Breaking Out!!

I have acne prone skin and find that over the counter solutions are too harsh or don't work at all. So I have a home remedy that works very welll- better than anything you can buy:

1/2 cup white sugar
2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
1- 1 1/2 tsp honey
3-4 drops tea tree oil

Mix all of these together in an airtight container. You should be left with a honey colored paste (if you may need to add a little more olive oil). You can store it right in the bathroom as this doesn't need to be refrigerated. Exfoliate very gently 1 x day. The honey and olive oil have natural healing properties and the tea tree oil is antiseptic. This leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth, and with continued use, will clear up your acne. It has significantly helped with mine. Hope this helps!

Hi E.. I also have experienced adult acne. The following routine and tips is based on research, my dermatologist, and my trial and error experience ( as well as from Paula Begoun, the cosmetics cop):
1. Gentle cleanser: Cetaphil, Purpose (Do not use anything with alcholhol, menthol, lemon, camphor etc.)

2. Exfoliator -- Clinique Sensitive Skin Clarifying Lotion (the one that is alchohol free and contains .5% BHA. Do not use the alchohol ones. they are very drying and potentially irritating).

3. Acne medication -- check with your dermatologist about which is best for your skin. I was given Clindamycin plus zinc formula (Zindaclin) and was told this was mild and does not make skin more sensitive to the sun. (Benzoyl Peroxide products make your skin photosensitive, so if you use it, use high SPF)

4. If you try anything new, do a patch test on a small part of your face to ensure no reaction.

5. Consider taking -- yes -- prenatal vitamins as well as another one with Omega Fish Oils. (they are good for the skin:))

6. Plenty of sunblock. For oily skin, you may try a foundation with a high SPF -- Revlon, Christian Dior, Clinique make good ones.

HTH. JIlly

Zap it is a facial acne treatment that works like proactive without the harsh chemicals and you can save money. The same company makes other facial products like moisturizers, cleansers, toners, cosmetics, etc. Let me know if you’re interested and I can help you get everything at a discounted price.

I am in your boat, EXCEPT I had acne all through high school and still do over 12 years later!!! I cannot tell you what clears you all up, but I can tell you what can make it worse.

Stay away from acne "scrubs". The little particles spread bacteria around and make acne worse.

If you use a washcloth to wash your face, use it ONCE and put it in the laundry. The skin bacteria just sits there on the damp thing and multiplies, you don't want to rub THAT on your face!

Try to stay away from soda (even diet) when I do, my skin always looks better. I have talked about that with many acne sufferers, and they all agree with me.

If you wash your face too much, it will dry it out and your skin will produce more oil, meaning more clogged pores. Wash with your face wash once every other day, and on the remaining days only use water. People with acne have such sensitive skin that using cleanser too much will do nothing than irritate it.

Honestly, following these things may clear you up, but I'm not so lucky. I just know from experience that these things do help. Good luck!!!

I tried anti bacteiral soap when I had this in my late 20's early 30's, and that help a lot! It was not an expensive one, but that could be very harsh, so be careful.

If your skin is not sensnative, you may find releif from a scrub and a mask. I liked the products I got a lancome- exfoiance and the clay mask- but they are expensive. Look for a product that does not have jagged edged particles (like almond scrubs) and stay away from these if you are sensative.

Another trick is to pick up several white cotton pillow cases, and change yours every day.

An oil free mositurizer is good too, if your skin is dry (even if you have oily skin, it may want water, and is making oil to make up for it!) you can really benefit from it.

Some of the products with alpha hydroxy acids may help too.

At your age, add an eye cream so that this area stays young!

Good luck! I never had acne as a teen, and it is so hard to walk out of the house as an adult with it! It is really common too. If it does not improve, a dematologist can help!

Oh, and use some alcohol swabs on your phones! If you have more on your chin, try switching to a non whitening toothpaste, the whitening kind can cause more breakout!

M.

I'm having the same problem right now (caused by pregnancy for me). A few people recommended washing your face with Cetaphil. I'm going to try it as soon as I can make it to the store to buy some!

K.
http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/karenchao

Hi E.,

The cause of acne is nutritionally based. If you are eating well, then it's possible that something is going on with your digestive system keeping nutrients from absorbing. If you're not eating well, then you need to adjust your diet. Sugar (processed sugars, white breads, white potatoes, etc) and bad fats (hydrogenated oils, margarine, canola and vegetable oils) need to be removed from your diet. Fiber in your diet will do wonders. Sorry to be so graphic but if you are not "going" to the bathroom after every meal then there are things piling up in your system and they will keep nutrients from being absorbed.

You can speed up the remedy by taking a good fiber product and an absorbable multivitamin/mineral complex. Dodge the generic ones at places like Walmart and other drugstores. GNC is drugstore quality as well. I can recommend one if you like.

Hope I helped!

M.

I was breaking out for about 5 years went to the dermatologist she suggested lots of things ended with me taking Accutane went off Accutane due to health issues. And my face started breaking out again.

I've found out that Sodium Laureth Sulfate clogs pores and makes me break out, so I've stopped using all face products that have that type of ingredient. I now stick with Kiss My Face Olive Oil soap, and Neutrogena Oil-Free moisturizer. I spot treat with Clinique Spot Healing Gel.

I've been "clear" for almost a year, I break out when it is that time of the month too.

it could be your birth control... what are you taking