Adult Acne

My husband has had the same problem. After trying everything out there for many years, he FINALLY found what works. Also, I used to have acne too but couldn't use anything because my skin is extremely sensitive, but the same product works for me too. You must try this one. It's called Carley's Clear & Smooth. It only costs $19 and lasts a really long time. I believe one bottle lasts us about 2 months. You can buy it on eBay. They ship extremely fast too - usually arrives in 2 days. Their user name on eBay is clearandsmooth. They have over 20,000 people who have left positive feedback. Take a look at it. I think you will be very happy with it.

I tried Acutane and all sorts of other medicines until I was about 24, when finally I saw a dermatologist who was actually smart. The solution was so simple I couldn't believe it. I do nothing but wash my face daily with BENZOYL PEROXIDE FACE WASH prescribed by the doctor, and it totally cleared me up. I am now 29 and haven't had a problem since!!!

I go to Dr.Lemon, her office is in the tech center area. I actually started getting pimples as an adult, way more than when I was a teen! I use a topical antibiotic and differin gel combo which is working pretty well. I agree about the accutane , good choice. I really like Dr.Lemon, she is great. The meds are expensive at first but there are coupons and it lasts about three months per prescription. Good luck to you, I know how frustrating and painfull zits can be, especially now! Dr.Lemon did say the products don't work, no matter how expensive. I use Cetaphil cleanser and lotion, nothing else. Keep it simple!

No guarentees but if you haven't already tried this then it's worth a shot. Whip a couple egg whites and use it for a mask a couple times a day smooth it on let it dry good wait 1/2 hour or so and then rinse off. Relitivley sheap, easy and I have known it to work when nothing else did for several people. Good Luck!

I know an absolute miracle worker when it comes to skin - her name is Nataliya and she is amazing. She has helped so many people!

The first appointment with her is free and you can bring your questions and bring all of the information about what you have tried and you will be absolutely amazed!

Her website is www.nataliyashealingcenter.com. and her office is in Sandy.

I have rosesea and with her treatments its impossible to tell. I have brought my daughter to her and have referred my clients, my friends and my family and we have all found results we couldn't find anywhere else.

I hope this works for you - Take care!

Looks like you've gotten lots of great responses. I know where you are. I have severe cystic acne also. I used Accutane in college, and while it worked for the 5 or so years it promised, I'm never going back there. The reason it works is because of the high concentration of pure Vitamin A. I am currently pregnant, but after this baby comes I will be using the Arbonne Clear System. This product works because it has a high concentration of vitamin A in the form of natural beta caretin. Arbonne's products are all botanically based so they are much healthier for your skin and body. Your skin is your largest organ of your body and is a direct link to your blood stream. So what you put on it goes into your body. Arbonne's Clear System works because it combines topical treatment with a daily vitamin. I have seen lots of great successes with this product for stubborn cystic acne. You can check out the www.arbonne.com website, or e-mail me and we can order it online for you.

Whatever you choose I hope it gets better soon, I know how frustrating it can be, especially as an adult.

Look up Tepescohuite soap on ebay. That really works. For getting the inflamation down quickly, try hemorrhoidal cream (no kidding!). Another good rule, besides drinking even MORE water is to change your pillowcase every night. Bacteria tends to grow on your pillowcase, and then you lay on it again and again and it just perpetuates every night. The soap and pillowcase worked wonders for my niece in just a few days! Also, a tea tree soap might be helpful for you.
Good luck, G..

I am sorry you are going through this. Acne is the pits and it is such a hard thing to deal with. I have tried it all and there are a few things that really worked for me. First I went to a dermatologist who injected my acne. I had more of a cystic acne problem in my chin and cheek area and he injected all over my face and then did a Dry Ice treatment on my face. The Dry Ice is like the Micro derm, as it takes off the top layer of skin. It worked wonders and I did that with a combination of antibiotics for quite a while. I also tried Accutane. I was on this in college. I went on a mild dose, 1 pill every 2 days. It cleared me up and I have no scarring to this day. It has horrid side effects though and if you can get something else to work, great. The prescriptions that I am currently on now work great too. After having my daughter my doctor prescribed Evoclin foam and Plexion cleansing cloths. I used these on my face, back and chest 2x a day and I was clear w/in 6 weeks. It was covered by my insurance, otherwise it is quite expensive. Another option is to find a dermatologist who has an esthetician on staff. Sometimes they can prescribe acne extraction and glycolic/Jessners peels to be covered by insurance. Depends on your insurance, but mine was a $15 co-pay. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Okay, this is kind of a weird thing but it worked for me when i had skin issues. Get apple cider vinegar and water mix half and half boil it on the stove and steam your face over the pan for a few minutes then just wash as usual it worked good for me and my brother good luck

G.,

I have a wonderful product for you. It is gentle but it works. I have 2 boys 11 and 13 and they use it. It is called clear.now and you can go to the website and look at all the ingredients and see the success stories. I hope it will be the right one for you. www.getitherenow.mychoices.biz
There's a ton of great products from health and beauty. Not to mention all the other products. They are guarenteed so you will not be disappointed. Let me know how it works for you. M.

I had tried everything out there as well, including accutane. THREE TIMES. Still nothing. I finally found a doctor that could really help. He prescribed me a face cream called Finacea, which I use morning and night, and a face wash called MD Forte, also morning and night. Nothing worked for me until this. However, I have to be super strict with it. If I don't wash my face or use the cream when I get up and before I go to bed, without fail, I break out two days later. You can get the Finacea only through a prescription, and the face wash you can get online (just google it, you should be able to find a few stores that sell it). If it works for you, I think you will agree it is DEFINITELY worth the effort.

G.,

Give MyChelle products a try. They are retail, not MLM. My daughters, sisters, and I have had great success with them. You can purchase the products online or at Vitamin Cottage and/or Whole Foods. There is a sample pack for different skin types that runs about $22 so you can try the products first. The clear skin serum is fantastic. The products are all natural ... no "nasties". Our family first started using these products when my oldest daughter was a freshman in high school. I noticed a difference in two weeks. After a month, people were asking me what she was using. We tried other products first, as you did, and these actually worked.

All the Best,
L.

I have had acne ever since high school (So 15 years or so at this point). I too was on an oral antibiotic until I became allergic to it, so I understand you not wanting to do that again. Most of my adult life all I've been on is a topical antibiotic called cleocin-T. It comes in several forms, lotion or pledgets and it keeps my skin pretty clear. I know that there is new stuff out there because my dermatologist has given me samples, but I don't want to mess with something that is working! I would recommend going back to a dermatologist and explaining you would like to stick to topical treatments and see what they recommend. ALso, ask for free samples of stuff they want you to try until you find the one that works for you.

Read the book by Dr. Perricone. He says diet is responsible. When I went on the diet my acne went away. I also used the Perricone products (Nordsrome sells it), but I found them to be expensive even thought they worked. The only problem with the diet is the expensive food items. Lost of Omega's and Salmon for first three days. But hey it worked. It can be hormonal too, because I haven't had an acne problem since being pregnant and now nursing. I hope it stays this way. I know use Jurlique (also expensive, but I work at spa so get a discount) and it's organic and great for my skin so it could be the product that is working so well. Dr. Hoskuew (really bad spelling) is similar to Jurlique (they use to work together) and it can be found at Whole Foods. Good luck and remember sometime less is better.

Dear G.,

It sounds like "off the shelf products" are not strong enough to help you and most dermatologists just use what the drug rep dropped off that day to try...yes, been there... I am a licensed Esthetician and retired RN and have a skin care practice in the Denver Tech Center. I consult with the leading acne clinic in CA and use their protocols with great results. You can visit my website and click the link for the "acne clear skin program" and see what I do. I offer a free consultation to referrals from Mamasource and from experience may be able to pinpoint why your acne is so stubborn and suggest ways to help you get clear (I need to see your face to give advice). You may also email me directly to tell me more about your skin and so I may ask you some questions to help you. website: www.customskinsolutions.com email: ____@____.com.
M.

Hi G.,

I'm an RN and an Area Manager with Arbonne International. Arbonne has a line of Acne products called Clear Advantage. They treat acne internally and externally and use the European philosophy of being botanically based and avoiding irritants that most people have sensitivities to. They also have a money back guarantee. You can go to my website to learn more and see before and after pictures. www.lifetrust.myarbonne.com

I hope this is helpful to you!
J.

If you're open to a natural alternative keep reading....It sounds like your hormones are out of balance and you would be best served by treating the acne from the inside out. I have a great doctor who can help if you are interested. He can determine what is out of balance and help you get back in balance. If not interested, you could try taking omega 3 fatty acid supplements, or vitex (also known as chaste tree berry) to balance hormones. Evening Primrose oil could also be helpful. It all depends on what is out of balance. Be happy to talk to you further if you're interested.
J.

How about trying egg yolk. It may sound gross, but i have tried it and it worked for me. Take the yolk, and put it on your face like you would a faciel mask. It will start to harden and feel weird, but you can wash it off after 30 min. Do this once a day for one month, and your issue should be taken care of. I will warn you though, try not to laugh when it has hardened. Bet you can't do it.

I am a Manual Lymph drainage therapist and have had pretty good success with treating acne.
I always recommend avoiding anything fried and eliminating processed foods and sugar until it clears up.
Also taking a broad spectrum probiotic can be helpful. Drinking half your body weight in ounces (ie. if you weigh 130 lbs then you drink 65 oz of water/day is important).
MLD is a gentle stimulation of the lymph system which is usually effective with cleansing the face from the inside out. It is always possible that it is hormonal related also.

I'd be happy to talk in person if you have any questions ###-###-####)

B.

I don't blame you for wanting to avoid accutane.

Acne can be a sign of a food intolerance, and acne medication can't help you with the root of the problem if that's the case. Check out http://www.drlorrainecaron.com/. Dr. Caron is a caring, knowledgeable woman who will listen to your concerns and help you get to the bottom of the issue.

Best Wishes!

K.

this is just an idea, but you said that it was better during a time period when you were taking antibodies and giving blood. What if you tried donating? Just an idea. other than that, stay away from greasy foods, snack foods, chocolate, carbonated drinks, sugar drinks, etc.

I use Arbonne acne wash and love it.

It sounds like your acne may be caused by a bacteria, since antibiotics helped clear it up. Not sure how to help you there, but I know that good skin care helps. Make sure that you are following the 5 essentials: clean morning and night, exfoliate to remove dead skin and keep pores clean, freshen or tone to return your skin to it's pH balance (very important in clearing up acne, use something for your skin type), moisture balance to maintain hydration, and protect from environmental pollutants (a high quality non-comodogenic foundation does this, I believe that Clinique's fits the bill).
You may also want to find out if it could be Rosacea or another condition that looks like adult acne. Get a referral from your doc to a dermatologist (not the same one you went to before) to find out.

It seems to me that you may have some kind of food or environmental allergy to some thing. I would suggest having a blood allergy test done. You could also try cutting out gluten, wheat, and dairy. Those are the things that cause that kind of problem the most. Good luck, Stephanie

i'm grateful to not have the problem but I have seen some miracles with Acne Free -- go to acnefree.com and see what you thnk -----

I was excited to see I'm not the only person who loves Paula's Choice products! We probably all sound like your dermatologist ("Here, try THIS!") and that's probably frustrating. But I spent tons of money on fancy products that didn't make a noticable difference in smoothing out the bumps and breakouts on my skin and then I found out about Paula Begoun a little over a year ago and I am sticking with them forever. She is called the "Cosmetics Cop" and has written books and reviews of different cosmetic products for 20 years or more. All her reviews are based on science and information about actual ingredients, instead of just customer perception. Finally, she came out with her own line of products. The are packaged simply and cost about what a department store line costs, but with everything, a little goes a looong way and I've never used such lovely skin care stuff (and I have been a devotee of Lancome, Clinique, Mary Kay and tried Arbonne, even).
You can read her "Battle Plan for Acne" as well as product reviews at her Web site at www.paulaschoice.com, and while her battle plans (for acne, wrinkles, dry skin, etc.) mention her own line, they are general enough to get the idea of what appropriate skin care action should be, whether it's with her stuff or another brand. I found it enormously helpful in cutting through the cosmetic jargon that left me in a fog (you know--"this product will enhance your skin's overall vitality by shifting your pores' paradigm and infusing your tissues with light-reflecting sparkles to protect you from the anti-vitamins of the environment". . . HUH?)
Wishing you all the best so you can feel like the babe-mom you are! ;)

Hi G.~

Unfortunately I don't have any huge revelations for you on the acne front. I just turned 36 and I've been battling it forever it seems. I, like you, have tried many products. The only thing that I've truly noticed changes things is what I eat. When I eat more fast food than I should, my skin inevitably starts bumping up with breakouts. I'm sure this is no 'new' news for you, but something to continue to consider. Good luck in your quest. I'm sure you'll get a lot of good advice from this site.

G..

I used to be a counter manager for a major cosmetic line. If you are using Clinique - do avoid using their standard moisturizer (the yellow one). It has mineral oil in it and is not good for people who are prone to acne. DO however continue to look for MILD and natural things. Sometimes all the acne treatment hype on products is bad because they focus on drying out the acne. Sometimes doing the opposite, and treating your skin gently and using a gentle moisturizer is the way your skin will recover. I have been made into a major believer of the Bare Escentuals line. They have great mineral makeup and my sister in law who suffers from acne took my advice to use the Rare Mineral treatment. She called with such excitement that her skin was looking better in just a week. It's all individual though, keep looking for gentle products and good luck!

I had the same problem. What the doctor ended up doing is testing me for other things. I ended up getting tested for yeast build-up on my body and Staff. That is what it ended up being. Once I was diagnosed with that. They new what to do. I suffered with this for five years, and now that I have had the diagnosis along with good skin care I have been clear for four years. Also, you might be drying your skin out too much, which will cause more breakouts. Because the dead skin clogs a pore and oil builds up causing a breakout. So you could switch to a normal to dry formula. I have a question. How long have you used your skin care? Do you use the whole bottle, or just use it for a few weeks? Use the whole bottle. It took me a very long time to find something that worked on my skin. I used Clinique, Cetafil, Neutrigena, I ended up using Mary Kay and that works for me. I am now going to switch my skin care routine because I want something more natural. Shaklee makes a skin care line called Enfuselle. It is mineral oil free, Paraben free, it also has vitamins. If you are interested go to www.shaklee.net/touchofgreen and take a look. You can also send me a message with questions if needed. I haven't tried this myself yet, I am going to try it at the end of the month and see if it works for my skin. G., I know how frustrating it is to find something that works. There are things out there that will work you just have to keep pressing on in finding the right skin care. Skin care and cosmetics are really a passion for me, so if you find something that works send me a message and let me know what you have tried and what works if you want to.

I don't know if this is true, but I've heard that adult acne that varies with your cycles is hormonally driven and there isn't a skin care product out there that can do anything about it. I have similar issues & that's what I've been told. If you are concerned, I would see a dermatologist & discuss options with him. Depending on what he says, I might see my OB/GYN or and endocrinologist as well to see if there's a way to get hormones in balance. Hope you find something that works!

Have you tried the pill? It helped clear up mild acne on my face. Ask your doctor about Ortho Cyclen or Ortho TriCyclen. Who knows, there may be other options out there as well ...

hey G.:) youve probably already tried this stuff but ill tell ya just incase. before bed use a makeup remover to get all that off then try a scrub and if its the your in the oily stages of the month then use one of those leave on cleansers, if its the dry time of the month then use acne fighting moisturizer. i like neutrogena. in the morning i always use a light scrub and then the leave on cleanser and if i got a ultra big zit i use that neutrogena spot treatment i cant remember the exact name for it. and if you use moisterizer in the morning the acne stuff really does help, atleast for me. also 2-3 sometimes even 4 times a week after the little one goes down. scrub your face really good and then put a steamy towell on your face for a few minutes to open up the pores then put this great mask on called "neutogena advanced solutions acne mark fading peel" its absolutely amazing. and also try some others mask sometimes just to see what you like if ya havnt already. ok ill shutup. good luck.
A.

Hi G. - I dealt with the same thing well into my 20s. I had very oily skin with lots of rashy breakouts. My skin was red and broken out all the time.

My dermatologist did the same trial and error method which was really frustrating. Finally I found a really good salon that specialized in european facials. If you live in the Denver area, I can direct you to a couple of salons that are excellent. I tried the aesthetician at my derm dr. but it wasnt half as good as others. My skin is always clear now and I think my last zit was like 6 months ago - I only get one maybe once a year.

The basics were deep cleaning, extraction, moisture and calming the inflammation. I was amazed that in just 3-4 one hour sessions spaced about 2 weeks apart that my skin looked REALLY good. I also steamed my face and did my own extraction during the week - like for blackheads on my nose and such and used a calming mask. The products I used were really simple, a cleanser, a very gentle toner, a buffered 10% glycolic acid solution and a moisturizer. At night, I would cleanse and tone, put on a little of the glycolic solution and then moisturize. In the morning, all I washed my face with was some brewed and cooled chamomile tea and a cotton pad and then I used my day time moisturizer.

You might also consider food sensitivities as a cause for your acne. My niece had terrible acne in high school and was even on 2 rounds of accutane - and then she still had problems. Because of another health issue, she found out that she was gluten intolerant. Now that she removed gluten from her diet, her skin is flawless - its amazing.

I hope some of my experience helps you!!

Also, the thing with accutane is that it works by removing deep layers of the skin and so the skin is red and peels. Also, a woman must be on birth control while taking accutane because it can be fatal to a fetus - its a horrible birth defect that impairs how their skin forms in the womb.

I know that being on the pill helps breakouts and also I've used Murad's Skin care http://www.murad.com/index.html I used ProActiv for a year then it just quit working then I switched to Murad, it quit working after a couple years, so now I'm back on ProActiv, but I don't use it like they say to. I use the face wash everyday but only use the other two step when my face is breaking out. Everyone's skin is different so you need to find a routine that fits your skin. I don't know what moisturizer your using but it might be too heavy and that could be why your breaking out..?? I hope you find something. Good Luck!

Hi G.,
there is a company called "renew skin". I am pretty sure this is the same company, but channel 9 featured a story of a beautiful high school girl that had severe acne and she went to renew skin and they did 3 or 4 treatments (peels)? and her skin looked amazing! It was a really great story! It might be a little expensive, but worth looking into!
You can visit their website at: http://www.renewskin.net/
Good Luck!

I have the same problems and have tried everything you have including the accutane. I think all the chemical stuff makes it worse and just embeds it into my skin even more.

I started using L'Bri Pure'N Natural. Look at my website "www.debwellard.lbri.com" and read all about it. It is an amazing 100% natural product with an aloe base (not water) with NO chemicals. The make-up they sell is also great and my face is never oily anymore. It has a 100% money back guarantee. If you are interested you can sign-up and order right from that website. I've been using it for 1 1/2 years and I won't use anything else! My face isn't totally flawless, but it's better than it's ever been, plus it just looks and feels healthier.

I've also just started taking Vitamin B5, which is supposed to help clear it up where it begins. Maybe give it a try to?

Best wishes, D.

Are you getting enough fiber? Milk is also mucous forming and that's not especially great. You might look into herbs, such as Dr. Christopher's lower bowel formula (no I'm not selling it, I just trust that brand). There can be things in your intestines that are stuck there for years. Start slow with it, and listen to your body. I would start with two caps (take them at night to minimize embarassing bowel sounds during the day). There are also vitamins out there that have probiotics - good for you, and inulin found in some yogurt is a prebiotic - fiber that probiotics eat. Beets are great for your white blood cell count, so if you go with the antibiotic, try that. I would try accupuncture, it is wonderful, get someone who studied in China if you can. Basically cleanse your body. Fasting once a month is a good way to cleanse the body too, if you can handle it.

Hi G.,

I too, suffered with acne, from age 11 straight through into my mid 30's! I was successfully treated with Acutane and would highly suggest it. I have been acne free for almost 10 years now, PTL!
Another option, is to try some of my natural health supplements from Shaklee. If, you'd like more info, just send me an email.
My website address is: www.sowing4health.com
God bless,
L.

You just described me perfectly, and within the last 2 months, i finally found a system that actually works. I bought the Dermalogica acne wash and mask and use the wash 2 times a day and the mask every other day. That really helped my skin, but didn't totally clear it up or prevent major breakouts. I just went to the dermatologist and got a prescription for Duac gel. I hate the thought of taking oral medications, so I really wanted to find something topical that works. This stuff is amazing and doesn't dry out your skin too much. The prescription combined with the face wash has been a miracle. I have had clear skin this whole week for the first time since I was in Jr high. The face wash is very expensive ($50) but lasts about 6 months. The prescription is also expensive if you don't have insurance. At this point I would pay any price to not have to spend half my life covering up acne, so it was totally worth it.
Good Luck, I hope you find something that works for you!!

I have adult acne too...dang hormones huh. Well I have very sensitive skin and everything i tried dried my skin out and made it burn. BUT, I found Sensiclear and I love it! It has cleared up my acne and now i only get the occasional pimple, usually around that time of the month. the website is www.sensiclear.com. I tried proactiv and thats the one that really burned....my face was so irritated and i think it looked worse. My husband laughed when he found out i heard about it from the Janice Dickenson show..but hey whatever works right? hope it helps......

Hi G.! I have something you may want to consider trying. It's called Zap It! It's through a company called Melaleuca. If you go to Melaleuca.com and search for Zap It, you will be able to read on the description of the product. I have been using it for a year now and love it. I don't use it every day, only when I have breakouts and then I'll use it until the breakouts go away. I am also finishing up chemotherapy for breast cancer, and the medicine causes sores and pimples, but this has been the only thing that has helped my skin clear up. If you are interested please email me and I can get you set up to try the product. Good luck and I hope to be able to help you.

Hi G.,

My sister went through the same thing. The only thing that finally helped her skin and which she has been using for 3 years now is the Burt's Bees facial cleanser and moistuizer. It's all natural and is wonderful. Her skin looks great. You can find it at any health food store. Hope this helps.

I also have struggled with acne for about 17 years. My mom is an esthetician (she does facials) and she has me on a regimen by Sonya Dakar. It is an expensive spa line but I have been acne free since I started it. I absolutely love it.

I am not a specialist, but I've always had bad skin. I would suggest changing your diet. See a nutritionist or dietician. Also, change your brand of makeup, soap, shampoo/conditioner, laundry soap, etc. Take fish oil. Eat lots of yogurt or take an oral probiotic. Try 100% tea tree, vitamin E, and/or lavendar oil. See a doctor. Something is out of balance whether it be stress or hormones or diet. Try natural/organic products. Good luck.

for me, i always break out after i wear foundation (i don't always put it on). try changing the foundation you use (if you use any). just a thought, i hope it helps

If you have tried a lot of things, and you found being on an anitbiotic work best for you go to a dermatologist that you can actually talk to and will listen to you and tell you want to try that. I took antibiotic when I was a teenager for my acne. This sounds like it is hereditary acne and yes eating healthy helps, water helps...but ultimately its that way you were made(I'm a licensed comsetologist. Skin was a major part of study when I was in school). I will suggest that you get a microderm abrasion. It sluffs off the top layer of skin and helps clear all your pores to SLOW the acne. Call around to the different schools you can get it done for cheap.

Hi G.,
I have had the same problem since I turned 19, 17 years ago! I did try accutane and it worked until after my first son was born. Then I started breaking out really bad again. The only things that I have been able to find that work are a skin care line from Rodan and Fields called Unblemish and Bare Escentuals has an acne treatment called Rare Minerals Blemish Therapy. Unblemish is a pretty harsh treatment, really dried out my skin at first but leveled off after a couple of weeks. The Bare Escentuals Blemish Therapy is really nice, goes one with a brush just on the spots you need it and works pretty quickly.
Hope this helps!
C.

Hi G.,
I also suffered from Acne from age 25-35 mostly due to hormone issues. I was on the pill and even so it was bad. On one stressful business trip I developed a pretty severe rash on my face. My brother is a physician and recommended Acne Free. At first it burned and dried out my skin, but I stuck with it (mostly because he too had acne most of his life and really responded well to it). My face cleared up right away. I think of it as "preventive" so I use it day and night to keep my face clean, though I only use the cleanser and toner. I find the small tubes too harsh. You can buy larger portions at Costco that make it downright inexpensive. I spent thousands on other stuff. I also found it helped if you are on the pill to try to stick to one manufacturer (generic or not). I would travel alot and having different manufacturer's of "generics" played with my hormones. One of the dermatologists I had visited earlier had told me it all depends on the time of the month and the type of acne. Yet now I am off my pill hoping to get pregnant and the Acne Free has kept my skin stable. Good luck!
C.

G.,
I think so many women (and men) share your experience and frustration. I did as well. Many of the products out there work for a while, and then the evil acne rears it's ugly head again.
I too was insistent on staying away from Accutane, but then found myself finally considering it as a last resort about 6 years ago (I'm 37 now). It is extremely drying to your skin, I even found myself coating my knuckles and cheeks in Vaseline to keep the redness and scaling at bay. That was the only side effect it had on me. And when all was said and done, it was worthwhile and I have not had any acne problems since. I know some people require multiple treatments depending on how severe your condition is. For what it's worth, that's been my experience. I wish you the best in your search for healthy and clear (confident and painfree!) skin! Sincerely, M.

G.-

Have you tried Arbonne? I had a girlfriend who had started getting acne when she turned 30. Anywyas, she started using the anti-aging line at Arbonne and loves it.

http://www.arbonne.com/products/anti-aging/nutriminc/face...

If you want to check out the line, I have samples i can sent out. Let me know if you're interested.

M.

Hi. Yes their is somthing out there. Believe it or not it is AVON. There are two different ones that I would recamend. MARK or Clear skin. They really do work.you can go to youravon.com/dlacer and look at what is available. Let me know if this has helped you
D.

Hello, G.! The stresses of life really take a toll on our complexions. Things can be bad enough without suffering from that embarrassment. Melaleuca tea tree oil products are wonderfully safe and effective. If you would like to try a sample, call me at ###-###-#### to make some sort of arrangement. Be well, J.

I am 33 years old. I have 4 kids DS12,DD8,DD4,DS3. I have also tried everything. I am going on accutane next month. It has really improved over the last few years. Very low dose and not nearly the same side effects that happened when I was younger. I see a wounderful Dermatalogest if you are intrested let me know... Good luck with finding something that works.
M.

You sound exactly like my best friend. She had horrible acne for at least 15 years. She had tried everything and even tried Acutane (which really is not a great option). She finally found a product that works and she won't go a day without using it (once she stops using it, the acne comes right back). It contains 7% salicylic acid while most products contain up to 2%. I must warn you though! When you first begin to use it, your skin will get worse for about a month. The cleanser gets deep down into your pores and forces all of the dirt and oil out. It can be very drying that's why I highly, highly recommend their moisturizer. It can sting a bit (I tried it, but the stinging doesn't last very long and is well worth it). The other down side is it is kind of expensive. Trust me, it is worth it though. It has made a HUGE difference in my best friend and my teenage daughter (who also had horrible acne).

It is called Image Skincare (1-800-796-SKIN) and you can call them to find out where they have a vendor in your area. If they don't have a vendor in your area, tell them that and they will ship it directly to you. My best friend and my daughter don't use the entire acne line. They have had excellent results with the combination of the following products:

1. Image Clear Cell Salicylic Gel Cleanser ($25.50)

2. Image Clear Cell Salicylic Clarifying Tonic (($18.90), (you will need to order 2 bottles of tonic to 1 bottle of cleanser)

3. Image Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum. It is an excellent moisturizer. It is $47.90 but it only takes a teenie amount and it will last you for a very long time (like 10 months) or you may want to use the Vital C Hydrating Repair Creme because it is thicker and it will cost $49.90.

4. I also highly recommend that you use one of their sunscreens.

These prices are if you get them directly from Image Skincare. Of course if you go through a vendor, they will run you a bit more. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IMAGE SKINCARE (and no, I don't work for them). You can go to www.imageskincare.com to read about their products. I hope this helps!
Best of luck,
K.

Are you on the pill? I have struggled with acne, but find that my skin is crystal clear when I'm on the pill.

I only use Oil of Olay (OoO) products. My dermatologist recommended OoO, Neutrogena or Dove products (with Dove, only use the beauty bar). I found Neutrogena to be too drying. Anything with Salicylic acid never did much for me, and maybe this is the case with you reading what you've tried.

There's another brand of products I've used- Principle Secret. My mom saw it on an infomercial. I swear that my skin has never been clearer. I don't use it now the OoO is less expensive. But, you could give that a try. Once again, I never had much luck with Clinique or any of those other things. Mary Kay was the worst!!!

For a more "committed" approach, have you considered Retin-A? I used that in High School. It takes about 6-8 weeks to see results. In those 6-8 weeks, it is sort of painful, the skin gets really dry and irritated and kind of flakes off. But, once you pass the hurdle and keep on it, you will probably have better skin than you have ever had before (but you have to keep on sunscreen, which I always do anyways). I eventually stopped using it because I got so used to flawless skin that I forgot how much it sucks haveing acne. My acne was never as bad, so I wonder if the Retin-A made a permanent difference. The only time it flares up is when I'm pregnant.

Sorry to bombard you! I feel fortunate that (since my dad had such horrible acne) I've been seeing a dermatologist since my teens and have kept it under control. I, like you, had success with antibiotics but I feel that the long-term affects of that cannot be good. So, maybe go back to the basics with a very mild soap and lotion, consider the pill if you're not already on it (or switch to one that is best for acne), and then consider revisiting a dermatologist if that doesn't get it under control. Maybe you have Rosacea which would have a different treatment.

Do you drink soda at all? My sister and I are in the 2% of people that get acne due to soda. Just a thought. I would stay off the anti-biotics. Until I figured out what was causing my acne I used tetracycline and now I'm allergic to sulpha anti-biotics. I know that accutane can have horrible side effects. I also know the pain that acne can cause. Most people don't understand. Especially adult acne. I use Shaklee Enfuselle but I also don't drink soda. If you want to check out Enfuselle go to shopwithmarycamp.com.

Give Accutane a try - it is the MIRACLE cure for acne.

I finally switched makeup - from a liquid to a mineral makeup - I use Bare Escentuals. I think that has helped a lot. I am also a big fan of Paula's Choice products. I've been through antibiotics, the pill, ProActiv, etc. It's not fun. Good Luck.

I had trouble until a few years ago when a friend told me about a friend's regimen and my skin has been so much better since.

I too took antibiotics for either 2 or 4 weeks (I can't remember) and the antibiotic was Doxycycline---this gets the bacteria deep down in the skin that causes recurrent breakouts. I also use the MD Forte products with glycolic acid---starting at the lowest level I, finishing that bottle and then II and then III. I am still at the highest level but some people can't handle it that high, I have been told. It's also very important to use sunscreen with this. I do the MD Forte wash in the morning followed by Oil of Olay total defense. There are also MD Forte lotions with glycolic acid and I started out using these but they were too harsh for my skin.

Then at night I used a 10% Benzoyl Peroxide wash after removing my makeup. I then use Oil of Olay at night as well. I get my products at the skinstore.com and until lately I got the 10% wash made by Peter Thomas Roth but they do not carry it anymore. However I have seen this wash at other online stores.

FWIW---Dermatology is a trial and error type of specialty. It can be very frustrating to feel like a guinea pig but what works for one doesn't always work for the other. So if you haven't totally lost hope in seeing a dermatologist this is another avenue to try. Many of the products on the skinstore.com site are prescribed at dermatologists as well.

Best wishes.

Hey G.,

If the only thing that helped your acne was an anti-biotic then your acne can be helped by using Tea Tree oil. Just a little bit goes a long way with this, though you will need to continue using moisturizer as this oil can be drying. (just put a drop on a q-tip and apply to the problem areas) But it is one of the best natura anti-biotic/anti-viral/anti-fungals out there. You can find it at a health food store, or online. Make sure it is a high grade therapudic or pharmacutical grade. I like to buy my oils at AnandaApothecary.com.
Also a good idea would be to take some pro-biotics, like in those new yogurts, but get some at your health food store. The best kind I have found are the kind that come in the little pearl pills. These don't end up dying in your stomach, but are delivered to your intestines intact. Often, correcting bowl health will heal all kinds of health problems.
Another good idea is to do those things that will boost your immune system: a good multi-vitamin, excercise, cut out refined sugars, fake sugars, etc.
I hope it clears up for you soon.
M.E.

I have tried so many different cleansers I think I have kept every manufacturer in business! I would find a cleanser that doesn't irritate your skin and stick with it. I really don't think you have to order something special - keep using your Clinique (I love it too). Then try this...

Before I got married a couple friends suggested washing my face 4 times a day. 2 times in the morning (one after another) and 2 times at night. The first time washes everything off your face and hands and then the second time gets into the pores and really cleans. I couldn't believe the results. I didn't have even 1 blemish on my wedding day! After washing make sure you use a good, nourishing, oil free moisturizer. I love Olay Total Effects - I get it at Costco and it is as good as my lotion from the department store.

I've used ProActiv off and on for YEARS! Love the stuff. It also tightens your pores. I've had adult acne ever since I've been an adult and ProActiv has allowed me to leave the house without make-up on. I only found it drying one time- I was using it 3 times a day to try to jump start the effects. It only recommends twice. Now that I'm older, I use ProActive before bed and an Oil of Olay Anti-Aging regimen in the morning.

I have had a very similar frustration!
I discovered Paula's Choice and love it!
http://shop.paulaschoice.com

I use the exfoliants morning and night (http://shop.paulaschoice.com/category/bha-aha-exfoliants)
2% Beta Hydroxy lotion every morning and
8% Alpha Hydroxy every night

I also use the Estra Strength Blemish Fighting Solution starting about a week or so ahead of my period to fight the hormonal breakouts:
http://shop.paulaschoice.com/product/extra-strength-blemi...

And, finally, when I drink a lot of water, I find my skin looks better. I have tried just about everything out there, and so far, this works. I will tell you, though, wait until the exfoliants and the Blemish fighting solution are totally dry before you put on clothes or lay down at night. They can bleach colors. If they are dry to the touch, though, you will be fine.

Oh yeah, one more thing. The bottles are small, but a little goes a very long way. Each bottle lasts about 3 months, if not a little longer.

Dr. Joel Cohen near Swedish Hospital & also Sky Ridge in Lonetree ###-###-#### is a complete lifesaver. He lectures around the world, knows the latest and greatest, and is the nicest person in the world. He looks at the individual person to make the best recommendation for their situation. He is truly one of the miracle workers out there for skin.