Best Acne Face Wash for 12 year old boy

[andymattmom]

I need help! My 12 year old has been having breakouts. I have tried Proactive and that doesn't work for him- does great for me. I have tried the Clearisil face wash and drying cream- and he has tried the Clearisil with Stridex pads and nothing seems to help stop. He will wash with the face wash and the spot apply the drying cream.

Does anyone have any other suggestions. I have seen the ads for others that you can buy online- I am not against anything and to help him clear his face I am willing to spend money. At what point do you take them to the doctor?

Thanks...know this isn't really budget but there are other posts like for other items so I thought I'd post this here. If it is in the wrong place, please have mods move it!

 

[Bevin]

We are having the same problem w/ our 12 year old son. ProActiv and other over the counter medications weren't working at all. I went ahead and took him to a dermatologist to get a prescription medication, and this is finally what's working.

I would just go ahead and make an appointment w/ a derm since nothing else is working and you don't want it to get any worse. The acne was was really affecting my boy's self esteem.

 

[Tinkim]

Acne is a tough problem. If you want to try something else OTC try something with benzoyl peroxide. I think Oxy has a wash in a black bottle that contains 10% benzoyl peroxide. You might also try Neutrogena oil-free acne wash with that and a cream containing salicylic acid for spot treatment.

My boys both have acne. DS15 can get really bad especially during football season because of the helmet. They are both on oral antibiotics (doxycycline) from the dermatologist and use erythromycin solution prescription and OTC benzoyl peroxide wash. We tried a bunch of OTC stuff including Proactiv (which made DS15 face worse with a lot of redness and irritation) and finally had to see the dermatologist. They are both on the oral antibiotics and the prescription solution and probably will be for quite a while. Usually when it clears some like in the summer or at WDW, I have them lay off the antibiotics for a while.

So if you try the benzoyl peroxide wash and the Neutrogena oil-free acne wash and that does not help then I would definitely see the dermatologist. It really is an aggravating problem to try to get under control and messes with their self-esteem which at that age can already be fragile. Good luck. I feel your frustration! (just had to get med refills at the pharmacy yesterday).

 

[StillPinballFamily]

We tried a lot of OTC things for DDs breakouts too. Finally took her to the dermatologist and wished we had done it years sooner - with meds, it has cleared up a LOT!

Good luck!

 

[RitaE]

you might want to call your Family Doctor and ask for a prescription for a Tetracycline antibiotic. That works really well for my son.

BTW, if it is really bad, you might as well go ahead and schedule the dermatologist appointment. Around here it takes 3 MONTHS to get an appointment with a dermatologist, so don't delay.

 

[Jsme]

Here is some info on why they are breaking out and what you might can do to help them.

At the age your child/boy is their testastrone (sp I know that is grossly misspelled) level is very high. This caused more yunk in their pores. Which in returns is causing the breakouts.

I know this how??? After a few visits to the dermotolgist he finally explained what was going on. My son was put on a low dosage of antibotic that he takes twice daily. The dermo told us to use anything that works to help it from there.

My son had a melaleuca product that works wonders.

Proactive did not work for either of my children. I also bought that Acne Free Kit sold in drugstores. That does not work. My son is now using some type of farily cheap mens products I purchased at Walmart, except for the melaleuca product. My daughter uses Garnier products and they seem to help her. She uses some type of cream wash that comes in a tube and then one of their mositurizers.

 

[Belle1962]

The main acne fighting ingredient in ProActive is benzol peroxide (sp??). Since that didnt' work try one with salycic acid as the main ingredient (sp??). The Neutrogena kit is SA I believe.

 

[KLAIT]

Try a system with Tea Tree Oil...it was mentioned on this board a few times by someone who swears by it. I did finally buy it and it DOES make a big difference...The Body Shop is where we got ours on-line. They had a sale..not sure if it is still running or not...

 

[HM]

Try using a nice mild soap and a non-comedogenic lotion after he washes (my kids use one by Aveeno for acne).

Sometimes you spend too much time trying to get rid of the oils that you end up drying the skin out and it makes it worse. My dermatologist suggested using Lubriderm lotion with spf15 and I use it everyday. My breakouts are now rare, because I'm not drying my skin out anymore. Plus I am keeping the UV rays out.

Good luck for the kids and their skin! Pixies.

 

[maslex]

Is there a ay to PREVENT the acne? I have two boys (ages 11 and my oldest will be 13 this weekend) So far, no acne, but I know it's inevitable. What product should they use to help prevent them getting it real bad once they do start with it?

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

I would go ahead and schedule an appt with a derm. If you have tried over the counter products and it is getting worse he may need a prescription. I took my DS(14) to the derm when over the counter products were not working and first the Dr prescribed Ziana ( a topical treatment) for evening and Duac ( topical treament) in the morning - they didn't help much and he started to break out more so now he has been prescribed Solodyn ( antiboitic) and Atralin ( topical treatment) and he is starting to clear up. It does take about a month to see improvement so what ever you try just be patient.

Also a great site to check out for lots of info about acne and different acne treatments is www.acne.org - They have a forum with all kind of information.

 

[andymattmom]

Thanks everyone! I am going to call the doctor and see what he says.

 

[CrAzY4DL]

I finally got sick of mine when I was 17 (didn't have cystic acne but had a ton of breakouts on the apples of my cheeks, side of cheeks and forehead) and went and saw my doc. He said I wasn't breaking out enough to see derm, but he suggested washing with a regular antibiotic soap (I now use Dial foaming hand wash), a benzoyl peroxide of at LEAST 5%, preferrably at 10% and finishing with an oil free lotion. Every day, twice a day. Nowadays, I use salicylic acid instead of the benzoyl and the only times I have breakouts are when super stressed (right now! FUN!) or when I quit my skin regime.

Hubby had REALLY bad cystic acne in high school, joined the Air Force and then they wouldn't let him report to basic training until the acne was gone. Doctor sent him to dermatologist, derm prescribed Accutane and DH has been acne free ever since (this was in early 1995). Maybe this will help? They look horrible when they are on it, face completely peels but he said it was never irritated and wow, does it work!

 

[pigletto]

You have gotten some great advice so I will not elaborate on that other than to say .. yes go see the dermatologist.
But please do some research re: accutane. It has horrendous side effects and it not recommended these days.
That is the only thing that I know you should avoid. And yes.. I am sure it helped many people.. but in my opinion it simply is not worth the risk.
Just trying to help.

 

[Irin997]

Please, please, please go see your family doctor or a dermotologist. The rule of thumb is that is OTC stuff does not work, don't keep trying more OTC stuff. Do to a derm and they can work with your son to help get rid of the breakouts. Be prepared to wait though. Most results take at least 4-6 months to truly see improvement.

I've struggled with my skin for years and I'm 27. I still struggle, but with the help of my family doctor, it seems to be mostly under control.

 

[shortbun]

Try using a nice mild soap and a non-comedogenic lotion after he washes (my kids use one by Aveeno for acne).

Sometimes you spend too much time trying to get rid of the oils that you end up drying the skin out and it makes it worse. My dermatologist suggested using Lubriderm lotion with spf15 and I use it everyday. My breakouts are now rare, because I'm not drying my skin out anymore. Plus I am keeping the UV rays out.

Good luck for the kids and their skin! Pixies.

Exactly! I've been having my son moisturize w/spf after showering and he's using a non soap cleaner that doesn't dry his skin. His complextion has really cleared. He wasn't having horrible problems to begin with but his face was red and dry with some break outs. I keep telling him he needs to take good care of his skin.

 

[higleytownheros]

A great face wash that has really helped me is "Exuviance moisturizing antibacterial face cleanser". I was given this at the dermatologist, and I now buy it online:

http://store.skinelite.com/exuv-016.html

It's expensive, $20 a bottle, but is well worth the price and one bottle lasts a while.

 

[Mickeys.friend]

May i suggest you do continue with a good over the counter cleanser and moisturizer....but also try acidophilius tablets/pills. You can get them in the department store or drug store. I have a good friend who tried this with her severly broken out teenage son on the advice of her hairdresser...yeah, I know not a doctor, but she tried it anyway and was totally blown away by the results! He looks completely acne free....Here's more infor on it..
http://www.acneteam.com/does-acidophilus-help-acne.html

LIZ

 

[mom2my3kids]

My soon to be 15 year old daughter starting having a bit of breakouts, I am sure its getting to be that time. But we tried proactive and it was okay, I bought this kit at walmart its call "Clean and Clear Acne Kit" it was less then 20.00 and it has seemed to clear her face up. But like I said she didn't have Acne but a bit of a breakout..

 

[magicmom07]

Please, please, please go see your family doctor or a dermotologist. The rule of thumb is that is OTC stuff does not work, don't keep trying more OTC stuff. Do to a derm and they can work with your son to help get rid of the breakouts. Be prepared to wait though. Most results take at least 4-6 months to truly see improvement.

I've struggled with my skin for years and I'm 27. I still struggle, but with the help of my family doctor, it seems to be mostly under control.

I just had to put my two cents in on this I am 28 and having struggled with acne since I was 11 ( and this was really bad acne... I was on accutane for years) I just wanted to say.. please go see a dermatologist. I tried all the OTC products and nothing helped. As my face, chest and back got worst.. I became more self concious and had a hard time with peers/ school. I devolped lots of scarring from the acne that I am still trying to deal with today ( currently on doxycycline and lots of topicals). Good luck