still struggling with my skin...

[dmkuk]

i need some advice please

i have been using the skincare range for about 2-3 months now,

apricot cleanser - am and pm
green tea and aloe vera - am
olive oil moist - am

aha toner - twice a week
vit c peptide - pm (daily bedtime)

teatree oil - on spots

i have only started using the toner and vitc peptide in the last month.

the problem is my skin has hardly improved, to start with my skin was dry, the dryness has improved, but i still have spots (red lumpy cysts)and my skin tone is still uneven and looks bleurgh...(spots are on the chin/cheek area)

it is really getting me down, as i am still struggling with foundation and choosing the right shade & being happy with the coverage. Everytime i get a spot, i put Tea tree oil on it, but then another spot appears next to it!! arghhhh (and my skin feels sore when the spots appear)

i have had bad skin for a long time (must be 10+years now, but am too embarassed to go to the doctors as i dont feel i would be taken seriously)

should i give the products more time to work or admit defeat?????

help!

[extemter]

I empathize more than you know. Have you been to the doctor in the past 10+ years? Have you tried prescription medications before?

i have had bad skin for a long time (must be 10+years now, but am too embarassed to go to the doctors as i dont feel i would be taken seriously)

[frckls]

I can feel you. My skin is at its worst state for the last 7 years. I used to have very clear skin, crystal clear.

December 2010, I got more concerned about products ingredients and started releasing my commercial skincare products and turned to DIY, natural ones. I did OCM and it was okay for the first 3 months. I actually saw improvements. Afterwards, I started getting whiteheads on my forehead and later on the cheek (rough patch but invisible). But the acne did not show up until 1 month ago. Rough patches on both my cheeks that seemed to be whiteheads now turned into acnes.

I never had anything this bad, and being a girl you know how easy things sometimes can be. Everytime me and my sisters and my mom go out together or alone, we almost always get extras or discounts or bonuses. I did not always feel on top of the world, but right now I'm feeling like I sunk to the crust of hell. This really hurts my self-esteem big time.
Not to mention working in a law firm requires me to meet various clients and people and I hate going out with this face. I haven't even visited my favorite bar for 2-weeks the staff already flooded my inbox asking me where I've been. That's how it affects me.

Try to visit a dermatologist. I've been going to one since 1-month ago and things are getting a little bit better now. I also use SN's skincare products, but I asked my derm first to make sure nothing contradicts the derm's cream.

I wish you well.

[Xarata]

Have you tried skin teas? They don't always taste terrific, but IMO they do work really well, and anything's worth a try, right?

I don't suffer from severe acne, but i do get impossible hormonal acne with cysts that last a few days. In general, I find my skin is happiest the simpler I am with it (too much of a good thing can really screw my skin up) For instance, if I use super serum once a week, it will rejuvenate my skin and zap acne. If I use it every day or every other day- my skin can purge all over with cystic acne and to me that's just not normal or healthy.

I doubt my skincare routine will be of much help, but to show how simple i keep it:
-KISS cleanser used in the shower
-super serum once a week heavily dilluted with water
-1 to 2 drops of Argan oil as a moisturizer
-Skin tea or other healthy herbal tea= 1 pot (about 2 cups) daily

Some skin teas I use and like:
-Yogi tea in "Skin Cleanse": This one definitely has an herbal taste that isn't my absolute favorite, but the bags are convenient
-Camellia Rose teas in "Polari-tea" and "Inside Out Blend": These are herbal but in general I find the flavors pleasant. They are loose teas. Sometimes I makeup teabags of this and sometimes I use a diffuser. Caveat- camellia rose is a one woman show with a family and shipping times tend to be on the long side. However, if you purchase from both camellia rose and garden of wisdom you can have your orders "bundled" and shipped together(they operate out of the same building in AZ) and the shipping tends to be speedier that way.
-Dandellion Tea: Dandelion is one of nature's super foods that does amazing things for your entire system and provides your body with several essential nutrients (like iron!). The tea...tastes disgusting...but I usually just brew a big pot with another type of tea (like peppermint) and mask the taste. If you look up health benefits of herbs, a lot of herbs have anti-inflammatory properties that are great for skin/acne. I make my own blend with dandelion, nettle, burdock, and peppermint meant to target both my skin and my joints as well as help combat my ongoing allergy with soy. I just buy those teas, open the bags and mix. Then I portion it back out into heat-sealable tea bags and get a big batch for myself.

[karen]

Ugh- that is frustrating. I don't think the Olive Oil lotion is doing your skin any favors- it's very rich, and I could see that easily causing breakouts in acne prone skin.

This is what I usually recommend for acne-prone gals:
Kiss Cleanser (the Apricot is good, but let's skip the oils for now)
BHA toner as needed- that's the one that really fights breakouts
Hemp Moisturizer

Your serums are fine- although the Super Serum that Sam suggested is a good idea to try too.

[dmkuk]

thank you all for such kind replies

extemter - I have been to the doctors this am, to get some advice and they have prescribed "zineryt" (topical lotion) to apply to the skin. the doctor i saw was nice and listened, she said acne is related to hormones and some people grow out.. i said i am now 32 and have had spots since my teens, and have always tried shop brought or salon products. I really want to keep my skin care natural as i feel this is better in the long run. The doctor did mention going back on the pill, but i still got the monthly period spots. Any i expecting too much to have complete clear skin??

frckls - complete agree with you, my confidence is low and i get frustrated with it, i know looks dont matter,but still it be good to have clear skin. i asked the doctor about seeing a dermalogist but the doctor said they would want to try antibiotiocs first.(im in the UK, so things may be different over here)

xarta - wow thanks for such a great reply. I have never tried skin teas, i drink herbal teas (chamomile, peppermint, rapsberry)so will definately look in to this in our local health shop. You mention you use argan oil, i will google this too.

Karen - thanks for the advice, i will skip the olive oil and will look in the argan oil, i have a sample of hemp (do the samples have a use by date?as i have had mine for over 6months i think)i also have a sample of super serum too. Kiss cleanser i will need to order a sample of, with the serums is there a limit to how many you can use??i dont want to overload my skin anymore...also i apply the serums to wet skin, is this enough or should i water it down even more....

Big thanks again (feel more positive)

[kinjali22]

Hi dmkuk!

Ever since I moved to a drier climate my skin has gotten a little haywire. I've found that the combination of the products below have realllly helped me and I have clear skin again!!

I use Lush Fresh Farmacy soap to wash my face (This really has been my saving grace - I don't even get TTOTM pimples), SN AHA after (on a dry face - I use this everyday.. my skin is tough ). I wait about 10-15 min and use SN Vitamin C serum and then use an off brand oil-free moisturizer. If your face is really dry it may not like the Lush soap (it really dries out the skin) but I have found this combination has worked wonders for me. HTH!

[frckls]

Hmmmmm. If I were you I'd skip antibiotics or other strong drugs. It adds more burden to your liver and once you get off it, I bet your skin will go awry once again. I'd rather have high-dosage anti-oxidant supplement (I have Asthin-Force in Indonesia. It's from Astaxanthin.) or like Sam said, go for herbal teas. Maybe the result will show in a much slower pace but a lot safer.

[karen]

Go for the hemp if it doesn't smell funny go ahead and use it. When hemp goes bad you really know it- it's awful, but if it doesn't smell bad go for it.

The thing with hemp is that it is the absolute friendliest oil for acne prone skin. It has the highest concentration of linoleic acid in it which is great for barrier repair, and is the least likely to give you zits. It's a "safe" oil. Grapeseed is the only other oil I trust for acne prone skin. Argan is nicer for more mature skin, but looking at the fatty acid profile I don't feel that it's the best oil for you.

I agree with you about keeping it simple. Try the Hemp, Kiss Cleanser, and a serum- and then add products in if you think you need the boost. BHA is another good one to consider. This time of year you could also probably skip a moisturizer if you get some good hydration going (flakey skin is dehydrated- it needs water, but not necessarily oil).

[namomof3]

It has taken me a long time to get a routine that works. I have struggled with acne for 15 years and have been on antibiotics and retin a. I am convinced that although it cleared my acne-- the condition of my skin worsened. It was soo dehydrated that it was oily beyond belief to the point of pure embarrasment. Here is what I used and what I want to try.
Cleanse with raw african black soap from coastal scents
Tone with 1:3 ratio of ACV water-- let dry
Serum- SN vitamin C or super serum (trying to decide what I like best- hard to choose just one!). HG item.
Liza's BBG lotion to seal it all in.
I'd like to include a BHA but not sure "where". My skin is not oily anymore- seriously! I might just stick to this routine forever (ok maybe not forever!!,)