Hi guys! How is your week going? I said this last week but it’s happening again…my week is flying by. I am really busy at work right now and have a ton of teaching commitments this week due to subbing. I’m not complaining though, it’s wonderful!
Shocker…I did not get up for my Tuesday morning ashtanga practice today. I never miss it. I’m not sure what’s going on with my practice right now but I’m needing a step back. I am going with it, not stressing and enjoying running, BodyPump and teaching yoga. Things ebb and flow…I’m just having an off week.
I had some delicious overnight oats for breakfast and came home for lunch.
My mother in law made pimento cheese for us and it’s delicious. She used smokey peppers in place of the pimentos and it adds such a different flavor. I had a banana and carrots on the side.
I had the best snack ever…a healthy candy bar. Seriously, the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Larabar is to die for. You must try. If you can’t find them in your area then order them online…or tell me and I’ll send you one! 🙂
I wasn’t scheduled to teach today but got an email this afternoon from a friend and fellow instructor that she was really sick and in need of a sub. I ended up teaching a BodyPump class and it was awesome! I love the Tuesday night class. Always packed and fun!
We had homemade pizza and salad for dinner tonight. Spinach salad with strawberries, feta, dried cranberries and almonds. Honey balsamic vinaigrette.
Pizza was tomato sauce, sundried tomatoes, prosciutto, spinach, portobello mushrooms and mozz on Trader Joe’s whole wheat crust.
And speaking of pizza…I’ve been whining to Brandon all week about my “pizza face.” I want to share this with you guys because I think it’s a very relevant topic to healthy living and it’s something that I’m dealing with that’s having pretty significant impact on my life right now.
I am really struggling with my skin. I have been experiencing bad breakouts periodically for the last six months. I 100% know that the cause is hormonal but it doesn’t make it any easier. My face never even broke out like this in high school. I’m to the point where I can’t just deal with it anymore. I have purchased an arsenal of products and am doing a ton of research on remedies. I’d love to find a natural or dietary solution if one is out there.
Do you have advice? I would love to hear what has worked (and not worked) for you.
I know dairy has a huge impact on skin…I can’t eat it due to intolerance with my stomach but one of the leading negative effects of dairy are skin irritations/acne! Have you ever tried to cut it out and see if it makes a difference?
Danielle – I knew this was something I was going to hear. I have never tried to eliminate dairy from my diet but since receiving a lot of comments like yours, it’s definitely something that I’m going to research.
Acne is super annoying–I always get it in random spurts but have noticed a few things that help:
1. Wash your makeup off before you work out or when you get home and plan on staying in for the night…the less time you have things sitting on your pores, the better.
2. Change your pillowcase every other day…your face is on it for 6-8 hours each night and there are oils that are left on it.
3. ASTRINGENT is my favorite thing ever…I buy the target brand of it since it’s cheaper but seriously it works so well. I wash my face each morning with facewash and then apply astringent to a cotton ball and lightly scrub my face–especially the acne-prone areas.
Good luck!
Laura – I always, always wash my face before bed and never sleep in makeup but I don’t usually wash it off before working out so that is a great suggestion.
Also, the pillowcase is something to consider! We change our sheets every week but I will try swapping out the pillowcase more!
Your pillowcase can trap a lot of dirt and grease, if you are’t using a satin pillowcase, you might want to switch to one. If you are, you could try putting a clean towel on your pillowcase each night.
only put stuff on your face that is natural, what you put in your body is just as important as what you put ON. I also use grapeseed oil as my moisturizer at night. I buy a lot of LUSH products, but stick to putting a few things on my face- don’t want to overwelm my skin.
great point, kelly! i totally agree with you and that’s why i’m interested in finding a natural solution rather than just piling on a lot of harsh products.
I also have experienced some later-than acceptable skin problems, including chronic bad skin on my chin! I went and bought the proactive cleanser, which I only use in the mornings, subbing in a milder cleanser at night, followed by a gentle cleanser. The biggest difference I find though is if I just don’t touch my face. Which I find nearly impossible when I can see white heads on the horizon, but if I ignore them, that is really the best thing I can do.
I am in total sympathy and I hope you find some relief!
Sydney – I also struggle with keeping my hands off of my face throughout the day. I also try really, really hard not to pick at things though due to scarring.
Thank you for your comment!
I totally sympathize! The acne I’m experiencing in my mid-twenties is so much worse than anything I dealt with in high school. I’ve often heard the same thing about dairy, but I just can’t seem to cut milk/yogurt out of my diet, as I’d expect you’d have a hard time doing! My secret weapon: Bragg’s apple cider vinegar. You can use it as an astringent (stinky!) or drink it like I do (2 tblspoons in water + 1 tbls raw honey for taste). Fair warning, it’s not for everyone.
I’ve also found that products that combat acne seem to make the situation more irritated when used regularly. The most mild cleansers and moisturizers work best for me. Aveeno is my current favorite, the ultra-calming daily moisturizer is helping a lot.
Lastly, facials are extraordinarily underrated. Best of luck!
Sarah – thanks for your comment and ideas. The apple cider vinegar is something I have heard about but not researched so I’ll look into it.
I agree with you that the strong treatment products are too harsh on my skin to use on a daily basis. I end up with dry, red, peeling skin. I have always done better with gentle cleansers and moisturizers.
And my esthetician keeps suggesting facials. Need to give it a try! 🙂
one of my young friends tried proactive and it didn’t work. so mebbe don’t go that route. at 46 I am done with breakouts. old age does have its compensations!
trish – i am definitely a little hesitant to jump on the proactive bandwagon.
I had really bad breakouts in high school but then got on Yasmin which cleared my skin right up. I have been off of Yasmin for about 1 year now and am starting to break out again, but I have found that a simple facewash, light facial moisturizer, the the occasional spot treatment (that contains benzoyl peroxide) & drinking lots of water reduces the amount of breakouts I have. I also break out more when I am stressed out :/ But as far as cleansers and topical treatments go, less is more!!!
emily – i am going through the same thing – experiencing breakouts after stopping BCP. Unfortunately, i’ve been following a similar routine to you and it’s just not working so i’m having to look for new treatments/solutions. i’m super bummed. 🙁
It is good you realized you needed to step back on yoga. I often keep pushing myself too hard when I should be resting.
i am sometimes very hard headed about listening to my body but for some reason taking a break from my practice is so easy right now. it just feels like the right thing to do.
Mine was caused by an allergy to fish. Man, fish tacos and I used to be such good friends… 🙂 Best of luck on this one—been there, and it’s no fun!
oh wow! that’s crazy. life without fish tacos is a little sad but worth if it helps you feel better!
Alternating uses of Proactive with Skinceuticals exfoliating cleanser works for me. I got the Clairsonic Pro 4 speed skin care system for Easter and it is WELL WORTH the $$. my breakouts are face/upper back depending on the hormone cycle ie birth control
I also go to bi-monthly acupuncture and my guy says he sees patients with an arsenal of concerns, so whatever stress you’re having in your life could be helped by this too.
Not sure which is worse: your body is choosing acne as a way to deal with stress, vs. a sports injury to keep you sidelined from the teaching/workouts/yoga practice….that would KILL ME! Good luck.
caroline – i really appreciate your comment. first, i have heard really good things about the clarisonic brush but it is an investment. i think it would help me though…especially given how much i sweat and how clogged my pores must be.
i have also heard really, really good things about accupuncture. i think that is something that could help me in many areas of my life! 🙂
and you make an excellent point about my body using this as a way to deal with stress.
I sympathise a lot: I have terrible skin on my chest/face/arms and even legs, and wish there was something I could do to solve it.
Stress often plays a huge part in skin condition, and some people find that cutting back on sugar and dairy helps.
I hope you find a solution but please know that from your pics you can’t see any flaws in your skin at all and you are truly beautiful: I admire your figure and hair so much!
xxx
thanks for the encouraging words, jessica. i am overwhelmed by all the comments and so grateful for everyone’s input and ability to sympathize.
I’ve struggled with awful acne since my teens, after every product and medication out there I’ve recently started to see a naturopath. Cutting dairy, nuts and seeds (these are a huge factor) really worked. I’ve also switched to a natural cleanser and eased way up on mosturizer – you’d be suprised how your skin will balance itself out.
Good Luck!
Hey Jen!
First of all, the pizza looks delicious – Forrest and I may need a homemade veggie one tonight!
Secondly, I used to have occasional break outs in highschool and I would wash my face even more because I thought it was “dirty” but I think I was doing more harm than good (more red, more irritated, and I was opening my pores up to more air pollutants / dirty mess). Now, I rinse my face in the morning with water and when I exercise, I always take a towel with me and wipe my face a lot. I just feel like sweat sitting on my face/back for miles and miles can’t be helpful. I’m not sure of your routine or use of make-up but maybe you should try to do without for a few days and let your face “naturally breathe”…just a few thoughts 🙂 Also, my sister wears make up and had a major problem with acne and ProActiv has been her life saver. Oh and drink tons of water!
haha – we ate pizza last night because i was inspired by another blogger who had a delicious looking pizza on her blog! we’ll keep the chain going! 🙂
i think that the amount i sweat definitely has an impact on my struggles! thanks for all the suggestions!
This is not a natural way, but I got a laser treatment on my face and it worked wonders and my face cleared up in 3 weeks and I haven’t had any issues since then (it was 6 months ago). Laser treatments are expensive, but totally worth it in my opinion.
lauren – thanks for sharing this. unconventional but very, very interesting!
tea tree oil works wonders!!!! that, combined with murad facewash (from sephora) and a ton of water with lemon keep my skin clear. good luck! i’m sure it’s just a phase. maybe due to the changing seasons?
I’ve dealt with the same skin issues. I never had skin problems through high school. When I turned 35, everything changed. It’s definitely hormonal for me too. It didn’t matter what I ate and what products I used, there were times of the month when my skin was perfect and there were times I wanted to cry. I guess I am on the upswing now (hopefully at least). I still use great products and eat well and (cross my fingers), my skin has been great for the past 3 months. I know it doesn’t help, but I think it’s a timing thing.
april – i have a time of the month where they all hit like crazy and the rest of the month they just kind of pop up here and there. it’s encouraging to hear that your skin is clearing up. keeping my fingers crossed for you!
When I cut out dairy my skin started to look fantastic. I still eat cheese sometimes, but stopped drinking milk completely. I also love Proactive!
i’ve been reading about milk – very interesting stuff and worth considering…although cutting out dairy would be so hard for me 🙁
I really love your perspective on exercise. It’s so nice to read about someone stepping and back and simply enjoying what feels right each day.
For years, I’ve struggled with my skin and haven’t found a solid answer to the breakouts. I own tons of products and have seen a dermatologist. My skin is clearest when I use the least amount of a products – gentle cleanser and light moisturizer (Cetaphil) – and very little makeup. It’s an ongoing process to get clear skin. I hope you find some solutions.
I swear by Neutrogena On-The-Spot cream. At first sign of a pimple I put it on and it literally vanishes. I’ve always struggled with breakouts…this is the only answer I have found and soooo thankful for it. I sometimes put a little on if I even think my skin may be getting ready to do something. You should totally try it. its a small inexpensive tube that lasts for months…
Once I cut out sugar and dairy plus any types of processed chip my face cleared up. I honestly was shocked.
Not that it’s an easy solution by any means… but like a few others have mentioned, cutting out dairy (as well as any processed foods, which I doubt you eat much of) really helps! I used to have decent skin with the occasional really bad breakout, but since I went vegan about seven months ago there has been a noticeable difference in how clear my skin is. Can’t even remember when I had the last really bad spell!
Sorry to hear about your skin! I have been struggling with skin issues for a few years now and have discussed it many many many times on my blog and know that most of my issues arise from stress and hormones! It sucks haha so I know how you are feeling! I would say just watch what you eat and see if you notice anything. I have been noticing when I eat cashews and/or coconut butter I tend to break out more; and I really watch my sugar which helps too. We have had so many readers email or comment about what works for them but honestly every one is different. I would say just remember you are not alone and try not to stress over them (I still struggle with this as my chin all of a sudden is breaking out like crazy). Hope this helps- hugs!
go to the dermatologist, it’s usually a quick appointment and they’ll have a remedy. i had adult bacne, something i never had before, and after one visit, my doc got it all cleared up, it was amazing!
Aww Jen 🙁 I am so sorry about your skin. I’ve had acne my entire adult life and nothing works. I’ve met with so many dermatologists and last year one finally told it to me straight: sometimes no matter how hard you try, you cannot control your hormones. I’m one of the unlucky ones, but I really hope something works for you!
I’m so glad you’re taking a step back this week. Saying things ebb and flow is one of my favorite sayings. I know you’ll be flowing (haha) with yoga again soon enough!
Goodness, this post is timely. I have shed tears over my skin, especially lately. Never had acne as a teen, and it really only started for me in my early 20s. The birth control pill helped for years, but I went off last summer for a variety of reasons. Since quitting the pill, my skin is going nuts!
I’ve tried Proactiv, prescriptions, cutting out dairy, multiple natural products, etc. etc., and none of it has worked for me. I really wanted to use a more natural product and had a little luck with Desert Essence’s Blemish Stick. I’m currently using SkinMedica’s Acne Treatment system, which was recommended by my esthetician, and have definitely seen an improvement. Of all the things I’ve tried recently, I’m most impressed with this product line.
I wish there was one answer, but everyone’s skin is so different. You are not alone, and I totally feel your pain.
I was struggling with that too because just teaching so much and makeup for work, life, all of the above! Same thing too, never ever broke out my whole life until a couple months ago. I use retinal products for winkles {im terrified} but they are great with cell turnover on your face, helping produce good clean skin cells faster. Seriously, wrinkles and acne gone. I use the nutrogena version and now instead of just under my eyes I use it all over, works wonders!
Another good find, Olay scrubber. Just like the clarasonic mia but $200 cheaper and works the same with any facewash to clean deeper into your pores!
Hope that helps 🙂 Worked for me!
awesome tips, cate! i will most definitely check out the olay scrubber because i’ve heard such good things about the clarisonic but it’s SO expensive.
what a variety of suggestions you’ve received!
For me, a combo of witch hazel and tea tree oil astringents has worked, along with a benzoyl peroxide product as a spot treatment.
I also used to use a weekly mud mask.
Many others suggested a change in your diet, but if you know for sure that your breakouts are due to hormones, then maybe you only need to make dietary changes for a week or so during the month?
good luck
My face soap – sea mud soap by Erno Laszlo – has COMPLETELY changed my skin, 100%. I had terrible breakouts before and now i really only have pimples once or twice a month. it’s pricey, but great, and you can get it from the saks website. it works so much better than the chemical-y products i used to use, which would just dry out my face. this face wash plus moisturizer 2x/day is my only skin regimen – try it!
p.s. you are beautiful and awesome regardless!
marian – thank you so much for the tip about your face soap. i always love hearing about any products that people are really crazy about. i will check this out as i would love to avoid harsh/chemical-based products.
and thank you for your sweet comment! it’s hard to feel beautiful when your face is going crazy!!! 🙂
Jen,
First time posting, but love your blog! I an a dermatology RN. We usually recommend an OTC skin care wash with benzoyl peroxide 1-2 times a day. If you want to stick with over the counter products you can use a salicylic acid based gel after that. If it is hormonal, more than likely, and unfortunately, correcting your hormones (through either a BCP or spironolactone) is your best best. Dont fall for the expensive skin care products, all of our dermatologists stick with products such as cerave, aveeno, cetaphil. SOmetimes too, when the seasons change, you may either need to go without a moisturizer, or make sure it is an oil-free one. Charlotte is so humid! Have you been using any new sunscreens on your face? I wonder if that could be it…
Good luck with it, my heart goes out anyone who is having breakouts!
Aveeno products are really awesome, I agree!
I think a lot of people have already said this, but dairy is definitely a factor. Consider reading “Crazy Sexy Diet” by Kris Carr. She talks about it some in the book. Essentially, we’re really not supposed to be eating/drinking milk from other animals (aside from human milk as babies!) and people can either have major allergic reactions (like lactose intolerance) or they can have smaller ones like acne breakouts, rashes, sinus issues, etc. I haven’t entirely eliminated dairy from my diet, but I’m definitely not eating cheese every day now and I’ve noticed a significant change in my skin.
Once again, I love your blog. I have been going through this issue as well – and I am 43 and have NEVER had skin issues. I went to my dermatologist and got a prescription for Finacea, which seems to keep it contained, but it still has not totally gone away. After reading all of these posts, I may work dairy back out of my diet. Good luck – I totally understand the stress involved – and thank you for raising the issue!
It’s already been said. Dairy. Avoid it as much as possible. Especially since your problems are hormonal. When I turned 22, my hormones changed just enough that I turned into chronic pizza face for well over a year. It wasn’t until I implemented a trial separation from dairy [about 3 weeks] that I realized that was the culprit. Goodbye cheese and yogurt. It sucks. Sometimes I still cheat, but I make sure it’s worth what might crop up on my face.
I used to have the worst skin too. I really think the amount of water I’ve been drinking has been helping. I also realized I have very sensitive skin and I’ve been using the Body Shop aloe vera line. I haven’t seriously broken out in months. 🙂
Are you still reading? 🙂
I had bad acne as a teen and have had a resurgence since turning 30. Went to the dermatologist and have been taking Doryx, an antibiotic for about a year. It has helped tremendously. I have very mixed feelings about taking it, but honestly nothing else has worked. It’s worth looking into.
Good luck!
becca – i am SO still reading. completely blown away by the responses and learning from each and every one. i hear you on not wanting to be on a long-term antibiotic but if it’s the only thing that has helped, it’s understandable.
i used to go to the derm regularly but i’m on a high-deductible insurance plan now so i’m just not wanting to spend the money to go but i think i’m going to have to just suck it up and go! 🙁
Good luck with whatever you decide! I feel so stupid when my face is broken out. I mean, I’m 31 years old, isn’t acne supposed to be over by now?
I meant to say in my first post that I have been off the antibiotic for about 2 weeks now, and my skin seems okay. I’m hoping that taking the Doryx for about a year did the trick, and I can just use topical products from now on. I really hate taking any sort of medication (Advil, the pill, you name it), so my fingers are crossed! Thought it would be worth mentioning to you in case you go this route, since maybe it’s not a “forever” thing you’d have to do.
zero advice from me, because my skin SUCKS
can I make a request for the pimiento cheese recipe?!!! 🙂
i’ll see if my mother in law has it written down!
My skin has been bad lately too. Usually it’s under control, but I think stress + changing seasons has done a number on it. I’ve found that what works for me is washing with Cetaphil twice a day, applying an oil-free moisturizer in the morning, and using benzoyl peroxide on any spots that pop up. I tried Proactiv, and it dried out my face like crazy. Hope you find something that works!
Hi Jen, sorry for the frustration! Have you changed your birth control lately? If you’ve stopped it you may notice an increase in breakouts.
miriam – yes, i stopped taking the pill about six months ago and have struggled ever since. really wanting to find a way to control my skin without the help of hormonal birth control. i would like to think it’s possible since i didn’t even have bad skin in high school! so frustrating!
Argh bad skin sucks!! I used to get it pretty bad, and saw the doctor about it. He called it ‘Runner’s Acne’, and advised me to start washing my face straight after runs/workouts, and it’s really helped me! And I echo the other commenters with the natural products too! 🙂
P.S. I’ve actually always thought that your skin looks GREAT!! Seriously, in every picture it looks so clear!!
Aside from dietary changes (which you’ll just have to figure out by trying) I really noticed a big change in my skin when I used MD Forte. I got it through my derm but you can order it online. The price seems a little high but the stuff lasts a long time and works great.
I had this same problem last year. I think it was a number of things- warmer weather so I’d sweat in my makeup, working out often, having bangs. Even though I’d wash my face morning, after workouts and at night it was still pretty bad. I got proactiv (believe me I held out for a long time) and it really worked. I think the key is some kind of moisturizer with acne medication that stays on your face all day. Hope it clears up soon!
You have my complete sympathies with the breakouts. I had mild acne as a teen but my face decided to really rebel in my mid-twenties. I finally had to go the accutane route after a few years of trying everything from the natural tea tree oil/oil cleansing to awful antibiotics. Definitely not the way I hoped it would go, but I’m so glad I did it now. All I use are cetaphil and cerave now. Regardless of age, acne is no fun! You are beautiful inside and out and your blog is such a bright spot on the web!
Hey girl!
Long time reader / first time commenter bc I really feel you on this one! I used to break out pretty regularly and have awful redness afterwards, until I discovered this little life saving combo.
Magic E-lemon-ader
1 egg white
Juice from 1/2 fresh lemon
Blend together until frothy (I whirr it in my lil’ magic bullet)
Put on affected area for at least 30 minutes twice per week
The facial makes your face SUPER tight while you have it on so get ready for a temporary Joan Rivers makeover! 😉 But, the results are almost immediate so it’s totally worth it. And my husband finds it very entertaining haha.
Good luck!
first, so good to hear from you! thanks for the comment! 🙂
regarding the suggestion, this is super interesting. i’ll try anything once. thanks jill!
Hey Jen!
I just wanted to comment and let you know that I think you are BEAUTIFUL! Every time you post a picture, I am so incredibly jealous of your skin! It never looks “broken out” or ashy or dry; AND you have a great color — olive tan (even in those winter pictures) — that I would KILL to have :).
Anyways, I have no particular words of wisdom for you but I just wanted to let you know that you may see yourself differently than others — like me, who would trade skin with you any day :).
katy – thank you so much for your incredibly sweet comment. i know that we are always more critical of ourselves than anyone else and i try to put it into perspective and just get over it. recently though i’ve just had some really intense breakouts that have made me feel embarrassed – which i hate.
i think i’ll be brave and give you guys a no makeup shot tonight. get ready!
again, thank you so much! you are awesome!
I feel your pain – my skin has been awfulllll lately – I have no idea why because I eat really healthy and take good care of my skin! ARGHHH – veryyy frustrating! Let me know if you get any good tips from your followers 🙂 I would love to hear them!
The pizza looks awesome by the way! Have a great day girly!
i feel your pain! i had a horrible hormonal outbreak when i turned 30. it was worse than high school and i eventually had to see a derm. about it. oil of olay makes a much cheaper version($29.99) of the clarisonic and it works wonders! i only use it at night b/c it’s too much on your skin twice a day. i also use the neutrogena anti wrinkle/anti acne face wash, kiehl’s ultra facial toner, and cerave moisturizer(recommended by derm.) which you can by at any drugstore, and it works really well w/o breaking me out. i still get the occasional break out on back and chest, but use the neutrogena body acne spray every other day and it works well too. good luck! i know how frustrating dealing with adult acne can be. it sucks!
Hi Jen,
I was dealt a pretty bad set of skin cards, if you will. I had terrible acne in high school and was on every topical and oral antibiotic under the sun. I even went on accutane, which finally cleared up my cystic acne. Everything was great until about a year ago, when I stared getting the dreaded ‘hormonal acne’ around my mouth and chin. Even with the arsenal of knowledge I had from my previous experience I could not get it under control. I too was looking for answers into what I may be eating, etc. and there are no scientific studies that prove dairy or soy cause or prevent breakouts. It’s all up to your body and what type of hormones it is producing. I produce too much Androgen, therefore that causes an imbalance and creates breakouts. So…go see a dermatologist! Absolutely make the dietary changes you see fit, whether it be hormone free dairy/meats and/or organic soy, but seeing a dermatologist will get you on the right track. Remember, it always gets worse before it gets better! Be direct and upfront with your doctor, too. Best of luck and keep up the great work here on peanut butter runner!!
~Jenn
The picture of the pizza is making my mouth water. I have the same problem that you have been having. I never suffer from “pizza face,” but this year it’s been an all-out warfare. I don’t know if it’s my hormones or what, but don’t you wish there was a fix it button?
Ava
This post totally hit home with me. 1 – I am so busy right now that I feel like I have a neverending to do list that gets hardly any progress made on it. (It’s been almost a week since I posted on my blog) and 2 – My face never seems to fully clear up anymore!! It’s so annoying- ever since college started I break out on my cheeks.
If you find anything that helps, please send the advice on my way.
Drink a lot of water.
Also, could it be the makeup you are using? I just switched to Bare Minerals and my skin is loving it!
Wow this is a hot topic Jen… makes me feel less alone though, for sure. I’ve had skin problems all my life and have tried every product – expensive, drugstore, infomercial, prescription. Sulfur based products are the only thing that ever helped!
Also, make sure your nighttime moisturizer doesn’t have SPF in it!
Hey Jen, I can completely sympathize with what you’re going through. Although I always had pimples as a teenager, I started breaking out pretty badly in my twenties. I tried every over the counter facewash, lotion, astringent, etc. on the market, but they actually only seemed to make matters worse. Not only that, I probably spent a fortune! I finally went to a dermatologist and I’m not even being dramatic here when I say that the derm changed my life. After receiving a prescription, my face cleared up and my confidence went through the roof. Not only that, but what she prescribed is also good for anti-aging 😉 My face has been clear for years now and I often get compliments on how nice my skin is. I totally recommend that you see a professional, even if it is just for a consultation. Good luck!
I can totally sympathize! Your skin always looks so gorgeous and glowing in pictures, in a way it’s nice to know you have normal skin too! I have struggled with terrible skin problems all my life, and even went on accutane. Since the accutane my acne REsurfaced, and I have been on a strict glycolic acid toner routine – I dab it on a cotton ball and use it at least twice a day (once when I wake up, and once after I’ve washed my face before bed). I can honestly say that after being on accutane and trying everything from Proactiv to prescription medicines, using a glycolic acid toner twice a day has been my saving grace.
“clindamycin” comes as a topical solution, gel, & lotion and simply destroys the bacteria that is deep in your skin no matter what the cause. It works for a lot of people but isnt as common or as well known because you have to get it through certain derm’s. I was having hormonal jawline breakouts for half a year & started using the topical solution about 2 weeks ago and the breakouts I had for months are finally budging & clearing up! Highly reccommend.
I actually heard that seasonal allergies can affect that with humidity and charlotte is one of the highest levels of allergies. I think you are gorgeous, skin and all, but maybe seasonal allergies remedies would work?
Hi. So glad to see others are having the same problems as me! I never heard about the “cut out diary” idea, but I’m interested. –>Question though, how do you supplement the lack of calcium? Aside from taking a vitamin. I LOVE cheese, milk, yogurt. Never knew it could be the cause of the problem!
Also, I’ve found that using an exfoiating wash PLUS an astringent with a light moisturizer is the best facewash combo. I’m now wondering if cutting back the diary will be the final piece of the puzzle?!