Post # 1
Member
767 posts
Busy bee
Hi all,
So I’ll cut to the chase: I have acne. I want it to go away.
It’s always been somewhat of a problem, but in the beginning of the year I went off hormonal birth control and it has gotten much worse. I do not want to go back on hormonal birth control, and would rather not take a prescription for acne (I have in the past and had not the greatest results).
I’m looking for recommendations for products or regiments that I can follow to help manage my skin. What has worked for you to make your skin be more clear, or what have you done to minimize the appearance of acne after a break-out? My acne is mostly on my chin/jaw area, sort of where a beard would be…if I had one. 
I also have a problem with picking at my skin, but part of that is that my acne can be quite painful and I forcibly clear my pores to get relief. Any advice? I want beautiful, clear skin!!
Post # 3
Member
555 posts
Busy bee
I have hormonal acne too. Have you ever tried proactiv? I tried it for the first time 6 weeks ago and my face is noticably better. For me it was totally worth it!!!
Post # 4
Member
6661 posts
Bee Keeper
I’ve always had acne and instead of getting better in my adulthood, it got worse. It got to a point where I had cystic acne on my face, chest and back and would bleed after every shower since just the water pressure would erupt some of the pimples (sorry TMI). It’s kind of extreme, but I got on accutane and my skin is now almost perfectly clear. Now all I do is use Clearasil facewash at night and St. Ives apricot scrub in teh morning. I also am sure to use name brand foundation which really makes a huge difference in my skins appearance and health. Definitely talk to your dermatologist and see what would work best for you. For years I used RetinA Micro which worked really well, of course until it started to get really bad.
Post # 5
Member
1927 posts
Buzzing bee
I mix water and baking soda into a paste. I apply it onto the zit and I let it sit for about 20 min. I have found that this helps me a lot! I am also a big fan of it becuase it is cheap.
Also if you use a lot of lip balm, lip stick and lip gloss this can be causing the acne on your chin.
Post # 6
Member
767 posts
Busy bee
I’ve never tried proactiv or any of those “systems.” My acne was never that bad when I was on BC so I didn’t need to! I’ve heard mixed reviews for Proactiv- has anyone else had success?
Yeah, I suppose I just need to get a professional opinion. I don’t have a dermatologist in my current city, but my last one suggested a prescription that didn’t work, then suggested hormonal BC. I’m hoping I don’t have to go on a prescription to clear up my skin, but if it works, it works! I don’t usually wear much makeup, and hardly ever wear foundation.
Post # 7
Member
767 posts
Busy bee
@Mrs.LetsGoPens: Do you use that on a fully developed spot or anywhere that looks like it’s going to be breaking out?
And I hope it’s not my lip balm! I apply a lot of Burt’s Bees…. humm…
Post # 8
Member
2326 posts
Buzzing bee
@Mrs.LetsGoPens: The baking soda paste also works for me too.
Post # 9
Member
1675 posts
Bumble bee
I’ve struggled with hormonal acne as well, and it finally got so bad that I had to go back on hormonal birth control, which has been like a miracle for me (went through a ton of testing for hormonal imbalances…everything came back normal, but I ended up working with my doctor to find a pill that works for me).
Anyhow, I totally respect your decision to avoid bcp, as that would be my preference as well.
I had/have great success with the regimen outlined at acne.org. I don’t buy their specific brand of benzoyl peroxide and just use a brand of 2.5% available at my local drug store. The regimen really made a big difference for me.
My skinn is generally pretty clear now, but with the stress of the last few weeks before the wedding I have been breaking out (great timing). So last week, in a fit if desperation, I ran to the drug store and bought a Zeno. It has been like a miracle and I truly can’t recommend it enough for pimples that pop up at a really bad time!
Post # 10
Member
6394 posts
Bee Keeper
@PinkBubbleGum: You also might wsnt to just go to Sephora and get some skincare prodicts if you aren’t using one or if you don’t think it’s the right line for you. They’ll be able to recommend something for your skin type.
Post # 11
Member
6997 posts
Busy Beekeeper
I havent really had a huge problem with acne but i def tend to break out. Monstly on my chin and forehead… I am a huge fan of proactive. i absolutely love it and it does wonder for my skin. The BC might help as well…..I also noticed (back when tanning was cool) that would clear up my skin alot – though i wouldnt recommend it. i refuse to go to the tanning bed and always load up on sunscreen. funny how that happens when you get older 😉
Post # 12
Member
2866 posts
Sugar bee
I would have hormornal breakouts after I went off BC. I invested in a Clarisonic and also use the Bliss No Zit Sherlock kit. It dried out my skin at first but I’ve seen a definite improvement. The Clarisonic helps clear my skin quicker when I do get a breakout.
Post # 13
Member
151 posts
Blushing bee
@moderndaisy: The St. Ives apricot scrub has actually been shown to be extremely abrasive, there are many reports of it actually causing microscopic tears in the skin. The apricot “bits” have sharp edges and corners that can really damage your skin.
Post # 14
Member
1871 posts
Buzzing bee
Everyone’s skin is different.
I know you don’t want to take prescription medication–and you don’t have to–but you might consider going to see a dermatologist anyway and explain to them your preferences. Maybe they can recommend an OTC that’s good for you.
And this is not particularly scientific and I don’t know if this will work for you, but I found that my lifestyle had a much bigger effect on my skin than the products I used. Essentially, exercising and eating “cleaner foods”–foods with 5 ingredients or fewer and all ingredients had to be something I recognized–had the greatest effect. In particular, my skin got a lot clearer once I started eating cleaner. It appears my skin does not like additives, preservatives, artificial flavorings, hormones, or chemicals.
Post # 15
Member
2090 posts
Buzzing bee
If you have health insurance, I would highly recommend going to see a dermatologist and seeing what they recommend. Getting an Rx may be cheaper than going over the counter, too, depending on your insurance.
I know that ProActive works for many people, but it gave me a really bad chemical burn to my face, even when I used only ½ the amount they recommended 🙁 so if you have sensitive skin, be careful!
For me (getting acne at almost 30 – yay!) switching to Dr. Hauschka products and Cetaphil has really helped my skin. I also have an Rx for Epi-Duo gel. I only use it every other day (due to sensitive skin), and only use an amount about half the size of a pea, only on problem areas. My skin is MUCH better now.
Also, try using a honey mask. Just regular old honey – clean your face, apply honey and let sit about 30 minutes then rinse. It helps to keep my skin soft, and when I get a breakout, I do a mask several days in a row, and my skin clears up.
Edit: I see you said you didn’t want an Rx – but not sure if you woudl include something like a gel in this category too which is why I mentioned Epi-Duo.
Post # 16
Member
767 posts
Busy bee
@jo.lee: Right now I use two different cleaners: a Clean & Clear one for acne that has Salicyllic acid and face wash called “Thoroughly Clean Face Wash” with tea tree oil. On breakouts I use a Burts Bee Herbal Blemish stick. I also sometimes use a Tea Tree Water toner from Lush and have been known to put polysporin on my picked-at blemishes. I moisturize my cheeks with a thick lotion from Nivia and less dry parts with a lighter Olay moisturizer. So I have products, but either not the right ones/types or I’m using them wrong. I would just hate to spend loads of money on products that don’t work.
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone! I haven’t heard of many of these products.
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