Help with Skincare

OK, this sounds strange but the best thing to do is

wash face daily with Cetaphil wash for oily skin and a gentle face scrub pad (you can get Cetaphil at any grocery and drug store)

then, on the pimples, put a dab of COLGATE regular flavor (white) toothpaste on the pimples, it dries them up like you wont believe... do this every night on the pimples and and they usually go away in like 2 nights tops... it even works on the big ones underskin that have not popped out yet! IT HAS TO BE COLGATE not any other type... I heard about it on a tv show for modles who shared their beauty secrets and have used that trick ever since.

good luck
A. J

Cetaphil Cleanser (I use the Walmart brand - about half the price), and Pro-Active (cleanser, toner and revitalizer). Best thing I've ever used and have had problems for about 25 years). My son (14) tried it, but didn't work as well. May not have been as consistent. Dr said use Cetaphil and gave him Clydamycin topical. Works pretty good when he is consistent. (that seems to be the main thing with teens)

Hi T.,

You may have already tried some things, but wanted to offer my assistance. Mary Kay has a line called Velocity that is perfect for younger girls with oily skin. She can have a complimentary consultation, and it is also 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Let me know if I can help.

A. W

Hi T.

Have you tried pure shea butter soap or cocoa butter soap? I love either one, it is a 100% vegetable based soap that cleanses without the harsh chemicals that make your skin feel tight. I've used it for years with my children who have eczema along with pure shea butter as a moisturizer. It's great for all skin types and has proven to have amazing results. You can find it anywhere, especially health food stores, farmers markets, ...etc. I hope this helps.

T.

Hi T.,

I know you have had a lot of advice (53 including mine), but I have gone through it since I was 13. I'm 39 now, and I can keep it clear/managed. I get compliments on my skin now which is a miracle considering what I have been through. I did have to use major medication (Accutane) in my mid-twenties, but even that didn't solve all my acne problems.

Here is what I do now and what I plan to do for my children should they have to deal with it: I use a few products recommended by the woman who is the consumer reports guru of the cosmetic companies. She has been featured on Oprah. Her name is Paula Begoun, and her website is called cosmeticscop.com. She has extremely sensitive skin so she had to develop a few products that don't have any perfumes or dyes or anything. Her line is called, "Paula's Choice." However, she studies medical journals, ingredients lists, and has a team of scientists to study almost every line of cosmetics products out there (Wal-mart stuff to Nordstrum's counter stuff) and she rates them all. I use her Paula's Choice skin balancing cleanser to wash my face and makeup off. I mix it with a dime size amount of baking soda as a mild scrub. I follow that with her 2% beta hydroxy acid gel to exfoliate. I sometimes use her extra strength blemish solution. All of these products are fairly priced and last for a long time (6 months to a year) when used everyday. Nothing has worked as well as this stuff. I have moved from radically different climates and had major hormonal changes with chilbirth and still her advice and her products are the best. I use a different moisturizer that has sunscreen in it now that I am getting older. Now matter what you decide to do, flip through her book at Barnes and Noble and she can tell you if the products you are considering buying will work well or not. Her book is called, "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me!" I don't make money off this or anything. I just use her stuff.

I hope this helps. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
H.. M.

Hi T., I've had acne all my L. even into adulthood (age 11 to 35). For the past month I've been using Murad acne treatment. They have a 30-day supply at $29.99 at Ulta. I can honestly say that I've seen a great change. Although when I eat chocolate or drink sodas, I tend to see a few blemishes appear. My advice is to watch what she eats/drinks, use a product consistently (when I was young I wasn't consistant at all). As her mom just make sure you encourage her to be consistant. Also if she's dabbling in make-up at all. Use BareEssentials or some type of mineral foundation so her skin can breath. Good luck!

Hi T.

Arbonne has wonderful products for your daughter's skin care problem( http://www.arbonne.com/products/beyond_basics ). My daughter used them and they cleared up her skin.

I am an Arbonne Independent Consultant and all Arbonne products are botanically based, pH correct, hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested and formulated without mineral oil. Also, Arbonne offers a 45 day money-back guarantee, on all products, to Clients not 100% satisfied.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or if I can help you in anyway.

Take care
B.
____@____.com

I am lazy with my skint too, but the Clearasil pads - with 2% salicylic acid - work beautifully for me. I keep them in the car and do them on my way to work and on my way home. My issue is more blackheads than pimples, but the principle is the same - keep it exfoliated (with the s.a.) and there's nothing to build up - just nice, clean skin.

Given that your daughter doesn't wear makeup, one pad in the morning after breakfast and one after dinner before bed would likely be plenty.

Wash the face three-four times a day with ivory or dial ... anti bacterial soap. change wash clothes every few days/bed linens once a week; pillow case maybe twice a week. stay away from oily/fried foods, carbonated drinks... get a bit of sun every day... keep hair away from the face. and do not touch the face with hands other than to wash the face. use noxema cleanser... or fill a cup with shaving cream, pour a table spoon of sugar, mix the ingredients throughly, apply to the face, and scrub problem areas. rinse with soap (noxema cleanser)/water. drink lots of water too! good luick.

I'm 38, have had a son, and I still have acne. I've had acne since I was 13. Anything with alcohol or benzoyl peroxide is the worst thing to use. The best things are those with salicylic acid in them. After years of trying different over the counter products, the best one for me has been Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash. It's orange soap in a pump. So it's easy to store in the shower, and to see it to remember to use. I use it just before I get out after my whole body has been cleansed. After I get out and if my face looks irritated, I'll come back with 100% Aloe Vera as a moisturizer. Over the counter moisturizers seemed to make my skin more oily. The aloe vera is natural with no harsh chemicals. Also, once a week I'll use Neutrogena's Deep Clean Gentle Scrub that's oil free. Your daughter might want to use it every other day. I used Buff-Puff scrub pads back in my school days every other day and those did the trick as well. It's not needed every day though as it might tear up your skin.

Then when your daughter gets old enough to wear make-up, I use and highly recommend Almay's Clear Complexion Makeup which also contains salicylic acid. All other makeups I've ever tried just gives me more acne. The Almay one does not and also sometimes helps clear my face.

If for any reason you need to go to the dermatologist, the only meds that ever worked for me was Ampicillin and Differin Gel. Stay away from anything stronger than that like Accutane. That should be a total last resort and where everything else has failed.

If you need a dermatologist, just shoot me a message and I'll recommend one to you who's in Dallas at Medical City.

Hi T.,

Wow, you have received so much advice on this one! My oldest daughter is also eleven and has struggled with black heads and filled pores on and around her nose in the past. I have her on the Arbonne Clear Advantage System. The dermatologist's office that we visited has even given us their blessing on this line.

The Today Show recently did a great segment on controlling breakouts and Acne and the dermatologist on the show said that you need for the products you are using to do three things: 1)Clean the pores, 2)Kill bacteria 3)Control Oil Production. The Arbonne System does all three.

It has a wash, toner, and a salicylic acid lotion (milder way to fight bacteria than benzoyle peroxide formulations which can cause peeling and irritation). The system also contains a vitamin that you take daily so you are fighting breakouts from the inside out. The vitamin contains Lysine and Zinc which contain anti-inflammatory properties and Beta Carotene which is the non-toxic form of Vitamin A and helps to suppress oil production. On this particular show, they said that ProActive was OK, but that you could find the same ingredients in much less expensive lines at the drug store.

You can check out the products my daughter uses by visiting www.arbonne.com Click on "Products" and then click on "Blemishes" and you can check it out. If you like what you read, please let me know. I like the Arbonne products so much that I became an Consultant! I offer all Mamasource Members 35% off and Free Shipping on your first order and would be happy to offer that to you as well. You can call me at ###-###-####. Good Luck and Blessings to you! C.

I have used Clinique since I was about 11 and I am 47 now and pass for early 30's. The skin care line is great and if you purchase something you do not like, does not work with your skin, etc, you can take it back. My Dr. recommended Clinique.

My daughter is 14 now and she has used the clinique line since about 11. She has few and far between breakouts. We also took a proactive approach and she sees a dermatologist about once every 6-9 months. She has had no major issues. The Dr. has a special creme she uses daily along with her Clinique routine.

Also, Dr. Menter (one the the best in the area) recommended Clinique. Also, for cleansers....Cetaphil, Purpose are both recommended. Both can be found at Target for a reasonable price.

Your daughter needs to be very viligent about her skin care. Around here, no one goes to bed without skin care routine done and the same routine in the morning. Get in the habit now.

Best wishes to her...She is embarking on a new journey (which can be very positive!!)

The one thing that will probably work is going to a dermatologist. They have meds that work, but do your research on side affects so you know what you DON'T want...some of the things they give can actually increase the chance of lupus in girls. This isn't easy. Some kids cannot find an over the counter fix that works, so I'm afraid you will probably have to do a little trial and error. I am a Shaklee rep and so I have my 17 year old son on GLA, which helps balance the hormones. (http://www.shaklee.net/healinghappens/product/20608) It helps......if he remembers to take it every day, but I buckled and have him on an expensive face cream too, from the derm. I wish he would just try to do it naturally, but he likes the face cream better.... it is a fix quick. And I am going to tell you...his skin still is not perfect.
I'm not trying to discourage you, but the reality of a quick fix.....maybe or maybe not.

Try Cetaphil. It's relatively inexpensive and you can get it at the grocery store. Many cleansers marketed toward young people actually dry the skin too much and make the problem worse. Her biggest challenge at this age is to get in the habit of intentionally washing her face in the morning and again at night. Regular Cetaphil (not the Acne prone - just regular) should clear away enough of the excess oil without over-drying her skin. You also might try an oil free moisturizer that has a scent that appeals to her to encourage her to care for her skin (doesn't a lovely scent encourage us all?). Also, a little tip, try a facial of Milk of Magnesia (yes, the laxative!). Apply a thin layer over the acne prone areas, let it dry and rinse with luke warm water. The magnesium will absorb excess oil. It may itch a little as it dries, but it doesn't take long and works wonderfully. You can also just apply it to pimples or spots that appear to be turning into a pimple. It will help them clear faster. Good luck and God bless!

Try Grampas pine tar soap. I smells like burnt wood, but he smell goes away and it is great for skin. Buy it at
health food stores or on line.

I don't know how you feel about her being on a antibiodic. If you take her to a dermotaligist she will get put on tetracyline. You can get a generic form and it's cheaper than buying products. I grew up with oily skin and had acne but also developed before my friends. I was put on that. It was many years ago but it worked. Just make sure she eats plenty of yogurt to avoid yeast infections.

I heard a dermatologist say that vitamin A helps to decrease oily skin from the inside. The doctor was on the Michael Baisden radio show (he has a site, too) talking about healthy and natural alternatives to taking care of your skin. His show is on in the afternoons from 2-6 on 94.5 FM. He also posts the information on his sites: www.iseecolor.com (it is for EVERYbody :D), Michaelbaisden.com, and Minglecity.com. I hope that helps.

My granddaughter is exactly the same---11 almost 12---developed WELL for her age and has some complexion issues. Her Mom order the Proactive stuff you see on TV and it has worked wonders---her Mom is using it too and she has had skin issues since she was in high school--works great for her also! So go for that!

I've struggled with acne all my life. I would suggest a mild cleanser ... not even necessarily an acne one. She should only wash her face 2-3 times a day and gently pat dry. Washing more often can cause irritation. Cleaning wipes are useless, an d actually make my acne worse. I would suggest a benzoyl peroxide product, like persagel. She should start once-a-day, or maybe twice just in spots where she has broken out, and then she can move up to twice-a-day if she doesn't have too much dryness. If her acne is bad (breaking out all over, most of the time) please take her to a dermatologist. They have medicines that are both gentler and more effective than what you can buy over-the-counter. She's only 11, so she probably has a lot of time before she does want to wear makeup, but when she does, she has to look for products that say "non-comodegenic". Other terms "oil-free" or "dermatologist tested" or "won't clog pores" are not necessarily the same thing, and may still cause acne in very sensitive individuals.

Oh, and after having read another post: Someone said that if you go to a dermatologist you'd need to have blood panels, birth control, etc. That's only if the dermatologist puts her on the strongest acne medicines (e.g Accutane). No respectable dermatologist will start with that without having tried other options. Your daughter might do very well with something much milder, safer, and topical.

Good luck!

I carry a product exclusivey made for teen girls. I have seen it work miracles. It even LOOKS cool! It is very affordable skin care and best of all, carries a 100% satisfaction guarantee....so if after a week she doesn't like it, she can return it for a full refund. I have samples as well but prefer you use the full-size product for a week to see how it works for you. I offer free shipping anywhere in the US and 20% off your first order. Good luck and God bless! www.marykay.com/tpreston

I also have oily skin. I use alcohol on a cotton swab to clean my face at night and in the morning I then put a 10 percent benzol peroxide cream on my face and go. I use store brand alcohol very cheap and if I have a major week of oily skin I buy the stronger alcohol just depends on how oily the skin is. The benzol peroxide gel I use is walmart brand and I have only found it at walmart it only cost $3 so its a $5 skin treatment

T.,
I would take her to A DERMATOLOGIST. My daughter at that age started developing early and she had some underlying problems. With medication it cleared up the acne (an anitbiotic and rx cream). We tried all the over the counter stuff and none of it worked. Good Luck.

We had SAME issues. Our dermatologist reccomended Cetaphil cleansing lotion bars & then the Cetaphil daily moisturizer. It worked great. Costco sells one & Sams sells the other. Walmart sells them too.
She exfoliates every 3 days with a mild scrub(walmart brand in tube).

I really like the Avon acne line for myself. Yes, I till breakout and I'm 38! I just go to the Avon store in Plano or Wylie to get my products instead of ordering.

Hi, T.!

It looks like you've gotten some awesome advise. I'm reading it, too, because I have an 11-year-old who doesn't really have acne issues, but she has blackhead issues BIG TIME. A friend's mom works at a spa and has removed her blackheads a couple of times. I'm not suggesting picking blackheads is something your daughter should do, but if you have a professional do it, it may help. Once they're gone, then you can utilize some of the techniques and/or products that have been recommended here in order to stop any reoccurrances. The reason it's so important to get rid of them is that they stretch the skin. If they're allowed to stay in place too long, it's easy for another blackhead to form once the old one's gone because it's a perfect place since the pore is bigger than other ones. I hope this helps. Good Luck!

Try to ProActive system (or the WalMart brand with the same active ingredients at much less the cost). My 14 yr old has had really bad acne and we have tried a variety of things. I wanted to provide her with anything she needed to control it but bottom line, unless I was willing to constantly bug her about her skin care and make it MY priority, I had to wait until she saw the connection between taking care of things and the result on her face. We had tried several things as well as going to the dermotologist and she wasn't following through with much of it. At 14 and in the 8th grade, she finally is getting it and is highly motivated to do whatever she can. Last week, I took her to get a acne treatment facial (with extractions) and the results were AMAZING! It's like a wonderful kick-start to any skin care programs. Good luck!

Hello T.,

Proactive is great. I use it and I have friends that their younger boy and girl use it as well. Even if your budget is tight, after the 1st order you can have it sent to you as you need it, or just order certain products. The normal order has 3 bottles, a wash, toner, and repairing lotion. I always run out of the wash 1st, so I am able to order just the other 2 products. It has helped me greatly, and IS AFFORDABLE. Hope this bit of info helps.

H.

I have always had problem skin and have tried just about everything. I highly recommend a good cleanser such as Neutrogena, Clean & Clear or Clearasil (my favorite is Clearasil). I use it every morning in the shower. I have never been a person that washes my face every evening and never will be. The newest thing I've found is that if I rub the problem areas with hydrogen peroxide and then rub a little bit of Neosporin into them, they go away quickly. I wish I had known it earlier!
I do NOT recommend Arbonne...it really messed my skin up. But the over the counter cleansers have worked great for me.

I would either visit a dermatologist or try ProActive. I've done both and got good results with both. My sister suffered with severe acne as a middle school and high school student and it had long-lasting effects on her self-esteem. If this were my daughter, I would spend what it takes to nip the problem in the bud.

Also, pay attention to her diet. Good nutrition helps ever system of the body, including the skin. With teenagers, this can be a challenge that's why I love the product I found that makes it so easy to get kids to eat their fruits and veggies. You can visit my Mamasource profile for more info.

Good luck!

M.
"My son eats all his veggies now. Even the green ones!"
Visit my Mamasource profile to find out how we did it.

good luck,
I took my daugther to the doctor, he gave her some cream and it did help. It didn't get rid of all of her pimples, her body is just changing and this is part of it. Give her lots of hugs and kisses and tell her that she looks wonderful.

My nieces (14 and 17 yrs. old) use Proactive and they don't have any skin issues. I use AcneFree which is the same stuff but cheaper. They have it at Walmart and Target. You have to be consistent with these products in order for them to work, though.

Dear T. M.:

I have VERY oily skin and now my 13-year-old daughter has the same problem. My daughter and I use the same soap, it's the Neutrogena brand and is called "Clear Pore" and is a cleanser/mask. It can be used just as soap or left on for a few minutes and used as a mask, depending on how oily the skin is. If you want to try other brands of soap, just make sure they contain "benzoyl peroxide."

As for getting her to use the soap, what I did was a combination of having the soap and easy things to use, the wipes like you're using, and some gentle nagging/reminding here and there. And when my daughter would complain about her face breaking out I'd simply say that's why you need to wash your face or at least using the wipes, and leave it at that.

It took a while, but now my daughter will wash her face
every morning and night. It just sometimes takes a while for the habit to develop, plus the responsibility to sink in.

The teenage years are a rollercoaster!

L. F., mom of a 13-year-old girl, married to my best friend for 22 years

Hi T.,
I can offer your daughter a nutritional shake and her pimples will be a history. If you are interested,I will be glad to put you on the phone with my friend whose son got rid of this problem because of nutritional shakes.
Call me at ###-###-####
S.

My daughthe's skin was very oily and it would discolor from the breakouts. She now uses my homemade soap bars and witchhazel for a toner. Try to find someone who makes homemade soap and wash with it twice a day and get her in a good skincare routine. Good luck to you.

I am one of 5 kids. All my siblings had bad acne except me I was the defiant child. To this day I have never (knock on wood) had a single one. I only wipe over my face with a hot wash cloth. My eldest daughter followed my family and tried everything on the market it seemed the more she tried the worse it got. When she had her daughter I swear by Balmex creamy she started putting that on her face at night and rubbed it in till it was all gone and her face cleared up. May not work for all but it sure did for her. You may be able to go to the web site and get a free sample. Acne is an infection in the pores from dirt that clogs them mixed with the oil. If you apply heat and thin the oil it helps them to drain. The balmex clear does not work like the creamy. Good luck

Have you tried to give her supplements? The issuess is from within and needs something to help her balance the hormores etc.., I do know of a great food supplement that has helped kids with acne and other issues as well as just a total well being, let me know if you are interested.

A.

It would be so worth it for her to see a good dermatologist. I recommend Dr. Karen Lund (or anyone in that group) at Presby Plano. If she starts with a specialist, she can learn what not to do to irritate her skin, and what can be done effectively to minimize damage from this temporary but often damaging condition. A hard, embarrassing thing when at this age she is already apt to be self-conscious.

As I was reading your post the first thing that popped into my mind was ProActive. I then read a few of your replys and saw that a few others recommended it too. It really works well, I know several people who use it of various ages, and it isn't too expensive compared to other treatments. Good luck.

Try Neutrogena Deep Clean Soap and Oil controling astringent. If you can control the oil it will help control the acne. Also have her use oil absorbing sheets. Clean and Clear is a good brand. They can be found on the same isle as the face cleansers. She should blot her face with them throughout the day.

I would take her to a dermatologist right away.

Aveeno makes a daily face wash that is for blemish-prone skin. It is not soap, but a foam cleanser. She has to wash her face every morning and at night regularly and not use harsh soaps or chemicals which can irritate the skin. She needs a moisturizer for oily skin, too. There are lots of good products at the drugstore like Aveeno and Neutrogena products, but if you have a little more money to spend try Clinique. All their products are hypoallergenic.

The acne skin care from Clinique is good.

The dermatologist is good, but if you take the prescription drugs to cure it I know at least that for girls you have to put them on the pill (not sure about for you due to her age) and take them in for bloodwork EVERY month. I find it really hard, but we've gotten the rhythm down (go to lab 5 days before appt, go to appt, go online to answer questions, go fill prescription within 7 days etc etc) but this is the last month my 16 year old will be on it and her skin looks great. She has had side effects, dry skin and itching, but I think it was worth it.

It didn't matter that my daughter said she wouldn't have sex and never has, the drug manufacturer says they must be on two forms of birth control and answer online questions each month or you can't get the prescription.... so if nothing else works for your daughter, the meds worked great for us, but be prepared for alot of work for 6 months. Then you're done!

T.,

My granddaughters are the same age and they to are having the same problem. Arbonne has a awesome acne line and also a skin care line for younger teens.You can check them out at my website www.valeriehampton.myarbonne.com The prices may seem a little high but for 29 dollars you can get 20% off for the whole year. If you have any questions please let me know and I will be able to help you.Another thing to remember any product will make you breakout for first couple weeks It is pulling all the toxins out so that it may clean your face up.Hope this has helped

V. Hampton
Regional Vice President
Indenpdent Consultant
Arbonne International
###-###-####

Go with a simple cleanser like Cetaphil or basic Neutrogena - either liquid or bar form and make sure she's using it before bed and in the morning. Also have her use a light oil free moisturizer because even acne prone skin needs moisturizing. If that doesn't work then consult a dermatologist, in high school, mine put me on an anti-biotic to clear the worst of it and then a gentle Retin-A type gel. The warning of her needing to be on birth control for prescription acne medication is for Accutane something usually reserved for severe cases and it doesn't sound like that's the case for her.

T.,
Good Morning! I am a consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics and I have just the products for your daughter. We have a skincare line that is specifically for preteens to young adults. It is our Velocity line, great for acne prone skin and doesn't have any anti-aging particles in it. Its just two steps, a cleanser and a moisturizer. The set runs for $22 and right now I have everything in our line for 15% off. I have quite a few girls around your daughters age on this set and they love it. I'd be happy to send you some samples of it and let her try it. Please let me know if you are interested. Have a Blessed Day!

C.

Try over-the-counter topical skin care products that contain salicylic acid (look on the box for the active ingredient) as well as keeping the face clean and free from hair (such as bangs covering the forehead). A diet free from oily foods also helps (deep fried foods, etc). If those don't work and it's really bad, a dermatologist or even a family doctor may prescribe her prescription products such as a course of antibiotics, topical vitamin A derivatives such as Retin-A, or other medicines. Good Luck!

T., everybody's skin is different. No matter what is recommended, you have to check the ingredients that help control the acne. I myself used Ten-0-Six when I was young and that was wonderful!! Never had any problems later in life. I am very allergic to Mary Kay and other products, so needless to say, I don't wear make-up. Have a son who has very sensitive skin, also. I saw the product at Walgreen's and got it for him. Has helped him tremendously! Good luck! I know how both of you feel,..been there, done that!

my daughter's dermatologist advised cetaphil liquid for face, and cetaphil antibacterial bar for her back and shoulders - she said it was imperative she use no other soaps or cleansers. She prescribed minocycline and two different topicals. We tried so many OTC acne products prior to seeing the dermatologist, but nothing worked and I was out hundreds of dollars as most are expensive. My advice is just to go straight to the derm and save your money on the OTC stuff.

T.,

In response to the woman who said you have to put her on birth control to use prescription face cream, you need to check with your doctor. I used prescription cream in my teens and didn't have to be on birth control. (but that was a long time ago).

all right, people reading my posts are prolly tired of me mentioning this, but it really might help, so please forgive my broken-record-player-ness...

has she tried eliminating dairy and caffeine from her diet and ensuring she drinks plenty of water? i'd say it's worth a try for at least 3-6 weeks - especially if it's tough for her to stick to a good skin care regimen. she can get all the calcium she needs from foods like broccoli, leafy greens, dry beans, canned salmon, calcium-fortified orange juice or rice drink, or even supplements.

HTH!

I use Pro-active. You can order it through the mail and get the introductory offer for $19.99, or over the internet. It is a great product. It works wonders for me. If you use it though, she needs to follow the instructions to the letter! Not just every once in a while. It doesn't work for some people. I have found that it made my pimples go away and left my skin smoother. You might try going to a dermatologist as well. I did that when I was young and all they gave me was a harsh face wash. It worked, but left my skin dry.

Hi T.,
Hmmmm, how is your daughters eating habits? Too much oily foods (french fries, bacon) and sweets and caffiene will contribute to a bad complexion. As far as a cleaner, it's a hit and miss. Keep trying different products that are developed for the teenage skin so as not to dry out too much. I have always had oily skin. As a teen, I always used the good old Stridex....and good old soap and water.
Also, alot of water. Drinking a lot of water helps keep the complexion clear.

Good luck and God Bless
M.

i think you should take your daughter to a deratalast ( skin doctor)
and maybe get a special type of skin care products from the doctor.

It'll be pretty tough if she will not cooperate.
During this change, she will need to wash her hair everyday with conditioner, shower, and wash her face two to three times a day. Girl's this age get pretty yucky.
Here is a program for you:
Wash (Cleanses)
Freshener or astringent (closes pores and ph balances her skin)
MOISTURIZE (you wouldn't think this with oily skin but drying out those precious layers of skin will cause clogging and make more oil)

My daughter used a soap the doctor recommended at the pharmacy - over the counter. A bit expensive but did the trick. Comes in bar or liquid.

And NEVER EVER TOUCH HER FACE.
The pimples will irritate her and she will want to mess with them. They will be embarrassing for her and she will want to pop them prematurely. She will have to decide now to be acne ridden, scarred possibly, or disciplined to be beautiful.

It is hard to see them suffer. I had acne and so did my daughter. I ran her to the dermatologist and he gave her meds. We also tried Proactive and it made her look like a ghost (by the way - their mask is wonderful to use the night before school on a new pimple!!!)

We found the more water she drank the better her skin looked and the more she learned to care for herself the better she looked and the better she felt about herself. She is sixteen and still has some but I know eventually she will grow out of it as long as she doesn't have scars. Unfortunately, part of teen life.

I wish for her beauty inside and out. God bless, C.

For a cheap and wonderful exfoliant, try sugar. Just lather up soap in your hands, then add about 1/4 cup sugar and scrub. Mostly at her age, it's going to take reminding, day and night. Also, she shouldn't scrub day and night, because that will irritate/damage her skin. Just be patient and keep reminding her, Mom!

Also, Aveeno has a great anti-acne skin scrub that is not expensive. She scrubs her face, then leaves it on for about a minute, then washes off. It has medicine in it to help control breakouts.

T.,
Golly, she sounds like me, 40 years ago. I developed early too. I rep a terrific skin care -- Arbonne, and I am SOLD on it. We are a botanically based product -- no mineral oil, not petroleum produts, no animal products. We have some terrific cleansers, clay masques, etc, and I would be glad to send your daughter a 3 day sample pack. There is no charge -- I just ask that she use it exclusively for 3 days, and let me know what she thinks.

I started with Arbonne in my late 30's, and it got rid of blackheads I'd had since the 6th grade!!

If you'd like to try it, please send me your snail mail address at ____@____.com

My daughter did the same thing. I bought her tons of different products but what has worked for her is Natures Cure (with the homeopathic pills you take in the morning and at night and low benzoil peroxide cream). She washes her face with baby wash (which is less drying) and then scrubs (exfoiliating sponge) with pure almond oil extract. This has lots of vitamins, doesn't clog pores and makes the skin very soft and super moisturized. All these can be bought at Wal-Mart. I use the almond oil extract myself and have noticed a difference in my skins texture and softness also.

You should try a product by Mary Kay called Velocity. It is geared towards younger skin and is designed to help with blackheads and breakouts. I would be happy to provide it to you free of charge to try and if it works then you could pay for it ($22.00). Follow this link to read more about the cleanser and the moisturizer.
on the Mary Kay Website:

http://www.marykay.com/aprilshockey/skincare/cleansers/cl...

http://www.marykay.com/aprilshockey/skincare/moisturizati...

Have you heard of Arbonne? They have a teen acne line that is wonderful. These are all botantically based products which is a better choice for your daughters skin. There is a supplement that she would take as well to help the healing from the inside out. Let me know if you would like more information on it or you can go to www.arbonne.com to check it out. If you are interested just let me know.

Also, does your daughter drink a lot of sodas? This could be a factor as well. Look at what she is eating too, it all plays a part.

Hope this is helpful.

R.
____@____.com

Jennifer R is right ... you have to MAKE her use them (she'll thank you later) and she needs to use them EVEN when she's NOT broken out. It's like the germs/bacteria retreat while you're using the face pads and then, just when everything clears up and you relax about using them, they all come back en masse!!!

Ourdaughter has gone through numerous trials of everything, including continual antibiotics, which just keeps it mild instead of severe. Accutane has been the cure for several of my nephews and is about $400/mth without insurance. There is a natural formula called Acnezine that I've read about but do not know anyone who has tried it.

I know a lot of girls who have used ProActiv (you've seen it on tv) with success. My 15 year old son (I have 3 boys) ordered it and well just wasn't consistent with it. When he went for his 15 year doctor's visit at the pediatrician, the dr gave him a prescription that has worked quite well. But if your daughter might be more diligent with her skin care, the ProActiv might be worth a try.

During a trip to London with my 14 year old sister last year, she developed an even more severe case of acne, possibly due to the long trip. We found Witch Hazel. She applied it and about a day later her acne was going away. We couldn't believe it. My Dad has since puchased it for her in the states. Here's a few links.

The witch hazel gel is what we got her, but not sure it's available locally.
http://www.health-store.co.uk/acatalog/Witch_Hazel_Gel.html

Walgreens has some options.
id=prod392535&CATID=100750&skuid=sku392536&V=G&ec=frgl_665746&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku392536

It's an inexpensive option to try.

From your description, she doesn't have full blown acne so I would try the over the counter stuff before putting her on medication. My daughter uses Proactive and it is really effective. Using it daily also develops great skin care habits that will benefit her for the rest of her life. I started her on proactive by ordering over the internet and they send a refill package automatically at an interval you can select (every 3 months, 6 months..your choice). It is also easily found at mall kiosks now that work like a vending machine. Good Luck!

I had (and still do!) oily skin when I was younger. The only thing I can tell you that will help is consistency in daily facial cleaning routine. My mom would buy all kinds of expensive kits for oily skin/acne and it did not work. Only because I would use it once or twice a week, if that. I started using Neutrogena about 2 years ago, including their make-up. I have seen a dramatic difference in my skin! I did use the scrub but found it really didn't "clean" but did take care of the blackheads. So for daily cleansing, I started using the Neutrogena bar (under $2 at Wal-Mart) and it has done wonders!!! My skin is no longer so oily that I have to use an astringent every day. I have to use it every other day and use the oil free moisturizer EVERY day. Try that - sometimes the more simple things are, the more likely your daughter will stick to it and her skin won't be a problem anymore and she will be the one in high school who will have beautiful skin and no acne because she took care of it at an earlier age!!! Good luck!
C.

T.,
I had acne, and my 11 year old daughter now has it. If she also has pimples on her back or shoulders, it is acne. Take her to your regular doctor and have him prescribe Minocycline. It is a mild anti-biotic. It is very inexpensive and it will help. You don't have to take birth control or anything like that. He will probably prescribe some topicals along with it. A GP can prescribe just about anything and he knows your daughter's history. He will refer you to a dermatologist if he feels it is necessary. Just make sure she takes it - not within 30 mins of dairy products. Best wishes.

Proactive. It really does work. I have fairly dry skin so I don't even use it exactly as it says. I also use the green tea moisturizer instead of what comes in the package, it helps with the dryness. It is really worth the money.

My son is 14 and I have noticed that, for him, if he washes his face every morning and night, he has great skin, if he doesn't, it shows. Hold her accountable for her own developing body/skin.

Also, Arbonne has the absolute best stuff, a little goes a long, long way.

Hi T.. I also have an 11 yr old and she is developing pretty quickly too. She started getting breakouts last summer when I first started making homemade soaps. Since she started using them, her skin has cleared up tremendously. That is what I would suggest. Since they are made from olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil and castor oil, there is nothing to clog the pores. If you are interested, you can check out my site at www.havenssweetscents.webs.com.

H.

I had issues with acne when I was younger...then it came back when I was in my twenties. Seems like I tried ALL of the products below (Cetaphil, Proactiv...really expensive stuff and really cheap stuff...you name it). I would say that the ONLY thing that ever helped me was going to a dermatologist and getting medication for it. Even then, we tried topical medications and oral medications, the gamut. It just took a while to find the right meds and when we did, my life changed.

It seems like I remember my dermatologist shaking her head as I went through the list of "hypoallergenic" and "acne" cleansers, creams, ointments that I'd tried before talking to her. And I remember her saying that for people who really do have acne (and not just sensitive skin or bad skincare habits), it happens from the inside out, and isn't affected by what you put ON the skin itself. For some people, it just requires medication.

I'm definitely not a proponent of medicating...especially with kids. But it might be the only thing that works? Best of luck with this. It's so hard to be a young girl, period. And to have to deal with skin issues, it's heartbreaking.

I have to say after trying a million things and going to a lot of dermatolgists the best thing ever is ProActiv..they have a kiosk near the food court at Stonebriar Mall. Give it a couple weeks to work and you will be amazed!!

Both of my teenage sons have this problem. Besides prescription medication, what works the best for them is the Noxema face pads. I MAKE them use them every night and their complexions are good now. Just make sure she continues using them even when she is not having a break out.

I have had the same problem since I was your daughters age. It has taken many years of trying different products to find what works best for me. My derm recommends using Cetaphil or Purpose cleasners. Cethaphil is a soap fee cleanser and is very moisturizing...it always left my skin oily. Would not rec for your daughter. I do like Purpose face wash tho. Also Clinique has a line called acne solutions which worked great for me. You can buy a trial kit that comes with face wash, astringent, and a cream for breakouts. It's around $25 but they have a great return policy..so you can take it back if it doesn't work for her. The biggest thing is she has to get in a daily routine of taking care of her skin! I know that's hard at her age. Good luck!

T. -

We struggled for 2 years with my oldest daughters acne, trying everything. She was quite good at using products regularly, but nothing did the trick until Votre Vu's Au Revior. It is only $19 and the best money we could have spent. It is a dry powder - she can just dab it on where she is broken out. My daughters skin was noticeably clearer in days and what she loves it that it is so quick to use. It comletely eliminated virtually all her black heads in days - they just completely disappeared. This is a new to the US product line - it is all made in France. Call me if you want more details - my daughter is so thrilled even she would be happy to talk to you or your daughter - sometimes it is best when kids hear from another kid rather than mom.
E.
www.votrevu.com/glow