Comments on: Guide to Cure Acne

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:49:05 +0000

Thank you for the helpful information. Went looking for the Maybelline Pure Make-up and the Neutrogena Healthy Skin pressed powder. I discovered the Pure Make-up is discontinued. What are you using now for a foundation that does not clog pores?

By: maryssa

maryssa — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 05:14:38 +0000

For the ladies looking for a powder foundation I love sheer minerals powder. It is a mineral foundation and as far as I can tell from reading the list there are no pore clogging ingredients in them. I have been using it for a year now and love it. Look it up online and find out if your area disperses product. There is also a list of the ingredients available.

By: Erika

Erika — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 17:23:21 +0000

Jeni,
First, thanks for the great site and all the information – it has certainly been eye opening. I bought Paula Begoun’s book at your recommendation and couldn’t believe how many of my products were bad for my skin. I would like to share a bit of my story that may help others – after a few years of fighting what I thought was acne, it turns out that I’m allergic to Dimethicone….which is in just about every moisturizer, foundation and sunscreen out there. After using Retin-A Micro, my skin got a lot worse, and stayed that way even months after I stopped using it. I went a few weeks using absolutely no products on my face and things got better, but when I got dry skin and used a moisturizer, I’d break out. So, through a lot of trial and error and advice from my dermatologist…we narrowed it down to dimethicone (which, it turns out, is like the 3rd ingredient in Retin A Micro). So, for those who feel like they’ve tried everything…try eliminating dimethicone for a week or so and see what it does. Here are the products I’m currently using, though I’m still searching for the ideals:

– Boots Expert Sensitive Gentle Cleansing Wash (super gentle, but doesn’t take off make-up all that well, so I use it with my Clarisonic if I have any makeup on)
– Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Gel (has really helped my blackheads)
– Yes To Carrots Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 (I don’t love the smell of this product and I’d rather have something around SPF 30, but I haven’t yet found one without Dimethicone)
– L’Oreal Bare Naturale Powdered Mineral Foundation (Also don’t love this foundation, but it’s next to impossible to find a foundation without dimethicone)

I hope that can be of some help to someone. So glad I finally cracked the code on my skin problems!
~Erikka

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 22:18:49 +0000

Benzoyl Peroxide (cleansers & creams) does/do work and better than Salicylic Acid (for most people). Benzoyl Peroxide kills one form of bacteria that Salicylic does not. Use a small percentage such as 2% and maybe use it every other day (depending on how your skin reacts to it) so your skin doesn’t get too dry or irritated. Use a Hyaluronic Acid serum to hydrate instead of a moisturizer because even oil-free moisturizers have some oil in them. This should be the first thing you put on after you wash your face (morning and night). Exfoliation is key whichever way you choose to do it (scrub or chemical). Antioxidants and oil free sunblock (make sure it’s definitely non pore clogging) are also important. Note: After exfoliating and using acne products your skin can burn more easily in the sun.

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:40:30 +0000

Hi, thanks so much for this site. I have been using many of the products that you suggested and have had excellent results in the last month. A Sephora rep suggested GoClear serum and the Clarisonic, which I have to say, took my skin to a completely different level. After 3 days even my husband asked what I was doing because my skin looked several years younger and it got rid of stubborn blackheads. It was hard handing over $220 for a face scrubber, but the best $220 I have spent, I LOVE IT! Get the one with the exchangeable head so you can use it on your body, it is great!

By: LISA

LISA — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:51:14 +0000

Hi.
Love your blog. And its so weird cause if have use the same regimen as you do. I also use paulas choice proucts and Differin gel. i had beautiful skin for years. BUT i have a huge problem. I went off Ortho Tri Cylcen for two months. I noticed the first month off that i was breaking out a little. So after two months of being off, I went back on. Im on my second month now and my face is a huge mess.. Tons of white heads on my cheeks. All around the same area too. I find at least two more a day. I dont even want to leave the house. I had beautiful skin, what happened??? Do you think my skin has to get used to the birht control pill again? WIll i geet back my beautiful skin.. Please tell me what you think.. THANKS… Lisa

By: Cathy

Cathy — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:49:28 +0000

A very good read. I went through bouts of pimples that were normally caused by hormones. I spent some time in dermatologist’s offices and that helped too. Mostly my outbreaks were mild and usually related to my menstrual cycle. I don’t have pimples on a regular basis anymore but I remember how awful they made me feel.

By: amy

amy — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:11:39 +0000

Can someone help me decide whether Cliques Pore refining Serum is safe?

It has Alcohol Denat but this has a (0..5) This ingred is listed as no 8 in the list of ingrediants. It also has Dioctyl Succinate and Hexylene Glycol but these are close to the bottom of list.
Shall i continue to use this product or not? xx

By: amy

amy — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:08:47 +0000

Can some one help me. I am currently looking at the ingred in Dermalogica Tinted moisturiser. It has Cetearyl Alchohol, Glyceryl Stearate,Sodium Chloride, and Steric Acid. The Glyceryl Stearate, is listed as No 7, and Cetearly Alchohol is listed as the 8th ingred, and steric acid as the 9th. Sodium Chloride is near the bottom.

Is this safe or one to avoid?

By: Jessica

Jessica — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:37:11 +0000

I recently went to a Dermatogist for acne treatment, I was prescribed Retin-A cream. I have been using it for a few months, and I believe it has made my acne alot worse. I went to another Doctor who was telling me that the Retin-A cream isnt very good for acne, and actually can make it worse.( He said it was great for wrinkles) The problem is I am now left with a brand new tube of the cream. Is it safe to use on the back of my hands? I always put sunscreen on, I even carry it in my purse. I do alot of driving for my job so Im sure even with re-applying that my hands do have their fare share of sun damage. I would love to put this tube to use, so I dont have to waste it all…