The Acne Thread

[kissablekae]

dumbfairy, thas why i hate being sick. its bad enough to feel sluggish, deal with a runny nose and sore throat/constant coughing but being sick in the past few weeks definitely affect my skin. ugh

cherryblossoms, that was my perception(and still kinda is) of the C&C cleansers because i tried ones for acne back in the day(i dont remember which one it was but i think they discontinued it by now because they always have new stuff) and it was pretty drying. so when my friend recommended it to my sister i was like i dunno mannnn! lol but when i looked at the bottle it didnt seem to be harsh or for acne cleanser so i gave it a shot.

emailme., when i used it back in the day it really did give a squeaky clean effect! which was also drying. thats what i didnt like about their stuff...same with Noxema? do they still have that? and some other brands that i hated because they were too damn strong, i really felt like it was stripping my skin even just during the washing part. ...hmm maybe its a good thing you arent using the kit everyday, i mean this way you can kind of give your skin a break since you are using other stuff like BP(i dunno what that is)? it might be good to gradually use the kit more and more versus just jump into it and using it too religiously and shocking the skin(and possibly becoming dependent on the product).

this being the Acne thread, i think people would assume to use cleansers for acne. thats what i did when i was 15 and had a lot of acne. most of the ones ive seen have salicylic acid and other well known acne fighting ingredients etc

have you guys considered just using products aimed towards just basic cleansing with no acne fighting ingredient? i think when the term 'basic' is being used, a lot of people think Cetaphil or something but i think i mentioned this before, i tried that and i thought it was basic to the point of it not even doing a good job of removing makeup, dirt etc for me it left a weird residue so my face didnt feel soft because when i touched it my skin would catch my hand(does that make sense? i assure they were clean hands lol no worries)

i think maybe trying something that isnt aimed for acne fighting instead something that is just aimed at cleaning off dirt(and oil - this is what it says on the back of my cleanser but not in the front so by that i mean its not specifically designed for oily skin but cleaning off the oil you may accumulate) will be more gentle and less irritating to acne so it can heal on its own time. but this is just my opinion based on my own experience. i tend not to touch pimples unless they are ready to be poppped like when they are white and it needs to goooo! lol

im still kind of sick with a cold and cough right now so for a time my skin was dry and slightly flaky. i normally dont use face scrubs so i had to go out and look for one. i was going to get the C&C Morning Burst Scrub since i figured if the face wash version has worked for me for so long and doesnt irritate me then the scrub should be okay. i was about to get that until i saw those cool C&C oil absorbing sheets and those happend to come with a tiny squeeze tube bottle of C&C Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub. i decided to get that instead since i didnt really want a full size scrub that i would only use when i need to and will probably never finish.

so anyways, i dont have oily skin and the sheets didnt do anything for me. there is not much oil to absorb unless i rubbed it over my face like really really hard so i ended up giving the sheets to my sister. its one of those things that are fun to try but if you dont need it and it doesnt work its like oh how underwhelming... like Biore strips i only do every once and a long while, i dont think i need to use often and it would be so underwhelming when i peel it off because there is nothing there yet! i think for oily skin those sheets are great for touch ups during the day if you dont want to apply more makeup like powder or wash your face too many times during the day. i used to use them when i was 15 and didnt wear makeup. so the little tube of Deep Action scrub is okay so far, ive used it like 2 or 3 times since ive gotten it about two weeks ago. it got rid of the little flakies and left my skin soft, it does tingle a lot more(during) than Morning Burst which was a little scary at first but afterwards my skin just felt cool.

 

[emailme.]

kissablekae i dont know if youre aware of this or not but there is a notion that cleansing your face and removing makeup should be 2 seperate processes.

A cleanser needed to remove your makeup might strip too much moisture of your skin and thats why theres make up remover because its specially formulated to only take off your makeup.

So if youre using a cleanser with the criterias of removing makeup and maintaining the moisture in your skin it can really be difficult to avoid not getting acne. For one if your cleanser is too gentle it will leave make up behind hence clogging your pores. Two, if your cleanser is too strong it can strip off moisture off your skin thus making your skin produce more oil than it should.

Hopefully that wasnt too confusing and not condescending.

 

[kissablekae]

^ o emailme., its not condescending at all. no worries, on the internet i try not read into things too much. i think for the most part people want to help others which is why we are here the people who are outright condescending are usually very obviously rude(they usually give really bad advice!) and they get shunned by the other members lol thats why i love TFS, the stupid people get attacked till they never come back again!

i mainly need to remove eye makeup. my foundations/concealers are usually for just undereye circles so that gets removed by my Almay Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover Pads(i wear waterproof mascara) & Almay Oil Free Makeup Remover Pads to remove the oilyness of the Moisturizing formula, then i cleanse with C&C.

if i have spots or am still recovering from spots then ill wear a bit of foundation/concealer over them and i have to use Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes for that. supposedly the Neutrogena wipes says you dont have to wash your face afterwards like its that waterless cleansing kind of thing...some people do this and it works for them but i prefer to not have that residue on my face so i just rinse with water. i havent used C&C after the Neutrogena wipes very much lately, only when i feel like water isnt enough then i'll use the C&C afterwards.

im not big on toners...i tried ones that my sisters buy but i dont feel like they do anything for me. i believe they were alcohol free but still made my skin feel weird afterwards, some were drying and some left a slightly sticky residue. i never got a big effect like seeing leftover makeup on the cotton pads because usually my cleanser got it all off. but keep in mind i use light coverage foundations/concealers sparingly only where i need it then by the end of they day most of it is pretty much all worn off. i bought MAC Studio Finish concealer which is a heavy duty concealer intended for my fresh *red* blemishes that just say "Hello World!" but i got matched with one that was wayyy to dark NC30, i think im closer to the 20's so i havent used it. i have to go back and return/exchange and get rematched. im thinking of getting MAC makeup remover wipes to remove the Studio Finish because i think it will be stronger than my Neutrogena wipes, MAC wipes are probably designed to remove even their toughest MAC foundations etc

 

[Mk's Beauty Shop]

I use face wipes to remove my makeup then i wash my face with the wash i mentioned before the dermologica one which i think is better because it lets the wash do what its meant to do because if i wash my face once theres no way all the make up would come off!

 

[cuiviénen]

Kissablekae-my bad skin in December coincided with being extremly ill. The virus inside me really had an effect,I still have 2 blisters under the surface of my chin,but a lot smaller now thankfully

Cuivienen-Just plain greek yogurt? Cos I'd like to give that a go!

I've never found that anything like C&C has worked on my skin,although I'm using Neutrogena Spot Stress Control Daily Scrub,not because I find it clears my skin but because it makes it super soft But I got my next 2 months worth of antibiotics yesterday,only 10 more months to go lol

Yes indeed...I get one with a creamier consistency because it smooths onto the skin better. Let me know how you go

 

[izzie stevens]

I never had acne, ever... but I've been very stressed ever since the new school semester began. Classes, bills, work, assignments, everything has been very busy and so I think this may by why I am breaking out, and badly! But I noticed that the more I clean my face and moisturize, the worse it gets. What I've been getting is mostly on my cheeks, more so on my left cheek than my right, and it's basically white heads and red, blotchy spots that look like some allergic reaction.

For the past two days, I have been cleaning my face in the morning with bar soap as opposed to the Aveda cleanser I was using prior, and have been wiping my face clean at night with baby wipes. I don't use make-up, only lipsticks and gloss, so there's no need for make-up remover or removing anything aside from the dirt, grime, and oils that skin absorbs throughout the day.

I also have stopped moisturizing. In other words, I dropped my entire routine in order to see if it was only making my break-outs due to stress worse, and low and behold, my skin is clearing up. Could my face care routine have been making it worse as I suspect? Can anyone help me out here? This is what I was using:

For cleansing, Aveda, Botanical Kinetics Purifying Gel Cleanser, and I scrub using my Clarisonic brush, which I was told can be very bad if you over use it. I was using it twice a day, in the morning and before bed, and using it with the normal brush. Nonetheless, I somehow forgot to use it one morning and noticed that my skin didn't grow as oily as it usually does throughout the day. So, I decided to run a test on myself and stopped using it, which proved me right. My skin is less prone to growing oily, especially in the t-zone area when I don't use the brush. The problem is, though, I've been using it for so long and I am so, so, so used to it, that which now makes me feel as if my skin just isn't clean enough because I've stopped using it. It's probably just a mental thing, right? When you use something for so long and then stop, you're bound to feel a little incomplete without it, right?

When I noticed how bad I was breaking out, before I stopped using the Clarisonic brush, I tried switching cleansers. I began to use this one by Burt's Bees but didn't like how it left my skin. It felt nice and tingly, almost as if I had applied mint on my face, but the cream is so thick that I felt as if it might clog my pores.

For moisturizing, I was using an organic product that has always worked wonders for me, but I'm pretty sure was only making my skin much more oily as of recent, too. It's California Baby Calming Botanical Moisturizing Cream.

At night, before bed, I was cleaning with the Aveda cleanser and Clarisonic again, and then applying Aveda's Balancing Infusion Salicylic Acid Acne treatment.

Although my skin has cleared up after I stopped using everything and turned to using bar soap and not applying anything to my face, it still has a long way to go until it is back to normal. So, I need help. I was thinking of going to a dermatologist but for one, I can't afford one right now because I've basically spent thousands of dollars towards schools books, bills, and compulsive clothing purchases. School is freaking expensive, so, yeah... ehh. And secondly? I don't want to go to a dermatologist and have them put me on Murad or ProActive. That **** is known to be effective, but is also known to damage your skin in the long run. I don't want that, most especially because I've never had skin problems before. I think this is just a phase my skin is going through, but I don't want to ignore it. I want to take care of it ASAP!

Also, has anyone ever used this Kinerase lotion? I tried it once after a Sephora salesgirl gave me a sample and although I only had enough to use for two days, I liked that it felt light and my face didn't feel as oily as it usually gets throughout the day. I can remember the salesgirl mentioning that lotion is better than cream for moisturizing. Anyone know if this is a fact, or just some b.s. she spot out so that I would possibly buy the product? As much as I am currently broke and the lotion is $117, I am willing to buy it and give it a try just as long as I come across a few people that have something good to say about it.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Has anyone heard or experienced any worsening or bettering (not a word!) of their skin when they exercise...ie I heard that running and getting a sweat lets the skin 'breathe' and cleanse itself...anyone??

 

[izzie stevens]

Has anyone heard or experienced any worsening or bettering (not a word!) of their skin when they exercise...ie I heard that running and getting a sweat lets the skin 'breathe' and cleanse itself...anyone??

I have heard of that. I've also heard that it's good to wipe your face with your sweaty shirt after going for a run because the sweat is good for your skin... Can't say I've ever done that, though.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I have heard of that. I've also heard that it's good to wipe your face with your sweaty shirt after going for a run because the sweat is good for your skin... Can't say I've ever done that, though.

LOL, don't think i'll do that...but thanks

 

[satin chic]

have you guys considered just using products aimed towards just basic cleansing with no acne fighting ingredient?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, I've been using a very gentle pH-neutral cleanser for the past few months and my skin is so much better now than before when I was using all those harsh products aimed towards acne-prone skin. I feel like all the Clearasil, Clean & Clear and whatever else aggravated my acne and made my skin really sensitive over the time. Pretty great marketing strategy, isn't it?
I'd definitely recommend trying something pH-neutral and gentle to anyone.

 

[kissablekae]

Yes, absolutely. In fact, I've been using a very gentle pH-neutral cleanser for the past few months and my skin is so much better now than before when I was using all those harsh products aimed towards acne-prone skin. I feel like all the Clearasil, Clean & Clear and whatever else aggravated my acne and made my skin really sensitive over the time. Pretty great marketing strategy, isn't it?
I'd definitely recommend trying something pH-neutral and gentle to anyone.

^ thats so awesome satin chic! dont i sound so *Californian*? lol
ive been trying to tell my friends and family that for a while, whenever i hear that they wanna start using super harsh products *coughs Clinique toner, St Ives coughs* im like just wait it out! seriously or use something gentle in the meantime. skin needs time to heal and it shouldnt be bombared with so much sh*t constantly. as far as marketing strategy, i totally agree and i feel the same way about sunscreen but thats probably more approriate for another thread.

~~~

izzie stevens, darling! i really think its just a phase and we all go through rough times and it usually affects our skin and bodies too. i have a feeling it will pass

last Summer(08) when i was really depressed & stressed(i rhyme), i broke out more and they were worse than my normal type of breakouts. when i didnt break out my skin got either oily or dry, not really a combo of the two at once though. once i was happy again my skin cleared up. even my hair felt icky when i was sad! no amount of cleansing(hair) made it feel like it was normal. knowing what i know about my skin i stuck to gentle stuff and just rode the *blues* out.

i say stick to what your doing now as far as cleansing since it seems to be working. trying new things might just aggravate it more. i think if you have problems with moisturizers making your skin oily, its best to switch from the creme to a gel or light moisturizer. i really like Neutrogena Oil Free one, they have one for Combo, Normal, Sensitive etc and i belive they are all fragrance free! which i love...i dont need a perfumed face! but i dont think that stopping moisturizing is a bad thing if you skin feels good without it. i dont even use mine all the time if my skin feels okay. i think what you going throught is both combination of stress and the prodcuts not working for you in this phase.

it sounds like your brush might be causing your skin to become more oily. i would ditch that for now. maybe you can use again when youre back to normal but to be safe i wouldnt. its great that you can pinpoint the source of your problems, listen to your gut! the cleanliness might be a mental thing but maybe get a more effective cleanser than the bar soap?
like how it left my skin. It felt nice and tingly, almost as if I had applied mint on my face, but the cream is so thick that I felt as if it might clog my pores.

i havent used Salicylic Acid based products since i was 15 so you know im biased...against them. but do what works for you.

i dont think you need a dermatologist yet, they will probably just prescribe something and its really trial and error, you can always do a bit of research yourself before trying anything. im not knocking derms but they dont always know your entire skin history and how you react to things. they are very well informed but your body and skin is so individual...and youre broke(like me, we're all the same boat esp since school started) so i say nay to derm.

i went to a derm when i was 15 and seriously i was like tell me something i dont know. what she was prescribing me were all the over the counter products that i knew didnt work for me already. even if it's not same brand i looked up and it was the same ingredients with diffrent packaging. but like ive mentioned before im not willing to go through like pills and meds that will drive me up the wall with their side effects.

yikes the Kinerase lotion is really pricy, $117! i mean i do take people's recommendations to heart...then i hope on makeupalley and look up reviews with people who have similiar skin type as i do and i look at their picturs lolyou should go back and get more samples! for me, two day trial is not enough to convince me to buy $117 bottle of lotion! what if my skin hates it on the third day? i suppose you can return if it doesnt work? but i dont know how long you are willing to stick with it to see if it works. certainly you cant use half the bottle and try to return. i agree with the : lotion is probably better than cream for you. i dont have extremely dry skin so i never buy creams but for the people who do have it(i dont think you do), its obvious and they would be the exception where creams are necessary for them especially in the winter.

 

[dumbfairy]

^ ^ I used La Roche Posay face wash for about 6 weeks,with no real claims to clearing acne and absolutly loved it. It was soap free and Ph neutral. (Yes I had issues during that time but I feel like I know my skin pretty well and that the face wash was not the cause). I would buy it again only the price has gone up slightly here and I'm trying to do 2009 on a budget!!

I'm buying some yougurt tomorrow to tyr it as a mask Today (with the right amount of make up on!) my skin looks fabulous,its just a shame that I dont like wearing make up so much anymore. The scarring always looks worse when I'm tired

 

[kissablekae]

^ there is a random line from izzie still in there about "minty tingles" in there! i was reading and responding and erasing at the same time...lol

 

[cherryblossoms]

La Roche Posay is very good, as well as other pharmaceutical brands like Bioderma (Sebium), Vichy, Avene etc...


I don't think that wiping with sweaty shirt is a good idea, imagine all the bacteria coming to your face eeewwww

 

[angela xx]

Aw, izzie stevens, I agree with kissablekae, it's just a phase that a lot of us have to go through but I completely feel your pain. From what you described, it sounds like your acne is pretty mild so I wouldn't recommend seeing a dermatologist just yet. And you're right stay faaaar away from Proactiv (I never tried Murad). Speaking from personal experience, your skin gets addicted, it's like liquid cr*ck.

It sucks to say, but with all skin problems, it's going to take some trial and error- what works great for others, might wreck havoc for the rest. But what I noticed is that trying holistic approaches never hurt anyone, they might have no effect for some people but I've never heard of anyone's skin reacting badly to them. Some good vitamins/supplements for acne/oiliness are fish oil, vitamin B5, zinc, and primose oil. For the redness/blotchiness, there's vitamin C and E. You can also take a shot of apple cider vinegar (tastes like death though) and sip on lemon water throughout the day to help flush out toxins. Green tea is full of something, don't remember what, but I heard it can also help with acne and peppermint tea is full of androgens.

 

[kissablekae]

Has anyone heard or experienced any worsening or bettering (not a word!) of their skin when they exercise...ie I heard that running and getting a sweat lets the skin 'breathe' and cleanse itself...anyone??

i think for some it maybe be a dramatic change because they have a lots of toxins in their bodies that need to be expelled through sweat...lol drinkers come to mind! i know that when i used to work out a lot i didnt break out from all the sweating but i almost always went straight home afterwards to shower. except when we used to go out to eat after gyming at a lil dive called Wingstop whenever we craved carrot and celery sticks(they have good dips)! it was refreshing after a work out...ahhhh those were the days but exercise would be mostly a good thing as well as sweating!

I have heard of that. I've also heard that it's good to wipe your face with your sweaty shirt after going for a run because the sweat is good for your skin... Can't say I've ever done that, though.

ew lol some people come up with the craziest things! not sure if your own sweat would hurt you unless it was mixed with your makeup, moisturizer etc i used to gym 5 days a week so i bought a whole bunch of different colored face towels so i could grab a fresh one each time. your sweat is your sweat but personally i still wouldnt want to wipe my face with a shirt or towel that had my own sweat!

 

[Mk's Beauty Shop]

With exercise you HAVE to take your make up off otherwise it all goes into ur pores and blocks them.. I use a tinted moisturizer with zinc for when I'm out in the sun.. lol it doesnt melt down your face!

 

[cuiviénen]

I know this may sound obvious or just plain simple, but sometimes not thinking/obsessing about your skin is more beneficial than any medicine or topical treatment out there. Come to think of it the whole 'you create what you fear' scenario can apply here...

 

[Liberty Belle]

Thanks Kisablekae

 

[Mk's Beauty Shop]

One little thing i have heard too is dont rest your chin or any other part of your face on your hand when you are reading, on the computer etc The grease or dirt from your hand and the pressue can cause break outs