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I thought this might be an interesting topic for an open thread — what to do when you wake up the day of an important meeting and find you've got a blemish on your face? In addition to being a serious confidence killer, it can make you look younger and lead you to being taken less seriously. (And, as an outward indicator of stress, it is definitely noticed! Does anyone else remember that blemish George Bush had on his face during the “who won the race” time period? If you can find a picture, please forward along.) So — what's a working woman to do? (Pictured: Face Powder with Applicator Brush, originally uploaded to Flickr by incurable hippie.)
For my $.02 — and I normally have pretty clear skin, except for a few annoyances here and there — here's my line of attack:
a) assess what can be done before the meeting — and how important the meeting is. I'm curious — would anyone visit a dermatologist, or has anyone had any success with those tiny devices for zapping zits, like the Zeno
? What other methods have you guys found work best? (I have my own methods, but, well, it seems a bit too TMI to get into — maybe I'll post as an anon commenter!)
b) if the meeting is later that day, I've found all you can really do is apply cover-up and Visine (dab some on a cottonball and apply to the blemish — it gets the red out).
c) finally, I've found that a darker lipstick helps “detract” attention — you don't want the blemish to be the reddest thing on your face.
So, readers, what are your tried-and-true strategies for dealing with the occasional breakout? Does anyone keep a dermatologist on call, or use one of those devices?
anon in dc
FYI, I am 27 and have constant acne despite going to a dermatologist often and using many prescriptions–not epic proportions, but just a constant chin thing going on. So personally I don’t really notice when 1 is super bad or whatever. I don’t wear makeup, so it’s pretty much ever-present at work for me, even though I’m pushing 30!
K
I am in the same boat! 27 with constantly bad skin. It always makes me sad when I read about the problems of having “a” blemish. :( I don’t notice it either, but maybe I should? Wow, this post was a real confidence killer.
L
Me 3, except I’m 28. I go with the ignore route, given that any sort of makeup/concealer makes things worse, and medical efforts have failed to make a difference. Nobody has ever said anything, other than when I came to work with a little bandaid over a particularly painful one to keep myself from picking at it.
theegglesstort
Me 4. There’s nothing worse than being 27 and seeing 16 year olds with better skin than me. Hate those bitches. I definitely notice if there is anything particularly bad, but I don’t think people react any differently to me. Depending on how bad it is, I might go the Visine/concealer route, but honestly, I’m more likely just to leave it alone and hope it goes away ASAP.
K
Me 5. I do what I can with concealer and have given up on the rest.
Anon On This One
You know what’s worse? Having acne at 47. Every month I get one or two huge blemishes on my chin. Wrinkles and acne together are a curse.
lizajane
Sorry to say, I also have acne and wrinkles. I use Retin-A, and so of course the insurance company assumes I’m fighting wrinkles not acne and tries to refuse to pay. Oh, the indignity of it all!
Suze
Oh, yeah, zits and wrinkles at the same time…growing old gracefully was never this fun. Retin-a helps a lot for me, generally on both fronts. When the terminal zit shows up, I do *reasonably* well with a combo of the lancer, ice and Origins Spot Remover – and then just leave it ALONE.
I dunno about a cortisone injection – I have friends who have done it/do it regularly, and my derm offers it. But it seems extreme for most zit circumstances (I can imagine a *true* emergency – your own or your child’s wedding, perhaps, or some similar occasion involving extensive photography), and cortisone is powerful. I have gotten a few injections for heel spurs (more fun facts of aging) and I guess I would just ‘save’ the medicine/its side effects for that type of thing (or the aforementioned true emergency).
Re Accutane (or whatever it’s being sold as now): caution. I think it is effective, but has lots of serious (and long term) side effects, and based on what we know about all that, my personal thought would be ‘only if I am done with childbearing FOR SURE.’
C2
If it’s any consolation, I have had clear skin all my life (don’t worry, my stress just makes me fat and gives me eczema — we all have our “thing”), and I have never, ever thought that someone else’s breakouts make them seem stressed, young, or anything else. In fact, I almost never notice acne. I think that this whole thread is an example of people feeling hyperaware of something few others notice. So, this thread is useful for the makeup tips (which I will be extending to my eye circle and dry skin), but for sure don’t let it kill your confidence!!
E3
Much appreciated, C2!
C
At 33, my acne was so bad that I was embarrassed to show up at work. Horrible. I did a course of Accutane and voila! it was gone forever.
That was years ago and although I have been acne-free since then, I now see ads for class-action lawsuits against the makers of Accutane because apparently IBS and other issues were associated with it. (Not for me, thankfully. Yet. ~knock on wood~)
Maybe there is another, safe drug to take now?
Eponine
I think that whatever is out of the ordinary makes one feel unconfident and ugly. So for women with generally clear skin, a zit can really ruin our day. I doubt anyone else really notices or cares.
K
So glad I’m not the only one! 29 and still with the stress acne and occasional cystic pimple. I’d look like a pizza today if not for my makeup.
I know not everyone is a fan and certainly there is powdered makeup all over my bathroom, but I’ve had good luck with the BareMinerals line. Their combination of foundation/bisque (coverup)/etc. gives my skin a much more even looking tone when I’m broken out and because you can kind of mix all the powders it doesn’t matter whether I’m tan or not, I can get good coverage.
Shayna
I’m biting my lip and going to try them —
FYI – if anyone else is make-up shopping after reading this, Ulta has some discount codes for their site – http://tinyurl.com/3yuxhbg
Miriam
I had horrible acne from age 12-22. I’m 25 now and just found a balance of products…or just being older helped. I would suggest trying the Biore Ice Blemish Fighting Cleanser and St. Ives Apricot Acne Scrub. I have been using both for several years and I only break out once in awhile. I’ve always wanted to buy the Clarisonic, but its over $200. Also, I like the CVS brand acne medication. All cheap drugstore stuff! Also, don’t skimp on the moisturizer because it can make your skin overcompensate the acne products.
Shayna
Thanks for the hope! I was blessed w/ great skin…until I turned 18. Now I’m 25 and still have cystic acne…
…And if I were to use the strong prescriptions out there that would zap it, my skin doc thinks my uber-pale skin would become so sun sensitive that I would become a walking target for skin cancer :-(
CBW
So I was in the same boat (huge cystic acne from age 9). I am now 26 and still have the occasional flare-up, but nothing even CLOSE to what it was. My friend in law school had such beautiful skin, so I asked her what she did. At first, I was skeptical, but feel free to do the research! She told me to use Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Soap (I use the sensitive skin/light blue bottle) as a face wash in the morning and again at night to remove makeup. It can make your skin feel tight, so make sure you moisturize. After using Dr. B, I will use witch hazel (which never worked for me before, but seems to help a lot now). Then moisturize.
It took about a month for things to completely look better. I can honestly say, however, that it is the GREATEST thing I have ever done for my skin. I went in for a facial and I was told I had such an amazing complexion and did not really need any extractions! I can’t tell you my excitement! I do get a pimple every now and then, but it does not even scratch the surface as to what my pimples used to look like. Hope this helps!
Selia
Laura Mercier’s Secret Concealer/Secret Camouflage can do wonders!
KelliJ
Love LM’s Secret Camouflage!
A
I recently bought her whole flawless face kit, and it is wonderful.
EN
I love it too!!! By the way, I’m 25 and still suffer from fairly mild acne with the occasional bad breakout. I recently went to the derm and she prescribed Ziana (a retinoid with a topical antibacterial mixed in) and I’ve been really happy with the results so far. It’s less harsh than those I remember trying when I was younger (like 15) and my very pale sensitive skin has not had much problem adjusting to it. Plus, it’s great for anti-aging too! It does make you more photosensitive but my daily moisturizer has a 25 spf and I also use the Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer that has a 15 spf so I figure I’m covered!
Celeloriel
I’m with Selia on the Laura Mercier front.
I have a generally red face, and I use smashbox’s green foundation primer to tone that down a bit before I start precision concealing.
I think one of the best things you can do is not just to conceal a zit, but also to draw attention to places on your face that *aren’t* that zit — for example, on a day when I break out, I try to do my eyeshadow and my lipstick more precisely.
M
I love my zeno, but it is only for those deep, painful doozies you can feel coming a few days in advance. Their new version makes it infinitely more affordable, too.
BigLaw Refugee
Right – and if I remember correctly, it takes a couple of days to work – so if you catch it early, you might use it for a couple of days and keep the zit from ever appearing, but it’s not useful for a zit “emergency.”
anonymous
For years I struggled with acne, and never realized that adult acne is a classic sign of polycystic ovarian syndrome. I’d been to several different dermatologists over the course of many years, and nobody ever mentioned this was a possibility. So I was given some standard acne-type treatments, but nothing worked very well. After being diagnosed with PCOS and put on treatments specific to it, my skin has never been clearer.
Amy
This. I have PCOS too and nothing, but nothing, has helped my acne as much as getting on spironolactone and metformin. Before spirono I would get at least 3 or 4 cystic pimples a month, no matter what I used for skincare. Now I get a cystic pimple maybe once every 3 months. Especially if someone has body hair overgrowth (or hair in weird places) and discolored skin on their neck, under their arms or breasts, or in their groin area, they should get tested for PCOS. Treatment can save your life, not just your skin.
AIMS
How do you get tested? I thought there was no test, and it was just a guess when you have enough of the symptoms.
What kind of doctor do you see for that? Gynocologist? Endocrinologist?
This is making me nervous! I don’t have the excess hair, etc., but I have been having late 20’s chin breakouts the past 2 years or so! Oy — one more thing to panic over, now.
anonymous
It’s actually really simple — I got tested by my general doctor. They can do a test that compares your fsh and LH levels — it’s not the absolute value, but the ratio that determines whether you have it. I love my general doctor, but she mentioned that I could also be treated by a GYN if I wanted. Before I mentioned it to my general doctor, I tried to get an appointment with an endocrinologist, but they were booked solid for six months.
AIMS
Thank you! I will do this.
The whole thing makes me very nervous. I went to an OB GYN when I was 18 & not having regular periods and she suggested this could be the cause but never tested, just put me on birth control. Have been with different doctors since & they never mentioned it. I’ve also been on birth control since & never had any other “symptoms” save the recent break-outs on the chin.
Sometimes being a woman sucks. I guess I need to just grow up & go to the doctor. Thanks again for the info!
Amy
There is a battery of tests they can do. And should do, as what presents as PCOS may not actually be PCOS. PCOS presents very differently in different people; you don’t need to have acne or hair loss or be overweight to have it.
Here’s the shortish version of my long story:
I was actually diagnosed by my GP, who had done the LH/FSH test, along with a pelvic ultrasound, and said “You have PCOS. I know what it is, but I don’t know how to treat it. I’m referring you to an endocrinologist.” The endocrinologist had me take off my shoes and took one look at my big toes and said, “Yep.” (Hairy big toes, she said, are the number-one sign of PCOS in women. And I don’t mean a few long, light strands; I have to shave or wax my big toes. I have long, thick, curly black hair that grows out of them. TMI, I know.) But she still ran tests, and man, did she run tests. I had to get almost a pint of blood drawn and go back to the lab at different times over the course of four days. What she was doing was getting a “hormonal picture” so she could determine what meds I needed. The lab tests confirmed the PCOS without any doubt.
I wasn’t trying to get pregnant at the time, so she started me off on a progesterone-only minipill and Metformin, 500 mg. I didn’t want to get on spironolactone at that time (that turned out to be a mistake, spirono has been awesome for me) but the progesterone minipill gave me terrible migraines, so we switched to a 5-day-a-month progesterone pill. Then I started trying to conceive, and she said “I can’t help you, go to this guy.” (a reproductive endocrinologist) I got pregnant (after two years, oy vey) and then by the time I gave birth and finished breastfeeding, my original endo had retired. I did some research, went to my GP, said “I think this is what I want to do,” he researched it and consulted with an endo, and then prescribed me Metformin (I’m on 1000 mg now, which is actually a clinically sub-therapeutic dose, but it seems to work for me) and Spironolactone, 25 mg (about to bump up to 50). I also got a Mirena IUD so I don’t have periods any more, which is great. I don’t have much trouble with the PCOS secondary symptoms or the migraines any more either.
If you have any doubt, get tested. Start with your GP or gyno but if they don’t seem to know what the hell they’re talking about, get a referral to an endocrinologist. I didn’t realize it until I got my PCOS under control, but I had a lot of problems that were due to the PCOS. Periodic deep depression, a hard time controlling my emotions, hair loss, problems focusing at work, horrific cyclical migraines, random breakthrough bleeding and horrible periods, etc. My life is 100+ percent better now that I am being treated and have things under control. The other problem is that women with PCOS, especially if they are insulin resistant (which you can be and have no symptoms, and you don’t have to be overweight either), have hugely increased risks of diabetes, heart disease and cancer REGARDLESS OF BMI. That’s important because many doctors still hold the line that “thin women can’t have PCOS” or “thin women with PCOS don’t need treatment.” Medical studies have proved that idea is wrong. There’s a doctor at Yale that is doing longitudinal studies, and they aren’t complete but apparently there are indications that treating even mild cases of PCOS with Metformin and/or other drugs increases quality of life and prevents things like strokes. That’s why I said treatment can save someone’s life, not just their skin.
If you have irregular periods and acne, you have enough cause to go and get some tests done. It’s not something to stress about – PCOS is not progressively degenerative, and the other adverse health effects don’t show up for a lot of years. But it is a big deal if you want to have kids someday, and getting a diagnosis and treatment may help with other health problems. Good luck. :)
Anon
I too have PCOS and use metformin. Can you tell me how spironolactone has helped you? I am trying to get pregnant, but will think about using it after.
I also have terrible hair loss and that is the worst. I don’t mind the weight gain so much as controlling it is in my hands. But I can do nothing about hair loss -just take meds and herbs and pray it will stop. I do have a website where I track my weight related issues. I will share it some day soon!
Amy
Spirono has just been fabulous. I can’t say enough about it. It stopped my hair loss (mine was also really bad – I had male-pattern “peaks” in my hairline at one point) and REALLY helped with my acne. I have also lost a lot of weight. Like 40 lbs. I have never eaten that much and I’ve always worked out and never could understand why I wasn’t losing or even maintaining my weight. Part of it is that spirono has an appetite-suppressing effect in some people, but that hasn’t been that pronounced for me. I think my hormones were just way whacked out – well, I knew that from the bloodwork, but didn’t realize spirono would make such a difference. My testosterone was sky high and now it’s down at lower levels. It’s technically a blood pressure drug, and my BP – which was borderline-high – is now consistently 118/78. It’s just been like a miracle drug for me. And I don’t feel bad taking it because it’s also helped a lot with mood swings, and if I was taking an antidepressant to help just with that, no one would question it. People take a lot of things for a lot of reasons; spirono has made a huge difference for me, and I am going to stay on it for the foreseeable future.
If you are TTC I would wait, however. I’m sure you know that spirono can cause birth defects – not at the same level as Accutane, but there is a risk. I did not originally want to get on it because of the birth defect risk, when we were almost ready to start TTC. But after you are done TTC, spirono is definitely something I would recommend. Hope this helps :)
Anon
Thanks Amy. You have posted a really detailed reply on PCOS and I am sure that it will help a lot of women. I am self diagnosed for PCOS and realized that I must have it becuase I read a similar post by someone else.
I am TTC and that is the reason I haven’t even looked into spiro so far. But since hairloss is really bothering me, I am trying to do research and be prepared when I am ready to take it.
Have you tried inositol? I have heard it has same benefits but without the nast side effects. I will be buying some today!
Anonymous
Me too. Do you take spironolactone just for the week before your period, or more often? My dr told me it was for bloating and I didn’t realize it helped with other things too.
Cecelia
I have to add my standard advice that anyone diagnosed with PCOS (especially with infertility and/or missed periods) should also be screened for celiac disease, which has some overlap. This is true even if you don’t have the classic celiac symptoms.
LawyerLady
I have both PCOS and Celiac Disease, and your post is the first mention I’ve seen of a possible connection – I’ll have to look into that!
As far as PCOS goes, I recently went off the Pill, and all of a sudden have breakouts on my chin and the sides of my face – lovely! My testosterone was never seriously out of whack, but the pill must have been suppressing it somewhat. Anyone else experience this?
BigLaw Refugee
Yes! I don’t have PCOS but I did see an increase in acne when I went off the pill recently. It lasted a few months and I had these zits I’d never had before – ones that lasted for weeks. Now my skin seems to be more or less back to normal.
A-non-lawyer
The same thing happened to me. I have PCOS, and I went off the pill for a year (TTC) and got acne and some serious facial hair. Same as you — my testosterone wasn’t too high. My acne has all but disappeared since going back on the pill.
Cecelia
Infertility, missed periods and multiple miscarriages can also be signs of celiac. See this NIH list of symptoms: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/
It’s also important to remember that ~40% of adult celiacs are overweight at diagnosis, which is contrary to the stereotypical underweight celiac child or adult.
Valerie @ City|Life|Eats
This is actually something that has been on my mind lately – after 15+ years of good skin I am faced with acne at 31, almost 32, because after 10 years of being on the birth control pill continuously, I went off of it in hopes it would help my stomach/digestive problems. It did, and I swear I have more energy too – more than I remember having 10 years ago. Honestly, I have energy I had more like 15 years ago.
However,
my skin has also decided to go on memory lane and bless me with the skin I had 15+ years ago. It is the worst feeling, especially since some of my acne (the one along my jawline) is a bit cystic. I am still waiting out the dermatologist visit route, mainly because I am hoping things will restabilize and avoid going on an antibiotic/medication route. In the meantime, though, I have replaced my super sheer tinted moisturizers with slightly heavier coverage, overhauled my skincare routine, and am seeing good results. As upset as I am about my skin, the zits that really qualify for the category you are describing above (i.e. the really awful cystic ones) are still few and far between. When they happen, I go the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage route, using a very tiny small brush. Unless the zit is smack on your nose, it really is amazing what well-applied concealer and makeup in general can do.
Anon
I’ve read a bit about your dietary restrictions on your blog, Valerie, and I’m not sure whether or not this will work for you/fall within your restrictions, but I’ve noticed a dramatic improvement in my skin (particularly the cystic-type blemishes) since I started taking a large spoonful of Fish Oil daily. Not the capsules (ugh) but the liquid, keep it in the fridge, a spoonful every morning. If this is within your realm of possibilities, you may want to give it a try!
Valerie @ City|Life|Eats
Thanks :) I actually recently switched from the capsules to the liquid and it did help :)
Anon
I’m glad!
A
Hold up – birth control can cause digestive problems?? That is very interesting. I’ll have to discuss with my doctor, but I’d also be interested in hearing more if anyone is knowledgeable about this.
Midori
Birth control can do all kinds of crazy stuff to you! Weight gain, moodiness, headaches, possibly blood clots (!). It made me nauseous.
Of course, as I’ve recently learned, so can pregnancy… so choose your options wisely. ;-) (And there are alternatives to birth control that can help you avoid both.)
Midori
After reading my comment, I realize it sounds kind of anti-baby! I should clarify that I don’t necessarily mean to imply that pregnancy is necessarily an evil to be avoided. I’m totally pro-procreation–I just realize sometimes it’s nice to influence the odds and/or timing.
Valerie @ City|Life|Eats
I had never heard of it eitehr, but went off bcp as a last-ditch effort after making a lot of changes (dietary, lifestyle, the list could go on and on) and it really did make a huge difference for me. I s hould add I was very reluctant to stop taking bcp but my doctor actually was the one who recommended I try it in hopes of improving my digestive health.
Louise
It’s not the birth control per se that causes digestive issues, but the hormone fluctuations. I’ve been off bcp’s for 20 years and can predict the beginning of my periods by changes in my GI tract.
A
Sorry, I got tied up at work and didn’t have a chance to respond until now — thank you all so much for your responses, this is very helpful information. This is one strategy that nobody had mentioned to me, and I’m going to look into this. Thanks again!
Emily
Valerie – I avoided going to a dermatologist for acne as well, and I wish I had gone sooner. The longer it goes, the harder it is to fix and the worse the scarring will be. My dermatologist was pretty open to non-medication permanent fixes; different face washes, lotions, diets, etc. It helped a lot. You might see if you can find an understanding derm so you can zap this before it gets really bad.
Valerie @ City|Life|Eats
Thanks Emily – believe me – it is on my radar screen. I really need to find a derm that is open to trying topical and diet approaches. Some of it is that after years of being interested in skincare and makeup (I initially wrote a beauty blog before switching to my current blogging approach, and still occasionally write about beauty products) I was actually able to make a lot of progress on my skin on my own this last month. And knowing a thing or do about makeup (that doesnt irritate the acne) and application has also helped. No scarring yet!
Seventh Sister
I’ve had acne since the first Bush administration, and will probably have perfect (if wrinkly) skin after I retire in 2050.
As the daughter of a pharmacist, I’m very fond of drugs/doctors/medical solutions, but I think the biggest thing that helped my skin was finding a derm that really listened to me and understood how upset I was about the constant acne. I felt like I always had one *big* blemish, which doesn’t seem like such a big deal until it happens to you. It’s like skin care whack-a-mole. My derm really listened, tried several different topical/pill regimes, and now I have a face wash + topical combo that really works. She’s not a cosmetic derm, just your average-run-of-the-mill-takes-ppo-insurance doc.
A few other things that helped include: (1) consciously trying not to touch/rub my face, (2) not wearing my glasses every day, and (3) applying makeup with a disposable sponge.
Ouch
I’m 30 and I have random acne – the most inconvenient times, and the most inconvenient places on my face.
I wash and use an exfoliator, then before doing anything else I put Neosporin on the spot. Then I apply make-up as usual. And, if I have it available, I’ll wear green that day.
Amy
I have one of the smaller Zenos, the ones that are sold at Target for about $40. It works if you get it on the zit early enough – anything that has been there for a few days or has a head on it, forget it. But – the Zeno leaves the spot red for at least an hour on my skin, which is not all that sensitive. I treat the zit at night with the Zeno and then in the morning it’s much better (although usually not completely gone). I would not use a Zeno hoping to zap at zit an hour or two before a big meeting, as it would probably leave a bigger red mark than the zit by itself.
For covering zits, I really like Nars concealer. I got mine from Sephora and there are two shades in a little compact. It’s very blendable and looks natural, not cakey, once on. The biggest thing to help zits not be as noticeable is not to pick at them, and that’s hard for me. I am a major picker, and can’t help trying to squeeze/extract a pimple when I get one, no matter how unlikely it is I’ll be successful. But inevitably, too much messing with the zit makes it ten times worse. I am finally learning to slap on some benzoyl peroxide, use the Zeno when I get home, and otherwise leave it alone.
P.S. For zit prevention, I have been using the DDF Acne line – foaming cleanser, acne scrub, sulfur mask and oil-free moisturizer – and it works very, very well.
Chicago K
Amy, you might want to invest in a lancer from Sephora. They are pretty inexpensive (I think mine was $18). It is used to poke a tiny hole into a whitehead and so you can drain it, and leaves hardly any of the redness that the picking/squeezing does.
http://answers.sephora.com/answers/8723/product/P231607/questions.htm?expandquestion=292341
As a general comment, I find this tool to be the most useful for getting rid of those last minute pimples.
Amy
I am SO BUYING THAT. Like today. Thanks for pointing it out to me! I have had facialists use something like that on me and I never could figure out where to get one! :)
Sandra
I use a long sewing pin (the ones for quilting are pretty long) because I find they are often sharper than available cosmetic lancers. I just hold the tip under the flame of a candle in my bathroom first and let it cool. My husband has success using the lancers he gets to check his blood sugar (which is also what Kate Somerville recommends in her book, if I remember correctly). I personally think the sharper the tip, the better.
Chicago K
Hey no problem, hope you find it useful!
Anonymous
No religion or politics today? Acne is a pretty safe topic!
mamabear
I have had cystic acne since pre-puberty and as an adult now it is definitely exacerbated by stress. I have tried just about everything. Zeno doesn’t work for me. Cortisone injections usually do, but it’s hard to get to the dermatologist for every breakout. I save that for really big individual cysts.
Here’s my advice. Take Aleve, two of them, every 12 hours. Apply ice. Apply medications right after icing, when the skin is thinner. (Benzoyl peroxide will probably not work after the zit is already happening, but antibiotic ointment might.)
When you have to go to work, use a concealer, but not anything oily. (I have used Neutrogena’s acne concealer that contains salycilic acid.) Then use powder all over, not just on top of the concealer.
Wear more eye makeup. I saw someone said wear red lipstick, but personally i avoid very red and pink shades because they echo the redness in the blemish. I go with the more neutral shades.
Then put on a big smile and forget about it. I had to have a job interview with a fully broken out face in the fall of 2008 – yes the financial meltdown melted me down too – and I got an offer. Turned it down, but I got an offer!
Dink
Cortisone is a wonderful anti inflammatory. It’s too bad that taking it is linked to cataracts.
Anonymous
A mask made of clay and apple cider vinegar works well for me to draw out the cystic acne I get on my back. I got both the clay and the vinegar at whole foods. You might try it. Nothing else has worked for me.
mamabear
Forgot the most important thing. Don’t pick!!!!
NB
Has anyone tried accutane? I have acne mostly on my chin area and I am almost 30. I’m just worried about trying accutane because it is so expensive and because of some of the side effects, which I heard can include having your eyes get really dry. I wear contacts so I am concerned about having problems with my contacts if I went on accutane.
Anonymous
I had acne for 10+ years and absolutely nothing worked until I used Accutane. Yes, the common side effects are super annoying: dry eyes, cracked lips, bloody noses, skin so dry a tiny scrape causes a bloody cut, etc. However, after 6 months of low-to-medium doses of isotretinoin (the generic name–brand-name Accutane is no longer available in the US as of July 2009), my acne is gone. I still get a random whitehead during my monthly cycle and a big, painful zit once every 4-5 months, but my goodness my skin is pretty much clear all the time. Just so you know, you have to be in the iPledge program the whole time you are on it, meaning monthly comprehensive blood tests and pregnancy tests. And you have to watch what you eat and drink because the high dosage of Vitamin A in the drug messes with your cholesterol levels and your liver (goes away once you’re off the drug).
I know the side effects sound crazy; I avoided using it for 7 years because I was afraid of those very effects. But at the end of the day, I’m very happy that I used it!
Emily
My brother was on Accutane – it worked (permanently) for him, but it was really painful to watch. He had to stop wearing his contacts for a while, and often had dandruff/other flaky skin issues that aesthetically were worse than the acne…but his acne was so painful that he decided it was worth it.
I’ve heard that Accutane is now the subject of a class action law suit because it’s been linked to Crohn’s Disease and IBS. I’d probably have a long talk with my doctor before using it.
Anon
Does anyone know if it Accutane has been linked to infertility or trouble concieving? The friends I’ve had with the worst infertility problems are the same ones who have been on Accutane.
A
Not a doctor, but those friends’ infertility problems could have been caused by the same thing that caused their acne (PCOS, for example).
Emily I
Was on Accutane at age 20 – have since had three perfectly healthy pregnancies (one by accident while on the pill) at ages 25, 27, and 30. Of course, all the women in my family are ridiculously fertile. Not sure there’s anything that could keep us from getting knocked up – except for my husbands vascectomy (sp?)!
L
No problem here and was on it twice. I highly recommend Accutane–I was on it, my husband was on it, my brother was on it. It can be brutal while you’re on it (skin peeling off your face in sheets, very dry skin, chapped lips), but none of us have acne or hardly even flare-ups now. 4-6 months of side effects for a lifetime of clear skin? I think it’s worth it when your acne is bad enough.
E
The claim is that it’s been linked to Crohn’s and IBD (“IBS” is “irritable bowl syndrome” IBD is the more serious “inflammatory bowl disease” which is the umbrella term given to Chron’s and Ulcerative Colitis). Anyway, I saw that commerical too and am confused: Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis are hereditary immune system disorders, not something you “catch” or something that is “caused” by a drug. The only people who can get Crohn’s or UC are the ones who are born with it in their DNA (it’s not like AIDS or tuberculosis) and there is no known cause for the onset of either. I saw that commercial and immediately thought that the corresponding ambulance chasers had their medical info wrong.
C
I wondered that too. Interesting. Thanks.
Amy
There is another form of ulcerative colitis people can get that is not genetic; my best friend’s mother died of it last year. It presents with similar symptoms as the genetically-caused UC but is caused by something else – it’s unknown whether it’s an infectious agent, an autoimmune response, or what. It can be extremely serious. My friend’s mother got sick and died in the course of about 10 days. She had only had specific bowel symptoms for about a month prior to the illness becoming serious enough that she had to be hospitalized. She had been in the Peace Corps and there was some theorizing that she either had an existing parasitic infection, or had had one in the past, and that caused the UC. So UC isn’t necessarily just genetic.
i'm nobody
The brand name drug marketed as Accutane is, I believe, a different a different drug than the Isotretinoin that’s presently being sold.
Ann
I loved Accutane. It actually worked when nothing else did. I wore my contacts throughout, but always had eyedrops and Aquaphor at hand for dryness. My doctor (maybe all doctors?) required me to get a pregnancy test each month, which made for some interesting conversations with campus health services, but other than that huge fan!
It’s worth at least discussing with your doctor.
anon
I’m on it and I love it. My only side effect is that my lips are drier than usual. This is probably because I’m on a very low dose, 20mg/day. (My dermatologist gave me the option of trying a low dosage as opposed to the regular dosage which is several times higher. After he shared with me the results of some studies showing that the low dose was just as effective (or more so, if you count the people who dropped out of the high dose group due to side effects), I picked that option. So far, I have no horror stories, just awesome skin.) Yes, isotretinoin is a controversial drug and highly regulated – annoyingly so. If you decide to go on it, make sure your decision is an informed one.
Anon
I’m on it right now too. My side effects are not that bad so far–mild dry skin, very dry lips, a couple of nosebleeds. But it really has made a difference so far–I can’t remember when my skin looked so good. I usually wear glasses, I’ve worn my contacts once since being on it and didn’t have a problem (but you might, of course).
I don’t find it that expensive–I think I pay $25 a month with my insurance, and it will be a total of 5 months, so $125. I found the topical creams and the antibiotics added up to much, much more than accutane.
i'm nobody
at age 34, i just finished 6 months of accutaine. there are a number of potential side effects, of course, and the ipledge program is condescending and annoying, but my only regret is not doing it sooner.
C
Yes. It worked for me. It was a bona fide miracle.
I thought it had been pulled from the market (see my above post), but maybe I’m wrong.
ChickintheStix
Yep. Ten years ago, I received a regular dose for something like 16-20 weeks. It was all I could do to remain on the medication. My dry, flaking skin almost–almost–felt worse than my acne. And, oh, how it made the bottoms of my feet hurt! My skin since then has been beautiful, even through 4 subsequent pregnancies. I’m so glad I stuck with it.
CF
I have had acne for 20 years. I went through 2 and 1/2 full courses (that’s 6 months each) of Accutane many years ago. I had all of the awful dry skin related side effects, including ghastly oozy patches of my face that would weep all day long while forming a dry “scab” on top. These patches were impossible to conceal and by the end of the day would turn into crusty ooze mountains (like lava/magma that is continually bubbling out of the earth while cooling and hardening on the very top). In a word, HORRIBLE.
Now you expect me to tell you like these other commenters that it was all worth it because it cured my acne and my skin has been radiant ever since. WRONG. Each time, after 3-6 months of torture, my skin would be clear for oh, one month, MAYBE two. As soon as my period came, the acne was back in full force as though it never left.
It makes me want to cry to think back on that time in my life: calling out “sick” from work on many days because I couldn’t make up my face in any way that I could fathom leaving my house, not looking anyone in the face when I actually did go to work, and dying inside whenever I noticed someone looking at my skin and imagining what they were thinking. (BTW I have a pretty good idea what they were thinking because some people actually had the tactlessness to SAY to me things like “I don’t have acne–I just wash my face with soap everyday” Oh really, so the answer to my acne problem is simply that I should stop smearing bacon grease on my face like the filthy freak that I am and actually wash my face more than once a week? Why didn’t I think of that?).
See, bitter much? The emotional effects stemming from the physical side-effects of the medications were too much to add to my already pathetic confidence level due to having acne from age 11-25. I’m now in my early thirties, still have acne, and now I’m expecting a baby. I’m terrified that all that Accutane I took years ago may have some effect on this baby. TERRIFIED.
In my experience, Accutane/isotretinoin was definitely not worth it.
AIMS
For a truly important event, a cortisone shot is a miracle. Couple of hours and it’s like it was never there!
The zeno does not work for me — I tried the mini recently, and nothing. Used to use the original (bigger & more expensive) and it did help make the painful ones hurt less, but wasn’t the kind of thing that would solve an emergency zit on the day of a big event. The mini doesn’t even do that for me.
Otherwise, what does work for me is hot compresses, w/cortisone cream after, and for spot treatments the DDF sulfer mask. And, obviously, when no other recourse — concealer. Haven’t tried the Laura Mercier, but will do as soon as the current one runs out!
s in Chicago
I would totally call your derm and give the office staff your sob story. A cortisone injection takes like five seconds and works like a miracle. My derm assured me she would do this if needed before my wedding since I was having occasional cystic breakouts (thankfully–for once–everything was perfect.)
My old derm used to do this routinely when I’d come in for a check-up. Actually, it was one of things I disliked most about him. You would be sitting there talking about your acne and without even missing a beat he would already have needle in his hand. (Talk about self-conscious!)
R.S.
I’m curious if anyone actually keeps a dermatologist “on call” for emergency acne. Recently, it took me a month to get an appointment with a dermatologist to have a mole removed that is now being biopsied for melanoma. Given that I couldn’t get a same-day (or even same-week) appointment with a derm for that, I can’t imagine getting an appointment on such short notice for something as simple as acne. Maybe if the derm is your best friend? I do live in a major city, but the idea of having your dermatologist on-call to treat you if you wake up with a bad pimple sounds like something reserved for only celebreties and the uber-rich!
AIMS
The dermotologist I have has a multi-doctor practice. Someone is usually there to take you. It takes them less than 3 minutes and they bill $150 for it — I don’t think there would ever be a problem getting an appointment if you called in the morning.
Chicago K
I think if you have one you see regularly for appointments they are more open to seeing you on an emergency basis. Same with any Dr I suppose? Whenever I call a new Dr as a new patient I have to wait weeks to months for an appointment, but if I call one I’ve been seeing for awhile they usually say, “Come on over!” and I get in right away.
As AIMS said, they only see you for about 5 minutes, so the appointments are not long and as they are a specialist, they charge a lot.
anon
Also, agree to see a PA. I have found it makes little to no difference as far as treatment is concerned and I can always get an appointment with her (even when the doctor is booked for weeks).
Meme
Shocked that your derm would put off an appointment to examine a suspicious mole for so long. That’s the making of a malpractice suit, especially if you were an established patient. You may want to look for a different derm.
housecounsel
Aleve? Really? I am going to try that!
I use inexpensive Neutrogena products, but take a low dose of a prescription oral antibiotic every day. This keeps my skin pretty clear most of the time. I had a Zeno, but wasn’t impressed.
Yes, I do think about the long-term effects of taking an antiobiotic every day, but vanity wins every time. That’s why I wear painful high heels, too . . .
Legally Brunette
Thread hijack –
I’ll be moving to Philadelphia in another month or so and am really excited about it. We’ll be living in Old City, near Independence Hall.
Any recommendations on fun things to do in the city or in the surrounding area? My husband and I love cultural outings to museums and the theater, we love history, and we also really like the outdoors (although sadly, haven’t done too much of that over the last year). We’ve already done the Liberty Hall touristy stuff. I’m very open to doing day trips or weekend trips as well. Thanks for any and all recommendations!
Ms Raygun
My dh and I met and fell in love in Philadelphia! I have limited time for a post, but here are our favorites. I will warn you that our tastes run to the macabre and oddball…he is a physician and I am an arts attorney. Enjoy your new home!
The Mütter Museum of College of Physicians of Philadelphia – this place is full of medical oddities and curios, like a sophisticated Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. Actual human remains, 18th-century medical equipment, and relics from the college.
Mount Moriah Cemetery – suuuuuuper creepy graveyard to explore!
Eulogy Belgian Tavern (136 Chestnut Street) – favorite bar! Great atmosphere and elegant decor. My dh is Irish and loves the fish and chips. Plus, it is quite near your new digs and many historic sites.
Bleu Martini (24 South 2nd Street) – Best martini in the city, hands down. Plus, this place also wins points for atmosphere and elegance, and being in a fun waterfront area.
Best trips – go to Baltimore to see the Poe house, take a high-speed train into Manhattan for a night of drinks and dancing (easy as pie…park at the 30th street garage for about $20, and round-trip on the train is about $140…great for anniversaries or St. Valentine’s Day), go to Amish country in Pennsylvania to eat cake and buy chairs, or be brave and take Amtrack all the way to Vermont (skiing) or Montreal (do you really need an excuse?)
Anon
Philly is great!! One thing you must do, if you’re at all interested in art, is go to the Barnes Collection. It’s a fabulous art museum in an old house in the outskirts of the city, arranged in a really neat way by the late owner. You should go in the next year or two (must reserve tickets well in advance) before it gets moved out of situ and onto the Parkway–which will be a nice museum, but not nearly the same as seeing it at its current location.
Second the vote for the Mutter museum and Ms. Raygun’s other recs. The Rodin museum is cute, too. Also, there’s a Poe house in Philadelphia that’s, IMO, better than the one in Baltimore. I also love spending time in the parks–outdoor concerts in Fairmount (the Mann Center), people-watching in Rittenhouse Sq, and some peace and quiet in Washington Sq. There’s also some great ethnic food off the beaten track if you’re not afraid to leave Center City.
Good luck with the move, and enjoy the city!!
Cat
Recommend posting this later today in the weekend thread! A quick recommendation for the outdoors — for running/biking, the trail along the Schuykill is great (Fairmount Park really is enormous), as well as West River (closed to traffic on weekends I think through October).
Hubs and I like culture in theory, but are often too mentally spent from work (sad, I know – both attorneys) to want to feel obligated to “think” during relaxation, so we end up trying new restaurants instead of museum hopping. If you have particular favorite flavors, I’m sure I can come up with some good recs :)
ES
mentioned this before on another thread, but definitely explore the brandywine area as well. longwood gardens during the holidays was a family tradition for many years, and the wharton esherick museum is always a fun and interesting place to send visitors (http://www.whartonesherickmuseum.org/). also, i highly recommend a mural tour, even a self-guided one. they are such a rich part of philadelphia history.
Another Perspective
May I suggest that you are over-thinking this? Almost everyone has complexion problems from time to time, and there is no reason to let them destroy your self-confidence. Though it may be difficult to get your mind off your acne, you are the same smart person you were before the flare up. Act like that person, ignore the problem, and don’t let it assume so much importance in your day. Chances are no one else is paying as much attention to it as you are.
Anon
Hmm. You are totally right in the abstract, but this is a blog that’s fundamentally about looking your best at work (neat, professional, stylish, etc.). Why wouldn’t you TRY to look better if you can, even if the problem is acne? No one here has recommended staying home if you has a blemish. But why is a blemish different than another personal grooming issue?
i'm nobody
i agree with you, but cystic acne is a medical condition, not a “grooming issue.”
Anon
Fair point. I should have said “personal appearance issue.”
Louise
This. Ask yourself how many times you’ve negatively judged another person because they had a random pimple. Probably not often, and hopefully not since high school. Most reasonable people are not-judging you the same way.
Anon
I don’t “judge,” but I do notice, and it is less attractive than clear skin. But maybe I notice because I have acne problems myself.
i'm nobody
you may be right (about other people not judging you as much as you judge yourself–which could probably be said in response to most Corporette threads, IMHO), but please don’t underestimate the massive blow cystic acne can have on a person’s self-esteem and psyche. i’m sure your comment is well-intentioned, but you truly have no idea until you’ve experienced it.
anon
I went to a swimming party in high school with a huge zit on my chin. I knew it was there, but I chose to ignore and swim with my friends (which obviously washed off any concealer I had on). When I got out of the pool, a boy (that I liked) came up to me in front of a group of people and said, “did you know you have a huge zit on your chin?” I was very, very embarrassed. Yes it was high school, but still not a fun experience.
Jessica
Two words: BEAUTY MARK. Take it from a “pageant girl.” Desperate times call for desperate measures. When all else fails, grab your brown eyeliner or brow pencil and turn that pimple into a Cindy Crawford style freckle! So what if someone notices you dint have it yesterday (or won’t have it tomorrow).
Cheers! ShoesIWearToCourt.blogspot.com
ChickintheStix
Love this.
mtnbear
This is good stuff. I ALWAYS get one nice doozie on my face when ‘ol Aunt Flo comes for a visit. So annoying, and adding insult to injury, I’m a nervous picker (I don’t even realized I’ve picked until I’ve got the scab to show for it).
I just suck it up – ohh, and I’m nearing 40. YIKES, did I just admit that!?!
EEP
I recently discovered the magic of the green-tinted concealer. I’m not sure if this works on all skin tones, but is miraculous on my fair skin.
EG
I don’t break out much any more, which I attribute to age and taking zinc vitamins. I currently take 50mg every night, but when my skin is really oily or breaking out I’ve taken 2 or 3 times more. There is something in zinc that dries out your skin (you will know if you take too much!).
Otherwise, I don’t really notice if other people have acne, unless they call attention to it by being uneasy or the way they’ve covered up. Definitely agree it is one of those things that seems worse to you when you have it than anyone else actually perceives.
i'm nobody
accutane user here (overwhelmingly happy with the results so far) and i’ve already comment on a few issues upthread, but i want to add that apart from accutane and scrutinizing the ingredients of skin care products (parabens are murder on my pores, which means no Cetaphil, no primers), the best thing i’ve done for my skin has been using a Clarisonic brush. i can’t recommend them highly enough.
ChickintheStix
Yes, yes! I love the Clarisonic. The Magic Wand.
Miriam
I have been wanting the clarisonic for so long! But I know I would want the one that comes with the face and body brush that costs about $225. Is it really worth it? As a law student paying that much for a cleanser is difficult to justify.
i'm nobody
for me, yes, it’s been worth it. i’m always skeptical of marketing claims but my skin is clearer and more even in tone than before i used it. My skin texture is different too, much softer, and i have experienced dramatically fewer clogged pores than i used to. nothing is going to change the fact that skin has pores, whose size (despite marketing claims) do not change, so i would never have believed i’d say this about any skincare product, but my pores (while still there) are less visible, too. it’s been worth every penny.
Anon
Just to offer a different perspective on the Clarisonic – I tried it and hated it. I get occasional breakouts (nothing bad) but my skin always looks dull to me so I wanted a good pore cleansing/skin sloughing. I ended up breaking out MORE (and yes, I waited out the initial “skin flipping out” transition period – but I still continued to break out).
I’ve found that what works best for me is a package of 10 washclothes from Bed Bath Beyond. I take a fresh one with me into the shower daily and scrub. Toss it into the washing machine so it gets nice and clean and dry before it is used again. So much better (and cheaper!)
Miriam
For now I will stick to my St. Ives scrub and Biore Ice Cleanser. My skin isn’t that bad as long as I’m diligent about washing my face before bed. Combined it’s still under $15 for both of those cleanser, and I also have Cetaphil for a gentle cleanser. Maybe when I graduate, pass the bar, and get job I’ll be more willing to splurge!
anonymous
In my late 30s I got really tired of pimples (fairly mild, but still annoying) at the same time as incipient wrinkles. My dermatologist gave me a “peel for acne” which was a very mild peel – didn’t really notice anything right after, then peeled like a light sunburn a couple of days later. I also got a prescription for Retin-A, which is magical. I pay up for the brand-name stuff because it has a nicer texture and is easier to spread around. I also only use it a 2-3 times a week, so about every other day. My skin cleared up and just looks better overall. Another product I really like is Clinique’s Even Better face cream, which has salicylic acid (good for unclogging pores) and one of those chemicals ending in -zone, which I think are the ones used in lighteners. I think this product has low doses of those, so not irritating, but I swear my skin looks less splotchy. I also was prone to milia, which look like whiteheads but apparently are calcified gunk. Don’t really get those anymore, either.
As someone who struggled with acne (although not the cystic kind) as a teenager, I know how it can do a number on your self-esteen – even if others say they don’t notice, I totally thought they did. So I agree with the above posters – go to the dermatologist sooner rather than later.
Oh, one more thing – I always assumed I had insensitive skin, because of the acne, but a facialist once commented that I actually had sensitive skin. Before I found the above-mentioned products, just switching to gentler products rather than nuclear acne-blasting soaps and cleansers helped a fair amount.
BigLaw Refugee
Did the Retin-A help with the incipient wrinkles as well as the acne?
Anonymous
I like to think so. I have one friend who’s shocked that, at 42, I don’t really have crow’s feet or deep lines (a few faint ones started showing in the last year or so) on my forehead. I think it works well for overall smoothing out of the skin, too. The stuff is pricey (about $120 a tube, and not usually covered) but one tube will last me over a year. At night, I usually wash my face, put on face lotion, wait a little while for it to sink in, then do the Retin-A.
mamabear
Retin-A does work for wrinkles as well as acne. I’m 45. My women friends are always calling me the b-word because I don’t have wrinkles. But I do have zits. So…..
mamabear
p.s. I pay for the brand name too. I have brought home generic tretinoin that had a clearly oily base – duh!
another anon
Yes, it does. Sadly (for me), my mother had acne all her life, and she is now 65. She used Retin-A for thirty years. She looks 40. I simply cannot go home without someone, anyone commenting on how young and pretty my mother is. She always attributes it to the oily skin + retin-A. So that’s one plus!
BigLaw Refugee
Thanks for the info! Maybe I should give it a shot.
Meg
I used Accutane for 12 months about 12 years ago and it did NOTHING for me or my acne. The only thing that ever helped was hormonal birth control and now that I’m off it and trying to get pregnant my acne is back in full force. Ugh.
Anon in NC
I have had moderate to severe acne for about 3-4 years the only thing that finally started to work (after trying every product under the sun and spending hundreds of $$$) was a retinol based night serum. Cosmedix has a great one but you have to get from a med spa. I also have a prescription from a dermatologist. I also switched to Bare Minerals foundations and that also helped and gave suprisinglt decent coverage.
J
thank you all for this thread. It is nice to know i am not the only 30 something professional who still deals with this! community is a wonderful thing!
Nebbe
An alternative to the Bare Minerals makeup is Jane Iredale mineral makeup. In my pre-business school career as a makeup artist I used all Jane Iredale foundation products in my makeup kit while working on sets because they have great coverage, match tons of skin colors, and leave a satiny finish. They are great for on-camera because of that matte finish; the skin looks flat where the opalesence of Bare Minerals can cause the appearance of shininess. Just something to think about :)
Blemished
Thank you for confirming the fact that everyone notices my acne at work. :( Glad to know I look young and stressed out.
eaopm3
I have the occasional horrible blemish, and I cannot complain about that. My problem is…. I CANNOT LEAVE IT ALONE!! Consequently, I have about three scars on my face – mostly chin area – that I have to conceal every day. Has anyone had any experience with laser scar removal? Or any other treatments for small scars? I have used Mederma (sp?) on some larger scars, but I didn’t really notice that it helped. Plus, it smells wretched.
Anonymous
Has anyone tried out the Clinique acne treatment line? My acne has been flaring up lately (I’m 33) and I’m getting frustrated with it (and that my expensive skin care line seems ineffective to combat this problem!). Was at the Clinique counter picking up some lipstick and happened to notice their acne treatment line– the sales associate was very convincing about its effectiveness. I haven’t used Clinique skincare since my mid-20s and I heard it isn’t good for “older” skin. But if anyone has heard anything about this acne skincare line I would be curious to hear your insights!
Anonymous
I used it about four years ago and found it totally ineffective and the products were rather sticky. They may have since changed their formulas.
AIMS
Try DDF or the Aveda line.
i'm nobody
My skin is very fair, and breakouts leave me with hyperpigmentation (red spots) that take months to heal. I like Clinique’s Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector, although I can only use it every other day because it’s very drying (but I have super-sensitive skin). It’s a little pricey for Clinique, but a little really goes a long way. Haven’t tried any of their other products lately, though.
Anonymous
Thanks all– good to know. Yes “i’m nobody”, I have that same hyperpigmentation issue and the sales lady was trying to sell me on that corrector product specifically. I think I might as well give it a try. I have spent money on worse things, I’m sure!
Anonymous
I got a free sample (via Sephora) and it gave really good coverage without looking obvious. I am very picky about concealer/foundation — I hate when you can see it. I think I’ll probably buy a full size and see how it goes. My skin flares up now and again, so I’m not sure of the actual effect , but it went on very well.
Mille
I received a sample kit from Sephora, and the only product that seemed to do anything was the Clarifying Lotion. Even with that, I wouldn’t purchase it. The DDF line is good, and Murad makes some very good products as well.
For me, though, I find good old Oxy10 to be my best friend. Since I’ve been pregnant, my oil production in my face has been insane, so I’m also using astringent for the first time in years. I’m feeling very old-school about the whole thing. I bought some very expensive products from a spa awhile ago and they did nothing for me.
Co
I love Clinique products. They are good and efficient.
When I have a blemish or something redish on my face, I will just put a bit of under-eye concealer on it, after fondation and powder. Then I will just re-powder the blemish. Your face will look natural and fresh!
Don’t forget to smile:-) it’s probably the most important thing!
Anonymous
Cortisone injections are a total blessing – I don’t get them often, but I had some big spots before my wedding. I had them injected early in the week and they were totally gone by Saturday.
I have found that using a bit of my mineral foundation (usually Bare Escentuals or Meow Cosmetics) on a good concealer brush gives me better, less obvious coverage than using a separate concealer. I keep a tiny jar of it in my desk at work, along with a tiny concealer brush that I bought at Sephora to touch up during the day.
Emily
When I had acne the worst, I scrubbed twice a day and used all the harsh acne products marketed to teenagers. Nothing helped until I started using Cetaphil, a really gentle non-soap cleanser, and not using a wash cloth to wash my face anymore, as well as moisturizing with a really light face cream (Neutrogena for sensitive skin, I think). Hormonal birth control also helped.
The other tip my dermatologist gave me was not to touch my face at all. I would break out along the chin line, where I rested my chin on my hand and rested my phone. I stopped touching my face and started using a speakerphone or a headset, and that helped the residual zonal breakouts.
Christine
I too wash my face twice a day! I use Cetaphil as well when I shower in the morning and then a gentler cleanser at night. I found that alternating my cleansors has helped my acne incredbly!
memercier
Oh I just wrote a comment about Cetaphil! but just saw what you girls wrote… Cetaphil works so well!
JenM
If I get a zit before a bit meeting (and it’s happened) I try dabbing on a bit of toothpaste (not gel) to bring down the bump. Used it when I was a teen and it worked and it’s been okay as an adult (in my late 20s, now at 31 I haven’t had a massive one lately… but now I’ve just jinxed myself).
I do have the face washes and the astringents and the this and the that. They seem to work most of the time, but it’s the stress times where they don’t have much/if any effectiveness.
CN
I highly recommend Apple Cider Vinegar as a toner for acne. I use Braggs- but any organic ACV with “the mother” will work. The vinegar kills the bacteria that causes acne. I don’t use it every day- since my skin has finally cleared up. But any day where I forgot to wash my face the night before or I can see pimples I pull out the bottle. Smells terrible, definitely rinse it off after!
Julie
Yes, the toothpaste really works, JenM! I just used it last night, and it’s like magic. For me, it has to be white paste toothpaste, not mint gel, with “baking soda and peroxide.”
VJ
I highly recommend a clairisonic. Seriously, it gets my skin incredibly clean & unclogs my pores. Wish I had had one in my teens & 20’s.
Lo
Mario Badescu drying lotion http://mariobadescu.com/drying-lotion
Some Ulta stores carry MB and Nordstrom does as well.
Only helps if you catch it the night before, but it does wonders. Definitely follow the directions about using a q-tip to apply properly.
Sara
I get it around the chin line each month. Sadly, dermatologist says it’s hormonal and nothing to be done about it. My mom STILL has it too.
memercier
I use to have terrible acne and I decided to try the Cetaphil product line. Well, not even the product line, just the face cream. I think I might just have been trying to hard to solve my problem and not leaving it alone (let alone spending way to much money on creams and treatments). It turned out I was just aggravating my problem and getting more and more blemishes and pimples all the time.
So now, I use a clean face cloth and strictly water in the shower and rub my face a little hard to make sure my pores are clean. And then I apply the Cetaphil face cream right away, before I feel any dryness.
It worked wonders for me. I know it sounds ridiculous but my face is so bright these days (it took maybe a month or two before I could tell my pimples were really going away and now its been 3 years and my skin is beautiful). So I share my own experience for your benefit. Its worth giving it a try. Best of luck with solving that skin problem.
+ the best concealer I ever bought and will always buy to hide any (nearly any) imperfection is the Rimmel Recover anti-fatigue concealer. One of their shades matches my skin perfectly.