Acne issues

My2Beauties wrote: Anyone used anything that they swear by for their young teenagers? Desiree is 11, she's been having bad outbreaks on her forehead and sometimes her cheeks for the past year or so. We bought her some Proactiv and I don't think she has been using it like she is supposed to be honest, because it really hasn't worked. She says she tries to but she forgets, she has so many social activities and spends the nights with her friends and has friends over, etc...that she forgets and falls asleep and forgets in the morning etc.. I'm not around her 24/7 to remind her neither. She was using those Oxy Pads for a while and they were working ok but she still is having problems, those were easier for her to use because they are fast and easy. Her acne doesn't really bother her a whole lot right now, or at least she doesn't seem to act like it does but...I don't want to get to a point where it does ya know? I know when I had one zit at 13-14 years old I thought the world was going to end. I never had them as early as she does so I can only hope that she gets it under control before middle school when kids start to really notice those sorts of thing. That's just next school year, which is this August. I mean I thought about taking her to the Dermatologist, but isn't that Proactiv stuff just as strong as any prescription? I just wish she'd use it like she's supposed to, and it's hard on her mom with her and a 4 year old and her mom is their cheerleading coach and she works and she has to be at work at like 4:00 am so she goes to bed early and her DH is mainly up later with her and her baby brother at night and of course he doesn't remind her to wash her face. Anyone know of anything she can do or use? Is there a vanishing cream out there that works really well for acne? She could rub it on before bed and int he morning and not have to use water and wash her face and all that and she can carry it with her in her purse or something to friend's houses instead of bringing a whold case of Proactiv bottles the 3 step regimen, I mean that must embarass her ya know.

luvmykids replied: Honestly, I've had acne off and on for 15 years and Proactive is by far the best out there. I've done everything, including Accutane which ok, was better LOL but not at all recommended for teens.

The dermatologist may try an oral antibiotic which sometimes helps, or a topical antibiotic but IMHO the root may be that she isn't washing it regularly, period. If she'd commit to something really faithfully she might see improvement but I really wouldn't recommend anything other than Proactive for honest to goodness long term results.

Jackie012007 replied: I never had full-blown acne, but when I had a random zit, I SWEAR by this - Aquafresh toothpaste. At night before bed, dab a little on it - it kills the bacteria and makes it not hurt, mine used to really hurt. She'll see the giant white spot on her face in the Am and definitely remember to wipe it off, LOL .

During the day, the easy thing to do to get the redness out is to use OTC eyedrops - they take the redness out of skin irritations like zits. Just swab some on with a q-tip - since she's young she probably doesn't wear makeup yet and that will help witht he self-cosiousness.

I have SUPER sensitive skin and this worked. Now I use the ProActiv- pregnancy ruined my skin and I've had breakouts ever since, but I do agree, you have to use it religiously for it to work. If you go to a dermatologist, they will probably reccommend Diferin gel, my BIL used it through high school because he had really bad acne but it's REALLY drying and not good if she has sensitive skin.

It's hard at that age to get kids to do things routinely like that, I was horrible about that stuff until I was a late teen.

MyBlueEyedBabies replied: Proactiv worked as well as any of teh stuff the dermatologist and estatician (sp) recomended.

Oxy Pads are horrible for your skin. there is so much alcohol in them that it makes yoou skin produce more oil to protect itself.

My3LilMonkeys replied: Maybe she could stick a post it note on her bathroom mirror - it won't help when she's away, but when she's home it could remind her to use the Proactiv more regularly.

PrairieMom replied: I used differin and clindagel, both of which aren't cheap, and had poor results with it. I use Proactive now, and have good luck with it. I actually only use it once a day. I agree that a 3 step regimin is hard to stick with.

Kaitlin'smom replied: Well if she does not stick to it honestly nothing will work. I use Acne Free, kinda like Pro Active only I can get it at the drug store and it cheeper. When I use it regularly it works. Its when I slack off that it stops. I only use it once a day, I did use it 2 when my skin was bad but it was to much for me, it felt like my skin was tight and dry, felt fine to the touch though.

moped replied: Well I am sure that proactiv would work if she does it twice a day - like anything you have to use it faithfully to see results.

I use Biostrat.....similar to proactiv except every other night you put a glycolic acid (chemical peel) on your face and sleep - I have seen great results, but I have gone to my parents and forgot the peel at home and I am a mess in less than a week.

If you can make sure she uses proactiv everyday I am sure she would clear up nicely....

I have dealt with nasty pimples ever since I was pg and it is upsetting!

luvmykids replied: One more idea, when she is going to a friends house and doesn't want to lug around all three products if she could maybe just take two, like the cleanser and lotion or the toner and lotion to do a quick swipe with....something is better than nothing.

I've tried the AcneFree too and JMHO it was a lot more drying than the Proactive. I have very sensitive skin though, I've heard of others who had no drying at all with either one.

ashade75 replied: My girls (both teenagers) use proactive. They use it first thing in the morning before school while they are getting ready. I think they miss it on the weekends because like you said they stay the night with firends etc. Even though they don't use it on the weekends it works really well for them. I wish I could find something as good that is cheaper.

Boo&BugsMom replied: I'm with Monica about the Proactiv. It's the only stuff that keeps my skin really clear. DO NOT buy that generic rip off stuff (AcenFree) in the store that is suppose to be like it. It's horrible, IMHO. I don't think it even compares, but that's JMO. A runner up for me is Neutrogena products. I use to use the acne cleanser with a scrubbie pad two times a day. The pad exfoliates while the cleanser cleanses. It didn't do enough for me though, which is why I switched to Proactiv. A little goes a long way too and even though it seems expensive (the Proactiv), it adds up to be about the same.

Regardless of what she uses though, if she is not faithful to it, it's not going to work like it should. She needs to keep up with whatever she uses or she will continue to have the problems.

My cousin recently bought something similar to Proactiv, but it's made by Loreal. I don't know the name, but she has had good results with it.

Cece00 replied: Has she gone to a dermatologist?

I've never used any products long term b/c I've always had pretty good skin, but I hear Proactive works well.

luvmykids replied: I'm glad this post came back up because I keep forgetting...I was at the Proactive kiosk at the mall and they had cleansing wipes, like baby wipes but with Proactive. That might be a method she would stick with more than regular washing.

Kirstenmumof3 replied: We use Oxy for sensitive skin for Emily and it works great!