Acne, scars and seriously oily skin.

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St. Ives Apricot Scrub does wonders to your skin, and its quite mild. I have an awfully sensitive skin and pretty much every skin care product I've used irritates my face. That one has worked amazingly. Obviously if you can get other products to back up the cleansing routine it will be better. I don't recommend anything else because where I live the good products are awfully expensive, and the ones you can afford are just awful. (I actually got like 6 of those St. Ives Scrubs on my last trip to the States).

My advise would be to check with the dermathologist. Some of the skin reactions we have can be due to how our hormones are working, or our eating routine; and they usually know what to recommend. And apparently, Clinique has some good products for sensitive skin (I need to try them thou); in any case check with their specialist before you get anything. 

:)

Try the Aveda Enbrightenment skincare line if you're looking for something that will reduce the appearance of your acne scars and a line that will help with the treatment of acne, but you must be willing to spend a little extra $$$. It contains salicylic acid which will exfoliate your skin and help dry up the oils on your skin without being too harsh like benzoyl peroxide. If the line is a little too expensive for you to purchase all at the same time I recommend purchasing one product at a time. Definitely purchase the toner first. It's the most potent off all the products in the line, the serum being second. It contains the most amount of mulberry root extract which helps in the skin lightening process. Use twice a day and you'll see results, I promise! I absolutely love this product! 

Apr 3, 2012

Joi K.

Ok I'm a med esthetician and I have worked for a surgical dermatologist for over 6 yrs and I managed the care for patients with moderate to severe acne with severe scarring. First thing is never spend alot o money at first try Nuetrogena acne wash it has salacylic acid in it which will all the skin to dry out which is what u want because ur skin produces to much oil and then as a toner use alcohol on a cotton swab at night or witch hazel as far as moisturiser u dont need it u have overactive oil glands so adding oil to it makes it worst as u have found . the next step if that doesnt work is maybe seeing a dermatologist just because they can give u things that can calm things down and then get u on a regimen that will allow to maintain which is covered by insurance . The thing about using natural products is that they are made from alot of plant resin's and that's fine but usually u dont know what will aggrevate the skin until u use them and u may be allergic to it I have seen more allergic reactions on the face from ppl using products with rose extract and this extract and that so try that simple technique first and see what happens but as someone else on here stated they did accutane I mangaed paitents on accutane and so alot of times it takes a good dermatologist to get things going and dont get discouraged the first time u go a derm's tx may not work they may ahve to switch it up a little to get u on the right combo of Rx but I too have severly oily skin and I am acne prone and that is what worked for me too along with doing the Neutorgena treatment and some type of Rx RetinA which is what Duac and Differin are but I have found the generic which is Tretinoin works the best hope it all works out for 

Apr 3, 2012

Caroline G.

Thanks Karen. 

Apr 2, 2012

Karen H.

I understand what you are going through. I experienced a lot of acne and scarring during my teenage years and my skin has only been recently getting better. I recommend the Murad clarifying cleanser for oil control. Here's my current routine.

Morning:
-Clinique facial soap (I found that using a mild, non-acne medicated cleanser in the morning to be helpful)
-Clinique acne spot treatment
-Olay complete lotion SPF15 for sensitive skin (very light, non-greasy)

Night:
-St. Ives green tea cleanser
-Biore triple action astringent
-Clinique acne spot treatment (if needed)
-St. Ives collagen elastin facial moisturizer

Others:
-St. Ives apricot scrub (twice a week)
-C. booth volcanic mud mask (once a week - does an amazing job at clearing my skin when it breaks out a lot)
-My Beauty Diary black pearl mask (good moisturizing sheet mask)
-Skin79 super+ triple functions BB cream [pink label] (good for hiding hyperpigmentation)
-Clay & apple cider vinegar mask (DIY recipe can be found on my blog - http://beautyplaylist.tumblr.com/post/20155981373/diy-clay-and-apple-cider-vinegar-face-mask)

Apr 2, 2012

Bee K.

try using a rolled oats & honey face mask. It's great for exfoliating your skin and the honey (raw) does wonders for clearing up acne. For me. Another at home remedy that works for me is Apple Cider Vinegar! I know it sounds gross and trust me, it smells ... interesting, but it works! A lot of people will warn you not to burn yourself because it's an acidic substance but most are diluted to 5% acidity. You should dilute this further if you have sensitive skin. But, just apply it to a cotton pad and directly onto acne. It's a natural cleanser and gets rid of bacteria quickly. And, you can buy it at any grocery store in the food section. 

Apr 2, 2012

Vivian L.

I suffered from severe acne, on top of super oily skin. Didn't help that I lived in a place with a tropical climate. I went to the dermatologist and found out it was mostly hormonal. She put me on Roaccutane, which cleared up a lot of my acne. Then I went on antibiotics for a while. And I'm currently on The Pill, which is doing wonders.

My daily skin routine is to cleanse with a facial cleanser in the morning, tone and moisturize. Sunscreen, makeup. At night, I remove everything with an oil-based remover, facial cleanser, toner and moisturizer. Very simple steps. But I reckon it was the pill that regulated everything. It's a lifesaver for those suffering from hormonal breakouts. 

Mar 17, 2012

Jane A.

Adding to my previous post, my skin care routine looked like this:

AM
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
Witch Hazel toner (drug store item that is optional!)
Differin
AM lotion

Then I would put my make up on.

PM
CeraVe Foaming Cleanser
Witch Hazel toner (drug store item that is optional!)
Duac
PM lotion (<<<that was before, now I use the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream)

Every other day, I used a mask and a scrub (i.e. mask on Monday, scrub on Tuesday), no more than 2x a week for each. <<<< I believe this right here is what made my scars fade faster than it usually would've (it usually took months or even a year to fade). Masks I used was the Queen Helen Mint Julep and Formula 10.0.06 Deep Down Detox Ultra Cleansing Mud Mask. As for the scrub I used the store's version of the St. Ives Appricot Scrub.

The only thing I really wish I could get rid of is my oily skin. But either than that, I wanted to say, I know what you are going through, and I hope you find a routine and products that your skin will take well too. Good luck. 

Mar 17, 2012

Jane A.

I was the same way. I had ugly bumps on my forehead from all the big cystic acne, my cheeks and especially my chin were filled with scars and new cystic acne.

I tried covering them up with full coverage make up, and I tried everything (drug store, high end, organic, online brands, etc. etc.). Nothing really worked, until one day back around this time last year, I came here and asked the same question... and this is what a few Beauties told me, which I took to heart and did...

On my own I went to see my derm, he prescribed me Differin and Duac -- a Benzo peroxide. Differin helps take off that top layer of gunk from your face, Duac and just any BP kills the acne bacteria. I use one in the morning and the other at night. During the day I have to use a good sunblock on my face, due to your skin being sensitive, esp when the top layer of gunk is being taken off.

One Beauty (Soma S.) mentioned the CeraVe line. I went out to get it... it's a very gentle line found in drug stores. I bought the facial cleanser (foaming due to my oily skin), the AM lotion (due to the SPF) and PM lotion --- I have now added the moisturizing cream to my arsenal and I loooooooove it!!!

The difference between using a gentle face wash versus one with say (acne fighting ingredients like Sacylic Acid) is it's way better on your face. Face wash with harsh ingredients are actually hurting your skin versus making it better. Not only that, the ingredients like SA aren't on your face long enough to make a lasting impact on your acne -- and that is what the topicals (from your derm) are for.

CeraVe has "ceramides" which are found in a lot of high end products. Ceramides are skin regenerating properties, so I take it as, it's healing my face at the same time. I really like CeraVe because 1. it's very reasonable price and 2. very accessible considering it's found at Target, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, etc.

Another Beauty (Mandy K.) suggested giving my skin a breather from my harsh full coverage make up. I was very terrified to do so, considering the condition my face was in -- but I took her advice to heart too. I went out to buy Meow Comestic (online brand only) mineral make up. Something she did too to help with her acne. I bought the mineral foundation that had the most coverage, which I believe is the "Feirce Feline" line. Not only was my skin able to breathe with just the MMU alone; it covered the same as my "liquid foundation and concealer and setting powder" routine.

A few months after taking these two beauties advice to heart, my skin was a million times better. My horrible cystic break outs stopped, the bumps on my skin smoothen, and the acne scars faded faster than it did before.

Since then I've slowly been getting back to the liquid foundation routine, etc. etc. The only difference now is that no more cystic acne or horrible break outs!

Mar 17, 2012

Theresa K.

Oh I feel your pain :( I used to be in the same boat.
I agree with Cassandra with seeing if your derm could prescribe something. (I was on accutane just over 10 years ago)
THe products I loved when I was super oily was the Clinique acne line. I found the moisturizer was especially good at keeping me matte. And use a mineral makeup on your face, it won't break you out as much and is better at soaking up oil.

Mar 17, 2012

Cassandra M.

I have extremely oily skin that breaks out super easily. I actually don't use a ton of specialized or expensive skin care products, I use a few but they all work amazingly for keeping my skin in good condition.

Philosophy Purity face wash - very gentle but it really deep cleans my skin, gets out all of the dirt, oils and makeup, and I've noticed my skin has been all around better since I've been using it.

Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Pore Scrub - I use this as a facial exfoliator. It's amazing and I've been using it for over a year, and I love it because it's 94% natural ingredients, which is important to me because many cheap drugstore face products break me out like nobody's business.

LUSH Face Masks - The best ones for oily, acne prone skin are Cupcake and Brazened Honey. Brazened Honey is very hard, so it won't be good for sensitive skin, if you have sensitive skin get Cosmetic Warrior instead. But it basically detoxifies your skin and REALLY deep cleans it and makes it feel like brand new. Cupcake is also deep cleaning and it controls oils and tremendously helps out with my break outs. I use a face mask every other night after I shower.

Garnier Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream - My favorite moisturizer I've found so far. It's a gel, but it's super moisturizing and works fantastically for my crazy oily skin. It's really light and it has the most amazing refreshing scent.

Dermatologist Prescribed Acne Med - I use Differin, it doesn't work as well as the generic brand of Differin though. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist, they will prescribe you the best acne medicine for your skin specifically :)

That's all I use for my skin care routine! 

Mar 15, 2012

Caroline G.

I have used many pharma products and over the counter products for my oily and extremely touchy skin. I have been told that physohex plus an puffer pad may work for my skin. I would like to know all of your routines for your skin. I like having different opinions on this topic. Ladies and gentlemen please discuss.