Lately my skin has been 90-100% clear and has stayed that way since I tried a few new treatments. I think I have found a cure for my acne and oily skin!
I've been mixing water and baking soda into a paste that I leave on my face for about 10 minutes. After it dries I wash it off and and use an oil free moisturizer. I've done this twice a week and now i'm completley clear! This as well as washing my face in the morning and night with lukewarm water(no cleanser or soap) has done wonders for my skin tone, oil levels, and acne. It has worked better and faster than accutane with no side effects so far.
As a side note I've also been eating gluten free and dairy free for the past 3 weeks, so it may have something to do with it. My skin didn't start clearing up until I used baking soda though.
A few months ago ago the baking soda stopped working unfortunately.
However I have found a better alternative that will most likely be safer on the skin in the long term in case anyone reading this thread wants to clear up their skin without the risk and pain or an accutane treatment. Over at acne.org they have an acne treatment with benzoyl peroxide that you apply generously every morning and every night. They also have an extremely gentle cleanser to go along with it that. After having used it for a few months, It has done most of the work in clearing up my skin. It's been an excellent acne treatment for me, as nothing else has really worked. The key was being very consistent with it though. On the website there is a regimen and they show you step by step how to use it.
As a treatment benzoyl peroxide is great and has been the bulk of my success , but I had even better results when I also took the time to figure out how to prevent acne. Better stress management has made a world of difference. I understand this isn't just something you can switch on and off, but something that usually takes quite a bit of time. Its a big factor though.
I also paid more attention to what was touching my face throughout the day. My hands, clothes, pillow cases, towels, sweat, dirt, ect. Now I make sure everything that touches my face is clean, and that I avoid getting my face dirty. I went and bought 5 pillow cases and I switch them out every other night (or at least when I remember too..)
Not sure if exercise has been a factor for acne or not, but I do go to the gym about 3-5 times during the week. I suppose it helps relieve stress which relieves acne at the very least.
My diet hasn't really changed a whole lot and if anything it got worse aside from me drinking more water. I eat a whole bunch of crap during the day and with the above treatments It hasn't caused me any acne.
As a side note I still have a problem with razor burn and oily skin. Oily skin however can be managed by putting on a layer of milk of magnesia before moisturizing. I only use it occasionally though. It may be for the stomach, but it works. For razor burn, I just grew a beard.
Honestly I can't believe I ever tried to take accutane - Its just not for minor to moderate acne. I suppose the answer to preventing possible accutane damage is finding an alternative :/
Lately my skin has been 90-100% clear and has stayed that way since I tried a few new treatments. I think I have found a cure for my acne and oily skin!
I've been mixing water and baking soda into a paste that I leave on my face for about 10 minutes. After it dries I wash it off and and use an oil free moisturizer. I've done this twice a week and now i'm completley clear! This as well as washing my face in the morning and night with lukewarm water(no cleanser or soap) has done wonders for my skin tone, oil levels, and acne. It has worked better and faster than accutane with no side effects so far.
As a side note I've also been eating gluten free and dairy free for the past 3 weeks, so it may have something to do with it. My skin didn't start clearing up until I used baking soda though.
A few months ago ago the baking soda stopped working unfortunately.
However I have found a better alternative that will most likely be safer on the skin in the long term in case anyone reading this thread wants to clear up their skin without the risk and pain or an accutane treatment. Over at acne.org they have an acne treatment with benzoyl peroxide that you apply generously every morning and every night. They also have an extremely gentle cleanser to go along with it that. After having used it for a few months, It has done most of the work in clearing up my skin. It's been an excellent acne treatment for me, as nothing else has really worked. The key was being very consistent with it though. On the website there is a regimen and they show you step by step how to use it.
As a treatment benzoyl peroxide is great and has been the bulk of my success , but I had even better results when I also took the time to figure out how to prevent acne. Better stress management has made a world of difference. I understand this isn't just something you can switch on and off, but something that usually takes quite a bit of time. Its a big factor though.
I also paid more attention to what was touching my face throughout the day. My hands, clothes, pillow cases, towels, sweat, dirt, ect. Now I make sure everything that touches my face is clean, and that I avoid getting my face dirty. I went and bought 5 pillow cases and I switch them out every other night (or at least when I remember too..)
Not sure if exercise has been a factor for acne or not, but I do go to the gym about 3-5 times during the week. I suppose it helps relieve stress which relieves acne at the very least.
My diet hasn't really changed a whole lot and if anything it got worse aside from me drinking more water. I eat a whole bunch of crap during the day and with the above treatments It hasn't caused me any acne.
As a side note I still have a problem with razor burn and oily skin. Oily skin however can be managed by putting on a layer of milk of magnesia before moisturizing. I only use it occasionally though. It may be for the stomach, but it works. For razor burn, I just grew a beard.
Honestly I can't believe I ever tried to take accutane - Its just not for minor to moderate acne. I suppose the answer to preventing possible accutane damage is finding an alternative :/