So, can anyone recommend good facial cleanser?

I'm 40 and I feel your pain. I've had good luck with Garnier Nutritioniste Nutri-Pure detoxifying cream cleanser. it's gentle, oil-free, and really minimizes my break-outs. and my pores are getting smaller.

So is it coincidence that the add on the top of this post is for organic acne cleanser? Hmmmm.

I started with cystic forehead acne mixed with the bumpy chin acne when I turned 30 and tried every prescription medication out there. Nothing was working for more than a week or two, so I started trying all kinds of crazy home remedies. Here are the few that I've stuck with.

Try a sulfur soap (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=sulfur+soap)

and then apply tea tree oil before bed (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=tea+tree+oil&rh=i:aps,k:tea+tree+oil).

The sulfur soap is good for drying out, but I think dove soap works just as well if you aren't too oily. Tea tree oil has saved my face and healed any scaring. (Tea tree oil, extracted from leaves of a tree native to Australia, is well known for it's anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. It is used to for a number of things, including bad breath, athlete's foot, cold sores, body odor and even acne. While tea tree oil is effective in killing the bacteria which causes acne, it is important that you learn how to use it first.)


Also, splashing your face with cold salt (table salt is fine) water for about 5 mins 2x a day will do the trick - if your face is really oily, look here: http://www.livestrong.com/article/86768-oily-skin-problems/

One I've wanted to try, but can't vouch for just yet - cut a lemon in half and smooth honey over it, then rub on your face:

Honey

Honey has been used for many years in skin care regimens because of the abundance of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals, and natural moisturizing properties, which are beneficial to facial skin. Honey also has natural anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties which encourage clear, hydrated skin.

Lemon

Lemon is found in many facial treatment recipes because of its ability to brighten skin and counteract acne breakouts. According to Dr. Randall Neustaedter, OMD, who practices in homeopathic and oriental medicine in Redwood City, CA, acne can be treated with lemon juice which can be applied directly to the face with a cotton ball, allowed to sit for ten minutes, and then rinsed away with warm water.


And, like others have stated, it is both hormonal and genetic. Always use non-comedogenic make-ups and lotions.

I use Kiehls products for my skin. www.kiehls.com

What's your stress level currently? When I was promoted from part time to full time here at work, it took a couple weeks for me to give my 2 weeks notice to my night time job. During that 3 week/month period my skin went crazy. 4-5 cystic zits on my chin, around my nose and forehead.

I tried really hard to be more relaxed, exercise more, drink water, lower my stress levels. Now my skin's back to normal.

I use St. Ives Green Tea Scrub. Smells amazing, my skin FEELS amazing and it helps control breakouts!! And it's less than $3 a bottle.

I used Proactiv for years. It worked well. But the moment I stopped using it, my acne came right back.

how about steam sauna

I have been an Esthetician for 11 years and am begging you not to use Pro-Activ. It's like using battery acid on your face! It's a horrible product. Here is what I use. Since you are in your 30's (like me) and are still getting hormonal acne (which is anywhere from the chin to jawline...and usually whatever side is breaking out worse is what side your a ovulating on) I would try Murad's Time Release Acne Cleanser. It's desigined for woman in the 30's-40's to provide an acne treatment and an anti-age treatment in one. Here is a link to the entire Time Release kit....http://www.murad.com/anti-aging-acne.

The main thing to remember is even though your skin is breaking out and may be more on the oily side....you've got to moisturize. When your skin is dehydrated from lack of moisturizer, your body will produce more oil to compensate for the lack of hydration. More oil=more breakouts! I would seriously suggest you getting a facial treatment from a professional and have them help you find a product line that works best for you and your budget

Some other product lines I like are: Dermalogica and Pevonia

great advice-I agree w/o moisturizer my face immediately breaks out.

I use Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleasner.

http://www.sephora.com/aha-bha-exfoliating-cleanser-P4010?om_mmc=Googlepla&_requestid=42976&cm_mmc=us_search-_-GG-_-pla-_-{keyword}&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=653972

I have very oily skin though with some moderate acne. Actually, the acne has been pretty non existant since I started using this stuff. It also evens out my skin tone, reduces pore size and really helps with fine lines. I've also been using Clinque Dark Spot Corrector for acne marks. It's expensive, but it works.

cinnamon, nutmeg and honey. It will sting a little if you have sensitive skin, but I loved it! and its cheap!

ST ives green tea works good, and I also heard baking soda as well

Burt's Bees Radiance is my favorite.

I like St. Ives Apricot Scrub with salicylic acid. I sometimes leave it on for awhile as a mask, and then scrub and rinse it off. It works wonders for me, and it's very affordable (stores often have their own brand of it, too).

This is probably one of the worst products on the market. It is made up of crushed apricot shells with jagged edges that actually make cuts in your skin....... That's the last thing that you want to do with acne is to open up your skin for bacteria to enter. You want to keep your skin exfoliated, but look for something that has round beads - like Jojoba beads.

I only use ivory to wash my face, then i have a prescription vitamin a cream i put on morning and night, i only use mineral makeup and always wash it off before bed. Dont touch your face with your hands, and sleep on a silk pillow case. Try this for about a week and you will see it get better and better.

Cetaphil. Even with my out of control hormones it keeps my face clean, soft and fairly breakout free. I use St. Ives scrub once or twice a week and love Mario Badescu's drying lotion for when I do get breakouts.