Have you tried switching to something gentle like baby wash? I know for me the more acne products I use the more oily I end up. I would try not using any scrubs for a while either. A lot of people really like plain old Johnson's baby wash but I find that organic baby wash is even milder than that. It helped me a lot. Right now I'm using Phisoderm PH UP for oily skin and like it. It's pretty gentle and it works by correcting your skins ph balance so it doesn't produce more oil. Also, you might only want to wash your face 2x a day and just use oil blotting papers through out the day. More than 2x a day is bad for your skin.

Don't constantly wash your face and get off the EpiDuo.

Your skin has an acid mantle, it's your protection against bacteria, and you're definitely over washing. You're clocking 5x a day when 2 should be max, if you wear makeup. All this washing also creates an oil-rebound effect from all the drying. Tap water also has nasty chemicals in it that you really want to minimize exposure to . There are people even on this board who've had luck with not washing at all.

Clean and Clear OIl Absorbing sheets can help you manage oil t-zone til you balance out. Don't use any moisturizer except hyaluronic acid. A couple times a week, apply Proactive's Sulfur Mask, or a clay mask, for ten minutes.

Apple Cider Vinegar orally, and as a diluted topical as a toner after you wash, can help you rebalance your pH.

Your BPO is not working/irritating your skin. Killing and washing off the natural flora on your skin, part of the acid mantle, is how your body fights off acne bacteria. Is your doctor a dermatologist? Because you need to see a specialist. I don't know why GP's just throw EpiDuo and topical antibiotics at people. A derm can get you back on a retinol and an antibiotic, until then, since your skin likes the isotrentinoin- there are retinol products OTC that are similar and more gentle. Avene TriAcneal and MyChelle Remarkable Retinal Serum, for two.

-You might be taking the wrong formulation of vitamins, a multi is not enough. Does your formula have zinc and magnesium? Potassium? Omega 3 & 6?

-Try eliminating ANYTHING sweet, including juice except green juices and the occasional apple juice, or spicy, including ginger and garlic, that you consume- for at least three weeks, as 28 days is the length of your skin's cycle. Eliminate milk and beef, eat less chicken. Don't eat peanuts, brazil nuts, or sunflower seeds. Eliminate processed flour (pasta, white bread.) Also cut out coffee and alcohol. Only eat freshwater fish. Green veggies have MSM, which is your body's antiseptic (properties like sulfur.)

Stick out this routine for 1-2 months.

I will try this. I've tried not using anything on my face but it got so bad, I understand I need to stop washing as much but washing all the oil away makes my skin feel so good.

I'm currently taking vitamins zinc, vitamin b5 and omega 3&6.

My GP just keeps saying epi-duo is the most expensive and best cream on market and there isn't a cure for acne. I've enquired about going to a private derm but the inital consultation fees are around 200 and I don't want to pay that for him to just give me another cream.

I know that nasty, greasy texture and I feel you.

"It's an expensive cream" doesn't mean it's the best cream for you. BPO has a completely different action than Vitamin A which means *drumroll* it stops working. See for yourself *URL Removed, see board rules; http://www.acne.org/board-rules.html Acne.org Moderator Team* is the nature of BPO. It kills bacteria, until the bacteria becomes resistant, and then it just dries out your skin and you're putting unnecessary inactive ingredients/fillers on your face.

"There is no cure for acne" doesn't mean it should be dismissed. For whatever reason, he doesn't want to prescribe you antibiotics for something he regards as a trivial cosmetic matter. That is not a sympathetic doctor, nor is it a doctor that will help you. My insurance won't cover Tazarac so I understand. Fortunately, there are still things you can try.

I have an alternate cleansing suggestion for you, and you will feel a lot less oily AND a lot less irritated.

1) Stop using the Salicylic wash for a while and try sulfur soap. Any soap will do. (No more than 2x a day!!!) I use 10% Sulfresh from Indonesia ($7.) This brand contains healing zinc *URL Removed, see board rules; http://www.acne.org/board-rules.html Acne.org Moderator Team* but there are other brands. This will make your face feel comfortably dry, gently slough dead skin and most importantly, it's antiseptic and healing.

2) Apple Cider Vinegar toner (diluted 1/3 ACV and 2/3 filtered or distilled water) - antikerolytic (same action as salicylic.) Acne is dead skin over closed pores and the EpiDuo is doing nothing for your dead skin, or you compromised acid mantle. (As above, orally is good, too, or instead of, if this burns/stinks/induces undesirable purging.)

Stop the EpiDuo for a while and see how it feels.

3) Tumeric powder- make a paste with water and use as a mask and/or an overnight spot treatment. https://www.google.com/search?q=turmeric+powder+acne+site:www.acne.org&espv=2&biw=893&bih=549

4) To keep your skin moist throughout the day, get a pocket spritz bottle of distilled water. (If this isn't enough moisture, add a few drops of hyaluronic acid.) I think you'll find that you won't even need the Clean and Clear oil wipes/rice paper if you have a clean, hydrated face.

Re: supplements

Vitamins- B5 alone isn't enough. You need a B complex, such that is found in Hair Skin and Nails vitamin formulas. You might be able to find one with Magnesium and MSM, too. Vitamins A-E and K are also vital for skin health.

Let us know how this goes!

Hello again, what is Tazarc? My doctors hasn't really helped at all, im going to try a few more different treatments for a few months and if nothing helps im going to pay to see a private derm to see what he has.

I have recently tried the proactiv sulphur mask and found it makes my skin feel good and im going to try the sulphur soap. Would this soap be okay... *URL Removed, see board rules; http://www.acne.org/board-rules.html Acne.org Moderator Team*

I will also try the ACV, would this one be okay... *URL Removed, see board rules; http://www.acne.org/board-rules.html Acne.org Moderator Team*

And for the vitamins side of things i take timed release pantothenic acid caplets (vitamin b5 complex) 500mg in the morning, then afternoon i take my cod liver oil which has omega 3 then before bed i take my zinc tablets, is this enough because i thought taking too many tablets would be bad, could i add more vitamins to my routine?

Thanks for the advice i think it is going to help me

Hello

I'm 21 and have had acne since i was 13, if i dont constantly wash my face it gets VERY oily. I went on isotretinoin when i was 17 and it has helped my body acne and clear my face a little but the amount of spots i'm still getting is constantly getting me down to the point i dont leave the house.

When i wake up i use a Garnier exfoliating scrub which has salicylic acid 2.5%, then throughout the day at work i wipe my face with a deep cleansing face wipe once or twice. Then after i finish work around dinner time 5pm i wash my face again with the same Garnier exfoliating wash. Then before i go to bed in the shower i was my face again with the garnier exfoliating face then apply a benzoyl peroxide cream called Epi-Duo which has been prescribed from the doctors.

I do everything that i've read about such as changing bed sheets constantly, drinking ALOT of water daily, i eat healthy with no fizzy drinks. I take vitamins and i STILL have bad oily spotty skin. I keep going back to my doctors but he keeps just prescribing me the benzoyl peroxide which ive been using for years now and still getting acne.

Would i get a treatment that would help my acne from a Private dermatologist because i am now willing to pay the expensive price of a private dermatologist, could he put me on another course of isotretinoin?

Thank you

I think what you're doing is over washing your face and over medicating it. I know it's hard to believe for me at first but less is more. I could be wrong but I've noticed that you didn't list any moisturizers in your regimen. It's very important that you moisturize as over drying your skin causes more breakouts. Also only wash your face twice a day. Over washing can irritate the skin as well. Don't touch your skin more than it is necessary. Also I wouldn't use BP, salicylic acid exfoliating wash, and deep cleansing wipes together not to mention 3x a day. That is really harsh. You should just wash it with something gentle like spectrol jel or cetaphil facial wash and BP (if that's working for you) and a moisturizer. In the past I had a phobia of using moisturizers because I thought it would make my skin really oily and greasy and cause more breakouts but that is a misconception.

I'm going to cut down in the constant washing, I'm going to try a sulfur soap wash in morning then saylic acid wash on night. I've tried moisturiser before and it made my skin oily greasy breakout everything was awful.

I am in in the EXACT same boat! I'm 17, took first round of Accutane at 14 and acne came back with vengeance. I literally JUST finished 2nd round of Accutane (2 weeks ago) and my acne is already starting to slowly creep back into my life. 2 freakin' weeks!!

And like you, I do everything by the book in order to obtain clear skin.

-I change my pillow cases. (DAILY)

-Drink 2gallons water/day.

-Eat very healthy. (Nothing but fruits, veggies, fish and chicken)

-I run 4 miles/day.

-NEVER EVER do I touch my face.

-Wash my hands every hour.

-Use a gentle cleanser with moisturizer.

-Get 8+ hrs of sleep a night.

-Avoid dairy and grease completely.

-Take birth control, antibiotics, and zinc.

I take every damn precaution there is to avoid acne but all fail!

How long do us with acne really have to suffer?

And you'll probably have to do a 2nd course of Accuatane.

I honestly wish you the best of luck in this horrible battle for clear skin. I know first hand how frustrating it is.

It's awful isn't it, I have 0 confidence. I keep hoping that ill "grow" out of it, hopeful soon!

My doctor won't send me to derm for Accutane, I'm going to try a sulfur soap and Dead Sea salt routine and if that doesn't work fork out hundreds for a private derm.

I'm looking atBupa Pay On Demand, going to cost me 250£ for first consultation