A face only a mother could love . . . (ACNE)

[sarahjayn1980]

What products do you all use to keep acne at bay? My face and arms are COVERED with it. In high school, I never had even the smallest blemish. Now that I'm too old for it to be socially acceptable to be a pizza face, I find myself laden with zits . . . HELP!

[hoodedclawjen]

after having acne for 14 years, and getting every over the counter and prescribed medication i could, including proactive (worked ok, but bleached my clothes/washcloth/pillowcases and cost a fortune) and prescribed accutane (which worked for a year but the side effects were seriously awful and acne came right back!) i now use kiss my face 'clean for a day' cleanser, and an oil free moisturiser, with 2.5 % benzoyl peroxide gel, as part of 'the regimen' from www.acne.org. it works because the peroxide floods your pores with oxgyen, and zit bacteria can't live in an oxygen rich environment. i've been using it for about a year now, and it works really really well- i have about 3 small zits at a time instead of a plethora of them, and they clear up fast. although your skin feels sore and red for a week once you first start using it, while it gets used to the peroxide, it clears right up, and for me at least, once it cleared up, it took my acne with it. :-) its way less harsh than 10% peroxide from pharmacies, works just as well, costs pennies compared to most other stuff, and makes my skin feel soft and nice too. yey!

[janie]

I admit this may seem a bit biased (seeing as I also sell this to others :p), but I am using Arbonne's Clear Advantage system, along with my sister.

It's a bit on the pricey side compared to other well-known anti-acne systems, but I find that it is worth it because it is working for me and others. Plus, it's vegan and not tested on animals. :) I have always had problems with finding the best products for my skin, and now I'm glad I have something that actually works.

There's a 45 day return policy/guarantee, so please PM me if you are interested in trying it!

[IamJen]

I have some folks IRL and some here who swear by Pro-Activ. I know that the docs say that what you eat doesn't play a part in acne, but honestly I think that's crap. It might be worth making a food journal for a couple of weeks and see if you can make a connection.

[eggplant]

I don't really have any product recommendations, but I think there are several non-product things you can do to improve your skin (assuming you're not already doing them):
1. Eat a well-balanced diet low in processed fats (avocado, nuts and olive oil are sources of good fats), low in processed stuff in general, low in dairy if you eat any at all, and high in a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes.
2. Exercise enough to work up a good sweat regularly (4-5 times a week).
3. Drink lots of water.

[rincaro]

The regimen from acne.org works pretty well for me too, except for one little thing. Being that I live in Florida, it is almost always hot. So a slightly sweaty face is the norm. And sweat + a generous coating of BP?? Oh my. Searing acid pain is what it feels like. Every single time I go outside and perspire (or glow) the slightest bit.

[DreamWavez]

Ecco Bella's Leave-On Exfoliant is awesome. It has 2% BHA and 6% AHA. The AHA is a surface exfoliant that helps shed the dead skin cells and even out skintone. The BHA cleans insides the pores and helps to keep them clear. This is one of my HG products. Also, for a cleanser, I love Earth Science Clarifying Oil-Free Facial Wash.

[sunshinegal]

I use ProActive. This stuff worked wonders for me and it costs like $50 for about 5 months worth of product. That is cheaper then when I was trying to find a solution. I love this stuff, it is easy to use twice daily. I found using the 3 step system with Clinique's Oil Free Moisturizing Gel for my lotion is the best combo. My acne is gone and I love it! :smitten: They have a promotion right now where you can buy a month supply for like $20, but I got the 3 month supply at first, it took about 6 weeks to clear my skin up completely and I have never looked back. I have been using it about 2 to 3 years now and recommend it to anyone that asks. :o

[ProudVegan]

www.simplydevine.com

I like You cant zit here! product from that company.

I am on antibiotic.

Peanut butter causes breakout for me. Caffeine is known to cause breakouts in some indiviuals.

Do drink a lot of water!!

[beefaroni]

I have recently tried using Paula's Choice products (I can't post a link yet but if you google Paula's Choice, the website will come up) and they appear to be working (but have only been using them for 2 weeks or so, so I can't fully recommend it yet...)

I am 28, have had stubborn acne (including cysts) since I was about 12...oily/combo skin, have used many prescriptions (Retin A, Cleocin, many many others), birth control pills, Proactiv (worked initially but then stopped seeing results), and I also have rosacea...Paula's Choice appears to be gentle and has reduced my redness BUT the stuff is expensive. However, you can order samples from the site that are wicked cheap (like, 20 cents a sample) and I've heard that you can somehow get samples for free too if you email them...so might want to at least check out the site and see if it would be an option for you. Maybe try the samples at first and see if you like it.

[flvegnewbie]

I just started my daughter on ProActive about 3 weeks ago & yes, it will clear up your acne, or at least it did for her. They also have a "free 60 money-back guarantee". You use it for your 60 days, and if your not happy you can send in the containers (even if their empty, or so their website says) and they will refund the purchase price (less shipping & handling, of course).

I'm not sure how sunshinegal found it for 50.00 for a 5 mo. supply (that is an AWESOME price). But, the only place I found to order it online was through their website.
The "special" they have running right now is $45.00 for a 60 mo. supply, which is NOT cheap. You recieve 3 smallish (to me) bottles and then about every 60 days they will automatically ship you the next set, unless you cancel before then of course.

The Cleanser & Toner come in 4 fl. oz bottles & then the moisturizer comes in a 2 fl. oz. bottle. As long as you don't go overboard with the amount you use I can see this lasting for the 60 days, but you'll have to be very careful of how you use it.

HTH,
Michelle

[beefaroni]

Michelle -

Just an FYI - when I was using ProActiv, I found that I would go through the cleanser a million times faster than the toner and the lotion.

If you ask them, they can ship you two cleansers and one toner on the automatic shipments, instead of getting one cleanser/toner/lotion. I personally found that one bottle of lotion lasts FOREVER but I ran out of the cleanser very quickly (probably every 6 weeks or so).

The only way I found out about this was to ask - at least when I was using it, they didn't readily advertise this.

[meatless]

Ecco Bella's Leave-On Exfoliant is awesome. It has 2% BHA and 6% AHA. The AHA is a surface exfoliant that helps shed the dead skin cells and even out skintone. The BHA cleans insides the pores and helps to keep them clear. This is one of my HG products. Also, for a cleanser, I love Earth Science Clarifying Oil-Free Facial Wash.


hmmm, I use the same Earth Science face wash and find it seems to work for me... so I wonder if the Ecco Bella product would be useful for me? I have chronic oily skin, and got terrible acne a couple years ago that was solved by changing BC pills. Now I'm three months off ANY pill and my skin is still holding up (no acne), but I'm a little paranoid. I use Ecco Bella cosmetics already and they're lovely.

[sunshinegal]

Michelle -

Just an FYI - when I was using ProActiv, I found that I would go through the cleanser a million times faster than the toner and the lotion.

If you ask them, they can ship you two cleansers and one toner on the automatic shipments, instead of getting one cleanser/toner/lotion. I personally found that one bottle of lotion lasts FOREVER but I ran out of the cleanser very quickly (probably every 6 weeks or so).

The only way I found out about this was to ask - at least when I was using it, they didn't readily advertise this.

I am the opposite. I go through the toner like mad, the cleanser usually is the next fastest to go and the clarifying lotion is the last to go. :bow:

[DelicGrape]

I have a problem with breakouts, at one point, several a month... a few things I found helpful were acne cleansers, they have a lot out there so do some research. Birth control, this works for a lot of people. Vitamins are also great for the skin... I'm not sure if you've really looked around, but they have a lot of acne cleansers for the body, I'm sure one of them has to work for you.

goodluck!

[flvegnewbie]

Thanks for the info. I will defiantely keep this in mind once she starts getting low, that way I can gauge & see which one I might need to order an extra in! :up:
I wouldn't have even thought of just ordering the one product, I probably would had have them shipped the whole set instead. This way would be MUCH cheaper!:yes:

Michelle



Michelle -

Just an FYI - when I was using ProActiv, I found that I would go through the cleanser a million times faster than the toner and the lotion.

If you ask them, they can ship you two cleansers and one toner on the automatic shipments, instead of getting one cleanser/toner/lotion. I personally found that one bottle of lotion lasts FOREVER but I ran out of the cleanser very quickly (probably every 6 weeks or so).

The only way I found out about this was to ask - at least when I was using it, they didn't readily advertise this.

[Josef]

I was using benzoyl peroxide for years, but I finally made the decision to avoid chemicals. It worked decently on treating the pimples, but not necessarily on preventing.

I now use tea tree oil and my face hasn't been clearer!

Respectfully,
Josef

[Starblossom]

I was using benzoyl peroxide for years, but I finally made the decision to avoid chemicals. It worked decently on treating the pimples, but not necessarily on preventing.

I now use tea tree oil and my face hasn't been clearer!

Respectfully,
Josef

I use benzol peroxide as well and it does little or nothing to actually prevent acne. actually i'm wondering if it even does anything at all for me. How do you use tea tree oil? Do you use a wash, toner, spot treatments?

[janie]

I just got this at Whole Foods the other day, and it seems to work pretty well. (I ran out of my Arbonne stuff.) It has tea tree oil and witch hazel (both help acne).

http://www.vitacost.com/DesertEssenceBlemishTouchStick


Ingredients: Witch hazel extract, grain alcohol, Eco-Harvest tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), calendula, essential oils of blue chamomile, rosemary, lavender, thyme, birch and petitgrain.

[Spidergrrl]

Willow Blemish Buster

10g (1/2 oz) fresh willow leaves
2 oz apple cyder vinegar

Chop the leaves and pour the vinegar over them. Pour into a bottle and refrigerate, shaking every day. After a week strain out the willow and pour into a sterilized bottle. Apply the liquid with a cotton bud (Q-Tip) to zits. Willow contains salycilic acid--the same thing used in many over the counter acne meds.

I have had good success with this combined with tea tree oil.

[sarahjayn1980]

Thanks for all the advice. I got some tea tree oil business at the store, but it hasn't been working all that well. Something called a "zit stick" has been clearing up my breakouts, but not preventing. Time to try some more things . . .

[Josef]

I use benzol peroxide as well and it does little or nothing to actually prevent acne. actually i'm wondering if it even does anything at all for me. How do you use tea tree oil? Do you use a wash, toner, spot treatments?

Hi there Blossom,

I place the solution on a cotton ball and apply it on required areas. The only problem is the smell, but I easily got adjusted to it.

Respectfully,
Josef

[stangPlus2Birds]

For acne:
1) Start by trying Benzol Peroxide. Go up to the 10% solution

2) See a dermatologist and go on Retin-A

3) Go on Accutane. ~ Wait at least one year before repeating Accutane. After 3 treatments, the benefits from additional treatments are near zero.

The above is the standard treatment procedure used by dermatologists. They may put you on an antibiotic, prescribe lotion, and soap. But the above sequence is the tried and proven method. Accutane requires a monthly blood test and for females MUST be on birth control. It's also very $$$ if you don't have insurance. If you worry about Accutane and suicide, yes, Accutane has the same side-effect rate for suicide as breathing air and drinking water. In other words, clueless people that don't know the first thing about stats (or care about lying through their teeth) making BS claims in the hope of getting attention and money.

If you go on Accutane, see a *dermatologists*. Your GP is NOT experienced enough! Knowing how to deal with any side-effects (like super dry lips) is *very* important to ensure that the patient *fully* follows the whole course of treatment.

[ProudVegan]

www.naturalcures.com

Get the new edition book. It has better alternatives to chemicals and stuff you dont need for your face.

For quick remedy... short term antibiotic that usually taken for 7 days will help clear up your acne. Then you can maintain it with natural products.