Acne, what to do?

[North_Of_60]

I have adult acne, but here in the sub tropics the humidity (and thus the sweat) wreak havoc on my face. Back home in Canada my face clears up with a day or so of being home, and the break outs are far less severe than down here. I'm afraid I'm going to have permanent scarring from this.

Anyway, I've tried all the natural/home remedies. I've been making scrubs, washes, and topical applications for the past 2 years and nothing is working. Nothing.

I've done a total elimination diet and the only thing I found that really triggers my acne is aspartame, which isn't a great loss, I might have *a* can of Diet Dr. Pepper once a month. But dairy, grains, gluten, you name it, nothing seemed to change.

So now I'm back on Nutragena. I use the salicylic acid cleansing pads, and for day use I have the retinol and salicylic blemish cream, and an alpha hydroxy cream for night time. And during the day when I'm in the humidity or getting sweaty (like after the gym), I'll use isopropyl alcohol on a cleansing pad to dry my face off. In the last 3 days I've noticed a significant change. I'm hoping I can get my face cleared up and somewhat under control, then maybe try something else and just use this stuff for bad break outs. I hate the thought of doing this for the rest of my life, and it doesn't seem like I'm going "out grow" my acne anytime soon.

I haven't seen a dermatologist in a few years, but she put me on Tretinoin, but I was REALLY sensitive to it, so we went back to the OTC stuff, which does work for me. We also talked about washing, and the use of creams and how over moisturizing can lead to break outs, etc.

But GAH, my face looks like crap right now! I almost don't want to leave the house I'm so sensitive about it. And stress makes it worse, and I have lots of that at the moment.

So this is my last ditch effort to find a chemical free acne treatment. HELP ME!

[sonrisaa29]

The only product that's really helped me is J/A/S/O/N Tea Tree oil scrub. I still break out but nowhere near as much as I used to. It does caution on the back though that you can't use it with certain acne because it could lead to scarring.

I've tried the whole honey routine and all that other stuff but this product seems to be the only one that works for me.

[Mallori]

So now I'm back on Nutragena. I use the salicylic acid cleansing pads, and for day use I have the retinol and salicylic blemish cream, and an alpha hydroxy cream for night time. And during the day when I'm in the humidity or getting sweaty (like after the gym), I'll use isopropyl alcohol on a cleansing pad to dry my face off. In the last 3 days I've noticed a significant change. I'm hoping I can get my face cleared up and somewhat under control, then maybe try something else and just use this stuff for bad break outs. I hate the thought of doing this for the rest of my life, and it doesn't seem like I'm going "out grow" my acne anytime soon.

I've done stuff like this, and it always helps in the very beginning. Then, once my face is dried out, it over-produces oil like mad and it starts again. Also, I am so NOT a fan of neutrogena.

I've been posting this so much I feel like I should put it in my signature. If you use fabric softener, stop. Go to a natural cleaner like Charlies soap and vinegar for softener. The change for me was so profound I was dumbfounded.

Do you wear makeup? Switch to mineral. Again, huge change for me, dramatic results.

What are you using for shampoo? Go organic, you won't regret it.

Where on your face do you tend to get acne?

My basic routine: Wash with Cetaphil. Tone (sometimes diluted ACV, sometimes just a spot treatment of lemon juice on any marks). Moisturize: thin layer of Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera, wait a few minutes, and then pure jojoba. I apply the jojoba similar to the way a man would apply after shave. I put a small amount on my palm, rub it onto both hands, and then pat my face gently. For the first time ever, my face does not over-produce oil.

At night, before toning, i've been doing a mask of egg-white and lemon juice. It's evening my skin tone. Sometimes I add honey and strawberries. Depends on how dry my face is, honey adds moisture, strawberries have natural salycilic acid to dry breakouts.

A time or two a week, I apply a baking soda paste to my nose and chin. I don't rub, I just let it dry. That sucks up all the crap, blackheads on my nose are disappearing.

I sincerely hope you find what works for you.

[North_Of_60]

Originally Posted by Mallori

I've done stuff like this, and it always helps in the very beginning. Then, once my face is dried out, it over-produces oil like mad and it starts again.

I don't have this problem. Well, I should say that I have that problem anytime I use anything that dies my face and then I stop. Even with natural remedies, so using commercial products doesn't make it any worse.

Also, I am so NOT a fan of neutrogena.

Really? Why? It's the one of the only affordable OTC brands that I can use. On top of acne I also have sensitive skin, and a lot of stuff gives me rashes and burns. Nutrogena doesn't, plus, it works for me.

If you use fabric softener, stop. Go to a natural cleaner like Charlies soap and vinegar for softener. The change for me was so profound I was dumbfounded.

Tried that, didn't make a difference. Maybe I didn't do it for long enough. How long did it take for you to notice a difference?

Do you wear makeup? Switch to mineral. Again, huge change for me, dramatic results.

Yep, I've been using mineral make up for about 2 years now. I LOVE it. And when I buy non mineral make up I ALWAYS read the labels for non comedogenic products.

What are you using for shampoo? Go organic, you won't regret it.

Pretty no poo as of late. I wash every couple of weeks, but I rinse regularly with baking soda and vinegar.

Where on your face do you tend to get acne?

Everywhere, but right now the worse is on my chin.

[Mallori]

Well...bum. Sorry I couldn't help you.

Neutrogena just didn't jive with my skin. I was either way dry, too oily, flaking, etc. I couldn't get it to balance my skin. Everything i've ever bought from them has ended up in the trash. BUT, you gotta do what works for you.

With the fabric softener, I noticed it the first night. I was breaking out rapidly, almost exclusively on my chin, a few around my hairline. I figure that's because I wrap my hair in a towel after showering, and the f.softener on the towel was rubbing off. I stripped my sheets and towels in hot water with a smidge of Dawn dishsoap and some baking soda, rinsed with vinegar. No new breakouts, and the ones I have are healing now. I just spot treated with lemon juice, this is working great to fade marks. Try the lemon juice/egg white mask once, see if you like that.

Last recommendation, try acne.org. They have some really great forums and product reviews. A lot of people who have tried many things. Again, I hope you find the cure for you, I know how hard acne can get.

[Jojo F.]

Have you tried washing your face with raw honey? Or the Oil Cleanse Method? These help me a lot.

Another thing that helped me was to wash my face after washing my hair, changing my pillow cases very often, and no dairy(but you said you tried that already).

Ummm, you could also try using ACV as a facial toner and use jojoba oil as a moisturizer. Jojoba oil is very close to the PH of your sebum and soaks in nicely. Just one drop rubbed into the palm of your hands and then pat your face. Also washing less seems to help too. Over washing just dries out your skin and makes it produce more oil. Oh, another thing I LOVE is thermal spring water- Vichy, la Roche Posay, Avene, etc. all have good thermal spring water.

HTH!!!

EDT to add- honey/aspirin masks are great and herbal steams- lavender, calendula, pansy, yarrow, bay leaf, birch bark, and I can't remember the others right now. I'm sure a quick search on the net will give you a good list of herbs. French green clay masks are awsome too.

Some people swear by washing their face with nothing but a HOT, HOT wash cloth. Another thing to think about is your water, getting a good house filter might help too.

[North_Of_60]

Originally Posted by Mallori

Well...bum. Sorry I couldn't help you.

Like I said, I've tried A LOT of different things. But thank you anyway.

Originally Posted by Jojo F.

Have you tried washing your face with raw honey? Or the Oil Cleanse Method? These help me a lot.

Yes to both, but with the oils I got nervous that I wasn't seening (or feeling a difference, I just felt oily) that I stopped after probably 4 or 5 days. I just felt greasy and oily. It was kind of gross, actually.

The honey works nice, though. I still use it. I mix various things in it to make it an exfoliant at the same time. Kind of pain the butt though, being that it's so sticky. But I like the feel of my skin after.

Another thing that helped me was to wash my face after washing my hair, changing my pillow cases very often, and no dairy(but you said you tried that already).

How often do you change your pillow cases? I do mine once or twice a week.

Ummm, you could also try using ACV as a facial toner and use jojoba oil as a moisturizer. Jojoba oil is very close to the PH of your sebum and soaks in nicely. Just one drop rubbed into the palm of your hands and then pat your face. Also washing less seems to help too. Over washing just dries out your skin and makes it produce more oil. Oh, another thing I LOVE is thermal spring water- Vichy, la Roche Posay, Avene, etc. all have good thermal spring water.

Tried apple cider vinegar. I've never tried jojoba oil, though. And I've never heard of thermal spring water, unless it goes by other names. I'm off to google that.

[Jojo F.]

With the OCM I never feel really oily but I do use a lot of castor oil in my mixture which is drying. Sometimes I use water with it and sometimes I use a dry washcloth to "wash" the oil away. I just keep rubbing my face with the dry cloth until I don't see any more dirt on it.

Which oils did you use and how much of each?

My pillow cases get changed once to twice a week unless I just haven't really washed my hair then more often.

The honey/aspirin masks are wonderful if you haven't tried those and the herbal steams help to clean and "open" the pores. Steam first, rinse with warm water, and then apply a mask.

The spring water is good because it has a lot of minerals in it that are great for the skin and are soothing. I love using the water at the beach and it's good to use for sunburns too. I think it was La Roche that had the most selenium in it. (I used to work for one of those companies and really, really, liked the spring water but not the other products, I used them ALL)

[North_Of_60]

Originally Posted by Jojo F.

Which oils did you use and how much of each?

I used equal parts of castor oil and olive oil. Maybe I should use less olive oil and more castor?

The honey/aspirin masks are wonderful if you haven't tried those and the herbal steams help to clean and "open" the pores. Steam first, rinse with warm water, and then apply a mask.

Yeah, I love doing the steam treatments. However, right now I'm using the nutrogena pore cleansing mask, because again, I see a difference in just a matter of days.

What do you do with the aspirin in the honey?

[Jojo F.]

I'd definitely do more castor oil. My mix is- half castor, and the other half is a mix of jojoba, rosehip seed oil(for all the old scars), a few drops of Lavender EO and lemongrass EO. I don't do the olive oil because it is so moisturizing. My face just doesn't need that much because it is naturally oily.

Take a few aspirin- 3-6, and dissolve them in a tiny, tiny bit of water. Add your honey and mix well. Apply to a clean face and let sit for as long as you like. Rinse with cold water. If you NEED a moisturizer after apply, sometimes I don't need my jojoba oil after.

Do the aspirin/honey mask a few times a week. If you are PG or trying to get PG do not do the aspirin mask often if at all, maybe once a month if that, and use a very small amount of aspirin. It's best to avoid salicylic acid when PG. But, I'm comfortable using a very small amount and not using it often.

[nccrunchymama]

Have you tried baking soda? I make a thin paste of BS and water to scrub with. It works great for me. I live in a humid climate, too. It's pretty easy and might be worth a try esp if nothing else is helping. GL.

[Marni]

washing AND moisurizing with pure jojoba oil has cured my adult acne! And I suffering from it for 20 years!!!

[North_Of_60]

Originally Posted by Marni

washing AND moisurizing with pure jojoba oil has cured my adult acne! And I suffering from it for 20 years!!!

Do you mix it with the castor oil, or just use it straight? So when you wash and moisturize, do you do two sepperate treatments, or do you considering a washing as moisturizing as well?

Well, I think I'm going to try the OCM again, this time with the jojoba oil instead of olive oil.

[Marni]

I use JUST jojoba (I buy the Desert Island brand -- super cheap at Trader Joe, btw). I smear it on my face, wash with a warm wash cloth. Rince with cool water, pat dry SLIGHTLY (you want your skin to still be moist), then smear on another layer as a moisturizer.

This is a GREAT base for mineral makeup as well, BTW. I use Bare Minerals -- and it sticks to the jojoba and looks great! Isn't drying, and doesn't clog my pours.

Good luck!!!

[expat-mama]

I feel like a broken record always talking about apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and garlic - but here goes again!
Diluted apple cider vinegar works great for me as a toner. And I use baking soda as an exfoliant (sp?).
Now here's where the garlic comes in- I just take a small slice of garlic and dab it on the blemishes/affected area once a day. Garlic has antibacterial properties and works WONDERS on my skin. The second I see any kind of blemish that MIGHT form, I take a slice of garlic and rub it on before bed (YES it does stink and no I wouldn't do it if you plan to get affectionate with anyone!). Anyway, it really works great in combo with the ACV and baking soda. And it's soo cheap and natural.

[time machine]

Me too is having adult acne...but the only solution i found is avoid oily food and wash my face two to four times in a day. But I also have acne on my other parts of my body so i have to take care of that part also. so sometimes i have to take bath twice a day.

[sprouthead]

my friend used to have moderate acne and started using lye soap. it's called grandma's lye soap or something. his skin looks fantastic now! i may try it myself but i keep thinking my skin is going to clear up...

[Purple*Lotus]

I want to preface this by saying that I don't have a lot of acne problems, mainly just acne in certain spots on my face, depending on the time of the month, stress, etc. So I have no idea if it works for the OP's needs. Last night I remembered the posts about using ACV, so on a whim I applied a little to a large pimple. This morning it is almost gone! Thanks for that tip! :

[sprouthead]

Originally Posted by ~*Jaime

I want to preface this by saying that I don't have a lot of acne problems, mainly just acne in certain spots on my face, depending on the time of the month, stress, etc. So I have no idea if it works for the OP's needs. Last night I remembered the posts about using ACV, so on a whim I applied a little to a large pimple. This morning it is almost gone! Thanks for that tip! :

did you use straight acv?

[Purple*Lotus]

Originally Posted by sprouthead

did you use straight acv?

Yep.