Post # 1
Member
206 posts
Helper bee
Hello All yee Wise Bees!
I’m starting to reeeaaally freak out because these past few days I’ve been breaking out with really big pimples all over my face. When I was younger I used to deal alot with mild acne, it was never too terrible but I usually had 2-3 pimples somehwere every day, so I dealt with my fair deal of acne medication, over the counter, professional, proactiv, etc. FOr the past year my face has actually had a marked improvement. I started using some sephora (non-acne) products for my face washing regimen and it was actually really nice… up until last week when all hell broke loose again!!!
Even my Fiance has noticed that something is going on with my face. I don’t think I’m incredibly stressed and I’m not close to getting my period. I’m thinking it might be the sweltering heat!
ANYWAYS, I wanted your thoughtful advice and see if anyone knows what products (maybe a face mask?) have changed your life and made your face beautiful and smooth. I’m not sure I want to go back to proactiv right now because it’s one of those “Get worse before you get better” products.
I’m really scared that I’ll have these huge cystic pimples on the day of the wedding that can’t be hidden with foundation and good makeup!!
What did you use for your complexion?
Post # 3
Member
7431 posts
Busy Beekeeper
My BFF has a lot of acne problems, and she has used a lot of different products. You wanna know what works for her??? A wash cloth and cold water. That’s it!!! Totally crazy, but works for her. She is pissed that she didn’t figure this out years and hundreds of dollars ago!
Post # 4
Member
206 posts
Helper bee
@MrisSl82be — Hmm I think I’ll try that and see what happens. The lady that used to give me facials would also tell me to dry my face with a new piece of paper towel every time and avoid drying my face with a hand towel that has been used multiple times before. I might start trying that too.
Post # 5
Member
11 posts
Newbee
You can go to the dermatologist and get them injected with a steriod to make them go away in under a week. Cystic pimples always hang on for me forever. I also got a microderm abrasian facial 3 weeks before my wedding and that really smoothed out my skin and cleared my pores so I didn’t break out at all before the wedding. But do it now cause i had some (very mild) scarring – it cleared up in a week but I wouldn’t wait longer than that.
I would try those for quicker fixes first (if budget allows)- then switch back to an acne fighting facewashe (I use Nuetragena Grapefruit Wash and it helps) and a oil-free moisturizer and exfoilate once a week (or every other week if your skin is sensitive). Drink a lot of water, change your pillowcases, and yes use a separate towel for your face.
If you can’t go to a professional, try using a paste made from aspirin and water to reduce redness and swelling on the pimples themselves. I’ve also heard that hemerrhoid cream reduces the swelling too!
Post # 6
Member
10851 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
I’ve started using Clinique Acne Solutions and I really like it. It takes a couple days to settle in, but it’s made a big difference. If you have fair skin, I’d start off by using it once a day and then scale back to every other day otherwise you’ll start peeling. The spot treatment gel is awesome.
Post # 7
Member
44 posts
Newbee
I started using Philosphy on a Clear Day kit about a month ago, and I am now obsessed with it. I have not had 1 breakout since using it… I normally get a few breakouts here and there around my period, but this stuff has done wonders with that.
Post # 8
Member
566 posts
Busy bee
I was JUST here two weeks ago, so I’ll give you my best advice: don’t go overboard with acne products or exfoliating products. I started seeing crazy breakouts and went to town on my face with my Clarisonic, resulting in dry, flaky patches that took 2 weeks to heal properly. While they were healing, they were SO sensitive that “sensitive skin” moisturizer burned and stung. I had to use baby oil on those patches until my face healed!
I’ve been using Burt’s Bees cleanser (the one with orange oil or something). It’s pretty thick and oily and at first feels stupid to be adding more oil to my face, but I think something about keeping your skin moisturized will help prevent breakouts.
Good luck! -from someone who is still on the search for my perfect skin care products.
Post # 9
Member
7431 posts
Busy Beekeeper
@merenguito: Yeah, she went to see a derm and was told that she was just making her skin more oily and that was making her break out more. So now, she just washs with a cold wet rag in the morning and at night, followed by a light thin moisturizer (not sure what she is using) that has spf in it during the day, and her skin has never looked better. Its pretty amazing, because when she first told me that was what she was doing, I laughed and told her it would never work.
Post # 10
Member
107 posts
Blushing bee
I was going to say stress until you said you don’t think you’re incredibly stressed…hmm. I’ve had pretty bad acne for a really long time, and I just started using Boots Expert Anti-Blemish Cleansing Foam, which Target recently started carrying. I have extremely sensitive skin, but this stuff isn’t a problem at all–it just removes my makeup and excess oil like it’s supposed to, and doesn’t over-dry my face either.
Other things that help me not just a little, but tremendously are making sure to drink a lot of water (especially since it’s hot, and this sounds obvious, but I find it really easy to forget), and going for long walks (or another type of exercise). Oh, and make sure you take a break from wedding planning and get a little bit of sun every day! A good dose of vitamin D has always been extremely beneficial to my skin, and I’ve heard the only way you can absorb it is from the sun.
Obviously I don’t have the perfect solution since I still have acne, but it’d be a lot worse without these things. Good luck and congratulations!
Post # 11
Member
11 posts
Newbee
The BEST thing to clear up my skin is to go swimming in a pool! I guess chlorine will kill everything on your face haha.
If I look like I’m breaking out pretty bad, I swim every day for a few days and it clears it right up!