Acne...

[anotherlaujgirl]

So ever since I hit puberty I have had acne, but last year after starting college I started to have the worst breakouts I have seen on my face. My cheeks especially and they tend to leave dark spots/ scars. Once it disappears on one side the the other side of my cheek suffers... Huuuuuh.

I know it was stress, and i know it was being in a different environment with a different diet... but it's been a year. I've been home for the past few months, and it's hardly gotten any better.

Proactiv has never worked for me. I've tried Laneige, Clean and Clear, and some other generic stuff.

It's not bad to the point in seeing a dermatologist seeing that my skin type is a little more prone to acne, but is there anything you can suggest I do?

[braggin]

I suggest that you do see a dermatologist. They are able to work wonders, especially on mild cases such as yours.
Take it from someone who had severe acne for most of her life.

[luvh8tragedy87]

I'm not sure what kind of skin you have but the best thing that has worked for my skin is to actually just leave it alone most of the time. I know that may sound gross but I've noticed improvements. How often I wash my face depends on the weather/time of year. When I do wash the best thing that has worked for me has been Dr. Bronner's. Sometimes when it comes to acne the less ingredients the better. Just to add my face is combination with my cheeks being very sensitive.

[jkhanson]

I took our kids to the dermatologist when over the counter treatments and even ProActive did not work.

The dermatologist used a dry ice treatment and it helped a lot. 

A "home remedy" that I heard a friend use is simply to put a spot of toothpaste on the acne spot....best to do this at home when you aren't going to be going out anywhere!!

[anotherlaujgirl]

I suggest that you do see a dermatologist. They are able to work wonders, especially on mild cases such as yours.
Take it from someone who had severe acne for most of her life.

Thank you! I've actually started considering it.

[anotherlaujgirl]

I'm not sure what kind of skin you have but the best thing that has worked for my skin is to actually just leave it alone most of the time. I know that may sound gross but I've noticed improvements. How often I wash my face depends on the weather/time of year. When I do wash the best thing that has worked for me has been Dr. Bronner's. Sometimes when it comes to acne the less ingredients the better. Just to add my face is combination with my cheeks being very sensitive.

I have never heard of Dr. Bronners. I will check it out. Thank you!

[anotherlaujgirl]

I took our kids to the dermatologist when over the counter treatments and even ProActive did not work.

The dermatologist used a dry ice treatment and it helped a lot. 

A "home remedy" that I heard a friend use is simply to put a spot of toothpaste on the acne spot....best to do this at home when you aren't going to be going out anywhere!!

LOOLOL My brother uses the toothpaste method!

[kapeh12]

I went the dermatologist route when I was a teen and their treatments didn't have much effect on me.  Got a little better, but that was about it.  Of course, that was a long time ago.

In college I tried the Murad acne products, and for my skin, those products worked the best.  I tried the store stuff like Clearasil, Strydex and Clean & Clear, and tried ProActiv.

If you are looking to try another - I'd suggest giving the basic Murad acne package a try to see if your skin responds positively to that product line.

The other things to look into: examine your diet, reduce as much sugar from your consumption (processed like candy and cookies), cut out soda as much as possible, drink lots of water.  Monitor your foods for any other type of food based contributors.  Example, I notice I tend to get more of a flare-up when I consume to much salty foods.  If you find a link there, just modify your diet to reduce that food trigger consumption.

Find a stress relieving activity - get into an exercise routine, take up yoga or pilates - things you can use to manage/defuse stressful times to try keeping that in check

Last - accept those times where the complication is related to basic hormonal times (like our collective monthly "friend") - not much you can do about that, just accept the flare there and that will help reducing your stress level which makes those times worse.  And if you are going through mid-terms or finals, just accept you'll have a flare up - don't let it bother you - it just is, and will pass when the stressful time is over.


There are a lot of factors that contribute to acne - each is unique to every person - so it's a matter of learning where you are in life and what various triggers are, and figure out which impact you that you can control/manage.  The rest, just accept as a part of life - don't stress - eventually it runs its course, and you are not the only one dealing with it too.

[BATISTAGIRL663]

hope it clears up for you soon--i am in my 40s and still have it sometimes--good luck

[luvh8tragedy87]

I'm not sure what kind of skin you have but the best thing that has worked for my skin is to actually just leave it alone most of the time. I know that may sound gross but I've noticed improvements. How often I wash my face depends on the weather/time of year. When I do wash the best thing that has worked for me has been Dr. Bronner's. Sometimes when it comes to acne the less ingredients the better. Just to add my face is combination with my cheeks being very sensitive.

I have never heard of Dr. Bronners. I will check it out. Thank you!

It can usually be found where the natural products are in a grocery store. I hope you find something that works for you I know how frustrating it can be.

[texasmom32]

Yes, use baking soda.  It's natural and the absolute best thing you can use on your face.  If it dries your skin out too much, try using it every other day instead of every day. 

[buckbuck1]

I use this exfoliating cleanser from Sephora, it works wonders

[tzs]

People don't realize how many times they touch their face every day.  After touching everything else around you, even with regular hand washing,  you are still picking up stuff (germs dirt bacteria) and touching your face unconsciously, when you are talking to someone in conversation, or realize you forgot a meeting , for example. I noticed when I went to college, my croatian friend always had bad acne. She would always shower regularly everyday and had great hygiene,  but I also noticed how many times she touches her face to wipe sweat, rub her eyes, etc(she played basketball) after handling the ball on the court constantly. I'm being long winded! Long story short, it adds up and eventually your body reacts to it no matter what you do. Simple experiment...try not to touch your face as much as you go about your daily routine and see what happens. If it gets better then you will know what to do next to get rid of that acne! Good luck

[Screwedupclick4life337]

Hope it clears up for you acne could be a pain in the butt that frustrates you at times I still get acne

[honeyflower93]

Dermatologists are either going to give you expensive treatments you can do at home, pump you with pharmaceuticals that aren't necessary and damage your liver, or give you topicals that are only a band-aid solution by themselves.

Acne is usually just an external expression of an internal issue. Low estrogen/high androgen contributes to acne. This explains why a lot of women break out when they're "PMSing" (during this time estrogen levels dip) Adaptogens, phytoestrogens, and or anti-androgens can help and are typically cheaper and better on your system than anti-biotics or birth control. Your dermatologist will usually never tell you the herbal route because then you wouldn't need them anymore 

My adaptogen of choice is Maca root powder. Keeps your hormones in balance. Ginseng is great for stress as well.
My anti-androgen of choice is spearmint tea 2-3 times a day. Not religiously. Just when I can remember.
My phytoestrogen (plant estrogen) of choice is flaxseed as it has a host of other benefits.

If you're not good with water, force yourself.  Your skin makes up for dehydration by producing excess oils, clogging your pores. A lot of people don't bother because they don't think the difference could be dramatic but trust me.

As for topicals use a drying agent like benzoyl peroxide first to get rid of any excess oil. Then you absolutely have to moisturize. See the above point. Hope this was helpful