I'm sick and tired of acne! Thinking of acne.org regimen or?
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Thu Apr 28, 2011 6:01 am

This is gonna be kind of longish. But I'm just so sick and tired of my skin. I'm only 18 but it's been a weigh down on my confidence for my whole life so far. The last time my skin was 100% clear was when I was about 11? Probably even younger. This is getting so out of hand. My skin is extremely oily & breaks out SO easily. But products like proactiv completely strip it and leave it peeling. I've tried tons of products. From "cheap" brands like Clean n Clear to super expensive brands like Bioelements & Chanel! The most I've spent on a cleanser was $44. This is getting insane. I'm more then willing to spend enough money to get clear skin though. Did I mention the redness? What I want is just clear & calm skin. I haven't had that in years & its embarrassing.

So I came across acne.org and heard about their regimen. I read up on it and it sounds like it can definitely either do the job or ruin your skin. The whole regimen costs about $40 all together. Has anyone ever heard of this? What do you recommend I do?
Any regimen ideas if you never heard of acne.org?

I'm desperate! I'm moving in less than 5 months and would like to start over new in a whole new place CLEAR!

free skin care · Thu Apr 28, 2011 6:09 am

I have definitely heard of it and have even considered trying it in the past. However, I was always deterred from it because of the potential of irritation due to the benzoyl peroxide. It either works or it doesn't. I even heard one story from a member who suffered severe burns from using it and his face became so red and patchy, it was worse than acne! In my opinion, I would go for Paula's Choice Clear line. She uses both BHA and benzoyl peroxide to clear acne, which seems to be a more effective treatment. Plus, her formulations are gentler

Thu Apr 28, 2011 7:32 am

Hmmm, I just looked up the Paula's Choice & it seems like it'd definitely be worth a shot. Thank you! I'll try it out (: Very Happy

free skin care · Thu Apr 28, 2011 7:38 am

I gave to my daughter Accutane when she was 15 - just for 2 months and ofcourse under doctor's control . She is 21 now and she never had any problems since.

free skin care · Thu Apr 28, 2011 4:22 pm

I'm of the thought that the BP that acne.org pushes oxidizes on the skin and may prematurely age the skin. I have struggled with acne my whole life (and having a million and one topical allergies to common ingredients like salicylic acid doesn't help), and it wasn't till I started:

1.) retin-a. The first month was H E L L, but underneath all that flaky, red, painful skin was lovely colored (but acne scarred) skin, I couldn't even believe it was on my face for about six months.

2.) DIY. I have allergies like something fierce. I got a staph infection that lasted six months from a harsh toner once to give an example. DIY allowed me to formulate things for me, without all the crap.

It took me a decade to figure it all out, but back then there was nothing like this community to give you a boost. Everyone's so very different, but these are my HGs (can I please have 2?)

Sorry about the novel. Laughing

free skin care · Thu Apr 28, 2011 5:50 pm

I think that you can take a try at [Baviphat] Apple AC Therapy Sleeping Pack
this is really popular, and many review saying that it works well

free skin care · Fri Apr 29, 2011 12:31 am

Ava with wings wrote:

I'm of the thought that the BP that acne.org pushes oxidizes on the skin and may prematurely age the skin. I have struggled with acne my whole life (and having a million and one topical allergies to common ingredients like salicylic acid doesn't help), and it wasn't till I started:

1.) retin-a. The first month was H E L L, but underneath all that flaky, red, painful skin was lovely colored (but acne scarred) skin, I couldn't even believe it was on my face for about six months.

2.) DIY. I have allergies like something fierce. I got a staph infection that lasted six months from a harsh toner once to give an example. DIY allowed me to formulate things for me, without all the crap.

It took me a decade to figure it all out, but back then there was nothing like this community to give you a boost. Everyone's so very different, but these are my HGs (can I please have 2?)

Sorry about the novel. Laughing

Do you remember what sort of reaction you had when you used bha?

free skin care · Fri Apr 29, 2011 12:46 am

I 2nd Paula's Choice.

free skin care · Fri Apr 29, 2011 9:52 am

For me, BHAs cause contact dermatitis within a day or two of use. Raised, bumpy, severely itchy patches that start to ooze if not treated. I've had to use prescription cortisone at least a dozen times because apparently I didn't learn in my 20s. I've always been jealous of those that can handle them, it seems like such a quick fix for acne. I have a pale area of scarring on my right cheek from one bout of contact dermatitis.

free skin care · Fri Apr 29, 2011 11:03 am

Do you remember what concentration and how often you used it? At first, I got the same reaction because I used too much too often. But now I started using the 1% every other day and wash it off after 10 minutes and my skin can tolerate it now

free skin care · Fri Apr 29, 2011 11:04 am

Do you remember what concentration and how often you used it? At first, I got the same reaction because I used too much too often. But now I started using the 1% every other day and wash it off after 10 minutes and my skin can tolerate it now

free skin care · Sat Apr 30, 2011 12:04 am

Have you gone to a Derm or skin doctor?
Usually those are covered by your health system, I think....at least where I am anyways.

Well,I don't have too much skin advice,but I have gone to derms tons of times,things they told me to use were ok, but I think I'm doing ok using some high end and some natural things now.

free skin care · Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:23 am

well, I went to a derm and after a second attempt of a prescription solution, we topped on the Clindets (for info http://www.drugs.com/mtm/clindets-pledget.html)

It helps without irritation.

I also use Retin A topical, but it seems to help best in combination with Clindets

Be cautious of Accutane, it is linked to birth defects, if a using mother becomes pregnant, and even to infertility problems of girls born from women who ever used Accutane prior to pregnancy (meaning a second generation effect). So for you being that young, take a precaution for the sake of your future kids.

free skin care · Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:13 am

ella-stella wrote:

well, I went to a derm and after a second attempt of a prescription solution, we topped on the Clindets (for info http://www.drugs.com/mtm/clindets-pledget.html)

It helps without irritation.

I also use Retin A topical, but it seems to help best in combination with Clindets

Be cautious of Accutane, it is linked to birth defects, if a using mother becomes pregnant, and even to infertility problems of girls born from women who ever used Accutane prior to pregnancy (meaning a second generation effect). So for you being that young, take a precaution for the sake of your future kids.

While the risks of accutane are present, they are still very low. It is just a matter of whether or not you are willing to take the risk. The major side effect is mostly extreme dryness in the skin

free skin care · Sat Apr 30, 2011 11:00 am

I second Paulas Choice too. You need the BHA 2%liquid which works best for stubborn acne IMO. Over that a thin layer of the blemish fighting moisturizer. Spectacular results! I kid you not.

free skin care · Sat Apr 30, 2011 3:42 pm

I have two friends who were plagued with acne in their teens and 20's. Erno Lazlo products cleared them up in about 6 weeks, after a purging period. Though they've gone on to other brands for different things, they will never give up their Sea Mud soap and Heavy Controlling Lotion for bedtime use because your skin produces most of its oil while you're asleep. For something less expensive, there is Rezamid for spot treating zits. This is a behind-the-counter acne lotion that you have to ask the pharmacist for. It will dry up a pimple within a day or two and then you'll only have to deal with the flake it leaves behind. It's tinted so you can also use it during the day. But remember, your bedtime routine is the most important time to treat breakouts.

free skin care · Sat Apr 30, 2011 5:43 pm

Even the OTC acne cleansers of my youth (1.5 to 2% Salicylic acid) thats only meant as a rinse causes huge problems for me. Leaving it on for any amount of time is out of the question, I've just given up on them completely.

shoootemupx- have you ruled out food sensitivities? Prime suspects are dairy, gluten, and peanuts.

free skin care · Sun May 01, 2011 3:56 pm

Do not take Accutane, it is a chemotherapy drug. Work on your diet first. I believe my adult acne may have been caused by veganism. Look in to blood type/paleo for more info. Paleolithic eating is really best for blood group O which is what I am. You could try to add progesterone 2 weeks out of your cycle to balance your hormones naturally. If nothing else works try the birth control.pill.

talyta wrote:

I gave to my daughter Accutane when she was 15 - just for 2 months and ofcourse under doctor's control . She is 21 now and she never had any problems since.

Mon May 02, 2011 12:06 pm

UNBLEMISH Regimen. Clinically proven to combat the entire acne cycle, this sophisticated regimen helps unclog pores, clears breakouts and calms your complexion to keep pimples, blackheads and post-acne marks from making an unwelcome appearance on your face.

My husband uses it day and night. He loves it and lets me know when he is running low. Laughing

free skin care · Sat May 07, 2011 12:33 am

I agree with Gretchen. You should work on your diet first. You should avoid oily and greasy foods. Take plenty of fruits and vegetables, like carrots, pineapples, oranges, mangoes, apples, etc. They will provide your body the required nutrient to get rid of acne.
Accutane is the drug that has the potential to clear severe acne permanently after one course of treatment. But it doesn't work for everyone, and some patients need more than one course of treatment.

Sat May 07, 2011 12:49 pm

If your acne is very severe you should ask help from a dermatologist that specilaises in comsetics.
I believe that laser treatment is the best but expensive.
There are some very powerful oral medications with good results that the doctor could prescibe to you but be careful of the side effects

free skin care · Sat May 07, 2011 4:24 pm

Hi,

Honestly I wouldn't try the acne.org regimen simply because of the amount of benzoyl peroxide they recommend using.

You're only 18 and you don't have to worry about this yet, but benzoyl peroxide is very aging for the skin - I wouldn't want you to regret wrinkles later on that might have been prevented had you avoided their regimen.

As far as acne goes, I think how you treat it really depends on where it is on your face. Cheeks/Chin is more generally hormonal acne, while acne on your forehead could be more due to diet.

free skin care · Sat May 07, 2011 4:41 pm

mur wrote:

Hi,

Honestly I wouldn't try the acne.org regimen simply because of the amount of benzoyl peroxide they recommend using.

You're only 18 and you don't have to worry about this yet, but benzoyl peroxide is very aging for the skin - I wouldn't want you to regret wrinkles later on that might have been prevented had you avoided their regimen.

As far as acne goes, I think how you treat it really depends on where it is on your face. Cheeks/Chin is more generally hormonal acne, while acne on your forehead could be more due to diet.

Yeah benzoyl peroxide can cause some radical damage, but it's the only effective treatment approved by the FDA. However, I would leave acne.org as the last resort because there have been some pretty bad side effects. At the same time though, it's the only thing that has worked for people so it's your call

free skin care · Sat May 07, 2011 5:18 pm

As some of the others have suggested, see a derm if you can. Accutane is a last-resort treatment. I can't imagine a derm suggesting that as the first plan of attack. Antibiotics are more likely, in addition to rx topicals.

Acne is such a pain. I can appreciate your frustration. Hang in there and keep us posted.

free skin care · Sat May 07, 2011 5:32 pm

You might also try seeing a naturopath or a TCM doctor -- I'm in BC, Canada, and over here they are regulated by the government like regular medical doctors are, so you know you won't end up with just some quack.

They might help you with remedies that have less drastic side-effects.

I've found that straight 100% tea-tree oil used on my face helps a zit go away much faster if I do break out, so that might help.

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