Acne: Help me Please!?
PLEASE READ ON!
I know this is really long, sorrry, but I really need help on this.
I am 14. I have pretty moderate acne on my forehead, and my chin. I also have blackheads on my nose. I have a few small dry patches that show if I use makeup, but mainly, my skin is pretty oily.
I have tried a lot of individual products and "systems;" AcneFree, Neutrogena, Clean and Clear, Kiss My Face, Burts Bees, Nature's Gate, Murad, neaclear, Alba, and probably more that I can't remember right now.
I have found out many things in my experience of using these many products.
1. Benzoyl Peroxide does not work for my skin.
2. Salicylic Acid helps with the redness, but does not get rid of the actual pimples.
This obviously poses a problem, because these are the two main ingredients in just about every acne treatment. That is why I am thinking of starting a whole new regimen.
I want to have a cleanser, a toner, and a moisturizer. A spot/night treatment would be great too. I don't want a system or anything like that, because I want to be able to tailor all of the ingredients myself.
I found out about some ingredients that are very beneficial for the skin, and was wondering if there are any more that I have forgotten, or any more that would be even better. Please correct me if I am wrong.
1. Tea Tree Oil- could be used as a spot/night treatment
2. Sulfur- could be used in a cleanser or moisturizer
3. Witch Hazel, Rosewater- could be used in a toner
I heard about this thing called the Oil Cleansing Method...it's where you use oil to dissolve oil. My parents (who are scientists) think this actually does make sense. I have tried the method before, but gave up after not long because I wasn't seeing fast improvements and it was hard to maintain.
So I was thinking of getting an cleanser with essential oils in it that I could use to "dissolve" the oil on my skin. If I get a cleanser like this, should I use a foamy one afterwards to get rid of excess oil?
Also, I need a moisturizer. My skin is very oily, so pretty much all moisturizers highlight that and my skin becomes very shiny by the end of the day. I was thinking that If I use an actual oil as a moistuizer, it would help balance my skin's natural oils and stop excess oil making.
What would be the best oil to use? I heard that jojoba oil is like the skin's oil, but very heavy...I need something that will moisturize but won't make me shiny. I'm talking something that I can rub into my skin- no rinsing afterwards.
So would this be an okay regimen?:
1. Cleanser, with:
-Sulfur
-Tea Tree Oil
2. Toner, with:
-Witch Hazel
-Rose/Orange Water
-Tea Tree Oil
3. Moisturizer, with:
-Sulfur
-Jojoba Oil, some other good oil?
4. Spot/night Treatment, with:
-Tea Tree Oil
-Aloe
-Any other intensive beneficial ingredients?
(I need to be able to use this without my skin getting used to it and the effects wearing off!)
Please give me more suggestions for good ingredients to look for.
Also, if you have products that you know have the ingredients I want, please suggest them!
NO suggestions to Proactiv kind of stuff. I've tried those things already.
September 15th, 2010 - 10:31
Yes, seems like you’re on a good path to a solution!
It is important to develop a good skincare routine that involves cleansing your skin in the mornings, evenings and after workouts. By adjusting your lifestyle and incorporating a healthy diet, exercise, drinking lots of water and getting adequate sleep will also help to make a significant difference to your skin’s appearance.
Herbs have proven to be a more natural, gentle alternative for the treatment of acne rather than the harsh, synthetic chemicals used in over-the-counter products and conventional medications. Not only are herbal remedies safe and effective to use, they also support the skin, immune and digestive systems.
Two carefully selected herbal ingredients such as Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree Oil), Azadirachta indica and Arctium lappa contain antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties and are not only effective for acne but for other skin conditions too. Other herbs such as Aspalathus linearis (Rooibos) and Bulbine frutescence have wonderful antioxidant and healing properties and also help to prevent skin infection and provide ongoing relief. In addition, Lavender Essential Oil acts as a circulatory stimulant and antiseptic, and is used to treat burns and wounds and to prevent scarring.