Back to zits

i_am_the_scruff said:

Well it's been about 4 or 5 years since I was on it and i've moved since. About a year ago I asked my current GP about it and she flat out refused. It's not severe enough. I understand that, but it's bad enough to make me not want to go out and surely that should count for something since nothing else works!

I've been using the clinique 3 step programme for about 5 days and I don't think there's been any change. I did the online test and it said I was a 3, but the lady at the counter asked me one question and said I was a 2. So maybe she was wrong and that's why it's not really working.

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My friend said the clinique made her face worse, maybe they gave her the wrong stuff!

Well I dunno about your PCT but mine won't give you Roaccutane without it being a hospital job, so your GP doesn't need to know what it's for IYSWIM. Ask for a derm referral then speak to the derm themselves, it's the starvation blood tests which used to annoy me the worst! lol

It's impeding on your mental health of course it's a problem! If your GP can't or won't prescribe you something else then get a second opinion or demand a referral, you do have a to be a bit 'take no BS' from health services these days to get what you want. [huh]

Thought this deserved a double post so people can find it in the future:

Cleanse your skin with something gentle (I use cold cream), then tone with witch hazel (rose water is nice too, but doesn't calm acne like witch hazel does), then moisturise (I use rose hip oil, but just use your favorite). Stay clear of toners with alcohol, they're not good for any skin type (unless applied with a q-tip on one particular zit).

Things that work if you have acne: witch hazel, rose hip oil, tea tre oil. Stay clear of basically all other so-called acne products (esp those with alcohol), they only make matters worse. My acne is due to genes and hormones. Birth control pills help, but I've chosen not to take them anymore because of other side-effects. My "acne vulgaris" (what a name!) isn't cured, but it's acceptable. I have perfect skin except for maybe three or five zits at a time, some cystic, but what I've mentioned really helps. Also, Queen Helenes Mint Julep masque! Treat your skin gently, even if (esp if) it's bad.

I wonder if anyone else has dealt with this... I've never had problem skin, really. Small problems now and then, sure. Then I became pregnant in 11/2008 and my skin went into perfection mode. Then pregnancy, baby, breastfeeding, and just almost two years to the day I learned I was pregnant, my periods returned. Along with them and all the hormone changes came this odd problem... my skin does break out about once a month, and it sucks but I can deal with it. What I can't... grrr.... deal with is this- about once or twice a month I'm getting some kind of pimple which seems to be like the kind you get deep under the skin, they end up a large bump, no head, and rather painful. Each one lasts weeks. If I mess with it at all... it turns into a hard little thing that feels like a ball bearing under my skin and I end up with a dark spot/scar. One went away after four months- so I'm trying to leave the latest alone. All the usual approaches- moist heat, tea tree oil, moisturizer, no moisture, squeezing, not touching- nothing I've tried has helped. It seems like an infected pore. Just awful.

If there is any kind of treatment any of you have come up with for one of these godawful bumps, ANY advice appreciated! As long as I can veganize it, I'll try anything.

ps. I eat extremely well.- vegan for over 15 years with nothing but great results in general. I don't think this is about diet at all. I've made changes here and there to no effect. Only drinking more water effects the regular breakouts. But these cyst things seem untouchable.

I used to have terrible acne, used proactiv for a while, got it mostly under control, sort of moved to just washing morning and night with whatever, and even on birth control just got used to occasional breakouts. I started using Dr. Bronner's soap bars, and I haven't broken out once. It's amazing.

Dr. Bronners is a great product. Maybe I'll start using that for my face.

I use Dr Bronner's for my face as well; unfortunately I can't use it in the winter, as it makes my skin all rough and dry, but in the summer it's a godsend (especially the peppermint kind: it's really cooling!). So just a warning, it will suck away your oiliness, but use it sparingly on your face if you have naturally dry skin.

ETA: What I have been using with great success is pure lemon juice, squeezed right from a lemon slice onto my skin before I go to bed, and left on as a mask. I then just wash my face with a simple bar of soap, all except for my forehead, where I leave the lemon juice on all day (...because my bangs cause oiliness there).

I will have to check out the Dr Bronner's products in the future. Where can you buy the brand?

I've been using Desert Essence Thoroughly Clean Face Wash, which I like pretty well, but I still have had some breakouts/redness.

Lately, after washing my face, I follow up with witch hazel/apple cider vinegar. Once that dries, I put on lemon juice. My skin has calmed down quite a bit. Thank you for the help RodeoRose!

I bought Dr. Bronner's online at http://bulknutrition.com. It sounds/looks skeezy, but I got a pretty good deal and actually got my products, haha. I've also seen some of their stuff in Target, near their makeup. It can be kind of expensive, so look around before you buy.. You can definitely get it cheaper.

Dr. Bronners is easily available in whole foods/healthier food shops, also. Whole Foods, New Seasons, places like that. I have also seen it in Trader Joe's and small organic co-ops because it is so natural and ecologically friendly.

I have also seen Dr. Bronner's soap, both liquid and bars, carried in Target stores.

I use tea tree oil facewash by Thursday Plantation, in my country it is available at drug and healthstores, I don't know if it is available in the USA, but I think in general a good tea tree oil facewash is a good idea to prevent pimples as tea tree oil is seriously antisceptic. Besides that I believe skin issues like zits come from the inside, and that eating a very clean diet is the best to prevent zits, to go a bit further into it, I personally think that zits are a digestive issue.

I started eating low carb two weeks ago and my skin is clearing is up! Fingers crossed.

Anais said:

I use tea tree oil facewash by Thursday Plantation, in my country it is available at drug and healthstores, I don't know if it is available in the USA, but I think in general a good tea tree oil facewash is a good idea to prevent pimples as tea tree oil is seriously antisceptic. Besides that I believe skin issues like zits come from the inside, and that eating a very clean diet is the best to prevent zits, to go a bit further into it, I personally think that zits are a digestive issue.

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I used that facial wash for years, it's available here in the US. Since it wasn't helping my once monthly break-outs at all, I didn't replace it when it ran out this time, as the cost is a little more than I like.

I have an extremely clean and good diet. For me this has been a hormonal issue. I cannot wait for my hormones to find their balance again, but it can take months after one's after-baby, after-exclusively breast feeding, cycles begin.

ktrex said:

I used to have terrible acne, used proactiv for a while, got it mostly under control, sort of moved to just washing morning and night with whatever, and even on birth control just got used to occasional breakouts. I started using Dr. Bronner's soap bars, and I haven't broken out once. It's amazing.

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I wanted to thank you for that suggestion! I've used the peppermint soap bar from Dr Bronner for about five or six days now- I think- and the usual monthly break-out I'd be getting right now isn't happening! woohoo! lol I just never considered it for my face before, have always used DB soap for body. So, thanks!