ACNE
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I am 29, and I've had horrible skin - blotchy, breakouts, dry patches, etc. - since I hit puberty. It would drive me nuts, because I could somehow have horribly oily skin AND dry, flaky patches at the same time, with pimples right in the middle of the dry patches. Horrible.
I tried everything - proactiv, prescription, all-natural cleansers, neutrogena, clearasil, a whole range of moisturizers, etc., etc.
In February, my doctor told me he thought I might have a gluten sensitivity, based on some totally unrelated symptoms that I was having (touchy stomach, bad headaches, hair loss, fatigue, among other things). My celiac tests came back negative, but I decided to try a gluten free diet for just a month to see if it made any difference.
Well, it did, but the very first thing I noticed, within just a few days, was that my skin cleared up! Literally for the first time since middle school, I feel comfortable leaving my house without a ton of makeup on to cover up the blemishes and blotches. I just came through my first period ever without a major breakout, and instead of a heavy foundation, I'm wearing a light, tinted moisturizer.
Definitely take a look at your diet and see if there's anything there that might be causing an issue for you. For some people it's dairy, for some it's gluten... there might even be other things. It's not necessarily about eating a lot of junk food (I never really did), it's about eating something that doesn't react well with your body, which can be different for different people. Eating whole grains sounds really healthy, and is often recommended, but for me, it was inadvertently causing me all kinds of problems that could have easily been solved by cutting them out.
That's awesome! I am so happy for you! I actually feel like when I eat more carbs and sugars, I break out more. I may also be sensitive to gluten. UGH our bodies are so complex. I am just sick of adult acne. It comes and goes in cycles, and will be bad for a while, then it will clear up, then come back again, and so on.0 -
Is your skin oily? Mine is and I still get minor breakouts in my 40s. It just runs in the family. I stopped using foundation at all at about 17 and that helped a lot. I never found one that was good for oily skin. On the other hand, I don't have the wrinkles I should for my age. Swings and roundabouts really. Dry skin doesn't break out as badly but also isn't as elastic. Just try not to squeeze, witch hazel helps heal the spots, accept that you'll have a few and don't let it bother you too much:)
Yes I have oily skin- always have. Even in the winter (which winter to me is 40 degrees, as I live in Houston TX... lol) I hardly ever get dry skin.0 -
look into diy face masks and exfoliating. there are some really good ones on instructables dot com.
this is one I like
rub your affected area with a slice of grape fruit (tons of other fruit can be used instead) or skip this step
mix in the palm of your hand a teaspoon or more of honey and cinnamon
then rub that on your face, back, where ever.
the other one I really like is honey and uncoated aspirin. make sure it's un coated.
make a paste with 1 pill and honey in your palm
with either of these rub it around gently, avoiding the eyes
and wash off as you would anything else.
I also find that using the honey helps to moisturize, i have a hard time finding a moisturizer that
doesn't make me feel greasy or irritated.
either the aspirin or cinnamon help to exfoliate. they are dirt cheap.
it takes me more than a year to use my aspirin, since i only use it for this.
you can also use the aspirin mixed with whatever you like as a spot treatment
just be careful about leaving it on too long, it can be very drying.
the aspirin has salicylic acid in it, commonly found in some of the more expensive acne products.
it also helps with the inflammation.
I also found that putting also vera gel helps with the redness sometimes.
you can also find out more about glycolic treatments
there are some that you can make with fruit.
if you exfoliate and do the right treatment you
can prevent any cysts, if that is an issue.
remember your skin cells are on a 30 day or so cycle
so make sure you're exfoliating at least a few times in that month.
most say once a week, but your mileage may vary.
those all sound really awesome! I will have to try some! thank you!0 -
I'm 38 and still get acne at times, but it's gotten better since I have lost a lot of weight, and spent more time outside. Some of the other things that have helped:
Switching to SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) free shampoo.
Switching to Goat Milk based soap
Using a face cleanser that has salicylic acid in it
Using benzoyl peroxide daily on any trouble places (nose, chin, etc)
I do still get monthly crop ups, but they're less than they used to be.0 -
Try taking spirulina and chlorella, they do wonders for the skin.0
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"but said there was a key to preventing it that had to do with the body's waking and sleeping cycles. Basically, it's best to sleep and wake with the setting and rising sun, "
I seriously doubt when you sleep, as long as you're getting enough sleep, affects acne. especially hormonal acne.
that is just some kind of myth. If it was that easy we wouldn't need anything else.0 -
I am 26 and still break out. I, too, tried every topical remedy (seriously, if it existed, i probably tried it) - even tried an anti-biotic medication that I was severely allergic to, so i couldn't take that, either.
My skin is much better now, however and i only break out once a month. Some of the things I did that ended up helping was not using harsh cleansers - avoid cleansers that claim to exfoliate, especially. I know a lot of products market for exfoliating, but it can agitate your skin quite a lot and make acne much worse. When you wash your face with a gentle soap, don't scrub or rub it into your skin much. The skin on your face is very sensitive. I also moisturize twice a day since sometimes breakouts can occur because your skin creates excess oil due to being too dry.
I do drink a lot more water now, as well. You said you drink enough, so that might not be the problem, but definitely stick to drinking lots of water anyway.
And lastly, I did go on the BC pill. It has regulated my hormones and now, when I do break out, it isn't as bad and it much more manageable.
Everyone is different. I'm not saying what works for me will work for you, but if you haven't tried these things, it couldn't hurt. c:
Thank you for your input! I hear the BC suggestion a lot. I would just feel too weird going on it, as I am not sexually active and am waiting until marriage (I know that people still take it just for acne though.) Personal feelings, of course.
I am not trying to knock any kind of medication, but I just have a weird thing about pills. I take vitamins, and one 24 hour allergy pill every day, and that's it.0 -
I also thought that perhaps caffeine could be the culprit (as I am a coffee FIEND), and successfully limited my coffee/caffeine consumption to a very small amount and it didn't do much good.0
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Try taking spirulina and chlorella, they do wonders for the skin.
Really? I have spirulina at home! I just never use it. haha.0 -
haha, that would entail going to bed quite early wouldnt it? Never heard that one.0
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I was your age with the same problem. I too drank a crap load of water. Just a few things I figured out along the way:
1. Fat does not cause acne.
2. Sugar does not cause acne, though I initially thought that given I was eating a bit and had acne. Cut it out and it didn't work. A bad diet can cause it though. That being said with the wrong diet cutting out certain things could benefit it but that doesn't make it the cause.
3. Since you brought up number 1, are you sure you're getting enough fat in your diet? Most of the nutrient dense foods you are eating have fat soluble nutrients. If you're not getting enough fat, you're not absorbing those nutrients.
4. Shampoo, change it. That was a big one for me. Especially if you're getting acne around the forehead and chin.
5. Fixing the problem should not consist of one size fits all like cutting out sugar and coffee. I eat plenty of both when I thought it was the culprit before. Peoples diets are different, the thing you are missing may not be the thing that another person was missing/having to much of.
This is a shot in the dark but I'll bring it up. What is your macronutrients set up like? And are you hitting your micronutrients? I find that if I eat to many carbs and don't hit my protein and fat goals (which I have set up much higher then MFP recommendations) I start to break out again. No, carbs are not evil, I eat plenty of them. But if I lack the other things, I break out. So if I exercise I can eat more extra calories, and I usually choose carbs, and have no problems. If I don't and decide to have a bunch of carbs and don't hit my protein and fats, I break out. Get adequate protein and fats first, then fill the rest with carbs or whatever you like.
Also worth mentioning I hated dairy as a kid and never drank it. I drink several glasses a milk a day now with no problems.0 -
Water. Green Tea. Water. Rinse Repeat. Really these anti-oxidants and keeping your body hydrated are 2 of the greatest things you can do for your skin.
Love green tea!!! I havent been drinking it as much lately! Do you reccommend green tea supplements or just drinking it?0 -
I was your age with the same problem. I too drank a crap load of water. Just a few things I figured out along the way:
1. Fat does not cause acne.
2. Sugar does not cause acne, though I initially thought that given I was eating a bit and had acne. Cut it out and it didn't work. A bad diet can cause it though. That being said with the wrong diet cutting out certain things could benefit it but that doesn't make it the cause.
3. Since you brought up number 1, are you sure you're getting enough fat in your diet? Most of the nutrient dense foods you are eating have fat soluble nutrients. If you're not getting enough fat, you're not absorbing those nutrients.
4. Shampoo, change it. That was a big one for me. Especially if you're getting acne around the forehead and chin.
This is a shot in the dark but I'll bring it up. What is your macronutrients set up like? And are you hitting your micronutrients? I find that if I eat to many carbs and don't hit my protein and fat goals (which I have set up much higher then MFP recommendations) I start to break out again. No, carbs are not evil, I eat plenty of them. But if I lack the other things, I break out. So if I exercise I can eat more extra calories, and I usually choose carbs, and have no problems. If I don't and decide to have a bunch of carbs and don't hit my protein and fats, I break out. Get adequate protein and fats first, then fill the rest with carbs or whatever you like.
Also worth mentioning I hated dairy as a kid and never drank it. I drink several glasses a milk a day now with no problems.
Thank you so much for taking time out to tell me all of this. I truly appreciate it. And I appreciate all of you posting on here. You all are AMAZING.
Could you explain macro and micro nutrients to me? I keep hearing it but dont really understand (forgive me)
I do my best to have a high protein, lower carb diet (but not insanely low carb)
feel free to check out my food diary (not yesterday, or weekends particularly because I break my routines on the weekends) and let me know what you think. maybe there is something I could be incorporating into my diet that isnt there, or something I could try taking out.0 -
No problem and I just added some things to that post so you may want to read it again.Thank you so much for taking time out to tell me all of this. I truly appreciate it. And I appreciate all of you posting on here. You all are AMAZING.
Could you explain macro and micro nutrients to me? I keep hearing it but dont really understand (forgive me)
I do my best to have a high protein, lower carb diet (but not insanely low carb)
feel free to check out my food diary (not yesterday, or weekends particularly because I break my routines on the weekends) and let me know what you think. maybe there is something I could be incorporating into my diet that isnt there, or something I could try taking out.
Macro nutrients are protein, fat, and carbs.
Micro nutrients are the rest of the nutrients.
If you read up on protein over weight people need extra, exercising people need extra, etc. The MFP recommendations are based on the RDI which is suppose to be the minimum for a healthy individual but ironically it doesn't take into account the energy metabolism so it's also a minimum for healthy sized sedentary individuals. Most healthy people who exercise and looked into things recommend about 1.8g/kg of body weight or .8g/lb of body weight. Initially that sounded ridiculous to me since I was ignorant of many things but after researching it I stuck to it. My nails have gotten stronger and so has my hair and it's also gotten a fair bit silkier. Some people who have not looked into protein requirements may bring up the fact that to much protein can cause liver problems, and they would be correct. And to much protein is far more then that. Protein is also important for keeping lean body mass, and helps get rid of more fat during weight loss. The biggest problem you'll see on these forums is someone (who has not looked into any of this) on a low calorie diet telling an obese individual they're having to much protein because 1 they're not eating enough and 2 they're not obese.
Fats, you need them to absorb nutrients, don't skimp out on them.
Carbs, they are not evil. But make sure you fill the other 2 before you fill this one. They are important for recovery of muscles during exercise.0 -
After looking at your profile and seeing that you are a fairly slim girl who has a very low calorie goal much lower then your BMR and much lower then mine I would say you're not eating enough fat and you're not eating enough protein. I was in the same situation. I was also very cold lol.0
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It's different for everyone. I have hormonal acne. I'm almost 26, and it's always there a little bit, but it's definitely worse when I get stressed (and being in veterinary school, that happens a lot, haha!). For me, keeping it under control is a combination, none of which are food. 1) Keeping my face clean. I rarely wear make-up, and I use a gentle cleanser (like Spectro or Cetaphil) twice a day, plus after work-outs. As soon as I finish a work-out, I use unscented baby wipes if I can't shower right away. This also means keeping my hair clean and my pillow cases clean. 2) Birth control pills. 3) A supplement called Perfect Skin by Genuine Health. It's mostly omega-3 fish oil with chromium and zinc and some other stuff. It's not cheap but I did see a huge improvement in my skin after I'd been on it for about 3 weeks. But everyone's different, so it might not work for you.0
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After looking at your profile and seeing that you are a fairly slim girl who has a very low calorie goal much lower then your BMR and much lower then mine I would say you're not eating enough fat and you're not eating enough protein. I was in the same situation. I was also very cold lol.
Thanks for checking me out! How much protein do you consider a lot?0 -
It's different for everyone. I have hormonal acne. I'm almost 26, and it's always there a little bit, but it's definitely worse when I get stressed (and being in veterinary school, that happens a lot, haha!). For me, keeping it under control is a combination, none of which are food. 1) Keeping my face clean. I rarely wear make-up, and I use a gentle cleanser (like Spectro or Cetaphil) twice a day, plus after work-outs. As soon as I finish a work-out, I use unscented baby wipes if I can't shower right away. This also means keeping my hair clean and my pillow cases clean. 2) Birth control pills. 3) A supplement called Perfect Skin by Genuine Health. It's mostly omega-3 fish oil with chromium and zinc and some other stuff. It's not cheap but I did see a huge improvement in my skin after I'd been on it for about 3 weeks. But everyone's different, so it might not work for you.
Like the above person said it's amazing what a clean pillow case can do. And while I was told mine was hormonal and when I was on birth control pills it did help, a diet change made a world of difference with me. You'd never say I had a problem. Other then my freckles, my face is pretty damn clear now for a 30 year old old biddy.
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I take biotin 2 times a day and it has helped my skin, nails and hair ....its in the vitamin section of stores ,,,, I got mine at Walmart .....0
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i like the green tea with mint, no way the pill is as good for you as just drinking it
I also like washing my face with lava soap. it's like having a clay mask every day.
and it lasts for months for me, i think i need to buy it maybe every 2 months,
and it's the only thing I use for washing besides the masks I already said.
i'm not sure if it has made much of a difference, but you could try it.
also, it's one of the few soaps that doesn't dry out my hands and give me a rash,
so if you dont like it on your face, you can always just use it for basic handwashing or
give it to a guy friend or brother. supposed to be good for getting off grime from working
on cars and stuff.0 -
^biotin is great for the skin nails and hair. It binds to proteins, if you're not getting enough protein, it's not much good. Also, if you don't want to take pills, you can eat an egg, there's lots of it in thoseI take biotin 2 times a day and it has helped my skin, nails and hair ....its in the vitamin section of stores ,,,, I got mine at Walmart .....
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I have always had bad acne as well. It cleared a bit when I had my daughter 3 years ago but over the past 9 months or so, I have cut out pop, used Mary Kay religiously twice a day and have tried to limit my cheese consumption (I love cheese/dairy). It has seriously done wonders and does not make my face dry, break out or sensitive (some products that were prescribed did).0
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My Doc told me to give up dairy... haven't had a blemish since. And it was BAD before. Good luck.0
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Try cutting out dairy, as someone mentioned, for a few weeks to see if there is an improvement. If not, then cut out wheat for a few weeks.
Dairy and wheat are two big triggers for a lot of people with acne.0 -
Actually, you will find that menopause really changes your skin. No more zits.i'm in my 30's i'm probably going to have it till i'm a hundred.0 -
I have moderate acne and NOTHING I eat or product I've used has helped... Except tanning. Crazy, I know but whenever I tan, my face clears up and stays clear.
same here! being in the sun helps my skin a lot! its the vitamin d, isnt it? i bought vitamin d supplements and have been taking them and i thought it was working for a while but i honestly dont think it is. lol0 -
to anyone i havent replied to yet, thank you so much!!!!! i feel so loved with all of the advice feel free to add me as a friend on here. i need all the buds i can get! xoxo 0
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i like the green tea with mint, no way the pill is as good for you as just drinking it
I also like washing my face with lava soap. it's like having a clay mask every day.
and it lasts for months for me, i think i need to buy it maybe every 2 months,
and it's the only thing I use for washing besides the masks I already said.
i'm not sure if it has made much of a difference, but you could try it.
also, it's one of the few soaps that doesn't dry out my hands and give me a rash,
so if you dont like it on your face, you can always just use it for basic handwashing or
give it to a guy friend or brother. supposed to be good for getting off grime from working
on cars and stuff.
very very interesting! i have never heard of lava soap. what is in it?0 -
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, if you are not getting enough fat, it doesn't help much. Also, in supplemental form, it isn't well absorbed. It's better absorbed via the sun/tanning. It is created on the skin during this process and later absorbed. sunblock prevents the creation and showering/bathing washes it off. That's one of the many reasons it's recommended not to shower immediately after sun bathing. I'm a pale red head and still find light doses of sun or tanning (when I can convince the salons to let me) highly helpful.I have moderate acne and NOTHING I eat or product I've used has helped... Except tanning. Crazy, I know but whenever I tan, my face clears up and stays clear.
same here! being in the sun helps my skin a lot! its the vitamin d, isnt it? i bought vitamin d supplements and have been taking them and i thought it was working for a while but i honestly dont think it is. lol0
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