I am so sorry you are having such trouble with your skin Roxy. I wish there was something I could tell you to help. I also had/have cystic acne. It's no where near as bad as it was a year or so ago but I still get small break outs. I am also a picker. I pick at my face so bad because I feel like everyone looks right at it. I used to use something called soluclenz gel. It helped a lot with spot treatment. I am still trying to figure out the steroid cream I used, all I remember was it was in a yellow and white bottle.
What also helped a lot was using a moisturizing lotion directly purchased at the dermatologist's office. It was so ridiculously expensive though. It was like $60 for a teeny tiny bottle but it helped so much.
I have incredibly sensitive skin. So sensitive that applying most sunscreens, opening a new bottle of shampoo or a new bar of soap results in an immediate breakout that looks like a rash. Going to work like that is terrible. I've been asked if I'm contagious. The rest of the time, I have pretty consistent acne. It kinda sucks.
Keeping my hair in a pony tail or a braid works pretty well for limiting acne along my jaw, neck and hairline. I also try to avoid touching my face and neck at all during the day. The dirt and oils on my hands and in my hair cause a lot of my regular breakouts.
I also change my pillowcases and wash my makeup brushes every couple of days. Again, the dirt and oils cause my breakouts, but they end up all over my face, not just on my neck and jaw if I forget to wash my stuff.
Also, getting some sun (no sunscreen) helps. About 5-10 minutes once a week is enough for me.
I look for anti acne cleansers with the fewest number of ingredients possible and use it twice a day.
Puo- that sucks!Luckily my skin isn't too senstive (except wih moisturizers). I do keep my hair off my face when I can and try really hard not to touch my face.
I used to have awful breakouts that I attempted to cover with the heaviest damn foundation that I could find. A few years ago I switched to natural products (Burt's Bees mostly, or anything that's oil free and fragrance free) and that has made all the difference. I use the Garden Tomato soap and toner, which is kind of obnoxious because I can't find it in stores so I have to order it from Burt's Bees directly or off drugstore.com or Amazon, but I swear it worked for me. Also this may not be the intended use for the stuff, but in the summer I just put a layer of benzoyl peroxide on my face at night (the Clean and Clear stuff from the drug store) and that seems to help too. Like many people I get more acne in the summer due to the heat and humidity.
On the subject of washing your makeup brushes, I use a bit of baby shampoo to wash mine. It gets the extra makeup out but doesn't cause any buildup or anything in your brushes. Just make sure to dry your brushes on a flat surface, that way the excess water won't run down into the brush and cause mold or your brush to fall apart or anything.
I went off BC this summer, and my skin freaked out. I have just switched from salycilic based cleansers to a peroxide based cleanser and it seems to be helping 3 days in. Although, I think I'll eventually have to go to less than every day use because it's drying me out a little.
When it gets hot here, it is really humid as well. After working out, I am still sweating when I get out of the shower. My face breaks out because I sweat so much, and then wipe it off. I have learned that its better to be really gentle with your face in that situation.
I wash with Cetaphil (fragrance free, not the face wash). Once I get out of the shower, I wait until my face cools off and my pores close a bit before I put on moisturizer (Cetaphil daily, fragrance free). having a small fan in the bathroom helps a lot. If I put it on when my face is still hot and sweaty, it will burn like hell. Then I brush my teeth, comb my hair, and THEN use the primer and Bare Minerals makeup.
I used to use all kinds of harsh cleansers and zit creams, but my face responds much better to gentle cleansers and lotions.
ROXYBABY-- I have used proactive for years and it works great. I started using it as a teen with breakouts and continued now for blemished etc. I also use bare minerals for my skin.
I am an esthetician. please try not to resort to antibiotics, thay are very bad for you. they proliferate the growth of bacteria in your gut and cause yeast infections. im at work, dodnt read entire thread. but i suggest you get a microdermabrasion treatment from a licensed esthetician. also you should use something with retin-A, salycylic acid, lactic acid, etc. (but beware, use only at night, and use sunscreen in the day time) I have horrible acne, but i keep it WELL CONTROLLED with PCA skin care system. its available only at esthetician's offices who retail it, and through MD. bt there is a website online who retails it. if you want to do it that way, i can put together a regimen for you. also if you take birth control it can have a massive effect on your skin.see a md to change your BC but I use yasmin and it seems to help too. if you moved to humid climate, your skin will take 1 year to adjust, so be patient. if you need a good coverage mineral make-up try Pur Minerals pressed powder available @ Ulta. PM Me if you want to talk more. I have a lot of experience with this stuff.
~be the change you wish to see in the world ~Ghandi
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_skin-care-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:99a945b9-bdf5-4d5f-87a9-d29b60776decPost:32517b9c-0c0b-4dda-bdbe-b47149c88db8">Re: Skin care question</a>: [QUOTE]I am so sorry you are having such trouble with your skin Roxy. I wish there was something I could tell you to help. I also had/have cystic acne. It's no where near as bad as it was a year or so ago but I still get small break outs. I am also a picker. I pick at my face so bad because I feel like everyone looks right at it. I used to use something called soluclenz gel. It helped a lot with spot treatment. I am still trying to figure out the steroid cream I used, all I remember was it was in a yellow and white bottle. Posted by amylydia23[/QUOTE]
High Frequency helps cystic acne better than anything. you need a throwback Esthetician who has the machine, because it is oldschool method, but it is amazingly effective! (you can also buy a hand held one to keep at home)
~be the change you wish to see in the world ~Ghandi
In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_skin-care-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:99a945b9-bdf5-4d5f-87a9-d29b60776decPost:4d3ef548-9114-4596-988c-e72984bd5bff">Re: Skin care question</a>: [QUOTE] On the subject of washing your makeup brushes, I use a bit of baby shampoo to wash mine. It gets the extra makeup out but doesn't cause any buildup or anything in your brushes. Just make sure to dry your brushes on a flat surface, that way the excess water won't run down into the brush and cause mold or your brush to fall apart or anything. Posted by K Byte[/QUOTE]
Yes, use baby shampoo if you aren't going to get brush cleaner. Don't use makeup remover or antibacterial soap. Those can cause the bristles to break or loosen and fall out. I had a client complain to me that her foundation brush fell apart after only six months. I asked her what she was using to clean it, and she said Dawn liquid. Well no wonder, lady! That stuff cuts cooking grease!
hi... i have cystic acne AND eczema... i'm screwed all the way around. have you talked to your derm about a topical antibiotic and a retinoid, and a temporary oral antibiotic? i started that and it helped SO MUCH. i don't wear any makeup at all, except once in a while tinted moisturizer...
i use acanya gel in the morning and retin-A at night, with minocycline once a day. the acanya gel was fantastic. it's the topical antibiotic and after just a couple days, it cleared it up almost completely. i still have hormonal breakouts, but i haven't had a "cyst" since i've started using it consistently.
also, what kind of cleanser are you using? i've found the best results to be a plain, neutrogena facial bar (no fragrances) in the AM and PM.
seriously though, see if you can get a sample of the acanya, if it really is cystic acne.
Hey everyone! I battled cystic acne for a while and for me, eliminating fat free dairy products along with reducing my processed sugar intake has pretty reduced my acne to zero. Fat free dairy has more added hormones than normal whole milk dairy, for some reason. I don't drink skim milk anymore, nor fat free yogurt. Adding more homrones to your diet can make your skin crazy. At least it did for me. If you are breaking out on your chin/jaw area, it's hormone related, and always worth the shot.
Also, have you had your thyroid tested? That also played into my acne. I hope you find something that works. I know that it is extremely frustrating, and when I see people with perfect skin, I'm jealous!
Re: Skin care question
"Whatever East. You're just mad I RSVP'd "lame" to your pre-wedding sleepover."
Keeping my hair in a pony tail or a braid works pretty well for limiting acne along my jaw, neck and hairline. I also try to avoid touching my face and neck at all during the day. The dirt and oils on my hands and in my hair cause a lot of my regular breakouts.
I also change my pillowcases and wash my makeup brushes every couple of days. Again, the dirt and oils cause my breakouts, but they end up all over my face, not just on my neck and jaw if I forget to wash my stuff.
Also, getting some sun (no sunscreen) helps. About 5-10 minutes once a week is enough for me.
I look for anti acne cleansers with the fewest number of ingredients possible and use it twice a day.
On the subject of washing your makeup brushes, I use a bit of baby shampoo to wash mine. It gets the extra makeup out but doesn't cause any buildup or anything in your brushes. Just make sure to dry your brushes on a flat surface, that way the excess water won't run down into the brush and cause mold or your brush to fall apart or anything.
Hope that helps!
GL!
[QUOTE]I am so sorry you are having such trouble with your skin Roxy. I wish there was something I could tell you to help. I also had/have cystic acne. It's no where near as bad as it was a year or so ago but I still get small break outs. I am also a picker. I pick at my face so bad because I feel like everyone looks right at it. I used to use something called soluclenz gel. It helped a lot with spot treatment. I am still trying to figure out the steroid cream I used, all I remember was it was in a yellow and white bottle.
Posted by amylydia23[/QUOTE]
High Frequency helps cystic acne better than anything. you need a throwback Esthetician who has the machine, because it is oldschool method, but it is amazingly effective! (you can also buy a hand held one to keep at home)
[QUOTE] On the subject of washing your makeup brushes, I use a bit of baby shampoo to wash mine. It gets the extra makeup out but doesn't cause any buildup or anything in your brushes. Just make sure to dry your brushes on a flat surface, that way the excess water won't run down into the brush and cause mold or your brush to fall apart or anything.
Posted by K Byte[/QUOTE]
Yes, use baby shampoo if you aren't going to get brush cleaner. Don't use makeup remover or antibacterial soap. Those can cause the bristles to break or loosen and fall out.
I had a client complain to me that her foundation brush fell apart after only six months. I asked her what she was using to clean it, and she said Dawn liquid. Well no wonder, lady! That stuff cuts cooking grease!
i use acanya gel in the morning and retin-A at night, with minocycline once a day. the acanya gel was fantastic. it's the topical antibiotic and after just a couple days, it cleared it up almost completely. i still have hormonal breakouts, but i haven't had a "cyst" since i've started using it consistently.
also, what kind of cleanser are you using? i've found the best results to be a plain, neutrogena facial bar (no fragrances) in the AM and PM.
seriously though, see if you can get a sample of the acanya, if it really is cystic acne.
Also, have you had your thyroid tested? That also played into my acne. I hope you find something that works. I know that it is extremely frustrating, and when I see people with perfect skin, I'm jealous!