Ok, so I know I just did a post on skincare and how it worked for me...sometimes your skin has other plans that may be out of your control. Whether it be hormones, stress or a new medication. As well as my skin was responding to certain skincare products something can come along and mess that all up.
I have suffered from A.D.D for about 15 years but didn't do anything about it. I felt so overwhelmed by life sometimes because simple tasks like staying on top of laundry and putting it away right away, or finishing a project and putting it away. My brain just couldn't do it in a timely manner. So, I started on a A.D.D medication called Vyvance. It was a life changer. Laundry was done and put away nightly, every drawer/space in my house was organized, my house was spotless.... but then things changed... my face was not spotless. It was MESS! I have never suffered from acne so I didn't know what to do. It was very depressing! My life was in control but my skin was not. The acne I suffered from was almost like cystic spots (not popable), then scabbed up and just wouldn't heal.
I started to research and almost healed my face in less than a week!
Firstly, I took myself off of the medication. I am starting on a lower dose to see how that goes.
I bought the Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask. First night I used it as a mask and left it on for 5 minutes. Then, I applied the CVS version "Targeted acne Spot Treatment" of the Neutrogena On-the-spot several times away. When treating acne they say Benzoyl Peroxide and more Benzoyl Peroxide. This can be drying so you have to be careful but it works. Since my face was so sensitive and most likely would be getting dry, a oil free/fragrance free moisturizer is muy importante! I had a sample of Peter Thomas Roth Oil-Free Moisturizer and it worked so nicely! After a few days when my skin was starting to clear up I started to use a pea size amount of my Tretinoin 0.25% (Retin-A) at night.
Washing your face twice a day is important and not touching your spots! Dry with a CLEAN towel.
It's been about a week since I've started healing my face and it's about 75% back to normal. Now, I'm going to have to tackle the task of scaring and dark spots.
WARNING: Nasty picture ahead.
As you can see it's NOT the worst acne a person can have but it's for sure not good. The spots were on both side of my face, on my chin and a lot by my nose. It's always have relatively clear skin so this was very disheartening.
After:
Yes, I know that I am wearing make up here so that can cover up a lot but when bumpy acne but can't really hide that. I am wearing the Bobbi Brown Extra Repair foundation which is sorta like a tinted moisturizer so I am by no means wearing a thick foundation.
I just wanted to share this with you so you know there is HOPE! With the right products you can heal your skin... it doesn't happen instantly and takes time but it can heal!
Have you healed your acne? What products did you use? I'd love to hear!
5 comments:
I've always had no problem with spots but over the past 2 years I get random flare ups of cystic acne - like you said, they are cystic under the skin spots that don't come to a head! What works best for me is benzyl peroxide and really gentle products - usually Cetaphil :) tea tree oil is great too!
First off, I would like to say that I am glad to see you are still blogging. I too have suffered with acne for about 16 yrs. I have tried everything under the sun. I have spent thousands on supposed magic creams and pills. I am doing a three part post on acne on my blog soon. I can give you some advice. First, be gentle with your skin. I can't stress that enough. Acne is often a sign that something is unbalanced in your body. So you might want to supplement. Here is a list of supplements that have helped me stay clear. Vitamin B complex of 100 milligrams. Cod liver oil, Flax seed oil, Zinc 50 mg once a day, a probiotic to provide good bacteria in your intestines, you can supplement with garlic which is a natural anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. Herbs are good to . Try green tea which is an anti-inflammatory. Also, burdock root cleans your liver and vitex chasteberry balances hormones. As for skincare, the retin-a your using is good, but becareful using it in conjuction with benzoyl peroxide because it can cause inflammation. Inflammation is a key cause of acne. Your skin care routine is great. I would just keep it simple. Tea tree oil is great as well. The body shop has a great Tea tree face wash. That is what I use and it is doing wonders for me. Stay away from Cetaphil, it contains Propylene Glycol which is an irritant and sulfates which are also irritants. Remember you want to lessen irritation not add to it. I hope this helped. If you have any questions feel free to ask. Microdermabrasion helps with the post acne marks. The Personal Microdermabrasion helped me a lot. I use it once a week. You can also apply lemon and baking soda as a scrub once a week as well.
I suffered from terrible acne and also horrible allergic reactions, which I posted on my blog, but beware very bad!!! I have tried benzoyl peroxide and numerous other things, and the only thing that worked for me was Walgreens Alpha hydroxy acid cream, it burns a little but then your face gets used to it, now I use it morning and night under my regular foundation and wash my face with cetaphil! I have posted the AHA cream on my blog to. Every time I stop using it I get acne again, so I know that it works!
Hi Sarah!
Even though I just turned 30, I still have skin like a teenager! That's sometimes a good thing (no lines or wrinkles) and sometimes not so good (crazy breakouts, especially hormonal ones). I have found Veronika Brit's skin care guide to be invaluable - she posted it here: http://veronabrit.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-i-got-clearer-skin.html
I would especially recommend La Roche-Posay's Effaclar AI Targeted Breakout Corrector for scarring and dark spots, it clears them up like a dream!
I'm excited to try out your recommendations. Fingers crossed! Thanks for all your helpful advice and your sunny personality!
I just started using the 3step proactiv line just at night, then followed by equate sensitive skin moisturizer, and in the morning cetaphil, then my AHA moisturizer and then, oil of olay spf moisturizer. And I have to say this might be the best my skin has ever looked! I love how the toner in the proactiv line has glycolic acid in it! And acne has been a huge part in my life, so I am very grateful for this new routine!
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