Bad Skin

MegTrashy

Help! I have horrible skin. Ive tried proactiv and murad. Ive even tried homeopathic techniques. Ive had acne since I was a teen. It went away for a few years but has recently come back in the last three years but worse this year. Im desperate my wedding is 95 days away! Ive been to the dermatologist and the meds prescribed didn't help, they just took my skin off! Yuck! I don't know what else to do. Ive been drinking a ton more water and I don't see a difference. I get the cystic pimples (I think) those are the big ugly ones under the skin right? they're very painful and ugly!  

edited because I have fat fingers

bethsmiles

Try a new dermatologist?

I have really bad acne too. Proactive was crap and made me break out worse. I had a lot more luck with what I can just buy off the shelf at Target. I use Clearasil which works really well for me. It can dry out my skin a bit but I have a lotion to help balance that out. I also use oil absorbing sheets so I can remove the oil on my skin throughout the day. I have really oily skin. I also use a mask product a couple of times a week and pore strips. Basically it's a whole really involved process that has taken a lot of trial and error to figure out. Additionally, mine tends to get worse before it gets better so don't give up on any new routine too quickly.

I'm also really picky about what make-up I can wear. Clinique doesn't make my face break out. But I still have to be very light with my make-up.

You could also try going on birth control. It can help clear up your skin.

And you probably know this already but washing your pillowcases more often can help. Honey is also known to help, I used it for awhile but it got to be a pain so I don't anymore.

Rebl90

My FI has struggled with cystic acne and has had unbelievable results with Candistroy, an over the counter supplement he purchased on Amazon. Just pop the name into google and you'll be able to buy it from Vitamin Shoppe and various other places.  It has completely wiped out the bacteria that created his acne, after 72 hours it was nearly gone and now, a couple months later, its as if he has new skin.  It's done wonders for both him and his brother.  I strongly recommend trying it, it really did change his life. 

MegTrashy

Thanks Ladies! I've on pinterest for weeks looking for remedies!

MegTrashy

it says candistroy is a digestive supplement. Is that it?

lovesclimbing

Proactive is bad. It didn't work for me. I had a coworker last summer who had gone to beauty school. She said the best thing is a brand called "dermatalogica" (could be misspelled.)  I've never used it and it's pretty expensive so I'm told, but it's supposed to be good.

I use Mary Kay which has worked the best of anything I've tried. I use their Clear Proof line. I also use the face mask from their Botanicals line.

ETA: Oh, and I've used Simple, which didn't help either.

emmaaa

I have had the same issues. Here is a tread I had started: http://forums.theknot.com/discussion/1010620/my-skin-is-terrible-what-do-i-do/p1

I also recently re-tried Proactiv+ and yeah, it is awful. My dermatologist has said that the harsh chemicals and over drying is most likely what is causing my acne. I've been using Mary Kay Time Wise cleansing system (cleanser, moisturizer, night solution, and sunscreen) and it hasreally done wonders. It is very gentle and does not over dry my skin.

Also, most prescriptions are going to make your fae peel. The goal is to get rid of the "bad" skin and then replace it with better skin. So the peeling is normal and will happen. Just get a realy good moisturizer.

sarahufl

The only prescription I have used that didn't make my skin red and peel was a combination of Ziana (I think that is the right way to spell it) and Metronitozal (again, wouldn't swear on the spelling). I had the same problem with cystic acne and it HURTS.

phira

I haven't been on acne meds in a long time, but for almost 10 years, I was on, like ... everything that existed. I've done Accutane twice, and for a while, the pill kept everything at bay. I've been breaking out a lot more now, and I can't tell why. I'm going to try not wearing as much make-up for a while (I've been switching up my make-up), as well as drinking more water. I don't have time to go back on Accutane (nor do I think my insurance will let me--weird problems), and I have an IUD. So even if I wanted to go back on the pill, I couldn't.

emmaaa

@phira I have used tons of different makeup and what has worked well for m is the E.L.F. compact powder. It's like $1 and very light weight but actually gives enough coverage. When I want a more "polished" look I use either Arbonne perfecting liquid foundation ($40 but sooo worth it) or Revlon ColorStay ($8 but starts to look oily throughout the day). Neither of the liquid foundations break me out and they both provide good coverage and last for a good amount of time.

Fezzik42

Nothing worked for me until I tried the Arbonne skincare products. Today I'm actually not even wearing makeup, that's how much it evened my complexion!

MegTrashy

Thanks guys for all the help. Glad to know I'm not the only adult who still suffers from Acne!

@eg72 I saw your thread after I posted this one. I actually just tried the baking soda scrub last night and I have to say this morning my face feels good. I had a new cystic pimple forming last night and after the scrub its not grown anymore and its not painful now. Of all the things I used this had the most instant results. 

I will def look into the other stuff too. 

blabla89

I think I tried every acne treatment under the sun. Most topical treatments made my skin gross and flaky. Acutane helped for a while, but my acne flared up again after I stopped taking it.

A while ago I discovered oil cleansing, and my skin is clearer than it has been in ten years. Not exaggerating. You can read about it online - it sounds crazy, but it really did work for me. My skin doesn't break out nearly as much, and it also doesn't get dry and flaky in winter.

Spironolactone also helped more than other things I've tried. It works as an anti-androgen to balance out some of the hormones that cause acne. If your doctor hasn't tried this yet, you may want to ask about it.

emmaaa

@lalalaurita I tried the OCM for a while. It worked at first and then stopped working. Whil eit was workingn right though, I loved it. Which oils do you use?

blabla89

@lalalaurita I tried the OCM for a while. It worked at first and then stopped working. Whil eit was workingn right though, I loved it. Which oils do you use?

BOX: I think it works best for combination oily/dry skin. I use olive oil and castor oil, about a 50/50 mixture. I hope it doesn't stop working for me, although I've found that I have to be very meticulous about washing my face every night or I'll start to break out within a couple days.

emmaaa

That's what I used also. I did add Tea Tree oil to it and that helped with current break outs. I think the reason it stopped for me is because I meesed the mixture up and did too much castor oil.

MegTrashy

castor oil... you mean motor oil? wow I would think someone was nuts if they said that to me. id be like your pulling my leg... 

emmaaa

You can buy castor oil at a drug store. It is generally for stomach issues.

blabla89

@MegTrashy castor oil has nothing to do with motor oil. It comes from a castor bean. Not sure what you're talking about.

erinlin25

I had bad acne too. Proactiv and pretty much anything my doctor gave me was way to harsh on my skin and just made it worse.  I have extremely sensitive skin.  I don't think they make it anymore, but it was an over the counter supplement called "Nature's Cure" that started to make a huge difference, but when I started BC I was afraid the pills would clash, so I started using the acne line from clinique and that has kept my skin clear for the last 5 years.  Neutrogena used to also make a cleanser that was great for sensitive skin that I used and like for awhile, but once I used clinique I just went with that.  Clinique is a little pricy (the cleaner, toner and moisturizer is about $60 for all three) but it lasts about 2 months. You can get a "trial" size of all three to try it out I think for about $20.  I buy mine at Macy's but I know Sephora carries it too.

larrygaga

I don't know much about acne, but a back-up plan is to learn more about how to airbrush your foundation. That's how they cover celebs and other people who look as though they have perfect skin. You could see if a makeup artist will do it for you to see what it looks like covering your acne. That way if it doesn't clear up by your wedding you have a plan. 

JCbride2015

Fezzik42 said:

Nothing worked for me until I tried the Arbonne skincare products. Today I'm actually not even wearing makeup, that's how much it evened my complexion!

Arbonne is the real deal.  I have problem skin too (eczema, not acne) and I swear Arbonne has saved my skin and changed my life.  Nothing else touches my face!

behsco90

I would also try taking fish oil, like at least 1500mg.  It can help with the inflammation.  It might take a few weeks to notice a difference, but that is one of the things my aesthetician told me to try and it definitely made a difference.

Rebl90

MegTrashy said:

it says candistroy is a digestive supplement. Is that it?

That's it. Seriously, try it! I struggled with skin issues for years so I know how hard it is to live with it and I saw how this supplement change my FI's life.  It's the best $20 he ever spent.  Of course he will use it regularly (in cycles, not every day), but it is amazing because it's working from the inside, which is where the cystic acne starts.  If you do the research you will see the science behind it, but basically many people have cystic acne because of certain types of bacteria in the digestive system.  It may sound far-fetched but the results are amazing. 

blabla89

MegTrashy said:

it says candistroy is a digestive supplement. Is that it?

That's it. Seriously, try it! I struggled with skin issues for years so I know how hard it is to live with it and I saw how this supplement change my FI's life.  It's the best $20 he ever spent.  Of course he will use it regularly (in cycles, not every day), but it is amazing because it's working from the inside, which is where the cystic acne starts.  If you do the research you will see the science behind it, but basically many people have cystic acne because of certain types of bacteria in the digestive system.  It may sound far-fetched but the results are amazing.

STUCK IN THE BOX AGAIN: On a similar note, have you talked to your doctor about food sensitivities? I had a roommate in college who found out he was gluten intolerant, and his acne (among other things) got a lot better when he cut gluten from his diet.

iloveotters2014

I have rediculously sensitive skin. Most acne treatments make my skin dry out and make things worse.

The only thing that has ever helped me is the Mario Badescu line. I LOVE IT. You can pick it up at Ulta. I'm sure there are other stores, but Ulta has great prices and deals.

I use the acne facial cleanser, I also have a mask, and the drying cream....seriously the drying cream is gods gift to acne. I'm not even kidding you. It literally heals the big painful zits in like 2 days. It also works as a concealer so you can be healing the pimples all day long while you are at work without looking gross.

I love it! My sister broke out really bad after she gave birth to my nephew, so I got some of the drying cream for her. She was just as surprised was I was at how awesome it worked.

seriously recommend

Swazzle

I had bad skin my entire life until I tried Paula's Choice products. They have seriously been a godsend and I've recommended them to 3 other people who have also had excellent results and now all swear by it. The CLEAR products (for acne) are what I started with and now I use RESIST and Skin-Balancing products. 

CLICK

ETA: I also recommend looking at Beautypedia for reviews of various products (all brands) before you buy/try something. Before Paula's Choice products existed, the creator made the Beautypedia site for the purpose of helping people figure out which items were good for their specific skin type and which items are full of bad things. HTH! 

EverAfer

I've done the medication, OTC cleaners, heat masks, a ton of facials and even a few peels.

Nothing has been great, but I am now experimenting with this http://www.amazon.com/Aztec-Secret-Indian-Healing-Cleansing/dp/B0014P8L9W.  It's got great reviews and the first week has cleared up my skin.  I still have a pimple here and there, but it does feel smoother and cleaner, like some of the bumpy pores aren't so stuck or clogged anymore.

Rebl90

lalalaurita said:

MegTrashy said:

it says candistroy is a digestive supplement. Is that it?

That's it. Seriously, try it! I struggled with skin issues for years so I know how hard it is to live with it and I saw how this supplement change my FI's life.  It's the best $20 he ever spent.  Of course he will use it regularly (in cycles, not every day), but it is amazing because it's working from the inside, which is where the cystic acne starts.  If you do the research you will see the science behind it, but basically many people have cystic acne because of certain types of bacteria in the digestive system.  It may sound far-fetched but the results are amazing.

STUCK IN THE BOX AGAIN: On a similar note, have you talked to your doctor about food sensitivities? I had a roommate in college who found out he was gluten intolerant, and his acne (among other things) got a lot better when he cut gluten from his diet.

^^Also a great suggestion! Just because something is on your skin doesn't mean that it can be treated through topical medications/washes/etc.

Aray82

I've always had terrible skin, as did my parents. It's just started to go away over the last couple of years, partially from age (I'm 31) but also maybe from smaller things--drinking more water, eating healthier, washing pillow cases more often, and using moisturizer every day. I also rarely wear makeup other than eye stuff and rub a few drops of jojoba oil into my face before bed. It sounds counterintuitive but it makes my skin feel like velvet. Also, my pores get less anxious to produce more oil when it's moisturized and I'm not constantly trying to dry it out.

Exfoliating regularly also helps by getting out dry skin that can block pores and trap oil. My favorite treatment is slapping on some Greek yogurt and leaving it on as a mask for 15 min or so. The live cultures eat the dead skin off your face--sounds gross, but there's a huge difference afterward!

That said, everyone's skin is different so what works for me may not work for you. It also helps me to see how fantastic my parents' skin is now--so there's something to look forward to

Kieralynn

I too have struggled with acne for years, it doesn't help that i'm a picker either. I can't just let the zits heal I have to try to help them along. so my skin is not only prone to zits but its covered in large pores and acne scars. The best my skin has ever been was when I was taking the anti-biotic amoxicillin for an abcessed tooth. I didn't even pick cus there was nothing to pick. But everyone's skin body chemistry is different and what works for some doesn't necessarily work for others.

I also had really good skin when I worked at the Clarin's cosmetic counter @ macy's cuz I got alot of stuff free and its really good stuff. Not only is it high quality natural skin care & makeup but their application techniques are very good. The company founder actually got his start in massage and developed techniques for applying skin care products that promote drainage of toxins and what not. My fiance' always said that the massage part was bull but their application methods help the product last longer cuz you don't use as much as you might otherwise. Any way I always got compliments on my skin when I worked there.