Acne Prone Skin, What Products Work for You?

Jan 12, 2011

Elise P.

I have acne prone skin-- to the max
I have been able to control it for a while. especially since being on birth control for 2-3 years. Well I had to get off the pill for a month because I am switching to a different kind of birth control, so now my face is breaking out really bad again. I have tried different products, and some work better than others but I havent been able to find one product or brand that significantly helps to the max. What products or brands do you recommend to treat or prevent acne?

Jan 12, 2011

Nancy-Lee C.

Elise, I can sympathize - I had terrible acne in my early 20's. I have been able to use Clinique through all of my skin changes (I started using Clinique when I was 15. I will be 36 in 2 weeks) I found the Acne Solutions line cleaned the pimples without drying out my skin. The gel treatment can be used under and over makeup as well. I see there is a Starter kit for $30 that just came out for Spring.

Whatever you decide, just stick to one line. Don't buy this cleanser, that exfoliater and some other moisturizer. Lines are designed to work together. OH! one more thing! Stay away from products with fragrance - they will irritate your acne, so read the labels. And don't forget the SPF!  xoxo

Jan 12, 2011

Louise-Lesley J.

I recently started using natural products and they work brilliantly! I'm not sure if you have either Organic Surge or "Naked" where you live but they are two brilliant examples.

I have to say I used that Clinique line and it definitely made my acne worse. I feel that it either works amazingly for some people and then others find it horrible. It's definitely a hit/miss type thing.

I also like to use the Liz Earles clean and polish. I think it works well because the muslin cloth gently ex-foliates skin everyday!

Jan 13, 2011

Andrea F.

The Clean & Clear Advantage Acne Control kit is a cheap, good buy!!! It definently worked for me and I'm oily, acne prone and my skin is stubborn and not a lot works for it. But this does. 

Jan 20, 2011

Luna V.

I've struggled with cystic acne since I was 17, and it's taken me this many years to figure out what works. Anything with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide does nothing for me but dry me out and create more issues than they solve, and topicals in general are just a bad idea on my skin. There aren't a lot of products for acne-prone skin that is also dry.

I try to use products that are at least 90% natural. Juice Beauty makes some good products, but right now I'm loving the Yes To Carrots products (I've been using their Blueberries line, which I'm finding erases scars AMAZINGLY).

The Clarisonic brush is also helping tons. I started using it about a month ago and haven't broken out past the initial detox phase (any regimen that starts to work ends up breaking me out horribly for a few days and then vanishing as quickly as it comes). 

Jan 23, 2011

Alyssa C.

i have the worst stress induced acne, and i use clinique face products there amazing especially there concealer its like a magic eraser and for facial washes i use the neutrigina sport wash and stress control scrub and kate somerville facial cleanser there amazing and keep my face amazing and i always take off my makeup b4 going to bed it helps alot from creating even more unwanted blemishes

Jan 24, 2011

Cristiane H.

I use the Clinique Clarifying Lotion, and I really feel like it does help taking all the dirt off my face, so it prevents my pores from clogging and stuff.
But honestly, I could only get rid of all of my acne by going to my dermatologist. I think it's a lot better to go see a professional that will tll you exactly what you have to do than buying a whole bunch of different drugstore products that may not work for you.

Jan 25, 2011

Kristen A.

I use St. Ives Green Tea cleanser in the mornings, followed by Equate's (Wal-Mart) version of Clean & Clear Astringent. In the evenings I wash with Neutrogena's Foaming Cleanser and follow with the astringent again. I find drinking LOTS of water helps to keep acne at bay. I actually have a video on how to control acne. When my acne was at its worst, I used Proactiv. 

Jan 13, 2012

Kimberly T.

I swear by clinique acne solutions!! It works wonders on my skin...you have to be consistent with it though. <3

Jan 13, 2012

Danielle D.

Hey Elise, try the Aveda Outer peace skincare line.  

Jan 15, 2012

Courtney C.

I also used to have bad acne and I saw a dermatologist and never looked back! I recommend that if you're struggling that much, find a good derm in your area and see what he/she says. It's totally worth it. The birth control helps me too but I still need RX skin creams. With the RX products, I hardly ever breakout and i spend way less money than I used to on skin products! I remember trying every cleanser and spot treatment out there before I went to my derm, i spent like 100 bucks in a month on that stuff. I was so upset and felt hopeless. One visit to the derm and everything turned around. Here's what I use:

1.) salicylic acne wash (neutrogena oil free acne wash)
2.) a topical RX antibiotic and RX finacea
3.) for spot treatment when I do get blemishes, i use a OTC salicylic acid product or a tiny bit of cortisone cream.

If you aren't willing to go to a derm, I reccomend neutrogena's products, they work best for me. But, consider a derm if your skin is difficult for you to control!

Jan 16, 2012

Sara C.

Hi Lovelies,

I have a prone to break-outs , oily skin that causes me so much hustle is unbelivable.
Since I started using Liz Earle products my skin is a lot better.
I like to use Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser to take all my make-up off and gently exfoliate my skin. I love the instant boost tonic by Liz Earle to close up my pores, for moisturiser I use either Liz Earle Light Moisturiser or Eucerin Dermo Puryfing Cream.

Hope that helped :)
If you want more info and tips check out my blog post about my spotty problems.
http://www.babyangelwings.co.uk/2011/11/acne-help.html

Sara xxx

Jan 16, 2012

Lisa U.

I suffer as well, it's such a pain isn't it.

Try:
Cetaphil Cleaner - it's really gentle
St. Ives Apricot Scrub - It contains Salicylic Acid

xx

Jan 18, 2012

Catey P.

I've tried a ton of products, too. I could recommend my Ole Henriksen products (my old "best day of the week" face is now my everyday face!), but everybody's different. What really helped me, too, is drinking a crazy lot of water.

My biggest advice would be to try something for 2 months at a time, to get past that initial transition. And, if you can stand it, be really scientific about it. If I'm unsure about a new product, I literally use it on only half of my face for a few weeks. If I can see a real difference in that time, then I know how the product works. Otherwise, changes you see may just be caused by diet, stress or hormones.

Jan 18, 2012

Stephanie L.

I strongly recommend the combination of retinaldehyde and glycolic acid in treating acne. It completely cured mine after 11 years of battling with the unsightliness. I use Avene Retrinal and Glytone Step Up Facial Cream (10% glycolic acid). Retinaldehyde is a milder form of retinoids like retin-A but it's just as effective without any harsh side effects. These two ingredients are great by themselves but they work even more wonderfully together. I really urge you to try this if regular treatments like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid don't work for you. I wrote a blog post on it too if you want to read more details: http://www.honeynsilk.com/2012/01/finding-my-holy-grail.html

Jan 22, 2012

Jennifer P.

oxy 10, or anything with that benzol peroxide. just slather it on as much as your skin can stand, then get your self a very good moisturizer. It will dry your face for a bit, but this always works for me. If you are sensitive to it, start at a low level, like 2.5, then work your way up to 10. Good Luck

Jan 3, 2013

Chabu K.

I would try helpful products like pro active I had a lot until I used it on my forehead and it worked

Jan 3, 2013

Kira W.

Clean and clear black heAd scrub 

Jan 3, 2013

Nina S.

I use exactly what Lisa U uses!

Jan 3, 2013

Kira W.

I've also had a lot of use of many neutrogena products. 

Jan 3, 2013

Joey M.

Spectro jel

Jan 3, 2013

Samantha C.

I have the same problem but i have cystic acne were whenever i get a zit it scars... I use to have it really bad but I started on a strict routine and it helped me so I hope it helps you!! I first want to say whenever i eat sweets like chocolate baked goods like cookies the next day i break out!! so what you are eating can seriously have an impact on your acne and also milk!! don't drink it! i drink soy and my acne has cleared up soo much! I then use the neutrogena grapefruit facewash and neutrogena toner. two days every week I use my mia which works wonders!!!!! then after I use retinal cream that the dermatologist recommended and that has helped a lot! and then I finished with cetaphil lotion!! and my acne has never been so good and also you NEED to try the tarte Amazonian clay foundation.. hands down best foundation and best for your skin!!!!

Jan 31, 2013

Eve G.

Say yes to tomatoe

Jan 31, 2013

Jessica L.

I use Mary Kay acne solution pack it includes facial cleanser velocity, blemish control, and gel to put on pimples it works very good