as active here anymore, although am forever grateful from this community and platform. If you are interested in online consultations, feel free to message me.