In the past month I have suddenly developed bad acne. It is horrible.

I am using a face cleanser from Bath and Body Works, C.O. Bigelow, and a toner and it's kept my face really clear for about a month. (this was 2 months ago). I don't know what it is. I've tried every different face wash you can think of and nothing really works.

I am using an H2O gel acne spot treatment right now and it clears the zits up pretty good but new ones form fast.

I am loosing my patients with this.

My skin type is Oily/Normal. Any one has similar problems who have tried something that worked for them or heard of something that might work let me know!?

My second-oldest daughter had this problem a few years ago. She'd never had it before and because she worked in public relations, was mortified. None of the rest of our family had this problem and she was stumped.

She changed her makeup--she'd formerly worn a lot, and now wore just a bit. Make sure it's non -oily stuff--most cosmetics are loaded with that crap.
She also used Pro-Active and it really worked. It was expensive, but worth every penny.
I believe they have a website. Good luck--it should go away soon--try to get enough rest too, and eat lots of fruit and drink lots--LOTS--of water!

My second-oldest daughter had this problem a few years ago. She'd never had it before and because she worked in public relations, was mortified. None of the rest of our family had this problem and she was stumped.

She changed her makeup--she'd formerly worn a lot, and now wore just a bit. Make sure it's non -oily stuff--most cosmetics are loaded with that crap.
She also used Pro-Active and it really worked. It was expensive, but worth every penny.
I believe they have a website. Good luck--it should go away soon--try to get enough rest too, and eat lots of fruit and drink lots--LOTS--of water!

Thanks! Yeah I don't really wear make-up... During my last week of school though I was putting make-up over my zits cause it was bad! I also heard today from one of my friends to try going to the tanner for a few days because it helps clear zits. I will try what I can and hopefully something will work :)

yeah..I use proactive and it works wonders for me...definatly the best investment :p

Don't fret ......AdvGirl ..................most young'ns have an acne problem. Your worth isn't what is on the outside of you ....but ..what is on the inside of you.

Try to take care of the problem as the other folks in here have prescribed .....but ...........don't get hung up on your looks.

If you do that ...........what will you think when you are in your adult ages ........and all them moles and skin imperfections crop out .....that you can't get rid of ......*W*.


Slim

U know what i always find,,,,whenever i use a cleansing product like an exfoliater (lol) or a deep clenser,,,,i come out in spots...

When i use plain old soap and water im fine....

Maybe the products your using are too harsh,,,,try just soap and water for a while......

Also check the ingriedents,,,some sensitive skins are allergic to the preservatives they put in skin stuff..

The sun bed suggestion works too...:D

Thanks Red for that. It is actually started to clear up. The only thing I've been doing different is not wearing makeup. I can't wait to see that clear skin again.

Thanks for everyone's help!

ProActiv also has tinted moisturizers. I wear those in the summer months in place of makeup because I tend to break out and have oily skin during the summer if I wear normal makeup. The tinted moisturizer gives you that smooth appearance without having to wear heavy makeup.

Glad to hear you're finding success!

I use benzoyl peroxide (over the counter) and Tazorac (really expensive prescription). Works rather well.

I use benzoyl peroxide (over the counter) and Tazorac (really expensive prescription). Works rather well.

Yeah I tried Benzoyl Peroxide before when a doctor prescribed it to me but it was a little jar full of it and when it was gone i went to get it again and it was 50 dollars! I still don't think I can afford it. lol This was a few years ago though so I am sure they have come out with newer products. How much did you pay for it? Either way the B.P worked really good... from what I can remember!

I myself use a Clean and Clear facial cleanser (http://www.cleanandclear.com/products/facial_clean/deep_action_cream.shtml) to treat my entire face and just recently a moisturizer (http://www.cleanandclear.com/products/facial_moist/dual_action.shtml) to take extra care of individual spots. Both are between $5-8 each and last about a month if used correctly.

One common mistake people make is neglecting regular lotion. Most acne cleansers dry your skin out which can eventually aggravate it. I recommend Lubriderm for Extra Dry Skin. Use only a thin layer and you won't get any oily residue. When you first put the lotion on you'll notice your acne spots will turn redder at first. It fades quickly, don't worry. Best to use it at night just before bed.

To simply keep your skin clean, use only Dove soap. It's the most gentle on the skin.

Finally, sleep at night with your hair tied back. Hair gets greasy and when it touches your face it can make things worse. And don't sleep with your face touching the pillow... bacteria, etc builds on it and if your face touches it there could be a breakout on the horizon.

Try Proactive. Followed by (if still no good) a visit to your friendly neighborhood dermatologist.

I myself use a Clean and Clear facial cleanser (http://www.cleanandclear.com/products/facial_clean/deep_action_cream.shtml) to treat my entire face and just recently a moisturizer (http://www.cleanandclear.com/products/facial_moist/dual_action.shtml) to take extra care of individual spots. Both are between $5-8 each and last about a month if used correctly.

One common mistake people make is neglecting regular lotion. Most acne cleansers dry your skin out which can eventually aggravate it. I recommend Lubriderm for Extra Dry Skin. Use only a thin layer and you won't get any oily residue. When you first put the lotion on you'll notice your acne spots will turn redder at first. It fades quickly, don't worry. Best to use it at night just before bed.

To simply keep your skin clean, use only Dove soap. It's the most gentle on the skin.

Finally, sleep at night with your hair tied back. Hair gets greasy and when it touches your face it can make things worse. And don't sleep with your face touching the pillow... bacteria, etc builds on it and if your face touches it there could be a breakout on the horizon.

Thank you so much! This was very helpful information! I have a Dove facial cleanser but I stopped using it because I felt like I needed something with salicylic acid in it to clear my face. I guess there are a million different things that can cause acne and it will be trial and error until I find a routine that works.

Thanks for everyone's input though!

Thank you so much! This was very helpful information! I have a Dove facial cleanser but I stopped using it because I felt like I needed something with salicylic acid in it to clear my face. I guess there are a million different things that can cause acne and it will be trial and error until I find a routine that works.

Thanks for everyone's input though!
I used to use salicylic acid, but the combination of that plus the benzoyl peroxide and tazarotene made my face peel like crazy. Besides, tazarotene does the same thing salicylic acid does: it's a chemical exfoliator. Benzoyl peroxide kills all the nasty little bacteria that live in your skin.

This thread is illustrative of the diversity of this forum. Here we have young people discussing cures for acne while others of us are more worried about age spots.

Brillo pads & household bleach will remove those pesky pimples.

Brillo pads & household bleach will remove those pesky pimples.

... hahahaha ...