I apologize for the ugly pictures in advance.
I've had pretty clear skin all throughout high school aside from the occasional pimple or two, but ever since I started college my pimples have built up. I'm at my senior year in college and my face is covered completely with pimples and acne scars. They just won't stop coming! It lowers my self esteem so much that sometimes I don't even want to go outside. I am embarrassed because my every time I see my family and relatives, they always have something to say to my face and it saddens me even more. I don't know what to do anymore. I've tried countless number of over the counter products, Proactiv, Murad, skinID but none seem to work. I've also tried changing my diet but nothing seems to work. I'm 22 and still have acne!! I am the only one among my group of friends that has acne..Why am I cursed!
From the looks of it, it looks like you need to fix your acne internally.
If you can, I would most definitely try Accutane. I know a lot of people here think it is bad, because it can be due to the side effects, but for those people who are able to tolerate it, it will help you.
But if that is definitely something you don't want to try, then you can try taking hormonal balancing supplements, because it could be your hormones going crazy and making you break out.
I had read that a lot of females here have tried taking spironolactone, and it has helped them very much, but you will need your primary doctor or I think a derm to prescribe you that.
Look it up, many spiro users say it doesn't hurt to try.
And If it isn't hormonal, and if your using products that are meant to treat p.acne, then you might want to look into candida/yeast overgrowth which can be the underlying cause of your acne.
See the links in my signature.
The problem with Accutane is that it cannot be taken long-term. You have to take it for a few months and then quit. MANY people on here have been on multiple courses of Accutane, and every time they finish a course, their acne comes back. I'm not going to tell you not to go on Accutane, but don't expect it to be a miracle cure that you can do one time and everything is fixed, because it isn't. It's also EXPENSIVE. My spironolactone costs me $10 a month. Accutane is $200-$300 a month...
I know the feeling i am 22 as well and i was the same exact way. I had clear skin throughout high school and once i started college i got mild-moderate acne on my cheeks. I am pregnant with my second child and my skin is worse than ever! I am married and i never feel beautiful for my husband anymore. I feel your pain and wish i could help you but i am struggling too. Just know that you are still beautiful and one day it will clear up. Have faith and know that you are not alone
If nothing else has worked so far, give Dan's regimen a go. It works very well when it's followed exactly as described. Here are all of the details. http://www.acne.org/regimen
And here are the success stories and videos. http://www.acne.org/success.php