I can't get rid of them...
I've tried differin gel, clearasil, pills (Clindamycin), a lot of water, cetaphil soap, cetaphil moisterizing cream, cream that dries up my face and causes the acne to disintegrate off.
I see my dermatologist frequently.

Can anyone recommend a regimen for me with specific products? I'll try anything at this point.

Why don't you try Proactiv? I had a problem with occasional pimples and tried it...cleared my problem right up. Now I use it as my daily face wash. I think there is a 60 day money back guarantee. They have both original and a gentle formula (that isn't advertised on the website). I use the gentle now and like it a lot. The original formula was little harsh on my face because I have sensitive skin.

I saw a bit on the news about a new product that zaps them. It's called Zeno and approved by FDA.

ZENO

I used Proactiv and it cleared my skin. I have super sensitive skin, and Proactiv was so drying that it was difficult for me to smile. I felt like I'd had Botox or a face lift. I cut down to just using their cleanser and mask, but when I ran out, they wouldn't let me order only the products I needed. I wasn't about to buy the whole package when I could only use certain products, so I switched to using The Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil face wash, mask and scrub.

Good luck!

oh, and there's alway accutane, depending upon how serious your acne is .

Unfortunately...I forgot to mention Proactiv.
I used it and it worked for awhile but stopped working when my skin adapted to the routine. This has become a pattern with all products I try. Everything works for a little while but then my skin adapts to it...and then my pimples come back with a vengeance...and make me cry.

I try juggling treatments (ex. taking differin gel for a month and then switching to clearasil the following month )but this is suprisingly uneffective for me.

And what makes me even more frustrated about this problem is that my pimples aren't even bad enough for me to get acutane!

KatieD- Are the Body Shop products helpful? Are they more effective than proactiv?

I'm assuming since you know that your pimples aren't bad enough for Accutane that you've been to a dermatologist. How about Retin A? That helped me.

Or you could have the opposite problem - your skin could now be so dehydrated that it is irritated deep into the dermis and it really needs moisture, not drying, to help with the acne. I had infrequent flare ups (always at the most opportune times!!!) and tried the most expensive face cream on the planet - La Mer - and my face has not only been totally clear, but my skin has never looked better. But it's amazingly expensive....just a thought! Good luck!

Oh, I almost forgot to mention the skin care line that I think is awesome is DHC - it's from Japan - and available online at www.dhccare.com.

Hey Zippy,
Which La Mer product is it that you've been using?

Thanks!
APE

The original cream. I bought the set that has the cleanser, toner, cream, lotion, eye cream and lifting serum in it for dry skin. I would never consider myself a person with dry skin, but it worked wonders!!!

Oh, Zippy... you're my hero!
You hit the "nail on the donkey" (sorry, I'm at a loss for cliches). The problem is that my skin is not too wet, it's too dry!
...

I didn't realize this.
...

Anyway,I haven't tried La Mer yet, nor have I tried Retin A so I'll ask my dermatologist about it. Thank you for the suggestions!
Oh... and the link is also fabulous.

Worst case scenario--if La Mer, Retin A, and Body Shop fail-- I could always try the aforementioned Zeno and tazer my pimples off.

todd have you also tried checking out if your diet is affecting your skin? I know that if I'm not getting my 6-8 glasses of water a day my skin goes haywire. Also if I haven't been consuming enough fruits and veggies. Assuming that your a guy (you could never tell on this boards :grin check your shaving cream, lotions and astringents see if there's any alcohol in it, if there is get rid of it, alcohol is very drying to the skin. try Aveeno, Neutregena or Kiehls line of products they have ones for sensitive skin and it won't dry your skin.

Cheers!

Todd, I really feel for you cause I was in the exact same position as you about a year ago...not bad enough for accutane but nothing else seemed to work...honestly, one day I was so fed up I made an appointment w/ the dermatologist and basically made them put me on accutane. Obviously they are not quick to give this stuff out because it has major side effects but seriously it is the best thing I ever did and the ONLY thing that worked. Interestingly enough, I was broken out until the last pill and once I was done it was like the next week I was completely clear and I've stayed that way ever since. So, I don't know, but maybe if you make it clear that this is something you really want to try they will re-evaluate your situation. Good Luck!

Aceny- Thank you for the tip.
It's not so much my diet that is causing the problem...I think it's the weather! I live in Northern New Jersey and I notice that whenever Summer fades into Fall (and particularly around the time when fall fades into winter)...I get a HUGE amount of acne all over my face! Winter is the worst. Ugh! I dread it!

I'm always excited when I get to travel to warm tropical areas because these areas (like Puerto Rico, Cancun, St. Thomas, etc. etc.) give me a fighting chance to burn these bad boys off my face ( I know, I know. You don't need to tell me... there are health risks to exposing yourself to the sun). But desperate times call for desperate measures.

Actually...climate change in general helps me get rid of pimples. I was in San Francisco about a month ago. When I returned home to New Jersey, I checked the mirror in my house and was surprised to see that my face had cleared up!

Can anyone explain this to me? San Francisco is pretty much 70� all year round. I thought this would be suicide for my face. Guess not.

DrLeoMarvin-
I don't know if I can qualify for accutane (at this point in time) because I'm taking plenty of other pills. Pills that may proliferate the chances of liver failure if mixed with accutane. Also, I don't know if I can afford to sacrifice all other pills just for this one pill.
Did you know that I have a special wallet just for pills? I know...it is scary to me too.

Anyway, I really don't know if I have reached the end of the rope here(sorry, I'm at a loss for cliches once again). I really want to be absolutely sure that there are no other possible cures aside from Plan X. After all, there are some major health risks to Plan X. But thank you for the advice. I will keep your assertiveness in mind when I've reached the point of insanity where I "just can't take it anymore!!"

It sounds like the weather is drying out your skin which causes it to break out. Summer in NYC is humid there's a lot of moisture in the air. San Francisco weather is also very moist (I know I'm from there). When the weather changes from summer to fall and through winter the air becomes very dry and it must be affecting your skin. You should really talk to your doctor about this because in combination with the weather and whatever pills you are taking it might be wreaking havoc on your skin.

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Quoted from wholehealthmd.com:

"A nutrient-rich, balanced daily diet is key to building and maintaining healthy skin. A diet rich in foods containing beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin B6 is vital for a clear, glowing complexion. In general, a daily diet that provides 5 or more servings of fresh vegetables and fruits (including at least one citrus) will provide healthy amounts of skin-improving vitamins. Flaxseed oil and other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids should also be heartily consumed because of their role in skin health. Eating zinc-rich foods along with essential fatty acids may be beneficial. Liver-strengthening nutrients are recommended to improve acne and include protein from plant sources, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. Because acne seems to be associated with Western diets, many experts advise acne sufferers to consume a diet high in fiber and low in fat and refined carbohydrates.

flaxseed oil
The essential fatty acids in flaxseed oil are largely responsible for its skin-healing powers. In cases of acne, the EFAs encourage thinning of the oily sebum that clogs pores. "
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Aside from the medication, food, water and products that you use to treat acne, don't forget the importance of Sleeping!!
Make sure you're in the Deep-Sleep mode from 11:00PM - 2:00AM - that's the time where your skin starts to regenerate itself. Get a least 7-8 hours of sleep everyday.

Reduce the intake of coffee, tea (with caffine), soda and milk. try Green Tea.