I’d love to get some opinions and advice on dealing with my acne-prone skin. Many of you will immediately say “Get thee to a dermatologist” and I must state that I have already made an appointment–for October . The Derm doctors associated with my primary care physician are booked solid until this October, so I would really love some advice on taking care of my skin now.
My main issue is that I’m getting married November 3 and I’m afraid anything the doctor can prescribe in October won’t have a chance to make a difference by then. My skin is very blemish prone in the face, neck, back and shoulders and the last thing I want to be stressing out on my wedding day is horrible looking skin. There’s only so much makeup can do.
Right now I’m seeing more issues because I’ve switched my birth control around to a lower hormone type that is really suiting me. I saw a dermatologist once when I was 19 and she told me that it was mostly a hormonal issue and that hormonal birth control often helps. It did for several years but since switching to the NuvaRing I’ve noticed that it helps a lot less. I love the Ring and I’m willing to stick with it, but now I need to find some other ways of coping with the excess oil production my hormones like to cause.
Another issue is that I seem to be allergic to benzoyl peroxide. Wherever I apply it my skin turns bright red with white blotches and gets itchy as hell. Many of the acne kits like Proactiv contain benzoyl peroxide as one of the main acne fighting ingredients, so those are out.
There are so many options in skin care both at spas, aestheticians, and in the drug stores that I’m completely overwhelmed. I really need some advice on starting a good and effective regimen for controlling blemishes. Some big questions I have:
-How effective are spa facials? Many of the spa websites offer acne services in series, are these treatments effective and worth the cost?
-The same questions apply for aesthetic services. These chemical treatments are expensive, but do they work? Especially for sensitive skin?
-Which over the counter washes/rinses/exfoliating creams are good to use? There are what seems like thousands of different options from Biore to Clean and Clear to more natural Origins and Body Shop products. Which ones are effective and would work together to help my skin?
Basically I would love some advice targeted toward helping me formulate a clear skin care regimen with recommended products/services to get me on the path to clear skin.
Obviously everyone has different types of skin, but as for me, anything I put on my face makes me break out. One of the worst episodes I ever had was after a facial. If I start putting on moisturizer or using any fancy cleansers, I get zits.
That said, I have perfect skin. How? I don’t do a damn thing. I don’t even use soap on my face unless I really need it (ie, I’ve been out gardening, and there’s dirt on my face.) Clean water and whatever soap drips down from my shampoo from washing my hair.
As far as I’m concerned, all those “treatments” and “cleansers” are self-perpetuating. They cause you to break out, which makes you use more crap on your skin, which makes you break out in a different way, rinse and repeat. I’ve had at least one dermatologist tell me it’s true. He told me don’t even use soap unless necessary anywhere except armpits, groin, and feet. That’s worked for me.
Just an idea… What about retinol? There’s over-the-counter retinol available at 1% and 0.5% here and here . I used the 1% for “anti-aging” purposes and it was very good (although in the middle of winter it dried out my skin). Since you have sensitive skin you could start with the 0.5%.
Your GP or GYN may be able to prescribe something for you. I had a friend who was on some sort of antibiotic for ages and it seemed to help her. Might want to check that out as something to hold you over until the dermatologist can get you in.
Thanks for the link ratatoskK, I’m going to look into that.
I wasn’t sure if my GP could/would prescribe skin care treatments, but I guess it certainly can’t hurt to call her and ask.
Athena I wish I could report the same success. I know what you mean about some things making it worse, which is part of the problem. I’m not sure what’s going to help and what’s going to be so harsh it causes more irritation. I’d love to stay off cleansers all together, but my face starts to feel absolutely disgusting if I don’t use some kind of exfoliant on it.
FYI, Proactiv makes a benzoyl peroxide free kit. I’m not sure if you can order it at the beginning but I know you can swap it out after the first kit. You might give them a try.
I used to be acne prone. I dramatically improved my skin when I started taking vitamin E supplements. I no longer need them as I have gotten older , I only have about a single blemish a month. It likes to warn me bad times are coming.
My friend had acne problems and she had success with Clinique’s line of skincare. I’ve never used it - I have skin that’s on the dry side and it seems a bit harsh for my taste - but it worked for her. It’s actually pretty popular in Korea for women who have acne problems.
My personal preference is Shu Uemura’s skin care line, especially their deep cleansing oil. I know it sounds weird, but they do make an oil that’s for people with oily skin. It washes off without leaving a residue and isn’t as harsh as other cleansers.
You could try going to http://www.emakemeup.com and read their product reviews. I’ve found them to be pretty helpful when considering a new brand of skincare or makeup.
The Body Shop has a tea tree line the is for oily/blemish prone skin.
I used it all through high school and had the rare break out.
I switch to using it in the summers here because I tend to break out more from the heat and constant sweating.
I’ll stump for Cetaphil as well. Cleanse twice a day gently and pat to dry - don’t rub. If your skin isn’t too sensitive, use a salicylic acid based toner. It is actually important to moisturize even if you have acne; naturally I use Cetaphil moisturizer. I use the kind with the sunscreen built in already, but they make one without. I am far from acne free (blackheads and the occasional cystic nodule - ouch) but it is a LOT better now. IIRC Cetaphil is dermatologist recommended and is very gentle and quite well-balanced.
Good luck at the docs, and congratulations on your upcoming marriage!
Another option is to ask your GP to call a dermatologist’s office and ask for you to be seen sooner than their official “first available”. Many offices, mine included, would be very willing to do that as a favor to your doctor.
If that doesn’t work, ask your GP to prescribe an oral antibiotic and/or Retin A or Differin.
i will second the lose the blasted makeup. Why put goop on your face to hide the zits that you get from putting goop on your face? give it a 1 month trial - wash your face gently with JUST SOAP AND YOUR HANDS, no facecloth, buffpuff , scrungie anything - and use something like Dr Bronners basic castile liquid soap. pat your face dry or even let it air dry.
To be honest, I have a terrycloth turban and bathrobe. I get out of the shower, put them on and ‘air dry’ anything that doesnt get covered by the terrycloth turban or robe. I use lush re-incarnate on my hair, dr bronners on my face and a rotating selection of dr bronners and lush soaps as whim takes me. Other than a couple annoying chin and throat hairs that ingrow and turn into a zit about evey three months or so, my face is amazingly clear, I dont get back and soulder zits, and I occasionally get tiny blackheads in the brastrap area if I get sweaty and scrungy doing something and cant get to a shower fairly quickly.
I dont think its as simple as doing nothing. I did nothing for the majority of my teenage years and have had problems. Nowadays I use the Clinique range for dry skin which i find works for me - fewer blemishes, spots, dry spots etc.
As for facials etc. Ive only had a proper one done once, I didnt notice it making any major difference, skin was probably looking better for a day or two but after that it was normal again.
Call the derm’s office back before you do this and ask if they have a waitlist, make sure to mention that you’re getting married. I’d bet they’ll take pity on you and get you in. (Everyone loves a wedding.) Just be nice, calm and make sure you sound slightly desperate. If they do squeeze you in, stop by a bakery on the way and bring them cookies.
If that doesn’t work, then talk to your GP and, failing that, your insurance company. It’s absurd that you’d have to wait five months for an appointment.
I’ve had a lot of luck with Acne Free, but considering your allergy to Benzoyl Peroxide, probably not a good idea. Tea Tree Oil has been effective for me on blemishes that turn a little wounded-looking from constant attention, and I know some people who have had good luck with bars of soap that have tea tree oil in them, if your problem is oily skin. However, if your acne is bacterial in nature, then you will definitely need to get some antibiotics.
I’m a third generation Clinique user. My grandmother has dry skin, my mother combo and I have super oily skin. They make products that work well for all of us. Over the years from time to time I’ve tried different brands, but I always come back to Clinique. Also, my past dermatologists have always recommended that I use it. As long as I follow the routine, my skin behaves (and since I can get cyst acne and occasionally end up with staph infections from acne that makes me happy.)
Since you’re asking for suggestions, I would go here and do the Clinique skin report thingie. Generally, Clinique recommends the standard 3 Step Skin Care Routine. Before they came out with their acne line, I used their Oily Skin facial soap and the Clarifying Lotion 2. I have never been in love with their Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion (which Mom and Grandma swear by) so I always used their Moisture in Control oil free lotion. It would really depend on the kind of skin you have. Like I said, I have super oily skin, but I found the Dramatically Diff to be very thick and … icky; it could make you very happy.
I’d be happy to send you samples of their Mild Facial Soap and Clarifying Lotion 2 if you like. I’m quite the gift with purchase monster so I have plenty of them. (Mom and Grandma take any lotion they give away). Regardless of what brand/products you go with, good luck!
This is going to sound weird, but how often do you change your pillowcase? When I was younger (and far grottier) I’d only change my pillowcase once a month if that. I now change it once a week and my skin is much better. A girl I know changes her pillowcases once a day and swears by it.
Lots of dermatologists say you should change the pillowcase daily. Don’t know if it really makes a difference.
As others have suggested, I would do whatever it takes to get into the dermatologist’s office earlier than October. Do you absolutely have to see one of the dermatologists associated with your GP? I imagine it costs more if you don’t, but I’d consider it a necessary wedding expense.
. The Derm doctors associated with my primary care physician are booked solid until this October, so I would really love some advice on taking care of my skin now.