Hey man! Check my post 'change your life' a few below yours.

I promise it will work for you and anyone.

The only thing I've used that worked as advertised is accutane but I do believe that there is a topical regimen out there for everyone that will work, it's just a matter of finding it which can be frustrating and time consuming. There are a ton of things to try so I recommend just doing some research picking one and giving it a good 8 weeks at least to work, worst case scenario, you'll be able to cross it off the list of things you've tried and move on to the next.

Oh and on top of what I said.. Make sure your multivitamin has enough vitamin A, B, D and zinc.

That will control oil.

First thing when you come out of the shower, an aloe vera spray on your face, and oil should be controlled topically

Please keep up the positive thinking! Don't let acne beat you. Try to simplify your regimen even more. Check for sulfites in the products you use (specifically SLS), as that is a common irritant. I agree with the aloe vera suggestion. Get pure aloe vera and apply it topically at night. Don't put it all over as it can clog pores. Honey masks work well too.

Some people don't digest fish oils and/or fruit juices well, so you may want to cut down on those or completely remove them from your diet for a couple of weeks to see if it makes a difference.

Im with you man oily skin SUCKs. I would give Accutane a try if your up to it. It cleared me 100 percent but only lasted a few months. Everyones different though.

Please keep up the positive thinking! Don't let acne beat you. Try to simplify your regimen even more. Check for sulfites in the products you use (specifically SLS), as that is a common irritant. I agree with the aloe vera suggestion. Get pure aloe vera and apply it topically at night. Don't put it all over as it can clog pores. Honey masks work well too.

Some people don't digest fish oils and/or fruit juices well, so you may want to cut down on those or completely remove them from your diet for a couple of weeks to see if it makes a difference.

I'm trying not to let it, but it sure is tricky. I wish things could be simpler.

& sulfites? do you know where i can find a list of these? i can't seem to find one online. or is it "sulfate"?

as for the aloe vera a light application then, or a spray of it if i can find a spray bottle would work?

I've heard, but i don't think the fish oil is a problem yet since i just started it. But I am keeping an eye out.

Though I've never heard about fruit juices causes such problems, hmmm that's interesting.

Oh and on top of what I said.. Make sure your multivitamin has enough vitamin A, B, D and zinc.

That will control oil.

First thing when you come out of the shower, an aloe vera spray on your face, and oil should be controlled topically

How much is enough exactly? I know I'm taking Spring Valley Vitamin A - 8000 I.U. (Retinol Palmitate) daily still need to get my hands on B, D, & Zinc

Im with you man oily skin SUCKs. I would give Accutane a try if your up to it. It cleared me 100 percent but only lasted a few months. Everyones different though.

Hey, at least we won't look our age in the future? haha.

but yeah i've tried asking my derm to prescribe me it but she said she doesn't do it anymore because of all the events surrounding Accutane, with people suing and things going wrong with their liver..

Please keep up the positive thinking! Don't let acne beat you. Try to simplify your regimen even more. Check for sulfites in the products you use (specifically SLS), as that is a common irritant. I agree with the aloe vera suggestion. Get pure aloe vera and apply it topically at night. Don't put it all over as it can clog pores. Honey masks work well too.

Some people don't digest fish oils and/or fruit juices well, so you may want to cut down on those or completely remove them from your diet for a couple of weeks to see if it makes a difference.

I'm trying not to let it, but it sure is tricky. I wish things could be simpler.

& sulfites? do you know where i can find a list of these? i can't seem to find one online. or is it "sulfate"?

as for the aloe vera a light application then, or a spray of it if i can find a spray bottle would work?

I've heard, but i don't think the fish oil is a problem yet since i just started it. But I am keeping an eye out.

Though I've never heard about fruit juices causes such problems, hmmm that's interesting.

I know it's tough, but try to get out more and do things that make you happy regardless of the acne. Also, you need your vitamin D, so try to get some sun every day.

The most common allergen is a soaping agent called Sodium Laureth Sulfite (SLS, also in other forms/ spellings, like sodium lauryl sulphite). Most shampoos, toothpastes, cleansers and anything soapy have it. It doesn't hurt to try and avoid it, but you will actively have to read ingredient lists and pick one that doesn't have it. More and more companies are becoming SLS-free, and they write it on the product label. I use Image cosmetics, a mild cleanser, and sensodyne or peelu toothpaste. I am now trying out natural shampoos, but it's too early to tell if there's a difference. If you think about it, anything you put on your body - lotion, toothpaste, detergent (on pillows when you sleep at night), shampoo - is absorbed into the bloodstream and can cause mild toxicity that manifests itself as acne. It may not be the case for you, but if you are suspecting that this might be an issue then take a look at the products you are using. I stopped using acne soaps/cleansers because they all have it, including cetaphyl and clinique.

Search acne.org for discussion threads such as this one: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/309402-what-was-causing-me-acne-sls/

And there is an article about SLS and scalp acne, although for me, it never caused me scalp acne just scalp itching (for hair products), and acne in the lower part of my face. http://www.acneeinstein.com/scalp-acne-caused-by-sodium-lauryl-sulfate-in-shampoos/

Search acne.org for posts on fruit juices and fructose malabsorption. Here's one thread as an example, there are many. http://www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/267092-orange-juice/

Same boat as you. Ive given up on hopes of getting 100% clear skin until i am out of the teenager phase. Hey, atleast your 18, your 2 years away from breaking loose from our crazy teenage hormones unless your destined to have adult acne lol. I would ask my parents if they had acne and when they grew out of it.

But yeah we will look young when we are old

Though i want to look good while i am young than looking good when i am old. Lolz

Okeydoke,

I finally have a bit of time to sit down and reply!

Vitamin A, you want above 5000 UI for results on severish acne and more than 1500 UI for maintaining clear skin but below 10000 UI to avoid the dangerous toxicity zone.

This vitamin and Vitamin D can be taken from a simple tablespoon of Cod Liver Oil morning and night.

Vitamin C, you want all the time. Take about 1500mg breakfast lunch and dinner for bad acne, and 1000mg breakfast lunch and dinner to control it if you don't have terrible acne.

Vitamin D, get this from 15mins in the sun, and supplement with what's found in Cod Liver Oil (320 IU per gram I think).

Zinc, you want to buy separately. This is one thing you won't get enough of in a multivitamin especially if you have scars from previous acne breakouts or current. Buy a little bottle of Zinc Plus or of the kind and take a tablet morning and night.. Pretty sure mine have 25mg of Zinc in it from zinc chelate and something else.. Just get zinc.

Other vitamins depend on you. Stressed? Take executive Vitamin B tablets. This will help.

Particularly oily skin? get more A and up your dose on zinc (be careful and check out the Internet for dosage limits)

Read my post 'Change your life' in general discussions to learn how to get rid of acne for good.

Please keep up the positive thinking! Don't let acne beat you. Try to simplify your regimen even more. Check for sulfites in the products you use (specifically SLS), as that is a common irritant. I agree with the aloe vera suggestion. Get pure aloe vera and apply it topically at night. Don't put it all over as it can clog pores. Honey masks work well too.

Some people don't digest fish oils and/or fruit juices well, so you may want to cut down on those or completely remove them from your diet for a couple of weeks to see if it makes a difference.

I'm trying not to let it, but it sure is tricky. I wish things could be simpler.

& sulfites? do you know where i can find a list of these? i can't seem to find one online. or is it "sulfate"?

as for the aloe vera a light application then, or a spray of it if i can find a spray bottle would work?

I've heard, but i don't think the fish oil is a problem yet since i just started it. But I am keeping an eye out.

Though I've never heard about fruit juices causes such problems, hmmm that's interesting.

I know it's tough, but try to get out more and do things that make you happy regardless of the acne. Also, you need your vitamin D, so try to get some sun every day.

The most common allergen is a soaping agent called Sodium Laureth Sulfite (SLS, also in other forms/ spellings, like sodium lauryl sulphite). Most shampoos, toothpastes, cleansers and anything soapy have it. It doesn't hurt to try and avoid it, but you will actively have to read ingredient lists and pick one that doesn't have it. More and more companies are becoming SLS-free, and they write it on the product label. I use Image cosmetics, a mild cleanser, and sensodyne or peelu toothpaste. I am now trying out natural shampoos, but it's too early to tell if there's a difference. If you think about it, anything you put on your body - lotion, toothpaste, detergent (on pillows when you sleep at night), shampoo - is absorbed into the bloodstream and can cause mild toxicity that manifests itself as acne. It may not be the case for you, but if you are suspecting that this might be an issue then take a look at the products you are using. I stopped using acne soaps/cleansers because they all have it, including cetaphyl and clinique.

Search acne.org for discussion threads such as this one: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/309402-what-was-causing-me-acne-sls/

And there is an article about SLS and scalp acne, although for me, it never caused me scalp acne just scalp itching (for hair products), and acne in the lower part of my face. http://www.acneeinstein.com/scalp-acne-caused-by-sodium-lauryl-sulfate-in-shampoos/

Search acne.org for posts on fruit juices and fructose malabsorption. Here's one thread as an example, there are many. http://www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/267092-orange-juice/

Well I just bought some new products the other day, ensuring their weren't any iriatating or pore clogging ingredients in them.

I also found an aloe vera spray, so I'm using that as well. Seems to be helping with the flakeyness! :3

As for everything else, I've only noticed the shampoo i use to have SLS in it. I'm working on changing it after it's run out.

By the way, do you know of any foundations/concealers you'd recommend? I'm looking into checking out some new one's that keep the oilyness at bay, plus conceal everything else...for those nights I wanna "feel normal" lol

Okeydoke,

I finally have a bit of time to sit down and reply!

Vitamin A, you want above 5000 UI for results on severish acne and more than 1500 UI for maintaining clear skin but below 10000 UI to avoid the dangerous toxicity zone.

This vitamin and Vitamin D can be taken from a simple tablespoon of Cod Liver Oil morning and night.

Vitamin C, you want all the time. Take about 1500mg breakfast lunch and dinner for bad acne, and 1000mg breakfast lunch and dinner to control it if you don't have terrible acne.

Vitamin D, get this from 15mins in the sun, and supplement with what's found in Cod Liver Oil (320 IU per gram I think).

Zinc, you want to buy separately. This is one thing you won't get enough of in a multivitamin especially if you have scars from previous acne breakouts or current. Buy a little bottle of Zinc Plus or of the kind and take a tablet morning and night.. Pretty sure mine have 25mg of Zinc in it from zinc chelate and something else.. Just get zinc.

Other vitamins depend on you. Stressed? Take executive Vitamin B tablets. This will help.

Particularly oily skin? get more A and up your dose on zinc (be careful and check out the Internet for dosage limits)

Read my post 'Change your life' in general discussions to learn how to get rid of acne for good.

Took a screenshot of this and used it as my guide when I went shopping the other day, thank you! & I'll be sure to, wouldn't want to get sick ha.

Sulfites/sulfates/ sulphates...so many different spellings, and many variations too. Check your cleanser for other forms of sulfites, like Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate. My shampoo had this ingredient and I didn't notice that it was a form of sulfite. I now switched to an all natural brand and have had no flare ups since. Strangely, I almost never get breakouts along my hairline, they are all on the lower half of my face but shampoo gets absorbed into the blood stream and can cause toxicity if you do have an allergy or sensitivity. Not to make you paranoid or anything, but this ingredient is good to avoid anyway for general health reasons. It's also in masks and other acne products containing sulfur. http://www.naturalnews.com/036334_sulfates_skin_hair.html

And of course, it's best to avoid foods with preservatives and colorings as well, but you can start slow and see if you notice an improvement. http://extoxnet.orst.edu/faqs/additive/sulf_tbl.htm

As for concealer, I use Revlon Colorstay Concealer from time to time. I check cosdna for ingredients that may possibly be comedogenic, but everyone is different. http://www.cosdna.com/ Mineral makeup that has minimal ingredients, like lilylolo, hasn't caused any breakouts for me. Meow cosmetics is another good brand, although they add titanium dioxide to their powders. I haven't broken out from their pampered puss foundation though. For some reason, their concealers are different shades and I couldn't find one to match the foundation so I just use the foundation for everything.

Bourjois healthy mix foundation is decent too....and I used to use the neutrogena concealer for acne prone skin, but couldn't find a good color match. All these are liquid, except the mineral foundations....if you find that liquid concealers make you more oily, then try to find a good stick concealer. Unfortunately, I haven't found one that looks discreet - I always feel like I have chalk on my face! Blotting papers help keep the oiliness at bay, I use the plain ones by Boscia but you can probably find cheaper ones at the drugstore.

The key is to take it one step at a time and see if you notice a change....it may take up to a month or two, so be patient! But you know when doctors often say it gets better before it gets worse? With this plan, it will only get better, not worse!

BTW, be careful with supplements, don't overdo it and make sure there is no gelatin in the capsule as that can make more harm than good. I usually go with solgar or enzymedica products - more expensive, but less crap in the capsules and fillers.

lol I wish I could maintain clear skin for a week

lol I wish I could maintain clear skin for a week

I wish I could too again.. lol, acne sucks~

Sulfites/sulfates/ sulphates...so many different spellings, and many variations too. Check your cleanser for other forms of sulfites, like Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate. My shampoo had this ingredient and I didn't notice that it was a form of sulfite. I now switched to an all natural brand and have had no flare ups since. Strangely, I almost never get breakouts along my hairline, they are all on the lower half of my face but shampoo gets absorbed into the blood stream and can cause toxicity if you do have an allergy or sensitivity. Not to make you paranoid or anything, but this ingredient is good to avoid anyway for general health reasons. It's also in masks and other acne products containing sulfur. http://www.naturalnews.com/036334_sulfates_skin_hair.html

And of course, it's best to avoid foods with preservatives and colorings as well, but you can start slow and see if you notice an improvement. http://extoxnet.orst.edu/faqs/additive/sulf_tbl.htm

As for concealer, I use Revlon Colorstay Concealer from time to time. I check cosdna for ingredients that may possibly be comedogenic, but everyone is different. http://www.cosdna.com/ Mineral makeup that has minimal ingredients, like lilylolo, hasn't caused any breakouts for me. Meow cosmetics is another good brand, although they add titanium dioxide to their powders. I haven't broken out from their pampered puss foundation though. For some reason, their concealers are different shades and I couldn't find one to match the foundation so I just use the foundation for everything.

Bourjois healthy mix foundation is decent too....and I used to use the neutrogena concealer for acne prone skin, but couldn't find a good color match. All these are liquid, except the mineral foundations....if you find that liquid concealers make you more oily, then try to find a good stick concealer. Unfortunately, I haven't found one that looks discreet - I always feel like I have chalk on my face! Blotting papers help keep the oiliness at bay, I use the plain ones by Boscia but you can probably find cheaper ones at the drugstore.

The key is to take it one step at a time and see if you notice a change....it may take up to a month or two, so be patient! But you know when doctors often say it gets better before it gets worse? With this plan, it will only get better, not worse!

BTW, be careful with supplements, don't overdo it and make sure there is no gelatin in the capsule as that can make more harm than good. I usually go with solgar or enzymedica products - more expensive, but less crap in the capsules and fillers.

I checked, and the only things with it are my shampoo which I'll be switching once it's finished.

& oo! I use to use Revlon too, i loved their foundation but idk...the concealer always seems to break me out. And I'll be sure to look into those when I go shopping again. c:

i'll do just that, and if i find a stick concealer that works well I'll be sure to let you know too

as for blotting papers, i've always found elf's shine eraser to help... and it's only worth $1 at target.

Acne wise, it has been improving...so i'm starting to feel a little better.

I've also been eating healtheir lately, which seems to be helping.

Multivitamins don't really do much as they don't contain enough doses...try taking in a higher amount of Vitamin C, this helps with acne and especially red marks! i take around 2000mg of it daily and have seem improvements towards my red marks, oh and use and Oil-free moisturizer.

I checked, and the only things with it are my shampoo which I'll be switching once it's finished.

& oo! I use to use Revlon too, i loved their foundation but idk...the concealer always seems to break me out. And I'll be sure to look into those when I go shopping again. c:

i'll do just that, and if i find a stick concealer that works well I'll be sure to let you know too

as for blotting papers, i've always found elf's shine eraser to help... and it's only worth $1 at target.

Acne wise, it has been improving...so i'm starting to feel a little better.

I've also been eating healtheir lately, which seems to be helping.

Good, glad you are seeing an improvement. Yeah, the revlon concealer is not my favorite, but it was the only one that matched my skin color sort of. Let me know if you find a good stick concealer. I used to get the medicated ones with salicylic, like the murad one, but they just dried out my skin and didn't look natural.

so here's my first post,

Hi, i'm 18 and I have moderate acne and oily skin. It's improved much since last year, which i'd say when it was really severe..cysts and all, which i use to conceal, though i stopped because i'd overdo it to the point where i'd irritate my skin and clog the pores. A dramatic difference, but now i'm dealing with the aftermath it seems. I'm left with scarring, red marks, blotchy skin, and of course more acne that doesn't wanna go away. (whiteheads, blackheads, occasional bump.)

Here is what I've been using to try & keep it at bay:

• Cleanser: Manuka Honey (airbourne brand), but started using Clinique Wash Away Gel for Oily Skin...not sure how this one will play out
• Moisturizer: I was using the Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion, but switched to Clinique's Dramatically Different Gel
• Topical Every Other Night: Tretinoin Cream .025, stopped using it for awhile but started again, i think i'm on my 3rd or 4th month now.
• i'm a taking centrum mulitvitamin daily, along with seperate supplements of vitamin A, C, E, and Fishoil.
• I try to workout at least 2 to 3 times a week, sometimes more. & i don't take hot steamy showers.
• i drink lots of water and orange juice

also i have some sebaceous hyperplasia...which only makes the emotional toll harder.

i'm literally so insecure that i don't leave the house anymore, not even to pick things up for my acne...i ususally get a parent to do it cos i'm too self concious of my face. Right now I think the only thing keeping me from self harm is positive thinking, which i have to just about force on myself. I've almost given up all hope, which lead me to come here and give this a try...not pushing my hopes up for a "cure" unless it miraclously does happen, but useful information? tips, anything! espesically from other people with Oily to Combination skin.

Anything Will Be Much Appreciated,

Hey fallin,

First off, good decision joining acne.org! Though I only recently joined the forums, I read through them as a guest years before now (3-4 years?), absorbed some of the knowledge and suggestions on here and my skin has seen vast improvement over that time period. Of course, I changed a billion things in my life between then and now, and for many people, that may just be what needs to be done!

Just some things I've realized from my experiences that might apply to you (I have combination oily/dry skin btw lol): Keep positive, smile every day and do things that make you happy and make you laugh... sometimes happiness can be the best medicine! If anybody promises you that a certain product, regimen or process will work for you or will be "the cure" (not just for acne... for anything), take everything they say with a grain of salt. It's all about personal trial and error. That being said, you mentioned your moisturizer as Cetaphil. No lie, I have been using Cetaphil for the past 8-9 years (actually used the same bottle for around 5 years or so lol) and my skin has fluctuated from insanely cystic to devoid of almost all imperfections and the moisturizer has stayed the same during that whole time. A lot of what you are doing sounds good! No hot showers, working out in moderation, taking supplements and taking a multi Have you thought about trying to reduce iodine in your diet by finding a multi that doesn't contain it? I feel like once I personally stopped using multi vites without iodine, that was the catalyst that sparked a decrease in my facial acne.

Interesting that SLS is seen as a common irritant. I actually use Sodium Sulfacetamide topical lotion (10%) every night prior to bed for a few individual spots, most of which disappear within a few days. Do you or have you used any oral medication? I've used my fair share and I went through about a 1-year period using cefuroixime axetil (ceftin) where I had the clearest skin I've ever had. I actually ran out of it a month or so ago and started breaking out again for the first time in around a year... going to the dermatologist tomorrow to stock back up!

Hey, best wishes!