Advice on acne

[BeautifulBlue]

Ooooh, something I am knowledgeable about.

In brief, I went through puberty early, started getting acne at nine and have been battling it since. I was on a slew of medications including the infamous Acutane (which I don't recommend to anyone, and I believe it's been pulled from the market.) Since my late teens I've had minor problems with acne, but I believe that's all stress related due to my Bipolar Disorder.

Now... my regimine is on the cheaper end (but still costly) and is for oily skin, so it might help you.

Anyway, before I put any products on my face that I plan on leaving on my skin, I use a cleanser. I use Hill Country Essentials Acne Wash (Oil Free, Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment.) This is to exfoliate the pores and get all the shit out of them. Be sure to rub up down/left and right, but also in a circular motion.

Afterward (and before I get in the shower,) I use a Manuka Honey treatment. This can be done with any kind of Manuka Honey you get in store or online (just make sure it's the highest percentage of honey you can.) Apply it to all affected areas and do as you did with cleanser--up, down, left, right and circular motions. Leave that on for about fifteen to twenty minutes so it can sink into your skin.

Get in the shower and wash it off. Make sure it's WARM water so it opens your pores.

Afterward, get out of the shower and use a moisturizer of your choice. I recently ran out of mine, so I go without (which is a big no no, but I have no cash for a new one.)

FOR SHAVING --

I recently started using Gillette Hydrator Hydrant before shaving, applying it in the same kind of motions I did before. The trick with this stuff is to continue to rub it into your skin until your skin feels VERY light (it's a weird thing to explain unless you actually experience it yourself.) Wash it off, warm water, then shave. I didn't have a problem with ingrown hairs or razor cuts like I usually do.

FOR GENERAL USAGE

For the small stuff, use Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment with benzoyl peroxide. This is just a little cream you put on your smaller pimples/blacheads.

For the bigger stuff (big pimples, boils, etc,) use AcneFree TERMINATOR. It's much harsher than the OtS treatment, but works just as well.

DOCTOR-RELATED STUFF

Really watch out what creams they give you. A lot of the shit is extremely overpowered and can leave you with major scarring. Laser is good -- if the person who is doing it is trained. NEVER go to a clinic that treats acne by using scalpels/hooks to dig it out. It's extremely barbaric and horrible on your skin and can leave huge scarring. Trust me -- I know. This isn't to say if you have a boil in a bad spot on your body NOT to have it removed. Boils are bad news and can only get bigger and bigger if left under check.

Also -- NEVER pick at your skin. I'm trying to break myself of this habit, but popping pimples prematurely can be major cause for concern. The only way you really get rid of a pimple is if you get its 'core' out (that little yellow or black-shaped nub that comes out.) If you don't get it out, it has the chance to come back.

FIN

One last method you could try (but which I don't like to do because it's so fucking sticky) is use bag balm. I usually mix it with manuka honey. That seems to work well.

Like I said, this is MY regiment and it works for me. I don't know if it'll work for everyone.