I too have recently gone off BCP and I'm very nervous about what it will do to my skin.
Pre-BC, I started using a "generic" Proactiv from Target called AcneFree and it worked very well. I've used it ever since and hopefully it continues to do its job. It contains the same active ingredient as Proactiv so it will still stain your towels. I ended up buying a couple white towels that I dry my face with for that reason.
I read Liz Wolfe's blog and listen to her podcast and she talks a lot about completely natural skin care. If I start having problems after a couple of non-BC cycles, I might look into it: purelyprimalskincare.com/
I've tried everything, including proactive and paula's choice. I finally found a more gentle routine that has completely cleared my face. Stick with it for at least 3 months. www.acne.org/
You can buy everything you need over the counter. Although I purchase their benzoyl peroxide on Amazon because it's cheaper. If I don't let the benzoyl peroxide completely dry then it bleaches my pillow case. I use jojoba oil for night moisturizer and Eucerin with sunscreen and a drop of jojoba oil for daily moisturizer. I use Neutrogena ultra gentle cleanser.
My favorite face wash is the tea tree line from the Body Shop. It works really well on my combination skin. I have acne around my chin and it does help this. There is a good thread on the Style and Beauty board about skin care and face wash:
Post by mandiespharm on Aug 13, 2013 11:06:29 GMT -5
I use MK three step daily regimen plus benzoyl peroxide before. Not for everyone i know but after stopping bcp I needed something consistent. The only true recommendation I have is to make sure you don't cross brand - ie use all your products from the same company.
I did have a routine of separate products that worked until last fall and I started breaking out worse than I did in high school. I tried the AcneFree Severe Acne treatment and it's working great. I always follow-up with Oil of Olay combo oily/dry lotion.
I have a very oily T-Zone. I use the grocery store knock-off of the Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash & for moisturizer I use the Neutrogena for sensitive skin. All of my make up is cover girl.
'Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body. But rather, to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, screaming 'Woohoo! What a ride!' So every day is a holiday and every meal a feast."
I have found that as I have aged, switching to gentler products have helped with the oiliness (I am super oily). It's almost as if acne cleansers "over strip" my skin. I use the Clarisonic with the sensitive skin brush head with either Cetaphil or CeraVe for cleansing. I was on Retin A, but am going to stop for now since we will probably be TTC in the next year or so, so I'd rather stick with something that is preg-safe.
I agree with PP, wait a month or so before deciding whether it works or not.
Post by breezy8407 on Aug 14, 2013 11:12:34 GMT -5
I used to have very oily skin. I stopped using harsh products when I was pregnant and things have been so much better. I think for me, I was over drying my skin with salicylic acid and toners that it was making the oil worse. Something to think about.
Now I just use the Neutrogena Naturals line - both the scrub and the makeup remover. I use Oil of Olay and Clinique moisturizers.
Post by Some Funny Name on Aug 14, 2013 12:53:34 GMT -5
You might also want to look into the Oil Cleansing Method. I started using it after I went off birth control in May, and my skin has never looked better. I don't even get my monthly period pimple anymore. I use a combination of castor oil and sunflower seed oil. I loooove what it does for my skin.