alohacyster

Hi all. This is my first post to this forum, but I read it all the time. You all have helped me deal with infertility and PCOS, so I wanted to share something.

Recently, I read an article by a dermatologist (name not recalled) discussing the fact that adult acne sufferers may be extra sensitive to dimethicone or its derivatives. I had just had a chemical peel about 2 weeks before and also started using a new serum treatment. My face looked worse than ever. It was so embarrassing.

I went upstairs and checked out my products, almost all of my face products contained dimethicone. It is the substance that makes serums feel so smooth. While it is actually a protectant against environmental elements for most people, if you're allergic or sensitive to it, it can break you out.

Also, I had been considering switching my foundation to Bare Escentuals for a while, and did some research. Their foundations, face treatment, and moisturizer are dimethicone-free. (Be warned that their primer does contain my arch enemy.)

I switched with the promise from Sephora that I could return it if I didn't like it. I had approximately 60-80 red dots and pimples on my face when I started using it--yes I counted. After a week, that was cut in half. And after 2 weeks, my face is completely clear and my skin feels wonderful. I've been in a warm climate (live in Hawaii) and in COLD (visiting family in Oklahoma) and my skin is still doing great 3 weeks later.

To be sure, I don't know if the "cure" was removing dimethicone, using the mineral makeup and treatments, or the combination, but it has worked a miracle. I've been FIGHTING acne for the last 2 years, and I have only one tiny pimple right now.

My regimen has been as follows:

Bare Escentuals Foundation & veil (Take the time to learn how to use it right, it's WORTH IT)
Cleanser: Clean & Clear Foaming Face wash followed by DesquamX (Prescription Benzoyl Peroxide) cleanser
Toner: Merle Norman AHA toner only when needed
Moisturizer: Bare Escentuals RareMinerals and Oil of Olay Regenerist Eye
Treatment: Bare Escentuals RareMinerals Nightime Treatment, Bare Escentuals RareMinerals Blemish treatment as needed (The blemish treatment works wonders in 1-2 days.)

I can't tell you how happy I am. I generally do NOT promote a product, but I love this stuff. It is pricey, to be sure, but I can tell it will last a while, and I am not wigged out by acne at 32 years old.

Please feel free to ask questions. Hopefully someone else can use something in here. I'm so sorry if I'm just repeating another post somewhere. I searched, and didn't see any.

Aloha!