So when we last talked on the subject, I was stressed about skin. My skin, to be exact.
The awful, no-good, horrible, very bad zits that have infested my face.
I asked for help. And you guys came through. In fact, you had so many good suggestions that I thought I’d put them into one big list for others who may be looking for advice, too.
Techniques
- Exfoliate (with sugar!)
- Take a cod liver oil supplement
- Take a zinc supplement
- Sleep in a ponytail
- Clean cell phone
- Wash face twice a day
- Go make-up free as often as possible
- Clean brushes/applicators
- Eliminate wheat
- Get a facial
- Eat whole foods
Products
- Clarisonic (expensive but good)
- Neutrogena
- Votre Vu
- Bare Minerals
- Sprout
- 100% Pure
- St. Ives Apricot Scrub
- Clinique
- Philsophy Retinol Cream
- Be Fine moisturizer with cocoa
- Kiehl’s Blue Herbal Gel Cleaner
- Kiehl’s Gentle Foaming Facial Cleanser
- Lush
- Daniel Kern
- Cetaphil (some for, some against)
- Liz Earle Organic Skin Products
- CeraVe
- Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Oil
- Yes to Tomatoes
- Aveda’s Outer Peace pads
- Jane Iredale
- Glo Minerals
- CoverGirl Age Defying Makeup
- Neutrogena’s Acne Stress Control 3-in-1 Acne treatment
- Paula’s Choice
Medicine
- Duac
- Proactiv (some for, some against)
- Minocycline
- Differin
I haven’t tried all of these yet (!!!) but I am beginning to phase out my crappy products and bring in some better stuff. Doing more juicing has also helped, and I’m sleeping as much as possible.
Anything I should add to the list?
About Katy
The body shop Tea Tree products are the best!
Keelie (SweatEqualsSuccess) recently posted..Brown Bags and Book Bags
Wow, with so many options, where do you start?! I’ve been looking for a method for clearing up my skin and (sorry I’m not sorry) and so tired of the advice “eat clean.” I eat a diet of almost 100% whole foods, local, organic, the whole shebang. So the “eat clean” advice isn’t necessarily a cure-all.
Sorry, had to get that off my chest.
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) recently posted..Thankful Thursday
I get tired of the “eat clean” advice too. I do my best, drink lots of water, and still get really painful acne. For me, it’s all about the skin care products, makeup usage, and clean pillow cases!
Deva @ Devy by Definition recently posted..And Were Live!
Ack, I love that you put this in one concise list! My only addition to “techniques” would be to drink plenty of water.
Carly (Swim, Run, Om) recently posted..be a force of beauty
Awesome list! I would add a couple things. If you have access to a dermatologist you could try a prescription for a light exfoliating agent such as Retin-A or go to an esthetician for a light peel. Peel contrary to popular belief are not just for older folks and actually free up a layer of your skin that holds dirt and the like. Once you have a “fresh” layer it actually always your products to work better and you can typically use less of them, thus saving money over the long haul.
Hannah (Balancing on Two Feet) recently posted..Wednesday’s Random Ramblings Volume 2
I second the tea tree oil. It will make you smell like a hippie, but it really works. I put a dab on affected areas at night and in the morning even the worst zit is gone or close to it!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Everything But the Kitchen Sink Soup
I’ve kind of always had bad skin, but it does seem to have gotten worse as I’ve gotten older. Two things that I’ve noticed make a big difference: drinking milk causes me to break out big time, so I’ve switched mostly to almond milk, and upping my water tends to help clear my skin up some.
I have been using Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Oil Face Wash, but to be honest, I’ve not been too impressed with it for the face clearing aspect. It’s a nice face wash, but it hasn’t helped me so much in that area.
I used Proactiv for a long time and it does work, but it’s $$$ and pretty harsh.
If you find something that works, PLEASE post about it.
maria @ Chasing the Now recently posted..Changes to Chasing the Now
I grew up having major, MAJOR breakouts over the years, even up until now and trying a ton of different products (over the counter, prescription, facials, you name it) and since around the beginning of the year I have gone, for the most part, without ANY kind of “chemical” washes. It’s me and the water.
The “for the most part” means that every time I try to introduce something to my skin it breaks out. Given, I still have the occasional spot here and there, normally around that lovely time each month.
And of course everybody’s skin reacts different, but my skin hasn’t ever been better/clearer than what it is now.
Kelly recently posted..Words That Woke Me Up
I don’t know if I said this in your last post, but I use Neutrogena Grapefruit Exfoliating wash w/ Salicylic Acid in the morning + before bed, and also Clean + Clear (well, Target brand) benzoyl (?) peroxide in morning + before bed. I also went OFF birth control and my skin was significantly better. (I also haven’t dealt with acne during pregnancy – my body would rather just have natural hormones than all the extra ones from pills.) But, it has saved me a lot of money.
I have used Differen + another Rx when I was in college, but have had more success with my current skin care routine. And, I’m blessed with having my father’s genetics and not my mom’s (she is still dealing with acne, as is my brother).
Kristen @ The Concrete Runner recently posted..baby bump: week 36
Can’t wait to hear what works (or doesn’t) for you. If you use proactive make sure you have white towels, it bleaches EVERYTHING!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen recently posted..New rules of lifting for women: stage 2 update
I am so glad you posted this because I have something interesting to add. I have always had problems with acne, I haven’t been completely zit free since before my teenage years until I just started trying something new a few weeks ago out of desperation. I started changing my pillow case every night, using a clean t-shirt whenever I didn’t have one available, and now my skin looks better than it ever has. It never crossed my mind before that my face is pressed against the same fabric every night for 8 hours and absorbs all the oils from my skin. Changing the pillowcase as often as I change my clothing has made a huge difference!
Alayna @ Thyme Bombe recently posted..Bar Exam: Peanut butter pretzel Clif Mojo bar
This is such a great list! Thanks for posting!
My skin has been going crazy this year, and I recently switched up my facial cleanser and moisturizer and started washing my face twice a day. It’s definitely helped, but i’m not 100% clear. I used clindamycin cream for a few months 2 years ago and it was awesome (prescription), but it made my skin really oily.
Thanks for the compilation! I want a Clarisonic baaad.
The only cleanser I can use is actually Cetaphil. Anything else (including many of the ones you listed) just makes me break out. I still get the odd pimple every now and then, always on the right side of my chin! Apparently that’s hormonal, so not much I can do to change that seeing as I’m already on the pill to fix it
Tara @ Sweat like a Pig recently posted..Never give up
Just bought a set of OWN products and it is really GOOD! And make of natural ingredients which harmless to skin too.