how to prevent breakouts? what should i do with cystic acne?

Question

any ideas on skin care, products or food to avoid. i'm already using one but it will dry out my skin. helppp!!!

Answer 1

As a 28 year old with severe cystic acne, I feel your pain! After over a decade of trying various products, treatments, foods, hypnosis, and seriously everything, I have discovered that the secret is almost entirely in what you eat.

I use OTC products from Neutrogena plus a dermatologist prescribed topical cream to help reduce the redness (finacea). The key though is to drink a minimum of 48 ounces of water (or crystal light, same thing basically) a day and to eat a lot of fresh veggies. Sadly, the old adage "you are what you eat" is actually true. Focus on eating several servings of fresh veggies daily. Snack on baby carrots, celery, or tomatoes each day. Be sure to have a salad or veggie with lunch AND dinner (spinach, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, etc). I know it sucks, none of us likes veggies. But I can tell you that when I started using baby carrots as my "after work" snack instead of chips or candy, my face cleared up and I can actually go out in public now.

Here are the products/schedule I follow, in addition to the HUGE consumption of veggies:

Morning: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash/Mask, Finecea, Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture SPF 15

Evening (5 pm after work): Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash, Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisture SPF 15

Night: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Scrub/Mask, Finecea

If I have a huge one ready to burst, I use the Clean & Clear Advantage (in the silver tube) to dry it up quicker.

I also ONLY use Neutrogena make up (foundation and concealer). Of course, I do LOVE the new covergirl mascara in the purple tube (promo'd by Q. Latifah).

Good luck!!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Get in touch with a dermatologist or possibly an esthetician. I'm an esthetician and since I haven't seen your skin it's hard to make too many suggestions, but if you really believe you have CYSTIC acne and not just regular acne, I would definitely make an appointment with a derm ASAP. They can get you on some good products that will help clear it up. If possible, try seeing both a derm and an esty- they will help you!!! (Many people's answers to you were NOT good ones- as a skin care professional, I would NOT reccommend using Mary Kay, Arbonne, or any of that kind of stuff.) Some over the counter products (like Neutragena) are okay, but if you don't know what to look for in the ingredients listing then that won't do you much good. Try to get to an esthetician who can set you up with some PROFESSIONAL products (Image and Vivant both have great acne lines), and then get in to see a derm if you still feel like you need to. Best wishes!!!

Answer 4

Hi I hear you, cheer up, there is a blue sky waiting tommorow. I also had problems with acne, I tried a lot of things, some are crazy things lol, and I think I found it that worked for me, its not a fancy facewash, its not a fancy cream, its not a diet and its not medication, you may not believe this but I got rid of my acne by 90%, by doing this three very simple things, first say goodbye to hot showers, use cold, and be very quick as you can in the shower, secend wash your pillow every two weeks or just when you think its getting dirty, the third thing is very very hard to believe, dont wash your face, yes, do not wash your face, you can wet your face when your having that cold and quick shower and always use cold if your going to wet your face, i know it sounds like its going cause more acne but its up to you to believe or not. If you have any question contact me on this account and I will be very happy to answer them.

Answer 5

I know what you mean when it comes to Acne, but I have discovered this wonderful product line called Arcona, they are out of Los Angeles, but you can check to see what are the authorized spas and salons that sell it in your area. You can even call the spa and describe for them your situation and they will get you the right product and you can just place your order online if you cannot find an authorized retailer. Their website is: www.arcona.com. I have used everything, but this has been the most effective product. Good luck to you.

Answer 6

Check out MK time wise. I used it, but all of my acne went away to I switched to their more basic product, which is Velocity. You can ask a mary kay consultant for tips if it drys out your skin or causes worse acne.

Answer 7

my daughter had the same thing and she uses Arbonne products now and has seen amazing results...you should probably go to a doctor and make sure this is what you really have....stress and spicy foods make it worst, as well as overscrubbing and using too many products that will confuse your skin...i wish you good luck in this, it is hard, i know.