Thanks 4Fours. It's the only thing that seems to help, along with magnesium. It doesn't completely eliminate my acne, but it helps control it and the ones I get heal quicker. I've read a lot about it. I think I'm lacking essential fatty acids and some other things. I don't eat red meat or fish, so I think that's part of it. I've been trying to -- it's just difficult for me. Blah. Never really enjoyed either. Anyone have any information on that?

Thanks 4Fours. It's the only thing that seems to help, along with magnesium. It doesn't completely eliminate my acne, but it helps control it and the ones I get heal quicker. I've read a lot about it. I think I'm lacking essential fatty acids and some other things. I don't eat red meat or fish, so I think that's part of it. I've been trying to -- it's just difficult for me. Blah. Never really enjoyed either. Anyone have any information on that?

 

My naturopath had me on Evening Primrose Oil for Omega fatty acids, I believe. Once we found out I was estrogen dominant, she took me off because it could make matters worse. I think some women use it to help PMS, because it works like a small dose of BCP (if you subscribe to the theory that PMS can be helped with BCP). The next thing she put me on was Chia Oils, but they discontinued that brand which was organic and ethically harvested. So, now I am on fish oil which I'm not crazy about because I am vegan, except for my supplements and medications. If the EPO is helping you, then great! If you want to try to ween off of it, you might try a fish oil.

Here in the pinned omega thread:

http://www.acne.org/messageboard/index.php/topic/141574-omega-3-6-and-9-fatty-acids

I JUST found out that the ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 should be 1:1, I gotta find a few one. I also need to get on a calcium/ magnesium supplement. I am encouraged by how much it's helping you

Thanks again for the reply/information. I've read about evening primrose oil and estrogen as well. I've been on fish oils, but I haven't seen results like I get with the evening primrose oil. I remember cod liver oil helping a bit. How is the fish oil working for you? What brand is it? And how did the chia oils work for you?

I hope the calcium/magnesium supplement helps you. It only seems to get rid of most of the acne on my forehead. The right side of my face is almost completely clear after a few days of the evening primrose oil. The left side is better but still has old breakouts that are taking a long time to heal and a few new small spots. It's all real interesting.

Forehead, which is pretty much clear, left side of face, lots of scarring and a few active pimples, right side, some scarring and two active pimples.

I've been taking evening primrose oil, magnesium, and started vitamin A from fish liver oils four days ago.

Thanks again for the reply/information. I've read about evening primrose oil and estrogen as well. I've been on fish oils, but I haven't seen results like I get with the evening primrose oil. I remember cod liver oil helping a bit. How is the fish oil working for you? What brand is it? And how did the chia oils work for you?

I hope the calcium/magnesium supplement helps you. It only seems to get rid of most of the acne on my forehead. The right side of my face is almost completely clear after a few days of the evening primrose oil. The left side is better but still has old breakouts that are taking a long time to heal and a few new small spots. It's all real interesting.

 

Word! Man, I am so desperate right now... if I found something that was working for me, I would just do it. The fish oil I am using is good, but I ran out about 2 weeks ago, and I haven't noticed any difference in my skin after I haven't been using it. I need to get more, regardless. It's Nordic Naturals Pro Omega. I really liked the chia oils, but like I said they discontinued it. I have the calcium/ magnesium... but I haven't started it yet. My forehead started breaking out again, so it's good motivation to start on it. Glad these things are helping you, thanks for keeping a good detailed log

Hey everyone,

The acne on my forehead, back, shoulders, and the sides of my face has been leaving and not returning!

What I've been doing differently: eating red meat. Not a lot of it, and hormone free.

I've been eating beef tacos at least three times out of the week for dinner and bacon with my breakfast most mornings. So if you don't eat red meat, like I haven't for years, you have to try this. It's not easy forcing yourself to eat something you don't like it, but even just a little bit will do you some good. It's worth it. I still have been getting a tiny zit on my forehead or on the sides of my face, but nothing like before, and they heal so quickly. I've been eating red meat for almost two weeks now. I was about to take some pictures but my camera needs to be charged. I'll put some up soon.

Thanks, Pulz. That is my plan. It's just frustrating!

As others have suggested, I started shampooing my hair with non-sulfate shampoo today (with Organix Teatree Mint). I'm going to stick to this for weeks and see if it makes a difference in my acne. I will keep everyone posted. I always go back to my hair. The acne is on my forehead and follows my hairline.

 

Watch out for those non-sulfate shampoos. I just checked my shampoo for sodium laurel sulfate and it's listed as the second ingredient. The shampoo I use is L'oreal EverCreme--SULFATE-FREE! What a joke!!!!! THANK YOU so much for posting this thread. I'm changing my shampoo immediately and just maybe....my skin will finally improve.

It's really ridiculous how we just can't trust any product. I'm glad to see everyone on this site trying to be proactive about their situation and educate themselves.

Hey everyone,

The acne on my forehead, back, shoulders, and the sides of my face has been leaving and not returning!

What I've been doing differently: eating red meat. Not a lot of it, and hormone free.

I've been eating beef tacos at least three times out of the week for dinner and bacon with my breakfast most mornings. So if you don't eat red meat, like I haven't for years, you have to try this. It's not easy forcing yourself to eat something you don't like it, but even just a little bit will do you some good. It's worth it. I still have been getting a tiny zit on my forehead or on the sides of my face, but nothing like before, and they heal so quickly. I've been eating red meat for almost two weeks now. I was about to take some pictures but my camera needs to be charged. I'll put some up soon.

 

Interesting! I wish I could do that, but I haven't eaten red meat in over 15 years, I'm a vegan now. But since I think I am low in zinc (prob because I don't eat meat), I started a zinc cream. I tried zinc before but it made me nauseous, so the cream is a great substitute. It seems to be helping, I don't have any actives right now and am just recovering from past breakouts.

Thanks, Pulz. That is my plan. It's just frustrating!

As others have suggested, I started shampooing my hair with non-sulfate shampoo today (with Organix Teatree Mint). I'm going to stick to this for weeks and see if it makes a difference in my acne. I will keep everyone posted. I always go back to my hair. The acne is on my forehead and follows my hairline.

 

Watch out for those non-sulfate shampoos. I just checked my shampoo for sodium laurel sulfate and it's listed as the second ingredient. The shampoo I use is L'oreal EverCreme--SULFATE-FREE! What a joke!!!!! THANK YOU so much for posting this thread. I'm changing my shampoo immediately and just maybe....my skin will finally improve.

It's really ridiculous how we just can't trust any product. I'm glad to see everyone on this site trying to be proactive about their situation and educate themselves.

 

That's crazy!!! How can they do that?? I really like my sulfate-free shampoo from Trader Joe's. It's the Tea Tree Tingle, no sulfates (for real) and most of the ingredients are organic. Plus, it really lathers well which is hard to find in a sulfate-free shampoo.

The latest pic of your forehead looks amazing! I haven't been on this site in about two months, and between then and now I also noticed the connection between red meat about a week ago, and was shocked at the coincidence that you noticed it as well! I've also started taking magnesium and maybe that's been helping too. My forehead is doing a lot better as well as the acne on my back.

Thanks for the responses everyone! My skin is looking great! I'm so happy! I'm glad you made a connection too, ohbeckss. I know that's the reason for me. It makes sense. So many people I've spoken with on here don't eat red meat or not much red meat at all. We're missing out on so much good for our bodies.

I will be putting up some pictures soon. My skin is a lot better, but I still have some marks and scabs from past small breakouts that I can't help picking at! I do it my sleep sometimes, it's ridiculous! I want to wait for them to heal. I can't wait until this problem is finally gone! =-)

Hi there, apologies if this has already been said but I think the haircut thing was just coincidental. I suffer with acne mainly on my chin area - this is just my problem area where I get most of the breakouts. Have you ever considered that stress may play a big factor and particularly anticipation and expectation that acne is due to something - things are causing breakouts ect? In reality, acne takes about two weeks to form so it may just be coincidental if you use one product/eat one product and get a breakout the next day unless you notice a consistent pattern.

Hi duendeni,

I think it was coincidental too. I haven't eaten red meat in 13 years and recently have been eating small amounts of it and it's been helping my skin a lot. Thank you for the information though. I will keep everyone posted on my skin's progress!

Pictures of my skin today after I've put red meat back in my diet and stopped all creams and supplements. There's pretty much just scarring left.

Hi everyone! Just popping back in (I know it's been a while) for anyone that has followed this post and is curious about how my skin's looking after it started getting better in April 2012. Well, let me tell you, I looked at the last pictures I posted (April 2012), and I think my skin looks horrible, compared to what my skin currently looks like. Now, I'd say my skin is 98% clear. All I've been doing is eating red meat. No creams, pills, drinking crazy concoctions or rubbing oils or food on my face. I just added red meat to my diet and that was all I had to do all along. I was kind of a vegetarian (I didn't eat red meat) for 13 years and called it quits for my health. So that was my missing link. My body needed the vitamins and minerals from red meat. I eat it two to three times a week. If I go for a short amount of time without it, my skin starts breaking out little by little, and if I let go of my meat for a little further, it explodes. So there you have it. I hope I've helped others. I've been so much healthier -- mentally and physically, since I put meat back into my diet. Our bodies need it. That is my advice to others in my past situation.

Check out my updated, fresh-faced pictures.

Thank you to everyone who posted with suggestions and gave me advice. It really meant a lot.

Hi everyone! Just popping back in (I know it's been a while) for anyone that has followed this post and is curious about how my skin's looking after it started getting better in April 2012. Well, let me tell you, I looked at the last pictures I posted (April 2012), and I think my skin looks horrible, compared to what my skin currently looks like. Now, I'd say my skin is 98% clear. All I've been doing is eating red meat. No creams, pills, drinking crazy concoctions or rubbing oils or food on my face. I just added red meat to my diet and that was all I had to do all along. I was kind of a vegetarian (I didn't eat red meat) for 13 years and called it quits for my health. So that was my missing link. My body needed the vitamins and minerals from red meat. I eat it two to three times a week. If I go for a short amount of time without it, my skin starts breaking out little by little, and if I let go of my meat for a little further, it explodes. So there you have it. I hope I've helped others. I've been so much healthier -- mentally and physically, since I put meat back into my diet. Our bodies need it. That is my advice to others in my past situation.

Check out my updated, fresh-faced pictures.

Thank you to everyone who posted with suggestions and gave me advice. It really meant a lot.

Wow this is sooo amazing!!! your skin looks soo good! and red meat is something that a lot of people don't get enough of these days! infact I don't remember when I had it last!. Thanks for sharing. Will try and see how it works for me. Thanks

Would you mind telling me what is your blood group? and if your skin is really oily?

Hi nataliak. Thank you! I am so much happier with my skin. My blood type is O positive, and I do not have oily skin. Good luck to you!

Hi nataliak. Thank you! I am so much happier with my skin. My blood type is O positive, and I do not have oily skin. Good luck to you!

Thanks for your reply! My blood type is O positive too! I have read that as O blood group person's stomach produces more acid, their bodies are designed to digest red meat type foods. So this is great! Since reading your post I have been eating red meat almost every day in some fore or another. Will get back with an update once I notice changes. Though my skin is super oily, which is why accutane worked so well me but only gave me remission for one year.

Thank you for the information. I've heard that too, about O blood types. I've read that since that blood type is the oldest, people with this form of blood should stick to an "ancient diet" (meat and vegetables). I'm interested in seeing if your skin will clear up by eating red meat daily.