Eczema / acne help

[Sunny]

I started using a new cleanser/acne system a couple of months ago for my face. I started breaking out a couple of years ago and this is the first thing that has really worked (after trying a bunch of different brands of OTC acne cleansers, and even using my own soaps - nothing else has worked).

It is not what I would call severe acne, maybe moderate, but I would get 2-3 large, cystic pimples on my face at a time that would not go away, as well as a few small ones. They are always painful and dark red.

Right after I started using the system (cleanser, toner, lotion, using morning and night) I started to get eczema patches on my face. It was getting pretty bad (very flaky, red, and itchy) until I started using a 1% hydrocortisone cream on the flaky spots. I also wash only 1x per day (at night) and apply the acne lotion morning and night. I stopped using the toner.

It is working pretty well for me and is manageable, but I am getting new eczema spots each week, so even though I don't want to, I'm thinking of trying a new cleanser/lotion.

I'm just wondering if anyone can recommend a gentler acne system, or if anyone has tips for me on dealing with this. I know different things work for different people... I'm open to all suggestions though.

p.s. this is not Proactiv that I'm using, just something from Target.

 

[ChrissyB]

I was getting a lot of hormonal acne. I'm late 30's, and I didn't want to be dealing with that rubbish, I mean those years are meant to be far far behind me right?
So..I tried Proactive. It worked great, cleared my skin right up...but the "repairing lotion" has benzoyl peroxide in it and it did dry out my skin to the point of red flakiness.
However, if you are having cystic acne..the large red under the skin ones, I think you would be better off going to the dr...their are medications that they can give you...Roaccutane comes to mind...I'm not sure if they still use that or if it's something different. I was put on that in my teens..and it cleared my skin right up FAST...but it dried EVERYTHING out...my nose..my eyes..everywhere.

 

[mariflo]

Hi Tasha,
I had skin problems when I was young and then they stopped only to reappear again because of diet changes, dust ... I now use a serum I made, 2-3 times a week in the evening after I wash my face with my handmade soap. I posted the serum recipe here somewhere but I am not sure how that would work for you (my skin type is normal to oily). But before I formulated my serum, from previous experience with commercial products and from feedback from my friends that also used it, I can recommend Avene. I trust their products and they do really work. You just have to pick the right one fro your skin type. I used their Cleanance-K, Diacneal (spot on treatment - this can burn your skin right off if not used properly), Clean-Ac soothing lotion and their Cleanance anti shine regulating lotion with great success (even though this is a series for teens and I wasn't one when I used it and it's for oily acne prone skin).
Here is their website if you want to take a look at it (I hope posting this link is allowed) http://www.aveneusa.com/
I don't know if you can find their products easily in pharmacies where you live but it's worth at least looking into it
I hope this helps

 

[Melharma]

I have had acne for a couple years now, i'm almost 30! I have tried a lot of things and what I've found is that the less crap I put on it the better. I do better with more natural gentle cleansing methods. I am using sort of a OCM to take off my makeup (castor, olive and grape seed combo), cleanser and strait Witch Hazel as a toner. When I use those pre-moisened cleansing wipes to take off my makeup I notice I break out a about 5 days after. Keep track of what you do and how your skin reacts. Good Luck!

 

[lovelysuds]

Melharma thats very good advice about keeping track. Ive never had great skin but nothing to bad. Just icky blackheads on my chin and nose :shock: but i had eczema around my nose. I used the sensitive skin Cetaphil or the store brand equivalent with matching lotion. Never noticed anything good or bad about my blackheads really but some swear by that stuff. Now i use my own facial bar. Its very mild HP soap no scent or color. I put kaolin clay, & oatmeal. For oils its just tallow, olive, CO, and castor. My skin looks better than ever. I was actually considering using red clover infused water/ oil. If you google it it supposed to be outstanding for skin. Especially psorasis or eczema. Not sure if the rotten lye monster would gobble up the clover goodness though. Worth checking out i think! People swear by it for generations.