Acne Tips

I think mild, moderate, and severe is a better way to categorize
cases of acne. If you see a derm, you might not start out with Retin
A Micro, because it’s a little more drying/irritating then something
like, say, Differin. In theory (at least, this is what my derm
thinks) you want to use the least irritating products that your skin
will respond to. Therefore, if you haven’t started seeing a derm
yet, they might start you off with something milder then the Micro.
I think Retin A can be used for any severity of acne. As I’ve seen
in my treatment, my acne is very un-responsive, but I’d consider
myself a mild/moderate acne case, and have taken Accutane, and am
taking oral antibiotics. Someone who may have a more severe yet more
responsive case may do well with Retin A. I’d see a derm, or ask
yours if you haven’t already!

–Karyn
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There are many less expensive sources other than health food stores, but
that’s where I started. Because I’ll be making my own soaps really soon, I’m
currently calculating how much of the oils to buy and looking for my best
deals.

does your acne have to be bad in order to take retin a micro? thanks,
jen k

I use St. Ives Apricot Scrub. I really like it, it makes my face
feel really clean and smooth. Plus you can use it on your whole body
to exfoliate too!

Love, Lily

Daily exfoliation is the most major part along with sebum regulation … try
this …
twice daily wash with mix of equal parts ground oats, powdered milk, and
white sugar. In morning, follow with appropriate toning (sorry, no definite
opinions there, except to avoid alcohol) … and at night, follow washing
with this mixture (to see if it helps, give it a few solid weeks) …

1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp jojoba
1 tsp emu oil
4 tsp aloe gel (purest form you can find)
4 Tbsp water (or water infused with favorite skin-loving tea)
After "mixed," crush 1 aspirin and incorporate as best you can. Shake well,
apply onto clean cotton ball, apply as toner …
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Well Katie, I just want to tell you that I think I love you! (I’ll
determine this for CERTAIN after I’ve used your cleanser more!)
Actually, I used it as a mask. I made a slightly thicker paste and
put it on my face until it dried. It was a bit difficult to get the
oatmeal off once it dried, so I let a warm, moist washcloth lay on my
face for a few minutes first. Let me tell you…after I rinsed it
off, I noticed that the dry, dead skin (from scarring and so forth)
was beginning to tighten and loosen, but my normal skin was still
smooth. I’m not going to pick at it, which I have a habit of doing.
(You know, I was reading that constant skin picking can be considered
an obsessive-compulsive behavior and can be treated with therapy, but
that’s beside the point.) Because I noticed how well it worked, I
decided to use it as an overnight treatment on a couple of pimples I
have, and it really did shrink them. Now, if only I could find a way
to use it on my back! (My skin is oily and I get itty bitty little
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Mark- you are so lion hearted! My heart is breaking for you!!! I know
how you feel. I am 27 and have had moderate but persistent acne since I
was 13!!! It has been constant and very persistent. I too tried
EVEYTHIHNG from bp to all the cyclines and triclenes and mino and tetra
and pro active and ortho tri cycle and EVERYTHING… Nothing ever worked
EVERRRRR!!!! All I got was dried out zitty flaky skin that I had to pile
makeup on top of to hide the redness and i am very fair skinned so the
zits looked even redder than ever and make up doesnt stay too well on
flaky dry skin.. too gross.. i avoided SOOO many social situations
because of acne.. i kept my hair long (which is completely unflattering
on my face) i kept it in a long style so that the sides of my hair would
cover my face and cheeks. awful!!! just awful.. .i tried diets and water
and i drank so much water i thought i could drown the zits out! lol! i
also prayed to every saint in the book… st jude of hopeless causes…
st rita… padre pio ( whom i do believe has helped me!!!!!) and finally
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nicole do yourself a favor and SKIP the apricot scrub.. ouch!! the
grains are too big to work on face… that will agitate and inflame your
follicles and pores… (i think so anyway) you should try a gentler
scrub… with tinier grains.. like clique 7 day scrub ( but its a bit
expensive) i know there are other shelf facial scrubs that have finer
grains… try something else… save the st. ives scrub for the shower
and use it on your back and legs… .but not your face.

- d

ps: those facial cloths might be nice.. i was using the oil of olay ones
for a while.. they are nice and smell good… but dried my skin a bit…
they might work good for you.
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Hey Doll!
Thank you for your lovely email. You are so sweet! NO PROBLEM.. I am
glad to help with whatever questions you have…
Oh - about the email..

no no no…
I say- wash face at night with gentle lotion like cetaphil … and put
your ayurvedic cream on at NIGHT… and this is the BEST time to use
it… when your body is resting and can concentrate on absorbing and
utilizing the nutrients of cream on your face… and not have to worry
about daytime pollutants interacting with cream

then in the morning…. you splash face with water.. no soap.. no
lotion.. nothing…
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yipes. this does not sound pleasant. - ok- help me to understand
better… because i am getting the feeling this sounds an awful lot like
a plantars wart of some kind… (which is not very likely on the face or
neck or chest) or ( and i dont mean to alarm you) it sounds like a form
of skin melanoma or basal cell carcinoma….

Skin cancer can look many different ways. The most common sign of skin
cancer is a change on the skin, such as a growth or a sore that won’t
heal. Sometime there may be a small lump. This lump can be smooth, flat,
flesh colored, shiny and waxy looking, or it can be red or reddish
brown. Skin cancer may also appear as a flat red spot that is rough or
scaly. Not ail changes in your skin are cancer, but you should see your
doctor if you notice changes in your skin.

can you tell me this… have you tried to squeeze or pick these bumps? i
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