Always break out. I used murad & it seemed to work but it has stopped!?

Question

Is pro-active good. I used it in HS & it stopped working too. What are your results? How long did it take for results to show?

Answer 1

I CAN HELP YOU! :) I have a lot of trouble with acne myself and have tried many products...I even worked as a Beauty Consultant at Kohl's, and mainly helped people with acne-prone skin. And as a former Kohls beauty associate, I wouldn't recommend their expensive line of products if you're a poor college student such as myself looking for a cheap way to achieve clearer skin.

Let me begin by saying Murad is a good product....but I was only able to try a sample from Bath and Body Works. They gave me the acne-clearing body wash (green wash with microbeads) and I used it on my face for two weeks and it cleared up fast. I meant to buy some more but haven't had the money to spend 40 bucks on a tube...or however much they charge there. But during that short period I have to say Murad worked pretty well....then again, I didn't use it as long as you did.

Anyways, I went back to using OTC cleansers like Neutrogena, Clearasil, and Clean and Clear. Any product that had 2% or less Salicylic Acid did NOT work. Does not matter what brand, salicylic is weak and takes a long time for it to work. (However, I believe Murad uses salicylic acid...but their dermatology line is way more advanced than these cheap OTC products...)

...Instead, try Clean and Clear 10% Benzol Peroxide (prescription-strength) face wash (dark purple bottle). It costs about 5 bucks at Walmart and lasts for a few months. The only thing is you might need to wear foundation afterwards because it may turn your skin pinkish/reddish. I marinate my face in this stuff for about 2 minutes (it says to do it for 30 seconds) but I'm OCD like that. It will burn and tingle if you leave it on too long but I don't care too much about that...it just lets me know that it's working! It's FAST yet effective.

However, if you decide to use another face wash that is less harsh on the skin...go with one that contains salicylic acid instead, BUT!!!.....DO BUY 10% BENZOL PEROXIDE CREAM. Does not matter what brand it is (Equate, Clean and Clear, etc) USE THIS EVERY NIGHT! Your skin may feel dryer with time BUT you can easily fix that with Clean and Clear oil-free face moisturizer (for acne-prone skin, contains salicylic acid). I LOVE the Clean and Clear line...does a pretty good job for being an OTC product!

I wouldn't recommend going to the dermatologist unless you plan on spending a lot of money on a million different products they prescribe. I was on 5 different medications and could not remember which went on my skin first...not to mention I never had the time. Instead, I did a little research and found a birth-control pill that actually helps acne. 1 pill vs. 5 topical medications per day? Talk about convenience.

******I am currently on **Tri-Previfem**, a generic brand for Ortho Tri-Cyclen. Unfortunately my insurance won't cover the name brand which means I would have to spend $60/month. With Tri-Previfem, I spend only $20/month (with insurance). Still an expensive alternative but it makes life SO much easier. If at all possible, GET ON THE NAME BRAND. I'm only on the generic because I have to pay for this out of my own pocket...my parents won't help me out. I have heard many horror stories about other generic brands (Trinessa...NEVER TAKE THE GENERIC TRINESSA). So please, if you can....stick with Ortho Tri-Cyclen...the most popular birth control pill proven to help 9 out of 10 women with acne. It has been 5 months since I've been on the generic Tri-Previfem and so far it's doing a decent job. My skin rarely breaks out unless it's getting close to having my period. And if it does start to flare up, all I do is simply marinate in benzol peroxide while I'm sleeping at night! It helps! The negative experiences I've had with this pill was mainly weight gain...and trying to get it off is nearly impossible. There are a few other minor things I don't like but as far as I'm concerned it's great with clearing up acne. Once I start working more I plan on switching to the name-brand...I've heard MANY great things about it.

Contact a gyno or a doctor about Ortho Tri-Cyclen! Do a little reading on it on their official website: http://www.orthotricyclen.com/

As for today...I found a system that works great with my face.
In addition to birth control...I follow this routine every day:

1) WASH AND EXFOLIATE: wash off make-up with the original Neutrogena bar soap using a wash cloth to exfoliate skin (about $2.50 per bar)

2) DEEP CLEAN: Massage on Clean and Clear 10% Benzol Peroxide face wash and wait 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Rinse as soon as it feels it is burning! :)

3) TONE: Using a cotton ball, apply Clean and Clear Toner for acne-prone skin (orange colored toner) prior to applying foundation.

4) MOISTURIZE: Put on a little of Clean and Clear oil-free acne-prone skin moisturizer before putting on make-up. Helps fight acne while keeping skin lightly moisturized with a matte-like finish (and trust me, this is the only moisturizer that I've tried that doesn't break out my skin even more!)

5) AT NIGHT: Remove all make up with a good face wash (Neutrogena bar face wash works well!). Apply Clean and Clear (or a generic brand) 10% Benzol Peroxide all over face or just on problem areas (T-zone).

And there you have it! I would try this, it's not as costly as Pro-Active....Which I have not tried and do not care to try. Pro-Active's system is basically the same thing...they use the combination of benzol peroxide and salicylic acid too. You can achieve pretty much the same results using the cheap YET effective OTC products (CLEAN AND CLEAR!).

I know my routine sounds time consuming too but I won't break out if I skip out on it a few days...I can even sleep in makeup and not break out in the morning BECAUSE OF THE PILL. Tri-Previfem helped clear most, not all, of acne. I'm ONLY using OTC products because Tri-Previfem is not working the best for me. Again, if I can afford Ortho Tri-Cyclen, I wouldn't need to worry about a specific face wash. Hopefully that will soon change.

But as for anything....Always exfoliate, tone, and moisturize!

If you are looking for a good foundation that fights acne too? I WOULD actually recommend spending about $15 on a tube of "Good Skin" acne-clearing make-up....exclusively at Kohl's. Look for the blue colored products....the make-up stays fresh and has a matte finish..not to mention keeps your skin from breaking out. COVERS WELL and is not cakey! I would at least give it a try.

Anything else...ask away!!

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Answer 2

Wow,
Hard to top that last post---very informative! I also still use Murad, but found that it worked great in the beginning, and then stopped being as effective. Same thing with Proactive (which I had used the year before I tried Murad.) Same as the last poster---the thing that made the biggest difference was going on the pill. Also, I am viligent about washing my make-up blush brush, and apply my foundation with a clean finger rather than a sponge (that just holds onto bacteria.) I do use Retin A also, but I have been using it for a year, and only saw great results when I went on the pill---so I wonder if it is even doing any good on it's own. It's good for wrinkles though and since I'm pushing 35..... well, I can use all the help I can get ;)

Answer 3

Oh my gosh, me too. You know about 3 months ago I stopped the Murad. I was taking the vitamins and using everything in that line. My skin just kept breaking out.

I tried this product called "Control" and my skin has really cleared up.

I am a manicurist and sit face to face with people all day. They see every blemish.

Well now I have started to get compliments on my skin again and I am so thrilled. The Murad did seem to work in the beginning, but if it has stopeed, then you should too!

I never tried the pro-active, I have heard mixed reviews on that, mostly that it did not work.

You could always try a facial and get something recommended just for you, try small sizes of products and/or samples, until you find one that works for you! Good Luck. Oh yes, I gave ALL my murad away.