Acne Treatments
- Thread starter joe201
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I bought the clay mask for my son, getting ready to start the use of the product tomorrow. Charles also has it in a ready to use tube.http://www.qedusa.com/cleansing-masks I might do a review in a few weeks.
The biggest mistake I made when I was in my teens and early 20s was assuming the drier I could get my skin the better. Now its more about removing dirt and oil but keeping my skin moisturized with good products. I still use an anti-acne face wash in the showed but a good toner or pure witch-hazel on a cotton pad after work and/or before bed cleans the dirt and oil off nicely.
Now that I'm older, I almost never get get acne outside of the area I shave. I'm new to DE shaving but I hope it will be the final step to consistentl clear complexion.
Now that I'm older, I almost never get get acne outside of the area I shave. I'm new to DE shaving but I hope it will be the final step to consistentl clear complexion.
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- Thread starter
- #4
whiteweed, Thanks for the suggestion. I never considered clay masks before, I'll definitely look into it.
imahawki, May I ask which products you use? Strangely, I only get acne in non-shaved areas of my face (mainly my forehead). And speaking of witch hazel, I've been using it as a toner after my shaves and it seems to work great.
Thanks so much for your replies.
imahawki, May I ask which products you use? Strangely, I only get acne in non-shaved areas of my face (mainly my forehead). And speaking of witch hazel, I've been using it as a toner after my shaves and it seems to work great.
Thanks so much for your replies.
I use Acne Free face wash. I bought the kit which is a knock off of Proactiv. I don't use the toner or lotion every day. The lotion does moisturize but also has benzoyl-peroxide in it, as do the other two products so its a lot of benzoyl-peroxide if you use all three steps every day. The lotion is supposed to be time release of the BP if you believe that. If you're skin isn't prone to getting super dry, try using all three steps to start with and see if it works for you. I like it and it supposed to work better than Proactiv.
For the witch-hazel just get whatever. I got mine at Walgreens.
For the witch-hazel just get whatever. I got mine at Walgreens.
Witch Hazel is great.
I noticed that since moving to soaps and DE shaving I haven't gotten acne in my beard area but continue to get it on my forehead so now in addition to whatever other face washing I feel like doing, I also lather my forehead with the boar brush and the shave soap then rinse it off. It seems to help. I also started using a harsher shampoo instead of one with all kinds of added oils because I felt like that was making my forehead greasy (I use sauve daily clarifying, it's cheap) seems to work.
I also just got the Acne Free kit. It seems promising enough but I haven't tried it yet. Fun fact: their toner includes witch hazel as well as salicyllic acid (from willow bark) even though the packaging only touts benzoyl peroxide as an active ingredient.
I noticed that since moving to soaps and DE shaving I haven't gotten acne in my beard area but continue to get it on my forehead so now in addition to whatever other face washing I feel like doing, I also lather my forehead with the boar brush and the shave soap then rinse it off. It seems to help. I also started using a harsher shampoo instead of one with all kinds of added oils because I felt like that was making my forehead greasy (I use sauve daily clarifying, it's cheap) seems to work.I also just got the Acne Free kit. It seems promising enough but I haven't tried it yet. Fun fact: their toner includes witch hazel as well as salicyllic acid (from willow bark) even though the packaging only touts benzoyl peroxide as an active ingredient.
- Thread starter
- #7
Yeah, you've got to find a good way exfoliate without tearing up your face.
Use a face wash with %2.0 salycilic acid in it.
Been dealing with acne for 15 years. Tried all the over the counter stuff along with all the prescription stuff short of accutane.
I keep saying this, but the Daniel Kern line really is the best thing out there. It will take a little while to clear your face up, but it really does work. I started using it about 2 years ago and won't bother with anything else. Don't expect results if you don't follow the directions though. One thing I absolutely do not recommend is shaving with his facial cleanser. While that may work for some people with a light beard that use cartridge razors, it will absolutely not work with a DE. Stick with a good quality shaving cream, a low alcohol aftershave or maybe some witch hazel. You can use the face moisturizer as an aftershave balm. Sterilize your razor before and after use and change your blade often. I only use blades for 2 shaves max.
Here is the link:
http://www.danielkern.com/Default.asp?Redirected=Y
Medicated face washes and clay masks and such aren't really going to do much for chronic acne. The best way to treat chronic acne is with some kind of medication or treatment that stays on your face most of the day. I like the Dan Kern line because the facewash is gentle and non-comedogenic. No medicated crap - you really don't need a medicated facewash to treat acne. The Benzoyl Peroxide treatment is good but you have to follow the directions and it will take your face awhile to get used to it. The moisturizer is really nice too and keeps my skin hydrated even in the winter.
Salicylic Acid products are pretty much a waste of time unless you are allergic to BP AND haven't found success with the prescription stuff. I found that they would mostly just dry my face and do nothing for the acne. ESPECIALLY Salicylic Acid face washes you get at the drugstore.
Forehead acne is where mine is the worst too. Does yours get worse in the summer? That's very common actually.
I keep saying this, but the Daniel Kern line really is the best thing out there. It will take a little while to clear your face up, but it really does work. I started using it about 2 years ago and won't bother with anything else. Don't expect results if you don't follow the directions though. One thing I absolutely do not recommend is shaving with his facial cleanser. While that may work for some people with a light beard that use cartridge razors, it will absolutely not work with a DE. Stick with a good quality shaving cream, a low alcohol aftershave or maybe some witch hazel. You can use the face moisturizer as an aftershave balm. Sterilize your razor before and after use and change your blade often. I only use blades for 2 shaves max.
Here is the link:
http://www.danielkern.com/Default.asp?Redirected=Y
Medicated face washes and clay masks and such aren't really going to do much for chronic acne. The best way to treat chronic acne is with some kind of medication or treatment that stays on your face most of the day. I like the Dan Kern line because the facewash is gentle and non-comedogenic. No medicated crap - you really don't need a medicated facewash to treat acne. The Benzoyl Peroxide treatment is good but you have to follow the directions and it will take your face awhile to get used to it. The moisturizer is really nice too and keeps my skin hydrated even in the winter.
Salicylic Acid products are pretty much a waste of time unless you are allergic to BP AND haven't found success with the prescription stuff. I found that they would mostly just dry my face and do nothing for the acne. ESPECIALLY Salicylic Acid face washes you get at the drugstore.
Forehead acne is where mine is the worst too. Does yours get worse in the summer? That's very common actually.
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My advice would be to use lots of Hot water to break up the oil and open the pores to push the oil and dirt out. Then use a good soap like Dessert Essence Thorougly Clean Face Wash and then finish off with a cold water rinse, has helped my skin clear up.. But the hot water is the key though.
Cheers,
Cheers,
+1000 on dan kern. his benzoyl peroxide gel is all I use, a few time a week. I used to have pretty bad outbreaks on my back and have zero problems as long as I'm religious about using this stuff. I like being able to get the bulk sized containers he offers too.
You can add baking soda, salt, or sugar to any face wash as an exfoliating agent - all of which are pretty mild. I keep a salt shaker of baking soda in the medicine cabinet and add a shake or two to the soap that I have dispensed into my cupped hand ... and then it is off to the face. Just like shaving, use light pressure when exfoliating!
This might sound weird. But hydrogen peroxide on the face after washing seems to have cleared me up. I don't get breakouts that often, but when I do they used to take a while to go aways. Hydrogen peroxide used on a cotton pad all over the face, but avoiding the eyebrows and hairline. Stings a little, but it works well.
I'm 27 and have had spots since a young teen. Being a girl I've tried everything. I used to have genuine acne, those large, hard bumps ... now it's just occasional spots but I generally can keep them under control once I don't try anything funny with my cleaning routine.
I've tried I-don't-know-how-many acne/skin clean/ etc treatments and products over the years and, in time, they ALL make my skin worse. (I like to give something a 3 month run to see if it's doing the job). They dry it out and are just too harsh.
Even soap drys my skin out and makes it worse.
I religiously use a Nivea facial wash that is gentle and soap free, then spray my face with witch hazel water, then use small amount a light non-greasy (but not thick) moisturizer from Yes To Carrots mixed with the tiniest of dabs of Barielle Porceline Skin Cream (it's my secret ingredient so shhhh...).
I can't advise enough the using of witch hazel as a toner. I've used the stick and find it good but only if I use it once or twice a month. In general the liquid form in a little spray bottle does the trick. It rehydrates my skin before I seal it with a thin layer of moisturizer. It's important not to use too much moisturizer either.
As for exfoliating... it depends on how sensitive your skin is. As mine is tempermental I find that any kind of mask or scrub has to be used very sparingly (one a month). In general though giving my skin a quite dry rub with a towel is exfoliating enough.
Oh and NEVER EVER use peel-off masks. Never. They are incredibly bad for your skin.
In short: Try the mildest treatment first and then if that isn't enough work up from there. Don't go straight to the heavy stuff like regular salt scrubs and the hydrogen peroxide on your face. If your face flares up as a result it'll be ten steps backwards and you'll need to wait until it's back to "normal" before trying anything else. I know having bad skin can be frustrating. You want a get-clear-quick treatment but the truth is these things take time.
Good luck!
I've tried I-don't-know-how-many acne/skin clean/ etc treatments and products over the years and, in time, they ALL make my skin worse. (I like to give something a 3 month run to see if it's doing the job). They dry it out and are just too harsh.
Even soap drys my skin out and makes it worse.
I religiously use a Nivea facial wash that is gentle and soap free, then spray my face with witch hazel water, then use small amount a light non-greasy (but not thick) moisturizer from Yes To Carrots mixed with the tiniest of dabs of Barielle Porceline Skin Cream (it's my secret ingredient so shhhh...).
I can't advise enough the using of witch hazel as a toner. I've used the stick and find it good but only if I use it once or twice a month. In general the liquid form in a little spray bottle does the trick. It rehydrates my skin before I seal it with a thin layer of moisturizer. It's important not to use too much moisturizer either.
As for exfoliating... it depends on how sensitive your skin is. As mine is tempermental I find that any kind of mask or scrub has to be used very sparingly (one a month). In general though giving my skin a quite dry rub with a towel is exfoliating enough.
Oh and NEVER EVER use peel-off masks. Never. They are incredibly bad for your skin.
In short: Try the mildest treatment first and then if that isn't enough work up from there. Don't go straight to the heavy stuff like regular salt scrubs and the hydrogen peroxide on your face. If your face flares up as a result it'll be ten steps backwards and you'll need to wait until it's back to "normal" before trying anything else. I know having bad skin can be frustrating. You want a get-clear-quick treatment but the truth is these things take time.
Good luck!
Hot shower wash face in shower, swap face the Peroxide let dry then splash with cold water and follow with a dose of Witch Hazel. Changes in diet and some vitiman suppliments help go to a good health food store and talk to them.
As a teen I used Sea Breeze all the time.
As a teen I used Sea Breeze all the time.
Thought I'd try the Phisoderm gel with SA. You might be right.
Change your pillowcase every day if possible. This is huge! Your pillowcase gets covered with dead skin, oil, bacteria, etc., and then your face ends up being mushed into that for several hours every night.
Google the terms 'acne' and 'pillowcase' if you need further convincing.
Google the terms 'acne' and 'pillowcase' if you need further convincing.
Go to a dermatologist and see what they reccomend. I had acne in high school and college, and did everything from benzoyl peroxide to topical and oral antibiotics. While this would all work for a time, the only thing that really worked for me was accutane. After 3 months of treatment, my acne was gone and has not come back in the 15 years since. Its strong stuff and there are side effects (which were minor for me) but it works. My only regret is that I wasn't prescribed it sooner (acne scars).
