Need some skin advice please!

[4getmeNot]

I really need to do something about my troublesome skin. I can't afford a derm, so I have to go about this on my own. Well, the first step, I just got a new acne system...supposed to be great (and it better be, for what I paid!) But we'll have to wait and see how that goes. Really what I am curious is about is refinishing the skin. I have done my homework, and I know about peels and microdermabrasion and all that. I just don't really know where to begin. There are so many products on the market-creams, gels, different types of peels and forms of micros. I know that some damage may never be fixed..such as acne scars, but hopefully they can be reduced. I'm young, and I have acne, uneven skin, and acne scars. So I'm not worried about lines and wrinkles. It scares me the thought of putting acid on my face. Although I have used mandelic acid before, does that compare to glycolic acid? What product(s) would you rec for me to start with? Any advice/recs is greatly apperciated!

 

[kaeisme]

Afraid I have never used it..but maybe someone will know...

 

[dolphin_gal]

Yes, the products out there today and all the companies can be overwhelming! LOL Hang in there.

Which acne system did you purchase? Post it and perhaps others who use it or have tried it will give you their feedback.

Whose Mandelic acid did you use ... what was the % .... what was the pH?

What is your am and pm routines now? (product, strengths if applicable) Are you using a toner or cleanser with 2% salicylic acid in it or using 2% salicylic (or other acid) peel pads?

Lactic acid is less irritating than glycolic. Lactic is geared more to dry, sensitive skin whereas glycolic is geared more to oily skin. Always do a test patch first to see how your skin reacts. If it feels too strong, moisten your skin first; that will effectively up the pH and thereby lessen the strength and dilute the % a bit. Since your budget is somwhat limited, why not try aspirin masks? Do a search within the Skin Care forum here and you'll come up with the how-to and comments from others. Aspirin contains salicylic acid, a BHA, and is supposed to be good for acne and acne-prone skin.

For getting rid of scars you can go with microdermabrasion. Epidermx is wonderful (I love it!) and is chocked full of all-natural ingredients. Either use their DermaButter afterwards or a BHO (Biological Healing Oil) like Emu Oil or Camellia Oil. All those products can be found at this site.

Do not do a microdermabrasion within 2-3 days of doing an aspirin mask or 3-4 days of using a peel. Moderation is in order to see how your skin reacts, plus you don't want to overdo products ... that could result in making your skin worse. Introduce them slowly. Get back to us with your current routine and products.

 

[lglala84]

ok as a long time acne sufferer all I can say is I have tried a lot of things. First of all you should consider getting on birth control if your acne is hormonal. When I first started using benzaclin in the morning and differin at night also taking birth control pills, my acne got so much better. There is a link to get differin for like $30 without a prescription. Unfortunately seeing my skin clear up, I stopped using the meds. and after a while, when I got back on them, they didn't help much. Now I am on benzaclin in the morning and tazaroc at night it's been a month now, I have also been getting glycolic peels, and microdermabrasion, and facials and it has helped tremendously. I haven't seen my skin look like this in at least a year. I highly recommend visiting a dermatologist at least in my opinion.

Also before I went to the derm I was using castor oil on my face and my back ,chest at night and it helped a lot. It also helps to steam the area before applying the castor oil. HTH

btw: Castor oil helped but it did not get rid of my pimples %100.

 

[4getmeNot]

I purchased the Exposed Skincare system...exposedskincare.com. I posted trying to find reviews for this, but oddly noone has tried it yet! So I went ahead and purchased it. It comes with a 1 year guarentee. Supposed to help smooth out skin and reduce acne scars, as well as the acne itself.

A few months ago, I purchased MaMa lotion from skincarerx.com. It was $40.00 for a little bottle. It's a 20% AHA gel and it contains mandelic and malic acid. It worked ok, but it just wasn't giving me enough results. I'm still using that every night-I figured I should until I purchase a peel or whatever I'm going to use.

My am and pm cleanser is St. Ives Apricot Scrub for blemish/acne prone skin. It contains 2% salicylic acid. At night I use the MaMa lotion and in the am I've just been using the scrub. I often have dry patches(ecspecially around blemishes), but oily skin. After I apply foundation and powder, it's looks eek! :w00t: Like flakey, so I then use vaseline on the dry areas to mask the dryness. I know that's not the best routine, but when I used a moisturizer I seemed to break out even more. My skin is at an awkward point because it's a mixture of dry patches (I guess from the AHA gel) but it's so oily! I'm getting my kit tommarrow though, so hopefully that will help! Oh, and I also use a clay-based mask (St. Helens Mint Julip) once a week. I thought the daily exfoliation would help, since I mostly have whiteheads, but I don't know.

I will definitely look into the Epidermx. Do you think I should go with a glycolic peel since my skin is more on the oily side? You just reminded me about the aspirin mask too! I have been on birth control for 2 years, Ortho Tri-Cyclen, and unfortunately I don't think it helped much with my acne!

 

[dolphin_gal]

Ugh on the vaseline - worse thing you could use, IMO. That will definitely clog pores and not allow your skin to breathe. Perhaps try a BHO (Biological Healing Oil) like camellia oil to spot-dot the dry patches ... or even some EVOO ... but drop the vaseline.

You might be doing "too much" to your skin in an attempt to fix it "now" - lol - a not-uncommon malady. So you're not using the MaMa and the St Ives Scrub at the same time, correct? That's good - I think that would be too much for your skin on a daily basis.

From an acne site, salicylic acid is touted as best for whiteheads and blackheads, so I would say use a cleanser with 2% salicylic and try the aspirin masks. Perhaps a combo of that with a glycolic peel, which is for oily skin, would work for you.

 

[4getmeNot]

Ok, I'll drop the vaseline! I knew it wasn't good, but I can't stand dry, flakey skin! What kind of glycolic peel do you reccommend? I haven't tried any! Should I try Olay's Peel and Micro System or something similar?

 

[dolphin_gal]

I don't like OTC products like that because I've tried the L'Oreal's Peel and it did nothing .... could have left it on all day vs using it as a real "peel" - lol. I think the pH is too high in them, so it effectively knocks the 10% down to maybe 4%.

Try MakupArtistsChoice (MUAC)... they have a 30% glyco ... and you can get it in a sampler size. I like that option, just in case something doesn't work with my skin. Always do a test patch first as is recommended - like on you back jaw/cheek area. If it's a little strong, dampen your face with water first - that lowers the pH plus dilutes what you put on. It's supposed to "tingle" some, but not feel really burny. They, as with most companies, give good instructions for use.

Everyone has their favorites, MUAC is what I had used a while back and it worked.

 

[4getmeNot]

Thank-you! You have been of very helpful!

I got my skincare kit today! YAY! With it came a microderm scrub that says it has professional grade Corundum Crystals. Don't know what makes them so special but anyways, lol, directions say only to use it twice a month. It must be harsh on the skin! It's a really thick formula. I haven't used it yet, but I felt it just because it looked strange. It has a wierd odor too! Just thought I'd share. /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> But thanks again for the recs and everything.

 

[lglala84]

I was iffy about trying moisturizers myself , but one that I have tried is from the line DHC and it was a sample that they sent me, and it didn't break me out. Currently I use one that I bought at the derm and I use it everynight with my presc. Honestly I have used the St. Ives Apricot Scrub and it did nothing for me, I kinda felt like it aggravated my skin. About your birth control maybe you might want to switch to YASMIN that is what two of my derma's have recommended me. I don't know if it makes much of a difference. Well good luck! Tell us how your experience goes.

 

[Satin]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Pauline]

I can vouch for the Bio Oil, it is wonderful and contains a special ingrediant that has been proven to help scars.