I’ve been using AcneFree once a day every day (following the itchy rash on my throat) and have gotten great results with it. This week, I started rotating it with the Mary Kay TimeWise skincare line, which promotes elasticity and prevents wrinkles, or so I’m told. Things are definitely improving, and I continue to receive compliments on how my skin has cleared up, but THEY’RE STILL THERE.

The good news (???) is that I’m not alone, which probably explains why people like the AcneFree folks and the inventors of Proactiv are wealthy and have great job security, no?

How do you deal with your adult acne?

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

Acne: It’s Not Just for Teens

• Dramatically fewer blackheads everywhere, and particularly on my nose and chin.
• NO cystic pimples. I had a couple last week during the worse-before-it-gets-better period, but they have surfaced and vanished.
• No new outbreaks or nasty whiteheads.
• More even coloration everywhere.
• Very smooth skin.
• No areas of flakiness, which I used to have a lot of where my skin was bumped up from the cystic pimples.

People have actually commented on how clear my skin looks. It’s not 100% there yet, but it’s better than I could ever have imagined. Seriously, I’m amazed.

But it’s not all good news. Here are some negatives:

• A vague feeling of overall itchiness on my face, which started after about a week of continuous use.
• An extremely itchy rash that developed on my throat after a few days of swiping it with the toner after doing my face. The bottle says you can use it anywhere and I have always included my throat when applying toner, but no more! I’ve had to slather my throat with Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion several times a day for a week to be able to bear it, it’s been so itchy. Admittedly I do have sensitive skin, but I have never had that kind of reaction to a skin care product before!

Given the whole traumatic throat rash (at first I thought I thought it was hives and took Benadryl for two days!) and the fact that I’m experiencing a major reduction in blemishes, I’m reducing my use of the AcneFree regimen to once a day every other day.

In between, I’m using some great products I received from woman-owned and -operated natural personal care products company Emerita. They’re specifically targeted for women over 40, but I don’t think using the sample sizes will kill me, and who couldn’t use a little help staving off fine lines and wrinkles?

You can get your own free samples of their skin care line. So far, I adore the ones I’ve tried. They leave my skin feeling clean, refreshed, and moisturized. In addition to skin care, Emerita offers perimenopause/menopause support (which also helps for those of us with severe PMS) and sexual vitality products.

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

AcneFree Update: It’s Been Two Weeks, and I’ve Got Results!

Things are moving a bit more slowly on my cheeks and chin, where my problems are typically more severe to begin with. I’m in the midst of the “it gets worse before it gets better” phase, wherein all the stuff that was stewing below the surface is working its way up and disappearing, but not before having a last hurrah. If my nose is any indication, though, I think it will be worth it when this part is over. I’ll update again soon!

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

AcneFree Update

It’s one of those “compare to Proactiv!” deals.

• 3-step formula
• Cleanser, toner, repair lotion
• Time-release, 24-hour acne fighting protection
• Use twice a day

But this stuff, at Costco, is only $30 for a 3-month supply. So I figured, hey, why not?

I’m not going to post a before picture because you’re really not going to be able to see anything — most of my blemishes, except for the really sexy ones, are the cystic kind under the skin, so you can’t really see them. They’re kind of bumpy, but not really red. They just hurt like the dickens!

And because I have a bad OCD habit of picking at sore spots, I end up making myself bleed all the time and get scabs, which are visible but frankly embarrass me, so I’m not posting a picture of that, either.

But I’ll keep you posted on how it works. They suggest that when used as directed, AcneFree will produce noticeable results within 2 weeks.

So far, I’ve used it twice: once before bed last night, and when I got up this morning. And I swear, my skin feels different, and in a good way.

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

Acne Inspiration

According to an article at Acne.com,

Adult acne affects 25% of all adult men and 50% of adult women at some time in their adult lives. These are the official statistics, but I personally don’t know many adults who have not had a zit or two in their adult lives. People can develop unpleasant acne or have an acne recurrence in their 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond. It can be difficult to cope with no matter your age, and can cause depression and social anxiety in an adult the same way it can in a teen.

Um, thanks, but this is not reassuring.

WebMD does offer some tips in the article Acne … Again?:

“Which treatment is best depends on which type of acne you have,” Winfield tells WebMD. “It may well be worth a visit to dermatologist. They often have samples they could give you to try. People can spend a fortune on over-the-counter medicines when there is maybe one single prescription drug that could solve the problem. Be sure to use oil-free, non-comedogenic lotions or sunscreens. Use something very simple to wash your face with, as well as low-strength benzoyl peroxide. But it would be best to see a doctor to prevent possible acne scarring.”

So far, gentle washing hasn’t been particularly helpful, although I must admit that I’ve noticed a definite overall improvement since I started using Aveeno’s skin polishing scrub. Unfortunately, it hasn’t prevented the major zit crises. Oh well. I’ll probably only live another, what 70 years anyway, so I guess I can deal.

Are you out of the breakout stage yet?

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

Note to My Face: Knock it off with the Breakouts, Already