For the most part of my teenage years, I've had fairly good skin. I wouldn't say it was fantastic or blemish-free or anything, but it certainly wasn't bad. I think I've been lucky, that I don't have to do much to it. As the years went on, I experimented with cleansers and all the rest of it, but I really don't have much of a skin regime happening currently.
Apparently my face has decided that it's time I started one.
Over the last few days, my face has completely broken out. As in, if I counted the spots on my face right now, I'd run out out of fingers to count on. (I refuse to count the spots because it is far too depressing.) It's been such a long time since I've had pimples, I don't even remember the best way to treat them or cover them up, sans putting a paper bag over my head.
Care to help a cluelessly spotty girl out? What can I do? What products do you use? Do I have to go and buy the Clean & Clear stuff that twelve year olds use, or is there a wonder product that actually works on clearing up lumps and bumps for adults? Can I get it in Australia? And most importantly, can I afford it on my holyshitIneedtosaveatleast$6500notincludingspendingmoney budget for the US '08 tour that we worked out details for yesterday? (More to come on that later.)
Help!
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23 comments:
philosophy purity face wash is the best thing that ever happened to my skin.
(Although right now it is a stress-induced mess.)
I always buy mine through QVC to save some money, but it's also available online at philosophy.com. Seems expensive, yes, but it last for-ev-er and have I mentioned that it's the best thing that ever happened to my face? I was using it even before Amalah recommended it to the masses! Am trend-setter!
My sister swears by Proactiv, but that stuff costs an arm and a leg. I've been pretty happy with Clean & Clear Deep Action Cream Clenser (yes, the stuff twelve year olds use). The menthol in it makes your face feel clean and minty, so it really wakes me up in the morning.
I hate breakouts! But I also have really super sensitive skin that gets dried out and blotchy. I use Aveeno Foaming Face Wash every other day alternated with St. Ives Apricot Scrub. Cheap, and it totally works for me!
Oh, oh! I hate break-outs. I'm like you, I've been pretty lucky as far as pimples go. I drink heaps of water, I find that helps to flush your system and for some reason helps to prevent pimples. Using an every-day pimple cream is a good idea, there's some nice ones out there. Go have a look at them and the directions and try the cheaper ones first because sometimes they might be the only thing you need!
Want my advice? Don't do anything. I have always had perfect skin when it comes to blemishes and I don't use anything on my face. Even when I wash it, I only use water and a wash cloth.
Are you under a lot of stress? Maybe you just need a good massage and some meditation. Need helP? lol
OMG - I'm having the exact same problem right now!
And my bathroom is full of stuff that I've used once or twice, and then forgotten about.
I'm going to have to have a look tonight and see what's still there. If I find anything that I remember is good, I'll let you know!
I just know it's stress related...
A... HOLY SHIT.. that's how much america is going to cost!? ... shitabrick
B... I swear by proactiv as well. It's the only stuff I've ever used that's actually worked, and the only brand of moisturiser that doesn't make me break out more. It's not really that expensive, I find... I get the four piece pack thing and it's $45 a month, postage included...
Hey, I'm the same way. I'm lucky so I get to enjoy being low-maintenance in terms of skin care. I tend to ignore them. They go away on their own. When I mess with products, it just gets worse. :|
What a bum deal, I would say your probably under a whole heap of stress - moving, will be changing jobs, trying to save money, dieting, & of course missing Jas ! Not to mention bunny gate
Witch Hazel gel works to dry them out or tea tee oil & drink loads of water to help your body flush out toxins.
I can't use water or soap on my face as it dries it out so much I feel like I'm wearing someone else’s face and its 2 sizes too small LOL! So I use Olay sensitive face cloths.
Just a thought, with all those kidlets about its not chicken pox or something is it?
Keeping fingers crossed it’s not, Seeya Hugya
*G*
I Had this same thing happen to me - but it was after I got a facial. I broke out like a pizza. the only thing that has helped me is religious cleansing twice a day, an astrigent, and a "zit cream" ... I use this one called Clean & Clear and it creats like a mask over it, so you can put makeup on. It's ok, but I'm not really that thrilled with it.
I hope it clears up!!
ok, just gonna emphasise some of the stuff people have already suggested :D
1. Water is DEFINITELY a good thing to help. Drink lots ;)
2. I've only heard good things about Pro-Activ, so if you're willing to spend the money, I suggest that. But if it's only really a one off thing, then you prolly won't need ProActiv so much.
3. St Ives Apricot Scrub is great! Scrubs away all the dead skin cells :)
4. I use Clean & Clear moisturiser cos I like the texture of it, not too creamy :)
5. Cream cleansers tend to dry out my skin really badly, but I use Cetaphil (which you can get at chemists or priceline or kmart type places) and it's gentle and doesn't dry out my skin. Plus you can use it with or without water! :D
I am in the same boat! How annoying!
I'm gonna go against the grain here and say Proactiv sucks. Matt uses Proactiv and liked it, but when I gave it a shot it both burned my skin, completely dried it out, and actually made my pimples worse (no thanks!). I guess it depends on how sensitive your skin is. Price also sucks!
My two favourite products that I will never compromise (that I believe have already been mentioned) are St. Ives Apricot Scrub (the gentle one, preferably), and Clean & Clear invisible blemish treatment as a spot treatment. They've both worked great for me and I fully give them two thumbs up. And they're pretty cheap!
I've changed cleansers a few times (currently I am using Philosophy's Purity cleanser which is fab, but pricey), but really? One of my favourites of all time is the generic Cetaphil you can get at the drugstore. It's even cheaper than regular Cetaphil, which is saying something because Cetaphil is already cheap. It's super gentle, and I've actually had compliments on how soft my skin is as a result. Unless you are in the throngs of puberty-induced acne, I sort of think you just be as gentle and kind to your face as possible, so I would definitely try this and see how it goes. Worst case scenario? It doesn't help at all and you've only spent a couple of bucks!
Good luck! Sending perfect skin vibes your way!!!!
I recently overcame a several years long problem with mystery zits... I'm even older than you, so what gives?? who knows. I've tried a bunch of different solutions, and my favorite has been the Neutrogena Healthy Skin anti-wrinkle anti-blemish scrub. I usually only use it once in the morning; if I go running or do something super sweaty I rinse off with something milder- say, Aveeno's Positively Radiant Cleanser. This seems to be working for me, but a friend did say that the Neutrogena dried out her skin too much. Both are pretty cheap and easy to come by. I get them at the drugstore or Target. Easy-peasy.
good luck, zits suck!
Agreeing with Alana on the Cetaphil train- cheap and easy, and good if your skin tends to dry out easily.
This will probably sound really stupid, but I use olive oil on my face... Just your common or garden olive oil, washed off with a cloth and water. It takes off makeup, moisturises your skin and leaves it really clear and blemish free. No, seriously.
My sister (who has lots of random cold sores and acne)and my husband both use proactiv. I think it is $20 per set that they send you. They will send it every month if you don't call and request them to only send it when needed. My husband goes through it about once every 2 months but he only uses the entire regime at nite. He uses regular facewash in the shower and then the proactiv stuff at nite. I am not sure what the shipping would be to you though?
Ok, I can highly recommend Dermalogica, it's a bit expensive but it lasts for ages and you can buy it on Strawberrynet.com.
I also get an extra 7.5% off or sumpy, so if you want to use my email order it let me know.
Can also recommend Neutrogena Blackhead Cleanser, it's about $12 from Priceline.
Skincare is one of my passions! I luff it. Whatever you do, don't use Clean and Clear, that would break my heart.
Email me xx
a few other people have said it too, but i will repeat it anyways - i wouldn't start using anything. i know it sounds silly but i've had pretty good skin my whole life as you have. then i started getting random breakouts once in awhile so i started a skin washing ritual every day twice a day. this made the situation worse but i didn't realize it was due to all of the products i was using. after a few months i quit all the rubbing/scrubbing and my skin went back to normal.
all i do now is wash my face in the shower every morning with dove facewash, warm water and i use my hands. i also put face lotion on before makeup because when my skin gets dry it tends to get blotchy.
ok enough rambling... lol... that's my best suggestion :)
I have always had bad skin, but I need to use a more gentle skin care routine than I did when I was a teenager. Somehow, adult acne is different. I've been using the L'Oreal Acne Response Kit, but I'm not sure if it's available in Australia!
Stupid pimples are the worst! I feel your pain.
I wish I had a good answer, but I'm still looking for the right combination for my skin. I finally gave in and went to a dermatologist and got some prescriptions, but I want to find an easier routine.
What I got now: a pumice scrub with Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5% to use in the shower in the mornings. Followed with Duac cream which has Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide, this stuff dries out my skin like crazy (also will bleach out hair and clothing so I have to be careful). Immediately follow with a light moisturizer with sunscreen, because this stuff makes you burn easier in the sun. Then at night I use Differin cream with a light moisturizer on top.
Benzoil Peroxide Gel (10% or 5% if you have sensitive skin like me) by Peter Thomas Roth (can get at Sephora or online, I'm sure)
It will clear your skin for the rest of your life. It's stonger than anything else over the counter, strong enough to make your skin not get immune to it.
You start using it one hour at a time and build up to overnight. I got really bad skin at 22 and NOTHING helped. This was the only thing that did.
I second the olive oil. I used to have combination skin, it was normal with a dry patch, a couple of oily patches and very prone to break outs. Since I started massaging it onto my skin (for about 15 minutes), steaming it gently by resting a hot damp washcloth onn my face, cleansing it off with a gentle cleanser and then using it as a moisturiser once I'd gently dried my skin with a towel, I have hardly had any spots or blackheads AT ALL, it got rid of redness that had been impossible to get rid of for years and my skin is all smooth and glowy.
Sorry you're fighting your own personal war against pimples. It's no fun, that's for sure! However, there are a number of natural remedies you can use as weapons to fight your zits as well as over-the-counter and prescription medications. You'll find helpful pimple-blasting info on my website. Take care, Pat
It's been said already but...
Drink lot's of water! A good diet helps as well but keeping your skin healthy starts with keeping it hydrated.
Keeping it clean will help but will be part of your daily routine anyway. Our skin is a complex and clever organ and it can do so pretty amazing stuff if you treat it right and give nature a helping hand.
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