Please help! Nothing works for acne

Jenny33 · 11-19-2002, 06:14 PM

Hi Cysters,

I am getting more depressed by the day as my acne-covered face is getting worse and worse. I have tried everything it seems and nothing is making it better (clyndamicin gel, retin A, over the counter stuff - salycylic acid, etc). I had been on aldactone for about 8 years and it was taking care of my acne pretty well. I came off it about a year ago when we started TTC, and my acne has just continually gotten worse since then. I was pregnant and miscarried last month and that seemed to make the acne even worse. Now it is down both sides of my neck, all over my jawline, face, and scalp.

Since we're still TTC, I can't go back on the aldactone or other hormone treatments. Can anyone recommend anything that works?

Getting desperate,
Jenny

nunu · 11-19-2002, 06:45 PM

Jenny, I know you said you tried a lot of over the counter products, but have you tried a lotion, gel or cream with 10% benzoyl peroxide? Clearasil makes one in the US. Be careful not to get it on clothes or good towels, etc. since it can discolor fabric. And don't bother with the 'tinted' one because it never blends in well and looks fake on just about everyone. I use another product, Acetoxyl 10%, which I think is only available in Canada, which contains bp. I only use it at night because of its ability to bleach clothes. I used Retin A in the past during adolescence to get it under control but now it doesn't work, just dries my skin out badly and the acne is not really affected. If you can't find anything that works, you might want to visit a dermatologist again, if you haven't already, about your stubborn acne. Good luck!

sparrow · 11-19-2002, 08:18 PM

Has anyone found Clearasil to work on the BIG ones? You know, the kind that make you look like you ran into a flagpole? The kind I have right now?

Same prob--TTC and nowhere to turn! Retin-A was helping, but I won't use it now. I'm thinking about going to a tanning bed to dry me out.

nunu · 11-20-2002, 02:31 AM

sparrow, it will help prevent them from happening, and it does help it to heal faster (benzoyl peroxide kills bacteria). Since stopping the Retin A in my teens, I have controlled my acne with these types of products, and I had BAD acne. You could not have touched my face without touching a pimple, cyst or blackhead/whitehead at one point. I had all 3 types too, according to the dermatologist. I still get some, but no one who sees me now could guess how bad it was once.

nunu · 11-20-2002, 02:34 AM

I forgot to mention: you have to be consistent. Use it EVERY night, even if you don't have any pimples at the time, it will help prevent new ones.

sparrow, my 2 cents about the tanning bed: it isn't worth it. It will age your skin prematurely, may encourage skin cancer, and won't do that much for your acne.

missniki · 11-24-2002, 11:07 AM

I've finally found a cleanser that keeps my face clear after YEARS of antibiotics, prescription creams and every over the counter products imaginable. It's a cleanser called MD Forte, and the one I use has 15% glycolic acid. It sounds a little rough, but it really doesn't bother my skin at all (unless I had a dry patch, then its a little irritating). They have cleansers for acne prone skin, as well as cleansers with less glycolic acid. I've been using it for about a month, once a day, followed by an oil-free moisturizer, and I couldn't be happier with the results. The only drawback is its expensive. About $40 for an 8 oz bottle, but the bottles last forever. I got the first bottle through my dermatologist, but you can order it from dermadoctor.com for about half the price.

Lublu · 11-27-2002, 01:39 PM

I know everyone is probably aware of this but if you are TTC, be evry careful about OTC acne meds. things like saylic acid are actaully a form of aspirin that can thin the blood. Be sure check with a derm and a gyn to make sure evrything you're using is ok for being preg and alos won't interfere with your TTC. personally, if that's a concern, i have used clay masks, like Origins or St. Ives. Heck, even toothpaste or milk of magensia. Just layer it on your trouble spots and let it go for the night. For those really really big, monster zits, grab ICE. I get cyctic acne which is slowly coming under control, but when a mountain errupts, I hit it with ice, making a compress, which hels to reduce the swelling. The I either put a huge dab of BP or another otc acne cream on it. If I cacatch them before they really explode, i can usually prevent them from from completely coming thru!

Good luck!

Summer-girl · 11-27-2002, 01:44 PM

Have you tried Metformin? I originally started on the Met to help with my ttc efforts...I had just resided myself to the fact that I was going to be a lifelong acne sufferer. Then one day, about 3 months after being on the Met I looked in the mirror and my face was clear! I was shocked! It stayed clear (except for a stry pimple or two when AF arrives) with just Neutragena clear skin soap and water until I got pg - then I turned into a zit farm again! But atleast now I really have other things to worry about!

I wish you the best of luck!

rachelcrusso · 12-01-2002, 06:20 PM

I've actually had good luck with Neutrogena's Oil Absorbing Acne Mask. It doesn't make then go away, but it does take some of the redness out of my face for a while. Don't be surprised if your face gets really red right after you take it off, it will go away

It's not a wonder cure, but it does help

Its a 5% benzoyl peroxide mask.

Figpuddin · 12-04-2002, 06:32 AM

I use a product called "Nature's cure" It is a pill and a cream, you can buy it at Rite Aid or Wal-Mart, works wonders. Also I take Saw Palmetto twice daily, it's great too. The secret for clear skin is moisturize all the time, so going to a tanning bed will be the worst thing to do. Also, Witch Hazel helps make the red spots not so red.

Eponine · 12-04-2002, 12:43 PM

I have a rule for myself: Never put anything on my skin that I wouldn't put in my mouth. Chemicals are absorbed through your skin right into your bloodstream, so I try to be really careful about what I use on my face. I prefer natural treatments, and my routine involves a natural acne fighting soap (the one I'm using right now has oatmeal in it), and as a toner I use lemon juice. I've been told the vitamin C in it is good, as well as the citric acid for pimples, and then to medicate I use tea tree oil. The tea tree has really worked well for me. If I"m feeling really pampering, I'll do a honey mask before the lemon juice and tea tree. Honey has some anti bacterical qualities, and is a non greasy light moisturizer. Just put on some honey, and wash off. Makes your skin glow.

It seems to be working. My mom told me over Thanksgiving that my skin was really looking good.

ToledoCyster · 12-17-2002, 03:29 AM

I have tried them all, clearasil, oxy, stridex, all of them. Here is my favorite and the quickest way to clear up acne anywhere. I bought this on a whim from drugstore.com when i needed just one more thing to get free shipping and it's the only thing I will use now. It is Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick. It is a clear liquid so it can be worn under makeup and applied and reapplied anywhere and it's totally portable! It's Herbal and the best thing is that it works! It improved my cystic acne around my jawline, you know the worst kind, in just a couple of hours and aided in quick healing. Here is the link to get more info. Read the reviews! it does have a medicinal smell but once it dries it's gone. Click here for more info on this great product!
Let me know if you try it and what happens!
Heidi

Jenny33 · 12-19-2002, 03:33 PM

I actually picked up a blemish stick with tea tree oil in it, very similar to the Burt's Bees one. It helps a little, but not with the cystic acne that I've been getting. Thanks for the suggestion though!

LilDiva · 12-23-2002, 02:14 AM

About a year ago I was up watching those late night infomercials.... and for the 20th time I watched the infomercial for ProActiv Solution. I finally had enough of the acne.. It was horrible!!! I received it in the mail about 5 days later, and could not be any happier!!!! It pretty much cleared up in about 2 1/2 months!!!! I barely have any breakouts, and if I do, they clear up in about 2 days. My skin feels and looks great, and can finally go out without makeup!!!
If anyone decides to order it, make sure to get the package with the clarifying mask!!! Works wonders!!!I think its $49.95 every 2 months- which might seem like a lot, but trust me, its well worth it!!!! I would pay 100/month to get it!!!!
Also, they have a catalog with lots of other products for scars, body breakouts and makeup.....
Hope this helps someone!!!!
It sure has made my life much easier!!!!!!

Erin

guineapig · 12-28-2002, 04:30 PM

Hi, I'm not sure if you can use these while ttc, ask dermatologist, but I tried retin-A, "Oxy," etc, antibiotics orally, Differin, everything except Accutane (don't need more hairloss) and nothing really helped...plus it dried out my skin like FLAKES and that was embarassing also. This past spring a derm prescribed a cleanser called Plexion (sulfur-based) and it has done wonders for my skin. Doesn't smell so great but it's sooo worth it. It doesn't dry my skin out either. He also prescribed 1% clindamyacin GEL and I use it during AF to handle the straggling zits. It might be worth a try if you can use Plexion while ttc. I've been using the same bottle (about 7" tall by 2" diameter--but bottle is actually kind of roundy-flat and squeezable) since May and it's still not empty. (But the stuff does expire after time). It is not a med you have to keep in the fridge or anything.
Also, I am very careful about wearing liquid or cream makeup, and if I do wear it (rare) I am even more meticulous in removing it and then washing like 3 times. I think that might have not been helping my problem either; but obviously the makeup-clog theory won't apply for everyone!