Hi. I'm Megan. I'm 22 and I still have acne like a hormonal teenager. Boo.
I've been on tons of prescription creams, antibiotics and gels and crap from the dermatologist. They either don't do anything for my face or they completely burn the top 2 layers off and then fail to get better from there. Or they make me nauseous beyond belief.
Try explaining why you flew to the restroom covering your mouth to your grandmother during church. "No Mammaw...I'm not pregnant. I only ate a full meal like it said on the prescription bottle and then took my medicine." Yes...that happened. Two Sundays in a row actually.
My dermatologist said that the next step is Accutane.
NO STINKIN' WAY.
I've heard HORROR stories about Accutane. No I do not want to be suicidal. No I do don't want to have to take pregnancy tests every month because of the horrential PROVEN birth defects.
" Accutane stops all oil production in the body which can cause:
Dryness, discomfort with contacts, joint pain, back pain, dizziness, drowsiness, nervousness, dryness of the lips, mouth, nose, and skin, cracking or peeling of skin, itching, rashes, or changes in finger nails. In extreme cases, it has also been known to cause severe birth defects or even fetal death, depressed moods, trouble concentrating, insomnia, agitation, change in behavior, hallucinations, thoughts of suicide, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, blurred vision, sudden or severe headaches, vomiting, hearing problems, seizures, severe pain in upper stomach, fast heart rate, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay colored stools, jaundice, severe diarrhea, rectal bleeding, black, bloody, or tarry stools, fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, purple spots under the skin, easy bruising or bleeding, or bone fracture."
No thanks. I'm too young for rectal bleeding, purple spots ( I'm trying to get rid of acne spots, I don't need anymore colors on my face), and the suicide things potential is just scary.
So I'm taking things into my own hands. I'm going to spend my hard earned money on products that I believe will help my face instead of antibiotics and creams that make me feel horrible.
Now that I have my own health insurance and a big girl job, I'm the one paying my bills. I'd rather experiment with products than pay a $30 copay for 5 appointments that last 6 minutes each.
Beauty.com is my new best friend.
I spent a good 2 days comparing products and I finally decided on 4 of them
philosophy purity made simple
This cleanser is awesome. It really deep cleans and really gets all the gunk and grime and makeup off. There is no chemical fragrance. What you smell is a blend of extracts that make this cleanser smell amazing! You only need just a 'pearls worth' and massage in for 30-60 seconds. I use this every morning and before bedtime. I Love it!
Skyn ICELAND Nordic Skin Peel.
This reminds me of those Clean and Clear Astringent Pads from those teenybopper acne days. BUT IT'S NOT.
It's awesome and it tingles and makes your face feel really cold!
It contains lactic acid, which is derived from corn sugar and helps to exfoliate the skin. It also has witch hazel which helps to shrink pores and calms red irritated areas.
It smells fresh and isn't overwhelming at all, nor does it dry out the skin.
I use this at night, 2 days in a row, in between my black mask treatment.
MALIN + GOETZ Acne Spot Treatment.
This is my favorite. It has a medicinal smell to it which I don't mind at all. It contains 10% Active
Sulfur. It does not have the yucky sulfur smell most people think of. I dip a Q-tip in it and spot it on all my bumps. Once it's dry, you can't really even smell it. This stuff will dry up a fresh zit in a heartbeat (well....overnight...at least).
This makes me want to go swim in a sulfur spring.
I use this every night before bed.
P.S. I SUCK AT PRODUCT REVIEWS. Don't laugh.
Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask
It's a black mask. One you go black you don't go back is the truth. My skin LOVES this. It contains Active Charcoal. "Activated Charcoal acts like a magnet to draw out deep-dwelling pore-cloggers, White China Clay absorbs environmental toxins, Lecithin dissolves impurities" --Beauty.com said it so perfectly. It doesn't overdry like I thought it would. It sure felt like it would while it waa on. It rinses off really well, unlike some of those cheap mask where you practically have to squeegee the mask off.
I place a washcloth in hot-as-you-can-stand-it water and then wring it out and put it on my face for about 2 minutes, or until it doesn't feel hot anymore. Then I slather it on, except for around the eyes and mouth. It takes about 15 minutes to harden. You will know when it's time to rinse. Try to smile. It's like a temporary Botox treatment minus the botulism.
I use this every 2 days before bedtime.
--I'm really excited about the results that I've seen after only being on my little regimen for less than a week. My skin feels healthier and smoother and I'm using less concealer and foundation. --
I can't wait to get to the point where my face is CLEAR and I can start working on the old acne spots that take FOREVER to fade. I'm thinking a day at a medical spa might fix that in the future.
I'll keep you all posted on my face!! I would do a makeupless "Before" photo...but I'm not that brave yet....but I will share with you my Sulfur Spot Face!
Viewer's Beware!
Gooood Night Y'all!
