Hope for Acne Sufferers .. I Went Clear!
Aug 22 '01
The Bottom Line You have a variety of options in the war on blemishes -- through well-informed experimentation, you should be able to keep them at bay.
After years of battling blemishes, I finally have them well under control. I spent my entire adolescence suffering from moderate to severe acne -- as if being a teenager wasn't difficult enough. Eventually, with the help of a dermatologist and a plan of attack, I'm happy to say that I now sport clear skin. What follows is a list of topical ingredients that you may find useful for attaining and maintaining clear skin. Please bear in mind that no one regime or product is going to work for everyone and some experimentation may be necessary to see what works for your skin.
First and foremost, your best bet is to start by washing your face with a gentle cleanser such as Spectro Gel or the ever popular Cetaphil (Regular or the Oily Skin version, the choice is yours). You're going to be treating your skin topically with medicated products, so there's no need to risk additional irritation with a medicated cleanser.
1. Salicylic Acid (Beta Hydroxy Acid)
This is the old standard when it comes to fighting acne because it has the ability to exfoliate inside the pore itself. BHA/Salicylic acid is available in strengths from 0.5% to 2% and for maximum effectiveness, should have a pH of somewhere between 3 and 4. Because blemished skin tends to be oily, you will likely want a BHA in a gel base rather than a cream formulation. Suggestions: Oxy Balance All Night Deep Pore Treatment. If your skin isn't excessively oily and you prefer a cream formulation, there is Oil of Olay's Daily Renewal Cream or Neutrogena's Skin Clearing Moisturizer with 2% BHA.
2. Glycolic Acid (Alpha Hydroxy Acid)
These can be useful in the war on acne, but AHAs tend to be better for sun-damaged skin rather than blemish-prone skin. But if a BHA isn't working for you, this could be an option because it does increase the cell turnover rate. Glycolic acid is available in numerous drugstore products in non-prescription strengths of 4% to 10%. For maximum efficacy, your choice should have a pH of under 4. I would be very wary of using a product that contains more than a 10% concentration of AHA without the supervision of a doctor because it could cause far more damage than good (read: irritation or even scarring). There are a plethora of good AHA products on the market, from Pond's to Neutrogena's Healthy Skin. Just make sure you don't use the ones with sunscreen because they almost never contain adequate UVA protecting ingredients.
Some initial redness and tingling is quite common when you first start to use an AHA or BHA product. However, if the product irritates your skin, discontinue use *immediately*. Irritation is bad for anyone's skin, but aggravated acne is certainly not a pretty sight. If you have sensitive skin, start with a fairly low concentration and work up as your skin builds tolerance.
N.B. Use of either AHA or BHA products will make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which means you absolutely must wear sunscreen. But you knew that, right?
3. Benzoyl Peroxide
Unlike AHAs or BHAs, benzoyl peroxide is most often used as a spot treatment which is used to disinfect the skin. It is best applied after a BHA product because the salicylic acid will allow it to penetrate better. One to try: Clean and Clear's Persa Gel in either 5% or 10% strength. Start with the lowest strength for your needs and then move up if your skin is not responding. Be forewarned that benzoyl peroxide can bleach fabrics, towels or even hair, so take the necessary precautions when using a product containing this ingredient.
4. Milk of Magnesia
Okay, I know this sounds weird, but applying plain old Milk of Magnesia to your face can actually help keep blemishes at bay. Why? Unlike standard clay masks, Milk of Magnesia also has disinfecting properties as well as oil absorbing power. Shake the bottle well, use a cotton ball for application and apply as you would a facial mask. Leave until dry and then rinse off. I know, it's not very glamorous, but it certainly works. Depending on your skin's oil production, use as necessary -- from daily to weekly. Milk of Magnesia can also be helpful for people with oily skin who have little or no problem with break outs.
With all the aforementioned, introduce each product gradually so you can gauge your skin's tolerance. Start applying once a day (usually in the evening at bedtime), or even every other day if your skin is sensitive. Once your skin has adjusted, you can apply twice a day if necessary.
But My Skin Still Isn't Responding ..
If all the aforementioned topical treatments do not work for you, I would urge you to consult either your GP or ideally, a dermatologist. You may need a course of antibiotics, topical vitamin A products or Accutane to get your skin under control, all of which require a prescription. Also of note to female acne sufferers -- certain birth control pills such as Ortho Tricyclen and Diane-35 can be very helpful in keeping your skin clear. Once again, please consult a doctor to discuss all your available options so you can make an informed decision.
Thanks for reading and here's to clear skin!
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yseult
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Location: Vancouver, BC
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