I Want Clear Skin for 2003

[Wish Upon A Star]

I don't know what the heck is wrong with me . . .I'm 35 and still break out . . .My skin is very sensitive so I don't change products at all and I can never use anything on my face . . .one week my face will be perfectly clear . . .or, it can be like today . . .I look like a teenager . . .Ugh!

Sorry, needed to vent.

 

[becka]

Vent away....

I am 27 and I think my skin is worse now than it even was when I was a teenager. I thought for sure that my skin would clear up by now but so far there is no sign of that happening.

 

[Serena]

Me too, I'll be 39 soon and I really thought I'd be over this by now.

 

[s&k'smom]

Oh I want to join this club! Going on 39 and it's still a problem. I have to be careful what I use for my skin because not only do I have to deal with pimples but well let's call them laugh lines!

 

[janette]

I quess I'm the oldest member. Still breaking out at 43, I am going to make it to a dermatologist this year. I keep telling myself to go but haven't done it yet.

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Late 30s...still breakout...still have incredibly HUGE pores (filled with blackheads). Sigh.

 

[luvwinnie]

Proactive SOlution? I started with it about 7 yrs ago and it has absolutely changed my skin around! I used to break out horrible, nothing worked...until this! And no, I don't work for them!

 

[glo]

me too...can I join???? Nothing I have done has helped

 

[poohbears5]

I took my dd to dermatalogist and tried everything under the sun nothing was working then I figuired what the heck ordered the proactive for her ,her skin is so much better so I just started using it also and I am starting to see some improvment .

 

[mickeyfan1]

At 49, I finally have it mostly under control, but it's not cheap. I use Elizabeth Arden products. I have very oily skin, so I cleanse it every night using their cleanser in the blue bottle for oily skin, then I use (believe it or not) the oil free moisturizer. Taking off all make up before bed is key! In the am, I do it again, I can not believe that using a moisturizer had kept my breaks out to almost nothing, the aesthitition (sp) said that the reason I was breaking out so badly is because I was stripping all the moisture out of my skin by using to many "Oil removing" products, by using the moisturizer, it keeps everything in balance. I was very skeptical, but so far (almost 3 months) it has worked.

I have friends who have more acne than breakouts, and they use ProActiv, it works wonders for them.

 

[Saffron]

I didn't START breaking out until I was about 35! I couldn't use anything on my face either! If it got too dry -- it broke out. If it got too much moisturizer -- it broke out. If I was out in the sun -- it broke out. If I put on sun protection -- it broke out. Then, like luvwinnie, I found ProActive Solution! It is a miracle! I can't live without it. I still have occasional breakouts, like in the summer when it is really humid, but ProActive is just perfect! It turned my skin around too! You all should try it! And -- if you buy through QVC, they have a 30 day money back guarantee. Good luck! I would recommend it to all of you!

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

Is it good for only breakouts? I would love something that would help my huge blackhead pores.

 

[kbeverina]

I haven't heard of Proactive. Is it an exfoliator?

Back when I worked for Clinique, I discovered 7-Day Scrub Cream. It's seems a little expensive, $15 or so for the larger size, but it lasts a long time. Sometimes flaky skin seems to be dry skin so you moisturize, but you should only use moisturizer if your skin feels tight. An exfoliator will keep the dead skin off your face and it's the dead skin that covers up the pores and traps the oil and creates the blackheads.

 

[holycow]

I must say I was in the same boat as you! My Dmom always told me after I had kids my skin would clear up. NOT!!
She lied!...anyway I must tell you I purchased Serious Skin Care off of the HSN...and I love the stuff....It was made by an Estetician for her DD who had acne as a child...anyway I've used it 3 years now with great success....I have tried the Proactive too and it helped a bit but my skin is sensitive and it would dry out terribly!...
Good luck to you!

Holycow

 

[Mamu]

May I recommend some products that I've been using for 6 months now.

My face is clear, pores have disappeared, skin tones have evened out, dark circles are fading and I even see signs that I have less wrinkles.

I started using a product called MDformulations

The products contain a glycolic compound, there are products for sensitive and problem skin too. I have a facial done once a month with pure glycolic, and use the MDproducts at home.

When you can look in the mirror and see the difference you know the products are working.

products

 

[SeaShelley]

Greeting fellow acne sufferers! Boy, can I relate to all your posts! It wasn't until I hit my 30's did my acne decide to appear. After several trips to the dermatologist, I have finally found a combination that works for me. I use the 3-step Proactive Solution morning and night, Differen gel at night, Proactive oil-free moisturizer in the am under my makeup (Aveda dual minus oil), and I take 100mg of Doxicyclin (sp?) each day. What a difference! My Dr suggested that at the end of this month I start weaning off the dox and take one every other day. We'll see how it goes.

 

[RNMOM]

This sounds so familiar. I too have sensitive skin.

Here is what I have found works for me after 18 years of trying.

I wash with Dove, usually the sensitive skin formula but the regular is no problem for me.

I have found some products at Avon that work very well for me. The first is a cleanser for reducting pore size that I use after the Dove. It is called Pore-fection. This product has a cleanser, mask and mattifyer. It is great. My skin is no longer breaking out, feels smooth and I use very little moisturizer. I find the moisturizers cause me to break our and be very oily. This line is inexpensive and I have been very pleased with it. www.avon.com

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Originally posted by luvwinnie
Proactive SOlution? I started with it about 7 yrs ago and it has absolutely changed my skin around! I used to break out horrible, nothing worked...until this! And no, I don't work for them!

I just bought some a couple of weeks ago!!! In fact just used it a half hour ago.

Now answer me this users, will it help the tiny broken blood vessels I have on my face as well???
Can you combine it with wrinkle cream?

BOY..I can't believe so many of us have similiar goals for this year.
BTW 37yso & I want clear skin!

 

[nkjzmom]

I may as well sign up for the group also! I'm 29, have 4 children, and have tried so many things since being a teenager I've forgotten most of them.

I think I'm doing the same thing mickey fan mentioned, removing too much oil from my skin. I get extremely dry skin on the sides of my nose and on either side of my chin. I tried Proactive for a few months a few years ago, then I became pregnant with our youngest and stopped using it because no one could tell me the chemicals were safe during pregnancy/nursing. Has anyone else experienced dry skin as a result of Proactive? I'm thinking starting it up again.

I get so self-concious about my skin that I avoid going places during a breakout. Plus, it's painful!!!

I've always wondered if people with acne face discrimination when it comes to getting jobs....anyone ever experienced this? Kind of like overweight people might not be hired because of their weight....

 

[Joanne M]

Mystery Machine, the tiny broken blood vessels you describe could be rosacea, not acne. However, the good news is that the treatment recommended by dermatologists for acne is also the same thing recommended for the treatment of rosacea.

Here is a link to a medical website that discusses the treatment of these conditions.

http://www.medscape.com/viewprogram/2032

I have been following the regimen described and it works. I do have to be careful to avoid drying my skin out too much. I usually use these medications 2 or 3 days in a row, then take a day off. I have been tempted to try Proactive, but so far I am happy with my dermatologist's recommendations.

I think my skin is too sensitive to use glycolic acid. I also wouldn't use something like regular soap like Dove, since it is not non-comedogenic. Comedones are what we are trying to avoid if our skin is breaking out, after all!