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!!!

quote:

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quote:

Originally posted by Evan:
Don't use on your skin what you won't put in your mouth.

THAT is not true!! Tretinoid (Retin-A) cream is the BOMB. It is prescription only and you would not put that in your mouth! WOW it makes you flake and shed all the crap skin off. Great for acne, wrinkles, you name it. Also heard great things about Obagi. People may mentioned these already but I wasn't going to read five pages of posts before offering help here. So, over the counter stuff in general is not much chop. Prescription strength stuff is the way to go. My skin is really looking great. I have a nasty habit of squeezing pimples and then they scar. It looks like Tretinoid is going to clear me up! FYI jump the border and buy it in Mexico. WAAAAY cheaper and you don't need a script! BUT ONLY US A PEA SIZED AMOUNT AT A TIME AS IT IS STRONG AND CAN BE DANGEROUS. Start with 0.05 % strength. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR THE CORRECT APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS. I used too much and got intense headaches that would NOT budge even with pain killers. ONLY US A PEA SIZE AMOUNT. I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH. THIS STUFF CAN BE TOXIC!!!!!!!WARNING!!!!!! But it is the best thing on the market.

FYI I made a typo. It is TRETINOIN not TRETINOID. Duh to me!!

Did you ever try Clindagel? Prescription also.

I need to say again- I am literally watching my face clear so fast!!! SOOOO excited! This stuff is all I ever dreamed of!!! I know the lines are going to vanish, the blemishes already are!!!!

Retin-A = <3 Also cut back on the dairy.

Dairy can ABSOLUTELY further exacerbate existing acne, as can soy and shellfish. So, if you are getting headshots done soon, stay away from all these products for a few weeks. I use AcneFree, it's knock-off ProActive, available at any drug store and then hydrocortisone cream, like Cortaid. Amazing. Takes away all redness. A friend who I'd trust to death with all things regarding skin care recommended Cortaid to me and I haven't gone back! Given, this is for regular breakouts, not hard-core acne. Go to the doctor for that!

Well I had severe acne and did everything possible. I believe in accutane, it's the only thing that fix my face. Now I wear make up to cover up scars, so I'm planning for laser cosmetic or laser or peel. Depends which is best.

To all people with mild acne: instead of scrubs, try scrubbing with sea salt or salt with the size of scrubs...maybe a bit bigger grains. My dermatologist gave me medication that sucks the water out of the body, dries the face and makes pimples better....I believe accutane makes your face and everything else very dry too.

So I tried sea salt on my face, a gentle scrub will do, since people tell you not to eat a lot of salty foods because you'll retain water.

Anyway, after it, a mild moisturizer, keep the routine up for a week, once a day. It works for me. Don't over do it, because you can irritate your face.

It sound to me that you might be using too many products or perhaps going a bit overboard in the quest for acne free face.

My very best advise is Go see dermatologist or at the very least an aesthetician, try a medispa. Retin-A and Accutane are not for everyone, they actually might make things worse. This is your skin and a quick fix will not do, especially if you are in your teens.

You sound like you might have eczema either way here are some tips

Things you might want get:
1. Gentle facial cleanser, try eczema products. I use Aquopher it’s worth every penny.
2. Moisturizer for YOUR skin type w/ SPF, I always use a water base moisturizer
3. non alcohol based toner, I use Witch Hazel
4. Facial streamer, they about $20.
5. 1 type of drug store acne treatment.
6. Zeno
7. a facial mask for YOUR skin type,
8. facial bolting sheet
9. hand sanitizer

Tips.

1. DO NOT pick at your face
2. in the morning, ONLY wash and moisturizer
3. during day, do not touch you face unless your hands are clean
4. bolt your face a couple time during day
5. drink water
6. stay away from shellfish or anything with high levels of sodium ( just say no to SALT)
7. at night, wash, tone, moisturizer, after they moisturizer has seeped completely into your skin, apply acne treatment only on the acne.
8. steam your face at least once a week, but if it’s dry outside Steam as needed (Hint: if your lips are dry, steam your face…and put some lip balm)
9. ONCE a week, use the facial must ( JUST ONCE A WEEK) and then only wash and moisturizer
10. if you see a new pimple use the Zeno, or steam it and put dab on extra cream, no more then 2 times a day.
11. Get facials once a month
12. DON’T Drink, Smoke do drugs, DO NOT pick at your face
13. RELAX, drink water, exercise, get plenty of sleep

“ONCE a week, use the facial must (JUST ONCE A WEEK) and then only wash and moisturizer”
I am sorry I meant to say Facial Mask

Todd,
When posted my advice to you I didn’t realize this post was 6 pages long! I want to tell you something very important; just because some products are expensive, hard to find, exotic sounding or work for someone else it doesn’t mean they will work for you. Never use alcohol-based or oil-based products they are bad your skin. End of story.

In all honesty I believe you have eczema. Do you have allergies or asthma or both? Maybe someone in your immediate family? If so the chances that you have atopic dramatis is very high. I know I because I have all three, and my skin gets really bad if I don’t care for the eczema properly when the seasons begin to change.

Eczema doesn’t always look like scaly red rash or hives! On your face it looks just like acne.