formypiccs said:

Hey snowqueen, how are you doing? I recently found myself with a question on a product or two i was looking at. I didnt really know who to ask, dermatologists dont help me or my doctor, i joined this site and saw that you seem to know your stuff and figured you would be my best choice to ask. I am trying to switch my cleanser and acne treatment gel, My cleanser i believe causes acne or irritation and my acne gel doesnt really do too much. I found these products....

Cleanser [Removed link]

Acne Gel [Removed link]

Could you tell me anything about them, would they be too irritating or drying.....and do you think they would be decent products to use? they seem good and got good reviews, but ive found that lots of things that seem good and work for others dont always work for me, haha. But Thank you much for your help.

Unfortunately, the cleanser you posted contains looks like it uses a harsh cleansing agent, and the second product contains additional skin irritants like rosemary extract.

Reviews can be helpful in finding a good product, but they shouldn't be the sole deciding fator in your purchases.

`tash said:

Im going to buy the Cetaphil moisturising cream soon. Here are the ingredients:

Purified Water, Glyceryl Polyglycerylmethacrylate, Propylene Glycol, Petrolatum, Dicaprylyl Ether, PEG-5 Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Cetyl Alcohol, Sweet Almond Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid

[Removed link]

Thanks.

Also a question ive been wondering for so long.

Is it better to use a product that has SLS in it, but further down in the ingredients list, or a product that has SLES in it but it's the 2nd on the ingredients list?

Creams really aren't the best for acne-prone skin, but if you feel you need to use one the Cetaphil cream looks fine.

Some products containing Sodium Lauryl Sulfate can be used provided it's a little further down the ingredients list and/or not the primary surfectant, though I prefer to avoid products with it if I can. Sodium laureth sulfate is fine to use as the primary ingredient and is commonly the second ingredient on the ingredients list of a cleanser.

Hi SnowQueen, thanks for your great advice! I was wondering if this Honey Cleansing face gel is any better than the Cetaphil gentle liquid cleanser?

 

Here are the ingredients:

Aqua, Glycerin, Mel (Honey), Sodium Lauroyl Oat Aminoacids, Laurmidopropyl Betaine, Acrylates\C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Decyl Glucoside, Phenoxyethanol, Aesculus Hippocastanum, Sodium Hydroxide C12-13 Alkyl Lactate, Sodium Chloride, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Potassium Sorbate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ethylhexylglycerin, Parfum

 

Thank you so much in advance!

You can try the cleanser if you want, but if you're sensitive to fragrance you might prefer something else. Cetaphil's not bad, but not great; the Clinique cleanser I'm using now is good.

crazychica said:

Hey there. I was hoping you could help me. I found this cleanser just the other day, I've never heard of it before, but i wanted to try it because its for people who have sensitive skin and also eczema. I'll post the link for you, can you just tell me if it seems safe and good to use? thanks a million

Skinstore [Removed link]

The cleanser would probably be fine for you to use.

Wow , this pretty much eliminates everything you can possibly clean your face with lol . im using a clean&clear cleaner with 5% BP , and i do experience a "tingly or refreshing" feel after i do wash my face with it , but now they're saying thats a bad thing? .

My type of acne is basically red bumps , no whiteheads and last a long time and range in size from medium to large and i get them mostly around my nose.

PLEASE HELP ME , what do you guys use for this?

Thank you so much for your help, SnowQueen! I really appreciate it!

Wow , this pretty much eliminates everything you can possibly clean your face with lol . im using a clean&clear cleaner with 5% BP , and i do experience a "tingly or refreshing" feel after i do wash my face with it , but now they're saying thats a bad thing? .

 

My type of acne is basically red bumps , no whiteheads and last a long time and range in size from medium to large and i get them mostly around my nose.

 

PLEASE HELP ME , what do you guys use for this?

I replied to your PM's about it. It may be that you have the kind of acne which requires a dermatologist's assistance, but you can give my over-the-counter suggestions a try.

Hi snowqueen. Sorry to bother you again, im the one who asked about the sensitive/ezcema foam cleanser above. You said it seems alright to use, I forgot to ask along with that question, does it look alright for acne prone skin? And also while i have you on the subject, i was looking at their face cream also....I was wondering if those two look good for acne prone skin? here are the ingredients to both the cleanser (in case you forgot) and also the cream.

 

 

Cleanser

Aqua, Sodium PEG-7 olive oil carboxylate, Potassium cocoyl glutamate, Disodium cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium laureth sulfate, Glycerin, Butylene glycol, Betaine, Sodium lactate, Dipropylene glycol, PEG-7 soivate, Sodium PCA, Methylparaben, Imidazolidinyl urea, Triclosan

 

 

Face Cream

Aqua,Butylene glycol, Glycerin, Cetyl alcohol, PEG-15 glyceryl stearate, Vitis vinifera, Glyceryl stearate, Macadamia ternifolia, PEG-10 glyceryl stearate. Squalane, Stearic acid. Mynstyl/Palmityl Oxostearamide/ Arachamide MEA, Anthemis Nobilis. Biosaccharide gum-1. Decyl sunflower esters, Dimethicone, Hydrogenated decyl olive esters, Hydrogenated olive oil, Mannan, Portulaca Oleracea extract, Sodium lactate. Tocopheryl acetate, Allantoin Bisabolol, Calcium lactate Cholesterol, Glycyrrhiza glabra' Panthenol, Methylparaben, Xanthan gum, Propylparaben, BHT

 

 

 

The link was one or two posts above if you need it....thank you very much for your time again and i wont be bothering you after this. thanks.

The cleanser you posted can be used on acne-prone skin. Your cream also looks good; it's probably best used over areas of skin which are not prone to breakouts, but I can't say for sure that it will worsen your breakouts as everyone's skin is different.

You're posts don't bother me; I just haven't been on as much lately because I've been really busy.

Hi Snow Queen!!

This is an awesome thing you are trying to do with this thread thank you ,,

I am just beginning to embark on this regimen journey and wanted to check my products. I realized I have the purifying cleanser and moisturizer from the Sheer Cover kit and wanted to double check the ingredients with you , if thats okay...

Purifying Cleanser

Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Methylpropanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben

and

Nourishing Moisturizer SPF 15

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.50%, Octisalate 5.00%, Oxybenzone 3.00%.

Inactive Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Octydodecyl Neopentanoate, Glycerin, Emulsifying Wax NF, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

I also have the Neutrogena acne-prone skin formula facial bar, but I know you are not an advocate of bad soap.

thanks for any insight you can provide!!!

Key

Thanks Snow Queen. Well i bought the moisturiser today but the ingredients vary just a tad in Australia.

Here is the ingredients taken from the Australian Cetaphil Moisturising Cream:

Purified Water, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Propylene Glycol, Paraffin Soft White, Dicaprylyl Ether, PEG-5 Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerol, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Cetyl Alcohol, Sweet Almond Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium Edetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid

Thanks

Hey Snowqueen, the last suggestion I got from you about a daytime moisturizer worked out great. I'm looking for another moisturizer I can use at night though. I'm thinking of getting something from Nivea or Dove - but I'm not sure what to get. Any suggestions? My skin can get dry after I wash it but it is normally pretty oily. Thanks for your time .

Ah I picked up one today...but I forgot to check if it was non comodogenic. I picked up Niva Soft Intensive Moisturizing Creme, which I realize now may have been a bad idea.

Here are the ingredients in order..

Water, Mineral Oil, Myristyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denatm Steaeric Acid, Myristyl Myristate, Microcrystalline Wax, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Cocoglycerides, Dimethicone, Simmondsia Chinesis (Jojoba), Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Sodium Carborner, Phenoxyethanol, Lanolin Alcohol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben, Fragrance.

Crappos. Doesnt seem like this is a moisturizer specifically for my face. Its also got some alcohol and fragrance . Oh well, at least I can use it on my body.

Part I: Avoiding Harmful Products

 

 

When Buying Products

 

Don't Buy Cleansers That:

 

1. Contain harsh surfectants like sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate.

 

2. Are in bar form. These contain harsh cleansing agents like sodium cocoate, and the ingredients that keep them in bar form can be absorbed into the skin to clog pores. Also, many bar soaps have alkaline pH levels, which actually encourages bacterial growth.

 

3. Are daily scrubs containing uneven particles like walnut . These can tear at the skin and cause irritation.

Look for scrubs with smooth, round, bead-like particles.

 

4. Contain waxy, pore-clogging thickeners. Products in cream form tend to have these.

 

5. Contain animal oils*. Animal oils resemble human sebum and can clog pores similarly.

 

4. Give a "tingly" or "cooling" feeling. That feeling is caused by skin irritants like menthol and camphor.

 

5. Are medicated. If the medication contains a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid, the cleanser is almost certain to have too high of a pH (over 4) to allow it to act as an exfoliant. Chances are that the majority of any medictation used in a cleanser will be washed away before having any real effect. If you let a medicated cleanser (either one containing a chemical exfoliant or one containing benzoyl peroxide) sit on the skin in hopes of giving the medications time to penetrate, than chances are you'll also be allowing the cleansing agents time to irritate the skin.

 

* Emu oil for some reason seems to be an exception according to users of this site.

 

Don't Buy Toners or Astringents That:

 

1. Contain drying alcohols, witch hazel, peppermint, or other skin irritants.

 

2. Contain animal oils. (See "Don't Buy Cleansers That:")

 

3. Contain rice or corn ingredients, as these can encourage bacterial growth.

 

Don't Buy Salicylic Acid Products* That:

 

1. Contain skin irritants like drying alcohols, witch hazel, peppermint, or other skin irritants.

 

2. Have a pH higher than 4 or else the salicylic acid will not be an effective exfoliant. A good idea of a product's pH can be obtained with pH indicator strips.

 

3. Contain rice or corn ingredients (See "Don't Buy Toners or Astringents That:")

 

* Most salicylic acid products are not pH correct, contain irritants, or both.

 

Don't Buy Benzoyl Peroxide Products:

 

1. That contain skin irritants.

 

2. To use in conjunction with prescription retinoids (with the exception of adapalene which is used in Differin). Benzoyl peroxide renders most retinoids unstable and should be applied only in the morning if a prescription retinoid is being used at night.

 

3. Contain animal oils. (See Don't Buy Cleansers That:")

 

Don't Buy Tea Tree Oil Products That:

 

1. Contain skin irritants.

 

2. Have less than a 5% concentration of tea tree oil, or more than a 15% concentration. Too little tea tree oil is likely to be ineffective, and too much may be irritating. You can, however, buy pure tea tree oil and dilute it, so long as you aim for the right concentration.

 

3. Contain animal oils. (See Don't Buy Cleansers That:")

 

Don't Buy Moisturizers That:

 

1. Are in cream form. (See "Don't Buy Cleansers That:")

 

2. Contain animal oils. (See "Don't Buy Cleansers That:")

 

3. Contain rice or corn ingredients. (See "Don't Buy Toners or Astringents That:")

 

4. Contain skin irritants.

 

Don't Buy Sunscreens That:

 

1. Are in cream form. (See "Don't Buy Cleansers That:")

 

2. Contain animal oils. (See "Don't Buy Cleansers That:")

 

3. Contain rice or corn ingredients. (See "Don't Buy Toners or Astringents That:")

 

4. Do not contain avobenzone, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, mexoryl sx, or tinosorb; the ingredients recognized by the FDA to provide adequate UVA protection.

 

5. Do not have an SPF of 15 or higher.

 

6. Contain skin irritants.

 

In General

 

1. Don't use products that contain skin irritants. Skin irritants prematurely kill skin cells, littering the skin with more dead skin cells than it can naturally slough off, thus creating a greater risk of clogged pores. Skin irritants also interfere with the skin's healing process, which can result in an increase in bacteria.

 

Some common skin irritants are:

 

Alcohols. Ethanol (grain alcohol), denatured alcohol, ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl, and SD alcohol should be avoided. (Exceptions: Ingredients like cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol are fatty alcohols. Some alcohols like SD alcohols can be used in small amounts. An ingredient is in a small amount if it appears at the end of an ingredients list).

Ammonia

Arnica

Balm mint

Balsam

Bentonite (can be used in the occasional clay mask, but avoid frequent use or formulations which contain other "actives")

Benzalkonium chloride (if it is one of the main ingredients)

Benzyl Alcohol (if it is one of the main ingredients)

Bergamot

Camphor

Cinnamon

Citrus juices and oils

Clove

Clover blossom

Coriander

Cornstarch

Essential Oils

Eucalyptus

Eugenol

Fennel

Fennel oil

Feverfew

Fir needle

Fragrance (may be listed as "Parfum")

Geranium

Ginger

Grapefruit

Horsetail

Jasmine

Lavender

Lemon

Lemongrass

Lime

Linalool

Marjoram

Melissa (lemon balm)

Menthol, Menthyl Acetate, and Menthyl PCA

Mint

Oak bark

Orange

Oregano

Papaya

Peppermint

Phenol

Rose

Sandalwood oil

Sodium C14-16 olefin sulfate

Sodium lauryl sulfate

TEA-lauryl sulfate

Thyme

Wintergreen

Witch hazel

Ylang-ylang

 

2. Don't base your use of a product on whether or not it says "non-comedogenic," "oil-free," "hypo-allergenic," "dermatologically tested," and similar terms. These are flashy marketing terms that have no regulations, therefore, they can mean anything. As mentioned earlier, products with waxy thickeners and animal oils (not plant oils) are most likely to clog pores. Mineral sunscreen ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide can clog pores, though synthetic sunscreens like avobenzone can irritate the skin of certain people and also trigger breakouts. Everyone is different and will be sensitive to different ingredients, so there is no real way of knowing what will or will not clog pores, just what may clog pores. One other thing- acne can take two weeks to form, so if you break out right after starting a product, don't assume that product was the culprit.

 

3. Don't use specialty products (chemical exfoliants, moisturizers, etc...) that are in jar packaging to minimize air exposure. Oxygen can render certain ingredients unstable. Also, with jar packaging, there is a concern for product contamination. Sunlight can also render certain ingredients unstable, so if you buy a product in clear packaging, be sure to store it in a dark space (such as a medicine cabinet or drawer).

 

4. Don't assume that the stronger a product (i.e. the higher the concentration of an active ingredient), the more effective it will be. Using a product that is too strong for you may cause irritation that can worsen acne. What is a good strength varies by person.

 

5. Don't assume that naturally-occurring ingredients are better for your skin. As can be seen by the list of common skin irritants above, there are plenty of ingredients both man-made and naturally-occurring that can be irritating to the skin.

 

6. Don't touch your face if you can avoid it so as to prevent the spread of contaminants.

 

7. If you have trouble with inflammatory acne, change your bedding often (once a week), and keep anything that touches your face frequently (like a phone or washcloth) clean and disinfected to prevent the spread of contaminants.

 

8. Don't use makeup testers on your face to prevent the risk of contamination.

 

9. Don't apply your moisturizer over areas of your face that are not dry. Applying moisturizer where it is not needed can increase the risk of clogged pores by mixing with excess sebum and "gluing" dead skin cells to the skin's surface.

 

10. Don't tan. Tanning only temporarily masks acne, damaging the skin in the process, which can actually lead to a worsening of acne. Even if tanning did help, it's not worth the risk of skin cancer, premature aging, cataracts, cellulite, and rosacea associated with unprotected sun exposure.

 

11. Don't steam the skin or rinse with hot water as this can cause irritation and capillaries to surface. It is best to wash with luke-warm water.

 

12. Don't give up on a new regimen. You need at the very minimum one month and preferrably two to see results. When using prescription retinoids, you need at least three months.

 

13. Don't over-scrub the skin as this can cause irritations. It is best to use gentle, circular motions. When drying the face, pat the skin dry as opposed to rubbing it dry.

 

14. Avoid doing anything to aggravate a pimple. It may be beneficial to pop one provided the pimple is ready to pop, but only apply light pressure. Never squeeze, scratch, or pick at it. If light pressure does not release the contents of a pimple, you will likely worsen it should you increase that pressure.

 

15. Don't use more than one method of exfoliation at once. For example, don't use a scrub followed by a salicylic acid product, or a salicylic acid product followed by an alpha hydroxy acid product. You risk over-irritating the skin.

 

16. Don't generously apply products (with the exception of sunscreen, which should be generously applied). Usually only a dime-sized amount / thinly applied layer is all that's needed for the entire face. Over-applying products can be harmful to the skin.

 

17. Be happy! Who knows, your skin might even get clearer as a result. If not, it's better to have acne and be happy than it is to have acne and wallow in gloom.

 

 

__________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

Part II: Building a Regimen

 

Here are some products you could use to help build your own customized regimen, which are also listed in the responses below.

I recommend building a basic regimen that includes at the minimum these steps:

 

1) Cleansing with Lukewarm Water

2) Exfoliating

3) Disinfecting (If You Have Inflammatory Acne)

4) Moisturizing Dry Areas Only (Nighttime)

5) Applying Sunscreen to All Exposed Areas of Skin (Daytime)

 

You can also include other steps in your regimen, like the application of toners which don't contain chemical exfoliants (not that toners containing chemical exfoliants shouldn't be used if that's your method of exfoliation) or of retinoids. Also, you don't have to apply all these products at the same time; for example, you can exfoliate as often as twice a day or as little as once every other day. You should, however, cleanse twice daily.

 

Something I want to make very clear is that I am not advertising a cure for acne. The above mentioned steps follow skin care basics and are beneficial to most people. Subsequently, using a regimen following these steps may result in clear skin, but it may make absolutely no change whatsoever. If you use the wrong products or can't tolerate certain steps like exfoliation or certain types of ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, it might even make your skin worse. If you're looking for a starting point to treating acne or have been following a damaging skin care routine and want to stop, I definately recommend giving such a regimen a chance, but I don't want to give anyone false hope that their acne will disappear from following it. You may have a stubborn case of acne that is beyond the help of over-the-counter treatments, in which case I advise you seek a dermatologist's help. I also want to stress that the treatments I recommend below are not the only decently formulated products out there (though the salicylic acid products I listed are the only ones I know of that are both pH correct and gentle).

 

 

Some cleansers you may want to consider are:

 

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild Formula

Eucerin Baby Aquaphor Gentle Wash

Eucerin Redness Relief Cleansing Gel

Paula's Choice (any cleanser)

Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash

 

 

Some manual scrubs you may want to consider as exfoliants are:

 

Essential Nutrients Daily Exfoliating Cleanser with Soft Massage Beads

Nivea for Men Energizing Face Scrub (women can use this too)

 

 

Some toners (not containing chemical exfoliants) you may want to consider are:

 

Biotherm Biosensitive Soothing Refreshing Spring Mist

Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion*

Derma E Pycnogenol Facial Toner, Fragrance Free

Nivea Visage Moisturizing Toner

 

*This contains about a 0.5% concentration of salicylic acid at a pH of around 4, making it minimally effective for exfoliation, though you probably won't notice a significant difference in your skin due

 

Some salicylic acid products you may want to consider as exfoliants are:

 

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Defense Face Lotion

Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Anti-Blemish Daily Moisturizer

Paula's Choice 1% or 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid products*

Serious Skin Care Clarifying Treatment

 

*Paula's Choice makes by far the best salicylic acid products

 

 

Some benzoyl peroxide products you may want to consider as disinfectants are:

 

Dan's Clear Skin Regimen Gel (2.5%)

Jan Marini Skin Research Benzoyl Peroxide (2.5%)

Mary Kay Acne Treatment Gel (5%)

Oxy Balance, Sensitive Skin Acne Treatment, Vanishing Formula (5%)

Paula's Choice Blemish Fighting Solutions (2.5% or 5%)

Pond's Mend & Defend Intensive Protection SPF 15 Moisturizer

Persa-Gel 10, Maximum Strength (10%)

Zapzyt 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

 

Some tea tree oil products you may want to consider as disinfectants are:

 

Derma E Tea Tree and Antiseptic Cream* (5%)

Desert Essence 100% Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil (diluted; aim for between a 5 and 15% concentration in your mixture)

 

*This product is in jar packaging, so the vitamin E and other antioxidants won't be stable, but the tea tree oil should work. It is also in cream form, which users may want to be wary of.

 

Some over-the-counter retinol* products you may want to consider are:

 

Diacneal with 6.4% Glycolic Acid

Green Cream

Jan Marini Factor-A Lotion

Makeup Artist's Choice Retinol Serum (which comes in clear packaging, so store it in a dark place)

 

*Products containing retinol do not necessarily produce similar results to prescription retinoid products

 

Some moisturizers you may want to consider are:

 

Dove Sensitive Essentials Daytime Lotion (no SPF)

Green Canyon Spa Skin Barrier Serum

Malibu Hemp Moisturizer Body Lotion for Dry Skin

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Moisture Gel

Zia Natural Skincare Herbal Moisture Gel

 

Some sunscreens you may want to consider are:

 

Clinique Super City Block SPF 25 Oil-Free Daily Face Protector

Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protector

M.A.C. Daily SPF 15 Light Moisture

Neutrogena Active Breathable Sunblocks

Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry-Touch Sunsblocks

Proactiv Solution Oil-Free Moisturizer with SPF 15

holy so if i cant usse any of that what can i use

@jason@@@" data-cite="@@@jason@@@">

Part I: Avoiding Harmful Products

 

 

When Buying Products

 

Don't Buy Cleansers That:

 

1. Contain harsh surfectants like sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate.

 

2. Are in bar form. These contain harsh cleansing agents like sodium cocoate, and the ingredients that keep them in bar form can be absorbed into the skin to clog pores. Also, many bar soaps have alkaline pH levels, which actually encourages bacterial growth.

 

3. Are daily scrubs containing uneven particles like walnut . These can tear at the skin and cause irritation.

Look for scrubs with smooth, round, bead-like particles.

 

4. Contain waxy, pore-clogging thickeners. Products in cream form tend to have these.

 

5. Contain animal oils*. Animal oils resemble human sebum and can clog pores similarly.

 

4. Give a "tingly" or "cooling" feeling. That feeling is caused by skin irritants like menthol and camphor.

 

5. Are medicated. If the medication contains a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid, the cleanser is almost certain to have too high of a pH (over 4) to allow it to act as an exfoliant. Chances are that the majority of any medictation used in a cleanser will be washed away before having any real effect. If you let a medicated cleanser (either one containing a chemical exfoliant or one containing benzoyl peroxide) sit on the skin in hopes of giving the medications time to penetrate, than chances are you'll also be allowing the cleansing agents time to irritate the skin.

 

* Emu oil for some reason seems to be an exception according to users of this site.

 

Don't Buy Toners or Astringents That:

 

1. Contain drying alcohols, witch hazel, peppermint, or other skin irritants.

 

2. Contain animal oils. (See "Don't Buy Cleansers That:")

 

3. Contain rice or corn ingredients, as these can encourage bacterial growth.

 

Don't Buy Salicylic Acid Products* That:

 

1. Contain skin irritants like drying alcohols, witch hazel, peppermint, or other skin irritants.

 

2. Have a pH higher than 4 or else the salicylic acid will not be an effective exfoliant. A good idea of a product's pH can be obtained with pH indicator strips.

 

3. Contain rice or corn ingredients (See "Don't Buy Toners or Astringents That:")

 

* Most salicylic acid products are not pH correct, contain irritants, or both.

 

Don't Buy Benzoyl Peroxide Products:

 

1. That contain skin irritants.

 

2. To use in conjunction with prescription retinoids (with the exception of adapalene which is used in Differin). Benzoyl peroxide renders most retinoids unstable and should be applied only in the morning if a prescription retinoid is being used at night.

 

3. Contain animal oils. (See Don't Buy Cleansers That:")

 

Don't Buy Tea Tree Oil Products That:

 

1. Contain skin irritants.

 

2. Have less than a 5% concentration of tea tree oil, or more than a 15% concentration. Too little tea tree oil is likely to be ineffective, and too much may be irritating. You can, however, buy pure tea tree oil and dilute it, so long as you aim for the right concentration.

 

3. Contain animal oils. (See Don't Buy Cleansers That:")

 

Don't Buy Moisturizers That:

 

1. Are in cream form. (See "Don't Buy Cleansers That:")

 

2. Contain animal oils. (See "Don't Buy Cleansers That:")

 

3. Contain rice or corn ingredients. (See "Don't Buy Toners or Astringents That:")

 

4. Contain skin irritants.

 

Don't Buy Sunscreens That:

 

1. Are in cream form. (See "Don't Buy Cleansers That:")

 

2. Contain animal oils. (See "Don't Buy Cleansers That:")

 

3. Contain rice or corn ingredients. (See "Don't Buy Toners or Astringents That:")

 

4. Do not contain avobenzone, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, mexoryl sx, or tinosorb; the ingredients recognized by the FDA to provide adequate UVA protection.

 

5. Do not have an SPF of 15 or higher.

 

6. Contain skin irritants.

 

In General

 

1. Don't use products that contain skin irritants. Skin irritants prematurely kill skin cells, littering the skin with more dead skin cells than it can naturally slough off, thus creating a greater risk of clogged pores. Skin irritants also interfere with the skin's healing process, which can result in an increase in bacteria.

 

Some common skin irritants are:

 

Alcohols. Ethanol (grain alcohol), denatured alcohol, ethyl alcohol, methanol, benzyl alcohol, isopropyl, and SD alcohol should be avoided. (Exceptions: Ingredients like cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol are fatty alcohols. Some alcohols like SD alcohols can be used in small amounts. An ingredient is in a small amount if it appears at the end of an ingredients list).

Ammonia

Arnica

Balm mint

Balsam

Bentonite (can be used in the occasional clay mask, but avoid frequent use or formulations which contain other "actives")

Benzalkonium chloride (if it is one of the main ingredients)

Benzyl Alcohol (if it is one of the main ingredients)

Bergamot

Camphor

Cinnamon

Citrus juices and oils

Clove

Clover blossom

Coriander

Cornstarch

Essential Oils

Eucalyptus

Eugenol

Fennel

Fennel oil

Feverfew

Fir needle

Fragrance (may be listed as "Parfum")

Geranium

Ginger

Grapefruit

Horsetail

Jasmine

Lavender

Lemon

Lemongrass

Lime

Linalool

Marjoram

Melissa (lemon balm)

Menthol, Menthyl Acetate, and Menthyl PCA

Mint

Oak bark

Orange

Oregano

Papaya

Peppermint

Phenol

Rose

Sandalwood oil

Sodium C14-16 olefin sulfate

Sodium lauryl sulfate

TEA-lauryl sulfate

Thyme

Wintergreen

Witch hazel

Ylang-ylang

 

2. Don't base your use of a product on whether or not it says "non-comedogenic," "oil-free," "hypo-allergenic," "dermatologically tested," and similar terms. These are flashy marketing terms that have no regulations, therefore, they can mean anything. As mentioned earlier, products with waxy thickeners and animal oils (not plant oils) are most likely to clog pores. Mineral sunscreen ingredients like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide can clog pores, though synthetic sunscreens like avobenzone can irritate the skin of certain people and also trigger breakouts. Everyone is different and will be sensitive to different ingredients, so there is no real way of knowing what will or will not clog pores, just what may clog pores. One other thing- acne can take two weeks to form, so if you break out right after starting a product, don't assume that product was the culprit.

 

3. Don't use specialty products (chemical exfoliants, moisturizers, etc...) that are in jar packaging to minimize air exposure. Oxygen can render certain ingredients unstable. Also, with jar packaging, there is a concern for product contamination. Sunlight can also render certain ingredients unstable, so if you buy a product in clear packaging, be sure to store it in a dark space (such as a medicine cabinet or drawer).

 

4. Don't assume that the stronger a product (i.e. the higher the concentration of an active ingredient), the more effective it will be. Using a product that is too strong for you may cause irritation that can worsen acne. What is a good strength varies by person.

 

5. Don't assume that naturally-occurring ingredients are better for your skin. As can be seen by the list of common skin irritants above, there are plenty of ingredients both man-made and naturally-occurring that can be irritating to the skin.

 

6. Don't touch your face if you can avoid it so as to prevent the spread of contaminants.

 

7. If you have trouble with inflammatory acne, change your bedding often (once a week), and keep anything that touches your face frequently (like a phone or washcloth) clean and disinfected to prevent the spread of contaminants.

 

8. Don't use makeup testers on your face to prevent the risk of contamination.

 

9. Don't apply your moisturizer over areas of your face that are not dry. Applying moisturizer where it is not needed can increase the risk of clogged pores by mixing with excess sebum and "gluing" dead skin cells to the skin's surface.

 

10. Don't tan. Tanning only temporarily masks acne, damaging the skin in the process, which can actually lead to a worsening of acne. Even if tanning did help, it's not worth the risk of skin cancer, premature aging, cataracts, cellulite, and rosacea associated with unprotected sun exposure.

 

11. Don't steam the skin or rinse with hot water as this can cause irritation and capillaries to surface. It is best to wash with luke-warm water.

 

12. Don't give up on a new regimen. You need at the very minimum one month and preferrably two to see results. When using prescription retinoids, you need at least three months.

 

13. Don't over-scrub the skin as this can cause irritations. It is best to use gentle, circular motions. When drying the face, pat the skin dry as opposed to rubbing it dry.

 

14. Avoid doing anything to aggravate a pimple. It may be beneficial to pop one provided the pimple is ready to pop, but only apply light pressure. Never squeeze, scratch, or pick at it. If light pressure does not release the contents of a pimple, you will likely worsen it should you increase that pressure.

 

15. Don't use more than one method of exfoliation at once. For example, don't use a scrub followed by a salicylic acid product, or a salicylic acid product followed by an alpha hydroxy acid product. You risk over-irritating the skin.

 

16. Don't generously apply products (with the exception of sunscreen, which should be generously applied). Usually only a dime-sized amount / thinly applied layer is all that's needed for the entire face. Over-applying products can be harmful to the skin.

 

17. Be happy! Who knows, your skin might even get clearer as a result. If not, it's better to have acne and be happy than it is to have acne and wallow in gloom.

 

 

__________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

Part II: Building a Regimen

 

Here are some products you could use to help build your own customized regimen, which are also listed in the responses below.

I recommend building a basic regimen that includes at the minimum these steps:

 

1) Cleansing with Lukewarm Water

2) Exfoliating

3) Disinfecting (If You Have Inflammatory Acne)

4) Moisturizing Dry Areas Only (Nighttime)

5) Applying Sunscreen to All Exposed Areas of Skin (Daytime)

 

You can also include other steps in your regimen, like the application of toners which don't contain chemical exfoliants (not that toners containing chemical exfoliants shouldn't be used if that's your method of exfoliation) or of retinoids. Also, you don't have to apply all these products at the same time; for example, you can exfoliate as often as twice a day or as little as once every other day. You should, however, cleanse twice daily.

 

Something I want to make very clear is that I am not advertising a cure for acne. The above mentioned steps follow skin care basics and are beneficial to most people. Subsequently, using a regimen following these steps may result in clear skin, but it may make absolutely no change whatsoever. If you use the wrong products or can't tolerate certain steps like exfoliation or certain types of ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, it might even make your skin worse. If you're looking for a starting point to treating acne or have been following a damaging skin care routine and want to stop, I definately recommend giving such a regimen a chance, but I don't want to give anyone false hope that their acne will disappear from following it. You may have a stubborn case of acne that is beyond the help of over-the-counter treatments, in which case I advise you seek a dermatologist's help. I also want to stress that the treatments I recommend below are not the only decently formulated products out there (though the salicylic acid products I listed are the only ones I know of that are both pH correct and gentle).

 

 

Some cleansers you may want to consider are:

 

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap Mild Formula

Eucerin Baby Aquaphor Gentle Wash

Eucerin Redness Relief Cleansing Gel

Paula's Choice (any cleanser)

Purpose Gentle Cleansing Wash

 

 

Some manual scrubs you may want to consider as exfoliants are:

 

Essential Nutrients Daily Exfoliating Cleanser with Soft Massage Beads

Nivea for Men Energizing Face Scrub (women can use this too)

 

 

Some toners (not containing chemical exfoliants) you may want to consider are:

 

Biotherm Biosensitive Soothing Refreshing Spring Mist

Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion*

Derma E Pycnogenol Facial Toner, Fragrance Free

Nivea Visage Moisturizing Toner

 

*This contains about a 0.5% concentration of salicylic acid at a pH of around 4, making it minimally effective for exfoliation, though you probably won't notice a significant difference in your skin due

 

Some salicylic acid products you may want to consider as exfoliants are:

 

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Acne Defense Face Lotion

Olay Total Effects Anti-Aging Anti-Blemish Daily Moisturizer

Paula's Choice 1% or 2% Beta Hydroxy Acid products*

Serious Skin Care Clarifying Treatment

 

*Paula's Choice makes by far the best salicylic acid products

 

 

Some benzoyl peroxide products you may want to consider as disinfectants are:

 

Dan's Clear Skin Regimen Gel (2.5%)

Jan Marini Skin Research Benzoyl Peroxide (2.5%)

Mary Kay Acne Treatment Gel (5%)

Oxy Balance, Sensitive Skin Acne Treatment, Vanishing Formula (5%)

Paula's Choice Blemish Fighting Solutions (2.5% or 5%)

Pond's Mend & Defend Intensive Protection SPF 15 Moisturizer

Persa-Gel 10, Maximum Strength (10%)

Zapzyt 10% Benzoyl Peroxide

 

Some tea tree oil products you may want to consider as disinfectants are:

 

Derma E Tea Tree and Antiseptic Cream* (5%)

Desert Essence 100% Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil (diluted; aim for between a 5 and 15% concentration in your mixture)

 

*This product is in jar packaging, so the vitamin E and other antioxidants won't be stable, but the tea tree oil should work. It is also in cream form, which users may want to be wary of.

 

Some over-the-counter retinol* products you may want to consider are:

 

Diacneal with 6.4% Glycolic Acid

Green Cream

Jan Marini Factor-A Lotion

Makeup Artist's Choice Retinol Serum (which comes in clear packaging, so store it in a dark place)

 

*Products containing retinol do not necessarily produce similar results to prescription retinoid products

 

Some moisturizers you may want to consider are:

 

Dove Sensitive Essentials Daytime Lotion (no SPF)

Green Canyon Spa Skin Barrier Serum

Malibu Hemp Moisturizer Body Lotion for Dry Skin

Paula's Choice Skin Balancing Moisture Gel

Zia Natural Skincare Herbal Moisture Gel

 

Some sunscreens you may want to consider are:

 

Clinique Super City Block SPF 25 Oil-Free Daily Face Protector

Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protector

M.A.C. Daily SPF 15 Light Moisture

Neutrogena Active Breathable Sunblocks

Neutrogena Ultra-Sheer Dry-Touch Sunsblocks

Proactiv Solution Oil-Free Moisturizer with SPF 15

 

 

 

 

holy so if i cant usse any of that what can i use

 

Read the bottom part of the post.

LOL true! You could do that but also Snow Queen did post what specific cleansers, moisturizers, etc she recommends

LOL true! You could do that but also Snow Queen did post what specific cleansers, moisturizers, etc she recommends

That is what I meant. The bottom part of the post he copied has all the info. Reading it would help.

Hi Snow Queen!!

This is an awesome thing you are trying to do with this thread thank you ,,

I am just beginning to embark on this regimen journey and wanted to check my products. I realized I have the purifying cleanser and moisturizer from the Sheer Cover kit and wanted to double check the ingredients with you , if thats okay...

 

Purifying Cleanser

Water (Aqua), Butylene Glycol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Methylpropanediol, Cetyl Alcohol, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Water, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Panthenol, Dimethicone, Carbomer, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben

and

 

Nourishing Moisturizer SPF 15

Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.50%, Octisalate 5.00%, Oxybenzone 3.00%.

Inactive Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Octydodecyl Neopentanoate, Glycerin, Emulsifying Wax NF, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

 

 

I also have the Neutrogena acne-prone skin formula facial bar, but I know you are not an advocate of bad soap.

 

thanks for any insight you can provide!!!

 

Key

The Sheer Cover cleanser is probably fine to use despite the small amount of witch hazel in it. The moisturizer is pretty basic and contains the kinds of waxy thickeners that those with breakout-prone skin might not like, but other than that the ingredients don't look bad. The problem is more what it doesn't contain: ingredients which provide adequate UVA protection.

Thanks Snow Queen. Well i bought the moisturiser today but the ingredients vary just a tad in Australia.

 

Here is the ingredients taken from the Australian Cetaphil Moisturising Cream:

Purified Water, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Propylene Glycol, Paraffin Soft White, Dicaprylyl Ether, PEG-5 Glyceryl Stearate, Glycerol, Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Cetyl Alcohol, Sweet Almond Oil, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Tocopheryl Acetate, Phenoxyethanol, Benzyl Alcohol, Disodium Edetate, Sodium Hydroxide, Lactic Acid

 

Thanks

The cream looks fine, though I don't really recommend creams over areas that are prone to breakouts because the ingredients which give them their creamy consistancy can clog pores for some people. That doesn't mean that using this product will indefinately cause breakouts for you, though.

Hey Snowqueen, the last suggestion I got from you about a daytime moisturizer worked out great. I'm looking for another moisturizer I can use at night though. I'm thinking of getting something from Nivea or Dove - but I'm not sure what to get. Any suggestions? My skin can get dry after I wash it but it is normally pretty oily. Thanks for your time .

Dove's Sensitive Skin Lotion is good and doesn't contain any sunscreen ingredients, making it ideal for nighttime use.

Ah I picked up one today...but I forgot to check if it was non comodogenic. I picked up Niva Soft Intensive Moisturizing Creme, which I realize now may have been a bad idea.

 

Here are the ingredients in order..

 

Water, Mineral Oil, Myristyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol Denatm Steaeric Acid, Myristyl Myristate, Microcrystalline Wax, Glyceryl Stearate, Hydrogenated Cocoglycerides, Dimethicone, Simmondsia Chinesis (Jojoba), Tocopheryl Acetate, Polyglyceryl-2 Caprate, Sodium Carborner, Phenoxyethanol, Lanolin Alcohol, Methylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Propylparaben, Fragrance.

 

Crappos. Doesnt seem like this is a moisturizer specifically for my face. Its also got some alcohol and fragrance . Oh well, at least I can use it on my body.

Yeah, that moisturizer really isn't the best (especially since it contains the kinds of waxy thickeners which can worsen breakouts), but it's definately not the worst. Sorry I didn't answer your question in time.

To Snowqueen, my dermatologist just recently sold me a cleanser, a little expensive and i was hoping you could tell me if its a good one. I have acne problems and he said this should help. Here are the ingredients, thanks a ton.

Water, Decyl Glucoside, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Polyglyceryl-3 Hydroxylauryl Ether, Sodium Chloride, Hexylone Glycol, Zinc PCA, Citric Acid, Polyquaternium-7, PEG-4 Dilaurate, PEG-4 Laurate, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, PEG-4, Iodopropynl Butylcarbamate, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum/Fragrance

dont worry about it. thanks a lot for the suggestion . i'm gonna pick some up tomorrow.

oh, another quick question - is it bad for the skin to use moisturizers with SPF in them at night time?

Smow Queen ,

thanks for taking the time to respond!

What are your thoughts on Copper Peptides? any benefits to acne prone skin?

hello snow queen!

what do you think about using Clinique mild clarifying lotion with .5% SA morning and evening as my toner? do you think that'd provide enough exfoliation? or i was thinking of adding a manual exfoliation once a week on top of that.

also, did you have a "purging" period when you've first started using BHA product?

thanks!