breakouts ahhhhhhh?

Question

I'm 17 and never in my life had a pimple. Until recently that is... I've been breaking out all along my t-zone area and no, its not hideous or acne its just alot of red spots and blemishes and every so often an actual pimple. I also see i have blackheads on my nose which is really surprising because I have always had very good skin. I kind of dont know how to handle it. I already wash my face twice(sometimes more) a day and drink lots of water.
1. can someone tell me why this is happening?
2. how to fix it, like products that work and stuff. I have really sensitive skin so nothing too strong that will make it worse, thanks.

thanks for answers everyone... i hardly wear makeup like foundation and stuff like that i usually just wear mascara and lip balm but thanks for the tips.......

Answer 1

I was very similar in high school. Freshman and sophomore year, people used to complement me on my skin and say how perfect it was. Then, suddenly, I started getting breakouts and blackheads, mostly in the T-zone area.

At that time Proactiv didn't exist, but my younger cousin has used it for years and he raves about it. So you might try that, although your skin may be too sensitive for it.

Basically you want a mild product with benzoyl peroxide in it (that is the active ingredient in Proactiv as well as Oxy, Clearasil, etc.). Because your skin is sensitive, don't use anything stronger than 5% benzoyl perozide. If that is still too harsh for you, try a product with salicylic acid, also sometimes called beta hydroxy acid. I find best results when I apply a cream or gel to problem areas right before bed and let it work overnight. Then during the day I use a gentle moisturizer that won't clog pores.

Some general tips:
1. Don't wash your face too much. That can make it worse.
2. Don't pick at your blemishes or squeeze blackheads! No matter how bad they are. If you squeeze a blackhead, you leave a big open pore, ready to get filled with dirt and oil. Each time this happens, the pore stretches more and more, and your skin looks worse and worse.
3. Give yourself a little mini-home-facial using a washcloth dipped in hot water. Let it sit on your face for several minutes. I would do this once or twice a week.
4. Generally speaking, natural is better. Don't overdo it with the products.

Answer 2

there are many different reasons why acne occurs; among the reasons are hormones, stress, and what you put on your face.

Hormones and stress...there really isnt anything you can do about that acne.

you need to have a good skin care regiment. if your washing more than twice a day, it may be too much (make sure your moisturizing!). of course dont ever sleep with makeup on!

make sure you are using QUALITY products on your skin-these generally do not come from box stores--ask your dermatologist or your esthetician.
quality products also means your makeup and sunscreen.

I switched my entire makeup line to bare escentuals (any pure powder line will do) and almost immediately my face cleared up. I was 24 at that time, and couldnt believe I still had acne (of course i still get the occasional zit around my period time). since then, i have recruited most of my friends and family to that line, and all have mentioned positive changes in their skin. liquid makeup (especially low end brands - cover girl, revlon, etc) have tons of oil and even animal lard in the cosmetics. A good rule of thumb-If you wouldnt take the ingredient in the pure form and smear in on your face, then dont smear it on your face in any other form.

One last acne cause to be aware of-you may have skin allergies (something i also suffer from). Check to see what products have changed since you started breaking out. You would be surprised at what can cause a reaction: laundry soap, body soap, perfume, shampoo, lotion, jewelry, cleaning products, etc etc etc etc... basically, anything that touches your skin... or anything that the fumes touch your skin (which is pretty much everything).

Answer 3

Well one problem is that you could be washing your face too many times a day. Too much of a good thing is bad. Good on the water part keep that up. Female skin is thinner than males so we have a higher tendency to break out. If you drink alcohol that could also cause breakouts, or if you work out and dont wash your face right afterwards. There are a lot of different factors to behold, like family history for instance. Too many sweets may also have a factor in it too. Try using a lotion that has SPF in it and also use something like aveeno facial scrub pads or wash. Good Luck!

Answer 4

* Wash your face with a gentle, oil-and fragrance-free cleanser; preferably a non-detergent one labelled pH balanced.

* If you have oily skin, use a cleanser that contains benzoil peroxide or salicylic acid. Don't scrub - irritated skin swells around the pores, which can cause breakouts. Skip toner unless your face is very oily, otherwise it might dry out the skin.

* Apply a topical acne treatment containing benzoyl peroxide, glycolic acid, or salicylic acid over your entire face, not just where blemishes have already erupted. At night, use a drying spot-treatment product and dab oil-free moisturizer on dry areas. In the morning, apply an oil-free sunscreen gel over the entire face.

* Use a small makeup brush to dab concealer or cream foundation (in the exact same shade as your skin) directly onto the blemish. Use a fingertip to wipe away excess concealer around the blemish and, if necessary, apply another coat of concealer.

* If the makeup becomes cakey, carefully wipe it off and start over. Gently brush powder (in the exact same shade as your skin) on top of the concealer.

* If you have oily skin and feel that you need toner, apply it only on the T-zone, and rinse it off afterward (leaving it on can dry the skin). Use a clay mask as often as every three days to absorb excess oil.

* To stop redness and swelling in an emergency situation (job interview, wedding), ask your doctor for an injection. It calms down a pimple almost instantly.

* If you can't get to your dermatologist (or needles make you squeamish), temporarily reduce redness and swelling by dabbing on a drop of drugstore cortisone cream, Preparation H, or Vasocon-A eye drops.

Answer 5

I love all the Neutragena Products...they work wonderfully! Their Clean Tint make-up, and their Concealer Stick both have a Salicylic Acid blemish medication in them...they work GREAT! Also try using their Astringent too. Use Clearasil Acne Medication too. Since you have sensitive skin though, DO NOT USE ANY MEDICATION WITH BENZOYL PEROXIDE IN IT! Your face will swell up REALLY BAD...I know this because my mom cant use it...if she does...she cant even see the next day because her face is swelled so badly around her eyes. I hope this helps!
PS..I know all of this from experience!

Answer 6

It's puberty. Overactive hormones and oil production. Use astringent on your face at least once a day and use pore strips for your nose for the blackheads.

Answer 7

It's probably just teenage hormones causing them. Neutrogena has a good scrub/mask that gets rid of blackheads and pimples.

Answer 8

Jafra Cosmetics has an excellent product for this type of problem. Check out their website and find a consultant in your area. www.jafra.com

Answer 9

i have that problem with pimples on my fore head and no where else and i have black heads only one my nose and nowhere else and i wash my face every night in cole water then i put noxzema on it and it helps. and good luck.♥

Answer 10

the reason u could be getting breakouts might be from sweat. i would recommend a Clean and Clear toner and cleanser.