sad.

[MACaddict08]

My skin is usually clear as can be and I usually get comments on how great my skin looks, but it's been HORRIBLE lately. The past couple of months I've been breaking out like crazy and my skin's been extremely oily. I haven't changed my makeup or anything and I wash my face morning AND night. EVERYDAY. I don't get it. It started clearing up a little but now it's right back to breaking out. My mom says it's not bad enough for a dermatolgist but I really want to be able to not have to worry about this. I've been using St. Ive's Apricot Scrub. I don't have much money, but I would really appreciate some suggestions. Clean & Clear, Clearasil, etc. have not really worked for me either, just dried out my face.

I want to have pretty skin again. =(

 

[likeomgsteffduh]

I know it must sound silly..but have you tried washing your makeup brushes? The brushes can eventually carry enough oils and bacterias to make you break out.
The same thing happened to me, I used to break out a lot, but I noticed that scince I've been moisturizing everyday before I put on makeup, my skin has been clearing up. I use Clean and Clear Morning Glow Moisturizer.

A lot of drugstore brands carry some pretty good cleaners. I love St. Ives. I use the Apricot Face Wash and after I exfoliate with the Apricot Scrub (the one specifically designed to clear blackheads and all that other ooky stuff.)

Good luck!

 

[CrimsonCountess]

I too usually have very clear skin but when I begin to break out, I make sure to increase my water intake, change my pillowcases more often and definitely wash my make-up brushes. I also make sure I wash my hands before I wash my face or before I apply make-up. HTH

 

[MACaddict08]

Thanks a lot! I'll have to clean my brushes tonight. =)

 

[maxcat]

Some other tips - fabric softener - it's like putting soap back on your laundry. Don't use it on your sheets. Are you using new hair product? Did you get new bangs or is hair hitting your face where it didn't used to?
Also - if the zits are around your chin/jaw, they're likely hormonal... and you can start getting them as an adult.
Exfoliation is key - I'm a bit worried about the apricot scrub though. You may be scratching your skin. Better to use something "beaded" or finer like kaolin (St. Ives has a good clay mask - just use it as a scrub instead of a leave-on.)
For what it's worth, I use ProActive - I have mild acne - but it doesn't work for everyone. I totally kept my paperwork on it - they have a $-back guarantee if it doesn't work after six weeks. It has benzoyl peroxide which is a common anti-acne treatment that you may want to try - but be warned it bleaches hair and fabric.

 

[likeomgsteffduh]

I just have a teeny tiny warning about ProActiv....
Everyone I know who has used it so far has absolutely LOVED IT. there's no doubt about it that it works. But there's an itty bitty catch about it...once you stop using it for even a few days, it makes you break out like crazy. So basically, you have to keep using once you start. I think thats the only catch about the product, but I guess its not such a big deal..scince its only $20..right?

So I'm not sure if this applies to all skin, but it has happened to everyone I know who has stopped using Proactive...if somebody can let me know how their skin reacts once they stop using it..I would seriously appreciate it. I'm really curious about how it works on all skin types.

Good luck taking care of your beautiful skin everyone! And drink plenty of water! xoxo

 

[maxcat]

Not sure what you're asking here - it's the same with any other regime that works for someone with acne, be it Proactive or Murad or Retin-A...- it doesn't cure the acne, it controls it... so it makes sense that if you stop doing it your acne will resurface.

 

[Janice]

You might be experiencing some hormonal changes, your body goes through them and as a woman this might manifest as "problem skin" for a bit. I would lay off the Apricot Scrub, you're skin is obviously experiencing sensitivity and abrasive cleansers aren't going to help that.

I would grab some OTC face wash such a Biore Cold Cleanser or Nuetrogena foaming facewash. Wash your face religiously twice a day, once a day use a cloth to exfoliate when you wash. Drink lots of water and keep your hands from your face, wash your bedsheets and clean your brushes.

HTHS!

 

[ToxicAllure]

Gah! Don't use an apricot scrub!!!!! Apricot scrubs are really rough and if you already have acne and are breaking out it'll make it worse. It can actually cut into your acne while you exfoliating and spread the puss around the top of your skin.

I would say go get another scrub, one with "beads". Clearasil has one that worked really well on my friends skin.

 

[janelle811]

I really like to use cetaphil mousturizer, my dermatolgist recomended it. It's pretty cheap, and it doesn't make me breakout.

I agree w/what everyone else said basically- make sure to wash your m/u brushes, pillowcase, etc. You can use a plain unscented fabric softnener, that should not irritate your skin. Also, a lot of different shampoos/lotions that people use could be potentially irritating. It's better to use a plain unscented product. If you use stuff that has a perfume scent to it, that could irritate you.

If you have insurance coverage, I would say go to a dermatologist. It is soooo much better to go, even if you aren't breaking out horribly, it still is enough that it is unpleasant. They can prescribe different things to you, and they will be able to make good recommendations. Make sure you find a good one if you go, obviously they won't all be great.

Don't use the apricot scrub anymore, it will just irritate your skin if you are breaking out. Also, try not to touch your face or the breakouts, that will just make them worse if you mess with them.