No, seriously

[houseelf]

Adult onset acne sucks! My tween and I are comparing break outs. :eyeroll: He gets his where his helmut hits his hairline, I get mine everywhere else.

My dermatologist suggested a $250 acutaine topical cream which even my vain self can not bring myself to purchase. She suggested that a return of acne is very typical of women my age (Just another reminder that I'm getting older thank you very much). It is on my back and along my jawline and cheeks (weirdly not T zone). What works and what is cost effective? I'm frustrated that I'm getting frown lines and acne all at once.

[Pollyanna]

I am right there with you. Seriously, I NEVER had acne like this. Ugh, ugh, ugh!!! I will tell you that I tried the million and one things prescribed by the dermatologist and nothing really worked. Lately the best thing has been that Olay cleaning brush (the cheap version of the Clarisonic), it really helps keep the breakouts down (they still happen of course). I use over the counter Persagel for spot treatment and that helps too. Wish I had better advice. I am also loving the hyperpigmentation that comes along with the acne, fun fun fun

[MDPhDWife]

I'm there with you too! Nothing sucks worse than having to use anti aging & acne products!

My sister suffers from the same struggles & she told me her dermatologist wrote her an rx for minocycline. I asked my GP for it & it's worked like a charm! It's cheap because it's an antibiotic & insurance covers it. I wash my face with Mary Kay Timewise cleansing bar, moisturize with Olay complete, & use an ance treatment gel on the occassional pimple I get now.

[GrayMatterWife]

I have had adult-onset acne for years. My dad has suffered with it most of his adult life, too. I completely feel your pain.

I cannot take some of the RX treatments because of child-bearing possibilities. Others I have just found to be very expensive but not all that helpful. And, all the oral meds I've tried have made it absolutely impossible for me to go out in the sun...EVER. I am very fair skinned, but on those meds, even my 70+ stuff doesn't help much. I still get burned. Also, I have to be very cautious about using antibiotics. I had rheumatic fever as a kid, so I don't want to build up a resistance to antibiotics, in case I ever get strep again. I might be paranoid--maybe the antibiotics you take for acne are totally different that the ones that could treat strep--I don't know. But I know I could die if I get strep that turns into rheumatic fever, and acne won't kill me...

Honestly, the stuff I've had luck is OTC. I get it...at Target. The first time, I bought it on a lark, in complete desperation. It's a kit called "AcneFree" and comes with astringent, liquid soap, time-released benezoil peroxide, spot-treatment cream, and a tube of stuff that you put on only at night (you cannot use the benezoil peroxide and this stuff at the same time--it's in the instructions). I am religious about using it and following all the directions, including waiting a period of time before putting on makeup.

I don't know if it will work for you, but it's been pretty good for me. But acne seems very "personal," as do the effectiveness of treatments for it. But I have noticed a real reduction both in the annoying "tiny dots" along my jaw and forehead as well as a reduction in the deep, painful infections that I used to get on my cheeks (so gross--they would swell under the skin so badly that they would cause me to look "puffy"!). The kit is about $25, i think, and the astringent always runs out before the other bottles (grrr!), but I figure it's a better deal than the meds (all of which cost between $25 and 40 in copays!).

[SuzySunshine]

Have you guys tried the Proactiv? I used it a few years ago when I was very much an adult who still had acne, it might be worth a try before you plunge into expensive antibiotics and you can usually but it at malls now where I don't think you have to sign up for the monthly shipments.

Have you guys tried the Proactiv? I used it a few years ago when I was very much an adult who still had acne, it might be worth a try before you plunge into expensive antibiotics and you can usually but it at malls now where I don't think you have to sign up for the monthly shipments.

This is what I have used and it is a miracle worker!! So unfair to have to suffer with acne after the teen years

[Pollyanna]

Have you guys tried the Proactiv? I used it a few years ago when I was very much an adult who still had acne, it might be worth a try before you plunge into expensive antibiotics and you can usually but it at malls now where I don't think you have to sign up for the monthly shipments.

Yep, I've tried it. Even tried their adult line of products. Nothing special for me at all. After Heidi's post I think I probably should check my products, I know I have some dry patches...

[Mrs. MD, Esq.]

I get it on my cheeks...really annoying...retin-a helps for me but it makes me peel like crazy!

I get the annoying bumps that you can't pop but stay there for weeks...I hate it!

[BonBon]

I really like Proactiv, but haven't used it in a long time. What I currently use is retin-a at night and MD Forte II (a AHA) in the morning. They have the dual function of zapping zits and attacking wrinkles. I'm 39 and don't have a single wrinkle, not sure if it's from using these products or genetics. Like you guys, my acne tends to happen along my jawline and occasionally on my back. Grr.

On my 20th birthday, I whooped with joy because I thought it mean the end of acne. WRONG!!!!

Lily, what kind of facials do you get? I've looked at some places around here and there is a variety of stuff to choose from.

I started using Belli Acne Clearing Facial Wash when I was pregnant because I was worried about the chemicals in all the zillion potions I used. Worked like magic. I haven't had skin this consistently clear since 4th grade. The active ingredient is lactic acid, and for me it seems to work better than glycolic acid, the active ingredient in my previous favorite products.

[BonBon]

Selu, I've never heard of that. Where do you buy it? I'm always looking for more natural products.

[Ladybug]

Here's your miracle: clinzaderm by Obagi.

It's the same ingredients as proactiv (benzoyl and salicylic acid), but stronger and availble through medispas. There are three steps, but I haven't used step three since my last pregnancy as my skin is not as oily any more. Seriously. It rocks. It ain't cheap, but it's worth every red cent in my book. Don't buy it online, it's the expired bottles. Pay ful price at the spa and find out which formula (it's strong!). Please don't tell me if it doesn't work and adult acne is on my horizon.

I use:
clenziderm foaming wash (step 1)
Clenziderm pore therapy (step 2)
skinceuticals pigmet regulator (LOVE IT!) a natural brightening treatment for hyperpigmentation, doesn't cure it, but helps...a lot.
skinceuticals retexturing activator (light, daily moisturizer)
Obagi elastiderm eye cream
formaldehyde
young virgin's blodd

I've rotated purchasing my products so that I only need to replace one per month...ish. Except for the formaldehyde. I'm always low on that one.

Clarisonic and proactive-nuff said.

Selu, I've never heard of that. Where do you buy it? I'm always looking for more natural products.

drugstore.com

[Vishenka69]

I agree with Lily, most of the time we use wrong products that cause our skin to freak out. I would go to an athestician and have a face and regiment eval. I've noticed that if I'm not religious about my regiment, I get a lot more breakouts. Many women also tend to overscrub/strip their skin, causing more acne. For me switching to milder products also worked well. But consistency with the right routine really is key.