Are these acne treatments worth it?

[maslex]

I'm trying to get something for my son. I'd like to try something over the counter before taking him to any kind of doctor.

He probably has light to moderate acne. Depending on the day. Some days are worse than others.

At Walmart today, I noticed two different "acne control kits". One by Neutrogena and one by Clean & Clear.

It looks like the Neutrogena one contains an ance cleanser, acne control lotion and another lotion with SPF.

And the Clean & Clear one contains similar products (I can't remember off hand what was included)

Just looking for any pros/cons to these two products. If you've used them (or your child) can you let me know how well it works (or doesn't work)

 

[clh2]

I'm trying to get something for my son. I'd like to try something over the counter before taking him to any kind of doctor.

He probably has light to moderate acne. Depending on the day. Some days are worse than others.

At Walmart today, I noticed two different "acne control kits". One by Neutrogena and one by Clean & Clear.

It looks like the Neutrogena one contains an ance cleanser, acne control lotion and another lotion with SPF.

And the Clean & Clear one contains similar products (I can't remember off hand what was included)

Just looking for any pros/cons to these two products. If you've used them (or your child) can you let me know how well it works (or doesn't work)

DD (now 18) had acne issues. I was somewhat in denial - not sure why.

We tried many, many, many over the counter remedies. This was way too many O-T-C products that we tried.

DD's ped recommended some options. These were expensive creams, and didn't really work either. While they "technically" were covered by insurance, we had a high deductible plan, so essentially these were out of pocket.

The next option was the derm. The derm came up with the most cost effective solution.

Bottom line -if I could have a "do-over" in my parenting, I would go right to the derm and skip all the stuff before that, including the ped. In retrospect, I spent far more on all the O-T-C stuff.

This is just my experience...others may have had better luck with OTC products.

 

[teller80]

I agree, we too tried OTC products with no luck, went to the derm and it worked.

 

[Terry36]

I agree, please take your son to a Dermatologist. My Dd tried many over the counter treatments to no avail. She's tried several prescribed creams over the year but now we finally feel we've found the right regimen for her.

One OTC wash the Derm recommended is PanOxyl wash. It can be found at drug stores and Walmart for around $8. It's worked great along with the prescribed creams.

 

[patriciaofoz]

After many years of suffering, I finally went to a Dermatologist and she prescribed a couple of creams and a tablet to take (but it had some unpleasant side effects, so I stopped taking it). My main issue with the cream was that it dried me out so much. I finished the tubes of cream (only because I was really hopeful and they were $$$).

The other thing she recommended was Cetaphil. It was the BEST advice out of all the ones she recommended and I swear by it. I also have been taking Flaxseed Oil every single day and it has done wonders for my skin. Not perfect by any means but my acne is now under control.

Good luck with your search for a remedy. It feels like I tried every single option before finding what worked for ME.

 

[massagemama]

My 13yo dd has been using the Neutrogena one for several months while we wait to get into the dermatologist. I made her appointment in July and it's coming up in 2 weeks but I needed something for her to use in the meantime. It certainly hasn't gotten rid of the acne but it has kept it in check until we get to see the doctor.

 

[marcyinPA]

We tried all of those "kits" with DS17, and nothing worked. At one of his well visit appointments with his PCP, we mentioned the acne and he put him on something- can't remember what now- until we could get an appointment with a dermatologist. Around here, it can take up to 6 months to get an appointment.

He's been with the dermatologist for about 2 years, and we have tried different antibiotics, and different gels and creams.

The acne goes in cycles. Some days are good, some are bad. The winter is particularly bad. Summer, his skin looks pretty good. This fall, his face got really bad (stress, etc.). He is now on a new antibiotic, Differen gel, and clindomycin gel. He is clearing up- slowly. The only OTC thing we use is the face wash- his derm said something mild, and approved the use of Olay foaming face wash for sensitive skin. I use the same thing- which makes it easy and less stuff in the shower

My advice- make an appointment with a dermatologist.

 

[SaraJayne]

Funny you should post about this OP, since I just had a conversation with my DS about his acne. At his last ped appt, I brought it up to the dr and he first asked DS if the acne bothered him, and DS said no. So at that time, dr said just keep washing his face with a mild cleanser (he uses Cetaphil).

My 35 year old sister had a terrible time with acne after going off the Pill and she went to the derm...who suggested Neutrogena Rapid Clear Treatment Pads (in orange container) and Amlactin lotion for spot treatments on her face. She only uses a tiny amount on her face and she said it cleared her acne right up.

So, for less than $20, I'm willing to try it (and cut out the middle-man ). I just bought both things today, so I'm hoping DS will see some improvement in the next couple of weeks.

 

[Laura66]

Don't bother - go to the dermatologist!

 

[SLCborn]

My teens use Styptic pencil every night. Dries up any zits that are trying to pop up and they are .96 cents at walmart. I heard about them when I was a teen and use them. They dry their skin out and then twice a week they use a clay mask. Both have beautiful acne free skin.

 

[labelo]

I'd try one of the boxed kits first and see how he does. They generally last me about 3 months, even if they're advertised as a one-month supply. For many people, light to moderate acne can be managed with an OTC product. I add Cetaphil moisturizer (esp. in the winter) to the set to keep my skin from drying out.

In my case, OTCs kept the ordinary whiteheads and pimples at bay, but I later developed a much more severe type of acne that must be treated with prescription medicine. If your son has these nodules - hard, large pimples located deep under the skin that take weeks or months to heal - get him an appointment with a dermatologist. This acne is painful, long-lasting, and can cause serious scarring.

After a course of oral antibotics, Retin-A, and various other topical creams, I eventually did two courses of Accutane (isotretinoin). That stuff is serious, but effective - I've been nodule-type acne free for two years. I occasionally get small, less serious pimples that would clear up in a day or two and hormonal acne before my period, but now I use the Neutrogena OTC kit/birth control to manage that and have very clear skin!

With whatever you choose, be sure to give it enough time to actually work - most treatments will take 6-8 weeks to see results and it may get better before it gets worse.

 

[maslex]

My teens use Styptic pencil every night. Dries up any zits that are trying to pop up and they are .96 cents at walmart. I heard about them when I was a teen and use them. They dry their skin out and then twice a week they use a clay mask. Both have beautiful acne free skin.

Never heard of a styptic pen. Where in Walmart do you find these?

 

[wdwmom2]

Never heard of a styptic pen. Where in Walmart do you find these?

I would start with the shaving aisle. More commonly used by men when they nick themselves shaving. If not there, maybe the first-aid aisle.

I used to use the Styptic powder when I clipped my dogs toenails. If I nicked the quick (rarely, thank God), I would dip their toe in the powder. Stopped the bleeding immediately.

 

[momz]

I'm trying to get something for my son. I'd like to try something over the counter before taking him to any kind of doctor.

He probably has light to moderate acne. Depending on the day. Some days are worse than others.

At Walmart today, I noticed two different "acne control kits". One by Neutrogena and one by Clean & Clear.

It looks like the Neutrogena one contains an ance cleanser, acne control lotion and another lotion with SPF.

And the Clean & Clear one contains similar products (I can't remember off hand what was included)

Just looking for any pros/cons to these two products. If you've used them (or your child) can you let me know how well it works (or doesn't work)

Benzoyl perxide! It's in many OTC products. It's the best thing that has helped my DD.

 

[SLCborn]

Never heard of a styptic pen. Where in Walmart do you find these?

At my walmart/grocery stores they are in the shaving aisle. They are usually used to stop bleeding from cuts from a razor.

My kids clean their faces at night with cetaphil, then you wet the styptic pencil with water and rub it over your face. It dries your skin pretty well so they do it at night just as they go to bed. The next morning they wake up and wash it off, moisturize with Clean and Clear and head out for the day. Twice a week they use clay mask on their most prone outbreak areas and neither of them have any acne and haven't for a few years. My daughter has been doing this since she was 16 and she's now almost 20 and my oldest son has been doing it for almost 2 years and he's 17 with acne free skin.

 

[MrsDuck]

I'd just take him to the derm.

OR, if you want to invest, get a Clarisonic-- it has done wonders for my face!