Clean & Clear Pera Gel & Advantage Acne Spot Treatment?

Mrs.Y · 12-21-2005, 01:20 AM

I use them currently, but I run in to the fact my face gets really dry and my make up looks really flaky.

Not good. My skin is very oily but will dry out very very easy. Nothing else I have tried seems to work. The more I wash my face the more I breakout, but I have to wash it, because of the oil.

Anyone have any good suggestions on what to use to keep my face from getting so dry.

The biggest issue I have is I can't afford to spend alot of $$$$ on meds.

ABumpyGal · 12-21-2005, 06:02 AM

Hi Kari

-My first question would be, do you exfoliate? That really helps with the flakies. There's ways you can do this without buying extra products, too.
-Do you wear the Persa Gel underneath your makeup during the day? I used to use that stuff and it was impossible to get your makeup to look right no matter what. It was if the Persa Gel would flake and ball up as you put your foundation on.
-Believe it or not, and I didn't believe it for a long time either, you can actually make your face oilier and more irritated/ breakout prone the more you wash it or if you wash it with harsh cleansers. Try to stick to twice, or maybe three times a day, at the most. I switched from acne cleansers to, of all things, Oil of Olay Total Effects cleansing cloths and my skin actually became less oily. I think I must have been irritating it. Breakouts seriously slowed down as well. If it feels seriously oily try rinsing it with tepid water and a washcloth. Or try a swipe with witch hazel.
-Try using a light moisturizer. The fact that your face is really dry is an indicator that you need one. There's tons out there in the drugstore for not too much money. I just got a great Neutrogena one that should last me at least a couple months for between $5 and $6. Not only doesn't it make my face oily, but it seems to make it less oily. Even better, they now have moisturizers that also have zit fighting ingredients in them such as salicylic or alpha hydroxy acid. Look for one that specifically mentions that it is for acne or acne prone skin. With these you might not have to use the Persa Gel or Acne Spot treatment anymore. Some of them are that good!
-Any chance you could use the Persa Gel or Spot Treatment just on indivdual zits and spare the rest of your face? If you only get one here or there, this can work just fine. If you have them everywhere, it might not be an option obviously.

If you want my honest opinion... I think you are frying your skin with the Persa Gel and Spot Treatment. If you are in the US Persa Gel is only available in 10% strength now, and that's some serious stuff. My skin is oily as heck and like iron and even I can only use that as a spot treatment on zits. I'd back off slowly on the zit products, as sudden withdrawal can cause a breakout... say, use it every other day for a week, then increase the days you don't use it by a day each week. Exfoliate gently to get rid of those flakies, as not only are they annoying, but they can clog your pores too. Make sure the cleanser you are using isn't too harsh... there's a lot of zit fighting cleansers out in the drugstores now that don't strip the heck out of your skin. Some are even cream cleansers, which might not be a bad idea for you until you get the dryness under control. You might be surprised by just how un-oily your skin becomes when you aren't putting so many drying agents on it. I sure was!

I wish you luck in solving your skin woes. It sounds seriously uncomfortable! Please try to at least back off on the zit agents a bit and exfoliate. That should make a huge difference.
Dana

Mrs.Y · 12-22-2005, 02:00 AM

Thank you Dana, I love honest opinions. I wondered the same thing about fying it but it seems to be the only thing that controls the breakout, but maybe that is because I would stop using them quickly. I will try the every other day and slowly remove them and use them seldom.

Also I do exfoiate. I want to try another product, and see if that makes a differnce. I have wanted to try the Oil of Olay Total Effect, but was worried of them being a waste of money, they are a little pricy, but if someone gives me a recommendation then I don't mind, up until now I didn't know anyone that used them. I hate trying new products, since my skin breaksout really easly.

Thank you Dana, I will give you suggestions a try and see what happens.

ABumpyGal · 12-22-2005, 09:07 AM

Hi Kari

See, I had the same problem when I followed the acne.org plan for a while. Whenever I'd try to come off, BOOM zits galore! I only recently learned through a skincare board that benzoyl peroxide should be discontinued slowly if you've been using it a while.

About the Total Effects, if you mean the cloths, man are they something! I'm a cheapie and I didn't like the idea of paying $9 a month for them, so what I do is cut them into quarters. They work just fine that way; that's how much they lather! If I'm removing makeup I'll use two quarters, so basically half a cloth, and these things remove makeup like no other. Even gets off my heavy black eyeliner and mascara with no stinging or heavy rubbing. One side is soft, for the eyes, and the other side is lightly textured to help exfoliate. If you do try these, follow the instructions and rinse using the cloth. I have no idea why, but it makes a HUGE difference. Everyone is different of course, but these things really saved my skin! It became less oily, looked less ruddy and irritated, and actually helped clear up the zits a bit. If they ever stop making these I don't know what I'll do! I've used the moisturizer too, and while I like it I don't think it's worth the price really. I've even used the serum from that line as a winter moisturizer and it worked pretty well for my oily skin, providing just enough moisture. I now use their Regenerist serum though and I like that one a lot, too.

I say if you are interested in trying a new product, buy it at a store with a great return policy. Wal-mart is a good example as they'll take back anything. If it doesn't work out, at least you won't be out the money! Just save your receipt, just in case.

Oh, and sometimes new products will make you break out for a while, especially if they contain salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy acid, or glycolic acid. They do that to everyone. Basically it's the product clearing out all the "gunk" in your pores once and for all. It's most unpleasant, but once that phase is over your skin should clear and stay clearer. This "purging" period usually lasts about two weeks, so if a product is still breaking you out after that period of time it might just be product incompatibility. All this stuff can be so hard! It's worth it to keep trying though, as you'll find your perfect products someday

Hope things get better soon! Keep us updated on what works and what doesn't, if you can. You just might help another cyster! ((((hugs))))
Dana

Mrs.Y · 12-23-2005, 05:22 AM

Dana You have been really wonderful. I never tried anything long enough to get past the two weeks, always afraid it wasn't working. I will have to try something and stick to it more.

Thank you!

ABumpyGal · 12-23-2005, 07:45 PM

You're most welcome! I used to be the same way. I'd freak out at the first zit as it only makes sense, right? Then I learned more about skincare and things are a lot easier now.

One website I'd recommend to learn more about skincare/makeup is Makeup Alley: http://www.makeupalley.com

You do have to register with an email address, but it's free. It's kind of like the Soulcysters of skin

I've learned so much there! They even have a review section where people can post reviews of products so you have some idea of what you're buying. And they have a GREAT skincare bulletin board.

Keep on trying, you'll find your regimen and from then on out it's gravy!

Dana