Acne Solutions??

I had terrible acne as a teenager. My mom had me take alfalfa tablets 3 times a day. believe it or not, it helped. You can get them at any health food store. It would be worth a try. Good luck. (From a serious UofO Duck Fan!)

Im so sorry you have had to deal with this! I had really bad acne that was like big red bumps under the skin that would stay for a week or so, yuck! then I looked into my diet and quit eating the foods that I had allergies to like chocolate and dairy and corn. Im a lot healthier and have much happier skin. It might be something to look into. Good luck! Go Beavers!

N.,

Have you tried Witch Hazel? I pick it up a few times a year for my own face, and my kids. It is gentle and works great with balancing the levels of grease I find at various times of the year and month.

Good Luck,
T.

Are you sure that it is acne and not an allergy? I ask this because my DH had acne for years before he came to this country and just by chance we found out he was allergic to MSG. WHen he stopped eating foods seasoned with Knorr, what his Mom always used, he was clear within weeks. Then when we ate at a restaurant, he broke out again overnight. You might want to try a allergist and allergy testing.

H.

Hi N. - sorry to hear that you are going through this. I haven't read through all the posts yet, so I don't know if this was suggested or not....but Arbonne has an amazing Acne line called Clear Advantage that produces great results for anyone at any age with acne. It uses 1% Salicylic Acid (rather than benzoil peroxide which tends to be quite drying). Includes a wash, a toner, and a lotion. I've had lots of clients who use Clear Advantage to get their skin to calm down first, then once it's clear, they switch over to one of our other skin care lines (Re9 for anti-aging, or Intelligence for sensitive or younger skin). Then they just use the Clear Advantage line on occasion when they experience the acne flare ups.

What you ingest also makes a huge difference on how your skin looks. So taking a look at your diet or food allergies might help too. The Clear Advantage system includes a Skin Support Dietary Supplement that supports the skin from the inside out.

The line is faily inexpensive. You can order direct from my website.... www.pamelagreb.myarbonne.com or email/call me, and I'm happy to help you.

Good luck, N.!
Pam
Exec. Area Manager
###-###-####
www.pamelagreb.myarbonne.com

This is a bit of an unorthodox suggestion, but a lot of the issues we have in our bodies are caused by our Ph levels being too acidic. You can look into alkalinizing your diet by googling that and/or you can look into wearing a hazelwood necklace which has the natural property of absorbing acidity when the wood is in contact with the skin. I have heard of it helping many people with issues from acne to eczema & teething pain in babies. I have a website where you can find out more at www.hazelaid.com
Also, we ahve a page about essential oils that directs you to another site that specializes in special formulations of essential oils to treat various conditions. They have a money back guarantee that if you follow their directions and it doesn't heal your issue, you can get your money back (even if the product is empty!) I'm currently using their product for some unpleasant post birth issues :) and am seeing really good results. The nice thing is these are very noninvasive ways to try treating issues, without being to hard on your body in the process! (Unlike accutane and other harsh meds or chemicals)
Anyway, just a couple suggestions. Hope you find something that helps!

Just one other option besides the numerous ones you already received. Avoid touching your face unless you have to and wash your pillow case often. I had a bad habit of touching to often and since I stopped, it has helped to slow the spread of acne all over my face. I am not so sure there is ever a perfect fix for acne, but we all wish there were. Good Luck!

I don't have personal experience with this either but I just read on another site online about a solution someone else tried so I thought I'd paste it here just in case it's Inexpensive Acne Care

"After spending a lot of money on acne skin products for my
teenagers' acne problems, I learned something that works well
and for a lot less money. The same "antibacterial" hand soap I buy for $4 to $5 for a half gallon works really well as a face wash to prevent outbreaks. Use it twice a day and see the difference. It's as good if not better than all those fancy acne face washes and bar soaps."

I saw some other responses that look great so I really hope you find some relief.
B.

I am sorry to hear about your acne problem. With everything you've tried and it not working I would think that you have a bigger problem going on. Something beyond skin deep. I would try to find someone who will check into your hormones and try to get you regulated. This will probably have to be a doctor who is more a naturalpath. Which can be expensive. But I know that when your hormones are out of balance there's a lot of side effects. That's what I would try next, find someone who can test your hormones and see what's out of whack. Hope that helps. Good luck to you!

Try the new product over the counter "Noxema Clear and Clean" by husband has struggled his entire life with acne he thinks this is the best product - he also uses Castor Oil at night on his face, it is amazing how much it has healed the scares. He is religious about cleansing and castor oil and does not drink milk.

I had similar issues until someone suggested that the acne was due to allergies of some sort. I had a blood test and found out that I had a zillion food 'sensitivities'. That means that I don't go into anaphalactic (sp) shock, but my body does have adverse reactions to a number of foods - boils, acne, itchy skin and headaches being just a few of them.

I have much clearer skin now that I stay away from the hot button foods. I hope this is helpful to you!

Best wishes,
Sarah

I don't have personal experience with this but have read this in a couple of books and articles written by MDs. I noted it because I'm sure my daughters will be dealing with pimples eventually and it stuck in my mind. Consider going on an extremely low carb, high protein diet. Cut out all sugars(including fruit), breads, grains etc. and stick to meat, fish, eggs and tons of veggies. See what happens. If you are willing to do this and you see any improvement, please post - I'd love to know if this works. I'm generally a proponent of this diet anyway and am always interested to hear of its curative effects. Good luck.

It sounds like you have tried just about everything. One thing I would like you to try is washing your face with Noxema. Just use the regular stuff. I have used this since I was a teenager and afterwards I use a zit cream that has salicylic acid in it. Up until my later 20's I used something with benzoil peroxide, but that now has become irritating to my skin. I use a scrub about once a week--and no more because the zits will become worse. My skin is wonderful and I believe that it is because of the noxema I use as a face wash. One more thing--have you tried birth control pills. They do help too....

Hope it gets better for you. M.
About me: 38 years old--Full time working mom of 3--2 boys ages 16 and 13 and a 12 year old daughter. Plus have my own business, coach my daughters sports teams, PTSA Vice Pres., my Union Treasurer. Very busy.

Believe it or not, I cannot say enough good about Bee Pollen.
Please read this short article below, and see if it's something that sounds good to you. Hope this helps!

Dr. Lars-Erik Essen, a dermatologist in Halsinborg, Sweden, pioneered the use of bee products for skin conditions. He treated many of his patients successfully for acne. Dr. Essen says, "Through transcutaneous nutrition, bee pollen exerts a profound biological effect. It seems to prevent premature aging of the cells and stimulates growth of new skin tissue. It offers effective protection against dehydration and injects new life into dry cells. It smooths away wrinkles and stimulates a life-giving blood supply to all skin cells.

The skin becomes younger looking, less vulnerable to wrinkles, smoother, and healthier with the use of honeybee pollen," Dr. Essen says. "Taken internally or used externally, bee pollen exercises a suppressive effect on facial acne. It is also an important skin rejuvenator, primarily because it contains a high concentration of the nucleic acids RNA and DNA as well as a natural antibiotic factor."

The French, long noted for their preoccupation with all things beautiful, have done a great deal of research on the use of bee pollen and other hive products in cosmetic preparations. Dr. M. Esperrois of the French Institute of Chemistry notes that honeybee pollen contains potent antibiotics that can act to reverse the effects normal aging exerts on skin, correcting darkening, wrinkles, and blemishes.

Professors N. Mankovsky and D. G. Chebotarev, two Russian scientists, confirm honeybee pollen stimulates cell renewal. They say, "The rejuvenation of skin and body cells can be encouraged by the administration of the poly-vitamins, microelements, enzymes, hormones, and amino acids present m bee pollen. These nutrients are needed by the body to form new tissue." These professors go on to praise the properties of bee pollen, calling them "vital to a form of internal and external rejuvenation at the cellular level.

Hi N.,

I struggle with this also and I'm 42. I was Accutane THREE times--I was furious that it didn't work permanently as I'd been lead to believe. Each time it worked for a year or so,and then it was as if I'd never been on it in the first place. Besides, it's dangerous stuff, I finally concluded. (Anything that sounds too good to be true usually is!)

There are a couple of good books on the subject. One is called "The Acne Solution."

Two things make a difference for me: avoiding wheat, dairy and peanuts. (other nuts are okay, as peanuts are actually a legume)

Dairy seems to be the most significant. I can have small amounts once in a while--like some feta cheese on a salad, but if I get carried away I can tell right away. I had to quit drinking milk altogether and cut out yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. It was hard!

I used to resent when people said acne was caused by diet because I know lots of people who eat crappy food and yet have beautiful skin and it's so unfair! but the fact is, some of us are just cursed with extra sensitive skin that is very reactive to some foods that don't seem to cause problems in others.

One thing I read in the book "The Acne Cure" is to try a 3-part approach in cleansing: Use a salicylic acid wash first, let sit a while, (not one combined w/benzoyl peroxide) then use a glycolic acid wash (one w/out salicylic acid--you have to use them separately they don't work as well combined) and then, after rinsing that off, rinse your face with really COLD water, and then pat dry and apply a 5% benzoyl peroxide. It does seem to help, in combination with the dietary changes.

hang in there--I know firsthand how frustrating it is!!!

The best treatment for acne is a home remedy. Don't waste your money on treatments like ProActive, Arbonne or others . They all work, but not as well or as quickly or as cheaply as this:

1/2 cup salt
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 tsp Tea Tree oil
Extra virgin olive oil

Use just enough olive oil to mix this into a paste. Put this paste on skin for 5 minutes at night, then rinse it off with luke warm water. In less than 2 weeks the acne will be gone. Use Bare Minerals (the real kind, not the copies) or Aveda foundation for a few weeks during the day, or whatever foundation works for you. Good luck!

I am right there with you!!! I am shocked that Acutane didn't work...I've never done it, but everyone I know who has are "cured." Skin is a tricky thing, your story sounds much like mine. right now the skin is GREAT, and I fear it will all come to a crashing end soon. What I have learned is that we need to not "bomb" our skin with harsh products, especially when we are no longer in our 20s. I personally use a vit C rich cleanser that is very mild and I just rinse with water in the morning. Then I use a antioxidant rich mosturizer during the day with sunprotection. I use mineral foundation and makeup. At night I wash with the vit c cleanser and put on a vit c serum. With occasional breakouts I do use a salicylic acid serum but only RIGHT ON the breakout (lately it's been none!).

But...how did I get to the regimine: I started by changing my diet. Whole foods, very minimal processed founds, and added a green food supplement/powder to my diet to help keep the pH level in our body balanced. Then I tried a vitamin and a spray called Naturally clear. It seems like nothing, but it WORKED for me! www.naturallyclear.com (i think..)

Now I only use the spray (and take other outstanding vitamins!) in the morning before my lotion/makeup.

If you want more info, feel free to email me at ____@____.com

I hope it gets better...it is sooooo frustrating!

Hi N.. I have also been plagued by acne over the years. You just know that if I indulge in chocolate, there will be a reminder there the next morning. I have been having great success with a product line called natural product line called Spa Luna. My daughter, who is 12, is also using it and it is working well for her too. What happens with products that work great for awhile, and then no longer do, is that your skin eventually starts to reacts to the synthetics in the products. It could be because you are changing your diet, or it might just be because your body chemistry changes. The products are produced under stringent conditions in a pharmeceutical grade lab, and can be ordered online, or through a home or catalog party and shipped direct to you. Please let me know if you are interested in hearing more.

Lush has a soap, Fresh Farmacy that has been a godsend for my youngest son and his acne, on his face and his back. It's pink, you wash with it and can use it as a spot treatment as well. It reminds me of calomine lotion. He had used multiple prescription drug treatments, but none of them worked as well as this. If you live in the Seattle area, this is a Lush store at Westlake Mall and one at Bellevue Square. They've got a website as well. All their products are natural, fresh made in Vancouver, BC. www.lush.com Hope that helps!!

I had acne something terrible as a teen. I got it everywhere and it was so embarrassing!

My mom gave me Zinc tablets that really cleared my skin up quick. Many people believe a big part of skin care starts with taking care of the inside of our body first.

Proper nutrition and internal cleansing may be helpful if you haven't considered.

I also have a product line called ZapIt that may interest you. It's only $16.00 for 4 products and works well for my teens when they maintain the habit of using the products. Something to consider. If you want to know more, just ask.

S.
http://www.DeliveringWellnessToYou.com

Use Glimpse. It's non-toxic and chemical free. Works everytime. I get mine through www.sevenstarlife.com

click on product, click on Glimpse it's great stuff

I hear ya! I am there, too. Well, I am only 31, but still. The latest thing that I tried was Nature's cure, that is available in drug stores. The twice daily pill dried out my skin so badly that I couldn't stand it, but I LOVE the cream. It is a benzoyl peroxide cream but has other stuff in it that keeps it from drying out your skin. So anyway, my skin has never looked better than it does right now, just using the cream.

Hi, Hon,

I am 29 and have had a resurgence of acne over the last couple of years. I also have exema, dry skin, and extreme skin allergies. I have tried many products and most didn't work, worked for awhile then my skin adapted to it, or made my skin peel off. I have found that when I am on antibiotics ( like for an ear infection ) they will clear it up, but the only other thing that really works is a line called DHC. I use the Skin Softener to wash my face with 2-3 times a day, and the Acne Spot Treatment for really bad zits ( it clears them up and relieves the pain incredibly quickly ). I get bad painful acne on my back as well and the spot treatment works great for that. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

S., ____@____.com

I am 33 and have had the same problem. I went to see a dermatologist and didn't like his answer: Cut the dairy from your diet (cheese, milk, etc.) I finally did it and after a month or two, I am acne free. Yay!

I can tell when I cheat and have dairy because I start breaking out again.

Good luck!

Hi N.,
I would love to talk to you about what is going on with your skin and how nutrition might be affecting it. Beauty really does come from the inside out...please let me know if you would like to chat at some point and I will email you my phone number. I am a 48 year old mother of 2 grown sons. I used to have acne problems, but my skin looks better now than it ever has and I attribute it to good nutrition and a great aesthetician. I actually have people asking what I a doing to make my skin "glow".
Take care, D.
____@____.com

Keep it Simple!!!

I just turned 40 in September & I still get occasional breakouts.

Wash your face with a simple soap like Dove.

Keep your face moisturized - when your skin is dry it produces more oil. I use Kiss My Face (its made with Aloe & olive oil)

Keep the Proactiv stuff to use for break outs. I use Burt's Bees Blemish stick to clear up the ones you can feel coming.

Try to go without makeup (at least foundation) as much as possible.

Aw, bless your heart! Isn't it embarassing? I have not had all-out acne, but my complexion has it's issues, to be sure, and I am 39! (I sort of thought this would be gone by now too...) :/ Anyway, I like natural remedies as much as possible, and I have had great success with teatree oil. I just dip a cotton swab in and dot it on the problem area and it dries up and clears up quite quickly. Trader Joe's has a teatree oil facial cleanser that I have not tried yet, but my Dear Stepdaughter has and was very pleased with the results.
I also really like the mangosteen fruit-based products that the "xango" company offers, and I have been told that they have just launched a skincare line. One of my friends has tried it and was very pleased, and her experience with her skin has been more like yours. I hope you find a solution to this, because I am sure it is more than just a little bit frustrating for you. Blessings to you and yours! :)

Hi,

I also have always struggled with acne prone skin. I am 38 and after I stopped nursing my son last year my skin really started to break out again. My dermatologist prescribed spirolactone and it has changed my skin dramatically for the better. Apparently it is actually a blood pressure lowering medication but it has a way of blocking the hormones that cause acne. My skin has never been better and I rarely have even one pimple and it has greatly decreased my oily skin. I really recommend talking to your dermatologist about it. I also use Retin-A every few nights but I think the Spirolactone has made the biggest difference!

Good luck! Please know that you are not alone with your acne prone skin-it is so common!

Take care
J.

It might be that you need to try the different products that have worked in a rotation. When your skin starts going bad switch to one of the others or do each one for a month or two and rotate on to the next one.

I'm a distributor for a company that has another product that some people have reported good results with. It is a soy-based soap. You can visit this website for more information:
http://www.bellamiacandle.scent-team.com/bellabars.php

If you'd like to give one a try, please contact me. The shipping can be kind of expensive over the website - I can ship one to you via US postal service for a lot less.

Good luck!

Had a similar, albeit shorter, experience myself. Tried everything, some things might work for a bit but then it would come back or it'd be a waste of money and time and not work at all. (This goes for both over-the-counter meds and stuff my doc prescribed.) What cleared it up for me? Accutane. The stuff is wicked but effective. I say "wicked" because you have to have blood tests, use two forms of birth control (if you get pregnant while taking, it can cause your baby to be deformed), your lips will need a ton of chapstick. Plus, your skin is super dry and sensitive to the sun. But given all of that, I'd take it again in a heartbeat if my acne ever came back. I had to take two rounds. The first round, my doctor prescribed a really low dose. It worked but the acne came back once I was off it. The second dose, I argued for and got a much larger dosage. Now, besides the occasional pimple/zit, I'm pretty much acne free.

Hello N.,

I am not sure if you have ever heard of this product before but the line is called Clear Advantage it is from a company called Arbonne. I am an Arbonne consultant and I would love to help you with your ance problems. I am enclosing a link for you to check out some before and after photos of women who have been helped by this product.
http://www.arbonne.com/company/opportunity/people/before-...

Also my website: www.healthylifewithcrystal.myarbonne.com
I would love to be able to help you. contact me through my email I know that I can help. My products are botanically based and formulated WITHOUT chemical fragances, dyes, mineral oils. And of course NO Animal products, by-products and no animal testing ever. We are a 28 year old company.

C.

In my 40s I used nutrogena. Now that I'm in my 50s, I don't get acne as bad, so I use Mary Kay cosmetics. My daughter uses Patricia Wexler cleanser and Clinique lotion. She has the same problem you do with proactive in that it worked great for awhile then wore off.

Hi N.,

I have had good long term success with going to really natural products. (Not just the ones that say natural because they can since there is little regulation on that sort of thing.) I also avoid the sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate that is often found in facial products, soaps, shampoos etc. since it is very drying. My favorite brand is Suki. The other one I really like is Dr. Hauschka, it is just more expensive but offers more choices.

Also, I found that drinking a lot of water helped as well. I aim for 2 liters per day. Honestly, I only get that much a few days a week, but I can really tell the difference in how I feel the day after if I have had enough water. After a few weeks, 2-4, I noticed that less lotion on my skin in general and that my face was much less likely to break out. I still get one or two small pimples right before my period each month but that is way better than before.

I hope you find the right solution for your body.
S.

Try my doc, she's great & has solved any problem I've ever had! Dr. Ilana Gervich @ 503- ###-###-####. Good luck, I'm sure she can help.

I'm sure over the years you and/or your doctors have thought about food allergies...if not it might be worth considering?

Hi N.!
Have you ever been tested for food allergies? If your acne has never gone away, I would think that this could be part of the reason why....It's worth checking out. There are easy finger prick blood tests, stool sample tests and saliva tests. Find a good Naturopath....

Good luck!