Breaking out!

Jul 25, 2012

Huma N.

Anyone have any tips or techniques to share when it comes to taking care of your skin? How about product recommendations?
Not too pricey though cause I can't really afford it! :/
As of now I do take off my makeup most nights and apply moisturizer from time to time. I was my hands and face especially after I eat greasy foods.

Jul 25, 2012

Caroline B.

I use Noxema . I cleans your face well, i makes it feel fresh and soft.

Jul 25, 2012

Santina A.

I don't think it's about what you use, but about the consistency in your regime. You should start by making sure you take off your make up every night! If you're too tired to wash your face, a make up wipe definitely does the job. I would pick up a three step skin care system tailored to your skin type, it doesn't have to be high end (i.e. Clinique), there are good options at the drugstore. Even if your skin is oily you still need to apply moisturizer every day! 

Jul 25, 2012

Alyssa F.

Make sure you eat healthy! Greasy foods can sometimes make you break out! Eat clean(: 

Jul 26, 2012

Mary P.

Stay away from greasy food, wash your face EVERY NIGHT before bed, not just some nights, apply moisturizer every day after you shower. Drink lots of water & exercise every other day.

Jul 26, 2012

Mary P.

by the way, Aveeno is a good brand, very affordable at Target or Walmart

Jul 26, 2012

Crystal C.

yess i love aveeno products and cetaphil products which dont clog pores and moisturize too. also getting thayers witch hazel and rose toner is great for skin you can get on amazon its like 8 bucks. 

Jul 26, 2012

Aferdita N.

I myself suffer from acne, it affects me a lot, I've had it for so many years,some days I wonder what my face would look like with no red marks or pimples. And I wonder if that day will ever come. I have tried so many products, the peroxide cream both 10% benzyol peroxide and 5%, and also a milder 5% wash off peroxide cream (which you only had on for 5 minutes and then washed off). I would see change with it, immediately, but it dried out my skin horribly, my skin was always flaky after applying it. Some mornings I would also have strong reactions to having put it on my face before bed. I would wake up with a scary, bright red face. This reaction, if met with strong sunlight, can leave scars.

I currently use a product by vichy to cleanse and to remove blackheads (It does the first thing, not the latter) and also a different product which is more like a cream, with a muddy consistency that works as a mask, doing the same thing as the vichy product, attempting to draw out blackheads and imperfections, also leaves your face really fresh and clean, but sometimes a bit dry.

Although these products have given me/give me some form of relief, or they make it better for perhaps a few days, it is not a cure. My pimples always come back, and personally, I believe products such as PROACTIV is absolute (excuse me) BULLSHIT.

Why? Because I have tried many products.. My acne started slowly at age 10 - 11, I am now 20. Many of the products I have used have contained salycic acid, salycic acid is the MAIN ingredient in proactiv that fights your acne.... and they have salycic acid in NUMEROUS other acne creams, so we're looking at perhaps the exact same effect from those products and proactiv. What I'm saying is, proactiv isn't "special" at all.

Also, if you're lazy, dirty and basically what we could easily classify as a "pig" or "slob". Thing is, you might be touching your face with dirty hands/fingernails. So start washing your hands more often! I personally use a form of kleenex with antibacterial liquid in it before touching my face to apply make up... I love my hygiene rituals, I'm neat about it.

My main point is, the cause of acne is so different for everyone.. I swear to GOD, I have tried so many acne products... so, many, TOO MANY. I have cost my dear mother a lot of money, she has been patient with me.

I went for the last resort, I wanted to try out accutane. I went to the dermatologist with my mother, and he turned me down! He said "your face isn't bad enough, it's the last way out"... I was very disappointed, nothing else helps me.

I can't be 100% sure, but I believe that, in my case, since I am very clean, and because I have tried diets (drink exactly 2 litres of water a day, eat more citrus fruit, veggies, I have done them ALL!) and I have yet to experience a long lasting effect from any of these, I believe my issue might be hormones.

Especially because, during that one time a month, my skin goes BONKERS. One time, a day before my period, I looked in the mirror before going to bed, I saw two new pimples forming. Then when I woke up the next day, I had two NEW pimples forming under those two pimples! So 4 new pimples in less than a day.. I remember thinking very morbid thoughts that morning, I was so angry.

I have tried everything, I have washed/cleaned my face every day for a month, and I have still broken out a lot. I have stopped wearing my hair down so it wouldn't touch my face, I use antibacterial liquids/tissues before touching my face. I fear my face will never be spotless.

What I'm saying is, your cause of breaking out can vary, try finding out WHY you break out. They say sugar and junk food causing acne is really just a myth, but is it? Also, smokers get really bad skin, although some would claim that's a lie.

As for myself.. I think I'll try approaching another dermatologist about accutane in the future.

Jul 26, 2012

Aferdita N.

I very much agree with what you say, Nichole. I do think diet plays a big role in the appearance of your skin. I also totally agree about the insulin thing, it may have so much to do with the hormones, and I guess when we break out, it's our body trying to tell us something.

Jul 27, 2012

Santina A.

@Aferdita & Nichole

It's interesting that you two make those points! I've had acne since I was about 15, and the only thing that has really made a change in my skin was birth control. I know it's not the solution for everyone, and some people may be uncomfortable with hormone therapy, but of all the topical treatments I've tried, it is definitely the most effective - aside from maybe diet, I cut out dairy and caffeine and that made a HUGE difference.

I've been on the pill for about a year and a half, it has made my breakouts smaller and more infrequent (a pimple here and there), and the pimples themselves subside easier with external medications. From what I understand, it controls oil production in your skin, and obviously your hormones, so you're not breaking out from your natural hormonal fluctuations.

I do think consistency, if it's diet or a skin care regimen is equally as important, however.

P.S. Aferdita, I couldn't agree more about PROACTIV being a huge waste of money!

Jul 28, 2012

Tia B.

I've been using the Tea Tree Line from The Body Shop which has done wonders for me and DR Murad Acne Line is really great they have a 30 day starter kit which is good to entire line of products

Jul 28, 2012

Carson E.

If you are looking for products that arent expensive But still work, I woul recomend using cetaphil or nuetrogena facial cleansers followed by a moisturizer with sun protection before you go to bed and before applying makeup. A healthy diet plays an important role in clear skin, so don't snack on junk food. Also drink 5-8 glasses of water a day.

Jul 29, 2012

Kayla H.

I use Noxema. It helps A LOT

Jul 29, 2012

Amanda C.

I recently started breaking out like no one's business. It seriously had got me to breakdown! So this product I was using from Clearasil was no where to be found for the longest time, I thought they had discontinued it. So when I had gone crying to my mom about it we went to Walgreens together to pick up Cetaphil and look for Oxy Cleansing Pads (which I did not end up getting) I found my face wash, it is the Clearsil 12 hour Rapid Action Acne Scrub. The only that had changed was some of the formula and the packaging design. I love that face wash. My face feels fresh aftering using it. The beads make me feel so much better because I can feel it cleaning my skin. Every morning I wash my face with that and right after I put the Mint Julep Masque then once I wipe that off I moisturize my face with Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion. I also have been taking vitamins 3 times a day for my hair, skin, and nails which are by Nature's Bounty, it's 5000 mcg of Biotin per serving. After two days straight of doing all this I could see a big difference in my skin for sure. I hope this helps. I have had acne prone skin all my life. It's come and gone for me. Just be careful when using new beauty products (foundations, blushes, etc.) I know that's why my skin broke out bad, beauty products are addicting but we need to be CAUTIOUS. :)

Jul 30, 2012

Asha M.

Too keep your skin clear and acne free, drink LOTS of water. I admit I have a few zits here and there, but water prevents a lot of it. Some brands such as Acne Free or Proactive burn the skin, so something a little milder will probably work (such as Aveeno, Neutrogrena, or Cetaphil). You can also get Glycolix wipes from a dermatologist (that's where I got mine) or something. They're $20 each box, and there's 60 wipes. You use one of them every night after you wash your face, and it works pretty well. If your skin becomes red, try using one every other day (then it will last you around 2 months instead of 1). I hope this helps!

Jul 30, 2012

Shelley W.

Do you drink/eat a lot of dairy products? For myself personally when I left the cows milk alone and switch to drinking coconut and almond milk my skin was very pleased with me. I maintain a super clean diet because I'm an athlete and I noticed a huge change overall with my skin when it comes to breaking out. Now I may have a couple zits pop up from time to time and that only around my cycle. But for the most part I would try staying away from anything white like a few posters mentioned on this thread. I also drink a ton of hot green tea everyday...great for the skin.

Jul 30, 2012

Asha M.

The only dairy products I eat are eggs. I drink both soy milk and almond milk, but I have to admit - I do not have a super clean diet. I get many cravings and I tend to give in, but next week I'm going to start on a Paleo diet, which is supposed to keep the skin clear, thicken the hair, and keep you toned. And green tea? I didn't know that trick. I'll try it. I usually use black tea, but I hear there's tons of caffeine in it.

Jul 30, 2012

Yesenia A.

I've suffered from acne for years until recently it's been under control. But lately the "hormonal" acne has shown its ugly face. I started using Dermadoctor and so far it's worked wonders! 

Jul 30, 2012

Shelley W.

@Asha M. Oh yes!!! The Paleo diet....memories. All positive of course. I did that eating plan before I headed into what I do now to clean out my system and basically set myself up for long term clean eating. You will see a HUGE improvement big time in regards to your skin and energy level. The green tea I drink without any sugar or honey. And definitely caffeine free. Its best to drink it hot (not to the point of burning the enamel off your teeth of course) because that is when the antioxident properties in the tea are activated and can be absorbed by your body. Those cold ice cold green teas sold at Starbucks and other places are not doing anyone any good because for one the stuff is cold and for two there isn't enough actual green tea to be of any benefit so I laugh when I see people drinking them...such a waste of money. I know all about the cravings....my weakness is merlot and chocolate. I'm only allowed one or the other on Sunday's....my one and only cheat day.lol

Jul 30, 2012

Asha M.

@Shelley W. oh awesome! I was kind of hesitant on whether the Paleo diet would work, for I only got a few reviews on it. But now I'm more comfortable. And okay, thanks! And lol my weaknesses are anything salty (such as chips) and sweet stuff. I try not to eat bread :) haha.