14 Soon to Be 15 Year Old Son with Acne

I have very sensitive skin myself, and break out with acne about once a month (cycle related). I've found that washing my face with the tea tree shampoo I use helps (just when I shower), and I also use witch hazel - wet a cotton pad down and wipe it over my face, neck, etc, morning and night. If my skin feels dry after using it, I have a couple of non-oily lotions I use on my hands that I'll put a little on my face as needed.

good luck!

Hi J.,
I have had acne since about 6th grade and I've tried everything!!!! Clearisil, ProActive, Accutane, antibiotics, and like others have said, something will work for a while and then one day it just stops working! The best things that I've done so far are 1. Accutane- this is a very strong medication, your son will have to go to the dermatologist once a month for a check up and a blood draw. They usually have the patient take it for 4-6 months depending on the severity of the acne. This is supposed to be a one time deal meaning after their treatment the patient should be pretty much acne free. My skin looked great for a couple months but then slowly started to break out again. They say that a small percentage of people have to do a second bout with the medication but I wanted to get pregnant so I decided not to do another treatment. (the big downside to this medicine are the many possible side effects...the only problem I had was very chapped lips.)
2. The next best thing I've tried is called Acne Free, available at a lot of stores like Target and Walmart, I got mine at Costco. The product is very similar to Proactive, but half the cost. Honestly, I've used both and I like the Acne Free a lot better! It's around $30 for a 90 day supply, where the Proactive was about $45 for about a 60 day supply.
The only other tip I can give is have him drink a lot of water! I used to drink a lot of soda when I was a teenager and that just aggravated my skin. Now that I'm older I know the importance of drinking water and it shows in my complexion...not great, but a lot better than it was as a teen!
I hope this helps! Good luck

My sister-in-law uses Proactive that is for sensitive skin. I haven't tried it myself, but she says it works great! :)

J.,
I am by far not a expert, or a Consultant of this product, but I have sensitive skin, and Mary Kay had wonderful skin care products, and a money back guarentee!?!?
I belive they even have a cleanser for teenage skin care.

J., I know that this will sound really strange. I use an herb tea that I make that detoxifies your system...you make it in a big batch that lasts for about three months. I am going to include the tea recipe if you are interested it will help. It has my 16 year old son and it is completely natural...it just strips the toxins from their system throughthe intestinal tract. We tried everything and the last resort was Acutane (sp) that I did not want him to take until I had tried everything. An Indian woman from Alaska sent me this and it is fantastic for many things because it purifies the system so well.
You only have to drink two ounces of it to 2 ounces of warm water...3 times per day.
I would give it a try if you are into natural things...the taste is not bad..kinda no taste....
Here is the recipe:

I do have a WONDERFUL herbal formula that will get all the toxins out of your system so you can make use of the nutrients you need to have. It takes a bit of effort to prepare but it is so worth it and you only have to make it up every couple months or so. You will start to feel more energy IMMEDIATELY! While your body is throwing off all that gunk you will probably feel like you need to shower more often - and you may want to keep an extra air freshner in the bathroom! lol

I'm rambling again so here's your tea formula and instructions: I think for now, just buy 4 oz. of each, that should be enough to get you started:

Sheep Sorrel: 4 oz. 'cut'

Burdock Root: 4 oz. 'cut

Turkish Rhubarb root: 4 oz
If you can't find 'turkish' that's okay, just use a bit more than the receipe calls for

Slippery Elm Bark: 4 oz - this only comes powdered so store it well

You will also need:

Stainless or enamel pot with tight fitting lid big enough to boil 2 gallons NEVER use aluminum!
Second large container to strain liquid into
Fine stainless mesh strainer - or I use a clean flour sack or dish towel
Quart canning jars & lids
2 gallons pure spring or distilled water (do not use chlorinated tap water)

Okay, now you're ready:

1/2 cup Sheep Sorrel
1/2 cut Burdock Root
1 1/2 Tablespoon Slippery Elm
1 1/2 Teaspoon Rhubarb root

Bring 2 gal. pure water to a rolling boil. Stir in herbs, replace lid and boil 10 minutes. Turn off heat, scrape down sides of pot, replace lid and let steep for at least 12 hours. After at least 12 hours boil a second time with the lid still on for an additional 10 minutes. Cool, strain, reheat and pour hot liquid into sterilized quart canning jars. Tighten lids, turn jars upside down for five minutes to seal, then allow to cool. When I'm in a hurry or being lazy I don't strain it, I just let the herbs settle and ladle the hot liquid into my jars and toss the last bit that's full of the leavings. Wastes a bit but not much, besides I don't mind having some of the dregs in the tea anyway.
Store in a cool dark place. If you store it in your frige, which is best, remember what I said about light depleting the value. Put the jars in paper bags so that the light will not get to it each time you open the door.

How you use it:

Mix 2 oz. cold herbal liquid with 2 oz. hot water and drink it - should be lukewarm or at least room temperature. It should be taken on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. That way your system can make use of the pure herbs without being contanimated by other stuff in your stomach. If I were you I'd take it three times a day before each meal 'til you get your health back. I take it twice a day just to maintain. This formula is completely safe, non toxic (I even give it to the kids when they're getting sickly). Or for acne or any skin rashes. Your body will immediately begin to cleanse and throw off the toxins so it's really really important to drink LOTS and LOTS of water. You can't wash your clothes without water, even if you add detergent. You can't wash your system without water either!!

This will make between 6 and 7 quarts which is at a two or three month supply for one person. If your jars have sealed and are stored correctly it will keep that long with no problem. Any longer than that, pour it in your plants and make a new batch.

I hope that this would help him with his acne..L.

That ProActive skin care line gets great press and has a whole host of celebrity endorsers who are both male and female.

I use tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar and purpose face wash. Message me if you want the recipes.

Ther is a great recipe for acne care on the Aromaland- Aromatherapy website in the recipe section. Some of them call for oil bases, which may not sound like a good combination with acne problems, but actually if you moisturize the skin with a natural product, it keeps the sebacious glands from working so hard to keep the skin moistened, (since it is usually dried out by most acne medicines and products) and can actually help minimize acne. I always try to take care of things naturally first and then use medical intervention if necessary. Make sure he is changing his sheets especially the pillowcase at least once a week. Bacteria can collect in the fabric, and then cause breakouts while sleeping.

EPICUREN!! A gift from the gods!! Best stuff and they have a very comprehensive acne line. I also highly recommend the Propolis line they offer. I used it for a stress zit I got 2 days before my wedding and it disapeared in time!! Check them out online and try them BEST STUFF EVER!! It maybe more expensive than drugsore remedies but your teenager will thank you for it..gentle and natural and WONDERFUL!!

My first thought when I read your message was of acne scars. I don't know what you mean by real bad. I've known people whose face and back were covered in pimples that were red and sore. One that I saw later had really bad acne scars. I'd see a dermatologist to find out show serious the acne is and ask for the best treatment.

Hi J.,
Acne is one of those "typical" or normal things that can be absolutely horrible to the person suffering through it. I'm a 40 something mom with teen and older kids and save for one of my children we have all struggled with it in varying degrees. I have been on Acutane and unless your son has very severe acne I would caution against its use. It is exceptionally powerful and requires continuous monitoring to make certain it doesn't damage organs or increase your cholesterol to an intolerable level. The last time I was on my cholesterol more than doubled. It subsided after my course of treatment, but I would caution use until other less systemic methods have been tried. Of the four of us in the family using some type of acne treatment we've found Acne Free, the drugstore version of Proactive to be very affordable and effective. We purchased ours at CostCo but other major stores sell at similar prices. I wish you and your son luck in dealing with this.
M. P

PRO ACTIVE, PRO ACTIVE, PRO ACTIVE!!! It is a wonderful thing...I know that its a little pricey but well worth the money when you see the improvment so quickly and the self esteem boost is priceless.

A friend of mine with a 15 year old daughter was telling me that Walmart has their brand of "proactiv" skin care and she's been using it for about 5 months now and she said it works great. She too uses it on her face and neck and upper back. She said its alot cheaper than the regular stuff and works wonderful for her daughter. I hope this helps.
W.