How To Clear Up Acne?

Feb 3, 2011

Jenny M.

I'm looking for an amazing skincare routine for myself. With me, I wash my face with a routine for a few days, and then the rest of the days I'm too tired of it, and I don't do it, but I wish I would stick with it. What are some good drugstore cleanser & mosturizers? 

Feb 4, 2011

Samantha N.

The drugstore cleanser that I like best is Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser. It leaves the skin feeling cool, refreshed, and very clean. And it does help with blemishes. A good moisturizer is the ADVANTAGE® Acne Control Moisturizer by Clean & Clear. These two products should work just fine.

But if you want something that's good for your skin, and will improve the overall clarity, then the Clinique Acne Solutions 3-step system is perfect for you. It cleanses, exfoliates and moisturizes without overdrying the skin like a drugstore brand would. Your skin gradually looks brighter and clearer.

Good luck!

Feb 7, 2011

Ning C.

Using the same products gets boring, but beware of switching too often. It takes skin at least 28 days to adjust to a new product and start showing results. If you change up your products more often than that, you could risk irritating your skin. Trust me, as a beauty editor, I used to take home different cleansers and serums to test every night. And when I started breaking out, I just started taking more and more things home. But finally, I went and saw a dermatologist who ordered me to stop all the experimenting--and after about a month, my skin cleared up. But after all the experimenting, my skin is now PERMANENTLY sensitive and allergic to fragrance so be careful!

Feb 8, 2011

Julia K.

With acne, more is not better. Speaking as a former cystic acne sufferer, I tried EVERYTHING. I still had acne, sometime painful, sometime scarring, but I'd also have extremely dry and flaking skin due to all the drying agents in the acne products.

I do recommend a dermatologist. My acne cleared up after a month of antibiotics (after 3 years of ineffectual retin-A!). I don't know if this would work for everyone. This was back when accutane was popular, and that stuff is toxic. Since acne is hormonally triggered, some birth control pills can help as well.

I do think that good skin comes from the inside out. Eating healthy fats and drinking a lot of water definitely help. 

Feb 8, 2011

Ning C.

For hormonal acne, I HIGHLY recommend taking Evening Primrose Oil. I take 1 gelcap (I get mine from Trader Joe's) a day. Evening Primrose Oil helps balance out your hormones naturally and ever since I started taking it regularly (and I stopped playing around with products), my skin cleared up on its own.

Feb 8, 2011

Julia K.

Brilliant, it's also supposed to be a great mood regulator as well. For those more hormonal times of the month ;)

Feb 11, 2011

Vivian L.

I agree with Julia K - if your acne is pretty bad, and not just your usual one or two zits during that time of the month, it's always good to visit a derm. I scar easily, and I took too long to see one. My acne has cleared up after taking Accutane and antibiotics, but the scars are pretty much there to stay (I have pitted ones...boo).

Definitely see a derm if it's hormonal and not caused by the usual exterior culprits (not removing makeup properly, touching your face with unclean hands, etc). Otherwise, it's pretty much the standard cleanse, tone (if you have oily skin), moisturize and exfoliate once a week. Hope that helps!

Apr 27, 2011

Shelly T.

I've read about the Oil Cleansing Method. I've not tried it, but the concept of it is interesting.

http://www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/

Apr 27, 2011

Angela W.

Neutrogena's makeup removing wipes are my savior product. I get lazy too but I know it makes me break out more when I don't take my makeup off. These are so easy and a lot less messy than soaping and rinsing. And they won't dry your skin out!

The wipes are a bit on the pricey side ($8 per box) but you can rip them in half and still cleanse your entire face and neck. It's so much easier than soaping up getting water everywhere.

Aveeno has a fantastic line of moisturizers at the drugstore called Clear Complexion (not the SPF, just the regular one). You can get it for less at Walmart if there's one near you. Neutrogena also has a good plain moisturizer that's a little less expensive.

Apr 27, 2011

Jane A.

If it's more than a pimple here and there, I would go to see a dermotologist. I went to the dermo and they gave me an antibiotic pill, Differen gel, and Duac (which is Benzol peroxide... I think. Well the pill made me have vertigo so I stopped. Then I stopped with the cream cause it was too much steps to my regimen. But my face didn't get any better, and I notice it got pretty bad. So back to the doctor I went.

In HS I saw a different doctor, who recommended Neutrogena soap. So I've been using that when seeing the current one. Well the second time around he provided another pill that was higher in strenghth, but unlike the other (which was extended release), this pill worked right away. I was afraid to use it cause of te reviews I read of people getting dizzy and some getting vertigo. I didn't want to go through that again, so I didn't take that.

But I was prescribe Differen an Duac again. Which now a days I use daily. I still feel like my face is sorta better, but I notice once I get a break out in one area, I break out bad in that area. I hope that soon my face will get used to the medicine.

I used to have regular periods. But after getting Mirena my period is irratic. =[ so that is one of the reason I maybe breaking out.

Anyway, I want to end with... Prescriptions may be $$$ but there are rebate cards that your doctor will pass out to help with cost. I this Differen was $25 and Duac was $30 (with medical insurances), but after giving the pharmacy the rebate cards, I only paid $5.

Either than that my whole line is CeraVe found in drug stores. CeraVe is good on problem skin like eczema, etc. 

Apr 28, 2011

Joyce S.

I notice skin problems arise mostly from dehydrated skin, so I suggest using hydrating products. As a treat that I do every 2 days is to saturate cotton pads with softener and place on cheeks, chin and forehead.

Keep yourself hydrated :)

Apr 30, 2011

Gabby A.

I use the Clearasil overnight products. First I wash my face with the overnight wash. Then I put the overnight serum on every pimple, blackhead, whitehead, whatver! Then, heavier, I put the overnight lotion on all of my pimples. Also, I put my hair in a headband and ponytail everynight so The oils of my hair don't get in my skin while I'm sleeping. I also change/wash my pillowcase 4 times a week because dirt and oil from your face and hair get on there.  

May 4, 2011

Jamie D.

I had acne that was pretty bad and my doctor prescribed Duac which is 5% benzoyl peroxide and 1% clindamycin which is a topical antibiotic that attatches itself to the 50S ribosomes of bacteria to prevent the elongation of peptide chains. Basically it's birth control for bacteria. It worked well for me but some people might have concerns that the antibiotic will breed stronger bacteria. Your skin cannot "get used to" a product, but antibiotics can kill the weak bacteria and the strong ones will be the only ones able to replicate. Seeing a dermatologist is best, but expensive and might not be necessary if you are not suffering from a lot of acne. Make sure your cleanser is non-irritating to your skin. Many people think that a tingling or cooling sensation means a cleanser is working; it actually means your skin is being irritated. It's important to avoid irritation because irritating the skin can cause oil production, breakdown of the skin barrier that can let in acne causing bacteria, breaks down elasticity in the skin and inhibits the skin's ability to heal; this translates to more acne, blackheads, and premature aging. Also it does not matter if your cleanser has anti-acne ingredients because they are not on your skin long enough to fight acne. Just use a gentle cleanser like CeraVe foaming cleanser or Neutrogena Foaming Wash to clean your face, use a chemical exfoliant all over the face such as Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating acne treatment, then treat acne-prone areas and existing acne with benzoyl perozide. It's best to use 5% or less, but the only ones effective at the drugstore are 10% which can be too much for some people. A good 5% treatment is the clinique ance solutions emergency gel lotion and a good 10% is clean & Clear persa gel 10. Follow that with a moisturizer if needed. I hope this helps.

May 4, 2011

Robert Ivan L.

I'm gonna have to side with Clinique on this one. They seem to be the acne experts.
I've had good experiences with it :)

May 4, 2011

Jamie D.

Clinique do have a lot of great products, but they also have a lot of crap. I do like them best for high end skin care because they have a lot of options and they aren't usually very overpriced.

May 4, 2011

Jamie D.

I agree with Mandy; CeraVe is a more state-of-the-art, modern version of Cetaphil. CeraVe makes great cleansers and lotions, but neither CeraVe nor Cetaphil contain anything that fights acne.

May 4, 2011

Jane A.

Update from my post a week ago... Mandy K. mention she switched to mineral make up in her breakout bouts, and her face cleared up in a month or so. With that being said, I also took her recommendation to another poster about Meow (mineral) Cosmetics, along with her recommendation on Witch Hazel, and with Soma S.'s recommendation on CeraVe (Thank goodness for Beautylish and it's forum!!)... my face is starting to finally clear up.

I use CeraVe's foaming face wash for "normal to oily skin". Seriouly after the first use, my face was really soft (I have never felt it that soft before with any other face wash!). Since CeraVe's line doesn't consist of anti-acne properties, after washing my face and toning it with WH, I rub my prescribe medication (Differean in the AM, and Duac in the PM). Then I top it off with a moisturizer (CeraVe AM lotion in the AM, and CeraVe PM lotion in the PM). The acne medication makes my skin very dry, so I have to use a lotion that works well with my sensitive skin, but still moisturizes like a charm.

To top it off, I have been using mineral make up, and I noticed my skin starting to clear up. Remember how I mentioned when one part of my skin broke out, all hell pretty much broke loose too, well so far so good. I break out with a pimple here and there, but not as bad or big or sore as before.

I guess the moral of the story... 1. see a doctor, 2. use a mild face wash, 3. medicate, 4. moisturize... and lastly, 5. let your skin breathe through out the day with light makeup. I went through tons of foundation from MAC, to MUFE, to Revlon, to Neutrogena, to Loreal, add concealer to that, and my skin didn't get better. The second I switched to mineral make up my face was able to breathe, and stopped breaking out.

Good luck!!!

May 7, 2011

Jamie D.

@Jane I have to warn you that Witch Hazel is a potent irritant. It actually has the potential to cause acne, blackheads, and aging. I believe I went into more detail in my previous comment on this post. I recommend you cut that out of your skin care routine.

May 10, 2011

Jane A.

Thanks Jaime...  

May 10, 2011

Jamie D.

I'm glad I could help!

May 10, 2011

Cynia B.

Apple cider vinegar and distilled water used as a toner. Keeps the face acidic thus kills bacteria.

Hope this helps!

May 16, 2011

Kelli B.

Hi, I suffered this problem for many years too and it's no fun. I fhave now found huge success using 'The Skin Care' range from Shiseido, it is not a drugstore brand but not nearly as expensive as many luxury skincare lines and totaly worth the price plus some.Perhaps go to a store that stock's it and ask for the three step in samples. Wishing you ther very best of luck. : ).

May 16, 2011

Arabelle S.

I've been fighting acne since middle school and have tried basically everything in the drugstore, but honestly, since most of them contain variations of the same products: benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide does nothing for me, I have cut back on my routine: i exfoliate using st. ive's apricot scrub, i wash my face using cetaphil daily cleanser, i tone using mario badescu, and i spot treat and do an overnight mask using a homemade aspirin mask and it's made my skin GLOW. 

May 16, 2011

Jamie D.

@Mandy Witch Hazel-Commonly used plant extract that can have potent antioxidant properties (Sources: Phytotherapy Research, June 2002, pages 364–367; and Journal of Dermatological Science, July 1995, pages 25–34) and some anti-irritant properties (Source: Skin Pharmacology and Applied Skin Physiology, March-April 2002, pages 125–132). However, witch hazel’s high tannin content (and tannin is a potent antioxidant), can also be irritating when used repeatedly on skin because it constricts blood flow. The bark of the witch hazel plant has higher tannin content than the leaves. Steam distillation for producing witch hazel water removes the tannins, but the plant’s astringent qualities are what most believe give it benefit. Alcohol is added during the distillation process, the amount typically being 14–15%. Witch hazel water is distilled from all parts of the plant, so in that sense you never know what you’re getting, though the alcohol content remains (Source: www.naturaldatabase.com; www.drugs.com). Depending on the form of witch hazel, you’re either exposing skin to an irritating amount of alcohol (which causes free radical damage and collagen breakdown), tannins, or both. Moreover, witch hazel contains the fragrance chemical eugenol, which is another source of irritation.

May 16, 2011

Brianna G.

I have suffered from acne since middle school. I have just about tried everything. So now all I have been doing is using the Clean & Clear daily face scrub at night and their face wash in the morning. I found out how important it is to wash your face at least twice a day... It seriously does help with the acne issue! Then at night I use the Clean & Clear Persagel 10% Benzoyl Peroxide treatment cream where I have pimples. I've been doing this consistently for about two weeks and my face is actually clearing up!