Help! Did I overdo it? Massive break out!

[piersonsmommy]

I'm a new skincare customer and bought a bunch of samples a few weeks ago. I was using the Apricot cleanse followed by KISS, and in the morning Super Serum and at night BHA with my own calamine lotion to help with oil.

I have terribly oily, acne-prone skin with cystic bumps (often triggered by hormones) and tons of blackheads all over, not just nose and chin.

The samples all seemed to be okay however the past two or three days have lead to an explosion of acne - spots, pimples, tons of blackheads, youch! I immediately cut the apricot cleanser because I thought the cumulative effects may have been too much for my HIGHLY congested skin.

So here I sit. Face is a mess. This morning I just cleansed with KISS and used a swipe of Bragg's ACV and I'm at a loss. I thought I loved the SS but I'm afraid it's breaking me out as well? I am not sure but feedback would be sooooo appreciated.

[JenW]

I hate to say it, but it will be very difficult to know what it was that caused the problem. This is the reason we recommend adding in or changing one thing at a time. I recommend going simple for a bit....just cleansing and moisturizing. Then I would probably add in the BHA to help with the pore congestion.

What were you using before all of the new/substitution products? It sounds like your skin was pretty reactive to begin with. I hope from now on you will take routine changes slowly no matter where the product comes from.

[piersonsmommy]

Oh no - I didn't realize I should introduce each new item gradually. I am so sorry that I goofed this up! Prior to SN I was using Dermalogica Special Cleansing Gel and the ACV with a swipe of calamine for oil control. That was a vast improvement over what I had been using for about 6 or 8 months -- Cetaphil or Neutrogena Stress cleanser with Retin-A or Ziana for acne/oil/blackheads. The retinoids never did a thing for my skin conditions. I have thick/sensitive/uber-oily skin and found that while I kinda liked the Dermalogica, I wanted something more natural to clean my skin and also needed a workhorse product like the SS to really attack the acne and blackheads. The ACV didn't seem to be enough for clearing my skin issues.

If I had to guess I'd say it's the apricot cleanser that might be too heavy for me.

Should I just use my KISS (which is fantastic) and the Super Serum? And, stupid question, but is the SS considered a moisturizer? I am in the Northeast and it is massively hot/humid here and it seems the last thing I need right now is a full-fledged moisturizer.

Very very very much appreciate all the help and thank you!

[JenW]

Try the KISS and the Super Serum.... The Super Serum is kind of strong stuff. It is something that might be the problem, too. If it does not improve over the course of a few days, I would omit the Super Serum, too. It is not surprising that you don't feel the need for a moisturizer right now. Especially if you have oily skin. I do recommend Green Tea & Aloe Serum to rehydrate the skin, too if the Super Serum does not work out.