What do you use on your face for controlling acne?
So, I have adult acne. I've had acne in one form or another since I was probably about 13 years old. I'm now 27. It's very frustrating and I wish it would just leave me alone! For the past few years I've been using Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment. It has not cleared my acne, but I can tell when I skip using it, as I get even more blemishes than I already have. I'm looking for suggestions for something else I can try that's within the same price range (less than $10) and can be purchased at any drugstore or Target/Walmart. I can't use anything with Benzoyl Peroxide as my entire face turns bright red, swollen and very itchy from that stuff. So.. what do you use, and have you ever used something that actually clears your acne up completely?
I feel your pain, because I am in the exact same situation as you. I'm also 27 and have had no luck with drugstore brand acne products. Benzoyl peroxide from Acne.org worked to clear my acne but it was so harsh and drying I had to stop using it after a while. I am going to try some exfoliating products from Garden of Wisdom, and online company, that many people seem to like so we'll see how that goes. Hope you find something that works. Good luck!
I've used the neutrogena acne control face wash for years. The one in the clear bottle with orange gel inside.and also exfoliate. I also used the neutrogena acne control (also orange) face scrub.they didnt have it when I went to the store last time and I had to buy clean and clear scrub and its not as good!My acne is OK wen im using those products a few zits here and there, not too bad.
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It might be that the concentration of Benzoyl Peroxide is too high for you. Try a lower concentration or salicylic acid instead (clean and clear's spot treatment in the silver tube). If you feel like you've exhausted your drugstore options, it might be time to go to the doctor. A general practitioner can prescribe many over the counter acne meds that aren't too expensive.Personally, I've tried tons of stuff (department store, drugstore, Proactiv, prescription) and the only thing that worked for me is Accutane. It isn't the right choice for everyone, and not everyone's acne is the same. There isn't a one size fits all treatment, and it takes a lot of trial and error.
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I have tried just about everything & unfortunately nothing has really worked for me. (ranging from drugstore to natural products).My favorite of everything I have tried has got to be AcneFree, which worked better for me than ProActive (& it's cheaper!). Also, if I keep up with my aspirin/honey mask I see good results but the second I fall off of my schedule the pimples are very quick to return! I have been wanting to try Philosophy's Microdelivery, I have read incredible reviews, I'm just a little hesitant to spend so much on another product that will probably do nothing for me..
I completely agree with bluedevilkitty. Go to the dermatologist or general practioner and ask for a prescription. It has completely changed my skin to a constant source of frustration to AWESOME! And its really not expensive. With insurance I pay a co-pay but I don't need to see him every month so it doesn't run too expensive. And what he has prescribed me is under $10 and lasts over 2 months. I mean thats a screaming deal and I don't need to order expensive skin cleansers constantly and try everything recommended to see if it will work for me. Really I can't say enough about taking a trip to the derm Dr.
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I agree with bluedevilkitty!!
I tried all the acids and creams I could since I started getting cystic acne at 13 and they didn't work so well for me so I went to go see my dermatologist. I tried prescriptions of Duac and Differin (which are topical) but they weren't strong enough so I was put on Retin-A at 16 years old. I tried that for a couple months but it ended up making my acne worse so I was put on ACCUTANE!
My parents held off on me taking it for a few weeks because they were going through the pros and cons: it's not something to be taken lightly because it's so strong and the side effects are a little harsh.
I went on a 5 month course of 60mg/day and 80mg/day for the last month. By the 3rd month I was completely clear of all bumps and blackheads!
But I also had superduper chapped lips, a sore back, hair falling out, and dry patches EVERYWHERE because the isotretinoin was inhibiting my sebaceous glands all over the body. I've been off of it for a while and everything is back to normal...except no more acne :)
I would also recommend checking out Queen Helene's Mint Julep Masque: it's green and tingly and smells great, but leave it on longer than the 15 minutes it says to so the sulfur and kaolin have more time to work!
I too have had acne and clogged pores all my life. The clogged pores drove my crazy, no matter what I used or how clean and exfoliated I was the clogged pores never stopped. The Dermatologist started with the usual, Differin. It is not strong enough dont waste your money. It will work if you use it months and months, it WILL get rid of the clogged pores. Better bet is what my Derm. calls "Differin's bigg brother," that is Tasorac, cream or gel. It will irritate skin at first, dont give up. apply it as thin as possible, Dont mix with moisturizer even if someone suggests that. Soon your skin will tolerate it. It will eventually eliminate clogged pores but it is extremely probematic because it reduces the amount of white stuff inside a zit but you may continue to get red swollen zits, when you try to squeeze it out it just obliterates the surrounding skin leaving a nasty sore that takes weeks to heal. It is essential that when you get a sore red inflamed zit to go immediately to the Dermatologist and get a cortizone injection. If you squeeze it and it gets worse (which it will if you squeeze) still go get the injection. Find a Derm that is happy to have you call for an immediate appointment. My son has acne, tazorac is helping but I may still see about acutane because he is really suffering.
The mario badescu stuff my son is also using is for top, spot treatment it will not make the face have less acne. The pink stuff is $17, it works overnight and really dries well, but you want to really get at the problem like the above post. I spent $47 on the three piece Mario Badescu acne kit, I would advise spending you money on Dermatologist. The Benzoyl wash cloths, the epiduo, the benzaclin and more have coupons from the doctor to use at pharmacy. If you have never taken antibiotics, they will work, just dont take for too long, maybe four months. Of the above mentioned prescriptions, the benzaclin is the best. It dries and disinfects, but to get at the continually clogged pores like I said you need Tazorac.
I'm in the same situation- about to turn 28, and have had bad skin since I hit puberty around 11 years old. Drug store brands just don't cut it for me, and I've tried other things like Proactiv and Mario Badescu, also with no results. The only items I've used that have made any sort of a difference are the Biggs & Featherbelle Handle Bar, LUSH's Grease Lightning, and GoW's Neem (Not Dream) Cream. I notice that if I give my face a day or two every now and then where I don't do anything to do it (don't wash it or moisturize or anything), then it tends to balance itself out. I also work from home though, so some people aren't able to do that. It's better now than it's ever been; even though I'm just getting over being horribly ill, I only have about 2 noticeable spots, and maybe 5 overall-- when often my entire face is a mess.
I'm definatley interested in trying Lush's Grease Lightning, I've read a bit about that and it sounds very promising. I also work from home :) and most days put on none or very little makeup since nobody sees me. Not sure if that is helping, I think I just have bad skin in general. Not that nice smooth skin that everybody wants.
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