Acne.org Products
Another question if you don't mind.. Have you ever heard of using ice on acne before applying the BP. I've heard a few people doing that and i've also heard that it was suggested by the person who invented topical BP (not sure if thats true or not, but i've heard it from a few people). Anyways i was wondering if this ice thing would have any benefit or have any negative affects on acne prone skin.
Icing is irritating to the skin; it constricts it. I don't think it would be a good idea to ice the skin prior to applying benzoyl peroxide.
The same thing can be said about using cold water, though I'm sure icing is much worse.
hi Snow Squeen!i've been using baking soda as exfoliant, but i've read on this site that it may actually not be good for the face. so, i've decided to try a new exfoliant, Aloe Gentle Exfoliator from Body Shop. it is supposed to be good for sensitive skin.
can you tell me if any of the ingredients could potentially be irritating? thanks alot!
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Gel, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diatomaceous Earth, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Isononyl Isononanoate, Jojoba Esters, Myristyl Myristate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum.
Paula says that it's OK to use a little baking soda with a gentle cleanser as an exfoliant, but I have heard many complaints that this method causes burning/irritation. This may not be true for you, though. Baking soda is slightly alkaline, and alkaline products should ideally be avoided, but I would think that this wouldn't be so much of a problem if it were mixed in a slightly acidic cleanser, which most liquid cleansers on the market are.
The ingredients list you posted looks fine, though I'm a little concerned that the diotamaceous earth (which is the exfoliant used in this product) may be overly abrasive. If you're looking for a daily scrub, one using bead-like exfoliants might be better.
hi snow queen. thanks for your reply. can you recommend me a gentle exfoliant that i can easily buy at local stores?
thanks.
hello snow queen!
sorry i have more question for you, i'm thinking of trying a facial mask by Amore (korean brand) called Daily Strawberry Yogurt Pack.
the ingredients are:
WATER, FRAGARIA VESCA (STRAWBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CETYL OCTANOATE, GLYCERIN, HYDROGENATED POLYDECENE, SQUALANE, SUCROSE, SUCROSE PALMITATE, GLYCERYL STEARATE, C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN, XANTHAN GUM, GLYCERLY STEARATE CITRATE, POLYACRYLAMIDE, HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE, MANNAN TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, LAURETH-7, YOGURT POWDER, DISODIUM EDTA, METHYL-PARABEN, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, PERFUME, CI77491, RED 33, YELLOW 6.
what do you think??
also, does facial mask do the same job as an exfoliant?
thanks 
Hi snow queen.
How bad is Mica? Well in my moisterizer(in sig) I looked and it said it contains mica, which I think is bad for clogging pores? anyhow, how bad do you think it is to apply this? Also are there any other ingrediants that look bad?
Active Ingredients
Avobenzone 3% (Sunscreen), Octinoxate 7.4% (Sunscreen), Octisalate 2% (Sunscreen)
Inactive Ingredients
Benzalkonium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylparaben, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Carbomer, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Ethylparaben, Fragrance, Glycerin, Isobutylparaben, Menthyl Lactate, Methylparaben, Mica, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Propylparaben, Silica, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Titanium Dioxide, Water, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract
also, may you perhaps reccommend another moisterizer without spf, I've tried the one im using, cetaphil, moisterel, dove, and I don't really like them too much.
hi Snow Squeen!i've been using baking soda as exfoliant, but i've read on this site that it may actually not be good for the face. so, i've decided to try a new exfoliant, Aloe Gentle Exfoliator from Body Shop. it is supposed to be good for sensitive skin.
can you tell me if any of the ingredients could potentially be irritating? thanks alot!
Water, Aloe Barbadensis Gel, Pentylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Diatomaceous Earth, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Butylene Glycol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Isononyl Isononanoate, Jojoba Esters, Myristyl Myristate, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Xanthan Gum.
Paula says that it's OK to use a little baking soda with a gentle cleanser as an exfoliant, but I have heard many complaints that this method causes burning/irritation. This may not be true for you, though. Baking soda is slightly alkaline, and alkaline products should ideally be avoided, but I would think that this wouldn't be so much of a problem if it were mixed in a slightly acidic cleanser, which most liquid cleansers on the market are.
The ingredients list you posted looks fine, though I'm a little concerned that the diotamaceous earth (which is the exfoliant used in this product) may be overly abrasive. If you're looking for a daily scrub, one using bead-like exfoliants might be better.
hi snow queen. thanks for your reply. can you recommend me a gentle exfoliant that i can easily buy at local stores?
thanks.
What type of exfoliant are you looking for? I list some good chemical and manual exfoliants in Part II of the first post to this thread.
Hi.. Not sure if this is the right place..but can you see if theres anything wrong with this regimen? thanks!
1. purpose cleansing wash
2. nivia visage toner
3. dan's bp
4. olay total effects moisturizer
Nope, there's nothing wrong with your regimen. There are things that I would personally add, like the use of an exfoliant, but you're not doing anything harmful (provided your Olay Total Effects moisturizer is the daytime version which contains sunscreen; if you're not using a broad-spectrum SPF 15 or higher sunscreen you should be).
Make sure that you wash in lukewarm water as opposed to hot or cold, and I also recommend using a small glob of benzoyl peroxide for the entire face rather than the full fingerlength that Dan recommends, which I feel is too irritating.
hello snow queen!
sorry i have more question for you, i'm thinking of trying a facial mask by Amore (korean brand) called Daily Strawberry Yogurt Pack.
the ingredients are:
WATER, FRAGARIA VESCA (STRAWBERRY) FRUIT EXTRACT, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CETYL OCTANOATE, GLYCERIN, HYDROGENATED POLYDECENE, SQUALANE, SUCROSE, SUCROSE PALMITATE, GLYCERYL STEARATE, C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN, XANTHAN GUM, GLYCERLY STEARATE CITRATE, POLYACRYLAMIDE, HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE, MANNAN TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, LAURETH-7, YOGURT POWDER, DISODIUM EDTA, METHYL-PARABEN, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, PERFUME, CI77491, RED 33, YELLOW 6.
what do you think??
also, does facial mask do the same job as an exfoliant?
thanks
I would be conserned that the strawberry fruit extract is a skin irritant. I would also be concerned that the yogurt might encourage bacterial growth. In addition, this product contains waxy thickeners which may or may not clog pores.
A mask will remove some dead skin cells and can be better than using no exfoliant at all, but I wouldn't consider it an exfoliant in the sense that scrubs and chemical exfoliants are.
Hi snow queen.
How bad is Mica? Well in my moisterizer(in sig) I looked and it said it contains mica, which I think is bad for clogging pores? anyhow, how bad do you think it is to apply this? Also are there any other ingrediants that look bad?
Active Ingredients
Avobenzone 3% (Sunscreen), Octinoxate 7.4% (Sunscreen), Octisalate 2% (Sunscreen)
Inactive Ingredients
Benzalkonium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylparaben, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Carbomer, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Ethylparaben, Fragrance, Glycerin, Isobutylparaben, Menthyl Lactate, Methylparaben, Mica, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Propylparaben, Silica, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Titanium Dioxide, Water, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract
also, may you perhaps reccommend another moisterizer without spf, I've tried the one im using, cetaphil, moisterel, dove, and I don't really like them too much.
Your moisturizer lists benzyl alcohol (a drying type of alcohol) as the second ingredient. It also contains fragrance, citrus extract, and menthyl lactate- more skin irritants. I wouldn't recommend it. It does offer good sun protection, but so do other less irritating sunscreens.
I've never known anyone who broke out from mica, but I suppose some people could be sensitive to it. What I don't like about mica is that it is shiny, which emphasizes pimples and can make oily skin look more oily.
You should be using a moisturizer during the daytime to protect your skin from sun damage; what didn't you like about the sunscreens you've already tried?
Before I can recommend a nighttime moisturizer, I'd also like to ask which moisturizers without sunscreen you have tried and what you liked or didn't like about them.
Hi snow queen.
How bad is Mica? Well in my moisterizer(in sig) I looked and it said it contains mica, which I think is bad for clogging pores? anyhow, how bad do you think it is to apply this? Also are there any other ingrediants that look bad?
Active Ingredients
Avobenzone 3% (Sunscreen), Octinoxate 7.4% (Sunscreen), Octisalate 2% (Sunscreen)
Inactive Ingredients
Benzalkonium Chloride, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylparaben, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Carbomer, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Fruit Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Ethylparaben, Fragrance, Glycerin, Isobutylparaben, Menthyl Lactate, Methylparaben, Mica, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Panthenol, Phenoxyethanol, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Propylparaben, Silica, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Sodium Hydroxide, Steareth-2, Steareth-21, Titanium Dioxide, Water, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract
also, may you perhaps reccommend another moisterizer without spf, I've tried the one im using, cetaphil, moisterel, dove, and I don't really like them too much.
Your moisturizer lists benzyl alcohol (a drying type of alcohol) as the second ingredient. It also contains fragrance, citrus extract, and menthyl lactate- more skin irritants. I wouldn't recommend it. It does offer good sun protection, but so do other less irritating sunscreens.
I've never known anyone who broke out from mica, but I suppose some people could be sensitive to it. What I don't like about mica is that it is shiny, which emphasizes pimples and can make oily skin look more oily.
You should be using a moisturizer during the daytime to protect your skin from sun damage; what didn't you like about the sunscreens you've already tried?
Before I can recommend a nighttime moisturizer, I'd also like to ask which moisturizers without sunscreen you have tried and what you liked or didn't like about them.
Well, I don't do the regimin in the morning as it works better for me just to do it at night. I dont use a moisterizer during the day or apply any spf although I know its beneficial. Well heres the moisterizers I've used:
some olay complete moisterzer-wasn't moisterizing enough
Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Skin Lotion SPF 15 - made my face red
Dove Face Care Deep Moisture Facial Lotion,Dry Skin spf15 - when applied it stung my face bad
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion - the next morning after I used it, my skin felt really weird. Like it was sticky, dunno kinda hard to explain...might try again later though
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 - I liked this one but ran out
Clean and Clear Morning Glow SPF15- This one works fine but maybe theres something better
Moisturel- Brandy reccomends this one, havent really tried it out yet, but I hate the smell
Do you think using SPF at night is bad? because all the moisterizers that I like have spf whether I like it or not.
Do you think that the spf could be irratating my skin? is it possible
What do you think of my cleanser Clean and Clear morning burst? I was using Dan's cleanser but I found it was overdrying my skin so I switched to this one and it wasnt nearly as drying.Although Dan said he was coming out with an updated cleanser that is less drying in the near future, so I will probalby try that one out.
Thanks
Well, I don't do the regimin in the morning as it works better for me just to do it at night. I dont use a moisterizer during the day or apply any spf although I know its beneficial. Well heres the moisterizers I've used:
some olay complete moisterzer-wasn't moisterizing enough
Eucerin Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Skin Lotion SPF 15 - made my face red
Dove Face Care Deep Moisture Facial Lotion,Dry Skin spf15 - when applied it stung my face bad
Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion - the next morning after I used it, my skin felt really weird. Like it was sticky, dunno kinda hard to explain...might try again later though
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 15 - I liked this one but ran out
Clean and Clear Morning Glow SPF15- This one works fine but maybe theres something better
Moisturel- Brandy reccomends this one, havent really tried it out yet, but I hate the smell
Do you think using SPF at night is bad? because all the moisterizers that I like have spf whether I like it or not.
Do you think that the spf could be irratating my skin? is it possible
What do you think of my cleanser Clean and Clear morning burst? I was using Dan's cleanser but I found it was overdrying my skin so I switched to this one and it wasnt nearly as drying.Although Dan said he was coming out with an updated cleanser that is less drying in the near future, so I will probalby try that one out.
Thanks
Not all of your sunscreens that you tried were broad-spectrum; a broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays and is a must for your morning regimen. A broad-spectrum sunscreen will contain at least one of these ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone, mexoryl sx, or tinosorb. If it does not contain any of these ingredients, it is not broad-spectrum and should not be considered.
Sunscreen is best avoided at night when it's not needed. Why not buy two moisturizers; one with sunscreen and one without? Or, if your skin's not dry, you don't need a moisturizer at all, as unnecessary moisturization can cause/worsen breakouts. Only dry areas of skin should be moisturized, so if you have some areas of dry skin, spot treat those with a lotion.
People are not likely to be sensitive to sunscreens containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, but they may be sensitive to synthetic sunscreens like avobenzone. I would say that this was possibly the reason why Dove's daily lotion irritated your skin, but Aveeno's sunscreen also contains synthetic sunscreens. It is my opinion that the type of fragrance Dove used in its lotion was causing your problem.
Clinique's sunscreens are gentle and not greasy at all, you might like those. Dove's Sensitive Skin Lotion is fragrance-free and also well-formulated (it is definately better-formulated than the basic lotions you listed above); I doubt you would experience any irritation from it.
Your Morning Burst cleanser unfortunately contains menthol and menthyl lactate, skin irritants commonly used in acne products due to the tingling/cooling feeling it produces, which makes users think a product is "working" to penetrate the pore. It is also highly fragranced, which will produce more irritation. Purpose's Gentle Wash would be better.
If you're looking for a gentle, manual exfoliant, get one with smooth bead-like particles as opposed to jagged particles. I doubt Dove's would be too harsh for daily use, but if it is I suppose you could see how your skin does with using it once every other day instead.
Have you ever used a salicylic acid product before, and if so, which one(s)?
oops, sorry didn't notice your last sentence until now!
no, i have never used salicylic acid product before.
i'm really scared of using any acne-related acid after the horrible allergic reaction to BP.
i just bought aveeno skin brightening daily scrub. do you know about it?
can it be used as cleanser also?
thanks! and happy new year
Wow, i'm extremely behind in this forum but I just joined. I have a question for you Snow Queen and i was hoping you could help me. Ive been fighting between two cleansers, both by the same company, ones a gel and ones a cream. The gel seems to make my face very dry while the cream doesnt. The cream cleanser actually works great, but im afraid that it might have irritating ingredients in it. While i tried my best to look for them, i may of missed some. I've noticed that your very good with this stuff and i was hoping you could tell me what you think of the cleanser in general, whether you think its good or bad. I've posted the link below, not the actual companies website, but one that sells the product and gives the exact same description, except lists all the ingredients and other facts.
http://www.dermstore.com/product_Effaclar+...+Cream_7956.htm
Thank you very much and i hope im not bothering you, im sure you get a lot of questions like this. thanks again
Ok so I got the purpose cleanser and it works GREAT! Not overdrying at all and it feels awesome. However, I can't seem to find the Dove's Sensitive Skin Lotion. I tried cvs and walgreens so but no luck. I will probably try out so other stores to look, where did you get yours?
What do you think of Complex 15? Or would you recommend another one? I might use it if I can't find the dove one for a night time moisterizer. For the Complex moisterizer there are 2 versions.
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Does it matter which one I get?
Hi SnowQueen, I have some questions:
- I am currently using BHA from PC. Do I have to use it all over my face as it says on the sample, or should I just use it on my problem areas? And is it okay to use over fine lines on my forehead?
I have some samples from PC. When I use the BHA I sometimes wonder if it is good for my face to use the chemicals every day. You know, it is not natural. I am afraid it will make skin bad by long time use.
It is working well and I think it does help (I am using it a short time though, can't say that much about it) but I was just thinking about it. I am currently fighting my red marks from acne. I think I am 85% clear.
- Is it okay to use a self tanner on my face when I also use the BHA and all? I wanna give my face some color.
Hello Snow Queen. Happy New Year!
I was wondering what you think is the best full coverage foundation for acne-prone skin. I recently went to Sephora and bought the Becca stick foundation, but after reading the ingredients and finding out that it has stuff like "wax" and "avacado oil" in it, 
I really want to return this stuff. Any suggestions? Thanks for your time
hi snow queen please could you tell me when you've got a mo if this is an ok cleanser it's simple softening facial mousse the ingredients are;
aqua ,sodiun laureth sulphate, cocamide DEA, glycerin, PEG -7, glyceryl, cocoate, panthenol, cocamidopropyl, betaine, bis-PEG/PGG20/20, dimethicone, sodiun methylparabe, citric acid, sodium chloride, tocopheryl acetate, dipropylene glycol, 2-bromo-2nitropropane-1,3-diol, anthemis nobilis , pelargonium graveolens, citronellol
i'm using clinique mild liquid at the mo and i like it but just wondering about this as i use the moisturiser and like it
Hey Snow Queen I have some questions about products. Particularly the Fruit of the Earth vitamin E daily face cleanser, firming facial mask, Almond scrub, and daily defense moisturizer. I cant find the ingredients to these products, but seeing as you are somewhat of an expert maybe you know where to look. By the way it is amazing how much you know and your only my age, are you planning to be a dermatologist or something?
Thanks
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If you're looking for a gentle, manual exfoliant, get one with smooth bead-like particles as opposed to jagged particles. I doubt Dove's would be too harsh for daily use, but if it is I suppose you could see how your skin does with using it once every other day instead.
Have you ever used a salicylic acid product before, and if so, which one(s)?
oops, sorry didn't notice your last sentence until now!
no, i have never used salicylic acid product before.
i'm really scared of using any acne-related acid after the horrible allergic reaction to BP.
i just bought aveeno skin brightening daily scrub. do you know about it?
can it be used as cleanser also?
thanks! and happy new year
I recommend you do a patch test with one of the salicylic acid products mentioned in Part II of this thread; at least then you'll know for sure whether or not you're allergic to salicylic acid. Definately don't use it all over your face until you know, though, and you may want to buy from a seller to whom you can return the opened product.
The Skin Brightening Daily Scrub is a good scrub product; I would not use it as a cleanser. Use a cleanser first to clean your skin and then follow with the scrub.
hi snow queen. what do you think of exfoliant that use charcoal particles for the exfoliant?
Actually, I've only ever heard of charcoal being used in masks, not as an exfoliating particle. Are you sure that the cleanser doesn't just contain charcoal and uses something else as the exfoliant? For example, many people think that St. Ives Apricot Scrub uses apricot as the exfoliant, when it uses walnut shell particles instead.