(Maybe one of these already exists but I really couldn't find any)

Hi, so I though a discussion where we can pool ideas and methods that might help. I will be so much easier if one could identify with the other people. We are all so different, BUT, some people actually have a lot in common and this way I can directly tell if trying something (or not) might work for me. It is also a way to put all ideas in one discussion so you can go back here and get new ideas or let us know what was a complete waste of time.

Please let us know, if it doesn't help you it might help someone else. What have you got to lose, really? We might actually be able to help each other by point out certain things that we haven't noticed. No candida though. If you have done a candida diet and that worked that is fine. But no, "You might have candida, or leaky gut" because these "diagnoses" actually cite every symptom there is. So, it is pointless. We might then all have candida (as in acne or not) and thus it is completely useless.

So, just fill answer these questions:

When did acne first become a problem? When did it get better/worse? What do you remember at that time? Any trauma physical or mental?

What sort of acne do you have? (Ex. Moderate with mostly whiteheads or cysts or whatever. Dry or oily skin, dry or oily underneath skin. Sensitive?)

What other problems do you currently have? Such as, IBS, digestion, other stomach problems, astma, migraines, insomnia, dry eyes, eczema, etc. (Dong guess. Trust me, if you have anyone of these problems you will know. Do not use google! "It is the most sufficient way to convince yourself you are indeed dying. So, even though it is easy to believe you have candida etc (if you ever hear that you have systematic candida then I would be surprised if you arent dying since it mostly happen in AIDS or cancer patients. You do not have these because of acne hah. ))

Why do YOU think you have acne? (This is a tricky one, because youre so often convinced of a certain diagnosis that later gets refuted and so on. This is why google is not a good thing when looking up symptoms. I mean who doesnt have candida or leaky gut or fatigue syndrome or whatever? It lists every. single. symptom. there. is. Try to look at it objectively even though I know it is so hard.) If you dont know, which I think most of us do not, say that.

What is your life style currently like? Ex. I am moderately healthy (eat fast food once a week such as pizza etc), and exercise 2 times a week in the form of yoga or running etc. Are you a very stressed person? Do you get enough sleep?

What have you tried?

Accutane (low/high dose), Grass fed-gelatin, NAC, Glutathione, Intolerance testing (IgG antibody blod test), Psychologist, holistic medicin of any kind, homeopathy, Chinese medicin, Antibitiotics (tetralysal etc), birth control (such as yasmin, diane), diet (Paleo, only gluten-free, or dairy free, sugar free, food combining, etc), juicing, fasting, probiotic drinks (kombucha, kefir), a combination of things or supplements, the regimen, oil pulling, oil cleansing method (which oils? How often), exercise (running, yoga?) and so on.

What worked and what did not? (Try to tell us if you only tried something for a short period of time and if that was why it was not effective.)

When did acne first become a problem? When did it get better/worse?

I first got acne when I was in 8th grade ( 13 years old ). I remember crying many nights with my huge cysts on my face, I was mentally devastated.

What sort of acne do you have? Oily skin, few whiteheads. My skin has been relatively clear for 6 years now. I used to have severe acne with cysts all over my face

What other problems do you currently have? I have bad cases of acute insomnia, especially weeks before a huge test. I'm currently in a competitive CRNA program right now, and we must maintain a GPA of 3.6 to remain in the program. I get stressed and anxious weeks before a test, which makes it difficult to sleep.

Why do YOU think you have acne? I'm 100% sure it's diet. Ever since I've changed my diet and lifestyle, I get minimal pimples now.

What is your life style currently like? All ORGANIC diet only. No GMOs. No processed foods. My diet consists of: Fruits, vegetables, and lots of fish. Drinking 0.5 to 1 gallon of water a day. 2 lemons a day ( Detox, alkalizing my body ), Astaxanthin, Muscadine grape seeds, Fermented Cod Liver Oil, Organic vitamin D, matcha powder, White tea.

Exercise everyday for 45 minutes to 60 minutes. Stress management. 8 hours sleep.

What have you tried? Myriads of skin products that didn't work at all. Didn't take any antibiotics or strong medications, people don't realize the long terms health risks associated with them. Health > Acne

What worked and what did not? The lifestyle and diet I stated worked for me. I've been relatively clear of acne for 6 years. Few zits here and there but I'm clear. =)

Sorry I couldn't go in more detail but it's 1:41 AM in Japan right now.

Hopefully this helped!

When did acne first become a problem? When did it get better/worse? Beginning of this year. Stress + already oily skin + 500 inactive (until then) closed comedones all around my face,chest and back.

What sort of acne do you have? Went from severe comedonal acne to moderate infected scarring acne,and cystic on my back.

What other problems do you currently have? Internal hemorrhoids (got 'em from my dad,thanks daddy). And that's about it.

Why do YOU think you have acne? Because i'm obsessive with my face. That obsession caused stress, causing me to try a billion useless products, causing more acne.

What is your life style currently like? Pretty healthy. I love to workout and train hard. I'm actually bulking so,maybe a day a week i don't eat "that" healthy

What have you tried?

Almost every known prescription and OTC products. Differin,Erytromycin,Benzoyl Peroxide,Salicilyc Acid (in every possible form that it comes), Retin-A,Minociclyine,lot of products from clean and clear, sulfur soap, lots of stupid diets and house made remedies, estheticians,

Now, i'm on my last week of Accutane.

What worked and what did not?

Unfortunately only Accutane. After years of having tons of these colorless bumps and black heads all over my body,now i can ensure that i only have 10 or so. I'm one week far of ending it.

Differin: was pure chaos for me. Caused severe oily skin for some reason (and more acne). I've just used it for a month and a week. This severe oily skin stayed even after quitting Differin. So far, just Accutane stopped it.

Benzoyl peroxide: worked minimal. But caused red/black mars,scars and a allergic reaction that made my skin red,itchy and to get swollen. After two days of quitting it, acne came back worse.

Antibiotics:,just a band aid. Works while you use them, acne comes back worse after you stop using them.

Diets/regimens : Complete useless crap. Unless you eat fast food every day of your life,or are allergic to diary.

Home made remedies: Just for those with two pimples.

i nearly had heart attack from all that text..

is this what you do people?

i rly lost my life bcs of acne n all that health crap, i aint reading no such texts anymore ever..USELESS AS FUK

ur either healthy either ruined

but they cant waste our time any longer, they need to come up with cure or injections like vaccine or smh SOMETHING THAT WORKS RIGHT AWAY

basicaly nothing works

When did acne first become a problem? When did it get better/worse? always had mild acne. But it got so much worse when because of mental trauma. After that it was moderate. When I tried to treat it it got even worse.

What sort of acne do you have? Sensitive skin and dry. Moderate when I started accutane (although now I have no active acne) but mostly it was just like 2 cyst that would never go away and some whiteheads (that was caused by all of these 'acne' topicals). Lots of marks (really depressing).

What other problems do you currently have? Slight stomach problems. Worried stomach? Had it my whole life, it reacts to how I'm feeling (great right?) Have it mostly in control now (healthy diet, yoga, beef gelatin and manuka). Anxiety (pretty severe sometimes) but is getting better. I have had an eating disorder also and have just recovered, skin-wise it did not do me any favors. (could definitely be related). Still amenorrhea after eating disorder. It has not come back for some reason. Gynecologists tell me 'it is all in my head,' naturally.

Why do YOU think you have acne? Anxiety. Mental stuff. But once you get in motion it is really hard to make it stop. (Acne, that is, and all the other stuff hah)

What is your life style currently like? Really healthy. I will try to eat grass-fed protein, if not then at least organic. Only sometimes when I'm poor I'll eat just ordinary chicken. I try to do paleo and food combining, but I sometimes eat oatmeal and hummus (just because it is so easy) and also I'll eat some chips once in awhile. I do yoga about 2-3 times a week, walk for at least an hour a day, and sometimes go running. Diet soda maybe once every month. No alcohol (im on accutane), not smoking etc.

What have you tried?

A lot. But not all of it. And, I've been really impatient. I had an eating disorder and while on it I actually broke out a lot less, which is really weird. The less I ate the less acne I got. It all blew up in my face (literally hah) when I started recovery though.

I started with antibiotics, then after that I started to clean up my diet. I did not eat sugar for more than a year. I also quit a lot of wheat, obviously I cut out dairy and gluten and it is only now that I eat some cheese. Otherwise, I have never been a big fan of diary anyways. So, candida diet, elimination diet, paleo diet, food sensitivity diet, food combination etc etc. It has literally driven me nuts. It is sick the lengths we'll go to have a clear face. I feel like punching someone who say that I should just eat healthy or wash my face.

I have tried a lot of supplements though (but not like, oh I tried vitamin E or selenium for one year and didn't see any results. I usually stopped in 2-3 months if I couldn't tell any difference)

I tired acupuncture also, and no it did nothing. (I did it like twice a week for like 2 months). It felt nice though hah, but way too expensive.

Chinese medicine. They forced me to pay for 2 months ahead of time because they were sure that would be what it would take to clear me. I would drink this potion that tasted like shit and smelled like it too (fucking hard to keep that from roommates) and then go to acupuncture every week. When those two months were up they told me that I would have to pay for two more months or my acne would become worse. They also said I should really look at how hideous my face looked and compare 'those red spots' to other people. Not kidding. This was when I had mild-moderate but I wasn't using any makeup.

What worked and what did not?

I think diet is great as maintenance, and I really like healthy living too so I don't mind but a lot of people wants to scam you into taking this or that, and it is really hard to find someone that can really help. I do believe there are people who can though.

Topicals: NO damn topicals ever worked. Made my skin soo much worse. I would not have the scarring I have today if it wasn't for this shit. I only use oils and vaseline now

Antibiotics: worst thing I ever did. Worked while on it. Can't believe doctors give it to patients, whoever cleared for good while on it??

Oils: Yess. Great for my skin. Low-comedogenic, and high linoleic acid. My skin is finally healing. Vasline at night is awesome (will definitely not break you out)

Homeopathy: I have not tried for acne, but for eczema when I was younger. It really helped, it cured me and I have never had eczema in those places again, no scarring either. I am really considering going back.

Beef gelatin, NAC, vitamin C, coconut oil (virgin): a bit, did not stay on it long enough though. But this produces glutathione which is suppose to be great for cell generation or something. They use if for cancer patients to help them heal or whatever.

Chinese medicin: No. Did nothing. It is really easy to get scammed here though. So I do believe if you find a REAL one then maybe it'll help, but that will be really hard.

Yoga (every day), exercise (running 7 miles every other day): YES, it did wonders. But only when active all the time. Has something to do with blood circulation I think. I felt great too.

Accutane (20 mg/ day): pretty low dose. Gradually all those small whiteheads went away. I had maybe 50 when I started, maybe a little less, and like 2 cysts, 6 normal pimples. This was brutal for me though, and was bad because of a birth control flare-up. A lot of scarring. Never got an IB, just gradually got better. By month 3 I had maybe 2 active ones and still some whiteheads. Now in month 5 I don't have any active acne, just two whiteheads. I had two odd pimples come up though yesterday but it was like it was only an inflamed bump but not actual acne in it. Got me really scared though. It feel like it will come back afterwards so why am I doing this? Maybe I'll get the courage to get off it and go see an homeopath or something.

When did acne first become a problem? When did it get better/worse?

It became a problem like 1 year ago, at first I didn't really notice it also because I had one of the clearest skin of all my friends even tho i didn't use an excessive washing routine at all (just water). From then on it got slowly worse until I decided to do some research.

What sort of acne do you have?

I had oily skin especially on my forehead and inflamed whiteheads, often small to middle sized all over my face, mostly around the chin, cheek and forehead area but also my upper throat.

What other problems do you currently have?

Nothing really but Acne made me so sensitive that I thought I might have something which causes it.

Why do YOU think you have acne?

Probably my hormones, i'm a 20 yrs male and i guess a late bloomer?

What is your life style currently like?

I'm a vegan (one of the things i tried because of my acne actually but i sticked with it for various reasons, however I believe if one has hormonal acne veganism ain't the "wonder-cure" to it), eat healthy and only drink water. I workout every 2nd day either by doing cardio or calisthenics.

What have you tried?

Not that much, I tried the regimen with similar products avaiable in my area, so BP 2,5% and also 5% which i'm using now, Neutrogena Moisturizer and currently i'm also trying a soap/cleanser made of manuka honey and shea butter.

What worked and what did not?

Well, BP may be good but i believe not for me. It is helping with oily skin and healing the pimples quicker but since they keep coming back it is not solving the root problem. Also I don't like the side effects, very flaky skin (I notice it especially before applying the moisturizer) and the first time I used BP it burned my whole chin.

When did acne first become a problem? When did it get better/worse?

I suddenly started getting acne when I turned 16. And I was also working at McDonalds when I started getting acne. The oil in the air at McDonalds worsened my acne and caused a lot of scarring. My acne started getting better at the end of Grade 12 and it's was relatively under control from 19 - 21(although I did need to go on minocycline now and then). I'm 23 now and my acne started flaring up again after moving out. I have a feeling that the change in tap water caused my breakout.

What sort of acne do you have?

moderate(sometimes close to severe) acne under the skin, nodular acne and cystic acne around my cheeks and neck. I have oily face.

What other problems do you currently have?

I don't know if it's related, but I started getting gastric issues(e.g. constipation) a year later been on minocycline for 6 months. I was hospitalised for asthma twice when I was 11 and I developed delayed sleep phase disorder(can't fall asleep until 3 - 5 am) when I turned 20.

Why do YOU think you have acne?

Mine is most certainly genetic since I started getting acne as a teen and continued into adulthood. My younger brother eats unhealthy and hardly takes care of his skin yet he never gets acne and has clear skin.

What is your life style currently like?

I eat vegetable soup every night and run on the treadmill 2 - 3 times a day at the gym. I don't drink or smoke or eat junk food.

What worked and what did not?

• Minocycline - worked for 6 months until I stopped
• Proactiv - used to work well enough when I was 19 - 21. But now it's not enough
• Accutane - quit after 5th day. I don't think I'm going back on it ever again since the risk of my developing gut problem is higher since I already have gut problems.
• The regimen - the 2.5% BP gel works better than Proactiv but still not good enough
• 0.5mg tretinoin cream - gave my cystic acne due to clogging my pores. But I probably got it because I left the cream on my face for too long
• by following a strict routine to avoid getting acne which is explained in my original thread

When did acne first become a problem? When did it get better/worse? 15. Accutane helped but it came once stopping. Making changes to diet, lifestyle & using gentle skin care products is what helped me most.

What sort of acne do you have? Used to be severe big spots. Now only get the odd tiny spot every now & then,

What other problems do you currently have? None.

Why do YOU think you have acne? For sure hormonal imbalance & using poor skin care products

What is your life style currently like? Really healthy (acne healthy). Plenty of sleep, exercise & keep on top of lifes stresses.

What have you tried?

I have tried it all and now i'm at a good place with my regime.

What worked and what did not?

Whats working now: Purechimp super face combo 2, no dairy, eat low gi foods, exercise daily (do something you enjoy), plenty of water, drink green tea

P.S you look great

When did acne first become a problem? When did it get better/worse? Started around 16-17 years old. It got worse when I hit my 20s.

What sort of acne do you have? Mild acne. I used to have an oily forehead. On my chin, I get 1-2 zits per month (hormonal). When I stress, I get tiny bumps on my cheeks. I rarely get any acne on my forehead.

What other problems do you currently have? I stress very easily.

Why do YOU think you have acne? Mostly hormonal and stress-related but I have a feeling eating processed/sugary foods is the culprit as well.

What is your life style currently like? I eat clean as much as possible. I have a cheat day every week. I workout 5 days a week... pilates, cardio, strength.

What have you tried?

No sugar. Salycilic acid. Regimen (currently on).

What worked and what did not? The Regimen definitely keeps my mild acne under control.

When did acne first become a problem? When did it get better/worse? Started around 16 years old or something....it got worse in my first year of high school ...then became moderate

What sort of acne do you have? i think it was mild to moderate (but it left red and brown marks that bothered me)....but now after being on acctuane then stopping half way due to side effects and then cleaning my diet to the max ...i have like one pimple every weeK...and very small whiteheads ...here and there .

What other problems do you currently have? very flacky sclap (due to accutane ...not sure when it will go away)

Why do YOU think you have acne? 20 percent ...its genetics (my mom had it untill she was 24....im 20 years old now) ....and 80 percent ...its diet and lifestyle choices

What is your life style currently like? super clean diet ...no sugar ...no gluten ...no diary ...no vegtable oil in cooking ....vegetable ...fruits (but not a lot) ....shave with a single blade razor ....change my pillowcase everyday ...wash twice a day ....try to avoid stress ....no caffeine .

What have you tried? antibiotics ....i think they helped a little but i didnt use them for long ...i tried topicals ...only BP seems to help but i use it only on my pimple at nigtH....it make them go faster but it doesnt prevent new one from comming

i tried accutane....works like a charm ...but its very dangerous ...and i dont recommand it ..unless you have severe acne and after you tried everything else and failed

What worked and what did not? so far my clean diet and lifestyle choices which i said before is what i think is working

accutane also worked ....but it caused me some side effects (that im still dealing with ...even 2 months after i stopped it) .