Sick of My Skin!

Could it be a dietary issue? Lots of hormonal issues, like acne, are linked to thyroid and autoimmune disorders and eating gluten, dairy, etc. can affect and throw those things out of whack.

I have had excellent luck with eating gluten-free and I know of others online who swear by the GAPS or SCD diet to help their severe acne.

www.chickiepea.wordpress.com

M.

I've dealt w/ acne on and off for over two decades and I've tried it ALL -- oral prescriptions, topical prescriptions, over-the-counter...

I did some online research about a year ago and decided to try the NeoStrata line, based on the high reviews. I settled on NeoStrata Gel Plus AHA 15 and I swear, I'll never use anything else again. I have had a cystic acne spot since I started using it. It's gentle, moisturising and not at all drying like the Retin A products and -- huge plus -- has also lessened the fine lines on my skin. It's about $30 for 3.4 ounces and that lasts me about 6 months; you need very little, it goes a long way. And I actually buy it on Ebay, I've found a reputable seller there that I really like so I get it for around $23, I think. You can message me if you'd like the seller's Ebay ID; I am NOT related or promoting this person, just like a good deal :)

I have been using Acne Free for years and have had great luck with it. I only had moderate acne, though, before I used the product. I would assume these are safe with breastfeeding, but not sure. I did use them while I breastfed my children.

I have been on everything, Proactive, Murad, retin-a, even on Accutane when I was a teen! Prescribed oral pills work best for me, but can't take those while pregnant or nursing.

I recently found this, and it works best out of all the over the counter acne creams ever, my face is actually pretty clear right now, and it reduces the size and redness of breakouts really fast, especially the painful ones. (I've only been using it for about 2 weeks, but noticed results right away).

I read the back, 10% benzoyl peroxide.. that is a lot compared to other creams that had maybe only 2%.

It's only about a $6 tube at the grocery store and it's awesome! Doesn't dry out my skin, doesn't bleach my clothes (that I've noticed anyways) doesn't get all flaky or cakey.

I just put it on 2 times a day, in the morning after washing my face and at night after washing my face, I put on a little bit on my bad areas and rub it in really good.

It's called AcneFree Acne & Blackhead Terminator 10, Time-Released 10% Benzoyl Peroxide. It's in an orange and white box, and an orange tube.

This is what it looks like and reviews:
http://www.buzzillions.com/reviews/acnefree-university-me...

There is also a baking soda mask and a salt treatment that works well too, if you want to try something all natural, but they are kind of messy, so it works well in the mornings or nighttime:

salt (read the comments, there are some tips in there):
http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/best_pimple_killer_...

baking soda mask:
http://www.acne.org/baking-soda-reviews/209/page1.html

Just be sure to wash your face with a mild cleanser and lid water, not scrub or pick at the acne and drink lots of water.

l

Sometimes using too much product is the problem... most acne medications dry out your skin, which opens your pores, which allows dirt in, which causes pimples... you get the idea. That was my problem... I finally gave up and started using a moisturizer. I use Eucerin Everyday Protection (for sensitive skin... ) It's lightweight enough to use under makeup, and my skin seriously drinks it up. I have grease AND dryness issues on my face ~my forehead and chin are greasy, my nose and cheeks get really dry~ and it works for my whole face. I just use any facewash, then use the lotion after my shower and before going to bed. Now I only get 1-2 zits a month. :)

Mary Kay's Velocity line--it's designed for teenage acne-proned skin. I can send you a sample if you'd like, just pm me your info.

Arbonne has really good products that are made with ONLY NATURAL HERBS and Botanicals, that help with Acne we have the Clear Advantage for Acne and the FC5 products are great for oily skin. None of Arbonne's products contain Mineral Oil which can clog the poors and cause acne and black heads. I have several clients that tried everything with no relief until they started using Arbonne. If you would like more information please private message me.
Kay

This is a shot in the dark and a total pain when you're trying to get enough protein/nutrition while pregnant and breastfeeding but have you considered a dairy sensitivity? Not an allergy or intolerance, just a vague enough sensitivity to cause inflammation and cause break outs? I cut dairy down dramatically and changed my milk to almond milk (except for a bit of cream in coffee) and was amazed at the change in my skin. My monthly breakouts weren't as bad anymore, either. Ya never know-sometimes it's something so simple and treating the root cause is always better and more effective anyway.
As for Arbonne and other products that are supposedly "natural", I would recommend that you go to a fabulous website called Skin Deep cosmetic database: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ and type in the name of any product in the purple search box at the top. It will give you a safety rating for that product based on the combined safety level of each ingredient and tell you why each ingredient is good/bad according to the latest research. Great resource! I buy nothing w/o consulting it now. Best of luck!

I use Aveeno products and love them! They are mostly natural products-the base ingredient is oatmeal which is great for helping to clear the oils and dirt that cause acne and helps heal dry and damaged skin as well. For ur skin type, I'd use the foaming face wash for sensitive skin. Acneic skin tends to overreact to most products and this one helps decrease breakouts and dry out the ones you have without drying out your skin. The Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub is great to use after washing your face, I'd say about every other day. It's a light exfoliator that will help even out the tone and texture of your skin from any discoloration or scars. The best part is, they both run you from about 5-8 bucks at any store! :)
good luck!!!

Sorry, but it wasn't clear to me if you were still pregnant (and have pregnancy acne) or if you've had your 2nd (and you have post-pregnancy hormone rush acne). I recall that you aren't suppose to use benzyol-type products and sylinic acid type products if your preggers or breastfeeding. You may cringe on this however I've been using distilled white vinegar as a toner after I wash my face. Its a natural 5% acid--and if it's safe to eat vinegar while pregnant then i can rub it on my face too! With a textured cotton pad (instead if cotton ball), it helps get the make-up residue off also. Although immediately afterward, you kind of smell like a pickle factory (!) but that subsides a little while later. For problem spots, or if I'm breaking out all over, I'll use a textured cotton round and the lowest % solution of rubbing alcohol. I think the lowest says 45% on the label. I actually learned about using low % rubbing alcohol from my dermatologist who explain it was good for getting rid of topical bacteria infections on the skin's surface. Of course, both white vinegar and rubbing alcohol is really cheap! So, if you try it and it doesn't work for your skin type or it's too harsh, your only out a few dollars.

zap it! It is a product line by Melaleuca...all products are toxin free and safe for you and the environment.

This a home remedy....actually Ayurvedic and it really works. Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder and apply on your face. Let it sit on your face for as long as you can (it will burn a little the first few times) and then wash off. You can repeat this every day, once a week or month (as needed). Use 3 tbsp honey and 1 tsp cinnamon powder.
Honey and cinnamon are miracle cure alls for so many things. I give honey to my kids in place of cough syrup when they're sick and within 1-2 days max, their colds are gone or have subsided dramatically.

Ain't hormones wonderful? Sigh.

I had that situation when I had my babies. Eventually I decided the Clinique products did the best for me. Many other women stand or fall by M. Kay products, so that's worth a thought. I'm talking about oily-skin care in general, rather than something specific for acne, so that may not be what you're looking for. But it really did help my acne situation, too - especially when I followed their directions (they do know what they're talking about!).

For what it's worth, when I became old enough to be a grandma, my skin decided to change its act. Now it's *very* dry and I'm always wanting to "oil" it up!

Hi A.. My skin also flared up during pregnancy. Here is what my dr said I could do:
1. wash with cetaphil gentle cleanser for oily skin.
2. clinique sensitive skin clarifying lotion. (BHA is not recommended for pregnant or bfeeding moms, but this formula has only .5% and my dr. said that this amount is OK)
3. Clindamycin acne lotion - -to put on spots only.

HTH.
GL> Jilly