How long have you been using Retin-A? I took Retin-A when I was 11 years old, going into Middle School & it took around 6 months to see a difference but when I did notice a change, my skin changed drastically.
Also, what type of Acne do you have?
If you have cystic acne, I'd recommend not using the Oxy pads and use a face wash with Benzoyl Peroxide once a day, preferably not before you use the Retin-A. The Retin-A works to stop excess oil from clogging the pores & helps exfoliate the skin chemically. The Benzoyl Peroxide will help kill acne causing bacteria and absorb a little bit of the oil within the pores. But don't use them simultaneously, because you want the full effects of the Retin-A.
If it's blackheads/white heads, then you should stick to Salicylic Acid, because it'll help unclog pores, exfoliate dead skin cells and absorb excess oil. That said, don't go for 2%, go for the .5%. Neutrogena Anti-Wrinkle Face Wash has .5% so it's gentle and yet effective. I used it for a while but quit once I began Accutane
Anyways, my basic tips are:
-Cleans skin in the morning when you wake up & before you go to bed as well as after working out. Also, before washing your face, wash your hands because you don't want to spread bacteria everywhere
-Exfoliate skin with a scrub once a week or once every 2 weeks if you find it to be too abrasive. St.Ives has great scrubs, but it's also been debated that they can cause little tears to the skin that worsen the appearance of wrinkles(in the future). Queen Helene has another great scrub that is super gentle, but it's more of a simple buffing scrub than actual exfoliating scrub. It DOES exfoliate, but it's not abrasive.
If you're more about homemade, baking soda or crushed aspirin or brown sugar+white granulated sugar are all great!
-If you get spot breakouts(as opposed to it being all over the place), try using witch hazel on those spots. It's an antibacterial but it's not necessarily drying
-Although you may have oily or acne prone skin, moisturizing is VERY important, especially when taking Retin-A. So don't skimp on it, especially during the day when you should be using a moisturizer with SPF & avoiding the sun
-Change or wash your pillow covers regularly(weekly) as they can hold onto dirt, oil and bacteria.
-Get your sleep. It sounds stupid, but I know for me, it did help minimize pores and irritation.
-Birth control is always an option, but if it isn't for you, then don't worry. It doesn't always help, but many girls notice an improvement. I know it helped me personally and it prevents breakouts around that time of the month
-Eat healthier and drink more water
There is a store called Lush where they have really good and nice skin products all made from natural ingredients and suit different types of skin. You can buy face masks, cleansers, toners, exfoiliators and so much other stuff. I buy my skin care products from there and love it. For greasy skin, you can buy face masks and toners. You can also buy other masks to get rid of any spots or marks you have on your skin and want to get rid of. You can start off by washing your face and cleansing with the cleanser, for example salts from Lush. Then you can use a toner and cotton pad and after that you can moisturise. You may have to buy this from somewhere else but you can get moisturisers which also have natural ingredients such as peppermint and tea tree oil and aloe Vera extract. As for face masks, if you buy them from Lush, you should use those two times a week for 3 weeks and they must be kept in the fridge because they are made from natural ingredients! When using these, first cleanse and then put it on and leave for 10 min and wash off, then tone and moisturise as usual. If you are having a shower, put it on AFTER your shower, not before and do the same thing. That's what I do. Hope I've helped, if you have any more questions, feel free to message me :)
I used to have bad skin, tried all the creams, pads, tricks etc. without much success. Then I read somewhere that contrary to popular belief acne is a result of moisturized skin not dirty skin. If you're prone to acne, it's because your skin overmoisturizes itself with your body oils which then clogs your pores. Worse yet, if you put moisturizer on your face, it's game over.
With that information, I discovered that using a very drying soap on my face five times in a row in the morning and again at night reduced my acne to almost nothing. The problem is it causes your skin to flake (because it's dry), so what I do is use an exfoliating cloth for the third wash of the five. That will cause your skin to create more oil because of the abuse, but if you leave a couple of minutes before wash 4 and 5, those washes will wash away that oil.
I've been doing it for years now and rarely get acne, but if I stop for even 2 days, it comes back with a vengeance.
I use plain old Ivory soap.
Then when you do occasionally get a zit, just wipe some raw soap on it just before you go to bed and it will dry it out overnight and it'll be gone usually by morning, but at most in a day or two.
Talk to a dermatologist. They may need to perscribe you some other type of oral medication, like an antibiotic or isotrentinoin. Who knows you may also have another underlying issue. It happened to me.
All of a sudden I developed persistent acne and a late age to do so. Everything I tried wouldn't clear it up. When I went to the derm he told me I had rosacea which is basically an uncurable disease, just one you treat the symtoms. It's not completely gone but since my diagnosis and now proper treatment its 90% gone.
Sometimes its also hormonal. To much testosterone in your system (even women) can cause to much sebum (oil) production.
Opinion
6Opinion
if he annoying about something like your skin, I would rethink the relationship you have with him, you should be perfect in his eyes, your skin is a external thing...however as cliche as this sounds your internal beauty should matter more. Your skin in the most complicated thing to clear up, my skin is a combination skin and I have breakouts that drive me crazy!
i use tea tree oil and tea tree face stuff from the body shop, they seem to work in getting to the point.. so perhaps check that out..if you havent?
all the best,
xx
Pro tips:
-Take vitamin E
-Sleep with a washcloth or towel (dry) on your pillow
-Sleep with a sheet between you and the comforter
-Wash you face with facial cleasner and a face sponge (Cetaphil works best for me)
-Use a good lotion afterward (Cetaphil works for this too)
-DONT use proactive, if you stop using it for a day it will fail to work, like birth control
-Use an astringent if you need to
-Also your diet is important, less junk food = better skin
-lastly get some sun, notice I said SOME, don't turn or burn, this contradicts it, just take a little walk outside everyday
Thats about it
Look into getting on a topical acne medication. Buy high quality skin care. I swear by bioderma skin cleanser - the sebum one. That and a facial brush morning and night. then followed by either a micellear cleanser or a toner, then an oil free moisturizer. Your diet and how much water you drink also make a huge difference. Don't touch your face during the day either. It transfers oil and bacteria to your skin, causing acne. Use a facial scrub every once in a whole and always remove your make up completely. (:
you could always visit a dermatologist. they know their stuff, and they can get you cleared up pretty fast. they can prescribe antibiotics to go along with the retin-a.
also, you boyfriend sounds like a douche who doesn't know how to support his woman.
- Get plenty of sleep
- Cut down on all cosmetics and soaps you use on your face
- Wash your face more gently, don't scrub hard
- Drink more water
- Take an estrogen regulator like Nature's Way DIM, it can help regulate your hormones, which also control acne
Do all of the above and you're likely to see better skin in a few weeks.
Try no chocolate, or processed sugars. No fast food. And drink lots of water. Stay away from coffee, and soda for a while. I use proactive and I have pretty clear skin. But accutane works miracles, but you have to get it from your dermatologist, and make sure you are on birth control while you take it, cause it's pretty strong and if you get pregnant the side affects won't be good.
Pro-Active, it works, its cheap to get started, but follow through with the steps & give it a wk or two. you have to follow thru. I started a couple years ago and at 1st using it everyday was too much so I went to 3 times a week, don't start for a couple days and quit, be consistant, and haven't had any breakouts since. I love it
you can use some skin brightening creams that are available in the market today and which works best for you...These creams contains clinically proven ingredients which doesn't harm the skin at all...
wash your face every morning. since your a female, shaving won't help lol.. that usually helps me. I get acne ,but it isn't really bad. just here and there.
use benzoyl peroxide cream. apply it before sleeping.
Wow that is funny because I got a girlfriend that will not use her retin A or the oxypads that she has. USE THEM then you will not ask these questions.
I think I read somewhere that come help. Not even joking. Tell your boyfriend to give you a facial
just eat well and drink water ...stay away from sugar and grese
Catastrophe cosmetic from lush, it clears your skin makes it soft and even gets rid of acne scars
Benzoil peroxide helps a lot.. I use it ^-^ maybe a face wash with it in it.
You can also add your opinion below!
Most Helpful Opinions