Back to zits

[Lillemor]

I bought something called Propanol at the pharmacy - this is only for the massochists but using this after cleansing, scrub and then using a toner and cold water seems to work. I've always drunk plenty of fluid so there's nothing I can do there. I'm using a cheap Oriflame balancing gel for evening and morning and a cheap old Yves Rocher cream for greasy skin before I apply my sun screen in the morning. Seems to be working. My face skin seems to prefer the cheaper stuff while my body skin seems to prefer pricey stuff so I'm sort of striking a balance there.

 

[pigeon toe]

PT, I'm having the same problems ... but are you sure it's due to a hormone imbalance, and not just the way it is?
I always assumed that the faux oestrogene in pills suppresses the natural testosterone, killing your sebum production as well as your libido, which was one of the reasons I got off the pill (for over a year ago, like you). I'm by no means an expert in these matters, though. I've sort of resigned and traded in lovely skin for a libido, but there may be other ways to go about it?
[huh]

I'm pretty sure it's hormones because I never had acne before this and it started about 3 months after I went off the pill (which is usually when your body starts producing it's own hormones again).

I was recommended on another community to use a 20% solution of tea tree oil as a toner at night. It stung and smelled horrible, and I was pretty scared that it would dry me out or mess up my skin further, but when I woke up this morning, my 3 big zits have shrunken quite a lot! They aren't gone quite yet, but within a few days I'm sure they will be much better. So I'm definitely going to keep up with the tea tree oil as a preventative measure. I've also started taking B vitamins, which are also supposed to be great for your skin.

 

[Shirin]

I also wanted to add Lysine to the list of pimple preventives. When I get a pimple I take two tablets a day for 3 days, and the end of day 3 its pretty much disappeared. One bottle is about $3.50 at Wal-Mart.
Heres some more information on it, http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/lysine-000312.htm

 

[scottyrocks]

I didnt read through the whole thread, but hopefully this will help.

I went to my dermatologist recently, and he gave me an rx for Finacea. Its a cream you put on twice a day. It clears up existing zits pretty quickly, and you can put it on areas that are prone to them to keep them from erupting. I havent been using it that long, but it seems to be working pretty well so far.

 

[pigeon toe]

Oh my good lord, I went to my facialist last week and she recommended the BEST product ever!

If you have clogged pores that just won't disappear, get the Bioelements Amino Mask. It's pricey (I paid $52 but I found it cheaper on ebay). My clogged pores were like skin-colored bumps or small whiteheads all over my forehead and chin. Totally gross. She has me spot treating my T-zone 3-4 times a week for 10 minutes. It's cleared up almost all of my clogged pores and my skin is GLOWING! I'm not completely acne-free, but the improvement is AMAZING.

I'm so happy!

If any of you live in LA and need a great facialist, go see Kenya at Chess & Burman Salon, 9911 W. Pico!

 

[Lillemor]

I'm getting them along the lip line. I had a really deep one above my lip and now that it's come out with some Garnier stick and I waited until it was lose enough to press out, I still have an ugly "crater". I can bear the thought of going without eye make-up but no lipstick! I used vaseline to moisturize my lips in the evening in place of balm until I had time to buy some new and I used a lip gloss up out of guilt. Now that I've discontinued use of both I hope that will solve the problem. If it doesn't, I'll be at wits end.

 

[LelaViavonie]

I am so thankful for Differin Gel and Ortho Tri-cyclen.. along with Quenn Helen's Mint Jelup mask and scrub.. I am 95% acne free now!
It was major hormonal imbalance and i had been of od BC for 6 months to let my body get back to normal.. per my Gyno.. he put me on a different type of BC that wont effect my skin like the others have. YAY!
I feel like I have gained my confidence back... I was feeling so down in the dumps about it too..

 

[msrsimpkin]

Okay, I know everyone and their grandma says this, but I really believe that diet has a huge part to play. A few months back I decided to change my diet completely. I'm a big lady, and have been for most of my life. I finally gave up blaming my genes and admitted that it was, in fact, my crappy diet that made me this way.

So I gave up almost all junk food, sugar and fizzy drinks. I started drinking water and fresh juice ONLY, and eating more fruit in place of the snacks. And a lot more veg too.

Well, I've suffered with acne from about the age of 12, and eventually just accepted that it's something I'll have to live with. But through changing my diet for my weight (and health), it cleared my skin up to the point where I didn't even have to wear foundation anymore, just a little dab of concealer here and there, and I was set. My skin was the best it's been in years!

Unforunately, I've had a mild break-out (partially due to trying out new products that my skin's not used to, and also giving into my sugary cravings), but I'm hoping if I stick with it, it'll clear up again soon

Dear Lord, I do ramble a lot, don't I?

 

[C-dot]

I'm a Proactiv addict. It's about as expensive as Chanel or Clarins cleansers, but yields better results.
I'm also a Rachel Perry fan: http://www.internatural-alternative-health.com/SCAT/RACHELPERRY_117B.cfm. Their scrubs, masks, and astringents are divine! Plus, the art deco packaging looks cute on the vanity.

 

[Laura Chase]

I'm really suffering from hormonal chin acne right now. I picked up some Basiron 5% gel (with benzoyl peroxid), and this helps on the existing zits, but it doesn't prevent new ones from popping up + it irritates and badly dries out the skin on my chin, which is less than desirable. So no external cures work to prevent zits, and I will have to see a dermatologist to get some pills. I want more roaccutane! lol

 

[C-dot]

I found this recipe online for pore strips, and all you need is gelatin and milk.

http://www.spaindex.com/HomeSpa/PoreStrips.htm

Has anyone tried Bioré pore strips? This recipe works even better, and won't leave you with an empty stomach!

 

[Caity Lynn]

I'm not bothering to read through all this, but I had pretty bad acne, and I've been using Neutrogena 3 step stuff. It works very well.

http://z.hubpages.com/u/1249550_f248.jpg

 

[Laura Chase]

PT, I'm having the same problems ... but are you sure it's due to a hormone imbalance, and not just the way it is?
I always assumed that the faux oestrogene in pills suppresses the natural testosterone, killing your sebum production as well as your libido, which was one of the reasons I got off the pill (for over a year ago, like you). I'm by no means an expert in these matters, though. I've sort of resigned and traded in lovely skin for a libido, but there may be other ways to go about it? [huh]

I don't think the estrogen suppresses testosterone, but some pills have anti-androgens, and those do mess with your libido. And yaaay, I'm back on those. lol

 

[Miss 1929]

I don't remember which thread I read it on, or which Lounger posted it, but I saw a reference to "Paula's Choice" skincare, and I AM A CONVERT!!!!!
I started using it a month ago and my skin has never looked better. I just don't break out anymore. Blackheads are slowly but surely going away for good. Totally non-irritating, and really not too expensive as you don't need to use very much.
Whoever you were, bless you!!!!!
http://www.paulaschoice.com/

 

[SayCici]

Laura - I use a product from Lush called grease lightening on developing pimples and I love it! It really helps to prevent them or at least shorten their life span.

 

[Miss 1929]

It's all about the exfoliation.
If your skin cells don't get stuck in your pores, the oil comes out and lubricates your skin as Nature intended. But if you have cells plugging it up, that is where the trouble begins. No amount of oil cleaning and disinfecting will help if your pores can't open up.
The Paula's Choice stuff is all about the BHA exfoliation, but as opposed to the stuff in the drugstores that has BHA, it doesn't irritate on top of it (irritation can make you produce more oil and also start up infection).
Try it! They have samples of everything for less than a dollar!!!!

 

[Lillemor]

Even though I use a blackhead exfoliant I can't keep the zits and blackheads away entirely and apparently I don't learn from experience either because I've just earned myself two scabs after picking at two zits that were very visible but not close enough to the surface not to cause bleeding. Well, honey helps on the scab healing, it's actually better to keep it soft rather than dry and honey contains natural peroxide so that's helped to lighten and make some old dark scars disappear.

But the thing to do is to do as I say and not as I do and make sure you've got those pores completely opened over a steam bath, then after gently squeezing out blackhead and drying up zits, you quickly close the pores again with cold water/ice cube and astrigent. Regulary but gently exfoliate, cleanse, tone.

Thankfully I get my zits on the lower part of my face rather than on the upper part like I used to in my teens, so now I play up the eyes on blemish days and keep the lips light or just "nude" with lipbalm.

 

[bellabella327]

Does anyone have any tips for blackheads. I have some on my jawline and cheeks, so it always looks like I am broke-out! I try to "pop" them, but it only seems to leave holes or gouges.

Sorry if someone already asked (I hope someone has so I can read all the wonderful advise, if so please direct me there )

 

[Marla]

Laura - I use a product from Lush called grease lightening on developing pimples and I love it! It really helps to prevent them or at least shorten their life span.

Cici, I searched for this on the Lush website, but to no avail! Do you purchase it online?

 

[bellabella327]

I tried cold cream some months ago based on your recommendation JBD and I have to agree with you 110%. My skin is so much better and breaks out less since I stopped stripping it with acne medicated cleansers. In fact, my 16yr old step-daughter has severe black heads and I got her hooked on Ponds too. It has cleared them up better than all the medicated stuff. Thanks so much!!:eusa_clap

I am going to give this a try! I cant believe I missed this post as I have some bad blackheads along by cheeks...I hope it helps