Which off-the-shelf acne products work?

[cuongp]

Just wondering if you guys could recommend a off-the-shelf acne/backne product I could use, or would going to a dermatologist be better?

Off-the-shelf preferably. Thanks guys.

[GraphixDee]

I would recommend Solugel 8, you need a prescription for that. Try to get a sample to test it on your skin first.

[Broli's Mom]

Spectro Jel works for me.

[Geelee]

go see a family doctor and ask him to prescribe a clindoxyl gel

[toki]

Clean & Clear Continuous Control Acne Cleanser.
Clearn & Clear Persa Gel

i use both. works great for me.
both contain benzyol peroxide.

[litebrite]

^ Agreed, go for something that contains benzoyl peroxide.

Salicylic acid is a hit or miss.

[CSK'sMom]

It depends on the type of acne you have. A typical, uncomplicated case typically responds well to over the counter products. However if it's a complicated or cystic type of acne it's best to see a doctor. Family doctors can generally deal with this and prescribe the typical regimens and a dermatologist later if it's not responding to the typical prescription regimen.

[hagbard]

Ivory Soap.

[ShadowVlican]

none of them worked... i had to grow out of it

[murdoc2k]

none of them worked... i had to grow out of it

+1

You can attempt to reduce the worsening of your ance problems but it really boils down to

1) your diet
2) How much sleep you get (generally it's your life style)
3) If you're past puberty stage or not

Over time, your skin will heal. I didn't stop and recover until about 2 years ago. You can also consider facial treatments if the acne issue is really bad. I know it sounds weird for a guy getting facial treatment but nowadays, it's really not that weird. We're human and we want to be pretty too!

[faken]

I gave up on all those products.. the week i stopped using them. My skin was pretty nice. I just use water now.

[cuongp]

+1

You can attempt to reduce the worsening of your ance problems but it really boils down to

1) your diet
2) How much sleep you get (generally it's your life style)
3) If you're past puberty stage or not

Over time, your skin will heal. I didn't stop and recover until about 2 years ago. You can also consider facial treatments if the acne issue is really bad. I know it sounds weird for a guy getting facial treatment but nowadays, it's really not that weird. We're human and we want to be pretty too!

This might be the issue. My diet sucks. I'm lucky to get 6hours of sleep a day. Just turned 19, not sure how many phases of puberty there is but even years before when puberty started, my acne wasn't this bad.

I'm starting to eat homemade stuff more often now as opposed to eating fast food everyday, but I'm still not getting enough sleep everyday.

I'll also try a couple of products and see which one works for me.

Thanks guys.

[murdoc2k]

This might be the issue. My diet sucks. I'm lucky to get 6hours of sleep a day. Just turned 19, not sure how many phases of puberty there is but even years before when puberty started, my acne wasn't this bad.

I'm starting to eat homemade stuff more often now as opposed to eating fast food everyday, but I'm still not getting enough sleep everyday.

I'll also try a couple of products and see which one works for me.

Thanks guys.

Puberty doesn't end until somewhere about 20-21. For some people, they won't get acne until 21. Generally, by 22 and beyond you will start to recover significantly.

[LeetViet]

Spectro Jel works for me.

+1 to Spectro products.

Everybody's skin is different so you will have to try things yourself. Ignore anyone that says diet does not affect your acne because it does.

[mingming]

been on this stuff for 3 yrs. it works

http://www.sebamed.ca/products.asp?ID=7

i just use the cleansing foam to clean and the anti-pimple gel to treat.

[meh_33333]

panoxyl aquagel or something like that
it's benzoyl peroxide
get the 2.5%

acne.org has a top of info.... just apply the aquagel to problem areas after washing with cleaser works like a charm

[iceprince]

Definetly check out the Spectro Gel cleansers the purple one is good and moisturizer from this line again purple bottle.

For acne treatment check out Lush Grease Lightening and only this product great for pimples!

[Bookpreviews]

+1

You can attempt to reduce the worsening of your ance problems but it really boils down to

1) your diet
2) How much sleep you get (generally it's your life style)
3) If you're past puberty stage or not

Over time, your skin will heal. I didn't stop and recover until about 2 years ago. You can also consider facial treatments if the acne issue is really bad. I know it sounds weird for a guy getting facial treatment but nowadays, it's really not that weird. We're human and we want to be pretty too!

Not really true.
My mom is 62 and still has some acne.

I'm 32 and still have some acne- it is most likely genetic for me anyways.

I would say try using antibacterial stuff on your body.
Benzyl peroxide stuff will bleach your clothing if used during the day and has a bit of that bleach smell.

Tea tree oil soaps work well and are natural.
also try and use less perfumed soap items. Glycerin soap or a mild all natural soap might help.
Spectro gel and cetaphil soaps are mild also.

You can also try using a toner w salicilic acid on your body or those oxy pads or clearasil pads.

[Teh_Canadian]

+1 to Spectro products.

Everybody's skin is different so you will have to try things yourself. Ignore anyone that says diet does not affect your acne because it does.

My doctor says otherwise.

I'm using a 10% Bez Peroxide wash. Works great.

[hdom]

I am like Bookpreviews, it runs in the family and my uncle finally grew out of it at 40, I am still fighting at early 30s.

In my late 20s I started taking antibiotic med from my dermatologist when the out break is bad. That is the only thing that worked for sure. Now I am in between that and tea tree oil. Pure TTO mixed with clearner or lotion is better than anything from the market with benzyol peroxide and such for me. It really works and it is natural, down side is it has a strong smell but dies down after a while.

[Bookpreviews]

I am like Bookpreviews, it runs in the family and my uncle finally grew out of it at 40, I am still fighting at early 30s.

In my late 20s I started taking antibiotic med from my dermatologist when the out break is bad. That is the only thing that worked for sure. Now I am in between that and tea tree oil. Pure TTO mixed with clearner or lotion is better than anything from the market with benzyol peroxide and such for me. It really works and it is natural, down side is it has a strong smell but dies down after a while.

Lol,
I am not too crazy about the strong tea tree oil smell.
But the products that seem to work the best have more of the oil- so can't really do much about that.

I just tried a tea tree oil roll on from Atmosphere at shoppers and am very disapointed.
The exture of the product is nice, no strong tea tree smell....but the product starts to look cloudy in the bottle after a couple days.
I will not be buying it again, bought 2 of them months ago and a similar prod I tried made with alcohol, lavender and tea tree never had that problem even though it was super cheap (like $3 or $15 f or 5).

The body shop tea tree skin line is also good.
Desert essence and derma E are also really good lines for tea tree oil also.

I actually had to take very stong antibiotics this year (had to go to hospital for them...), and it helped a little but not really for me.

But that could be because my skin overall is pretty good.
If I go to the dermatologist, unless it is to get rid of 1 blemish or something they do not beleive I have much skin problems because I already use good skincare:cheesygri

Overall with my several different skin problems I probably spend waaayyyy too much on skin stuff (and makeup also),

[Unknown123]

1.) Spectro Acne Care - Deep pore vanishing lotion. Put it on overnight

2.) Body shop - Tea tree oil mask

3.) Origin - Out of trouble mask (reduce redness also)

[yesstyle]

1) ance-free line about 27.99 at Costco (this product is similar to proactive but cheaper i think)

2) Kiehl blue herbal line or their dermatologist solutions
http://www.kiehls.com/_us/_en/face/collection/acne-blemish-control-daily-skin-clearing-treatment.htm

[biee]

Mmm, if you're a girl, then you should consider taking some birth control pills. I'm taking it right now and I notice its better the second month I've used it. :razz:

[hdom]

Lol,
I am not too crazy about the strong tea tree oil smell.
But the products that seem to work the best have more of the oil- so can't really do much about that.

I just tried a tea tree oil roll on from Atmosphere at shoppers and am very disapointed.
The exture of the product is nice, no strong tea tree smell....but the product starts to look cloudy in the bottle after a couple days.
I will not be buying it again, bought 2 of them months ago and a similar prod I tried made with alcohol, lavender and tea tree never had that problem even though it was super cheap (like $3 or $15 f or 5).

The body shop tea tree skin line is also good.
Desert essence and derma E are also really good lines for tea tree oil also.

I actually had to take very stong antibiotics this year (had to go to hospital for them...), and it helped a little but not really for me.

But that could be because my skin overall is pretty good.
If I go to the dermatologist, unless it is to get rid of 1 blemish or something they do not beleive I have much skin problems because I already use good skincare:cheesygri

Overall with my several different skin problems I probably spend waaayyyy too much on skin stuff (and makeup also),

Wow, that sounds serious... I think preventive measures may be a better way to go. Some were already mentioned but for me it is usually lack of sleep, stress, over dried skin, dehydration, hot/fried food and some anti dandruff shampoo.

[ricsad]

Doing nothing is the worst thing to do. I hear some people say "don't waste your effort just wait till you're older". If you do nothing about your acne, it'll accumulate and not only will you look so ugly, you'll also get acne scars cause they grow too big. Acne can affect your future. Some people like to be strong and say "people will like me for who I am". But the truth is that if you have acne all over your face, you're repulsive. You know those people with acne covering their whole face and you just wish they tried out BP? Do you ever see them walking around with a bf/gf? Usually not because they're ugly. Maybe they're good looking UNDER the acne, but if people are like me, they don't have xray eyes and can't see through the acne. And by the time they grow out of their acne, they still look ugly because got a bunch of acne scars! Now they have to go for acid peel treatment and HOPE that all the scars go away. Plus they're probably still single! Now imagine if they had acne free skin the whole time. Maybe they would have a bf/gf!

Benzoyl peroxide is the best. It's fast and works well. Sure there's side effects but it's better than getting acne scar. Tea tree oil is NOT comparable to BP like what a lot of people say. Tea tree oil is slower. Speed is important! The key to looking acne free is to kill them as soon as you see one.

Twice a day:
1. Wash with salicylic acid face scrub
2. Zap zit with Thermaclear
3. Put 5% BP on it
4. Moisturizer
3. Acne gone in half a day. If it's a big one it takes a full day.

Compared to this before:
1. Use Cetaphil gentle daily wash.
2. Use 2.5% tea tree oil
3. Keep putting tea tree oil twice a day for several days. Acne still grows just slower.
4. Moisturizer
3. After a few days, it'll start to shrink and take a week to fully disappear. By the time it's gone you have another acne.

[KadenceW]

I buy a benzoyl peroxide 5% you can get it in Extra Foods or Walmart phamacy section it is locked up after pharmacy hours but it isn't prescription or over the counter or anything.