(Part 2) Best products from r/acne

Ahahah okay so I'll just respond to your points this way now:

• In case you didn't see it, many people apparently use this EPO and it seems to work well for them! And it's also cheap! Yeah!
  
  
• Just remember, only certain products should be making you purge. Anything else is a breakout. Here's some good info on that.
  
  
• As far as cleanser goes, I would really stick to the one that works for you right now because of 2 things: 1, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! I don't have much experience with La Roche Posay, but it seems to be a very highly recommended brand, so if you don't think it's causing breakouts, it's probably fine for now. 2, you're about to introduce a ton of new products into your skincare routine. Each time you add something new, you optimally want to space it out 2 weeks before you add in the next one. So, by using something you have now, you'll cut down time on introducing products, AND you'll know if the new products are causing the breakouts, which you wouldn't quite be able to tell if you used another cleanser too.
  
  
• My skin is super dupes oily, large pores, ruddy and acne prone, so we do have a few things in common! I am also extremely sensitive to alcohol and fragrance. So that really limits my ability to choose sunscreen, lol. I have been using CeraVe's SPF 50 with little to no issues, but the white cast is un. fucking. real. Not a huge problem for a ghost like me, but it might be a problem on Asian skin. Or even... super Asian skin. haha, sorry, I couldn't resist XD You're more than welcome to give it a try though, because to me the benefit of the white cast is that it cancels out some of my redness and PIE! Even so, I've been growing more concerned about the PA rating of the CeraVe sunscreen, so I went ahead and recently purchased Mentholatum Sunplay Skin Aqua Sunscreen SPF 50+ PA+++ UV Moisture Milk (What a mouthful) because it's a fragrance-free, alcohol-free asian sunscreen with a high PA rating. Dunno how it'll be, but we'll see!

I've had acne most of my life and have tried lots of things, including Accutane and Retin-A, some of the most notable improvements have been from non-prescription approaches when it comes to clearing up pimples, bumps, and improving overall complexion.


Here is my list:

• Apple Cider Vinegar - Apple Cider Vinegar gets mentioned frequently here, but for me it works best when I drink it. If I drink one Braggs ACV Limeade a day, I see a significant improvement in about a week. The downside: It's expensive ($2.50 for a 12 oz bottle) and the taste is definitely not for everyone. When I start using it, I got frequent comments on how much better my skin looked and how my skin kind of glowed. I'm a guy so that was weird to hear, but I did appreciate the comments.
  
  
  
• A shot of Ginger Root - Oh man does this stuff taste horrible, but taking a 1oz shot in the morning and at night makes a noticeable difference. It helps with inflammation and overall complexion. It's totally worth it.
  
  
  
• Switching out carbonated anything in favor of water - I love carbonated drinks, soda, sparkling water, etc. But I feel like the acidity of the carbonation makes acne worse. So cutting that out made a difference.
  
  
  
  Bonus: Phisohex antibacterial cleanser. They don't sell this product over the counter anymore in the US, but it worked really well for me and I think it's available in other countries.

Not a dude but hopefully I can help! I wouldn't expect a lot of coverage from BB creams or tinted moisturizers, I'd get a good skin color concealer as well as a green concealer to counteract the redness. r/makeupaddiction is a good place for advice if you've never worn makeup.

There's also these thin hydocolloid patches, they're great especially for acne I can't or don't want to put makeup on.
https://www.amazon.com/36-Patches-SpotAcne-Patch-Absorbing/dp/B06WLMXG3F/ref=sr_1_3?m=A1JO1ZW2AEP2HJ&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1503390492&sr=1-3

Usually using an AHA and BHA are great for the marks you have left behind (sounds like hyperpigmention).
Since you're on isotretinoin I'd be careful about using AHA and BHA since your skin is probably sensitive and dry already- definitely ask your derm first.

That sounds great. I used Maca alone for the first month (to see what would happen) and then added this DIM supplement later (https://www.amazon.com/Pure-Encapsulations-DIM-Detox-VegiCaps/dp/B0063X0J0O/ref=as_li_wdgt_ex?&linkCode=wey&tag=thhoka-20) . I do think that my skin did get a tiny bit worse at first, but eventually after a few weeks I saw a big difference in my skin.

I also used a good sunscreen (Neutorgena Clear Skin or Eucerin were the only two I could use) and I wear it every day. The retinol helps fade previous scars with sunscreen use. It took about a year. I also have a great esthetician whom I still see for facials once a month or so. This has helped also with scarring, as a light chemical peel made a difference. I've had friends with horrible experiences at spas, so definitely check around before getting a chemical peel or anything of the sort.

Finally, if you haven't tried it yet, Clindamycin-Topica (w/o the Benozyl Peroxide)l worked well for me as an almost immediate relief which didn't dry out my skin. It is not a long term solution, but it did help. It's crazy expensive though. I just called my primary doctor (or my OBGYN) and asked her to prescribe it for skin acne. Saved me the fee of going to the doctor. http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-61196/cleocin-t-topical/details

For acne usually you have to do hardcore lifestyle changes. The video from "acneanswers" seems promising, i haven't seen it all though.

In general for acne you should:

• Take care of your digestion, this book is awesome: Digestive wellness
  
• Another overall health book i really like is this: The Ultramind solution
  
• In general avoid dairy products and foods high in glycemic index.
  
• For start these are enough, if you finish the above books then you will find your way by yourself ;)
  
  About dermabrasion and microdermabrasion, in a few worlds:
  
  
• Demrabrasion is for deeper scars and if performed by a VERY good and experienced in this procedure physician can have great results.
  
• Microdermabrasion is for thinner scars, it is has lower risk for complications but still an experienced and well trained physician is needed.
  
• You can find many reviews around the web, check http://realself.com.
  
  I think you have lot of homework to do xD
  Good Luck
  
  PS: These books are gold, read them!
  

I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all approach. Certainly keeping clean pillow cases and having a minimalistic routine that covers your bases (cleanse, exfoliation, treatment, moisture) is solid advice. All that being said: My secret is part of a larger health strategy including proper diet, excercise, and sleep. I use retinol at night before bed (under a mostuirizer, mine) and I use AHA under my moisturizer in the morning. Blotting pads help satisfy the need to touch your face while removing excess oil and improving appearance. I would also say, even as a male, having a small concealer stick that you dab on any red spots actually helped me stop touching because I didn't want to wipe the concealer off on top of the obvious benefit of making the blemish less noticeable. My main piece of advice would be to lay out several different strategies that you think have merit and then give them each 60 days (if one fails, move on to the next one). Don't jump around too much, there are really only a few products that do anything and all along the way of experimenting with supplements and topicals just work on getting in shape and eating more whole, natural foods. Good luck everyone.

People considering taking B5 should read volume II of the massive walls of texts I've been writing, which is a reply to notaspammerpromise's comment. Just some (rare) side effects people should be aware of. I still believe this to be healthier than going on accutane or being on antibiotics (minocycline) for an extended duration, but I highly encourage you to do some research on your own. My suggestions would be to read other success stories and how they handled their intake, and to also look into a product called dexpanthenol which is a topical form of B5. Here's a good regimen from livestrong that includes dexpanthenol (except for the part that says 5 mg of b5 is necessary, you will not get results at that level and it is not unhealthy to increase this). http://www.livestrong.com/article/263756-using-b5-to-help-acne/. Contrary to the article, dexpanthenol can be quite difficult to find anywhere but online, but you can order it quite on Amazon (it is a little pricey for some). http://www.amazon.com/Panthoderm-Therapeutic-Cream-Skin-Lesions/dp/B000MPH556

Also read some of the references on the livestrong article to learn about how high doses of B5 can have an accelerated healing process, which makes it good for both preventing acne for appearing and also healing acne scars. I encourage you to read up on pantothenic acid and dexpanthenol on your own, too.

What's interesting is that so far (around a month of 40mg of isotretinoid nightly and now recently starting month two at 60mg - oh btw I'm something like 5'9", 166 lbs to give some context for dosage) the only thing noticeably drying out has been my lips. I have been moisturizing everything well.


Here's what I think I'll end up doing on top of the isotretinoid and you can let me know how this daily routine sounds:
Morning . . .

• Use a super gentle "renewing" salicylic acid based cleanser in my morning shower.
  
• Immediately after getting out of the shower I'll apply this water activated moisturizer that's been phenomenal so far.
  
• One of the biggest things I've read for scarring is sun damage. This is especially an issue for these vitamin A based medication(s) if I remember correctly. I also happen to live in Arizona which certainly doesn't help. This should suffice as a broad spectrum sunscreen and the additional moisturizer for before I leave my dorm.
  
  Throughout the day . . .
  
  
• As I mentioned before, my biggest issue so far has been drying lips so I'll just carry some Blistex with me all day and reapply as needed:)
  
  Before bed . . .
  
  
• Take 60mg of isotretinoin
  
• Again use the CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser.
  
• Wait a bit and then apply the retinol. In this link, they warn against letting the tretinoin (Retin-A) interact with salicylic acid (the cleanser I want to use twice daily) and other drugs that may increase your sensitivity to sunlight (does Accutane do this? idk). If my skin does start to get irritated, I'll switch back to just moisturizing at night or something.
  
• Right before I get in bed I'll apply some heavier moisturizer (uhm this one is infused with vitamin E which I have read is a no-no when dealing with acne scarring? But see my "scarring" is smooth if that makes a difference. All I'm worried about is the hyperpigmentation which I guess is what the Retin-A (tretinoin) will be for.
  
  So... that was a lot more of a post than I set out to create. Sorry lol
  But my complexion is playing a very real role in my life and is therefore important to me so I'll end with a single questions for you and anyone else who would be kind enough to chime in and help me out:
  
  
  Are there any alterations you would make to my daily routine?
  
  Perhaps you think there's a better product available than one I've linked to above.
  Maybe you think I should cut something out entirely.
  
  Thank you for your help!:)
  

I'm male, 26. I put nothing on my acne while my face was healing. I'll still occasionally get a pimple when I get complacent and sleep on my side or stomach. I usually try to do nothing for as long as possible, but if it seems to be getting a bit oily, I'll use a tiny dab of this for spot treatment:

http://www.amazon.com/AcneFree-Sulfur-Mask-Therapeutic-1-7/dp/B003K75SDY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344394332&sr=8-1&keywords=Acnefree+Sulfur+Mask

It's very gentle and doesn't dry the area excessively, like salicylic acid or BP would. I'll only use it once or twice in total for a single troublesome pimple, and I only leave it on for about 10 minutes.

I started seeing results within a day or so after I stopped washing my face and treating it with topicals. As my face started to dry out, the acne started to fade extremely quickly. I was very surprised. However, I've read about different reactions as the skin returns to equilibrium. For me, my face dried out, but for others, I've heard it can get extremely oily for a day or two.

Didn't change anything in my diet, although I have been trying to snack less on things that may not necessarily be all that great for me. I've started eating more fruit too because it's cheap, delicious, and nutritious.

My acne severity varied depending on what regimen I was using at the time. One time I had so much cystic acne that it slightly deformed part of my face temporarily due to the bulging. With the last regimen I was on (the one given to me by the dermatologist, which incidentally used the most products of any regimen I had ever tried before), I had about 15-20 pimples at any given time, and my face felt like crap. After washing and applying the topicals and moisturizers, my face would feel okay, then within the next few hours, I'd be dripping with oil. So then I'd have to wash AGAIN, which irritated my skin more. And so on with the cycle.

Now my face feels great all day. Never too dry or too oily. It just needed some time to return to its equilibrium, now that it's not constantly being attacked by a smorgasbord of chemicals.

First of all, congrats on your face clearing up. Hopefully it doesn't come back like mine. I found that Panoxyl 10% benzoyl peroxide (http://www.amazon.com/Panoxyl-LA-AM-FU-PanOxyl-Bar-10%25/dp/B0000Y3COC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1405318366&sr=8-4&keywords=panoxyl) works for me. It's like $6 at my Wal-Mart. I use it at least once per day, twice if I go to the gym. I use it like soap to wash all over the skin that's prone to acne. Before using this product, I was afraid to wear tank top at the gym. Now, I even attend pool parties. However, it doesn't not fully get rid of the acne, but it cleared more than half. Make sure to apply generous lotion after shower! It's the best I've tried and relatively cheap.

I wouldn't write off the Accutane just because you have dry skin/wear contacts. Keep well moisturized throughout the day, and you will probably be fine. It's a miracle drug, for sure.

That being said, even if you're determined to avoid isotretinoin altogether, I would still recommend moisturizing your face more, at least once daily, though morning and night might work best. It's important not to allow the skin to become too dry/damaged, which allows for easier infection and consequent acne.

Unless you have extremely sensitive skin, I'd be doing your entire routine twice daily for optimal effect. Every other day or so, you might consider replacing one round of the salicylic acid with a higher concentration alpha hydroxy acid. I've had good results with this one.

You can also consider periodic face masks. Bentonite clay is pretty good, but you'll want to mix it with apple cider vinegar for the best results.

I'd say you have mild acne. Do you often have breakouts?
Im on my third month supply of IMMUNE Acne Treatment. It's a 30 day kit but it does a good job of managing my acne. Before that I was on acne treatments with Benzoyl Peroxide... yea not a fan of those. They dry your skin albeit they do fade it out a bit but really not worth it when you have better options. So things like Proactiv are really outdated but people dont realize that...
If you want something good then i'll highly recommend this one.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072PXMY81/

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

Any one you want as long as it's not a face wash . I would recommend you buy a good 2.5 percent one and apply it every night. They also sell small tubes if you want to try that for spot treatment. But I recommend you buy one and apply it every night before you go to sleep, if your skin gets dry then wait until it gets better and apply again, your skin will get used to it as long as your not allergic to it. And stick to it for a few months cause it takes a while to work, you should see improvement. [I use this one] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009A291L8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501960981&sr=8-1-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=benzoyl+peroxide+tea+tree+oil&psc=1) . Also patch test anything to make sure you're not allergic, your face is important, don't just lather random chemicals unto it


I recommend you read this to learn about acne and products. https://www.reddit.com/r/steroids/comments/5i9o5t/how_to_destroy_acne_without_accutane_comprehensive

yes!!! I actually have what's called a Tanda Blue Light and it's super effective and convenient. However it mainly only works for active acne.

Here's a link to the same one that I bought: http://www.amazon.com/TANDA-Professional-Clearing-Solution-Device/dp/B005X6M7JS/ref=sr_1_1/176-5223372-6431035?ie=UTF8&qid=1411080886&sr=8-1&keywords=tanda

You may be able to find it cheaper!! Good luck in whatever you choose to do!

I've had worse, it'll get better.
It may take a few weeks or months, but it can get better. Recently I've learned about how sulfur helps the skin. You can do a Google search to look into sulfur & skin health, but here is a sulfur & skin intro link. I've started putting this on a couple of nights a week, and it seems to help things like this heal and turn back into healthy skin. It takes weeks though.

I would recommend Exposed Skin Care before going on Acutane, I have heard that Accutane can be extremely harmful to your body and it will horribly dry out your face.

I recently stumbled upon, but haven't tried, Exposed Skin Care and it has gotten 113 five star reviews on Amazon.

Best of luck to you

I would highly recommend getting off the antibiotics ASAP - they're no good and possibly debilitating to your future health. They may even aggravate your acne (especially after you stop taking them) because they negatively affect the microbiota of your body. What i would recommend is taking a good probiotic (I personally use VSL#3).

Unfortunate VSL#3 isn't going to clear your skin, definitely not in a timely fashion. What is going to clear your skin however is retinoids (Accutane being one the most potent retinoids). Because of Accutanes price (if insurance doesn't cover it), and side effects (dry lips being your concern). I would highly recommend taking the all natural preformed Vitamin A. Up to 100,000 iu a day is as high as i will tell you take, any more and you should consult with your doctor (Might as well get Accutane at that point). Your lips may still get a little dry and chapped at first but its easy to manage with some fatty moisturizer (I use shea butter).

http://www.amazon.com/Now-Foods-Vitamin-25000-Soft-gels/dp/B001B4P0I6/ref=sr_1_2/184-1236097-0724400?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1422211710&sr=1-2

I've been taking 100,000IU of Vitamin A that (4 capsules) for 3 months and my skin is 100% clear and my scars and marks aare rapidly fading.

DO NOT TAKE VITAMIN A IF YOU HAVE A PREEXISTING LIVER CONDITION. I AM NOT A DOCTOR CONSULT WITH ONE IF YOU PLAN ON FOLLOWING MY THERAPY FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHS.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00411B4CC

Try CeraVe