Acne Advice Thread

JC 2K3 · 08-12-2008 5:16pm #1

This thread is for all acne related advice and queries. I'm going to copy a few relevant posts from the "So, Clearasil..." thread in here.

Advice and questions on non-prescription acne treatments for mild to moderate acne are allowed. It is to be assumed that the best course of action for more severe forms of acne is to go to one's GP. While you may comment on prescription acne treatments you have used, questioning or contradicting the judgement of posters' GPs is not allowed as this constitutes medical advice.

Piste · 08-12-2008 7:21pm

Yeah Clearasil's pretty lame. I like gentle cleansers like nivea.

deleriumtremens · 08-12-2008 7:59pm

That stuff just doesnt work. It simply strips any oil off your face in a way nature never intended and so your sebaceous glands (in an effort to restore homeostasis) secrete more oil than they otherwise would. So while you might feel like your skin is nice and fresh after using clearisil, the reality is that in the long run you re exacerbating the problem.

Go to the doctor and get some benzoyl peroxide cream or antibiotics. :cool:

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 08-12-2008 8:02pm

deleriumtremens wrote: »

That stuff just doesnt work. It simply strips any oil off your face in a way nature never intended and so your sebaceous glands (in an effort to restore homeostasis) secrete more oil than they otherwise would. So while you might feel like your skin is nice and fresh after using clearisil, the reality is that in the long run you re exacerbating the problem.

Go to the doctor and get some benzoyl peroxide cream or antibiotics. :cool:

One's hardly more in keeping with nature's plan than the other surely? Get yerself some nivea intensive moisturising cream. The answer to all problems ever.

Or go on the pill :cool:

deleriumtremens · 08-12-2008 8:15pm

Lance Rough Bedpan wrote: »

One's hardly more in keeping with nature's plan than the other surely? Get yerself some nivea intensive moisturising cream. The answer to all problems ever.

Or go on the pill :cool:

Neither is penicillen or vaccinations! But still, it seems that true medical treatments for acne, unlike clearisil, are supported by evidence from clinical trials. Also, they worked for me whereas clearisil didnt do a thing! Hate them!!!:p

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 08-12-2008 8:20pm

deleriumtremens wrote: »

Neither is penicillen or vaccinations! But still, it seems that true medical treatments for acne, unlike clearisil, are supported by evidence from clinical trials. Also, they worked for me whereas clearisil didnt do a thing! Hate them!!!:p

Oh yeah fair enough, but antibiotics seem a bit extreme for cosmetic use. Spose it depends how bad it is though. I only used clearasil once in my life, thought my face was going to fall off

JC 2K3 · 08-12-2008 8:47pm

deleriumtremens wrote: »

That stuff just doesnt work. It simply strips any oil off your face in a way nature never intended and so your sebaceous glands (in an effort to restore homeostasis) secrete more oil than they otherwise would. So while you might feel like your skin is nice and fresh after using clearisil, the reality is that in the long run you re exacerbating the problem.

Go to the doctor and get some benzoyl peroxide cream or antibiotics. :cool:

Clearasil is a type of benzoyl peroxide cream AFAIK.... And benzoyl peroxide is responsible for the drying/stripping oil off of skin

If you're looking for a non-prescription treatment for light acne, Sudocream is the way to go IMO. I think it's about 1-2% benzoyl peroxide, and if you apply a load to the affected areas at night I find it works wonders. Not so sure how effective it'd be against heavier acne. I never tried it back when I had it bad. 5% benzoyl peroxide cream worked all right but left my skin feeling horrible and azelaic acid (I think that's what it was) worked ok, but was very irritating to my face (It works by burning off a very thin layer of skin when applied and thus preventing pores being blocked AFAIK). I can't really say how antibiotics worked, but I was on them for ages, and I don't have bad acne now, so perhaps they did something....

09-12-2008 12:54am

ro-accutane for the win.. one of the best drugs i've ever taken.

and if anyone actually has acne, look it up.. it's a really harsh drug with lots of side-effects and you need blood tests before use but it's the only proven thing to get rid of acne.

donmeister · 09-12-2008 1:25am

Yeah Ro-Accutane is suppose to work wonders on really heavy acne,but it has some bad side effects like really dry lips and cause dandruff badly,not to mention suicidal thoughts :eek: hence prescribed to severe cases.

For moderate acne, I suggest using Panoxyl 5 (Benzoyl Peroxide 5%),at night,then using e45 in the morning and afternoon if skin still feels dry.Works pretty well,that my regime at the moment,just my two cents

rainbow kirby · 09-12-2008 9:21pm

When I was about 16-17, I used to have to use things like Clearasil (never used that one in particular, usually the Clean & Clear face washes) because I had really oily skin.

I discovered the hard way at 23 that skin changes over time... after using a Boots face wash for oily skin my skin was red for 3 days because it dried my skin out so much.

Cian92 · 09-12-2008 9:57pm

I have moderate acne just on the face and the best thing for it is to get your doctor to perscribe Zineryt!! Give it around 3 days, and most of it is gone!!:) it doesnt dry your skin or anything like that. Unfortuneately if you stop using it even for only two days the damm things pop up again:mad:

Varkov · 12-12-2008 5:34pm

There's theis fantastic stuff, I think you get it in Boots.

The brand is St. Ive's. Its like this mango/peach deep scrub cleanser. Its a sort of paste, but its got these little gritty bits in it so it really gets into the pores and scrapes of the dead skin. Fantastic stuff, a noticible dfferencei n a afew days for me.

Scarinae · 12-12-2008 10:05pm

Clearasil is horrible stuff, it feels like it is taking a layer of skin off your face!!

I use a Lush cleanser called Ultra Bland which is amazing, but the best regular cleanser brand you can buy in supermarkets is Neutrogena

Loxosceles · 13-12-2008 9:17pm

This is an on-topic post specifically regarding clearasil and hormones.

I have discovered that for women, ie me, applying and massaging in one capsule of Evening Primrose Oil topically to the face in the evening, seems to do extremely well as a blocker to hormonal acne on the chin, cheek and neck area, as well as taking the other recommended daily capsule internally, for approx 2 weeks out of the month pre- and during- lunar cycle.

This is very good news as Clearasil on me would dry out the skin that does not need acne treatment and assist in irritating sensitive areas.

Look, I'm on-topic!

k that is all. tks.

lox

[Moved to existing topic -JC]

Fad · 14-12-2008 7:21pm

JC 2K3 wrote: »

If you're looking for a non-prescription treatment for light acne, Sudocream is the way to go IMO. I think it's about 1-2% benzoyl peroxide, and if you apply a load to the affected areas at night I find it works wonders. Not so sure how effective it'd be against heavier acne. I never tried it back when I had it bad. 5% benzoyl peroxide cream worked all right but left my skin feeling horrible and azelaic acid (I think that's what it was) worked ok, but was very irritating to my face (It works by burning off a very thin layer of skin when applied and thus preventing pores being blocked AFAIK). I can't really say how antibiotics worked, but I was on them for ages, and I don't have bad acne now, so perhaps they did something....

Works wonders, lasts for freakin ages too!

Kersmash · 14-12-2008 10:05pm

Used Clearasil for ages, didn't do anything, went to my GP and she put me on something called By-Mycin. Only been using it about 2 or 3 weeks now and already my acne is getting alot better.

Captain-America · 16-12-2008 8:27pm

I've been on some medication for acne for about two years now. If I don't use it for about a week my acne acts up again. Bit of a pain really.

Teutorix · 16-12-2008 10:47pm

Kersmash wrote: »

Used Clearasil for ages, didn't do anything, went to my GP and she put me on something called By-Mycin. Only been using it about 2 or 3 weeks now and already my acne is getting alot better.

that stuff isnt really a good idea, its an antibiotic as far as i know. that means you can start to build up a resistance and thats not a good thing when a doctor want you to take them for an illness.

just passing on my thoughts, peace.

JC 2K3 · 16-12-2008 11:32pm

Teutorix, as medical advice is not allowed on Boards.ie it is to be assumed that anything prescribed by a GP is the best course of action.

I apologise, I should have made this clear when I created the topic. Advice and questions on non-prescription acne treatments for mild to moderate acne are allowed. While you may comment on prescription acne treatments you have used, questioning or contradicting the judgement of posters' GPs is not allowed. From now on, warnings will be given out to any who break this rule.

Fad · 17-12-2008 12:08am

Teutorix wrote: »

that stuff isnt really a good idea, its an antibiotic as far as i know. that means you can start to build up a resistance and thats not a good thing when a doctor want you to take them for an illness.

just passing on my thoughts, peace.

Now I know the existance of MRSA is proof of this, but are you basing this of something you have seen beyond LC Biology? Or are you just Búll****ting?

JC 2K3 · 17-12-2008 12:20am

Fad, while your questions are valid and show why posts like Teutorix's can't be allowed on here, such a discussion is off topic. Any further posts relating to this will be deleted.

LivingDeadGirl · 17-12-2008 12:26am

I just wash my face with water and scrub it in the shower with that St. Ive's stuff, anything else makes me break out.

Fad · 17-12-2008 12:33am

JC 2K3 wrote: »

Fad, while your questions are valid and show why posts like Teutorix's can't be allowed on here, such a discussion is off topic. Any further posts relating to this will be deleted.

Sorry, I know what you mean.

So anyway, wash of the face, apply sudocrem where required.

donmeister · 17-12-2008 12:36am

This St.Ive's sound's the snizzle,how much is it per bottle?

IanCurtis · 17-12-2008 3:05am

This takes me back but I was riddled with spots around my mouth when I was around 16.

Having read up on cause and prevention, I bought a bar of medicated soap, Dettol soap in fact, and I was completely cleared in about two days - no joke.

Now my skin became quite depended on using it in that I HAD to use this soap every day for about 6 months, but it was well worth it to get rid of the spots.

Highly, highly recommended and cheaper than these "miracle cures" too.

Fad · 17-12-2008 3:56pm

IanCurtis wrote: »

Now my skin became quite depended on using it in that I HAD to use this soap every day for about 6 months, but it was well worth it to get rid of the spots.

One must be careful of being dependent on the effect on a particular soap, my scalp sheds (almost literally, not too bad anymore though) if I dont wash my hair with Head and Shoulders, a certain active ingredient helps keep my head all scalpy (in a positive sense)

That medicated soap sound like it'd be something to be look into, sounds similar to something was reminiscing about recently "Buff Puff" the Clearasil of the '60s and '70s

professore · 17-12-2008 4:04pm

Kersmash wrote: »

Used Clearasil for ages, didn't do anything, went to my GP and she put me on something called By-Mycin. Only been using it about 2 or 3 weeks now and already my acne is getting alot better.

I agree with this.

If you have severe acne you need to go to the doctor, clearasil etc will not work. Also severe acne will cause deep scarring if untreated.

Captain-America · 17-12-2008 7:06pm

Learned that one the hard way myself.

Davidius · 17-12-2008 10:57pm

Sudocrem has only ever made my acne worse taking into account that my acne gets pretty bad. I wouldn't recommend it if anybody's acne gets severe looking.

Insect Overlord · 18-12-2008 12:21am

IanCurtis wrote: »

.

Woah, that takes me back! My mother bought me this product almost as soon as I turned 13, out of fear more than anything else. It seemed to work pretty well.

KnifeWRENCH · 18-12-2008 11:55pm

I've been on Roaccutane since June (I think) and I'm due to finish my treatment in a few days. It hasn't cured me 100% but it has made a big big improvement.
I had tried plenty of antibiotics and even tried alternative, natural therapies before I was prescribed Roaccutane.
I had most of the more common side-effects - dry lips, dry skin, occassional nosebleeds and tiredness. My cholesterol has also gone up. But overall I felt it was worth it.

These are just my experiences of it btw so nobody should interpret this as medical advice. If you have severe acne, make sure you visit your GP.

JordanDC · 21-12-2008 9:42pm

I have been using a thing called Tropical Traditions Moisturizing cream and its the best thing ive ever used to help my acne. All of the ingredients are natural and most of them organic. It lasts for ever and my skin feels soo good after using it. (This is just my personal opinion, im not saying its going to cure anything) If anyone is looking for it the distributer can be found here

Epic Tissue · 22-12-2008 4:24am

Feck Clearasil. Burns like a mother ****er. Went to a dermotologist when I was younger and got antibiotics and cleared it up.

Heard some scary stuff about Roaccutane though

Groe · 26-12-2008 1:10pm

I would say anything with those gritty sand pieces in them are the best to clear out pores etc then put some tea tree face wash on it to actually fight the spots

Pi^2 · 26-12-2008 8:58pm

Soap and Water.

Tar soap is great.

And cheap.

victoriaa · 28-12-2008 12:58am

square_igloo wrote: »

I've been on Roaccutane since June (I think) and I'm due to finish my treatment in a few days. It hasn't cured me 100% but it has made a big big improvement.
I had tried plenty of antibiotics and even tried alternative, natural therapies before I was prescribed Roaccutane.
I had most of the more common side-effects - dry lips, dry skin, occassional nosebleeds and tiredness. My cholesterol has also gone up. But overall I felt it was worth it.

These are just my experiences of it btw so nobody should interpret this as medical advice. If you have severe acne, make sure you visit your GP.

Since June?! I have a month since I have been taking Roaccutane and I don't see any improvements.. Do you remember how was your acnee at the beginning of the treatment? I really hope I will not have to take it for another 3 months.. My liver will be a wreck.

SW81 · 28-12-2008 6:56pm

Quinoderm is really good, worked wonders for me.

donmeister · 28-12-2008 7:06pm

SW81 wrote: »

Quinoderm is really good, worked wonders for me.

I used that for a while,its burn's the **** out of your skin then it feels numb? Is that odd?

SW81 · 28-12-2008 7:10pm

donmeister wrote: »

I used that for a while,its burn's the **** out of your skin then it feels numb? Is that odd?

Are you sure you didn't put on too much of it? Just a little bit and rub it in well. I found it great, I'd tried all the other Benzoyl Peroxide creams before that and they were really way too extreme, burnt my skin. So maybe Quinoderm doesn't suit everyone but I thought it was mild enough for my skin but not so mild that it didn't work.

donmeister · 28-12-2008 7:22pm

SW81 wrote: »

Are you sure you didn't put on too much of it? Just a little bit and rub it in well. I found it great, I'd tried all the other Benzoyl Peroxide creams before that and they were really way too extreme, burnt my skin. So maybe Quinoderm doesn't suit everyone but I thought it was mild enough for my skin but not so mild that it didn't work.

Mhh,on retrospect I probably put on too much :rolleyes: Might consider it again,on another you should try Panoxyl 5%(BP) It's pretty gentle in comparison to some acne creams out there

JC 2K3 · 29-12-2008 12:38pm

Apparently, it's debatable whether BP creams with over 5% concentration have any greater effect than 5% creams, and anything over 10% is generally regarded as pointless. I've read that 2.5% is considered by many to be the optimum concentration, particularly on www.acne.org

donmeister · 29-12-2008 2:46pm

JC 2K3 wrote: »

Apparently, it's debatable whether BP creams with over 5% concentration have any greater effect than 5% creams, and anything over 10% is generally regarded as pointless. I've read that 2.5% is considered by many to be the optimum concentration, particularly on www.acne.org

Yeah that is true,if you use a good amount of 2.5% it's better than a small amount of 10%,as it doesnt dry/burn your skin as harshly

2.5% BP Cream is hard to find in the chemists thought,its generally 5%'s...:rolleyes:

JC 2K3 · 29-12-2008 3:11pm

Sudocreme is about 1% AFAIK. But yeah, 2.5% stuff is hard to come by.

ciano1 · 30-12-2008 9:52pm

donmeister wrote: »

Mhh,on retrospect I probably put on too much :rolleyes: Might consider it again,on another you should try Panoxyl 5%(BP) It's pretty gentle in comparison to some acne creams out there

Been using that stuff for ages now...I gave it a fair chance but it did absolutely nothing :rolleyes:

Iv been trying a 10% BP For the last few days,Stings like F**k and rips the face off you if its left on overnight but seems to be fading the spots after 2 days:D

Hopefully it wont Be like all other treatments i tried that works for a few days and then starts making the spots bad again

sock puppet · 03-01-2009 6:36pm

This may seem a silly question but how much sudocream would you guys recommend applying? Just use it like any other acne cream?

edit: Also I'm a competitive swimmer and this can dry out my skin quite a bit. Would I be better off just going with a moisturiser then?

donmeister · 03-01-2009 7:44pm

sock puppet wrote: »

This may seem a silly question but how much sudocream would you guys recommend applying? Just use it like any other acne cream?

edit: Also I'm a competitive swimmer and this can dry out my skin quite a bit. Would I be better off just going with a moisturiser then?

For Sudocream apply loads! Seriously,its 1% so it wont dry your skin that much,and if it does then use some Elave/E45 Moisturiser as you see fit

JC 2K3 · 03-01-2009 8:15pm

^What he said.

Although be careful at first. If you get dry skin then use moisturiser also. Try to find a routine that works for you. Maybe apply moisturiser in the morning and sudocreme (or other BP product) at night.

Also, one thing my doctor told me was to wet a face cloth with water as hot as you can bear and press it against your face during your morning shower. I did this for a while, but then began to just turn the shower heat up a small bit and put my face in front of the water, works the same way. The idea is to heat up your skin, which apparently speeds up spots coming to a head, and ultimately makes them go away faster. I find it's good to do before shaving, also.

sock puppet · 03-01-2009 11:17pm

donmeister wrote: »

For Sudocream apply loads! Seriously,its 1% so it wont dry your skin that much,and if it does then use some Elave/E45 Moisturiser as you see fit

JC 2K3 wrote: »

^What he said.

Although be careful at first. If you get dry skin then use moisturiser also. Try to find a routine that works for you. Maybe apply moisturiser in the morning and sudocreme (or other BP product) at night.

Also, one thing my doctor told me was to wet a face cloth with water as hot as you can bear and press it against your face during your morning shower. I did this for a while, but then began to just turn the shower heat up a small bit and put my face in front of the water, works the same way. The idea is to heat up your skin, which apparently speeds up spots coming to a head, and ultimately makes them go away faster. I find it's good to do before shaving, also.

Thanks for the help. I'll start tonight and see how I get on.

michael_23 · 05-01-2009 6:38pm

I found that, using Panoxyl 5 benzyl peroxide gel, in conjunction with taking cod liver oil tabs(good source of Vit A) and using a good moisturizer after a shower worked best.

iamahumbleman · 07-01-2009 12:26pm

Anyone think of suggesting diet? I know it's a clearasil topic but most of the replies are based on acne suggestions...I think diet is the most powerful. BP does work on certain types if acne though and this has been clinically shown, apparently increasing the strenght has very little effect (in tests it was found very little to no differnece in using anything higher than a 5% formulation). Sudocream can be great in patricular with healing dead spots but it can also aid in spreading infection as the cream is spread inadvertantly during sleeping etc.

Avoiding refined sugar, dairy and coffee is almost universally recommened by nutrionists...cheap white bread is full of bad carbs and refined sugar and should be avoided aslo..as should poor fruit juice and cereals which can dramatically rasie blood sugar. Aloe vera gel (w/tea tree) is good for men after shaving. Tea tree is a good natural antiseptic. <snip>
Proper cleansing of your intestinal tract will greatly help reduce your acne it has been found. Intestinal tract disorders lead to all kind of problems including astma and eczema. Taking high levels of 'good bacteria' is highly recommended as well eating raw vegetables. Increaing the absorption of nutrients and minearls is essential so overall gut cleansing is a must otherwsie vitamins from foods will not absorbed.

Okra is a great food food for the gut. Loads of water, fresh fruit raw vegetabels, use tea tree oil and sudo (sparesly to avoid spreading infection) on dead spots. It is essential not to use creams on oily uncleaned skin. Wash skin gently, an antibacterial soap like dettol is recommneded but use it gently it is very drying. Avoid cheap shampoos and cosmetics (use one with coconut or other natural oils like lemon). Only wear cotton clothes and change your pillowcase regularly.

Good luck.

TM

moogester · 09-01-2009 2:09pm

Apple cider vinegar is supposed to be good. Do a search as there are loads of links out there.

Am going to get some for my daughter. It needs to be the cloudy stuff though so organic is probably best. Relatively cheap too when you consider how long a bottle will last.

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