Ash20 Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 Hey everyone, I'm looking for some tips or advice. I have acne and lately I've been breaking out really bad. I've tried a bunch of different skin care systems (Proactiv, SkinID, Clinique, Biore, Noxzema, etc), and even just tried soap and water (as recommended by the dermatologist). Nothing has worked very well, and this breaking out is getting ridiculous and out of control. It's embarrassing. I'm at my wit's end! Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks! Link to post Share on other sites
LittleTiger Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 My ex husband had a problem with acne for most of his life. In his 30s he asked the doctor about it and was given long term antibiotics which pretty much 'cured' the problem. Worth a try! Link to post Share on other sites
Imported Posted March 22, 2013 Share Posted March 22, 2013 I've got really healthy "radiant" looking skin all over. I think it might have a lot to do with being in a chlorinated swimming pool for an hour or longer pretty much every day. When you say "as recommended by the dermatologist" did you actually go see a dermatologist or esthetician or was it something you read? Link to post Share on other sites
adelia Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 The good news is you'll grow out of it. It comes in phases. I found proactiv the best ever. I did take tetracycline but eventually it stopped working. Then accutane which cured my acne but it's been taken off the market. Retinol a is very good for acne. There's also a zapped gadget you can get but can't remember the name. Drink lots of water and don't overmedicate as it can male it worse. Stay away from chocolate and fatty foods. I found ice cream bad too for breakouts. Tanning can help too once in awhile but can be damaging to skin. Link to post Share on other sites
FitChick Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Get your hormones tested. Too much testosterone causes acne. Link to post Share on other sites
adelia Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 Over production of the sebaceous glands is the main cause and usually in the teens/ early twenties. Don't pick at it though you don't want scars. I had medium acne and have no scars and zitless skin now in my thirties. You do grow out of it. It's important to get meds or creams for it especially if it's severe so you don't end up with pock marks and need facial sanding or peels later. Nowadays there's so many good remedies. How long did you use proactiv? Have you seen a dermatologist? A dermatologist will work with you to find the best solution for your skin. Link to post Share on other sites
youdunsay Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 I tried BodyShop Tea Tree Oil foam wash and Avene Blemish Toner. My acnes subsided quite a bit. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Ash20 Posted March 23, 2013 Author Share Posted March 23, 2013 Thanks for the suggestions! Adelia, I used proactiv a couple years ago and it worked well for me. I used it for a year and then decided to go with something else. I recently went back to it because I need extra help and have been using it for 2 months and it hasn't helped at all. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Ash20 Posted March 25, 2013 Author Share Posted March 25, 2013 I also have seen two dermatologists in the past. I'm thinking of going to another one though since it's been a while. Maybe there's something more I can do that they can help me with. Link to post Share on other sites
Sunshinegrl Posted March 25, 2013 Share Posted March 25, 2013 Birth control cured me. Fitchick is right. it's hormonal. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Lillyfree Posted March 27, 2013 Share Posted March 27, 2013 http://www.beauty-spa.co.nz/thermalmud.php i've used their soap, mud mask and scrub. the sulphor did wonders for my acne, and it turned out that a lot of the problems were caused by additives in products, as my skin is really sensitive. took about 3-4 months for my skin to completely clear, and i haven't had a break-out in years! i don't use the soap any more, just scrub and mask once a fortnight. please please don't go on antibiotics - your body will get used to them and then they won't work when you get sick and really need them! Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Scorpio Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 I paid $80 for a derm-o to tell me to avoid shampoo with sulfates in it. No raptor-egg omelette for me that week. Link to post Share on other sites
SpiralOut Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 I used to have terrible skin. They put me on something, I think it was called tricyclene or tetracycline (it doubled up as a birth control) which helped to bring down the inflammation to a reasonable level. One of the worst things I was doing to my skin at the time was using too much toner. It's really harsh on the skin, especially if it's alcohol based. Cutting that out helped a lot. I'm not sure why, but I found that I had less acne when I exercised regularily. Something about sweating and drinking lots of water just made my skin look better. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
MrCastle Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Being minimalist often helps. Soap and water. I've had some horrific breakouts in my day. -Dial antibacterial soap for washing your face -Limit your use of scrubs and exfoliants, once a month if you have to, but if you don't need to, don't -Dickenson's Witch Hazel pads with aloe--individually wrapped, great for travel, you just pull one out and gently wipe your face when you're out and feel oil building up -Limit dairy (it worked for me) -Improve your diet -Drink lots of water -Don't touch your face -Clean sheets and pillowcases always. Wash them every week 3 Link to post Share on other sites
Emilia Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 I used to have terrible skin. They put me on something, I think it was called tricyclene or tetracycline (it doubled up as a birth control) This is what helped me. I'm not sure why, but I found that I had less acne when I exercised regularily. Something about sweating and drinking lots of water just made my skin look better. Sweating cleans your pores and lots of water in the system helps. Also Imported made a good point too I think. Do you get your pores cleaned in any way OP? I used to have regular facials when I had this issue, some with a high acid content and they greatly helped. Though acid treatmen can thin your skin so shouldn't do it long term only until acne gets under control Link to post Share on other sites
Emilia Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 -Limit your use of scrubs and exfoliants, once a month if you have to, but if you don't need to, don't I actually found that regular use of exfoliants have helped long term but I use very fine apricot seed shell rather than chemical. Gets rid of the dead skin and a lot of the bacteria. Helps keeping the pores open. Link to post Share on other sites
todreaminblue Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Hey everyone, I'm looking for some tips or advice. I have acne and lately I've been breaking out really bad. I've tried a bunch of different skin care systems (Proactiv, SkinID, Clinique, Biore, Noxzema, etc), and even just tried soap and water (as recommended by the dermatologist). Nothing has worked very well, and this breaking out is getting ridiculous and out of control. It's embarrassing. I'm at my wit's end! Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks! i have never really had acne even as a teen, i have clear skin unless i am sick i might get one pimple, i have a theory why ....i have really really hot showers..... dont wash may face directly with soap......good shampoo washes my face and good conditioner when i wash my hair which i do daily.......when i feel to hot i wash my face with cold water.......i am obsessive compulsive i have jars and jars of unopened skin care products......miracle creams anti aging creams...all in pretty boxes or jars......it has cost me a small fortune.......i never use them i just like the jars....i end up giving them away..deb Link to post Share on other sites
MrCastle Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 I actually found that regular use of exfoliants have helped long term but I use very fine apricot seed shell rather than chemical. Gets rid of the dead skin and a lot of the bacteria. Helps keeping the pores open. Depends on skin type. I have sensitive skin and it's a little raw from my over scrubbing/washing/treating it with harsh chemicals from my bad breakout days. An exfoliant for me would do more harm than good. Irritate the skin and make it more oily. People with bad acne should try to avoid exfoliants until their skin returns to a stronger, healthier texture. Link to post Share on other sites
ana0pera Posted April 15, 2013 Share Posted April 15, 2013 I recently bought this: Enzymatic Therapy, DermaKlear Akne Treatment Soap with Sulfur, 3 oz - iHerb.com so far so good, but I haven't been using it long enough to give a real good review. I hear that sulfur is good for the skin, but be careful that it isn't too harsh...if you notice your skin is drying out or peeling too much, cut back or discontinue use. I really like the smell of sulfur and the way it feels on my skin, but I am a weirdo. I used to love the Body Shop's tea tree line, and it did great things for my skin, but they changed some of their ingredients and I am also trying to go more natural with my cosmetics so I've stopped using that. I haven't found a good replacement tea tree oil product; I do put tea tree (dilute it!) on breakouts and scars but I find tea tree to be drying overall. I've used a few different brands of tea tree castile soaps and most people really like them, but not me. They seem to be too drying. I also do bentonite clay masks once a week... i mix it with water (some people like rose water) and oil like olive oil, vitamin e, or jojoba. I steam out my pores with a warm cloth to get the clay off once it has dried, and follow with a soap free cleanser (avalon organics has a nice citrus vitamin c one) then either more vitamin e oil or a night cream. a weekly facial that is much cheaper than a spa! Overall though I think less manipulation is best. But one interesting thing I've observed is that when I lived in the tropics my skin glowed and was flawless, which was weird because I was living in a rather industrial part of Southeast Asia and I am sure I was exposed to pollutants a lot. But my skin never looked better. Then when I came back to the U.S. it was nice for a while but eventually it started breaking out again. My theory is that because my skin is adapted to tropical climates (I am of African descent) it does much better there. I really like the humidity, it keeps my skin hydrated from the outside. Link to post Share on other sites
todreaminblue Posted May 2, 2013 Share Posted May 2, 2013 Get your hormones tested. Too much testosterone causes acne. i am estrogen girl and have always had really clear skin........that testosterone thing makes sense to me...maybe thats why i have clear skin...d.eb Link to post Share on other sites
Author Ash20 Posted May 11, 2013 Author Share Posted May 11, 2013 Thanks for the great advice! I will try some of this. I have not had facials. That would be something to try. I think keeping it simple and natural is a good idea. I will look around. Link to post Share on other sites
KraftDinner Posted May 11, 2013 Share Posted May 11, 2013 Thanks for the great advice! I will try some of this. I have not had facials. That would be something to try. I think keeping it simple and natural is a good idea. I will look around. Facials can be good. This might sound strange but trust me on this: go to someone who looks like you. Okay, hear me out. If you are fair, for example, go to someone fair. A really great facialist will be able to deal with all types of skin, blah blah blah...but they aren't scientists and the reality is that they're going to know their own skin best. I know that sounds weird but skin is SO delicate. Trust me on this one! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Biscous Posted May 12, 2013 Share Posted May 12, 2013 Amoxicillin fixed me up quite well. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Ash20 Posted May 19, 2013 Author Share Posted May 19, 2013 How do you get your hormones tested? Biscous, how long were you using amoxicillin? Link to post Share on other sites
Biscous Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 How do you get your hormones tested? Biscous, how long were you using amoxicillin? Less than two weeks. Got my wisdom teeth pulled and my doc prescribed amox to me as a preventative measure. Nice side effect. Link to post Share on other sites
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