Acne/Face Wash

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Acne/Face Wash

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Contributor: Cherrylane Cherrylane
Although most people who have ever had more serious struggles with acne would probably scoff at my version of "bad skin," I do break out now and then and it REALLY bothers me (probably because I usually have very clear skin, so a couple zits are really noticeable/distracting to me). I'm pretty meticulous about skincare most of the time, but keep going back and forth over the skincare products I think work best for me.

I used to use cetaphil religiously, have used various products from Clean & Clear and Neutrogena. I've twice gone the more natural/eco cleanser route and tried products from Burts Bees (two of which I liked, one of which I hated) and then one product by St. Ives, which I currently use on occasion. Go back and forth on whether I prefer scrubs or creams/gels. Been on and off about whether I feel like trying any of the fresh/all natural products from Lush.

I have a feeling I'm probably going to end up with a multi-product regimen, perhaps using one thing in the morning to wake me up and brighten/tone my skin, and what at night for a more hardcore clean and cleanse. I have combination skin so depending I can be oily in places and dry in others.

What do you guys do to clean your faces and keep acne at bay? Any products you live by or would recommend?
11/21/2011
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Contributor: Redboxbaby Redboxbaby
Murad (can be purchased at Sephora) has a superb acne line and AHA/AHB exfoliation cleanser (I switch them up and have used them for years). I found microdermabrasion & galvanic, with my esthetician, is what stopped my acne in its tracks and Murad just keeps up on it.

Acne is more about the need to exfoliate (but if it is isolated to your chin and around your mouth it is hormone related), than it is about reducing oil production.

Over-cleansing can strip the protective layer on your skin and can irritate your skin. I have really sensitive skin and if I exfoliate more than 2 times a week, I will have red patches that begin to flake. I can only wash my face with cleanser once a day; any more and my sensitive skin wash - that doesn't even sting my eyes, begins to burn my face.
11/21/2011
Contributor: AngelvMaynard AngelvMaynard
Quote:
Originally posted by Cherrylane
Although most people who have ever had more serious struggles with acne would probably scoff at my version of "bad skin," I do break out now and then and it REALLY bothers me (probably because I usually have very clear skin, so a couple ... more
Try ProActive! It really does work well. I used to get outbreaks that I'm sure were hormone related and it worked great for me.
11/21/2011
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
Second the vote for Murad. I use their Clarifying Cleanser, Oil Control Mattifier, Exfoliating Acne Treatment, Acne Spot Treatment, and Clarifying Mask. You can get a trial kit to see if it works for you.

On top of that, I use REN Matte Fluid as moisturizer at night. I also use Fresh Umbrian Clay Treatment Bar every morning.

I still get occasional break outs and sometimes bad ones if I haven't done my night routine (which happens if I'm busy or tired), but for the most part this has improved my skin a lot.

I would say that perhaps you shouldn't use all of this if you have moderate acne. I'm on medication that makes my skin OOZE oil, thus why I use so much stuff. Even with all that, my face still melts by 3pm. Yuck! It would have been way too harsh for my skin pre meds. It may make your skin worse if it's not all that bad to begin with.

I would also recommend a Clarisonic Mia (not the vibrator!). It didn't work so well for me when I was really broken out because it irritated the inflamed skin, but when I just had moderate breakouts it knocked them out in no time and made my skin glow like crazy. For moderate breakouts this plus any gentle cleaner would probably do the trick. You can try Purity. That worked really well for me before the meds in controlling mild breakouts and should control moderate ones in combination with the Mia.

EDIT: REN is a natural line and has a whole line up of acne products. All I've tried is their Matte Fluid, but I've heard decent things about the acne line if you want to stick to something natural. Found here.
11/21/2011
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Quote:
Originally posted by AngelvMaynard
Try ProActive! It really does work well. I used to get outbreaks that I'm sure were hormone related and it worked great for me.
I'll 2nd the Proactiv recommendation. I have really sensitive skin (I've gotten burned by some Clearasil products in the past) but Proactiv works great for me. I never had really bad skin, but I would always have a little something going on. I've been using Proactiv for a LONG time (almost 10 years, I'd say) and it still works great.
11/21/2011
Contributor: voenne voenne
Unfortunately you have to attack acne from the inside more than on the outside. Meaning, watch what you eat/drink.

I use mostly natural products. Apple cider vinegar helps treats spots quite well, as well as tones and balances your skin. Taking garlic supplements is supposed to help, but I haven't tried it yet, though I have tried rubbing it on spots which helped with the healing. You can wash your face once or twice a week with baking soda and water, but beware if you have a reaction or it leaves your face sensitive. You can also leave that on like a paste for a 15-20 min. mask or spot treatment overnight.
11/21/2011
Contributor: mpfm mpfm
Virgin Coconut oil has been the best thing for my acne. I apply it sparingly to my face every evening. CO has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It's natural and fairly inexpensive compared to other commercial acne products.
11/22/2011
Contributor: catgirl9 catgirl9
I just use Eucerin Baby Aquaphor Gentle Wash. Nothing else has worked as well as this does, for me anyways.
11/22/2011
Contributor: voenne voenne
Quote:
Originally posted by mpfm
Virgin Coconut oil has been the best thing for my acne. I apply it sparingly to my face every evening. CO has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. It's natural and fairly inexpensive compared to other commercial acne products.
I think I'm going to try that. I keep hearing about it.
11/22/2011
Contributor: mpfm mpfm
Quote:
Originally posted by voenne
I think I'm going to try that. I keep hearing about it.
I have been very surprised at how well the Coconut Oil worked for me. I have tried lots of commercial products over the years and none has compared to this. When I first started using it, I did have some whiteheads appear, but they were easy to pop and they cleared very quickly. After consistent use, my skin is just clear.
11/22/2011
Contributor: Cherrylane Cherrylane
I've read some about coconut oil. It's one of the things I've found intriguing. The prospect of breaking out more first before getting better is not something that appeals to me, especially since Ive read some people saying it never got better. And my acne isn't that bad to begin with.... really don't want to exasperate what little problem there is.
11/22/2011
Contributor: mudpie mudpie
I had bad skin for years and tried EVERYTHING. The only thing that really helped was 99% aloe vera gel. It's really cheap and all-natural, and you really can't hurt your skin by putting aloe vera on it. (It is slightly drying, but I use a moisturizer too, and I find that for me it just helps to control oil.)
11/22/2011
Contributor: AndroAngel AndroAngel
I actually just kill breakouts using the creams meant to dry out poison ivy.
11/22/2011
Contributor: GravyCakes GravyCakes
i use a blackhead scrub in the mornings when i take a shower, then apply an astringent w/ a cotton ball to get whatever the scrub missed. i do the same at night, but use a stress control face wash instead of the blackhead scrub. i use a lotion w/ spf 15 in the winter. i have oily skin, & since i sweat so much in the summer, i don't moisturize at all. all the products i use a neutrogena. i once learned that you shouldn't change what you use to clean your face all the time & really stick to one regimen that works for you. it's b/c the skin on your face isn't as tough as the skin on your body & can't handle all the different washes & chemicals.
11/23/2011
Contributor: TameTemptress TameTemptress
I have struggled with acne for years and tried prescriptions and Proactiv and Clean & Clear and so many other things... but what works best for me, is making sure to wash my face at night with Dove bar soap, using St. Ives (I like the medicated) face scrub, and making sure to moisturize. I've found that if I stick to that, and don't wash my face in the morning (because I get super dry skin, along with the acne) I'm much better off.
11/23/2011