Speaking of acne...what does work?

[fourcatmom]

The girls are really just starting this phase but my 12 yo has been getting worse. We were given a prescription for it once and it was great but very expensive. We were going to order Proactive but I have heard bad things about them and I wasn't very happy with their customer service. We are using Avon now and it does seem to be fading but the jury is still out. I don't use of Avon's products but was told this worked so I figured it was worth a try.

 

What have your tried and what has and has not worked?

[somo_chickenlady]

Walmart sells their own version of Proactiv in their Equate brand. It is inexpensive and works really well. I have been battling acne since 5th grade, and I never grew out of it. This is the best stuff I have found. Some stores only sell it in the set, at others you can buy the individual items.

[fourcatmom]

Walmart sells their own version of Proactiv in their Equate brand. It is inexpensive and works really well. I have been battling acne since 5th grade, and I never grew out of it. This is the best stuff I have found. Some stores only sell it in the set, at others you can buy the individual items.

 

Where do you find it and what is it called? Thanks! That would be easier then ordering from Avon.

[countrygal]

I don't know if you may be interested in dietary changes as well. I heard a nutritionist once say that eating good fats (mainly nuts or seeds, 1/2 cup daily) and eating no sugar (ever) helps calm down the inflammatory process. I don't have experience with it personally but it may be worth a try! HTH

[Catherine]

My ds was getting some pretty bad scars and got prescriptions for Benzaclin and retin A. They have worked really well and he has minimal acne as long as he uses them daily.

[lifesadream83]

I am nearly 30 and the only thing that saved me from acne was removing ALL dairy products from my diet. Not saying it works for everyone but I struggled with it almost all my life until 2 ago. Proactive works... ish... but it burns and your face adapts to it so if you stop using it... it comes back.

[ocelotmom]

Not using shampoo reduced mine by 99%.

[wapiti]

Consider trying zinc (I use this one). There was a long thread a while back - zinc thread. There have been more recent discussions as well.

[busymama7]

We don't have much here but what works for us is a salve I make with coconut oil and melaleuca essential oil. They just dab a bit on the blemishes and it clears them up.

[mandymom]

I had pretty severe break outs as an adult (never as a teen) and switching to organic face care things solved my problems. I think it was more of a sensitivity thing for me. I don't use organic make-up, just cleanser and moisturizer.

 

My 15 year old daughter suffers with breakouts, and I bought her Shea Terra Rose Hips Black Soap, and her face has cleared up nicely. She only uses the cleanser and no other product. Shea Terra makes some clarifying cleanser too, but the black soap has worked for dd.

[Ellie]

ITA with eliminating dairy. I've known of many people whose acne (or their children's acne) cleared up completely when they eliminated dairy.

[carriewillard]

My 14 year old son started putting coconut oil on his face when he started getting pimples. He rarely gets them anymore. I use it on my skin too. It's antibacterial and antifungal.

[Jazzmin]

I used Proactiv in my 20's, it worked. However, when I hit my 30's and still had a monthly breakout, I looked to my diet. As others have said, eliminating sugar and grains helped a lot. Now, if I eat too much sugar, I will break out on my mouth/chin. I have really tried to adjust my diet, not my wash routine.

[fourcatmom]

We don't have much here but what works for us is a salve I make with coconut oil and melaleuca essential oil. They just dab a bit on the blemishes and it clears them up.

 

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Is that Tea Tree Oil?

[fourcatmom]

My 14 year old son started putting coconut oil on his face when he started getting pimples. He rarely gets them anymore. I use it on my skin too. It's antibacterial and antifungal.

 

 

Where do you buy Coconut Oil?

 

She eats very little dairy and does not drink milk except on occasion she has a carnation drink but it's rare.

[busymama7]

 

\

Is that Tea Tree Oil?

 

 

Yes.

[busymama7]

 

 

Where do you buy Coconut Oil?

 

She eats very little dairy and does not drink milk except on occasion she has a carnation drink but it's rare.

 

 

I know you weren't asking me but trader joes whole foods, sprouts and Costco all have it as well as amazon. Some of the walmarts by me have spectrum brand but don't buy the LouAnna brand.

[fourcatmom]

I know you weren't asking me but trader joes whole foods, sprouts and Costco all have it as well as amazon. Some of the walmarts by me have spectrum brand but don't buy the LouAnna brand.

 

 

And you mix the tea tree oil and the coconut oil and then just apply?

[AngieW in Texas]

What we've tried.

 

The 19yo and 17yo started with the Neutrogena wave using the scrubber pads.

http://www.amazon.com/Neutrogena-Wave-Power-Cleanser-Clean-Foaming/dp/B000V2J3ZK

 

After a while, that stopped working, so we tried AcneFree (generic ProActive).

http://www.amazon.com/AcneFree-System-Purifying-Cleanser-Renewing/dp/B00070QF20/ref=sr_1_1?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1362722295&sr=1-1&keywords=acne+free

 

After that stopped working, we tried various remedies found on these boards: apple cider vinegar wash, honey wash, eliminating dairy, ...

 

Products from acne.org helped a lot. But the 19yo wasn't willing to keep up with a 3-step system anymore and after about 2 years on it, it wasn't working for the 17yo anymore.

 

They both started taking zinc and the 17yo kept going with acne.org. The 19yo's skin cleared up completely just with Zinc. There was no change for the 17yo.

 

Now the 17yo is using a prescription cream from the dermatologist that is helping more than what we were using. She is still taking Zinc.

 

-------------

 

The 14yo still uses Neutrogena Wave and also takes Zinc.

[somo_chickenlady]

Where do you find it and what is it called? Thanks! That would be easier then ordering from Avon.

 

You can find it in the same aisle as all of the other facial cleansers, like Neutrogena, Clearasil, etc. This is it right here http://www.walmart.c...em/19758058 It is the only thing that really works for me.

 

I would also suggest changing their shampoo. I break out really bad with certain shampoos, but not at all with others. It just takes some experimenting to find the right one.

[bnbacademy]

You can find it in the same aisle as all of the other facial cleansers, like Neutrogena, Clearasil, etc. This is it right here http://www.walmart.c...em/19758058 It is the only thing that really works for me.

 

I would also suggest changing their shampoo. I break out really bad with certain shampoos, but not at all with others. It just takes some experimenting to find the right one.

 

 

Ds has breakouts along his shoulders. It could be a skin reaction to the shampoo. Thank you for this info. Any suggestions for a shampoo that is hypoallergenic?

 

ETA: Is baby shampoo the only hypoallergenic shampoo? I'm not sure that it would be effective.

[Rebecca VA]

My 16-year-old was having breakouts until I bought her a Clarisonic brush -- http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/womens-clarisonic?campaign=splashmain1 . I bought the acne brush with the sample of anti-acne cleanser for her, and her face cleared right up. She said almost every freshman girl at boarding school uses the Clarisonic products -- they keep them in their little baskets on the bathroom shelves.

 

The electric action of the Clarisonic knocks every bit of grime off your face. Plus, it kind of revs up the circulation. It's a great product.

[Momof3littles]

For resistant acne, there's some research suggesting too many carbs and sugar can be a problem. Both trigger the release of insulin, which can affect other hormones and can contribute to acne.

 

http://www.aad.org/s...n-diet-and-acne

 

The link posted above is quite recent. From that link:

 

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY EXPERT ADVICE:

“The strongest evidence we have to date of a link between diet and acne comes from the glycemic index studies,†said Dr. Bowe. “These studies show that low-glycemic index diets may improve acne. The consumption of high-glycemic index foods appears to trigger a cascade of responses, which can lead to acne through effects on growth hormones and sex hormones.â€

 

http://www.webmd.com...ay-improve-acne

[TracyP]

My brother had REALLY bad acne as a teen, and Proactive worked for him. But ever since then (he is now in his late 20's) he limits sugar because even one can of soda will make him break out.

[ocelotmom]

ETA: Is baby shampoo the only hypoallergenic shampoo? I'm not sure that it would be effective.

Baby shampoo causes problems for me. Most of them aren't actually hypoallergenic, just designed so they won't sting the eyes as much.

[bnbacademy]

Baby shampoo causes problems for me. Most of them aren't actually hypoallergenic, just designed so they won't sting the eyes as much.

 

 

 

Thank you, I will look for fragrance-free Aveeno or Neutrogena shampoos.

[fourcatmom]

This has all been very helpful, thank you!

[butterflymommy]

Desitin zinc oxide diaper rash paste works miracles on boils so it would probably work well on acne. Unfortunately it is difficult to wash off so you would have to put on a thin layer at night and wipe off what you can in the morning. It does leave a slight white film even when washed with soap. I'm sure it's much cheaper per ounce than any other acne product.

 

Zinc oxide is antimicrobial so you can use it as an inexpensive antibiotic and antifungal cream as well. The jar cost about $17-20 but will last months.

[carriewillard]

Most.grocery.stores sell coconut oil, health food stores, online... For acne it is best to apply it on an unwashed face. Can't remember all the reasons but it has something to do with the way it reacts with the existing oil and dirt there. It really works though, if he slacks off the pimples return.

[I.Dup.]

Desitin zinc oxide diaper rash paste works miracles on boils so it would probably work well on acne. Unfortunately it is difficult to wash off so you would have to put on a thin layer at night and wipe off what you can in the morning. It does leave a slight white film even when washed with soap. I'm sure it's much cheaper per ounce than any other acne product.

 

Zinc oxide is antimicrobial so you can use it as an inexpensive antibiotic and antifungal cream as well. The jar cost about $17-20 but will last months.

 

 

I had never thought of that! If so many people experience a benefit with zinc internally, I wonder if it would work externally as well?

 

I never had acne as a teen, it all started after having my first baby. It is very much tied to hormonal cycles for me. My face is 99% clear when pregnant/nursing. Thankfully, that is most of the time, LOL.

[I.Dup.]

fwiw coconut oil did not work for me.

[somo_chickenlady]

Ds has breakouts along his shoulders. It could be a skin reaction to the shampoo. Thank you for this info. Any suggestions for a shampoo that is hypoallergenic?

 

ETA: Is baby shampoo the only hypoallergenic shampoo? I'm not sure that it would be effective.

 

I actually have the best luck with V05 shampoos. They are cheap (around $1 a bottle) and they work well. Pantene also works well for me, but some people consider it to be too harsh (I don't find that to be true, but..) I tried baby shampoo once, and it did terrible things to my hair and made me break out.

[busymama7]

 

 

And you mix the tea tree oil and the coconut oil and then just apply?

 

Yes in a small round tub I do it ahead of time. I also use emusifing wax to make it a bit thicker but its not necessary.

[matrips]

My stepson tried everything, but the only thing that finally worked was a daily antibiotic type pill for acne, a prescription from a doctor. I don't remember the name of it, but hopefully someone will. He had it so bad, he hated to go out in public. This pill cleared it up like magic.

[BFamily]

DS11 started breaking out about 5 months ago. He might have a pimple here or there, so i bought him some cetaphil and a zinc mask. Problem solved...for a while. About a month later, he broke out all over his face. I bought some clearasil face pads for him to try, but he said they burned his skin. His skin continued to get worse. I began researching other options and ran across several articles linking skim milk to acne, especially in boys. We only drink skim milk, and my boys drink a lot of it, so I bought whole milk that very day and switched them over. Within a week, his skin was almost completely clear. He has been acne-free for about two months now. He continues to wash daily with the cetaphil, but the zinc mask and clearasil face pads have been put away - hopefully, for good.