The Bajillionth Acne Thread

[Kraezinsane]

I know that there are a bajillion and one Acne Threads on the skin care forum but I am having a hard time here. Carley's is not working for me. I have been using it since April and I am having a hard time keeping motivated as it isn't making my skin worse but nothing has changed.

It has scared me away from using regular products and their philosophy is to keep your skins pH neutral and all the acid in products is why everyone has acne now. The products start to work and then they quit working. They stay on the shelves for years and years, etc etc.

I really want to try something different. I don't have the money to go to a dermatologist so that is out of the question. I have tried a lot of drugstore things.. I've tried aveeno, neutrogena, clean and clear, etc, etc. I've tried only one higher end product, Mario Badescu..

I don't know what to do really.. I'm getting very discouraged.

I would prefer cheaper alternatives to the expensive ones.. DIY's .. etc. I'm browsing previous threads as well.

 

[Dragonfly]

Can you afford to go to a family doctor? They can write prescriptions for acne meds.

I use a prescription called Neo Medrol - I call it liquid gold as it works so absolutely well.

Over the counter - look for Benzoil peroxide products.

Use with a chemical BHA exfoliant preferably.

If you can't find one, use with a gentle scrub - mix baking soda with cleanser to make a paste.

I have heard that Oxy products work well (for Benzoil Peroxide).

 

[magosienne]

Yes, regular generalists can prescribe acne meds as well, so if you can get an appointment.

Baking soda and face cleanser works well to exfoliate, and i use clay masks to clear my skin (i've even tried charcoal+clay, and it works fantastic too).

I like to use essential oils to kill the annoying pimples : lavender is the mildest and helps with scars as well, tea tree oil is good (but too strong for me, lemon or grapefruit are fantastic but with all citrus fruits, they're phototoxic so use a sunscreen after applying them. Be careful to dilute the essential oils before in oil or i simply wet a Q-tip and use one drop. Lavender can be applied pure on a pimple, but it's the only exception.

I usually add one drop of lavender EO in my mask.

If you have lemons at home juice them and apply the juice on your face, it works that way too.

For the moisturizer i've had almost no luck with them. The only one worth mentioning is Effaclar by La Roche Posay, but it's middle range price wise. I've decided to use a neutral moisturizer that would hydrate my skin and invest in a good sunscreen with mattifying properties.