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Acne treatments that you swear by?
So, I have developed acne. 
It came about because I switched up my birth control. I was hoping the acne would go away after my hormones settled back down after the switch, but seven months later, that hasn't been the case.
I have tried several different over-the-counter cleansers, and they haven't made a difference. I saw a dermatologist this morning about something else and she gave me a prescription for both differin and duac. However, I'm not convinced yet that I want to start a prescription.
So, I was wondering if anyone by chance had any non-prescription acne treatments that they swear by? I already have dry skin, so I want to avoid anything that will make that a lot worse.
Has anyone by chance used either tea tree oil or witch's hazel for acne?
Re: Acne treatments that you swear by?
I would start with a really skin care routine. My favorite drug store cleansers are: Biore Warming Blackhead Scrub, L'Oreal 360 Go Clean, and Oil of Olay Clarify and Cleanse scrub. I'm currently using the Oil of Olay and I really like it.
For moisturizers it might be time to splurge on something professional or higher end. Good skin care really is worth it IMO. I'm using Bioelements right now and I really like it. Unfortunately it is a salon only product so you're going to pay a little bit for it, but it lasts for a long time. I have a $45 moisturizer, but a little bit goes a long way and it should last me a good 3 months (or more). I also use their Skin Equalizer toner and I've really noticed a different in my pore clarity. They look smaller and a lot less clogged. I also use an eye cream, but that wouldn't have anything to do with acne. Seriously, with what I'm using now, my skin looks great. I haven't had a breakout in a good 2 months.
Also, what kind of make up are you using? Good make up might be another thing that could help. I really like MAC and Mary Kay for mineral make up, and MAC for liquid. I've heard Smashbox is really good too, but a bit more expensive. You do get what you pay for, though.
Do you drink enough water?
I haven't used witch hazel since my teens, but it's worth a try. I think it's fairly inexpensive too.
Sorry this is really long. LOL. I've battled acne for years, and finally feel like I've won with what I've been using.
I forgot about Proactiv. DH and I both tried it a few years ago and it worked really well...at first. I feel like our skin kind of got used to it after awhile, but the first few months it worked like magic. Its definitely worth a shot.
I would start with a really skin care routine. My favorite drug store cleansers are: Biore Warming Blackhead Scrub, L'Oreal 360 Go Clean, and Oil of Olay Clarify and Cleanse scrub. I'm currently using the Oil of Olay and I really like it.
I tried a Biore cleanser recently, and it seemed to help the acne, but it also felt like it set my face on fire. It was way too drying for me. My skin has also reacted poorly to Oil of Olay products in the past, although I haven't tried one in years. I might look into the L'Oreal. I'm currently using an Aveeno cleanser.
Eek, that's pricey for moisturizer. I suppose if it works though, it would be worth it. I'm currently using "cheap" moisturizers -- Neutrogenia (night) and Burt's Bee (morning).
I use Everday Minerals make-up and I'm actually quite happy with it. I think it does a fairly decent job of covering up the acne without looking cakey.
Do you drink enough water?
I average about 32 oz. of water a day, probably. I think that's decent, yes?
I haven't used witch hazel since my teens, but it's worth a try. I think it's fairly inexpensive too.
Did you think it was affective when you used it in your teens?
Sorry this is really long. LOL. I've battled acne for years, and finally feel like I've won with what I've been using.
Thanks for your feedback! I appreciate it. I was hoping you'd chime in as the resident skin expert.
KerCo and Goodgollie, thanks for your responses too!
KerCo, bummer that the tea tree oil didn't work for you.
Goodgollie, I'm in denial that my skin is bad enough to warrant a prescription (or two!). And I'm just wary to go the medication route until I've exhausted my other options.
Yeah, $45 does give you a little bit of sticker shock, but it really does seem to last forever. I skin hasn't looked this good since I was 10 years old either. Great stuff!
I never had good luck with Neutrogena products. I felt like they irritated my skin too much. If you want to stick with "cheaper" stuff, try Garnier Fructis moisturizers. I used that stuff religiously over the summer and it was great.
Maybe instead of switching make up, pick up a really good brush cleaner. You can buy it at Sephora for less than $15. A clean make up brush is your friend! You can use it everytime you use your brushes. There's a lot of bacteria that can live in those little bristles. I slack and do it once a week.
32 oz of water is only 4 glasses. Try slowly increasing your water intake and see if it makes a difference. For me, I can tell I'm dehydrated if I look at my face and a certain little wrinkle shows up.
Do you take a multi-vitamin? If not, that might help too.
Thanks! I do take a multi-vitamin already. I'll look for a brush cleaner at Sephora. And drink more water. Good ideas.
I love Proactiv. I had medication changes and a lot of stress end of summer and I broke out like crazy. Been using Proactiv for 2 months and only have the occasional zit here and there.
Accutane.
I was on it in HS for my cystic acne and although the side effects were a bi!ch, it worked wonders.
Now that I just have normal acne (not cystic) I use Proactiv. I love the stuff. I was really sceptical but if you use it twice daily (and remember to wash your makeup brushes frequently) it really does work! I also get the Green Tea moisturizer with it. While the price is outragous ($30 for 1 oz. I think) it is really soothing and lasts forever because you only need a little dap daily.
Good luck, I've been dealing with acne for so many years and I know the aggrevation!
My derm told me to use Dove to wash my face and whatever moisturizer I like (I use Aveeno). I tried a few other options and I still go back to the Dove bar and Aveeno. I did try Differin and at first it dried me out a lot! My derm told me to work my way into using it (only a few days a week at first slowly working to daily). While that helped, I still felt like my skin was too dry. So again, I stick to Dove and Aveeno. When I have a breakout start (I think it's around the time I would get my period if I got it) I use benzoyl peroxide to spot treat.
I think it takes a little playing aroudn with products to figure out what works best.
This. Cetaphil is the only thing that works for me. I have been using it (on and off) since Jr High. If I use anything else (esp now) I will get major break outs. I have incredibly sensitive and dry skin. My break outs stem more from my face reacting to being so sensitive.