Battle with Acne continues

ARGH.. I hate acne T.T
...well who likes acne? lol but damn, I thought I was finally reaching a stage/age (20s) where acne wasn't a problem anymore. This past year, I was relatively acne-free. Until I got bombarded with exams, projects, etc. T.T

It got really bad about a month ago.

Brief history: I had problems with acne since I was a teenager (ha ha damn turning 20 was painful lol), from visiting dermatologists (using topical ointments such as differin and retin-a and oral meds) to using the clinique 3 step system to the clinique anti-blemish system then to proactiv. The dermatologists helped, if I actually stayed on the routine more than 3 months, I would've probably had good skin (my acne was never that severe though but still made me feel very self-conscious) However, at 13+ years old, I wasn't very diligent lol. I don't really remember how the clinique worked, but I stuck with the proactiv for awhile. I know it didn't work for a lot of people, some it even worsened their skin condition. In high school, it was a sort of didn't work for asian skin but worked for other skin types. My asian friends who tried it said it didn't work for them, but for my cuban/caucasian friends it worked great. I don't know really,lol I still wanted to give it a shot. And it worked--pretty much. I still got the occasional blemish during that time of the month, but otherwise it was controlled.

~picture from proactiv.com

--I give proactiv 5/5 for price (as one set does last a couple of months, 59.95USD you get the Renewing cleanser, Revitalizing toner, Repairing lotion, Daily oil control, and the Refining mask.) ---->If you're on a budget, I suggest buying a gentle facial wash like cetaphil or one from neutrogena, along with a toner that has some sort of active ingredient, and just buying the Repairing lotion from Proactiv. It's nice to use a complete set, but I don't believe it's entirely necessary. I know I don't think I ever used the daily oil control in that set lol and I think I've gone through at least 4-5 sets?
EDIT---->OH, i think the prices have gone down since I last bought this? There's the 3 basic set(click) with the mask for 39.95? Pretty good.

--4/5 for efficacy, it does work, but not on all skin types and it takes diligence. They have a trial set which goes for 19.99USD. If you're hesitant, but want to try it, I suggest getting that. It will last around a month or so. This is a benzoyl peroxide(click) based line.

EDIT=> For alternatives with the same active ingredients, click here.
---Of course, visiting a dermatologist is best.

Then I moved to another country, wasn't as dilligent in using it as it was inconvenient to get, moved on to other skin care lines like those from The Face Shop and continued being relatively blemish free. However, I think it's also got a lot to do with being relatively stress-free.

Anyway...back to present. Terrible CYSTIC acne. Never have gotten such cystic acne before T.T
Went back to using Proactiv--well the lotion step, along with the Garnier Pure exfoliating wash and the Garnier astringent from the same line. This along with Christmas break/rest=<3. size="5">
SOME ON THE SPOT TREATMENTS I'VE USED/USING:
Jason 100% Pure Tea Tree Oil
on the back "helps promote healthier skin. Known for it's medicinal properties, Tea Tree Oil has been used for years as a natural bacteria fighting topical oil."
"To use: Dab on skin. Dilute with Witch Hazel or Vegetable oil for use on sensitive skin."
www.jason-natural.com

Ok, first things first is the stench. OMG it stinks soooooo bad lol. The odor made me and my boyfriend pretty nautious. It is really strong. However, it does reduce the size of the blemish. I use it pure (without diluting it) with a cotton applicator. It's a clear oil. I like the top part where it has that hole/nozzle thing? lol So i can get just the right amount of product. I bought this for around 14USD for 30mL (including tax according to current exchange rates). On their website it's 10.06 USD
--price is relative, really depends on the person how they perceive the cost. For an on the spot treatment, 30 mL will probably last me a couple of months. I give it a 4/5.
--3/5 for efficacy, it's definitely not a miracle treatment. The zit isn't anywhere near flat the next day nor does it minimize the redness, however, it does decrease the size. I like that it's pure & organic and a natural bacteria fighter-but the stench is truly funkyashell.


Garnier Pure SOS Anti-Blemish Spot Pen
According to this website(click)
"contains zinc for its controlling properties, an anti-bacterial agent for its cleansing power, and 100% natural cucumber extract for its energizing and skin-hydrating qualities. This combination of natural active ingredients replies completely and efficiently to all problems associated with oily skin."

My first impression was that it's really.. "gu-ey" lol like sticky. It's a thick gel. Definitely not something you can wear makeup over. When it's dry, you can kind of peel it off. It feels somewhat tingly when on the spot. Feels like it's working. However, same as the last. Zit is not flat the next day, nor does it reduce redness. It does minimize inflammation after continual use.
--4/5 for price, I bought it for around 7USD for 10mL. The website where I got the quoted info has it for 6.65USD. I got that info from the website because I don't have the box anymore. I used this alongside the entire Garnier Pure line--was the most convenient to purchase at the time as it is easily available in my area. I like the exfoliating wash and the toner from this system. It's a salicylic acid and zinc based line.
--3/5 for efficacy



Top-Gel Extra Pearl Cream
Okay, now the ingredients on this aren't exactly ideal: White Petrolatum, Light Mineral Oil, Anhydrous Lanolin, Purified Ozokerite, Isoprophyl Myristate, Titanium Dioxide, Talc, Collagen, Vit. E, Wilde Chamomile, Butylated Hydroxytoluene, Glyceryl Monotearate, Wheat Germ Oil, Silicon, Perfume.

Yeah, even just looking at the first two ingredients, one would be immediately turned off. However, I read so many rave reviews about this I had to try it.
--5/5 for price, I bought this for about 1.50USD you can't beat that--although yes some of the ingredients leave a lot to be desired. I can't find how much this contains lol but one tube if used on the entire face, can last about 2 months for me? I only use this at night though because it is pretty thick in consistency. Not ideal for use under makeup.
Ok--This isn't necessarily a spot treatment, however, recently I have been using it as such. & it does work. It reduces the redness and minimizes the zit. Also with continuous & I mean continuous use, it helps the scars fade just a tiny tiny bit faster lol.
--4/5 for efficacy as it takes time and as with the next product, the zit size isn't like diminished diminished, it's just a wee bit smalller.



~picture from www.mariobadescu.com

Mario Badescu Drying Cream
According to their website(click)
"is an effective treatment to dry up small under the surface bumps and pimples. Just a few dabs smoothed on the erupted areas prevent pimples from getting larger and spreading out of control. Aloe rich cream conceals and heals erupted pimples.Ingredients: Deionized Water, Zinc Oxide, Aloe, Beeswax, Cetyl Alcohol, Lemon Extract, Colloidal Sulfur, Ervol, Octyl Palmitate, Ichthammol, Polysorbate 80, Titanium Dioxide, Polyglycerylmethacrylate (and) Propylene Glycol"

Ok, what I love about Mario Badescu is that they will mail you samples for your skin type at no charge. Visit their website and answer their questionaire(click) and they will mail you the samples within days--what great service! No loss there, just a bit of your time.
Anyway, I like this. It does what it says--> it minimized the size of the breakout and prevented it from spreading. It is a bit thick in consitency and has a slight odor to it, but nothing even close to the nauseating scent of the tea tree oil.
--4/5 for price as it is 12USD for 0.5oz. Not bad as you only need a tiny bit. This will last for awhile. The sample alone lasted me 3+ months. Full size? I dont know, maybe until it expires? lol
--4/5 for efficacy. It does what it claims, but the shrink in size is not like "Oh WOW!!" it's more like.. "oh, yay" lol do you get what I mean?


Hmm, as far as I can tell it seems like benzoyl peroxide seems to work the best for my acne. Always check the active ingredients in your acne fighting system. Some people may be allergic to salicylic acid or tea tree oil, zinc oxide or yes, benzoyl peroxide. Some may be more receptive to one active ingredient than the others. Well, hope this helps someone out there. lol


~~~currently i'm mixing up proactiv, clinique, and dior. will update! =]