"You're too pretty for that..." said S to me a couple days ago. "That" being the dozen self-inflicted red marks on my face.
I'm a picker. A face picker. Truthfully I'm an anything picker meaning that I will scratch or squeeze any non-smooth surface. Scabs, pimples, dry skin-whatever.
You name it, I will pick at it.
It's a bad habit. An unconscious one that I typically do while on the phone, driving or watching tv.
I've tried to stop doing it. Obviously it's not very attractive (read: S's comment to me) and it just makes the situation that much worse. A small pimple ends up being a big red, splotchy, sometimes bleeding spot on my face.
Who does that?
Me. I do that. All. The. Time.
The only solution that I can think of is to rid myself of the places that make me pick, ie I need to get a handle on this adult acne. Oh yes, I have adult acne and it's irritating as hell.
My face breaks out now worse than it ever did while I was in high school and it gets worse with each hormone-rampant year. The Yaz helped for a while but now I notice the breakouts coming back. With a vengeance.
A few years ago I went to a dermatologist who tried to put me on Accutane. ACCUTANE people. This stuff is bad news and even before I did the research I knew that any acne medication that required a pregnancy test before it could be filled would do more bad than good for my body.
I've tried all sorts of over the counter meds/creams/cleansers that obviously don't help. I've even tried things like tea tree oil and castor oil based on some "natural remedies" website that I found.
I know that not everything is going to work for everyone but I need some help in narrowing this down and finding something that is truly going to work. I'm at the point where I need to worry not only about pimples, but also wrinkles. Ugh.
So what is your skin care routine? Have you found anything to be effective in treating your breakouts that you would recommend? Should I try Pro-Active? Or should I try another doctor that doesn't have a death wish for me?
I'm willing to try anything to get control of this. Because to put it simply I'm too old (& pretty) for that.
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17 comments:
well we could be twins...I basically was reading something I would write!
I didn't develop acne until pregnancy and my hormones haven't been right since then so my forhead, down my cheeks *by ears* and chin suffer...all...the...time!
There's a new thing out called Skin ID...supposed to be better and more effective than ProActive. I might give it a try ??
Why don't you let me know what works? Because I'm in the same boat.
I have a girlfriend who tried Accutane as a teenager, and now her skin is as smooth and perfect as a china-doll. I am so jealous. But I'm too wimpy to take drugs just to get rid of a few pimples. I'll keep my liver, thankyouverymuch.
I love your label on this post: getting old does suck. Amen.
Oh girl, do I feel you on this one.
My skin isn't bad, but it ain't great either. I go to a dermatologist and use a prescription cream. It's called Duac. It's a combination benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin. It generally works really well. I have been happier with my skin since I started using it then I have been in a really long time. The downside is that it's kind of expensive. It costs me $50 for a tube that usually lasts me 3 months. But it is SO worth it. The other downside is that your skin will be extra dry at first, but after a week or so, that calms down. I actually use a moisturizer in the morning and the Duac at night, even though the prescription says 2X a day.
Not sure if this would be right for you, but definitely worth looking into!
Hugs. I hope you find the answer. I keep hearing radio commercials for laser removal of acne and scarring. Have you looked into that?
I know this sounds weird but Walmart carries a generic kind of proactive I think it's called acne free or something its $18 or so and was awesome when my sister had a similar problem!
I get break outs too but only occasionally. I dont have any magic answers for ya. My routine is washing my face and applying face lotions with sunblock every day...thats it
I'm so sorry you're having this problem! :( I have breakouts, but not full blown acne sadness. I tried Pro Active when I was a teen, but it seriously dried out my skin, espeically if I did the whole routine of products.
I'm turning 30 this year, so I've started using anti-aging stuff just in case. So, my routine is that I only wash once a day (tried twice, my skin hated it) with some Olay anti aging wash that has a gentle exfoliater in it too. Then, I follow up with olay eye cream, and a light moisturizer with sunscreen in it. My skin seems happy with it so far, and it's done a good job ridding my eyes of their purple rings.
Good luck trying things. Have you tried diet changes? I've heard that can help too, but I have no knowledge of whether that's even true or a rumor.
Hmmmm... I don't have any suggestions for your breakout problem. But I do feel your pain about skin care, in general. In fact, I just did a post today on the karate chop of a wrinkle that has become a permanent fixture on my forehead. I'll let you know if I get any good advice on wrinkle treatment.
I wish I knew what to suggest. I know a lot of people struggle with adult acne. I do get it but usually once a month or so. I did have a friend who seemed to pick hers too because every time I saw her (which was at least twice a week) she had new scabs on her face.
What you put on your face and body can cause acne, at least according to current research which indicates that a buildup of chemicals on the skin can cause acne, dryness (which leads to prematurely aging skin and makes acne worse) and skin cancer.
It's important to look at the ingredients in ALL the products you use on hair as well as skin because so many manufacturers choose to use petrochemicals and problematic synthetic ingredients.
Almost any product - cleansers, moisturizers, shampoos, conditioners, hair gels, sunscreens, etc. - can be causing breakouts on your face and body, or drying out your skin.
The ones advertised to clear acne can contain the most chemicals. Here's a page that shows what's in a Clearasil product and what those ingredients can do to skin !http://www.best-mens-skin-care.com/ingredients-in-a-clearasil-product.html
To find chemical-free products, read labels and research ingredients - or start with certified organic products which don't contain harmful chemicals.
Mayo
http://www.best-mens-skin-care.com
ugh...picking...that is so totally ME as well...ty having Psoriasis and tying to to pick/scratch that stuff....at its worse...which was during pregnancy...i was 95% covered in it..i was MIS A RABLE! totally and utterly miserable...i have battled this disease since i was young...but ive only just the last few yrs got it under control...i have to b VERY careful what i use on my skin...but the one company i have had great luck with whether is moisturing cream or face cleanser...ect... is http://www.cetaphil.com/ i can use their gentle cleanser and not have a reaction which for me is wonderful!
Oh girl..I have acne too. I never had it this bad but for about a year now I break out just thinking about a zit.. I can't figure out what breaks me out but I do..bad. I pick too. G asks what I'm doing with my face planted into a mirror... "I'm just pickin"
I'm a picker too. I love to pick and pluck! I waste too much time doing it.
I would HIGHLY recommend you go to a different dermatologist. One who will try to get to the root of the problem instead of just treating it with a drug. Ask around and get a recommendation from someone.
There are lots of causes and lots of solutions, but the right solution won't come about if you don't know what the problem is!
I have rosacea, which can cause adult acne. I used to get huge cystic zits that would fester under the skin, but a retinol cream took care of that. I haven't had that happen in a long time and I haven't used the cream for almost 10 years.
One thing two of my sisters found was causing them acne problems was an allergy to parabens. Parabens are the most common preservative in beauty products. Once they eliminated parabens in their skincare AND haircare, their acne went away.
Anyway, I hope you find some relief! I know how frustrating it can be!
p started accutane like 4 months ago....and WOW! it's been a miracle worker. grab some aquaphor and never leave without it.
Me too. I try to leave them alone, but end up picking. UGH.
And I had flawless skin as a teen. FLAWLESS. Now, in my 30s... I breakout every month just before I start.
Stupid hormones.
I have a myriad of skin issues...eczema...I am allergic to most everything...and my skin gets soooo dry that it bleeds. And I pick, too. And I like to pick on my husband too :-)
As for skin care...I use skin free products for the dry skin - I have to order them online.
But I still have that hormonal acne issue. That I have no idea how to deal with!
I have adult acne too, and I have been to many a dermatologist.
The best for my skin (mostly dry but oily in the lovely T zone)... (which may apply to you or not)
Is using Purpose face wash,, its super water-based so its really like washing with water. For some reason its not usually placed well on the shelves but its usually there.
I wash in AM and PM.
In PM when it gets really crazy I had prescriptions that calmed it down,, my fave was differin gel, but I keep my tazorac as a 'in case of emergency zapper'.
But I swear by the Purpose.
its clean stuff.
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