Neverending acne breakouts, PLEASE HELP! (10 Points)?

I had really bad, cystic acne from 2005 until 6 months ago, when I FINALLY found something that works for me. It isn't one specific product, but a routine. I tried everything, from prescription, to drugstore, to high end products. I tried:

Retin-A

doxycycline

minocycline

Bactrim

2 rounds or accutane (both of which helped for only a few months)

Differin

Azelex

clindamycin

erythromycin

birth control pills

benzoyl peroxide lotion & gels (panoxyl 2.5% & 5%, benzoyl, benzac AC, clean and clear persa gel, DDF 5%)

benzoyl peroxide washes (panoxyl 4% foaming wash)

salicylic acid gels & creams (clean and clear, clearasil, DDF)

salicylic acid pads (oxy pads, stridex pads, spectro pads, clearasil pads)

those 3 step kits (proactive, acne free, neutrogena skin ID, acne.org regimen, etc.)

Clarisonic with a variety of cleansers and different brush heads

exfoliants (st Ives apricot scrub, dead sea premiere)

lemon juice

toothpaste

aspirin masks

sulfur masks

clay masks

apple cider vinegar

tons of other things I have probably forgotten

And I tried all of these thing properly, followed the directions from my derm or those on the package, gave them all 8 weeks so my skin could purge - nothing

My point is, I get it, and I've been there.

I finally found a system and regimen that works for me. I changed my life style, but it worked.

First and foremost, I do not touch my face, ever, unless I am washing it or applying treatment. I do not allow my hair to touch my face either. I sleep with it in a ponytail on the top of my head.

I wash my pillow case every 3 days.

I started drinking 8 glasses of water a day.

I eliminated greasy foods and high sugar food from my diet, as well as all soft drinks and most dairy (except yogurt). I started making sure I get 30 minutes of exercise a day (I also lost 30lbs thanks to this).

I stopped wearing most makeup, which was awful at first, but helped in the end. all I wear now is eye makeup and lip gloss. No bronzer, no blush, no concealer, no powder, no foundation.

I wash my face 4 times a day. In the morning, when I come home before exercising, after exercising and before bed. It doesn't matter what cleanser you use, but unmedicated is best. Also less ingredients is good. I personally like foaming cleansers. I use La Roche-Posay Effaclar H, but that is only because someone bought it for me. I've also successfully used Aveeno Ultra Calming foaming cleanser.

In the evening before bed, after my face has fully dried I apply a very thick layer of acne treatment, that I mix myself in my hand. I mix 3 parts 5% benzoyl peroxide gel (clean and clear persa gel 5 is the one I use usually because it mixes best) to 1 part salicylic acid creme or gel (it can be anywhere from 1.5 to 2.5%. I use the DDF one because it is least drying to my skin, but I used to use one from clearasil, it doesn't matter). I apply a fairly thick layer of this mixture all over my face (it take about 10 minutes to fully absorb). When in doubt, more treatment is best. If I have an active zit (I now only get them during my monthly cycle and it is usually only one the entire month) I put a big lump of benzoyl peroxide on it and leave it there all night.

In the mornings I apply a thinner amount of the 5% benzoyl peroxide gel. If my face is dry, I will then follow with a basic moisturizer (I like the La Roche-Posay Toleriane Fluide). The less ingredients the better, but any non medicated lotion will do, I've even used glaxal base.

That is it. It took about 2 months from the start for my face to fully clear up, and it got worse the first week before it got better, but that's purging for you. Now I am clear.

I hope you are able to find a system that works for you. If not, maybe find another derm?

Good luck!

1

Dry and/or greasy skin due to poor oil composition of the skin. Thick greasy oils clog pores, lack of oil leads to dryness and irritation. You need thin oils to moisturize while dissolving and clearing gunk in your poors. Try fish oil or seafood. 2 tsp fish oil a day or 4 servings of seafood a week. Stick it out for at least 2 months; it will take a long time to replace all your oil. Any effect after 1-2 days is temporary or random; so even if it makes you break out a little at first, you haven't given it a full try yet.

In the short term you can wash and moisturize well, but that will only go so far. Plus excessive washing can be drying and excessive moisturizing can be clogging. Use a small amount of a light moisturizer, made with oil not jelly or grease. Often that means soybean oil or mineral oil. Mineral oil means mined from the ground. So soybean oil is usually better, though mineral oil won't cause too much harm. Clean with soap and water, not a harsh acne cleanser. Even then they only work so well. So you really need the seafood.

Antibiotics aren't really good for bacteria long term, they'll come back in force after. Short term they may help. After you get off them find some kefir with acidophilus listed first or 2nd to replace the friendly bacteria they destroyed. Studies show less illness when you have these bacteria, even outside the stomach in places such as the lungs and elsewhere. You want friendly bacteria to fill the void when the antibiotics stop, not harmful ones.

In the short term you might also try 100,000+ iu retinol vitamin A (a megadose, and too much for normal use) or one of the acne drugs that is similar to retinol vitamin A. It's some minor harm to your organs, but it helps against bacteria on your skin. At least it doesn't have the other long term drawbacks to your skin that antibiotics and many scrubs do.

If you would like to learn how to treat your acne permanently and regain your health and wellbeing, without drugs, without typical acne treatments, and without any side effects, then this will be the most important letter you will ever read.

Weird Trick Forces Your Body

To Eliminate Your Acne

Giving You Beautiful Clear Skin

In 30-60 Days?

Make sure your sound is turned on!

I use this thing called the Wave by Neutrogenia. I have those red bumps, too. I've only used the Wave for two days, and it really works! It comes with two weeks of disposable cleansing pads, and you're able to buy refills. Also, be sure not to rub your hands/fingers on your face, because the oils on your hands make you breakout even worse. :)

Niacinamide face cleansing pads are effective and simple way to keep acne away. Just place a pad on the pimple and watch it fade away. Lavender Oil helps prevent skin drying.

Niacinamide pads are also known as Nicotinamide pads or Vit B3 pads.

Give them a try and you will be pleasantly surprised.