Help Needed...This Acne is overtaking my face

[ftiffreneee]

Good Afternoon LHCF,

I don't know what else to do..I am sooooooo fed up with this skin of mine. I have been having these breakouts on my forehead and cheek area for some time now. Not the usual monthly breakouts, but acne like I am just hitting puberty or something. I thought it was the make-up, MAC, but I have since stopped using that and have been using the IMAN, which is blends very well with my complexion and does not transfer as easily as the MAC, but now it seems as if my skin doesn't like make-up at all....and GOD HELP ME, if that's the case. When I say by the end of day, my face is drenched in oil, shuga, that is the truth. I have used the Queen Helene, mud mask and mint Julep mask, saw no difference in that, tried the women's vit for skin, hair and nails, saw a difference in hair and nails but not this face of mine. I am toooo perrrty for this. I wash my face 2x a day at night I use Dove soap, apple cider vinegar as a toner, and aloe vera gel as a night time moisturizer. In the Am, I wash with Green tea soap, oil of olay astringent and a moisturizer before I put my makeup on. I have been suffering with this since the birth of my twin boys, could it be hormonal, maybe I need something to regulate these raging hormones of mine. LORD send me some help, please!!!!!:wallbash:

[annieup]

I think when you've tried all that you could externally, then it must be an internal thing. According to a Chinese doctor (Doctor Wang Zheng Hu), the location of acne spots on your face can give you an indication of their underlying cause. So, by analyzing where you get pimples and "mapping" where acne pops up, you can help prevent zits from forming.

I got this information from skinacea.com

Forehead pimples usually come from digestive problems (hard time breaking up certain foods), toxin build up, hair products, bangs, hats.

Cheek pimples come from stress, stomach problems, too much sugar, dirty cell phone, dirty pillow cases, blush and dirty makeup brushes.

Below is another acne chart that I got from a different website.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f261/annieup/acne-table.jpg (link to photo)
http://www.highonhealth.org/how-to-identify-the-root-cause-of-your-acne-just-by-looking-at-your-skin/

Askshelley.com mentions Forehead acne of any type is due to liver congestion. The liver and bile ducts are clogged with stones and bad fats. Time for a couple liver flushes or comprehensive liver cleansing focusing on ridding the liver of fats, which means Bupleurum, Lecithin, Malic Acid, Carrot Juice or Carrot Cleansing Salad - or both, and fat burners like blueberries, Taurine, Arginine, or Nutritional yeast flakes.

Whiteheads are due to overall congestion from the bowels to the lymphatic system, so good and thorough bowel management is necessary. Pungent therapy is essential.

Large acne, cystic acne, no matter where it is and especially if it is attacking the chest and back in addition to the face, means you really should do the stomach acid test and start drinking apple cider vinegar (see recipe for Cleansing Drink) 3x a day. You should also follow the candida diet (low sugar) and perhaps supplement with acidophilus/kefir, altho some people break out in reaction to acidophilus due to leaky gut. Usually that's just temporary.

Acne around the mouth, especially if you get bumps or cracks at the corners of your mouth, is Vitamin B deficiency and wonky hormones. Liver management and avoiding estrogenic foods will help with this. Wheat germ oil, eggs and nutritional yeast are excellent sources of B vits. See recipe for protein shakes.

Acne along the cheek or under the eyes involves the kidneys. You're dehydrated and must do some kidney management. The Cleansing drink will cleanse the kidneys.

Acne on the chin is usually due to toxins being stored in the reprodutive system. Comprehensive liver and bowel management, plus avoiding estrogenic foods, Zinc and the rest of the Skin Food will help with this.

Acne along the jawline, if not iodine overdose, is usually kidneys/lymph congestion.

If your skin is prone to goosebump sized acne (check the back of your upper arms), you have a Vitamin A, EFA, zinc deficiencies, and a very low metabolism. If you tend to feel cold, need lots of sleep and have a hard time waking up in the morning, you should get checked for hypothyroidism and anemia. Get plenty of Skin Food and take the thyroid self-test.

In general, acne is due to these deficiencies: Vitamin A, Vit B2, Vit B5, Vit B6, Vit C, Vit E, manganese, chromium, magnesium. Nutritional yeast flakes, wheat germ oil, Emergen-C and a teaspoon of Epsom salts will make up for these deficiencies.

the same thing happens to me too. I created the best regimen for my face but I'd still get pimples from time to time. I'm going to start taking cascara sagrada, drinking dandelion tea for liver and possibly consider taking Nature's cure.

[Keshieshimmer]

Well I would stop with the astringent. Those always made my face very dry and unhappy. You are also using soap? They may be contributing to the dryness making your skin produce MORE oil!

I also agree with the above poster, change up that diet! And don't do too many things to your face to upset it. Also you may want to switch laundry detergents, that could also contribute to the skin issues.

Have you thought about getting on BC to help with the hormone inbalance?

[Ivey14]

Have you thought about getting on BC to help with the hormone inbalance?

BC MAY either help or worsen an acne situation, and even if it helps, there are still other risk factors to consider, such as hair loss, blood clots/stroke, and loss of libido to name a few. Trust me, I know. I've been on BC since I was 15...BC should be the last resort after trying everything you can possibly think of. :ohwell:

[Ivey14]

I personally have had success with the use of salicylic acid/glycolic acid/benzoyl peroxide combined. For me, personally, my issues were a slight mixture of hormones and my skin's inability to shed properly. So I've been taking fish oil to combat the inflammation and have a 4-step day and night skin regimen. So far, it's been working. I realize exfoliation is my best defense against acne. If I don't, my skin will build up with dead skin cells and clog my pores. I'm not sure if it's a vitamin deficiency that causes this, but I have also incorporated zinc/copper and it's helped shed my dead skin easier revealing newer and healthier skin underneath. I also have combination skin (oily t-zone/dry cheeks).

Basically, you have to find the right products that works and make sure you

1. cleanse
2. exfoliate/tone
3. medicate
4. moisturize

These four steps should combat all possible causes of most acne, at least externally. Internally, you have to correct any imbalances you may have with your body (ex. vitamin deficiencies/hormonal).

[*ElleB]

I would cosign with the OPs: Look at your diet + stay away from the DRYING products, they only make your skin think it needs to produce MORE oil!

Also, have you seen a derm?

[ftiffreneee]

I would cosign with the OPs: Look at your diet + stay away from the DRYING products, they only make your skin think it needs to produce MORE oil!

Also, have you seen a derm?

Thanks..I have an appt at the end of the month with the dermatologist.

[ftiffreneee]

Thanks to all of you. You have given me some insight on how to move forward. It is very much appreciated. I am printing the chart information out now. LHCF is the GREATEST!!!:grin:

[Keen]

Do a search on the oil pulling thread. It has worked well for many members here including myself.

ETA: Here's the link http://www.longhaircareforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118782&highlight=oil+pulling

[ftiffreneee]

I personally have had success with the use of salicylic acid/glycolic acid/benzoyl peroxide combined. For me, personally, my issues were a slight mixture of hormones and my skin's inability to shed properly. So I've been taking fish oil to combat the inflammation and have a 4-step day and night skin regimen. So far, it's been working. I realize exfoliation is my best defense against acne. If I don't, my skin will build up with dead skin cells and clog my pores. I'm not sure if it's a vitamin deficiency that causes this, but I have also incorporated zinc/copper and it's helped shed my dead skin easier revealing newer and healthier skin underneath. I also have combination skin (oily t-zone/dry cheeks).

Basically, you have to find the right products that works and make sure you

1. cleanse
2. exfoliate/tone
3. medicate
4. moisturize

These four steps should combat all possible causes of most acne, at least externally. Internally, you have to correct any imbalances you may have with your body (ex. vitamin deficiencies/hormonal).


The combination that you are speaking about, can you get this OTC or will I need a prescription.

[beana]

I battled acne for 18 months.. my face was discolored, irritated, and "raised"/bumpy. I stopped using everything the derm gave me and started using sulfur soap. My face has been smooth and even since.

[Opey]

Honestly the best thing you can do is keep it simple, washing your face with one soap, rinsing with warm water, patting your face dry and applying olive oil as a moisturizer at night. this is my routine and i just got over my teenage acne.

olive oil as it will dry out spots and fade new acne scars
warm water as it will open pores
patting your face so as not to irritate it or pop a spot and havee 'juice' spread#
one soap so that your routine is consitent

[ftiffreneee]

Honestly the best thing you can do is keep it simple, washing your face with one soap, rinsing with warm water, patting your face dry and applying olive oil as a moisturizer at night. this is my routine and i just got over my teenage acne.

olive oil as it will dry out spots and fade new acne scars
warm water as it will open pores
patting your face so as not to irritate it or pop a spot and havee 'juice' spread#
one soap so that your routine is consitent


WOW...your skin is radiant, thanks for the tips. I need to K.I.S.S (Keep it simple sisters) :grin:

[ftiffreneee]

I battled acne for 18 months.. my face was discolored, irritated, and "raised"/bumpy. I stopped using everything the derm gave me and started using sulfur soap. My face has been smooth and even since.


Ok thanks. Where can I purchase the sulfur soap from? Do you have a preference?

[fatimablush]

I purchased sulphur soap and i have noticed a definite change in my skin. I purchased this at walmart...it is a spanish brand.

My sister purchased a sulphur soap on line..the one she bought has saltytic (sp) acid in hers... will ask here where she purchased hers from..

[trendsetta25]

Thanks..I have an appt at the end of the month with the dermatologist.

I was just about to recommend seeing a dermatologist. They can best help with the acne and if all else fails...try accutane (look up the thread on accutane first) :-)
Hope things turn out well!

[ChocalateDiva]

I know that this statement will go against what we have always heard ........but.........I had better luck with my skin when stopped using moisturizers, even oil free ones are a no no for me during the day. I only moisturized before bed. Moisturizer under my makeup is a recipe for an afternoon mess of a face!

A Bentonite clay mask 3 times a week has help tremendously too.

[HeChangedMyName]

What cleared my skin up was a combination of things. lots of water, balancing my ph daily with a cup of water containing baking soda. I also added MSM to my water and I took vitamin C.

I can say for a fact that this worked because it also cleared up the back acne that i had and chest acne. I stopped doing my little routine and BOOOOOMMMMM the acne came back.

[sillygirl82]

There is an area on my cheek that is ridiculously difficult to clear. I thought it was MAC foundation as well, but it wasn't. So a few nights a week, I began to use apple cider vinegar (5% strength) as toner. That really starting clearing my skin and made it even-toned.

I really think it was work stress and poor diet.

[Sunshine_One]

I haven't read the previous posts. But I highly recommend seeing a good Dermatologist. Preferably, one that specializes in brown skin.

HTH