The Acne Thread

[izzie stevens]

ive never had a facial... i use neutrogena oil free face wash
http://www.neutrogena.com/ProductsDetails_18.asp?lProductLineID=1

i only use a little bit

the only thing about neutrogena is that it has salicylic acid, and salicylic acid can be very drying and irritating.

 

[Miwi]

Salicylic acid can be quite effective. It works like micro-peeling-encourages exfoliation of excess dead skin cells, promotes the disappearance of blemishes.
But you can't use several salicylic products. izzie is right, it might cause dryness or irritations. So be careful with use.

 

[Suburban Snob]

I usually don't like SA products but I recently got Avon's ClearSkin from a friend and I really like it. I used to only use Benzoyl Peroxide but I was concerned about it damaging my skin.

I still love sulfur but SA is a second.

 

[kfan]

just a note...many dermotologist will tell you if you use an oil free foundation, it will not make you breakout. I was told that its kinda a myth like chocolate/breakout connection. this is coming from a very famous derm. who happens to be in the same medical practice as my dermotolgist. sure, everybody is different, and certain people react to certain ingredients, but I dont think foundation is really that bad for your skin. u have to make sure to take it all off at night and get a good one though.

I'm also a real believer in keeping your skin hydrated---even if you think u have oily skin. also, less seems to be more too. you dont have to spend a ton of money on name brand products either. I mentioned Jojoba oil before---its pretty awesome. Also exfoliating is key. Avon products are surprisingly good. Zinc and evening primrose oil tablets are also good---and burdock root cleans your system, eliminatng toxins that contribute to breakouts.

If all else fails, dont be afraid to go to the dermotologist cause they can do wonders for you!

 

[rollagasper]

i have really dry skin, and breakouts. and a little bit of scarring. I'm not sure if I should change my face wash or my moisturizer. right now I'm using clean and clear for dry skin, and Avon for a face cream. does anyone have any advice or any recommendations?

I have the same problem too! My derm prescribed me some cream for the pimples, but it makes my skin so dry and flaky, I can't even use it. I use Lush's "Celestial" moisturizer and it works wonders for dryness. But I have yet to find a good product for the breakouts and scars... My face also gets really red so scars are really obvious.

have you tried using skin balancing oils? i would recommend fresh moisturizer for the day, and a balancing oil for the night in order to restore your skin and get rid of that dryness.

What are balancing oils and where can I find them? Is there a specific brand that carries them?

 

[voguelover94]

i have tea tree oil but ive never used it.


do i just put it on like a spot clearer??

 

[izzie stevens]

just a note...many dermotologist will tell you if you use an oil free foundation, it will not make you breakout. I was told that its kinda a myth like chocolate/breakout connection. this is coming from a very famous derm. who happens to be in the same medical practice as my dermotolgist. sure, everybody is different, and certain people react to certain ingredients, but I dont think foundation is really that bad for your skin. u have to make sure to take it all off at night and get a good one though.

I'm also a real believer in keeping your skin hydrated---even if you think u have oily skin. also, less seems to be more too. you dont have to spend a ton of money on name brand products either. I mentioned Jojoba oil before---its pretty awesome. Also exfoliating is key. Avon products are surprisingly good. Zinc and evening primrose oil tablets are also good---and burdock root cleans your system, eliminatng toxins that contribute to breakouts.

If all else fails, dont be afraid to go to the dermotologist cause they can do wonders for you!

you're right. even oily skin needs moisturizing. but foundation? no matter what kind of foundation it is, putting foundation over troublesome skin is like pouring lemon juice over an open wound. all you are doing in further clogging your pores.

 

[izzie stevens]

What are balancing oils and where can I find them? Is there a specific brand that carries them?

i am currently using the balancing oil from dr. hauschka's line and it's called "normalizing day oil." but really, if you know a skin care line that you feel comfortable with, ask the skin care rep at where you shop for an oil that will balance your skin be it oily, dry, or combo, and they will show you one if their line carries it. most lines do have one!

 

[cuiviénen]

you're right. even oily skin needs moisturizing. but foundation? no matter what kind of foundation it is, putting foundation over troublesome skin is like pouring lemon juice over an open wound. all you are doing in further clogging your pores.

I know this is very true, but I can't help but wear make-up/foundation especially when my skin is looking pretty bad (it covers up the imperfections/scars)...What would you reccommend I do during the 'annoying skin' phase? I know letting my skin breathe is definitely the way to go, but the scars and pimples are just I've been using vitamin e cream on existing scars and tea tree oil on pimples (which seem to be more like deep red blockages). The vitamin e seems to be working...at a snail-like pace. I've also used a deep cleansing mud mask (once a week), which has proved ineffective on unblocking pores. I'm at my wick's end...

 

[kfan]

maybe Mineral Makeup like Bare essentails or whatever its called might work for you if u want something light to cover your skin up...
you sound stressed---I COMPLETLY understand, but being stressed-out makes your skin worse, so try to relax (i know, easier said than done!)
Fruit acids will breakdown the clogged pores...are you exfoliating, gently?
For scars, Mederma works, but it will take time.

 

[nijuyanah]

i have tea tree oil but ive never used it.


do i just put it on like a spot clearer??

i just put a few drops on a cotton bud and then directly apply it on the spot

 

[voguelover94]

^^ cool thnx. i just realised it was tea tree ensential oil

 

[Susanna-Cole]

Well, my skin, while it's thankfully never been too bad, will just be a little blotchy and I'll get some a couple spots seem to pop up every week or so ... but, not so much anymore, since I started using Mary Kay (http://www.marykay.com/) products. Using the Mary Kay cleansers and make-up have helped my skin look close to perfect.

Now granted, they may not work everyone, I'm not promising a miracle, but I will say my mom and sister started using Mary Kay products too (and actually my mom is now a Mary Kay independent beauty consultant) we've seen so much improvement.

Not a lot of (especially young) people have heard of Mary Kay. They're products are not in stores, so it's a little harder to purchase them. They're also a bit more expensive, but I think they're worth it!

If you're looking to try new skin care and make-up products, I would highly recommend trying Mary Kay! Oh and if you have any questions about it... I can try to answer them best I can.

i have another question? anyone tried mary kay products, specifically their microdermabrasion one? they're only available to private owners similar avon.

I've only used the microdermanbrasion like twice, but my mom and sister use it and they say it makes their skin so much softer and fresher! I believe it removes dry skin and cleans deep or something ... I really need to purchase some of it myself and try it out!

 

[Susanna-Cole]

I know this is very true, but I can't help but wear make-up/foundation especially when my skin is looking pretty bad (it covers up the imperfections/scars)...What would you reccommend I do during the 'annoying skin' phase? I know letting my skin breathe is definitely the way to go, but the scars and pimples are just I've been using vitamin e cream on existing scars and tea tree oil on pimples (which seem to be more like deep red blockages). The vitamin e seems to be working...at a snail-like pace. I've also used a deep cleansing mud mask (once a week), which has proved ineffective on unblocking pores. I'm at my wick's end...

I think as someone else said, who posted below you, I would try mineral powder foundation. I use Mary Kay mineral powder foundation, and I certainly haven't noticed it making my skin any worse. I can't really tell if it's making my skin better per se, either, because I've switched to using pretty much all Mary Kay products a couple months ago, and since then my skin has been so much better (well it wasn't too bad to begin with, but not unlike most people, who doesn't want to strive for perfect skin? plus I have to be in front of camera, and the photographers and fillmmakers don't like having to pay to get your skin retouched whatsoever ). So it could be a combination of products that have helped, but I would certainly try mineral poweder foundation if you haven't.

And about foundation making your skin worse... I was told by a beauty consultant for Mary Kay that wearing my foundation will actually help protect and heal my skin. I didn't buy this at first, but I've been using the Mary Kay foundation almost every day and I find if I go a couple days without the foundation, my skin gets worse!

 

[cuiviénen]

maybe Mineral Makeup like Bare essentails or whatever its called might work for you if u want something light to cover your skin up...
you sound stressed---I COMPLETLY understand, but being stressed-out makes your skin worse, so try to relax (i know, easier said than done!)
Fruit acids will breakdown the clogged pores...are you exfoliating, gently?
For scars, Mederma works, but it will take time.

I've never had break-out as bad as this, so its all new for me and I am a little worried about it I gently exfoliate twice a week, and I also use a very gentle purifying cleanser. What type of fruit acids work best in your opinion?

 

[voguelover94]

lemons?

 

[izzie stevens]

I've never had break-out as bad as this, so its all new for me and I am a little worried about it I gently exfoliate twice a week, and I also use a very gentle purifying cleanser. What type of fruit acids work best in your opinion?

lemon will dry your acne, for sure. but the skin care specialist that i always go to for help at sephora recommends orange based fruit products to me. as a matter of fact, i have been using this for two weeks now and i am in love with it! and it has vitamin c in it. the difference is that lemon will dry your acne... but vitamin c/orange will also regenerate your skin and give it a healthy glow.

 

[cuiviénen]

Thanks guys Do you apply the lemon as a spot treatment? Or all over the face? And that cleanser izzie looks magical! I'm definitely going to hunt it down and make a purchase

 

[voguelover94]

sounds good i might get my friend to buy it online for me. would it be good for acne?

 

[Navygreen]

I want my red marks to fade away. What do I do?
Mind you, I don't shop anything from the internet and I live in the middle of nowhere.