any experience/solutions for sensitive, fair, aging, acne/scars skin?!

[nycmom18]

that's it, it's all in the title.



I started getting acne around puberty: 12 years old which continued for 14 years at 26 and still acne!

The only time in my life where i was clear skinned with young and glowing skin was when i was preggo. Then 4 months post partum-same old skin again.

Now I'm 9 months post partum and still acne, but my new thing is that my skin just looks old! And my acne scars are starting to show through even more.

My skin is very fair with red tints-thanks irish ancestors! So when i get cold, my scars show through my make-up. which i use bare minerals.

I did notice a temporary change when i had an eminence facial for a gift. the facialist told me i have rosacea type skin, although i've never noticed it, i dont get red cheeks or anything, but whatever she used on my face really calmed it down. however, those products are way too expensive for me and i was just hoping to find something cheaper that i could make.

i recently tried washing with honey-which i dont like and the ocm which i like, although dont notice any change.

so here's what i do:
wash ocm-but want something else (night)
tone-witch hazel (morning after rinse face with water.)
moisturize either jojoba oil or alba green tea and aloe.

i know its hormonal because of the preggo thing, just wondering if theres a way to control it now.

i take dha, multi, &probiotic.drink lots of water, dont drink alcohol or smoke, eat good for the most part.

I want to:
-clear up acne
-lighten scars
-get young skin again-around my eyes and frown lines and forehead. i'm only 26 for heavens sake!

if anyone has anything that might help-i'm all ears! thanks!

[Mrs.Oz]

I think I could have written your post, especially about the Irish skin thing! Although I had acne for over 12 years, now I'm mainly just oily, although like you, I have GREAT skin while pregnant. Unfortunately, that's not a permanent skin-clearing solution for me .

The only natural thing I ever did with my skin that I noticed a pretty significant difference from was using an egg-yolk mask at night. Sounds weird, I know, but I read about it in a newspaper when I was in high school and I used to do it every night for a while. Just separate the yolk, break it up, apply to clean skin, let dry, then remove with a warm washcloth and pat your skin dry. It heals and really reduces the redness and inflammation of any existing breakouts. It also makes your skin SOOOO soft after you pat dry that you might not even need a moisturizer.

There's also a book by Dr. Nicholas Perricone called "The Acne Prescription" that goes in depth into diet and skin. His diet can be difficult to follow (at least for me) but when I've stuck with the foods he lists as good and avoided the bad ones, I have noticed a difference. He also has a book called "The Perricone Prescription" which deals more with aging, but I'm pretty sure the diets are similar since the basis of both is reducing the foods that cause an inflammatory response in your system. Worth checking out though, IMO. Wish I had more to offer you but hope any of this helps!

[PoetryLover]

I just saw that this thread can help with acne.

http://http://www.mothering.com/disc...d.php?t=162376

Also, I wanted to say that I have many of the same concerns as you, so please don't feel alone. I'm a fair skinned redhead and all my sisters have darker complexions, so they don't have the same skin concerns that I do. I'm a little older than you (32) and have been concerned with wrinkles for a few years now. I think sunblock is one of the most important things you can do for your skin and I wish I'd started wearing it a lot sooner.

I've always had a little acne here and there, but a few years ago I was going through a very stressful time and broke out like crazy for a number of months. In desperation, I tried all kinds of treatments with chemicals that only irritated my skin more. Sadly, I did suffer scarring from that period in my life. Switching to natural products has helped my skin more than anything. That and stress-reduction.

As for scarring, I hear apple cider vinegar helps to fade scars. I've been using it as a toner (mixed with water) and my scars seem less visible, but it's only been a few weeks.


Anyhow, I hope this helps and that other posters are able to off good advice. (I know I'll come back to check this thread to view any advice.)

[Chamomile Girl]

One thing that has helped calm my skin down is blue chamomile oil, but a little goes a very long way...like one drop into an half an ounce of jojoba oil. It is pretty strong smelling...not ina bad way, but you should find a way to smell before you buy because the oil is somewhat pricey (although it lasts a very long time). If you are already using jojoba oil you could also mix in some rose oil (Aura Cacia sells a jojoba/rose mix that is an ok price). Rose oil is great for helping aging looking skin as is rose hip seed oil and carrot oil. My favorite blend has the jojoba base with borage oil, rose hip oil, carrot seed oil, rose essential oil and neroli. Of course this only works if you know a place where you can find these things bulk, 'cause otherwise its pretty cost prohibitive.

The best eye natural treatment I have found is made by Suki and it is called "eye tissue repair". The main ingredent seems to be calendula, but in a very concentrated form. It works well, but is just over twenty bucks for a tiny amount. I was lucky in that I used to work in a natural body care department...so I have tried pretty much everything...and this is one of the only things I liked enough to spend real money on once my sample ran out.

[JaneSmith1010]

I am in exactly the same boat. I am 25 and have had terrible skin since 10 or so--mine gets worse during pregnancy. I am very irish blooded and have the celiac disease you'd expect with that heritage. The state of my intestines is very closely linked with my skin health, so that's one thing for you to consider.

Also, I personally think the oily-ness and adult acne part of this for us may be linked to our tendency to do things to our skin (ie washing, peels, chemicals, makeup) and pollution and chemicals in our diets and personal care products. Don't get me wrong, I use all of the nasty products and am not pointing fingers...I just think that our skin's flora and oil producing functions are thrown off by our hygienic habits.

In any case, the aging of my skin is mostly from the chemicals I have used to keep my skin decent looking over the years. I have no idea what to suggest, as every time I try a more natural regimen I look HORRIBLE for the next 3 months. I am considering a deep facial peel to get rid of scars when my face seems a little more clear.

As for the sunscreen, it is more likely to give you skin cancer than actually going out in the sun. If you are worried about sun damage you should use hats or natural sunblocks like those from Burt's Bees. IMO sun is not the big culprit, it is harsh hygiene and chemicals.

I'll be checking back here for some answers myself.

[PoetryLover]

Originally Posted by jhow32000

As for the sunscreen, it is more likely to give you skin cancer than actually going out in the sun. If you are worried about sun damage you should use hats or natural sunblocks like those from Burt's Bees. IMO sun is not the big culprit, it is harsh hygiene and chemicals.

I'll be checking back here for some answers myself.

I agree about chemicals not being good for skin. When I mentioned sunblock in my previous post, I wasn't thinking of the kind with chemicals. I've seen this recipe here on Mothering for Natural Sunblock. I haven't personally tried it yet, though. http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1043216

Also, I'm thinking particularly of the chemicals in anti-acne products and how they often make the skin more susceptible to sun damage. At least that is my understanding. I was using these products that directed me to use sunblock --and I didn't use sunblock for the most part. I don't think that helped my skin at all.

[JaneSmith1010]

Originally Posted by PoetryLover

I agree about chemicals not being good for skin. When I mentioned sunblock in my previous post, I wasn't thinking of the kind with chemicals. I've seen this recipe here on Mothering for Natural Sunblock. I haven't personally tried it yet, though. http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1043216

Also, I'm thinking particularly of the chemicals in anti-acne products and how they often make the skin more susceptible to sun damage. At least that is my understanding. I was using these products that directed me to use sunblock --and I didn't use sunblock for the most part. I don't think that helped my skin at all.

I thought that is what you meant, I just wanted to clarify for OP in case she is not savy to the sunblock issues.

[PoetryLover]

Originally Posted by jhow32000

I thought that is what you meant, I just wanted to clarify for OP in case she is not savy to the sunblock issues.

Not a problem. Clarification never hurts. :-)

[Sasharna]

I am your age. What sort of acne are you dealing with?

Mine is small comedones. My skin clears up with near 100% avoidance of grains and sugary foods, but it's really hard for me to do. So, uh, I don't.

I am back on the 2.5% BP solution. The way I minimize damage to my skin is by using it (the topical cream) much less often than most people. I put it on at night every 2-3 days. Sometimes I can even go longer without. I also apply jojoba oil every morning, regardless of whether the previous night was a BP night. I am almost totally clear. Obviously this isn't a natural remedy... but it's better than some of the harsh prescription stuff I've had to take in the past.

I think with the lingering red marks, it takes a long time for people of our skin type to get rid of them. My heritage is Irish/Scandinavian and I have the lightest skin of anybody I know. It can take a year or so for a red mark to vanish after I have a blemish or even a light scab. I wish it weren't so, but I've not found anything to help.

There is a holistic/natural solutions board at acne.org that you might want to check out.

[Funny Face]

My skin is really sensitive and I tried the honey method- didn't like it, then tried the ocm but didn't see any change in my skin either.

My skin is really dry and I just started using Burt's Bees Soap Bark and Chamomile wash and I LOVE IT! It has somehow cleared up all of my break outs and doesn't dry my face out.

They have a new anti-aging line too and I think I might be trying some of those products soon!

[nycmom18]

moodyred01-thanks for the tips, it seems we might have similar skin-i will try that wash! i have recently started rose water for an astringent and have noticed my skin a little better-so i will keep all of you updated on that!

[NelsonJBird]

coconut oil

have you done any research on coconut oil
it may help you out