Acne-Prone Skin What Should I Be Doing?

Jul 8, 2014

Aaryn P.

I am currently 16 and my skin is just awful.
I have tried so many products wasting so much money ex. clarisonic, proactive, Vichy, neutrogena, clean&clear etc. I have naturally oily/dry skin. my acne gets very inflamed and i have a lot blackheads and I will get cystic acne and all around my nose and mouth I have these little white bumps. I have been to a dermatologist and they gave me over the counter creams and antibiotics but it only made my skin worse.
current routine-
morning- wash face with warm water. use aloe vera(moisturizer)
night- use Mario badescu acne wash
use an apple cider vinegar toner(1/2 water, 1/2 ACV) leave it on for 5-10 mins.
rinse with cold water. put on aloe vera.
i use coconut oil as an eye moisturizer. Can coconut oil break you out??

Jul 8, 2014

Caitlin G.

Go to a dermatologist! They specialize in skin

Jul 8, 2014

Kitty K.

I agree with Britney.

I understand you have already contacted your dermatologist, but if you do not update your dermatologist on what's working and what isn't then it will continue to be a run around. I would also evaluate what products you are using, it may be that whatever face routine you have set up may be causing all these issues. There are unfortunately more bad products out on the market than there are good ones. A Clarisonic is a deep cleansing brush that will get a deeper cleanse far more than what your hands will - it is not an acne treatment nor would I rely on it to treat acne. The fiber brush the clarisonic uses as well (regardless of which brush head) is abrasive and can irritate acne, so perhaps you may need to speak with your derm as well to determine if you can use the clarisonic or may settle for a gentle option such as a foreo luna.
What concerns me the most is the fact that you have a lot of redness and inflammation, that suggests in a way that you may be using something to irritate your acne - which in term causes more acne.
Acne is mostly inflammation at the end of the day.
Also, I'd like to add that aloe vera is a humectant. While it contains salicylic acid, if there is no moisture in the air your skin will continue to dry out. A moisturizer needs to be used in conjunction.. whether it be a non-comedogenic oil or a light lotion.
What would be really helpful is listing what products you use, so that your skin care routine can be looked at until you get to a derm. You may be using products to aggravate your skin.

Jul 10, 2014

Massiell C.

I agree with Tori!