Best products from r/acne

I don't currently use the regimen, but I did in the past.

I did have luck with it. My face got clear and looked great. I used the cleanser, the BP but, I found I did not like the moisturizer.

I also used the Jojoba Oil, which made my skin glow! It doesn't break you out, well it didn't break me out, but others have said it didn't break them out either.

You don't have to use the Jojoba Oil. You can just use moisturizer. It's completely up to you. I recommend reading the reviews. I will link you to the sites that are most helpful for skin care product reviews.

You can definitely use alternatives, but honestly Acne.org's BP is amazing and way better than store brand like Neutrogena's BP.

I currently don't use any face wash. I only scrub my face with sugar like 2x a week. It's helped a lot. My complexion is still somewhat spotty, but for the most part it's not too bad.

Now, for the alternatives for the regimen. I can't seem to find the page with alternative products, but I do remember them.

Alternative to Acne.org Cleanser:

Basis Sensitive Skin bar

http://www.amazon.com/Basis-Sensitive-Skin-Bar-oz/dp/B0016J2BCE/ref=sr_1_7?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1369712141&sr=1-7&keywords=basis+sensitive+skin+bar+soap


Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

http://www.amazon.com/Cetaphil-gentle-skin-cleanser-types/dp/B00121TESA/ref=sr_1_4?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1369712283&sr=1-4&keywords=cetaphil+cleanser




Alternatives to BP :

Neutrogena BP (This is the only I can recall)

http://www.amazon.com/Neutrogena--Spot-Treatment-Vanishing-Formula/dp/B000052YJX/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1369712316&sr=1-2&keywords=neutrogena+benzoyl+peroxide

Alternative to Acne.org Moisturizer:

I pulled this off of a forum post:

"Cetaphil or CeraVe are as close to Dan's moisturizer you are going to get in the store brand market... Anything else is either overly irritating or don't offer enough moisture for your skin on the regimen..."

Link: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/topic/327654-best-moisturizer-alternative/

Neutrogena is also a great brand for moisturizer.

When I was on the regimen I used Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer SPF15. My skin looked great on that. I don't use it anymore, but it does work nice. It didn't break me out.

http://www.amazon.com/Aveeno-Positively-Radiant-Daily-Moisturizer/dp/B001IM5VT4/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1369712484&sr=1-1&keywords=aveeno+positively+radiant+daily+moisturizer+spf+15

I have linked you to Amazon listings of the products, so you can see what the product looks like, although I am sure you already have seen these products before :P

Amazon also has reviews, so I figured that would be helpful.

Helpful review sites:

www.makeupalley.com

www.amazon.com

www.drugstore.com

www.acne.org

Some helpful SubReddits that you can use to search the product:

http://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/


http://www.reddit.com/r/acne/

Although you are a boy, this one still might be helpful, so I will include it.

http://www.reddit.com/r/MakeupAddiction/


I hope I helped!

If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask.

This looks very minor, there is no scarring, and there are no flakes and rough regions. what can clear this in my experience as a guy with lots of acne but experiment with different substances through the year have found some that worked and some that don't work so much. If you are a shaver, apply cream and shave normally, if you have an electric, rinse and shave as lightly as you can before you move on. My advice for this particular case was to start from a small solution since it's not as bad as mine with 1% Salicylic acid and use it for a few weeks. Do it in the shower and don't scrub too hard and dab face with towel after leaving shower. if you don't see any significant changes and the pimples and inflammation persists, up the does to 2% salicylic acid, stronger might not mean better but I have seen changes in my skin when I use it so try that for a week. If still no difference, you can cocktail it as follows. In my experience you should never use something with Benzoyl peroxide in it all over your face (especially the one I have been using which has 10% concentration, HOLY BALLS!!! that was a lot. as a result my skin got super irritated and burned, and I got redness everywhere). What I use the Benzoyl peroxide for is for dabbing it on the severe areas (where there is a zit, and/or large bumps) it's best for concentrating on specific regions because of it's strength. leave it there for almost 5 seconds (any more time then it's start the burn) and rinse (make sure it's all gone because mixing this product with others is not recommended, we are trying both to tackle specific areas while at the same time keeping the rest of the face under control.) then move on to using the salicylic acid solutions all over your face to keep everything under control. Back to regarding the Benzoyl peroxide. No matter which solution works the best, when pimples start to disappear it leaves behind scars and discoloration, in order to solve this in some cases you would use a scrub with honey and oatmeal (or make a mask with honey and oatmeal in it) as the antioxidants could help remove the bacteria that remains and restore skin pigmentation.

be sure to keep your skin moisturized and keep your body oil secretions under control with this routine. Using the 1% salicylic acid solution helps keep everything in check, it clears dead skin cells from pores and keeps the sebum from being trapped in the hair follicle and then creating another zit. It also helps keep your skin moisturized so there is no rough spots and peeling skin (if you ever get sun burnt, aloe helps but don't force it if you are really proud of your clear skin because you will get redness that will take time to go away as it's elasticity isn't as active as the skin on the rest of your body).


If all fails, visit a dermatologist, he/she will probably prescribe you things that can't be bought over the counter that contain ingredients like clindamycin phosphate, glycolic acids, etc. she might also give you surgery if your skin fails to restore it's natural pigmentation. Here is a list of the solutions I have been trying.


There are a variety of the Salicylic acid scrubs that even the grocery store generics work, pay close attention to the drug facts.

• 1% Salicylic Acid Solution This green tea one has been keeping me moisturized and could be used for your routine once everything is clear.
  
  
• 2% Salicylic Acid Solution There are a variety of 2% solutions but it sometimes doesn't matter what it is.
  
  
• 10% Benzoyl peroxide, Steer clear of overusing this one as it is strong and could cause some long lasting burns. use only in small areas according to my experience. And don't leave it on your skin too long and make sure you rinse all of it away before you move on to the other solutions.
  
  
• Honey and Oatmeal scrub, Possibly could help restore skin pigmentation if scars are left behind, you'll start to notice them get lighter without the solution sometimes, Be aware that some redness aren't scars, they are either burns from the peroxide or pressure points from touching your face.
  
  
• 100% Aloe Vera There certainly is no shortage of aloe in the drug store or supermarket. but here you go. this is for general use in my book when you run out of ideas lol. But it's a good idea to apply to face and stand in front of a fan for it to dry. Leave it on your face for a good 10 to 30 minutes depending on what makes you comfortable, it really doesn't matter.
  
  Be aware that not all products at the store feature drug facts (because the meds in the market are loosely if not barely regulated by the FDA), keep an eye out so you know what you're putting on your face. also Don't scrub super hard. and don't scratch. It's good that you are tackling this at a young age, just simply using the solution I suggested to keep things under control once you get rid of the mess will most likely keep it at bay, taking action after it gets bad is cause for seeking medical attention as keeping it under control on your own is like herding cats.

Honestly, I never had any luck with proactiv (except the refining mask). I've gone on and back off it twice (once when I was in high school, and once just over a year ago). I know a lot of people get good results with it, but it just never worked for me.

As for tea tree oil, Lush has a tea tree oil spot treatment. I haven't tried it, but I've tried enough of their products to know that it is probably decent. The main reason why I haven't tried it is that we don't have a Lush store near me, and I don't want to have to order it online all the time. The link is to the US site, by the way.

Burt's Bees has two spot treatments which contain tea tree oil, but they aren't creams, they are watery like a toner. I've tried both, and would recommend applying them with a cotton ball or q-tip. The Herbal Blemish Stick is the gentler of the two, The Targeted Spot Treatment is a bit stronger. I like the Targeted Spot Treatment quite well, but the tiny bottle doesn't last very long.

Also, this is a soap and not a cream/spot treatment, but I purchased this bar soap from etsy a while ago, and I have really REALLY liked it. I have hugely oily skin, and this soap seems to help keep it under control, without drying me out too much. I recommend browsing around their shop, they have other facial soaps that I plan on trying soon, and you can order soaps in a 3-pack (cheaper that way).

Right now, I am using pure tea tree oil recently, and I have liked the results. It has taken a little while, but my existing blemishes are drying nicely now, and though the bottle is small, it should last a long time. Plus, it is pretty cheap. I just dip the end of a q-tip into the bottle, then gently rub it into the existing blemishes. After I take a clean q-tip and wipe around the breakouts, to clean up any excess on my face. I apply 2-3 times daily.

Other than that, I recommend searching around online and at your local drugstore. I'm sure there are lots of options available, those are just the first ones that came to my mind.

Okay! This is all great information to know. For me, I'm oily, sensitive, and sometimes dry skin. I have cystic acne on my forehead, and occasionally white heads. Here is what I've learned to manage my acne:

1. Drink a lot of water. The oiliness is a response to not enough moisture in your skin. Whatever trick you need to do to drink water, do it. I use a cycling bottle that I can squeeze water into my mouth - for some reason that is what gets me to drink water more throughout the day.
   
   
2. Cystic acne means that you're likely having a rush of hormones going through you. And the forehead acne is a sign of stress acne. I have that - I also struggled with anxious depression for about 15 years. I went on accutane for 5 cycles and it worked but the cystic acne came back every time. To deal with the cystic acne, it's best to realize when you're stressed, and to take breaks and breathers. On a physical aspect, I take three supplements. These supplements decrease the cortisol (stress hormone) levels and thereby decrease inflammation in the body that would lead to the clogged pores to become inflamed and creating cystic acne. One of the supplements is for anti-inflammation. This is what I take:
   
   https://www.amazon.com/Zyflamend-Whole-Body-LIQUID-VEGCAPS/dp/B00LLLPZ7U/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1479486517&sr=8-3&keywords=zyflamend
   
   http://www.gnc.com/GNC-Herbal-Plus-Rhodiola-Extract-340-mg/product.jsp?productId=19023576&network=g&device=c&creative=146786321001&c3ch=PLA&matchtype=&c3nid=15095492product_id=15095492&adpos=1o1&gclid=CjwKEAiA6rrBBRDsrLGM4uTPkWASJADnWZQ4TokiR06o1IAlh--HXcV0rtzsD5LfNxgjvAcOUMvzwBoCKBfw_wcB&eesource=CA_DF:19023576:GNC
   
   http://www.gnc.com/GNC-Herbal-Plus-Ashwagandha-Extract-470mg/product.jsp?productId=19431436
   
   The first is the anti-inflammation supplement. The last two are for decreasing cortisol levels. I used to take these every day. But the price is a lot. For the last two, you need high quality supplements, where the extract in the pills are close to 100% pure. I take these about every other day.
   
   
3. Your skin is clogged because it's dry. You'll need a good moisturizer. A good one is this one:
   
   https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Moisturizing-Facial-Lotion-Ounce/dp/B00365DABC/ref=sr_tnr_p_1_11060901_1_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1479486705&sr=1-1&keywords=cerave+PM
   
   This moisturizer is good because it doesn't aggravate skin. And it also has ceramides, which increase the skin barrier and keeping in the moisturizer. I apply it in the morning and in the evening.
   
   
4. Lastly, we need to clear the skin by getting a better turnover of the skin. Unfortunately, the best way are chemical peels. And for someone with cystic acne, the best peels contain mandelic acid. You should try a toner with mandelic acid first. And then move onto a peel with mandelic acid. Here is what I use for an at-home peel:
   
   http://www.makeupartistschoice.com/MandelicSalicylic-Peel_p_131.html
   
   You have fair skin, yet it's oily. Go light at first, and then your skin will adjust and you can go up in time of the peel and the % of the chemical. The first few weeks to months, you might see more acne as the skin is turning over and the acne is coming up. It takes 3 months for the skin to fully turnover. And you'll want to wait that long to really get a good sense whether this regimen will work for you.
   
   If you have any questions, feel free to PM me. But, I'm happy to keep commenting.

My skin is very oily and I have hormonal acne and PIH due to the cysts. I've seen a derm and she prescribed me some things that I'm combining with others I've found and tried for the last months. So far, the things that aren't expensive and are improving the general look of my face and controlling oiliness are:

• Avene micellar water (as make up remover)
  
• Alepo soap. You can buy it in natural shops and it helps to keep the oil under control. I wash my face at night with it.
  
• Aztec healing clay mask with apple cider vinegar. This is so great. I use it once a week and add some drops of Tea Tree Oil and it leaves my skin very smooth and helps with the occasional pimple.
  
• Tea tree oil pure. I use this mixed with masks and moisturizer. Is strong so just one drop sometimes stings, but is worth it.
  
• Isdin Acniben repair. The only moisturizer that I find suits me and doesn't break me out. Is gel texture, very nice.
  
• Sr Skincare Vitamin C Serum 10%. I use it in the morning after washing my face. I feel my PIH is better but I've just bought The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% here if you want to check, the concentration is higher and the brand seem to be serious, I don't know how it will go though...
  
• Hada Labo Hyaluronic Acid Lotion. I bought it here It last forever and is waterish. I read in a redditor's blog, this one, that it had helped him a lot and I've been using it for a month, no break outs and really, my face is much better with my new routine. Btw that blog has a lot of good tips.
  
• I also use Cosrx BHA blackhead Power liquid as exfoliator and Klairs preparation supple toner to balance my skin ph, those are more expensive though. When I have a cyst or a pimple I use DUAC, it was prescribed by my derm and you need a prescription, I was using Epiduo before and it dried out my face, so the derm told me that is the most gentle BP formulation.
  
  Good luck, btw, I'm a girl not "sir" lol.
  
  

You need two things. Accutane (low dose) and Salicylic Acid pads (0.5% only). https://www.amazon.com/STRIDEX-PADS-SENSITIVE-SKIN-55/dp/B000NURPIW

You have used way too many products and many of them are harsh. Try the SA first and if it didn't work, continue to use it but try to get accutane as well - insist on it when you see your dermatologist.

Wash your face with warm (not hot) water and a gentle non-drying cleanser morning and night. Immediately after dabbing your face dry with a clean town, apply Salicylic Acid to every part of your face. Remember to only use the 0.5% version. Salicylic acid is extremely effective against oily skin but takes a while to work, but it is far less irritating than benzoyl peroxide. Not only that but Salicylic Acid thins sebum and breaks up keratin. It takes a while but it does work. Leave this treatment on and it'll absorb into your skin and don't wash your face until evening or before bed - when you then reapply it and leave it on. The aloe vera in it will calm your skin and help recovery as well as preventing irritation and therefore making it less likely to kick out more oil in response.

How's your diet? Consider making some changes there. Contrary to what some people believe, diet does indeed play a huge role in skin condition and can have a huge effect on oil production.

Even though you might think it feels better at the moment, you DO NOT want to dry your skin out. I think you will be very happy with the results of using some benzoyl peroxide (not the same thing as hydrogen peroxide) and a oil free moisturizer.

This is what i use

And this

A little goes a long way with both of these products. They will keep your skins Ph levels normal and the moisturizer will keep your skin from drying out.

http://www.acne.org/

visit this site if you want to learn more about good habits and how to better take care of your skin

You can try body washes containing salicylic acid too and see if that would help. If you have a family member or a friend that can help you out, you can also try applying benzoyl peroxide on your back every day. Many people surprisingly do not wash their backs. If you don't own a back scrubber or a wash cloth like this [one] (https://www.amazon.com/Salux-Nylon-Japanese-Beauty-Yellow/dp/B007IAE5WY/ref=lp_11056491_1_17_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1477537924&sr=1-17), you might want to add them to your toiletries.

Thanks for replying. The scars on my cheek indeed appear to be post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. The ones on my temple actually cave inward like micro-cavities, so I am unsure what those are and how to treat them.

I do generously apply generic (non-moisturizing sunblock) after the salicylic foam before leaving my apartment each day. Would you suggest trying something like this before my morning/night regimen?

http://www.amazon.com/Olay-Complete-Moisturizer-Sunscreen-Spectrum/dp/B000052YQ2

The Cetaphil dermacontrol equivalent I found features "oil-control" which sounds counterproductive to drying from the salicylic acid:

http://www.amazon.com/Cetaphil-Dermacontrol-Moisturizer-Fluid-Ounce/dp/B006L2137U/

It is called CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser

This one

Best cleanser I have used and I have tried quite a few. I use around three pumps from the bottle every time I wash.

Was thinking about trying their moistruisers but the one I am using at the moment seems pretty good.

I promise you I did and the WORST part is, my acne always scarred. But one thing about retin-a, especially retin-a-micro, is that it works to reduce acne scarring and hyperpigmentation over time. I still break out occasionally, but now I can go months without breaking out.

I use La Roche Posay Anthelios XL Tinted Fluide. It's a European brand but I like it. If sunscreens irritate your skin, I would definitely recommend using a mostly physical sunscreen. I'd highly recommend this. It's a bit too light for my skintone, otherwise I'd use it.
Link1
If you have fair skin, this also works because it would match your tone.
Link2

Take a 10,000 IU vitamin A pill and an Omega 3 with breakfast and a 5,000 IU vitamin D pill and a multi-vitamin with dinner. Do this every single day and your acne will cure up. I personally cured my severe acne doing this.

If you don't believe me, look at what Accutane and retin-a is. They're both just derivatives of vitamin A. Vitamin A and vitamin D both work to reduce oil production and Omega 3 will decrease the viscosity (stickiness) of your oil. Vitamin D and the multi-vitamin also helps fight infection. Omega 3 also reduces inflammation which will help to keep your pores open.

lots of scientific studies confirming all this referenced in this book

https://www.amazon.com/CeraVe-Moisturizing-Facial-Lotion-Ounce/dp/B00365DABC

Best Budget lotions with tons of good actives in.

you can find it at walmart or any other supermart.

Nexcare: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BRGUNV2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1396465408&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40

DuoDerm: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002DMANU/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1396465408&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40

I apologize for the lack of formatting. I'm on my mobile. Good luck! Hope these work for you.

Personally, I'm just using some of the cheaper stuff that I saw were in the guide.

Vitamin C: http://www.silknaturals.com/store/index.php/vitamin-c-peptide-serum-615.html

AHA: http://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Hydrox-Aha-Swipes-Count/dp/B0072AJLNI

Sunscreen (This one is good for sensitive skin and doesn't leave your face white): http://www.amazon.com/Eltamd-Clear-SPF-48-Gram-1-7/dp/B002MSN3QQ

Careful what sunscreen you get. If you are anything like me, you will breakout from sunscreen that has ingredients other than zinc oxide and titanium oxide.

Yup, I find that if I sleep with moisturizer my skin is just greasy in the morning, I don't know why it's like that, it just works better for me.

I don't like any brand name black soap, they have too many extra ingredients that seems to make my skin worse. I use authentic raw African Black soap, if you have any local organic grocers they should have it, if not, you can find it on amazon or eBay. It will be packaged either in plastic wrap or a container and will state which country it came from. I'll include a link from a search I did give it a try .

I hope this helps you like it helped me. It's taken me years to find something that worked.

https://www.amazon.com/Benzoyl-Peroxide-Dr-Song-Treatment/dp/B00DFEGDVS

If you want to do something about the lines, best thing is to go to a doctor to get a script for Tretinoin, avoid the sun and it will take care of the comedones as well.

While you're on it, it will thin the skin and the lines will look more prominent but you will adapt to it and the lines will be less prominent.

EltaMD UV Clear is good. For something a little cheaper, look at Cetaphil Dermacontrol Moisturizer SPF30 http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006L2137U?pc_redir=1410743498&robot_redir=1

Those are the only ones I've used thus far and haven't broken me out.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00Q5IG08M/ref=pd_aw_sim_194_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=RJZ67B593WJMVD7ZQ9HT

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00TP15TV0/ref=mp_s_a_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1502374379&sr=8-5&keywords=cerave+hydrating+cleanser

To clear up potential confusion, the two pics are current - right side and left side, not a before and after. That would be grand! ;)

Did you know Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase if you shop by going to smile.amazon.com instead? Over $50,000,000 has been raised for charity - all you need to do is change the URL!

Here are your smile-ified links:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00Q5IG08M/ref=pd_aw_sim_194_3

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00TP15TV0/ref=mp_s_a_1_5_a_it

---

^^i'm ^^a ^^friendly bot

Something I've found that works pretty well for me is Prids Drawing Salve. As soon as I feel one of the cystic pimples emerging I put the salve on at night with the sticky part of a bandaid over it. It might take a couple nights but I can usually get a head to form to release pressure. Once I am able to lance it, I use this to help absorb what's left.

Thanks a lot. Is this the one?

Raw African Black Soap might help

https://www.amazon.com/African-Black-Soap-Ghana-1lb/dp/B0053L2E1O

http://beautymunsta.com/benefits-of-raw-african-black-soap-for-skin/

I wouldn't touch them. Just let them heal on their own if you can. If you must pop/drain them, use a sterile needle, a clean gauze pad to absorb any puss, and then place a hydrocolloid bandage on it. I place Nexcare acne absorbing dots about a minute after popping any pimple if I have to. I think you can find them at Walgreens if you don't have Amazon Prime.

So if I have a massive whitehead that I don't feel like walking around with for the world to see I go ahead and pop it. Yes picking is bad BUT it makes zits disappear a lot faster. I generally do it at night after my face is clean. Then before I put in my moisturizer I put a hydro colloid acne patch over it.

Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BRGUNV2/ref=cm_sw_r_oth_api_Vs.EzbT5A23G9

Ever pop a zit and then wake up to find it has filled up and gotten even more gross over night? Well these patches absorb the crap oozing out of the popped zit. And when you wake up the zit substantially less swollen and has not "refilled" itself again. Seriously it's the best 8$ you'll ever spend.

http://www.amazon.com/Nexcare-Absorbing-Cover-Sizes-Count/dp/B00BRGUNV2 - Just be patient and wait until it comes to a whitehead. If that happens, use these.

I read that hydrocolloid bandages work wonders. I haven't tried them myself.

I haven't had any issues with my pores being blocked with using the No Shine Hydrator. I've also used Cetaphil's dermacontrol and liked it as welll (http://www.amazon.com/Cetaphil-Dermacontrol-Moisturizer-Fluid-Ounce/dp/B006L2137U/ref=sr_1_2?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1370577241&sr=1-2&keywords=oil+free+non+comedogenic+moisturizer)