I'll be 30 in October. 30. So why am I still getting pimples? I'm on two prescriptions for my face which manage the problem for a while, but then issues pop up again (yes, pun intended). I have been on every antibiotic, cream, gel, wipe, ointment out there.
I started breaking out when I was 11. Fifth grade. I remember a boy calling me pizza face when I was 12. Luckily I had an awesome, feminist teacher who totally stuck up for me.
Anyhoo, I don't care what anyone says, I truly believe it's genetic. Everyone in my family has skin problems. Everyone is oily, everyone had acne at some point. Why couldn't I have inherited my mom's breast size or my dad's knack for mathematics? WHY THE BAD SKIN??? I got sooo screwed.
So here's my question. I absolutely cannot use anything with oil of any kind in it. I turn into a grease pit in two minutes (chicken face, if you will). If I use anything too harsh and drying, I get flaky. What the hell am I supposed to do? Anyone have a magic solution? Please say you have a special potion (that is not toothpaste, I've heard that one) that I've never heard of. Please, I'm begging. Okay, that sounds desperate. I'm asking really, really nicely.
I started breaking out when I was 11. Fifth grade. I remember a boy calling me pizza face when I was 12. Luckily I had an awesome, feminist teacher who totally stuck up for me.
Anyhoo, I don't care what anyone says, I truly believe it's genetic. Everyone in my family has skin problems. Everyone is oily, everyone had acne at some point. Why couldn't I have inherited my mom's breast size or my dad's knack for mathematics? WHY THE BAD SKIN??? I got sooo screwed.
So here's my question. I absolutely cannot use anything with oil of any kind in it. I turn into a grease pit in two minutes (chicken face, if you will). If I use anything too harsh and drying, I get flaky. What the hell am I supposed to do? Anyone have a magic solution? Please say you have a special potion (that is not toothpaste, I've heard that one) that I've never heard of. Please, I'm begging. Okay, that sounds desperate. I'm asking really, really nicely.
32 Comments:
The one thing that I know sounds makes no sense is to make sure you are not over drying your face. I find that when I do that, my oil glands seem to over compensate. Does that make sense?
Also don't use anything that is overly abrasive. I know you gotta exfoliate, but do so gently. I have always liked Neutrogena products. They seem not to irritate me.
Thanks SFG! I do know what you mean, and boy, that's such a fine line. Nothing like being greasy and flaky at the same time!
Go to the Neutrogena website and go through their skincare assessment. Seriously.
I have the same problem that you do. I use their blemish control/wrinkle control along with a few other products. If you want to know my routine, email me. It takes too damn long to type out here.
My skin's not perfect, but it's decent now.
There's a joke here, but I'm not...gonna...go...there.
Have you tried checking out stuff (facial cleansers and make-up) at health food stores. They contain more natural ingredients that might help your skin blance itself. Just an idea. Good luck.
Enjoy your blog by the way and so glad you got your bathroom fixed up nicely.
balance itself is what I meant to type. it's too late I need to go to sleep.
I have no idea:(
Hope you get your answer though.
Shangie
We are acne buddies! I got my acne at about 12, and now am almost 23...
I am on three prescriptions:
Klaron lotion
Differin gel
Clindimyacin (sp?) astringint.
In addition to that I use Oxy 10% Benzoyl Peroxide oil free face wash once a day and Neutrogena's oil free acne wash (2% Salicylic) twice a day. When I use the oxy, I let it sit on my face for a minute or so before rinsing.
Makeup: Clinique makes an oil free acne concealer called "concealing cream" that is skin tone and has a bit of salicylic in it also. Loreal makes an oil free foundation. My mom has the same problems as I do and she swears by some of the Este Lauder oil free line. Most blushes have oil too. It's really hard (for me impossible) to find oil free blush and eye shadow so if I wear eye shadow, I'll get eyelid zits.
If I need to moisturize in a dry climate, I use Oil of Olay Oil Free, but not much because I'm convinced it's got SOME kind of oil in it.
And Phisoderm used to make an oil free 3 minute mud mask, but I don't think they make it anymore. I bought out Target last time they had it, and haven't seen it again. Hope all this helps.
okay, this is really strange. But it works.
Prep H.
Lots of people use around the eyes to shrink bags.
But it works to help firm the whole face. I've used it for years.
My secret. I've never told anyone.
Correction: The foundation isn't Loreal. It's Maybelline, True Illusions oil free foundation.
When I come to Austin I will bring the solutions along with me. I got them from my plastic surgeons office...no not a fun place I go to enlarge my breasts or shrink my ass...I go becasue I have inherited the awful Italian Hair Gene and get laser treatment. It has worked wonders it is a speical pad and a cream that feels so light and keeps the pimples away...mostly as I say that I will be pimple covered in Austin so I am not jinxing myself...
Plus I have some chicken face going on as well if I am not careful with the products!
I have heard the preperation H thing as well! Really works!
I'm with ya. Pisses. Me. Off. I use Neutrogena soap. I have used shitten tons of RXs, too. I have found that when I load up on shit to combat the problem, the problem gets worse. Have you tried just washing your face, using your oil-free moisturizer, and calling it good? You have to use moisturizer, because if you don't, I think I read somewhere that you will get even more chicken face because your skin will be trying to make up for the dryness. I HATE ACNE. HATE IT. Are you on any BCPs? Those usually help, too. My hormone levels definitely affect my stupid skin.
Have you been to a dermatologist?
If I were you...he'd be my best friend.
(I'm really sorry about your skin problems, that's a real bummer :(
Mrs had/has the same problem. She tried them all. Makeup, stress, chocolate, pregancy all adds to it. The latest she is using is ProActive and it works! I can get you the info if you want?
I have no ideas...
My face is oily, but if I don't use moisturizer it's dry. Go figure.
Good luck to you!
Nap Queen I have THE same skin. Here is what works for me (keep in mind I am 38 and still fighting this battle!)
Only 2 ingredients will work 2% Salicylic acid and 10% Glycolic acid. I promise, these two ingredients alone will work.
I use the Neutrogena's oil free acne wash 2% Salicylic Acid in the shower (I have backne too!) and then I follow up with DDF 10% Glycolic Oil Control Gel.
The Glycolic acid exfoliates your skin chemically - it's the best. I saw results in ONE night!
Stay away from Benzoyl Peroxide and stay away from ProActive -they will dry your skin.
If you don't go get that DDF gel, I'll get it for you and ship it to ya!
So many people I know rave about Pro-Activ. I haven't used it myself, but I have heard many good things about it.
I feel for you. I'm 28 and still break out, although the Pill sure seems to quell most of it. I went off the pill for about 6 months in early 2005 because we were thinking about trying to conceive.
Well, not only did I start breaking out badly on my face, but also ALL OVER my back. Looked like chicken pox. Hurt like hell, too. Gross. I was totally overjoyed when I decided to go back on the Pill. We're going to start trying again later this year, and I am NOT looking forward to the skin issues. Ugh.
Lately, I use Neutrogena Clear Pore cream in the shower on my face. I also use Cetaphil for Oily Skin facial soap. They seem to help.
Good luck! I know how much this type of thing sucks.
Oh no, there's 2 Lori's! :)
Anyway, thankfully, I don't have a problem, but I use Neutrogena products and I've also use Johnson's baby wash to wash my face for YEARS.
I got the ProActiv stuff for Megan and it works GREAT. When she uses it.
I got nuthin for ya. Sounds like you're getting a lot of good advice, though.
You might try toothpaste. Put a small dab on your face and it should dry the pimple out. Laura does this all the time when she gets one. I have been blessed with great skin. I hardly ever get a pimple...but I will tell you when I do it's like a volcano coming up...
They saunas are good clearing your pours and all, that is if you can stand being in that hot box for an hour or so.
Cheers.
Calomine lotion works well as a quick drying aid for pimples.
I was having a lot of breakouts until I upgraded my makeup to Lancome a little over a year ago. It costs a bit more for base and powder, but it's worth it.
I have sensitive skin so have to be careful not to use harsh cleansers. I use the Dove facial cleanser with the soft massage beads - kind of a cleanser/exfoliator in one. I use the Biore moisturizer because it doesn't leave my skin feeling greasy yet does a great job at moisturizing.
You would think that with all the crap we have to deal with as we get older, we could stop having pimples! :)
I used to work for a skin care company. And their products were awesome for your kind of skin. They would have you submit a detailed profile and custom blend the stuff just for you.
But years ago, they fired their blender because she asked for a raise. ANd the biz has gone really, really down hill from there. (It started to get that way, shortly after I and another co-worker left.)
From what I've heard since the blender left, the products have suffered. So sorry. If I knew of anything else I'd let you know. Good luck. That's a tough call.
But you know what helps a bit? After you wash your face, rub an ice cube on your skin or douse your face in really, really cold water for a minute or so. THen pat dry and apply your moisturizer or zit cream. For some reason this not only worked with the skin products of that certain line but other stuff out there as well. After a few days you do see a difference. I hope that helps.
I'm going to second Lori. I've heard from a good number of people that Proactiv is a miracle-worker. Also, you might want to check out Mario Badescu for gentle but firm ("Get out of here you blackheads and here's a flower before you go...") cleansers and moisturizers.
More info for Ms. Nap Queen - DDF stands for Doctors Dermologic Formula and the website is www.DDFSkincare.com
The 10% Glycolic Acid Oil Control Gel retails for $45.00, a little expensive, but I have been using the same bottle since late November - a little goes a long way.
You can buy it on the DDF website or even on the Sephora website, I bought mine from drugstore.com and got a free gift, plus free shipping.
If I haven't sold you on it yet, here's one more point - DDF won the Allure Magazine Best Acne Product of 2005!
I too am very familiar with pimples in the 30's and oily skin. I did use Proactiv and it worked-but it reached a plateau after about 6 months and then no longer worked. I used some products from Arbonne Intl-same thing. Great beginning results-but didn't last. I'm seeing a dermatologist now and had a fotofacial. My skin has never looked or felt better! It's a lazer treatment-but you can go right back to your daily activities immediately. I have always love Cetaphil to wash and moisturize my face. I use You Rebel from Benefit as a foundation-it's a tinted-oil-free SPF 15 moisturizer. I LOVE IT!! I use asian rice powder blotting papers to control shine during the day. Sephora has them or most drug stores. Also, since high school I have used 101E ACNE GETAWAY for flare-ups and for redness and scars. IT WORKS WONDERS!! AND QUICKLY TOO!
Oh, I forgot something-if you have insurance and a dermatologist diagnoses you with rosacea (basically adult acne), your insurance might pay for the fotofacial. (I have United Health Care and didn't have to pay anything for mine.)
Oh and Nappy I have Pro Active you can have it. My siblings all swear by it but I just dont ever remember to use it plus I have the stuff from the Surgeons office. So I will bring that down to Austin with me as well.
Pro Active is awesome and like I said all my siblings swear by it!
Been in your shoes. Thankfully BCP help. But I still use Differen, Metrogel and some other Xclenia on occasion. I also have some stuff that my microderm lady gave me that works wonders. Have you tried microderm? It's really made a difference on my face. Remind me at the blowout to tell you about the other stuff. I really like Prescriptives foundation and powder. They rock!
Janna, I need to see your face. Because of the prescription medication you are using, I would advise you not to use salisylic or glycolic acids. The amounts found in these products are minimal, but your prescriptions do make your skin very sensitive and the combination would def. dry you out. I haven't looked closely, but I'm wondering if you have milia? If you are saying that you feel bumpy, I'm guessing this is what it is. Not a whitehead, but dead skin trapped under the surface. The only way to get rid of this is to have it lanced. Unfortunately I don't have the tool to do this, but your dermatologist should. After you get those cleared up, you should be able to prevent more from appearing by using light makeup, cleansers, moisturizers, etc.
Your birthday is now in November?
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