Top products from r/acne

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.

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'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

No problem. I've used Cetaphil products in the past and haven't had any issues. For the past few years I've had good success with CeraVe products however. I use both the Foaming Facial Cleanser and Moisturizing Cream in the tub and highly recommend both. They're very easy on the skin. But as long as you don't suspect the Cetaphil moisturizer of causing breakouts, you're probably OK to keep using it. But I would definitely make sure you're moisturizing every day to keep your skin healthy.

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.

Of course, adjusting your diet won't work for everyone. A very convincing book called The Dietary Cure for Acne has some very persuasive arguments that I suggest you read. Here's a free pdf of it if you're interested.

You also have to remember that a low glycemic diet can be ruined by the daily consumption of even one type of food. Fruit, in particular, seems to really exacerbate inflammation. The only truly safe acne diet that I know of is only eating chicken, low GI vegetables (excluding carrots in particular), eggs and nuts.

Personally I think a combination of adjusting your diet, supplementing with vitamins and an effective skin care routine can help the majority of people get rid of acne. Sadly, there are cases where acne is largely hormonal and there's nothing you do about it aside from take hormone-reducing pills.

I wish you the best of luck getting rid of your acne.

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! ;)

I use this one

Number 1 best seller in facial oils!

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

I use a gentle scrub by Aveeno. It feels more like a cream cleanser, that's how gentle it is. I would never use anything harsh or abrasive as it's sure to just make things worse.

I'm on the same situation than you. 2 cups of green tea per day and Nature's Cure Two Part Acne Treatment System for Males help me a lot https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000535CI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Other than that I don't know about a possible permanent solution. My dermatologist told me that I have to deal with the acne for the rest of my life (I'm 36 years old) and still got acne from time to time.

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.

and wanted to clarify yes that is grams i use this brand currently i split the doses to 5 gram doses through the day mixed with some crystal light

http://www.amazon.com/BulkSupplements-Vitamin-Calcium-Pantothenate-Pantothenic/dp/B00E7AYIQG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453594806&sr=8-1&keywords=pantothenic+acid+powder

i dunno long term safety of such high dose B5 but it is a water soluble vitamin so your body normally just pisses out the excess so risk of toxicity is very low.. also can't be any worse for the body than accutane or those antibiotics.. so far a year into my B5 treatment and have had zero side effects aside from little stomach discomfort during the first month

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.

Read the reviews for this stuff. http://www.amazon.com/Leven-Rose-Organic-Pressed-Unrefined/dp/B00GJX58PE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459099507&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=leven+rose+jojoba+oil&psc=1

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

Try CeraVe

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)

Root Canals are EXTREMELY toxic - Dr. Mercola
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q02mLcdBtGI

Rooted documentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRrlgYqtDjM

The Toxic Tooth: How a root canal could be making you sick Paperback https://www.amazon.com/Toxic-Tooth-canal-could-making/dp/0983772827

Do not take a b complex vitamin as your main source of b5. You need 10 GRAMS+ not mg of b5 for it to work. I would start at 5 grams and work your way up to the 10 gram dose. If you're worried about the dosage, you can try Dr. Dach's protocol of 750 mg of B5 with 250 mg of L Carnitine three times a day. Though, I would take a b complex daily to maintain your body's stores of other b vitamins. After 1 week, my skin wasn't oily like it used to be, but I still had old cysts/acne from before I started the regiment. After 2 weeks, all my old cysts had healed, and I had no new flare ups/break outs. Right now (3 and a half weeks into my treatment), I have zero acne, just discoloration and some scars from previous break outs. Here are the links to what I bought. Let me know if you have any other questions.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E7AYIQG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E7H96CA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1