Hey guys! I was hoping to just start a convo about acne stories and what has helped you. My acne used to be quite bad and I managed to really clear up my skin by cutting out dairy, going on birth control, and using Retin-A. However, the past month, it's been acting up. Not nearly as bad as it once was before treatment, but more breakouts than I've had since almost a year of mostly clear skin. I really don't mind getting little whiteheads that take a few days to clear up, but I've been getting bad, red, inflamed ones. I've had about 3 bad ones in the past month. I know, not terrible. But it is concerning because I wonder about the root cause. I also tend to pick, which is the worst. Always left with such guilt after. So anyway, I'm curious to hear some feedback!!! Thinking about cutting out a lot of carbs...anyone have success with diet changes? What about exercise routine? Or good topicals for those big, inflamed pimples? Any tips to stop picking? Let me know, thanks!
I didn't make any dietary changes and my skin has cleared up fine! I was on anti-biotics and Tazorac. I used to use Cetaphil facial cleanser and moisturizer, but I switched to Cerave and I liked it a lot better and so did my skin.
A really great product I found for huge inflamed pimples is Murad Clarifying Mask with 4% sulfur. I use it to spot treat overnight and it honestly works so well. When you feel like you have a huge one coming on and there's a little redness and pain, but no bump yet, put it on the area overnight and it will prevent the zit from forming. It is about $40 but soooo worth it! I have had my bottle of it for about 6 months now and there's still a lot left.
Whenever I get new flare-ups, it is usually due to a combination of stress, anxiety, and hormonal changes. It sucks because those are all sort of inevitable things that happen in life.
12 hours ago, smiley36 said:I didn't make any dietary changes and my skin has cleared up fine! I was on anti-biotics and Tazorac. I used to use Cetaphil facial cleanser and moisturizer, but I switched to Cerave and I liked it a lot better and so did my skin.
A really great product I found for huge inflamed pimples is Murad Clarifying Mask with 4% sulfur. I use it to spot treat overnight and it honestly works so well. When you feel like you have a huge one coming on and there's a little redness and pain, but no bump yet, put it on the area overnight and it will prevent the zit from forming. It is about $40 but soooo worth it! I have had my bottle of it for about 6 months now and there's still a lot left.
Whenever I get new flare-ups, it is usually due to a combination of stress, anxiety, and hormonal changes. It sucks because those are all sort of inevitable things that happen in life.
Ugh I know right!! Truly inevitable. One here and there, I can handle. I guess just this random flare-up the past few weeks was freaking me out, but it seems to be improving. Thank you for your advice!! I'm gonna look into purchasing the Murad mask you mentioned.