I have acne for 5 months now. I have tried several products but they weren't effective and what's worse is that one of them gave me an allergy attack. I read this article and i learned a lot. I will try to follow them. Thanks a bunch for sharing the info!

Where did the OP get her sources for "common skin irritants" and things to avoid?

I'm not doubting the validity of her claims, but having references would mean everything was legitimate. Otherwise it's just passed on by word of mouth and useless anecdote.

Yeah I'm kind of in agreement with you on this one. Especially since some of the OP's advice is contradictory. Like the part where she says don't assume a higher concentration of an ingredient will be more effective, then in another section she says that any product containing less than 5% tea tree oil will be ineffective... and like someone else pointed out some of her own product recommendations go against her own advice. I was in agreement with some of her advice, but I think for the most part take this with a grain of salt.

Also just because something is a "common skin irritant" doesn't mean that it's inherently bad for your skin. Everyone's skin reacts differently and I bet not everything listed actually irritates everyone's skin equally. That would be like saying since peanuts are a common allergen that eating them is effectively destroying your insides even if you don't have a physical reaction to it.

Bottom line: everyone is different. Everyone reacts to things differently, so skincare is unfortunately mostly trial and error. Trust the advice of dermatologists and medical professionals, and don't take "research" that you find online so literally (you can find "research" on the internet to support pretty much any claim you want).

Thanks for the list, but trying to consider all the options together at once and finding the "right" product with regards to this list would be like trying to walk through a forest without stepping on a single insect.

Not gonna trawl through all 49 pages but "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." is a pretty bad tip; if you don't moisturise oily skin it'll continue to be excessively oily because it isn't hydrated.

The trick to all of this is to know your skin and know ingredients. You should be able to formulate your "perfect" product as if you were going to make it (like what Dan did) and then go out and find a product that is closest. With as many stores and online stores selling products, you can find pretty much any formulation. There is even an online store where you can purchase glycerin and lotion bases so that you can buy the ingredients you want and then mix your own.

The best advice I saw in the original post was to NOT go off of the claims on the packaging. I don't care how "gentle, mild, non-comedegenic, or non-drying" the packaging says. Many times the ingredients will not hold up to its claims. They make their money off of ignorance and people who do not do their research. Many of the Eucerin, Clinique, and Purpose cleansers have ingredients similar to shampoo - so stop wasting your money and you might as well use your shampoo to wash your face. My hubby does it with no issues. If you're sensitive to fragrance I wouldn't use shampoo, but otherwise seriously, there are quite a few similarities. Paula's Choice is little different, even including one of my skin's favorites, Sunflower Oil Even though it is kinda far down the list. In my cleanser it is the second ingredient and I chose that cleanser bc of its ingredients, not because of what the package says.

There are many essential oils that are beneficial to skin if you do your research, even eucalyptus oil. I use tea tree oil. I also use witch hazel (a little diluted) and it works great for me. All of these were on the original post's irritant list.

Resources I use to research products:

Reviews (especially makeup alley)

EWG Skin Deep's database of ingredients

Google

YouTube reviews where you actually get to SEE the results of products being reviewed

Yes, this takes a lot of trial and error but do not just mindlessly try products according to advertising. Start reading all ingredients and keeping track of what works and what doesn't. You will probably start noticing a pattern. I would spend 20 minutes in the skin care isle just looking up ingredients on my phone. It wasn't until I started doing this when my skin finally started to get clear. I also realized that nothing in the drug store isle was even close to a formula I wanted to put on my skin. I do love Burt's Bees though, and they have conveniently expanded to big retailers like Target and Walmart.

Dang that is totally a lot to read! Plus going to be hard for me to pick the right regimen to clear up my acne

There's a way to control it. The only long lasting way that has no side effects and will benefit not just your skin but your brain and body is a natural approach. In the form of diet, natural topical cleansers (straight from nature), sun, pure water, exercise, and less toxicity going into the body.

I dunno, some of the things listed may not aggravate certain peoples skin

Can i use 2 soaps at the same time (specifically tea tree and sulfur)?

My biggest mistake was not cleaning my skin enough. Now it's really oily on my nose, chin, and forehead and really dry on other places of my face.

Can I have some tips?

for me the biggest mistake is stopping routine after you get clear, i did that and now acne is back and iam lost.

Yesterday, 11:49 PM

I note on the do's and dont's list, that Moisturizing creams are a "don't. I use Cetaphil dry to very dry Moisturizing Cream, because every single other moisturizer I have ever used (and I have tried pretty much every single one in my 10 years on the regimen) don't stop me from peeling. EVerything from Cerave, to Dan's jojoba oil to neutrogena moisturizers do nothing to stop my flaky face. How is it possible that people can use that stuff?

Going in too heavy-handed when you only have mild acne - ie using far too many and too harsh treatments for your severity.

Not gonna trawl through all 49 pages but "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." is a pretty bad tip; if you don't moisturise oily skin it'll continue to be excessively oily because it isn't hydrated.

It has been strongly suggested that "Moisturizing" alone has no effect on the amount of sebum produced by your sebaceous glands.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13525782?dopt=Abstract&holding=npg

It's strange you lament that sebum "glues" dead skin cells to the skin's surface because that's exactly what the mineral oil in moisturizer does! Only in this case you're stripping the skin's natural oil through "washing" and "exfoliation" and replacing it with substances that are unnatural to the body!

As you might have guessed, I practice what I preach. I do not wash my face, use any products, nor do I exfoliate. It takes a long time for the skin to adjust to this "cave man" regimen, but once it does, the results are impressive.

can someone reply to my post please ?

Extremely helpful, thank you!

 

Yesterday, 11:49 PM

I suffered from acne for about 11 years. 8 of those years it actually affected my life for the worst. I tried all the OTC crap and the natural stuff everyones blabbing about like a banana on your face while you hang upside down from monkey bars at the nearest play ground. Nothing worked. It still upsets me from time to time because of what I could have done and learned in that time. But as I look at it I would never be able to help anyone like I hope I can.

I havent had acne problems in 10 years. Hell , I rarely use any cleansers anymore. I will pretty much stick to my guns on this solution because anything less would be 10 steps back and I would die trying to help at least one person understand this. Because I know others feel like its killing them or that they want to die some days. I mean I wanted to die but somehow instead I ended up willing to die for this realization... until I gave up. So I will just sum up some 6 principles to healing that came out about from the miracle I had.

Just a few facts that I learned on my own about acne that no doctor could ever tell you because he has probably never had to heal his own acne. (Plus, he would be out of business.)

First before you read this just stop whining. Stop looking for someone to make it go away for you. Its your acne. You're the one who created it ,you're the one prolonging it. Trying to whine about it on here and not take anyones advice that has put an end to the problem even though you "want a solution" is basically saying you want it. To paint a better picture its like paying a personal trainer to get in shape but instead of you lifting the weights you want him to lift them. LOL.

1. Acne is not out there trying to get you. It is not a separate entity from you. It is an extension of you. It starts in your mind ( like any other thing).

Acne thoughts + emotion( "I can't stand acne!") = Acne

2. Since it is in your mind it is created by your thoughts.And since it starts with a thought it can be ended with...no thought.

Acne thoughts - acne emotion( I can't stand acne)= Healing

3. You have an emotional attachment to acne. " I can't stand acne". It must be let go. Forgiven. But first let me emphasize any form of medicine or naturopathic home remedy, or no remedy, you wish to take has to go through this process to heal.

Forgiveness is what heals. Right now you're at "F@ck you acne". when you need to be at "Acne is ok. " Then eventually you will get to "Who's acne?"

When you cut your finger most of the time there is no grudge with the cut , so you let it heal. Its not "F@ck you cut! or F@ck you kitchen knife(well sometimes but only for a minute hehe). When you make up with a friend its not "I forgive you for breaking my Justin Bieber but when you get a chance burn in hell" Its either "I forgive you "or it what I call " No need to forgive because, I was never upset." You simply cannot have peace without letting yourself have it.

4. You have to change your mind about acne. You think it makes you ugly and unattractive. But since your so wrapped up in yourself, you've never bothered to look around and realize theres really no such thing as ugly. There is nothing unbearable to look at.

Think about it. Take a look around at people with it and without it. Does acne change how you feel about them? The ones that do have it can you tell it bothers them? Can you tell how it makes them feel at all? Usually not. And why is that? Because its all in their head! If you can't perceive a problem with your eyes then it must be in the mind, right?

5. Stop resisting the acne. Let it be there. Remember its there because you cant stand it. So for now on tell yourself its ok to have it.

Because it does not matter. ITs like bird shit on a car. Its not going to change how you feel about a car. It would never keep you from buying a car you love. You'd have to scour a car just to see it anyway. If it was a ferrari you wouldn't even care! The problem is taken care of you just need to get out of the way because you have been in the way the whole time by caring about acne.

6.The BEST ACTION to take to release your attachment to it is to affirm : "I don't care if it stays or goes, I'm not going to do this to myself anymore. I going to live my life and be happy." Then start living your life like someone who doesn't have it. Stop putting all this crap on your face. pick one cleanser use it no more than twice a day if you need that to make you feel at ease. Stop looking for zits in the bathroom for an hour. Stop picking. Stop hiding. People that don't have it don't do that crap. So stop taking it so seriously. Laugh at yourself once in awhile and spend time trying to always be laughing or doing something you enjoy.

Keep in mind if you took Accutane or something and it went away, your attitude towards it would be different. You will eventually feel "safe" but it will just take longer and cost more. Eventually you may even forget your grudge and approve of yourself and actually be happy but only conditionally. You'll never know unconditional happiness or love.

So to conclude if you can't understand at least one of these then saddle up for a long ride on a road to nowhere and good luck with your next battle. Acne's cousin cancer.

This is amazing, COSMICROCK, thank you.

On another note, I don't think these Do's and Dont's should be so cut and dry. AND I don't think praising Paula Begoun is very helpful to everyone either. I have nothing against Paula, and I think she's pretty good at what she does, but I don't see eye to eye with her on many of her reviews/opinions.

Everyone's skin is different so what's "bad" for someone might be "good" for another. If our skin was all the same, every single person in this world would be acne free. That or we'd all have it.

I have stopped all use of chemicals and preservatives in my skin products and my skin has made a very healthy recovery. I use RESTORZ handmade soap ( and tamanu oil in very small amts) and this works great for me. I posted earlier so if this post twice excuse the double post. Find them on Google. I found out about them on this site years ago. Happy skin to you.

Has anyone explored acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for Acne?

I would like to share me experience and knowledge, perhaps you can avoid harmful chemicals and perhaps your acne is not at all caused by something in your skin.

Actually, a lot of issue is with digestion and the intestinal tract, but not many western doctors will treat your entire body, western ideas are sometimes very superficial and only want to give you some cream or expensive prescription.

This is a treatment protocol and if you find an acupuncturist and give this to them, they can try it with you.

Acne Vulgaris

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammation of hair follicle and sebaceous glands which is a common problem of adolescence. It is mainly caused by hormonal disturbances, improper diet and chronic constipation. Clinically, it is marked by papulae, nodules and acne on the face.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine are effective in treatment of acne vulgaris. In some cases it can be cured by our treatment. During treatment, the patient should be advised to keep the bowel movement regular to prevent constipation.

1. Heat in Blood

Manifestations: Red papules, tubercles, acne and inflammatory infiltration around them on the face.

Tongue: Red body with thin and yellow coating.

Pulse: Smooth and rapid.

Treatment Principle: Clear heat and cool blood.

Point Prescription & Manipulation:

Primary points:

SP-10 Xuehai -

SP-6 Sanyinjiao

LI-4 Hegu -

ST-44 Neiting -

LI-11 Quchi -

LR-3 Taichong -

Explanation:

• SP-10 Xuehai and SP-6 Sanyinjiao nourish yin and cool blood;
• LI-4 Hegu, ST-44 Neiting and LI-11 Quchi clear heat from the Yangming Meridians which distribute on the face;
• LR-3 Taichong clears heat from the liver and cools blood.

Secondary points according to conditions:

Severe or chronic cases --- BL-40 Weizhong and DU-10 Lintai are punctured with reducing manipulation and the area around the needle holes are squeezed to let out several drops of blood immediately after removing the needles;

Bitter taste in the mouth--- GB-34 Yanglingquan [-].

2. Accumulation of Phlegm

Manifestations: Acne, indurative acne or cystic acne on the face.

Tongue: White and sticky coating.

Pulse: Smooth.

Treatment Principle: Transform phlegm, resolve masses.

Point Prescription & Manipulation:

Primary points:

LI-4 Hegu -

ST-40 Fenglong -

SP-6 Sanyinjiao /

RN-12 Zhongwan /

ST-36 Zusanli +

Explanation:

• LI-4 Hegu promotes circulation of qi of the Yangming Meridian and resolves masses on the face;
• ST-40 Fenglong transforms phlegm and resolves nodules;
• SP-6 Sanyinjiao, RN-12 Zhongwan and ST-36 Zusanli reinforce the spleen, regulate stomach, and transform phlegm.

Secondary points according to conditions:

Obesity--- SP-9 Yinlingquan [-] and ST-25 Tianshu [-];

Constipation--- SJ-6 Zhigou [-].

3. Toxic Heat

Manifestations: Facial malar flush, scattered inflammatory nodules, acne, abscesses and furuncles on the face, thirst, bitter taste in the mouth, scanty urine, constipation.

Tongue: Red body with yellow coating.

Pulse: Smooth and rapid.

Treatment Principle: Clear heat, cool blood, detoxify poison and resolve nodules.

Point Prescription & Manipulation:

Primary points:

SP-10 Xuehai -

ST-44 Neiting -

LI-4 Hegu -

GB-34 Yanglingquan -

LR-2 Xingjian -

ST-40 Fenglong -

Explanation:

• SP-10 Xuehai cools blood and resolves blood stasis;
• ST-44 Neiting reduces fire and detoxifies poison;
• LI-4 Hegu clears heat from the Yangming Meridian, which distributes on the face;
• GB-34 Yanglingquan and LR-2 Xingjian clear heat from the liver and gallbladder and detoxify poison;
• ST-40 Fenglong transforms phlegm and resolves nodules.

Secondary points according to conditions:

Severe or chronic cases --- BL-40 Weizhong and DU-10 Lintai are punctured with reducing manipulation and the area around the needle holes are squeezed to let out several drops of blood immediately after removing the needles;

Constipation--- SJ-6 Zhigou [-].

*Moderator edit, URL removed please read the board rules*

Yeah I agree with your post dear, But as per me you must try only natural remedies to get rid of it.

great review!

Avoiding harmful products is a MUST for people who have acne. One of the biggest mistakes that people with acne make is using harmful products that contain harsh chemicals that actually irritate the skin, making acne worse. Personally, I avoid BP at all costs. It dries out my skin and causes more breakouts.

If you have acne you ALWAYS want to use products made for sensitive skin, because chances are, if you have acne, you have sensitive skin by default. Products for sensitive skin typically don't have harsh ingredients while acne treatment products like Clean & Clear, Proactiv, Clearasil, etc. are full of ingredients that can do more harm than good.

I've switched to only all-natural remedies in treating my acne. This includes things like coconut oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, and so on. Since switching to these natural remedies my face has completely cleared up. I struggled with severe acne for eight years and during that time I spent thousands of dollars on products like Proactiv that promised to clear up my skin. Unfortunately none of them worked and it was both a waste of my time and my money.

Here's my ALL-NATURAL skincare routine, which has worked beautifully and cleared up my skin once and for all:

Cleanse with Manuka honey and water

Apply ACV toner

Moisturize with either coconut oil or jojoba oil

For face masks I use either a green tea mask or a greet yogurt mask 2x per week.

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That's Great information but its Hard to remember all that when buying the product....

What about Herbal Treatment ????