I Need Some Skin Advice..

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Replies

  • LiquidSugarr
    LiquidSugarr Posts: 50 Member
    The only thing that's ever really worked for me is being on the birth control pill. I almost never had any acne issues when on it. Not that I have a severe problem, but I usually have at least one that doesn't go away for like weeks. I've tried every face wash, they don't really make any difference. I miss my pills :(

    I was on birth control once and it made me really sick, didn't clear up my skin, and made me fat...
  • RunningMama1276
    RunningMama1276 Posts: 15 Member
    I've never had bad acne, just the occasional pimple we all get. But within the passed year my face has been breaking out a lot and getting worse these passed few months. It's really bad, some of the acne looks like I have huge planets on my face. It's embarrassing and hard to hide. I've used pretty much everything that you can find over the counter. I'm at my wits end and don't know what else to do. I'm twenty-two this phase of my life should be behind me. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

    Based on personal experience, I would (in no particular order):
    1. Go to an allergy doc and get tested. When I had my issues creep up, this was my first step. Found out I had the same allergies since I was about 12 (I am now 35), but this was still good info to have.
    2. See a dermatologist. This was my next step. Turns out, "adult acne". Was put on doxycylin for awhile (about 3 months to calm everything down), along with a prescription mosturizer. This has made a world of difference!

    Yes, washing your face before bed can make a difference, but there may be other underlying issues.

    Good luck!
  • determinedbutlazy
    determinedbutlazy Posts: 1,941 Member
    Try some cheap, non-coated aspirin pills, ground up with a little water.
    Apply to damp skin with a cotton ball in circles.
    Leave on your face til dry (normally 10 minutes).
    Wash off and use whatever you normally cleanse with.
    Moisturise.

    I do this once a week, it exfoliates and cleanses... The key ingredient in lots of anti-acne medicine is salicylic acid, and it's the active ingredient in aspirin!
  • xosmsox
    xosmsox Posts: 119
    The only thing that's ever really worked for me is being on the birth control pill. I almost never had any acne issues when on it. Not that I have a severe problem, but I usually have at least one that doesn't go away for like weeks. I've tried every face wash, they don't really make any difference. I miss my pills :(

    I was on birth control once and it made me really sick, didn't clear up my skin, and made me fat...
    There are many kinds of birth control available. The estrogen levels may have been too high which made you sick. Oh and pregnancy makes you fatter than any pill (;
  • LiquidSugarr
    LiquidSugarr Posts: 50 Member
    The only thing that's ever really worked for me is being on the birth control pill. I almost never had any acne issues when on it. Not that I have a severe problem, but I usually have at least one that doesn't go away for like weeks. I've tried every face wash, they don't really make any difference. I miss my pills :(

    I was on birth control once and it made me really sick, didn't clear up my skin, and made me fat...
    There are many kinds of birth control available. The estrogen levels may have been too high which made you sick. Oh and pregnancy makes you fatter than any pill (;

    Lol that it does! But I wouldn't mind it. I feel like I'm getting old lol.
  • ddog6
    ddog6 Posts: 13
    I suggest seeing a dermatologist or esthetician they can help you figure out what kind of acne and a good skin care regimen for you. I had HORRIBLE acne about a year or so ago and started going to an esthetician for facials and now my skin is so so much better! I agree you need to wash daily (morning/night), moisturize, change your pillow case every few days are all things that helped. I have sensitive skin and I exfoliate it's not bad for you, you just have to be gentle! But I use Dermalogica products and am VERY happy with the results! Good luck!! (I have tried all over the counter and have used Proactiv and the acne always came back after a few months, my acne has been very much under control since using Dermalogica and started it over a year ago, and I had the HUGE pimples you are describing as well, now they are tiny and gone within a day)
  • LiquidSugarr
    LiquidSugarr Posts: 50 Member
    Yes!

    1. Wash morning and night
    2. Use an exfoliator and a cleanser. I use some apricot scrub and then some Clearasil
    3. Always moisturize. I find that if I start skipping out on this, my face breaks out more.
    4.LOTS OF WATER

    I also recently started taking a biotin pill for hair skin and nails
    I swear since I've been taking it has cleared up my complexion.
    And drinks lots of water!!

    :):)

    I have some biotin pills, but the taste is sooo horrible that I can't take them lol. So gross!
  • courtxoney
    courtxoney Posts: 59 Member
    i'm 21 and i still go through phases where my skin will just start breaking out like crazy.
    nothing i've bought in the stores would help.

    i eventually got skin id and it works.
    i still get pimples here and there but its nothing like what i used to get.
  • resan224
    resan224 Posts: 30 Member
    BPX- you can find it at any herb shop. This is a blood purifier. Ive had acne problems on my face, chest, shoulders, and back for over 10 years, I started using this and differin gel that the doctor prescribed and my skin has NEVER been so clear!
  • kassied09
    kassied09 Posts: 397
    2 things that have helped me ALOT:

    1. sleeping with a clean towel over my pillows. So simple..but overlooked.
    2. Taking Biotin daily. It has helped so much more than any acne product.
  • Heaven71
    Heaven71 Posts: 706 Member
    I've never had bad acne, just the occasional pimple we all get. But within the passed year my face has been breaking out a lot and getting worse these passed few months. It's really bad, some of the acne looks like I have huge planets on my face. It's embarrassing and hard to hide. I've used pretty much everything that you can find over the counter. I'm at my wits end and don't know what else to do. I'm twenty-two this phase of my life should be behind me. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

    Drink lots of water
    keep your hair out of your face, even if you have to put it up and cover it at night. My daughter sleeps with a do-rag on her head at night and it seems to help a lot.

    I break out from eating potato chips or anything snacky like that, maybe look for food triggers.
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    I've been struggling with the exact same issue, and I'm 33!

    I have given up using any special cleansers. I just get a hot washcloth and scrub twice a day. Then moisturize lightly. Make sure to use stuff that's for sensitive skin. (I can't always use it.) And sometimes, if I have a really bad spot, I use some persa-gel (clean & clear) before moisturizing. Only way I can have my poor skin clear!
  • maryduggins
    maryduggins Posts: 219 Member
    Moisturize... that's a biggie for me

    I use Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Skin Polishing Acne Cleanser two times a day, every day. It *is* kind of expensive (like $26) it comes in a 'kit' with three different bottles, and that lasts for about 2 months. I swear I've tried so many different things and this is the only one that works for me.
  • k011185
    k011185 Posts: 320 Member
    I would look into the idea that it might be a reaction to something, especially with mold. I'm allergic to mold, it beings out some crazy reactions in me.

    I have the most sensitive skin, tried everything from the cheapo drugstore brands, to proactive to prescription creams.
    About 6 years ago I started using oil to cleanse my face, apple cider vinegar to tone, sugar as an exfoliant and vitamin e cream to moisturize.
    Unless I'm exposed to an allergen I have not had a single break out since.

    I know the oil sounds weird, but it's basic chemistry, like dissolves like.
    I use equal castor to olive oil, but if you google 'The Oil-Cleansing Method', there are all kinds of ideas.
  • asanchez1129
    asanchez1129 Posts: 2 Member
    Hey there, I am a esthetician. And while I may be bias, washing your face TWICE a day is a MUST. Before bed, and when you wake up. Your pillow has bacteria on it too and if your sweating in your sleep, that can also cause break outs. So try maybe washing your pillow case more often. Another thing is MOISTURIZER, try an oil-free one- If your skin is oily it can still be dry and if your dry a lot of times your skin will produce more oil to compensate for the dryness. Kinda sucks I know. Don't exfoliate everyday 2-3 times a week is plenty because over doing it will irritate your skin. I know this seems a lot and kinda crazy but it's true, especially if your skin is more sensitized. Did you change any products your using? Shampoo? face wash? moisturizer??? Allergic reaction?? All possibilities. Another thing is, age has nothing to do with acne. I have been seeing more and more women who are my mothers age and going through the "change" that have been experiencing acne who have NEVER had acne before. :huh: A product that I used, that I have used since high school (so like 10 years) is Murad's on the spot acne treatment. its the size of lipgloss, it dries on CLEAR (which i love bc some dry on and look like your skin is flaking off) it's about $15 bucks, but lasts a while and its so THIN that it is you don't need a lot. I LOVE this stuff and it flies off the shelf at work all the time. You can put it on a few times a day (as needed) but each day (i usually use it morning and night when i break out) and the next day my pimple is smaller, and smaller until its gone. usually two-three days. Also, if you just changed your diet, the skin is the #1 place that the impurities will come out from so that could be a factor too. Hope this helps. :) Good luck with everything.
  • AmoreCouture
    AmoreCouture Posts: 255 Member
    I started getting adult acne really bad about a year and a half ago, and 2.5% Benzoyl Peroxide is the key ingredient to rid of it, but please be aware. I used Proactiv and it's generic brand from Walmart called Equate with the same ingredients for a very long time, and I discovered they have two ingredients that when together, that can actually cause acne, so I guess that's why it only worked partially for me. I still had a big problem with acne even using them. It did work some, but I started noticing I would put it on then end up with cystic bumps after. The ingredients that cause acne are cetereth-20 and ceteryl alcohol. Together, their level of comedogenicity (acne causing) on a scale from 1-5 is a 4. 1 being least severe and 5 being most severe, so if you find you are still getting acne and using a product with those two ingredients, that might be why. You would think products that are meant to combat acne wouldn't contain ingredients that actually cause it. I found the Acne.org website and it is amazing. The man who owns the site formulated everything because he struggled with acne himself. His products don't have any sneaky ingredients in them, so I would recommend his system.

    Other things you can do is make sure you cleanse your face of oil twice a day. Oily skin is very prone to acne.
    Change your pillow cases regularly due to the oil your face and hair gets on them.
    Don't touch your face unless your washing it, and wash hands before touching your face. Again, oil is on your finger tips.
    Moisturize no matter what, even if you have oily skin. (Use Cetaphyl if you're looking for a drugstore lotion)
    Watch the ingredients in your makeup like Isopropyl Myristate. I find it in a lot of CoverGirl makeup, and it will break you out.
    Here's a site I look at often for ingredients.

    http://www.zerozits.com/Articles/acnedetect.htm

    I'm not affiliated with any of the websites I mentioned, and sorry for my long reply. lol.

    ETA: I use Purpose Gentle Cleansing Bar because other cleansers are too harsh on my skin and irritate it.
  • MyFeistyEvolution
    MyFeistyEvolution Posts: 1,014 Member
    Ok first things first....squash the idea that it's only a teenager thing. Adult acne happens and a lot of it is genetic.

    ~Wash your face, morning and night. Try to use the most gentle cleanser (I use Purpose wash and moisturizer, found right at Walmart).
    ~Wash your pillowcases weekly.
    ~Try to not touch your face a lot through out the day.
    ~I personally only get results from using Benzoyl Peroxide vs Salicylic Acid...if you haven't tried it, try it. But be aware it may dry skin so don't use it every day.
    ~As someone else mentioned, a change in diet can also cause breakouts, as well as exercise. Just follow a good regimen and it should clear up.
    ~Are you stressed? Try and find ways to relax.
    ~Are you eating crap? Eat more nutritious foods with vitamins and minerals and drink plenty of water.

    If all else fails (which will lead you to where I went), see a dermatologist. There are different creams they can prescribe or like my situation, pills that you can take that are very safe and effective. And be patient. :flowerforyou:
  • InnerFatGirl
    InnerFatGirl Posts: 2,687 Member
    I want to know too. I used to have such good skin and now it's all patchy, lacklustre and I'm getting spots :cry:
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