How did you get rid of your acne?

[babybell]

I had great skin in my teens and it all went downhill when I hit 20, and it hasn't recovered. It comes and goes in waves, but my face is definitely never all-clear (except for when I was pregnant). It makes me feel embarrassed, especially at work, where I am already much younger than my colleagues and I feel like my acne makes it way worse!

I've tried Body Shop tea tree oil, astringent, ProActive, Mary Kay, Arbonne... nada. Please give me some more suggestions!

[DrSally]

Sounds like it may be hormonal for you. Are you on the BCP? Which one? I went on a more estrogenic pill, and it helped a lot. I also started differin (a version of the active ingred in Retin A). That helps keep the pores unclogged. I also use a BHA gel, which does the same. That pretty much keeps me pretty clear now.

[bubbaray]

So, I've tried every.thing. there is to try.

What works best for me right now is a wash with salicylic acid in it (2%), a light, oilfree moisturizer, then 10% benzoyl peroxide on problem areas. Its kinda like the proactive regine, except minus the toner. If you do a toner, use a salicylic acid toner.

[AnnieW625]

I stopped eating a lot of wheat when I was 27 and I pretty much never looked back. Now I limit my wheat intake to one specific brand or bread at home (or sourdough if I am not at home and a sandwich is likely my only option), tortillas, or an occaisional cookie or piece of pie. I used to be on antibiotics for my acne twice daily and within a month I was off of them. It's been 7 yrs. now and I have very little acne problems. I also started using Kiehl's Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser about the same time and that stuff is magic. I also found that once I eliminated any topical OTC benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid cream that it made my skin a lot better. The only BP cream that really worked for me was Benzaclin which is RX only.

[babybell]

That's the funny thing about acne, I've discovered.... some people swear by salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, and others say it doesn't work. I'm not on birth control so that can't be effecting it... and I haven't given much thought to the fact that it could be diet related, since my diet has honestly only gotten better since I was a teenager with great skin! Maybe I should look into that.

I did go to the doctor about it a few years ago and got an RX for minocycline (I think), but very soon after I got pregnant and had to stop taking it. I guess part of me is also uncomfortable taking drugs to get rid of acne. Deep down inside I feel that there must be a better way!

[lizzywednesday]

I switched facewashes.

I was using one with salycic acid, but then I got all paranoid about chemical exposure while pregnant, so I quit using that one.

Then I used an apricot scrub which, I've read recently, is supposed to be bad for your skin because the unequal particles can cause smal tears in your skin surface, leading to more exposure to bacteria, etc.

These days, I'm rotating between the orange "spa" facewash at Trader Joe's and a kit from Kiss My Face, depending on which bathroom I shower in.

I use a toner by Boots and a lightweight moisturizer (when I remember) and sleep on my back.

I've also tried not to go to bed with product (Moroccan oil) in my hair because I don't wash it every day so I bought some spray dry shampoo to use before I go to bed on days I use product. Tresseme (?) makes one that is very affordable and easy to find - I got mine at Target - and it works just as well as the pricey one I bought 2 years ago at Sephora!

[wendibird22]

I've always had moderate acne that was cyclical...flaring up around my period. At 36 I do still get the occasional break out but much less than I used to. I've been using BE Purifying Facial Cleanser and BE Purely Nourishing Moisturizer (combo skin) for about 4 months now and love it and find that my pores are less clogged and I rarely get breakouts and when I do it's a small white head that clears in a day (I'll spot treat with tea tree oil) instead of the deep, painful, inflamed cystic acne I used to get.

[rprav8r]

I went to a dermatologist and got all kinds of wonderful prescription meds. I highly recommend it.

[mom2khj]

Paula's Choice. Balancinng Cleanser, 2% BHA lotion and Blemish Solution (regular strength).

I have tried everything else (even derm prescribed topical/oral products) and nothing works this well, short of the Accutane I took in college. If I'm consistent in using those three products (only at night), I rarely get a breakout. My breakouts are typically large painful cysts. When one does come through, it goes away MUCH faster than when I'm not consistent with the products. I've tried lower priced versions of her stuff (ensuring I used both salicylic acid and benzoil peroxide products together) and still don't get the same results. Something about her stuff just really works, for me.

I also use Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer and Foundation Powder and I think the makeup makes a difference as well. Drugstore makeup breaks me out crazy. As does Bare Escentuals.

[ThreeofUs]

For me and my DH, it's purely diet. I know on my face if I've eaten something I shouldn't - particularly chocolate.