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i used to suffer from horrible acne and oily skin too! a couple of years ago i went to chicago for my friend's bachelorette weekend and stopped into the H2O+ store. i came out with some of their mattifying products that they recommended for my skin. and i must say, i hardly had a blemish since! it'll probably take a couple of weeks to get used to your drier skin, but i think it was worth it. just be sure to use their recommended moisturizers and you should be okay. here's the site... https://www.h2oplus.com
this is the line that i've been using... https://www.h2oplus.com/retail2002/productlist.aspx?category=Acne
I would suggest 2 things. First take a look at your diet. Whatever we put into our bodies is reflected in our skin. Make sure you are taking in enough water each day, and cut out all fastfood. For a few weeks don't put anything into your body that isn't natural. I promise you will find a difference after 4 weeks!!!! Then you should def purchase a skin care line specifically for acnetic skin. Do not use grainy exfolliators on your acne as this will spread bacteria and aggrivate acne. You can use an enzyme exfolliator 2-3 times a week. It'll take time to clear up, but if you make the commitment, you will see amazing changes!!!
I know what you mean. My boyfriend actually suffers from severe acne. He has seriously tried everything and has spent thousands going to various dermos and paying for products. He has recently been getting laser surgery and intensive extraction facials (he needs a combination of both because his skin is THAT bad) and is paying a lot of money for this but after one laser treatment and two facials we are already seeing great improvements.
Maybe this is something that you may want to consider. It is about a 4 week session once a week you will go in. So you will definitely be done in time for your wedding.
If you are interested contact me and I can give you his derm's location (it's in Los Angeles)
Hi miss stellar,
my dad's office is next to a dermatologist's, and i used to chat with the people there. one of the simplest things that might have a profound impact is to change your pillowcase everyday.
mrs. milkshake and mrs. shortcake wrote about the treatments they've tried:
http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/03/10/facial-treatment/
http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/03/10/facial-treatment/
here is a previous board thread that might be helpful: http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/acne-problems
and finally mrs. shortcake said that ponds cold cream changed her life:
http://www.weddingbee.com/2008/04/27/ding-dong-shortcake-calling/
I know this must be difficult for you, and I wish you the best of luck. but i'm sure you will be beautiful no matter what on your wedding day. 
Yikes, only three months! I agree with Mrs. Bee--you'll be so stunning, no matter what. But I can relate to skin issues... it's more about how you feel than how you look.
Have you seen more than one dermatologist? I once visited one in college whose philosophy was apparently to "start slow." I left his office in tears because he told me to start washing my face regularly and use Oxy 10! It was like he was deaf--I had already tried several things!
So, I went to a different one, who put me on some different medications. It felt like nuclear warfare (although, it wasn't even close to the harsh effects of accutane)--Dove soap in the morning, a special acne cleansing bar at night, followed by a topical prescription acne cream, and for medication, I took both an antibiotic and spironolactone (a hormonal medication that only women on birth control can use). Yes, it was a very regimented process, and my skin had a difficult time adjusting (lots of redness and dryness at first), but it was so worth it! In only two and a half months, my skin looked so much better!
Good luck!
I probably should've added more detail in my first post. But, I'll add it now!
My FH and I don't have a ton of money- he's going back to school, and we're stretched as is. I've seen a few dermatologists, but because my acne isn't as severe as it was back in the day, they never seem to give me anything that actually works. (I'm in Michigan, in the Metor Detroit area, if that helps anyone).
I was taking BC pills that controlled it for awhile, but then those stopped regulating my periods, and now I take a different kind.
I'm very careful about what I eat- I like organic foods, lots of water and I don't eat chocolate.
I currently use Clean & Clear, and it works, or at least it worked for the first few weeks.
That actually seems to be more of my problem- I try to stick with a cleanser for awhile, simply because I know you don't see results unless you use the same stuff for a long time. But, my skin seems to get 'used to' whatever I'm using, then out come the horrible red bumps. I know that no one would ever say anything, but I don't feel beautiful. I don't feel like being the center of attention when all I want to do is hide my face.
I think I will take all your advice (thanks for being willing to share your stories with me, by the way). I'm going to be VERY careful what I eat, I think I'll try to find a different dermatologist that will actually help me, and I'm going to watch what cleanser I use.
I have noticed that scrubs do help my skin, but I don't know if it's because they're being too harsh or what.
Thanks for all your help :)
I've had bad skin my whole life. I had bleeding cystic acne in college and that was after a 9-month round of accutane. Switching to a single-dose birth control that allows me to skip periods has helped me skin more than anything at this point. A lot of what was causing my acne was hormonal and stress-based, so topical things (like cleansers) didn't help much.
Now that the cysts are under control, my problems are primarly clogged pores and redness. I use Eucerin Redness Relief moisturizer when my skin is particularly aggravated and blotchy, and it really helps; on other days, I use Neutrogena Oil Free Sensitive Skin lotion with SPF 15. Moisturizing is key, even if you've got oily or combination skin like me.
I also use a salycilic acid scrub cleanser, but only at night; I find if I use it more than once a day, it aggravates my skin too much. In the shower in the morning, I use plain Cetaphil, which is really gentle and really gets my skin clean.
Finally, I bought some masques (IMAGE brand) that I can apply at home between microdermabrasian sessions. One is a Vitamin E enzyme masque that hydrates, and the other is a salycylic acid masque that exfoliates. I got these from my aesthetician, but you could probably experiment with some things from the drug store. I use them together once a week and they really, really, really, really help my overall skin tone. They cost $30 per bottle, but each bottle has lasted me 3 months so far.
Also, I found that Proactiv not only didn't work for me, but was way too harsh for my skin. It made me break out in little red bumps that weren't acne at all, but rather an allergic reaction. When you say "red bumps," are you talking about aggravated cysts? If so, the scrubs you're using could just be making them worse by drying out the skin on top without treating the hormonal stuff going on below.
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I am also fighting acne & rosacea...started retina about a year ago & switched to differin in September...I'm so frustrated that I am grossly broken out now and have less than a month to go...my Dr has prescribed me a special vitamin, all I can remember is that it has zinc & folic acid.
Both the dermatologist & an esthetician said zinc supplements would help & to GET RID OF DAIRY. I've only gotten rid of daiy for a few days, but I plan to keep that up until the wedding. For me, I think my current explosion is stress, as my semester starts this week, and we are behind on wedding plans!
Even if you can't afford to see the derm multiple times, make an appointment 2-3 days before the wedding. They can inject any current blemishes with cortisone and POOF gone!
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I feel your pain because I had severe cystic acne since high school. The topical stuff they prescribed never worked. I never found long term relief until I started Accutane in college and I think I ended up doing 3-4 courses over a 5 year period (it just kept coming back). Then my dermatologist put me on spironolactone after I finished a course of Accutane and the cystic acne has not come back! I still break out occasionaly, but nothing like it used to be. Also, I suggest going to a dermatologist at a University hospital...that's the only place I found a dermatologist who treated my acne seriously. GOOD LUCK!
@ iluvnate I second that!
I would go with a diet change. My skin use to be pretty bad too, and then I changed my diet. Lots of water, very little sugar and eating more fresh fruits and veggies. I also started a multivitamin and multimineral. If you aren't into eating a lot of fresh fruits and veggies, you can get them in capsule form from your health food store.
Also try changing your pillow case every few days, the oil from your hair gets on it and then you sleep on it, which could be clogging your pores too.
The regime at acne.org helped me- they are over the counter products and you do it before bed and in the morning. It would take around $15 to start out and can't hurt to try!
I've had the same issues- since 6th grade. I've done accutane twice and tried countless OTC and prescription products. My current dermatologist offers facials at their office, and it's changed my life. My doctor said one of my problems is that my skin doesn't exfoliate itself well. I've started using Ponds Microderm pads every 2 weeks, and it's been great! They get rid of my dead skin and keep me glowing.
Exfoliation is the #1 thing that's helped my skin. I definitely recomment it.
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If you like organic/natural products try out Origins...they are great, and have a wide variety of products for every skin type. I just posted more in depth about this here... http://boards.weddingbee.com/topic/recommend-your-organicnatural-skin-care-regimen
You must Drink dandilion tea everyday! its the only thing that has dramatically improved my acne!!! i've been plagued with it since i was 14
So far everyone has offered solutions for the acne-
In case they don't work (I'm hoping they will) or if you have scarring from the breakouts, have you considered a spray tan? If you get one at a salon that offers air brush tanning, they may be able to camoflage some of the redness (not only on your face, but on your back or chest if you break out there too)- meaning you won't need as much makeup.
You have time before the wedding- you could get one and see how it looks (in case you don't like it, there is time for it to fade away before your wedding). Of course- check with your derm that it won't interfere with you other treatments.
I've never had bad skin, but I did have a period of time where I would get tiny pimples all over my face. I'm using Neutrogina Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Hydrating Acne Treatment. I put it on before I go to bed at night and I get those breakouts a lot less (in frequency and number of zits). I have tried other (more harsh) treatments that just burned when I put them on and left my skin red and dry. This one seems pretty mild and doesn't dry out my face. May be worth a try.
Good luck!
I have had cystic acne caused from severe stress and hormones and the scarring and uneven skintones ever since. What i realized was some of the meds that dried me out irritated me worse. Clarins Huile Lotus oil, mElaleuca oil, Vitamen E oil, or Tea Tree oil can really sooth irritated skin... calm it and help it to recover. it's weird to put oil on a pimple. but it does wonders to help inflamed irritated skin without drying out or causing horrible flakiness!
Me too. Since I was 13. Funny how by the time you reach your mid twenties people shut up about how it's going to go away when you get older...
A few months ago, a dermatologist told me to wash my face with cetephil twice a day. (morning and night). In the morning. I put on Benzaclin (prescription) and a facial moisturizer (cetaphil brand also). Then in the evening i put on Differen (prescription). I also take an antibiotic, keflex, twice a day. And it's been wonderful. My acne isn't totally gone yet, but she said to give it 6 months (and it's only been 2). This is the best it's been yet.
I'm in my 20s and still get acne, but it's finally going away!! Here's what I use:
Cleanser: Cetaphil (the regular one for normal/oliy skin) 2x a day
Moisturizer: one of the Aveeno ones for face
Perscribed by my dermatologist: Tazorac cream (works WONDERS) at night at least 3x a week; put on a moisturizer first and then a pea-sized amount as well as Evoclin foam every morning
This made almost all my acne go away. I picked up On A Clear Day gel by philosophy from Sephora a few weeks ago and I have sworn by this stuff ever since. It's a light gel with salicylic acid and a couple other things in it, but unlike other salicylic acid products it's not irritating at all and you can use it up to 3x a day. I use it twice, once at morning and once at night as the last thing in my skin care regimen. It provides FAST results (I noticed a difference in just a day) and if used consistently it will clear you up in no time! The tube is kind of tiny but you only need a tiny dab each time so it definitely lasts.
Good luck!
Nothing ever worked on my horrible skin either. I tried them all! one day while watching tv, I saw an ad for Murad. I did order and it is the ONLY thing that has EVER worked for me. I swear by it and love it so much! After using it a year or so, my skin got better on its own!!!
I've finally discovered a combination of things that seem to keep my acne in check, after 10+ years!
Like a previous poster mentioned, I also seem to have a sensitivity to dairy that makes me break out. So limiting your dairy intake might help.
I use cetaphil cleanser and moisturizer, they seem to be the mildest and least oily (moisturizer), and not irritating to my skin at all. And then I use Neutrogena and Avon products with salicylic acid every morning and for spot treatments.
I use prescription Metrogel every night, which is actually a rosacea treatment, which I don't have, but it still seems to help. I think it has a slight antibiotic, but it doesn't interfere with BCP.
I also do clay masks (the Origins one is fantastic) and take clay baths once every week or two. Those seem to really help purify the skin/system.
The other thing that makes a big difference for me is to take garlic supplements. They are basically a blood purifier / immune booster and really help my skin clear.
I know it's different for everyone, but hope something on this thread will help you - good luck!
I tried Murad which didnt' really help and then I bit the bullet and tried proactiv. It really has helped a lon and I've been using the shishedo brightening moisturizer to help fade the scars. Since moving to the UK I've been changing my pillowcases less and I can see that I really need to up the switching of them. :( Good luck, I know my post probably won't help since you've already tried those things, but its all I had to offer.
THis may be a personal question to ask...but are you on birth control? I had terrible acne until it was recommended to me that I go on birth control for it. Within a month, my skin had cleared dramatically. Shorter and lighter visits from Auntie Flow as well!
You can also talk to your photographer about retouching some of your photos to reduce the redness and blotchiness. I don't know if you would want to pay to have them all retouched as it can be a pretty intensive process, but a good photographer can improve the look of your skin in photos without it looking fake. That might make you feel less stressed about fixing your skin in time for the wedding.
If you've got inflamed acne, things I have found that reduce the inflammation are taking an NSAID (like Aleve), one a day with food, and taking fish oil supplements, which are not only good for your heart but have anti-inflammatory properties too. Reducing the inflammation allows whatever else products you are using to really penetrate your pores.
I was on birth control pills, but I've switched to an IUD. So far, it's been easier. I notice I tend to breakout more around my cycle (like most other women!). I had a bad experience with birth control pills, so I don't really like them, and it didn't help :(
I think I'll have acne forever!!
I actually have photshopping skills, and I 'fixed' all my engagement photos myself, so I know how that goes!!
It's gotten better within the past week or so. I started using cold cream (as someone had suggested) and it takes off all my makeup. I can't remember the last time I had a cookie or something sweet. I'm trying everything I can, so I appreciate all the help!!
My best friend has been through the same things. After years of going to the Derm and trying everything under the sun she finally started Accutane. Basically, it's a daily pill that is a very high dose of vitamin A. You can't drink hardly anything during the 5 months you are on it, but she does have a little wine and a margarita every so often.
I know you only have 3 months till the wedding but I saw her a week and a day after she started it and could see a huge improvement! My other friend works for a derm and said it is the very best thing out there. She said most people who take it never have another zit their entire life!
Just Google it and if you think it's something that may help, talk to your doctor soon! Good luck, girl!
I've taken antibiotics, differin., retin A, you name it. It has improved as I've gotten older but my dad is 55 and he still breaks out. My FI got me a gift certificate to a spa where I got a facial and I was shocked to see all of the blackheads on my face. They cleared them all out and recommended this soap and I swear it's made a huge difference. The only time I break out now is around my period and if I fall asleep with my make up on or something. I just use the soap. When you first get it you can leave it one as a mask, wait about 10 minutes before washing it off for two weeks. You do break out a bit more then bc it is cleaning out your pores. It's called nano cylic it is a ltitle pricey but it lasts four - five months.
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It’s a little embarrassing to admit this, but, I have horrible skin. I’m getting married in three months, and I’ve been plagued with acne for most of my young life. I’ve tried everything- including proactive- and nothing seems to work. I’ve gotten it down to a few areas, but it’s still very noticeable. I’ve really pale, so the red blotches show up no matter what I do.I’d prefer to not have to slather myself in makeup (which, by the way, won’t really do much). I would love to have clear skin in time for my wedding, but I’m at a loss for what might help.
Do any of you have suggestions?I’ve been to a dermatologist, I’ve tried proactive, I’ve tried anything and everything I can think of. I don’t know what else to do, so I’m hoping someone out there could possibly help.
Thanks.