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vcmusic42
New Member
Joined: 23 Dec 2009
Posts: 2
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Wed Dec 23, 2009 1:03 am |
I love this forum and I'm in need of some advice. I'm 30 years old, and no matter what spa services and products I try, I still break out. The biggest issue over the past few years has been cyst-like pimples around the jawline that are huge and take a while to fade (probably hormonal). It seems like no matter what I do, I can't prevent new pimples from forming, and so there's relatively little real estate on my face that hasn't housed a pimple at one time or another.
Within the last year, I've also developed a dry, flaky part under my mouth, which the derm says could be anything from a yeast infection on the face (eww, I know) to seb. dermatitis, or an allergy. It gets worse in the cold weather.
Here's what I've been using:
Cleansers
Cetaphil
Arbonne Re9 Nutrimin Cleanser
Dermalogica Salicylic Cleanser
PCA Pigment Bar (about 2x a week)
Masks
Proactiv Mask (occasionally)
PCA Phase 9 Purifying Mask/Scrub
Treatments
BP 10% cream (for spots)
ACV toner
EV Coconut Oil (occasionally)
Clarisonic (used with 1-2 of the above cleansers) about 3x a week
I've noticed lightening of scars from both the ACV and the Coconut Oil, but I don't use them everyday. I was originally prescribed a 5% BP Wash by the derm, but later had to discontinue that because it made my chin get red and flake like crazy.
I WAS using Tretinoin .05% about 3x a week at the beginning of the fall, but I stopped it in October because I wanted to wax again (I waited 2 months). I intend on starting it again soon, but I'm afraid of it exacerbating the dry area under my chin, which has a tendency to get REALLY flaky.
I forgot to mention, I also go for Silkpeels (usually combined with a facial) about every 2 months.
I just got the Dr. Hauschka Moisturizing Mask, which I'm hoping will help the dryness.
I forgot to mention, I was put on Yasmin BCP for about 6 months last year, but then I let my prescription lapse (I was basically on it for acne and hairloss related reasons). I'm back on it now.
Any recommendations for different products and/or treatments would be greatly appreciated! |
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Wed Dec 23, 2009 10:03 am |
Cystic acne is difficult treat and very likely hormonal. Tazorac has been the best treatment for me, it really makes a difference. Also found yasmin very helpful.
I'm not familiar with all the products you listed but do have a couple of comments.
Are you using a daily moisturizer at all?
I'd toss the 10% BP and use 2.5% instead, its just as effective but less irritating.
When you start back on Tretinoin I'd layer it with a moisturizer to start off. |
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Wed Dec 23, 2009 9:25 pm |
I find the product Buzz on Acne helps a lot. There's a thread about it on EDS you can take a look. HTH! |
_________________ Asian. Near 30. Prone to broken caps, moles + freckles, large congested pores, hormonal cystic acne, flaky skin and fat puffy eyelids. Staples: Bioderma SS, Taz, Dr. Kassy's C, Skinoren, HQ, Cerave and growth factors-- but also trying EVERYTHING ELSE..... |
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Sat Dec 26, 2009 8:06 am |
My skin is exactly the same! So dry it flakes, requiring rich creams such as dr hauschka rose or the weleeda skin food, but combined with blackheads and cystic acne.
I use the Guerlain cleansing cream to get more moisture in, but of course none of this helps the acne
My husband bought me a Beauty Skin lamp for Xmas so I am hoping that as my acne responds well to sunlight, this will be my miracle product and then I can concentrate on keep my skin well moisturised without risk of breakouts! |
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Sat Dec 26, 2009 6:03 pm |
I have been told that when you hit your 30's, it is your jaw line that would have the breakouts. I personally found that to be true, then it spread all over my face and it was painful to talk or smile. My face got so swollen. I am so grateful that my coworker at the time pushed me to see a dermo.
You may have to go see a doctor. I tried everything and some did work, then it stopped working. See a doctor and I will share what products I used as I took my prescription, which was vitamin A cream.
I only used Cetaphil gentle for A.M. and for oily skin for P.M. I was not aware of Clarisonic brush at the time so I did not use this and wish it came out at that time.
I used at that time, enzyme scrub from Sonya Dakar for acne skin and after that, I applied Vivier vitamin C serum, 20 minutes after that, I appled one or two drops of Omega for acne skin by Sonya Dakar. I used Dormier SPF 30 moisturizing sunblock and that's it.
In the evening, I used Cetaphil oily skin cleanser to remove my makeup, used the scrub and applied my medication and had it on for four hours and washed it off, applied a dab of Omega oil and went to bed.
Because any type of retinol can dry out your skin, with time, it did for me. After a couple of years, I stopped using Sonya Dakar and Dormier SPF 30 moisturizer and used all of the other products. If I remember correctly, I tried Kate Somerville moisturizer, and cleanser, but went back to Cetaphil (more effective and gentle). Then I tried ReVive cream and eye cream (totally amazing!) and used Skinceuticals UV Defense (very good). But my skin became more sensitive to the sun, because of my prescription, so I used eltaMD (tried others but did not work out) and now I am using Sofina (both brands are so amazing). For a few years, I used Cellcosmet creams, scrubs, cleanser (but I always go back to Cetaphil) and the amazing eye cream. I've been using Vivier vitamin C all this time. It's been almost five or six years now and my skin is getting somewhat more dry and I was going through Cellcosmet ultra vital like water, so I switched my moisturizer only and using the same products for the rest of the face and neck.
I use masks and peels once in awhile, depending on my skin needs. I use JB peel, Cellcosmet dual action scrub as a mask and scrub and anti-stress or precious mask by Cellcosmet.
As for the flaking, I get this in the winter and this is why I switched moisturizer and the other time I would get flaking is when I got acne and the turnover was very fast to heal and it would dry off and peel.
HTH! |
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Sat Jan 02, 2010 9:12 pm |
Definitley minimize the amount of BP you are using... there seems to be quite a few products there that would cause drying. Look for a range of natural products and try a good pimple spot serum like Lalisse, which can be drying but if you use other light and hydrating moisturisers with it it should help. Try the Dr. Hauschka moisturising day lotion it's light but really moisturises your skin. Also try just cleansing your skin with an oil controlling cleanser at night (I like the Loccitane foaming rice cleanser) and then leave it be. The natural oils in your skin will start to work better and heal your skin for you. Everyones skin is different and it's just about trying different things before you find something that works for you, good luck! |
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Sun Jan 03, 2010 11:33 am |
A 2% salicilic acid gel works decently for me and my hormonal acne along my chin. I am using neutrogena right now. I also did a 15% salicilic acid (bha) peel from makeupforever that is drying out my current acne. I read that you have to use every 2 wks for full effect. Hope it get rid of the cysts, I hate them.
Otherwise, I use gentle products. |
_________________ 28 / Asian / oily tzone + dehydrated / Acne under control, fading acne marks. Still have clogged pores. |
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Tue Mar 30, 2010 11:47 pm |
My humble opinion:
It seems like you are over treating your condition.
I would...
1) Reduce usage of scrubs to once a week at most and scrub very gently. The dryer your skin the more oil your body will produce.
2) Trash the coconut oil it is comedogenic.
3) Use a good cloth type hydrating mask every 2 days and replenish moisture frequently with cream gels. This would be the key to balancing your skin.
4) Get a prescription for Retin-A if you must
Oh, and lastly, sleep well, eat healthy, drink lots of water and try not to freak out too much |
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Wed Mar 31, 2010 9:12 pm |
have been suffering from cystic acne for the past 3 years. I started obagi and retina 3 months ago. retina seems to help with acne but it didn't prevent it from surfacing. it did help make breakouts a little smaller and less painfull.
Now I saw a thread here on EDS about vitex supplement and a link to get it free ( website offers $5 off so I ended up paying only shipping). I got it and started taking it and guess what!! 2 weeks later I'm acne free!!!!!! I have few spots that retinA will take care of but I don't have any new ones.
Vitex is the only supplement I added lately. and I'm loving the pain free neck and face!! Now I can go slow on the retinA and obagi. Maybe start firming
I also take vit C, B complex, multi vitamins MSM omega 3 and evening primerose for the past 6 months.
My period is still irregular but they say it takes up to 3 months for the supplement to work. please do look for the thread and buy the vitex and let us know |
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