How did you get rid of your acne?

[LarsMal]

My skin got bad after I weaned my youngest- last summer. It was very frustrating because I had never had anything more than some hormonal blemishes. I started taking biotin supplements- for my hair- but it's supposed to be good for skin, too. I also found Bare Minerals Blemis Therapy. It's amazing stuff!! It has sulfur in it, but the smell isn't bad. I spot treat with it at night. I like it because it "conceals as it heals"- just like the box says! My skin has been SO much better, pretty much back to normal, since I started the biotin and the blemish therapy stuff.

I'd like to try the BE facewash and lotion, too. Last time I went into the store they were offering drinks made with the ingredients!

[bisous]

I've done antibiotics, Retin-A, differin, Orthotricyclen and everything over the counter. The only thing I never tried was Accutane. I still get zits from time to time but just changing products has worked as well as all the prescription stuff above!

I actually learned a ton about skin from Paula Begoun (author of the Beauty Bible, Don't Go to the Cosmetics Store Without Me, and owner of the site that sells Paula's Choice). For me, some of the strong products were major overkill and when I'd try to moisturize (because I dried the heck out of my skin) the products would clog.

This is what works for me:

I use Cetaphil to cleanse and 5 % benzoyl peroxide cream on any breakouts. If I have a breakout, I also try to drink a ton of water and unless it comes to a head I don't touch it. For me, I can trace my outbreaks to bacteria--they'll cluster around the same area so I'm extra vigilant about not touching my face, drinking water and cleansing with Cetaphil well each evening.

I've also changed to a makeup brand that is probably horrible on the EWG guide! But it DOES have SPF in it and it really, really doesn't make me break out. I've actually told people that my skin is BETTER when I use this foundation. It kind of dries it out/protects it from the sun/hydrates it minimally. I don't use any moisturizer at all.

My skin is under control as well as it ever has been.

I recommend doing a search to find Paula Begoun's website. She used to have what she called "battle plans" for acne and they go up in severity. (I think you can also find the "Battle Plans" in her Beauty Bible book that I checked out from the local library). You start with a very simple regime of just daily cleansing and maybe BP and it increases until you introduce prescription stuff like Accutane.

Good luck!

[bisous]

I can't find the battle plans page from Paula on the site anymore but here is a link to some info about acne. I think it is quite helpful. Good luck!

http://www.cosmeticscop.com/best-acn...-products.aspx

[babybell]

Originally Posted by rprav8r

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

I am admittedly overwhelmed by all these responses, so the suggestion to go to a dermatologist is honestly the most enticing. I feel like going through tons of different washes, toners, moisturizers, etc will be expensive and time-consuming to find the right combination for me.

Are you still on the meds for acne? Or did it clear up after a certain point and now you're no longer tied to it?

[bisous]

I hate to tell you this but I find the right combination of products to be MORE effective than any treatment from the derm. You have to do what you feel good about but I'm not sure you'll get an easy fix by taking meds! Maybe the derm will have recommendations (aside from what we've mentioned here) that will help you?

[DrSally]

I wanted to add that I get my BHa gel from Paula Begoun too. Her's is one of the few that is at the proper PH to be effective. Her website has lots of good advice.

[willow33]

I tried everything over the counter, went to a derm and tried retin-A and changed my diet and nothing helped. I finally decided to go on birth control pills and within 2 months my skin completely cleared up. It's the only thing that works for me. I'd rather not be on BCP, but I'm so much happier not having to deal with all of the break-outs.

[DrSally]

Originally Posted by willow33

I tried everything over the counter, went to a derm and tried retin-A and changed my diet and nothing helped. I finally decided to go on birth control pills and within 2 months my skin completely cleared up. It's the only thing that works for me. I'd rather not be on BCP, but I'm so much happier not having to deal with all of the break-outs.

Which BCP are you on?

[emily]

In my early twenties, my skin went nuts. Until I got pregnant in my early thirties, I had tried pretty much everything. Minocylin (sp?), differin, tazorac, retin -a, Bencylin, birth control. Went to the derm regularly. It would improve but not to the point where I was happy with my skin. I got tired of getting shots for the zits. A friend recommended her facialist and I went to her every 3-4 weeks for over a year. My skin is far from perfect but it's only an occasional hormonal breakout.

I use Cetaphil cleanser for oily skin with a Clarisonic. Desert Essence Tea Tree Oil Facial cleanser when I feel a break out happening. I used to use only dept store brands. Now I use drug store stuff and am content.

I wish I had the time and money for the facials tho. I miss them.

[willow33]

Originally Posted by DrSally

Which BCP are you on?

I'm on the generic of Estro-Step.