How to Properly clean my skin.

Mar 21, 2017

Alexis C.

What's your skin type? Are you using anything to cleanse with now?

Mar 21, 2017

Lenox-mae R.

I have oily skin. And I use a Neutrogena foaming wash with an Alba Botanica astringent.

Mar 21, 2017

Alexis C.

Do you have a budget?

Mar 21, 2017

Jess M.

I have acne skin like yourself and since around November I've been using Mario Badescu products! So I exfoliate twice a week. I use the drying lotion & drying cream obviously not at the same time I use it overnight. And I also use Australian bodycare skinwash its a tea tree based skin wash. When I wash my face I use it with warm/hot water but not too hot obviously. And because I've scarred my skin through spots I've done research about lightening them and I've been told to use Vitamin C Serum, so I purchased the Mario Badescu one! I hope this helps x

Mar 21, 2017

Lenox-mae R.

Thanks Jess! That's very helpful! What's the price range on those? My budget isn't very high to be honest. The most I'll really be willing to spend on a single product would be about $20.

Mar 21, 2017

Jess M.

Ummm well the drying lotion from Mario Badescu is £14

Mar 21, 2017

Leuca S.

Treating acne is about more than cleansing.

Ideally, you should have a steady routine of chemical exfoliation, products that encourage proper skin cell/pore function, products that address hyper pigmentation, and sun protection.

My favorite cleansers for oily skin are the Olay Gentle Clean Face Wash and Aveeno Fragrance Free Body Wash (which is very versatile and also functions well on hair without drying it out if you're oily). These products are inexpensive, basic, and effective at what they're designed to do. I don't bother with expensive cleansers because I don't want or need to be laying for the frills they contain that just get washed down the drain.

I swear by my Foreo Luna 2. It was a pricey investment but it's well worth it if you can afford it. It has a learning curve but if you're already using a chemical exfoliant the Luna will leave your face flawlessly smooth and it's never overly abrasive.

Mar 21, 2017

Carrie B.

I've recently become a huge fan of the Stridex pads in the red box with Saylicilic Acid. I use a gentle cream cleanser (mine is from The Face Shop, a Korean Beauty Brands)and moisturize with Cerave PM. My skin has never looked better.

Mar 22, 2017

Roz X.

You're dealing with more than skincare from a topical standpoint; it looks like you have some hormonal acne taking place. Often there's a natural bacteria within our body that contributes to breakouts and so, as Leuca noted, it's not simply about cleaning skin.

If you haven't seen a Derm, you might want to give that strong consideration. Often a visit is equal to a ton of over the counter remedies that still leaving you combating acne over the years. Many insurers cover Derm for skin health as well. Sometimes a prescription is needed for topical use or an antibiotic is prescribed and then tapered off with time; I really do feel you'd benefit from a Derm visit and avoid as much scarring as possible. I'd ask my Derm about Nicotinamide and I'd amp up my B and Zinc in my diet...as well as drink Green Tea, preferably with leaves from Japan.

Japanese leaves contain a much higher percentage of anti-oxidants, but Green Tea reduces inflammation internally, which benefits skin, and it is also naturally anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, killing bacteria EXTERNALLY as well. You can rest the used teabags once they've cooled on areas with breakouts, or make yourself a cool facial splash by steeping and cooling the tea.

I agree that you'd benefit from a chemical exfoliant and for BHA; I do think Paula's Choice is amazing...plus, they offer travel sizes. I always get my BHA in a travel size because you need so little product and it's enough product to see if it's effective for your skin. I'd use it every 3rd day for starters..very lightly patting on areas that need addressing and see how skin reacts to bump up or pull back usage from there.

You will need a broad spectrum sun protection product every single day. I'd also pick up CeraVe PM for use under my make up and for use atop my BHA, once it has fully dried. The Niacinamide will do your skin a world of good.

When you're home, put your hair up to reduce the transferring of oils and what is commonly known as "abrasive acne". Try not to touch your face as hands pick up so much bacteria...so only touch if you have freshly washed hands. Anything you are using to apply make-up with, that needs to be cleaned after every use and air dried.

I'd be sure to use a breathable pillowcase to not trap bacteria during sleep, such as bamboo, hemp, or cotton..and I'd change that pillowcase every 3rd day. Percale does not pair with acne; it's simply knit plastic and encourages perspiration, trapping that bacteria between the case and your face.

To help prevent breakouts, I'd steer clear of coconut oil, products with paraffin, mineral oil, added fragrance, and drying alcohol.

For spot treatment, it is widely debated, but I personally find Sulfur products to be incredibly effective...everyone has their own skin preferences. Muds...certain masks can also help. Aztec Healing Clay is a nice one, but these kinds of products not only dry out acne, but skin around it as well..so after usage, I'd apply CeraVe in the jar. I'd also use a hydrating toner, such as Paula's Choice. If you cant' afford Paula's Choice, use a hydrating cleanser if you're using acne treatments that dry out. CeraVe wash and La Roche Posay Hydrating milky cleanser are both stellar. These days, I prefer the La Roche Posay. Their micellar water is also excellent and you may want to incorporate that into your routine to get skin truly clean.

Hope that helps and I do believe that the Mario lotion recommended here really does a nice job at targeting spots, but I do not care for the rest of the line for acne.
That said, Benzoyl Peroxide and a treatment such as Clean and Clear's PersaGel10 is a medicinal, clinical grade acne treatment that is very potent so you would most likely see results immediately. I don't think there is anything better with Benzoyl Peroxide available over the counter.
Use it at night or when home resting...when skin is completely dry, after a washing and toning...waiting a good 30 minutes to apply with a very light hand. Once dry, I'd top that with the CeraVe PM. If you find acne treatments dry you out, top that CeraVe with a little bit of Jojoba oil once it's absorbed. You can also use just a hint of jojoba after showering or add a tiny drop in your foundation if you are running dry.

I cannot stress enough how strong PersaGel10 is and you don't want to irritate or hurt skin, so please, treat this like a prescription medication...because it is script strength....test patch and use with a very light hand..and moisturizer if you decide to use it. They also make a PersaGel5, which you may want to start with and work your way up once skin is acclimated. You can find at any drugstore or Walmart so you can get your hands on it right away without spending much money. Ulta also has it. I'll link below with reviews. (A lot of people misuse and overuse it, in my view.)

http://www.ulta.com/persa-gel?productId=5258

Take care and keep the faith!

Mar 23, 2017

Lenox-mae R.

Thank you so much for this very helpful advice!! I'll definitely be taking it!

Mar 23, 2017

Tram Anh L.

If you're finding that over the counter options don't help I would definitely recommend going to your doctor or a dermatologist for treatment. I've dealt with acne since I was a teenager, it's been about ten years now, and I've tried so many products (I.e.: salicylic acid, mud/clay masks, AHAs and BHAs) but never truely saw improvement in my skin until I went to see a dermatologist a few months ago. I still get spots during my period, but overall my skin has cleared up. I think I was initially intimidated about the idea of going to an actual doctor to address my acne but I'm so glad I did.