**Warning: Superficiality ahead**
I have some new peeps to introduce you all to.
Say hello to AC and NE.
Because I love you, here is an actual picture of my pals taken sans-makeup (and with an interesting hairdo) after my morning workout. The picture doesn’t do it justice, but MY FOREHEAD looks like a volcano exploded.
Yeah, I look all happy in the first picture, but inside I feel like this second picture.
WTF.
Judging from my skin, I’m a thirteen year old pubescent boy. But judging from my ass, I’m forty five, hence the morning workout.
I’m not sure what to do about this.
I don’t really want to see a dermatologist. The last dermatologist I went to was a judgmental dingbat who suggested I go on Accutane for a few wayward zits. Not to mention she sold me a bunch of expensive, overly-drying goop that didn’t work.
My apologies, if you are a good, nice dermatologist. I’m just sensitive about my skin, and I really dislike being told, “WOW, looks like you have a breakout!”
Screw off and make my zits disappear, please.
I made the mistake of googling “remedies for adult acne” and a really scary picture popped up (let’s not talk about that) and now I’m scared for life.
Anyone else dealing with adult acne? What do you do to help it?
Mrs. B-P
I have adult acne too.. I was actually kinda luck through high school-didn't have issues until later in college.
My skin is also sensitive so I have to be careful with what I use.
I wash with Cetaphil daily cleanser and use Biore astringent. If I have any eruptions, I spot treat with Mario Badescu – might sting a little at first, but works great and doesn't dry out my skin (but I don't use it every day).
My doctor has put me on antibiotics before and that helped get rid of the big, deep, painful zits, but didn't help the surface ones.
I hope that helps!
EmilyB
I've heard wonderful things about Proactive. I've never used it, but my SIL has used it forEVER and in the 5 years I've known her I've never seen her with a pimple (bitch.)
If you're looking for more drugstore stuff, I like Neutrogena's products. I make sure to buy face wash and moisturizer with salicylic acid. I still get a few pimples, but I really think it's because I'm constantly touching my face. Also, wash your make up brushes regularly. I need to get better at that, but I've heard it helps. Good luck!
Stephanie
I went on antibiotics for a couple months pre-wedding. I was also prescribed tazorac (which is like retin-a but my insurance covered it) which is very drying so I use every other day, instead of daily like the derm said to. Was also prescribed Noritate (metronizazole cream) which is in the mornings. I'm sure you could google those to find some non-Rx strength similar products.
I use Purity made simple cleanser by philosophy–my derm had me buy this $65 green tea cleanser from him, and I totally got scammed on that. 🙁 It was okay, but NOT worth that price! But he knew I was getting married, so I feel that he took advantage of that. The other creams seemed to be enough. Still get the occasional break out, but it's not horrible.
Good luck!
Layla
You seem to have the same problem I have, just random angry pimples, not full blown acne a'la high school. I use Acne Free face wash, it's basically the same thing as Proactiv, but you can buy it at Target & drugstores for like $5 a bottle, and it lasts forever. I also use Mario Badasceu drying lotion (from Ulta) and it works really well. And I used Retin-A in my early teens to fade a huge facial scar and it does a really good job of skin renewal, just be careful with it. You can get a prescription (cream) from your doc or buy a Retinol cream at a drugstore. But again, be careful with it. I use Cetaphil w/sunscreen moisturizer because it's lightweight and not greasy.
-J.Darling
Adult acne is totally normal.
Some of it can be helped w/ cleansing. If you're JUST getting into working out, and noticing some break outs, it may just be your pores getting clogged w/ all the impurities you're body is shedding, so don't worry – it'll get better!
However, you've been having some crazy hormones as well. Acne and hormones are HIGHLY related. Before my period, I get a couple zits without fail, no matter what I do. Annoying, yes, but, eh, that's life! No one is magazine perfect all the time. 😉
Treat yourself to a facial at a reputable spa, and see what they say.
ruthy ann
I never had a zit in my life until I hit my mid 20's…then I got painful cystic acne…it was horrible. I tried a million things and the only thing that worked was being put on birth control. I wash with cetaphil, moisturize with vitamin E oil, and now for occasional break-outs I use this stuff called hot dot…you can only get it online…the brand is called Fanie.
JIN
Facials are a great way of ridding yourself of zits without going on medication – there are also acne facials as well that work wonders – and microdermerbrasions are amazing for acne prone skin (speaking from experience)…also, when you by products for your skin (such as cleansers), make sure they have salicylic acid in them
…just some advice from a faithful reader/esthetician/acne victim 🙂
Krista
I have acne. It sucks. I have 4 big ones on my chin that are just lurking and waiting to come through. Urgh.
Here are my thoughts:
(1) Go to the website "Cosmetics Cop". Paula Begoun is honest and cites peer-reviewed scientific literature to debunk myths. She sells a line, but she also tells you what other products are good. You can sign up for her email product reviews and read former "Dear Paula" letters about acne.
Aside: I discovered Paula Begoun through an amazing book "Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me". It's expensive ($40) but the book is so worth it – it reviews every product by every major company (Revlon, Quo, Jane, Dr Perricone, you name it, it's probably in there).
(2) Paula Begoun says that any dermatologist who pushes "their" expensive products on you should be viewed with skepticism. (She points out: are they there to treat you or make more money selling stuff to you?)
(3) Expensive does not necessarily mean better. Paula Begoun proves this through citing scientific, peer-reviewed literature about the ingredients in the products she reviews. In fact, there are some great products from "drug store lines" like Neutrogena, L'Oreal, Olay and Dove. There are good and bad products from most of the major lines (whether Sephora, Lancome, Occitane, etc). (Oh, and Lancome owns L'Oreal, so most of the time if you like a Lancome product you can find the identical product but cheaper from L'Oreal.)
(4) Look for salicyclic acid as an ingredient, but be aware that if the product is NOT the proper PH, the salicyclic acid (aka beta hydroxy acid) will not work. Also, avoid salicylic acid if you have a sensitivity to aspirin (also called acetysalicylic acid, also called ASA). Avoid products that have alcohol or denatured alcohol in the first 4 or so ingredients because the drying nature of alcohol is actually irritating and can CAUSE break-outs.
Okay, sorry about the long post. Obviously, you touched a nerve 😉
Krista
Also, before any dermatologist puts you on an antibiotic, talk to you regular doctor about the impact it might have on the rest of your body.
"Oral antibiotics can be extremely effective in controlling acne (Sources: Cutis, August 2008, pages S5-S12; and International Journal of Dermatology, January 2000, pages 45-50), but as effective as they are, they also pose serious risks that you must consider. Oral antibiotics kill good bacteria in the body along with the bad, and that can result in chronic vaginal yeast infections as well as stomach problems. In addition, the acne-causing bacteria can become immune or resistant to the oral antibiotic you are taking (Source: American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2001, volume 2, issue 3, pages 135-141; and Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, September 2008, pages 183-187)."
Geek in Heels
Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. I've been using this on my pimples for about a decade and I swear that it "dries" zits overnight.
Michelle Mac
I tried pretty much everything…and nothing worked still I found spectro jel(not sure if you can get it in the US or not?)…. best face cleanser ever! I hardly get pimples now.. and when I do get a spot or two I use clean& clear persa-gel5 or sometimes if Im all out of that ive used toothpaste on a spot at night…sounds crazy but totally seems to work!
BigAppleNosh
I am still dealing with adult acne, 29 years into my life. I saw a dermatologist and got some prescriptions, which helped somewhat, but it's still not under control 🙁
Please let us know what you end up doing!
Mo
I still get acne, and had it really bad in high school and college, and the scars on my forehead really bother me–especially when I can see them in my wedding photos. 🙁
Still, I go to the dermatologist even though I hate it too (one prescription made me retch, not fun,) but the acne has died down because of 1. really mild cleanser, 2. birth control, and 3. differin. What we do for clear skin.
PS: I heart your second picture. 🙂
Wendy
I second having facials. They're super relaxing and they help clear up the skin. I would try a soothing facial first though to see if you and your skin like it. 🙂
Yankee
I am going to confess that I had to think about your friends before I put the AC and NE together. Brain hurts- sue me.
.. I drink a lot of water. And when I say a lot, I mean like 2 glasses an hour, peeing every 20 minutes a lot. It helps keep my skin pretty clear [except for that lovely time of the month when aunt flow brings her rosy little friends for a visit].
I also do not use any type of soap on my face. I use a target brand facial cleanser that I use daily and a target brand [on the cheap man!] facial mask that I use about once a week [just to peel the dead skin off].
.. good luck! I know it sucks. Makes you feel like a child. I get the pain.
ens
seriously the clinique 3 step system (make sure you get the acne bar – not the liquid soap in the pump) has been the best thing for my skin. Good luck 🙂
Creature Gorgeous
I STILL get the occasional breakouts. I guess what works really depends on the person. Cleansing every night before bed and right after work outs really help. For me, silycilic acid helps, and it comes in all different forms form the Neutrogena spot treatment to St. Ives scrub. I think it's important to not be too harsh on your skin because the irritation can make you break out even more or agitate the existing blemish. Benzoyl peroxide is very harsh and I break out and have a serious, itchy reaction to it. But others swear by products that contain it, including Proactiv. Lately I've been using JASON facewash from Whole Foods and it's gentle, non irritating, and really seems to keep breakouts at bay.
This might sound creepy, but you have the perfect lips. I take that back. That sounds absolutely creepy, no "might" about it. Oh well.
MayLove
Yea, I never really got over the whole "pimply" stage. I mean, I have way less acne than I did in middle/high school, but still a good bet that on almost any given day I'll have at least one pimple. The best thing I have found is a bar of facial soap called "BASIC" and a very light (non greasy, non scented lotion). I've been using St Ives collagen elastin renewing lotion from Walmart of all place. A large container is less than $5 and lasts almost a year if you only use it on your face. It's perfect! All in all my beauty regimen costs less than $10 from Walmart, and my skin is better than it has been since before puberty. For large or nasty pimples I use Avon Clearskin Blemish Clearing Spot Treatment, and that usually clears them up in a couple days, and makes them less red and painful very quickly. Its about $5 from Avon. Also, stress is a HUGE trigger for acne, so that could be part of the problem.