I've always struggled on keeping up with a regular skin car regimen (I've tried Proactiv and a number of other high end lines as well as drug store brands), and I finally found one I liked about six months ago. I've been using Clean and Clear Oxygenating cleanser, followed by a daily cleansing pad (either Clean and Clear or Clearasil) with salysilic (sp?) acid, and then Clean and Clear's daily moisturizer. My skin had instant results after I started doing this routine on a regular basis. Then about a month ago my pores started clogging and I started getting really oily patches (mainly on my forehead and my cheeks). So I got the Clean and Clear Steam in shower facial to scrub away some of the nastiness that was appearing on my skin. That worked the first couple times I did it and for a week or so my skin was back to looking really good. Then my period hit and I usually have a pimple or two, nothing too bad, but I've had one of these spots for about 2 weeks now and it is just now (fingers crossed) starting to heal up. And just the other day I felt something starting to develop on my forehead and I went in the bathroom and checked it out and there was another almost cystic-like zit developing on my forehead! I don't pick at them, I steam them to get all the yuck out and have been putting a benzoil peroxide spot treatment on them, sometimes a salysilic acid one (but that doesn't seem to be doing anything for me anymore). Now my skin is starting to show dry patches because of the spot treatment...and ugh I'm just really frustrated!!! I've been drinking a lot of water too and just trying really hard to take care of my face in general...

any and all advice is greatly appreciated!!! thanks so much :)

Believe me I know how frustrating it can be when your skin isn't cooperating with you and it seems like nothings working anymore. As far as spot treatmets go, there are certain times to use salicylic acid and certain times to use benzoyl peroxide. If the pimple is hard, cyst-like, or under the skin, it is best to use salicylic acid. If you have white-heads, small pimples, or large pimples that are not "hard", use benzoyl peroxide. This is what my derm. told me.

Don't forget to use moisturizer, even when you skin is oily and breaking out. I really like Olay Complete All-Day Moisture Lotion with SPF 15 for Oily/Combination skin. It is oil free and non-pore clogging and I have never had a problem with using it on my break-out prone skin.

I personally really like the Clinique Acne Solutions line and have had great success with it for the past few months. I don't use the cleanser, but I love the Clarifying Lotion and Clearing Moisturizer. I use the Clearing Moisturizer every other night and the Clarifying Lotion every night. In the morning I use either Clean and Clear Deep Action Cream Cleanser or a scrub{Neutrogena Acne Stress Control Power Clear Scrub}.

Also consider whether any new cosmetics could be causing your skin troubles. Even stuff you've been using for awhile can suddenly cause problems. I had that happen with Physician's Formula products. I wouldn't steam your skin too often because I have had heard from many sources that if you're acne prone it can actually bring zits to the surface and make break-outs worse, so just be careful with that. Just don't overmedicate because that will dry out your skin, which will cause it to produce more oil, which leads to more breakouts. Use a few gentle non-medicated products whenever possible. HTH!

I feel your pain! My skin has started breaking out more recently and I just look like crap.

I would suggest going to a derm. I have an appointment on the 11th of April, so I'll see what they say after I give them a list of everything I've tried and the things that I'm allergic to. (This ought to be interesting!)

Keep your chin up high babe. :)

I agree too with Jacinda about not over medicating your skin, because that will only dry out your skin and make it worse. Try a gentle cleanser and moisturizer for now. Don't over scrub or wash your face neither.

thanks ladies for your advice/help :)

I've been toning down my skin care regimen and have only been washing my face once a day, and in the morning just rinsing with water and applying moisturizer, one of the spots is starting to heal slowly and the other one is completely gone...

I just hate the feeling of waking up in the morning and NOT wanting to look in the mirror because I know my skin is going to look horrible...

I think I am going to make an apt with a derm because this breakout was really weird.



thanks again girls!!!:)

I feel your pain. You need to be very careful not to over medicate your skin. When you are constantly drying it out and then trying to moisturize it, the results are usually not pretty. But I do agree that even if you have pimples and you put some kind of treatment on them, it is still important to moisturize. You always need that extra layer of moisture to protect your skin! I would suggest going and getting a facial and asking your cosmetician for a proper skin care regiment!!!