Kinda gross zit advice...

[yasmindiab]

Hey all.

So here's my question.

I have been breaking out like MAD over the last few months. Mostly on the lower regions of my face, around my mouth and on my chin, occasionally I'll get the annoying one right in the bloody middle of my eyebrows...and now the really annoying and gross ones...on my back.

WHAT in the world can I do about this? I'm trying to watch my diet (for dieting reasons first of all), but is that old tale that chocolate makes you break out actually true?

I'm using Neutrogena face wipes to take off my make up, and then a scrub by Biore (green, smells like cucumbers, and tingles a little.). i will confess, I'm not the best about taking off my make up, if I get in late, I usually just fall asleep in it, and I know this is not good.

Is it also possible that its because I changed my makeup? I never broke out this bad when I was using MAC, but I can't afford the foundation right now, so I've bought a cheaper foundation by L'Oreal...

HELP! I'm seriously going crazy about this. Not only is it just gross on my face, but on my back, when I'm trying to wear a cute bedlah is NOT good.


Thanks in advance!!!

~Yasmin

[tabitha]

Did you change your shampoo or any other hair product? I switched conditioner lately and it made me break out, too.

[Samira_dncr]

Yasmin, using a scrub on your face when you are already broken out can spread the bacteria and cause more break-outs. And yes, changing foundations can make a difference. I have a good quality mary kay foundation that is less expensive than mac that might be better than the L'oreal brand. PM me if you want to hang out. I'd be happy to let you try out some other products if you are interested.

Much love,
Samira

[tabitha]

Originally Posted by Samira_dncr

Yasmin, using a scrub on your face when you are already broken out can spread the bacteria and cause more break-outs. And yes, changing foundations can make a difference. I have a good quality mary kay foundation that is less expensive than mac that might be better than the L'oreal brand. PM me if you want to hang out. I'd be happy to let you try out some other products if you are interested.

Much love,
Samira

Mary Kay makes me break out too.

[Taj]

Well, speaking as someone who had severe cystic acne for about 20 years (and can therefore not wear anything as revealing as a costume bra alone), I might suggest you get yourself to a dermatologist. He/she should be able to diagnose the type of acne you're dealing with and the proper treatment.

It's certainly possible that the change in your foundation is the culprit, or the manner in which you wash your face, but neither of those issues would apply to the acne on your back. It sounds like something systemic, rather than superficial, and I'd hie myself to yon doctor for a look-see.

[shaynaz]

i recommend mary kay. Not just the foundation but the skin care as well! You gotta be sure your using the correct foundation! they have 2 types! so tabitha if you broke out in mary kay foundation you probably were using the wrong type!

[yasmindiab]

Thanks ladies, for the advice so far...

I have changed shampoos and conditioners...but I do that frequently, so I don't know if that is the problem. I heard somewhere that its good to change your shampoo every time you run out, to keep your hair from drying out...now that I've typed that, I realize how dumb it sounds. Yikes! :)

Samira, I'm willing to give Mary Kay another chance, but it has made me break out REALLY bad in the past...but...who knows. :) I'll try just about anything to get rid of this! Its not AWFUL, but its really annoying. :(

If it does persist, I will definately ask my Dr. about it. :)

[Samira_dncr]

Yeah...I know there are some people who don't do well with Mary Kay. I don't take it personally.

I used to have issues with some Mary Kay products. Then I tried their "teen" line, Velocity. It has acne medication in it. So that's what I like, but I realize everyone's skin is different.

I do agree that a trip to the dermatologist might be in order.

[beafarhana]

Could it be stress-related at all? Or related to medication? I only mention it because you posted the other day about being on anti-depressants. I don't know if skin problems could be part of their side effects.

[sabrinabellydancer]

try to think about all the things you have changed since you started breaking out. body products, diet, vitamins, sleep patterns. it could be any number of things or a combination. have you been around smokers a lot? that ruins my skin. also, cheap drug store foundation could easily be the culprit. it is just full of pore clogging synthetic stuff that doesn't let skin breath.

also, i totally agree with beafarhana re: anti-depressants. those have been known to cause terrible acne in lots of people. sometimes even cystic acne that leaves scaring. the placement of the acne tells me it is the meds. please don't take that stuff unless you cant live without it. it can cause terrible side effect long term, hence the black box warnings.

hope you find the answer.

[Michelle75]

Hi Yasmin,

It could be time to wipe off your cell phone, telephone and don't rest your chin in your hands. These are the most common reasons for mouth acne. I learned this from my Dr. I took her warnings and fixed them. Now I have less pimples around my mouth. TRY IT!!! I will say it was very hard for me to stop resting my chin in my hands. VERY HARD.

[Adishakti]

I agree with the others about reviewing any changes you've made to medications, diet or skin/hair care.

You really should stop with the scrub, though. I've had bad skin since I was 12... even two rounds of acne still hasn't cleared my problem up - it just comes back. (grrr). Anyhow, my dermatologist stressed firmly that I needed to be gentle on my skin.

See, I'd get angry as a young teen... I felt acne was dirty and so I'd wash it too often, scrub it with facial scrubs and loofah's, and that just makes it even worse. Be kind to your skin.

The best thing that works for me now are the tea tree oil products from the body shop, along with a salyclic acid toner by Neutrogena. My back isn't too bad, but I've used the tea tree mask and the toner on my back before, too...

[resullivan]

Could be toothpaste too. I had a weird breakout, almost rash-like acne, on my chin. Turns out is had to do with using a certain type of tartar control toothpaste, though that was more whiteheads I think. But I did need the dermatologist to help it, so another vote for getting to the doctor.

[yasmindiab]

Thanks ladies...

The phone thing didn't even occur to me, Michelle, I'll have to try that.

I will talk to my doctor about the medication, too. The good news about the anti-depressants is that I've just started going to a counselor, and the last time I was in counseling, I was able to get off meds really quickly. I hate being on them, trust me.

So, it looks like I'm going to the doctor! :) Thanks everyone. In the meantime, how should I go about washing my face? Just the Neutrogena wipes? A different kind of face wash? I don't want to irritate my skin anymore than it already is... :)

You all are the best! What would I do without bhuz? (I'd be a pimply emotional mess without anyone to show off my costumes to!!) :)

[Anthony]

I know this sounds stupid, but at night, your pillow case could be a contributor to the bacteria build up that could irritate your face.
My dermatologist suggested I put a clean soft towel over my pillow and sleep on a new clean towel every night. It helped.
Also, there is a skin care system called Arrbonne frm Switzerland that has worked great when nothing else did. I hope I spelled that correctly.

[elenya]

Originally Posted by Anthony

I know this sounds stupid, but at night, your pillow case could be a contributor to the bacteria build up that could irritate your face.

So true! This has helped me a lot.

Be carefull with products labeled for oily skin, those usually are aggressive in removing sebum/oil from the skin. And will only result in you're skin producing more sebum trying to recover and it will clog up more pores.

Also since you're skin is in a bad condition right now, try products for sensitive (not dry!) skin, because that's what it is right now. I did that some time ago in a period of massive (hormone related) breakouts and never switched back. A lot of people noticed the change in my skin and said my skin really cleared up.

[yasmindiab]

Originally Posted by elenya

So true! This has helped me a lot.

Be carefull with products labeled for oily skin, those usually are aggressive in removing sebum/oil from the skin. And will only result in you're skin producing more sebum trying to recover and it will clog up more pores.

Also since you're skin is in a bad condition right now, try products for sensitive (not dry!) skin, because that's what it is right now. I did that some time ago in a period of massive (hormone related) breakouts and never switched back. A lot of people noticed the change in my skin and said my skin really cleared up.

This is a great idea. THANKS!!!

[rakgirl]

i have a really gross way to get rid of acne. I've actually never tried it but my naprapath told me about it and i've heard a bunch of other people say they used it.
get ready cuz this is gross, but open your mind.

urine will make it go away. they say to use a cotton swab first thing in the mornig. pee a little first then wet the swab with some pee. dab it on your acne. let it dry and then wash your face.
if you're at your wits in try it.

[clueless23de]

My esthetician says that the best facial cleaner on the market is Aveeno (sp? too lazy to go look at the bottle). It doesn't have anything in it that will clog your pores and it comes in sensitive skin formula. Personally, any type of facial wipe esp. Neutrogena makes my skin feel like sandpaper and I break out.
I would definitely take everyone's suggestions and keep everything that touches my face super clean. Also, I would wear my hair up or in a ponytail always. Alot of hair products (gels, sprays, etc) will make my face breakout. Especially at night when my hair gets everywhere, so I wear my hair in a bun or ponytail at night too.
Your breakouts could be hormonal. So at this point a Dr visit is in order.
Good luck.

[yasmindiab]

Originally Posted by clueless23de

My esthetician says that the best facial cleaner on the market is Aveeno (sp? too lazy to go look at the bottle). It doesn't have anything in it that will clog your pores and it comes in sensitive skin formula. Personally, any type of facial wipe esp. Neutrogena makes my skin feel like sandpaper and I break out.
I would definitely take everyone's suggestions and keep everything that touches my face super clean. Also, I would wear my hair up or in a ponytail always. Alot of hair products (gels, sprays, etc) will make my face breakout. Especially at night when my hair gets everywhere, so I wear my hair in a bun or ponytail at night too.
Your breakouts could be hormonal. So at this point a Dr visit is in order.
Good luck.

I just picked up Aveeno last night...the Ultra Calming face wash, and moisturizer (I had been using.... ....Lubriderm as my moiturizer, but...I know. Probably not the best thing in the world.) I washed my face with it last night, and my skin feels very good this morning. :) Hopefully it will help.

I will start wearing my hair back at night to see if it helps...during the day it usually starts down, but ends up in a pony tail.

The more I think about it, before I chopped my hair off a couple years ago, I NEVER broke out like this...but my hair was constantly in a bun on top of my head...(it was WAY too long to wear down while working at a daycare center!) Hm...yet another reason I want my long hair back!!!! ;)

Thanks again, everyone, for the tips! :)

[carolynn]

ditto the suggestions re phone, pillow case and hair.

a product suggestion: Rare Minerals skin treatment by Bare Escentuals
RareMinerals™ Skin Revival Treatment

when i was buying it, i felt a bit of a fool letting myself be talked into it by the sales girl, but wow, i love it. it clears things up quickly.