Face break outs.. how to fix this?

[Deleted]

I am in my mid 20's. I had the clearest face all through high school, and a portion of college, but then all of a sudden I started to break out. What works for people? or suggestions of face masques etc?

[G22]

If you figure out, share with me. I have worse acne now than I did in high school.

I've been using ProActive for the past few years and it works pretty well. I still have break outs, but not nearly as bad. I just started switching over to AcneFree, which is essentially the same ingredients as ProActive, but cheaper and I can get it at Walgreens. So far it seems to work well also.

[Nina]

I use Paula's choice and it works pretty well. I change it up when my routine starts to fail which inevitably happens sometimes in 6 months sometimes a couple of years. I used Murad for years and it worked pretty well. I will go back to that if/when I start breaking out again as Paula's choice loses it effectiveness.

[wambam]

May 20, 2014 18:40:45 GMT -5 G22 said:

If you figure out, share with me. I have worse acne now than I did in high school.

I've been using ProActive for the past few years and it works pretty well. I still have break outs, but not nearly as bad. I just started switching over to AcneFree, which is essentially the same ingredients as ProActive, but cheaper and I can get it at Walgreens. So far it seems to work well also.

I also use acne free. I usually have basically flawless skin, with the the exception of some hormonal fuckery.

[G22]

May 20, 2014 19:21:56 GMT -5 wambam said:

May 20, 2014 18:40:45 GMT -5 G22 said:

If you figure out, share with me. I have worse acne now than I did in high school.

I've been using ProActive for the past few years and it works pretty well. I still have break outs, but not nearly as bad. I just started switching over to AcneFree, which is essentially the same ingredients as ProActive, but cheaper and I can get it at Walgreens. So far it seems to work well also.

I also use acne free. I usually have basically flawless skin, with the the exception of some hormonal fuckery.

This is good to hear! I'm trying to use up the last of my ProActive still, so I'm only using the AF lotion and the other 2 steps are still PA. I can't wait to get completely switched over and see if AF works better for me.

[jordylee]

Mirena practically destroyed my face. Getting it removed and switching to a low dose BCP was magical. I still get breakouts around AF, but nothing like before.

[Nina]

May 20, 2014 19:34:13 GMT -5 jordylee said:

Mirena practically destroyed my face. Getting it removed and switching to a low dose BCP was magical. I still get breakouts around AF, but nothing like before.

i had the same issues when i had mirena.... Mirena was the worst decision i ever made for BC.

[runaways]

May 20, 2014 20:02:43 GMT -5 Nina said:

May 20, 2014 19:34:13 GMT -5 jordylee said:

Mirena practically destroyed my face. Getting it removed and switching to a low dose BCP was magical. I still get breakouts around AF, but nothing like before.

i had the same issues when i had mirena.... Mirena was the worst decision i ever made for BC.

Oh noooo don't say this. I am calling tomorrow to make an appointment to get one.

[enfuego23]

I had to go the dermatologist route - I use Differin and Clyndamyacin (sp?) lotion - I never had crazy acne but running and the sweat made my acne worse.

[Deleted]

May 20, 2014 20:35:57 GMT -5 runaways said:

May 20, 2014 20:02:43 GMT -5 Nina said:

i had the same issues when i had mirena.... Mirena was the worst decision i ever made for BC.

Oh noooo don't say this. I am calling tomorrow to make an appointment to get one.

Ask about the copper IUD. I hear it's a lot more gentle hormonally. I forget what it's called.

[katyintx]

How is your diet? I noticed my face breakouts were directly related to what kind of crap I put in my body. I used to have such great skin, too! Now if I have too much dairy or processed foods, I'm screwed.

Before I figured it out, though, I used PanOxyl. That helped quite a bit. And Simple moisturizer.

[joenali]

I ended up having to use accutane. Best decision ever.

[kams]

I've had a lot of trouble the last few years. Right now I just use a gentle cleanser and clairsonic, and then a papaya and Glycolic acid peel, and a mask of raw honey. Aside from a few big nasty stress zits that I got this last week, my skin has been much clearer over the last 6 weeks since using this regimen.

[mainewifey]

I've always suffered with some acne. My skin needs seem to change pretty often depending on the season, temperature, my work outs, sun exposure etc.

I have found that most of the time when my skin is breaking out its because I actually need to moisturize more.

I spot treat with Neutrogena 8 hour rapid clear spot gel, I use witch hazel as an astringent, sometimes I use tea tree oil, but it's pretty drying. I also like Biore blemish fighting ice cleanser. I use Neutrogena moisturizer with spf 30 daily.

[chw57]

May 20, 2014 20:35:57 GMT -5 runaways said:

May 20, 2014 20:02:43 GMT -5 Nina said:

i had the same issues when i had mirena.... Mirena was the worst decision i ever made for BC.

Oh noooo don't say this. I am calling tomorrow to make an appointment to get one.

It varies so much person to person. I've had it 2 years with absolutely no side effects and I love it

[sadlebred]

I'm the opposite. I do nothing to my face, and I don't break out regularly. I rinse it off with warm water daily and use a gentle cleanser once/week. 3-4 times/week I moisturize with a light fragrance free hypoallergenic face cream.

[reginaphalange72]

I have had the WORST skin over the years. I feel like I've tried everything. The best things I've found are the Mario Badescu drying cream and for the really bad cystic stuff, straight ichthammol ointment (it's the active ingredient in most of the effective things I've found). They both kind of stink (that's the ichthammol), but I put them on at night and in the morning it's SO much better.

Also, a clarisonic mia and some good acne face wash (alba botanica and burt's bees make nice ones). Best investment ever.

[reginaphalange72]

May 21, 2014 8:56:48 GMT -5 chw57 said:

May 20, 2014 20:35:57 GMT -5 runaways said:

Oh noooo don't say this. I am calling tomorrow to make an appointment to get one.

It varies so much person to person. I've had it 2 years with absolutely no side effects and I love it

Me too.  I've had my mirena since September and it's the best thing I've ever done.  Love love LOVE it.

[enfuego23]

I also use a Clairsonic and love it! I use a benzol peroxide cleanser at night and Philosophy Purity facial cleanser in the morning with my Clairsonic.

[gumi]

i take a prescription for spirolactin. it is the only thing that has cleared up my face (which had horrible acne post-pregnancy. damn hormones!) seeing a good dermatologist is my suggestion. good luck!

[Deleted]

Unfortunately, the answer will depend on what is causing the breakouts. If it is sweat/dirt, then the right cleanser/toner/moisturizer will help, and possibly changing hair products (I have to wash my face right after using conditioner to keep my forehead clear, but still break out on chin/nose no matter what); if it's sensitivity/irritation, then you could need a minimalist approach and avoid any salcylic/benozoic acids; if it's hormones, then bc might be the answer. BC (Yasmin) is the only thing that has worked for my cystic and back acne (tmi, I know), and I have rosacea so I have to use gentle products or it causes more issues. If you have a good dermatologist in the area or a licensed medical facial speciaist, that may be a good starting point for advice (fwiw, I got more help from a facial specialist).

[emuni04]

I heard of Paula's Choice on these boards, and I have been a convert since this past fall. My skin has never been so clear and looked so healthy in my life.

I also find that my diet impacts my skin a lot. I try to drink a ton of water and avoid too many processed foods. My skin inevitably will break out if I overindulge in cake, potato chips, fast food, etc.

[blndsnbrdr]

May 21, 2014 8:29:50 GMT -5 @sessalee said:

May 20, 2014 20:35:57 GMT -5 runaways said:

Oh noooo don't say this. I am calling tomorrow to make an appointment to get one.

Ask about the copper IUD. I hear it's a lot more gentle hormonally. I forget what it's called.

It's Paragard.

I have this one.
It's hormone free but holy hell, I have not had a single predictable period since late 2008 when I got it put in! Obviously the lack of hormones has something to do with this, but geez! I'm going to give Mirena a shot next time and hope it likes me!

[no0b]

If you have hormonal acne the copper IUD would probably be better. Progestin only contraceptives have always caused my skin to break our ferociously. If you don't have issues with progestin only contraceptives then you should be fine.

[Deleted]

May 21, 2014 9:58:00 GMT -5 enfuego23 said:

I also use a Clairsonic and love it! I use a benzol peroxide cleanser at night and Philosophy Purity facial cleanser in the morning with my Clairsonic.

How often do you use your Clairsonic? I have been looking into purchasing one - I've heard great things. Do you have a specific one you like? (I have read their are multiple) 

[ktzmoh]

You're going to have to experiment to find out what works. For me, simplifying my routine to ceravea cleanser and the right moisturizer made it better. But it could be diet too. My acne started in my late 20s without any explanation. Just 2 weeks ago I stopped eating/drinking dairy to experiment and I did not expect it, but I swear my skin is looking better. I havent had a single new spot and at this point in my cycle, I would expect to be breaking out like crazy. Who knows if it's a real or imaginary change and if it will last- but stranger things have happened.

[penelope]

For some unfair reason in my late 20's dairy started breaking me out. It took until my early 30's to figure it out. My skin is perfect as long as I don't eat cheese, yogurt, sour cream or butter. Milk doesn't cause major issues as long as I don't have too much. If I do, within 48 hours I can see it.