best toner ever: tea tree oil, water, apple cider vinegar (smelly but effective, so use it at night! helps skin return to a balanced ph)

best exfoliant ever: baking soda and water (restores natural ph balance and helps get rid of scarring)

I havent had a zit (that didnt disappear overnight) since i started this over a year ago!

best of luck!

I've tried pretty much everything but Accutane. Retin-A, Duac, differin, moncycline, doxycycline, benzoil peroxide, etc. bactrim, an oral antibiotic worked for me.

I have actually been on Accutane three times. It works but then in about a year, year and half it comes back. So I'm done with that because of the drying out it did on my lips and I got nose bleeds from it.

However, quartizone shots work well if you can get them.

Nature's Cure.
Was skeptical of it at first but when I tried it (and took it continously) my skin cleared up! It was a MIRACLE.

Tetracycline worked for me when I was younger. It's less drastic than Accutane, but does the same thing. It can be prescribed for moderate acne. Retina may also be helpful. I would recommend talking to your dermatologist about those.

Lately my skin has been pretty good. I drink a lot of water (10-12 glasses a day) and I'm a vegan; I think these things really help. Having a good natural diet can really help you, and getting exercise.

My skincare advice is to not use any topical products that are too extreme unless they are prescribed. Use really gentle products. When I was having acne issues my dermatologist recommended Cetaphil antibacterial bar. That worked very nicely as a gentle cleanser.

Usually though, I use Purity by Philosophy cleanser twice a day, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion at night, and Eucerin Everyday Protection SPF 30 during the day. A couple times a week I will use Neutrogena blackhead eliminating scub. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is amazing if you can afford it.

The thing that I've found is the gentler the products you use on your face, the happier your skin is. Using a bunch of harsh products just irritates and dries out your skin, making it produce more oil and get clogged up with dead skin cells.

I have enjoyed relatively clear skin. Two years ago, I started to break out. It wouldn't leave for six months. I tried the masks, clay, mud, ProActiv, it didn't work, in some cases, it aggravated my skin more and further irritated it with its harsh chemicals. I went to a dermatologist as I was getting scared - I couldn't figure it out. The dermatologist introduced me to Cetaphil.

Turns out, stress has a LOT to do with breakouts. My day job was driving me crazy. I also noticed, form of habit, that I kept rubbing or touching my face without realizing it half the time. I started washing my hands more and cut my nails down as they are havens for dirt to get trapped under easily.

I stopped using soaps to wash my face and not stay long in hot showers. I started using Cetaphil religiously. Put it on with clean cotton pads and then wipe off with fresh clean cotton pads. When I came in from outside, I immediately washed my hands then cleaned my face with Cetaphil (no water, just Cetaphil pure, straight from the bottle onto a cotton pad). Before going to sleep, use Cetaphil. Wake up in the morning, use Cetaphil. I do not scrub my face dry with a clean towel but pat dry. I change and wash my pillowcase once a week. If my skin feels dry or rough or just looks dull, I occasionally use Biore heating mask. But that may be once a month, I try not to do too much to my face as less is more.

I also drink more water and made the effort to stop touching my face with my hands so much. Within days it disappeared, by two weeks my skin was healed.

Also, go get a full physical from your doctor, blood tests and all - get your thyroid checked, check your hormone levels to see if anything is out of whack, because sometimes a skin condition is an indicator for something more serious. I don't recall you saying you were a teenager or not, but the dermatologist doesn't have a clue by now? You may need to get a full blood workup and write down everything you eat, you might even be allergic to something in your home, in the air or in your food and drink. Sometimes one can develop an allergy without knowing it and sometimes allergies disappear too. Your body changes all the time as you age.

Good luck.

please please please try a acne product regimen called Acne Free. you can get it from walmart, target, cvs, walgreens...pretty much anywhere. I used to have horrible horrible acne and I tried ProActiv and it made it worse. i have oily skin and it made my skin more oily and shiny and breakouts got worse. i've been using Acne Free for over a year now and my skin is still perfect! I have really oily skin and I tried the Acne Free Severe first because I thought there was no way the original formula would work...but the severe line was too severe and dried out my skin too much and made it red and itchy. so i just exchanged it for the original 3 step kit and it works perfect! I also use the terminator cream in the orange tube. please try it...it changed my life and my face!!!