Acne Skin Care

I hate my Acne. Can anyone help me!?!?

Hi, I'm in my teens and I absolutely HATE acne! I get most of it on my fore-head and I've finally got rid of all my black heads. I take real good care of my skin - I don't use foundation or any make-up, I wash my face about 2-3 times a day with this exfoiliating face wash which supposedly prevents spots. I use this clean and clear spot cream which reduces them in four hours, sometimes it works but most of the time it just looks the same. Within one hour or washing my face, it just gets oily again. My Mom actually had loads and loads of spots when she was younger, and she told me that oily skin actually increases the size of spots. I've also read that healthy hair is good for spots too, and so I wash my hair very often. Can anyone give me some help? Thanx :) Help..................................................................

Public Comments

1. I'm so sorry you're having this problem. I know that it is very frustrating. I can tell you what worked for me. I switched my cleansing products and makeup to Clinique. (I tried just switching the cleansing products at first, but it only works if you switch everything.) I also started tanning in a tanning bed. I know that everyone tells you that tanning beds are bad for you, but since doing these 2 things, my acne problem is about 90% better. Good luck!!
2. Hormone changes during puberty. During puberty, girls have an increase in male sex hormones called androgens. This increase causes the glands to get larger and make more sebum. Hormone changes as an adult. The menstrual cycle is one of the most common acne triggers. Acne lesions tend to form a few days before the cycle begins and go away after the cycle is completed. Other hormone changes, such as pregnancy and menopause, improve acne in some women. But some women have worse acne during these times. Stopping use of birth control pills can play a role as well. Medicines. Certain medicines, such as those used to treat epilepsy and types of depression. Make-up. Pressure or friction on the skin. Friction caused by bike helmets or backpacks can make acne worse. Family history. If other people in your family have acne, there is a greater chance you will have it. Does poor hygiene cause acne? It is a myth that women get acne because they don’t wash enough. Too much washing or scrubbing the skin harshly can make acne worse. And washing away surface oils doesn’t do much to prevent or cure acne, because it forms under the skin. The best way to clean the face is to gently wash it twice a day with a mild soap or cleanser. Be careful to remove make-up without harsh scrubbing. Choose make-up and hair care products that are “non-comedogenic” or “non-acnegenic.” These products have been made in a way that they don’t cause acne. You may also want to use products that are oil-free. Good luck.
3. i was in the same boat as you, including oily skin. here is what works - go to a dermatologist for a course of antibiotics. be regular and patient with them, and your skin will clear. in stubborn cases they put you accutane. some people complain of side effects like a dry mouth, but not all. if u r a girl U can even try the OC pill. ,meanwhile try this - wash your face every night and pat it liberally with a prickly heat powder. diary products often cause acne. go easy on them for a while and see. meanwhile make sure you don’t constipate. don’t eat white bread or drink fizzy drinks. sugar can be bad too. but most importantly, go to a skin specialist. they know about thousands of medicines that work.
4. Ooooh, I am now 30, but had the same problems when I was a teen. Isn't it just the most annoying thing? Good for you to try and combat the problem. A lot of it is in your genes and has to do with hormones (arrrgh!) - but if you take good care of your skin and body now, you will see benefits later in life. 1. When I was a teen, I started using soap called 'SpectroGel'. I used the non-scented kind. You can get this in most drug stores / pharmacies in the US and Canada. 2. I would then apply a cream called Acnomel. It used to come in a skin tone - I only used it at night because you could totally see it - but the skin tone Acnomel cream worked better than the white Acnomel Cream. 3. I took Vitamin E and Evening Primrose Oil capsules daily. 4. Moisturize (even though your skin is oily) with Aloe Vera Gel. Either store bought or straight from the leaf (peel it with a veggie peeler leaving only one side with peel left, and scoop the flesh into a bowl. Blend the flesh up so it makes a gel...apply!). It's kind of itchy at first, but really helps. 5. Use Garnier Self Heating Clarifying mask twice a week. 6. Avoid eating an excess of dairy products, but be sure to get your calcium supply elsewhere (Calcium -Vitamin D tablets Daily). 7. Drink water. All of these points really helped me. I was just like you - never wore make up, and was always cleansing. Your skin will thank you for all the love you give it now - trust me! I hope this info helps. Good luck!
5. You could look at this natural acne cure to see if it might help you.
6. Washing your face 2-3 times a day might dry it out. I use proactive. I have been using the system for about 3 weeks now and I have seen noticeable difference. When I first started using it, I didn't see results and that was because I wasn't using it as directed. Once I started using it twice a day and used the face mask three times a week I have noticed major differences. Your face will start to peel but that is good because it is removing the bad dead skin. Try it out. I hope it helps you out. It is also slowly reducing the scaring that I have.
7. I'm sorry about your problem. I used to have it and it was soo frustrating. Then I went to see my doc, who gave me a referal to a dermatologist. It was the best thing I ever did! Seriously, she gave me antibiotics and cream and a medicated face wash and it went away in 2 months. I have to carry on using it for 1 year. I really think you should go, you will feel so much better about yourself. And use a benzyl peroxide face wash for oiliness, it takes away about 90% of the oil. Here are some general tips: Remove dead skin cells regularly by exfoliating. Use an abrasive cloth or scrub, or use an over-the-counter chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid and glycolic acid. Remember that over-exfoliating can actually increase the likelihood of red, dry skin by irritating the skin. Remove bacteria from your pores. Your skin can become "allergic" to this bacteria. Use anti-bacterial products containing benzoyl peroxide by rubbing, twice daily, into the pores over the affected region or washing with a medicated bar soap or wash. Keep in mind that this may cause dryness, local irritation and redness. Avoid exposing your skin to other sources of oil and irritants. Break the habit of touching your face. Keep bangs off of your forehead. The oil in hair as well as hair products in general may clog pores. If you use a phone a lot, don't let it touch your face. Change your pillowcases and sheets once a week to prevent the build-up of oils and bacteria that can re-occupy your pores. Use non-comedogenic moisturizers and makeup. Choose cosmetics that are water-based and hypoallergenic. Avoid oil-based products, coal tar derivatives, and heavy creams. Make sure you wash your skin thoroughly every night to remove makeup residue. Review your diet and the research surrounding the links between diet and acne. The relationship between food and acne is a debatable topic. Your diet may or may not have an effect on acne. Studies have shown a correlation between milk and acne. Try substituting with soy milk and other calcium-rich foods. Excessive consumption of foods high in iodine, such as seafood, may worsen acne, but probably won't trigger it. Research suggests--but does not prove--that a diet with a low glycemic index may reduce the likelihood of acne. High glycemic foods to replace with healthier alternatives include: soft drinks (drink water instead) sweets (substitute with fruit) white bread (replace with whole wheat bread) Consult a dermatologist regarding your acne. Minimize use of medication containing halogens (iodides, chlorides, bromides), lithium, barbiturates, or androgens. Keep your bedsheets clean. Wash your pillow case on a regular schedule to reduce the transfer of natural body oils. Wash your face at least two times a day. Use face washes specifically designed to remove oils and bacteria that contribute to acne. [edit] TipsWatch your diet and observe the effects it has on your skin. Whatever science has to say, every body is different and how yours responds to certain conditions can best be determined by you alone. As with any common condition, keeping your body hydrated is sound advice. Avoid drinking too much alcohol (especially beer) and eating spicy food. These increase the level of heat within, believed by the Chinese to be linked to acne. Salads, avocado etc will cool. Drink herbal or green tea at least once a day to help detox your system. Try Dan's regimen of gently washing your face twice a day, then applying generous amounts of benzoyl peroxide and finally putting on a good non-comodogenic moisturizer. Cleanse the colon by taking psyllium husks with water once or twice per day. This is another excellent way of detoxing the body. Psyllium can be found at most chemists, pharmacies, and drugstores. Sometimes the best way of taking care of this condition is by doing it naturally, as in using natural products. Witch Hazel can help when applied with a cotton swab after washing your face. It may not seem like it, but green apples are extremely good for preventing and fighting existing acne both on your face and around the body. To avoid acne, eat one green apple a day (cut it into slices if need be and eat it throughout the day). And to reduce existing acne, cut a green apple into quarters and rub two of those quarters over the acne areas. If needed, use the rest, or just eat them. Combine this with drinking plenty of water to achieve clear skin. If all else fails and you have severe problems: Accutane (also referred to as Roaccutane) removes the underlying root of Acne and will in many cases rid you of the problem forever. It does however has several side effects and potential severe ones. If you have glasses wash them so that all the oil is off your face. There are no perfect creams or medicines that make your face smooth, soft and acne-free. Try sleeping upright as often as possible (with your back facing the bed) [edit] WarningsDo not make any drastic changes in your diet or skin routine without first consulting a medical professional. Anything beyond very gentle cleansing can actually worsen existing lesions and even encourage new ones by damaging or over-drying skin. You should only scrub your face if you have no existing pimples. Scrub lightly; avoid scrubbing too much or with too much pressure. Benzoyl peroxide can have a bleaching effect on clothes and hair. It may also increases sensitivity to the sun, so you might find that you burn faster!