Hi Ladies,
I have tried lots of different foundations for my face and they all seem to make my acne worse. What do you use that does not make your acne flare up?
A little background on my acne: I have had severe disfiguring acne starting at age 9- started taking Accutane at age 13, took several courses of it until age 17, when my acne finally cleared up. It has stayed away until this past year, when it got worse. I got on birth control a few months ago which has helped, but cosmetics seem to flare it up. I am allergic to benzoyl peroxide, which means that ProActiv or anything like it is out of the question. I also have very sensitive skin so harsh soaps and medicated acne washes are also out of the question. I use a light cleanser daily. And since it is a common belief that diet and acne is related, I eat a very healthy diet.
Thanks for any & all advice!
I also use Bare Minerals - and strangely enough, it seems like when I fall asleep without washing it off, my skin is actually clearer in the morning.
I've also started using L'Bri facial cleansers and lotion, it is all aloe based. So you might want to give that a look, I also tried Proactive for years, and it did nothing for me at all.
Bare Minerals has changed my skin! I can't say enough good things about that make-up.
I've done all the stuff you have and now at 43 years old I'm HAPPY with my skin.
As others have said, I love bare minerals. It has made my face better, and it doesn't feel like you are wearing make-up.
I second Bare Minerals by Bare Escentials. There are no preservatives. Initial investment is a little costly but it lasts quite a bit. Won't clog your pores or aggravate your skin. I am chemically sensitive and have had wonderful success with it!
I loved Bare Minerals! Best stuff ever! Just get the mat finish so you don't look like a "vampire" in the sun. :D
I too have this issue. I use mineral based foundation. I no longer use powder or cover ups...just the mineral foundation. For cleansing my face I use the Dove (green box melon). I have used everything under the sun from prescription to over the counter and ProActive...nothing worked. I gave up and just said I'll try this Dove bar...I love it so much I bought the oversized package at Sams.
I've had acne for 25 years and so has my little brother. He had painful cystic acne. Turns out he was allergic to any and all soap. When he stopped using anything but warm water on his face, it got drastically better. For me, it was salycylic acid moisturizer morning and night. My skin was apparently dry, so, it was overproducing oil to overcompensate for the dryness. It would get trapped under my $3.99 foundation and cause blackheads that turned into pimples. Then I would put a whole lot of drying acne stuff on it, which would just irritate it and make my skin produce even more oil! SO, the salycilic moisturizer both kille the bacteria and moisturizes, so, now im good. Just a little white head or 2 when I pms. The foundations that I found did not cause acne for me - Clinique, Estee Lauder, and Mary Kay. They are a little more expensive, but, if you wait until "free gift" time, it's not a bad deal at all.
Work with Mineral Based products ... Bare Minerals helped me, I do not have "standard" acne, but this helped. Use a toner and moisturizer propely and do not leave the make up on longer than it needs to be on any given day. I only wear make up when I am going out. I do not wake in the am and do hair/make up first thing, I style my hair, do my face routine but I do not put on make up until I know I am leaving. I may put on some eye shadow, liner, mascara, brows but leave the face for later.
I also suggest Bare Minerals by Bare Escentials, love that stuff. You can buy the "foundation" powder and finish it off w/ translucent Mineral Veil.
I think that the BIGGEST no-no for me with makeup is not washing it off at night! All the makeup ladies have told me that for years, but I am tired and lazy at the end of the day. Finally, at 32 and still fighting acne, i gave it the ol college try. I washed every night after I put the kids to bed. It made a world of difference. I notice now when I start breaking out all over, its because I stopped washing at night. The other upside to that is a nice warm face wash at night helps me wash away the stress of the day. :)
