Updated Acne Regimen

This is an update to my earlier entry about my personal skin care regimen. Back then, I was using 5 different products, and I added a sixth shortly after. I'm using 4 for acne and the rest for spots. It's been working quite well. Most of the time, I have no pimples, and when I do get some, it's only a few.

This cream is the first step in the process, when I remember to use it. I wrote an entry about it when I first started using it. It still burns as much now as it did then. I actually tried exfoliating before applying the cream; it doesn't cause more intense burning, but it does cause peeling. Yeah, don't do that. Aside from that, this stuff has really been helping my face. I'm almost out, which saddens me. I'm looking for something else new to try, but I might just buy more of this.

This scrub is currently the second step in the process. I've used it before and I remember positive results. I haven't had any problems with dry skin since I started using it, and I have noticed brighter skin. The microbeads are much gentler than the ones in apricot scrubs, and since I haven't experienced any irritation, I don't think this scrub contains harsh chemicals. There are no active ingredients, but that's fine because I use so many different things.

Third step. I haven't quite finished the bottle of L'oreal cleanser, but I'll be using this one next. I've been extremely stressed, and I'd like to keep that from busting out of my face. If washing my face with this stuff can help prevent that, then I'll try it. Active ingredient: salicylic acid 2%

Fourth step. I always use a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide for this step. This one has a whopping 10%. Before this, I'd never seen one with such a high concentration. I love the way it makes my skin tingle.

Fifth step. I was always afraid of lightening products because I don't want to end up with an abnormally pale face. Fortunately, this one isn't doing much. Sure, my skin is brighter, but that could also be from the scrub, and I'm not satisfied with how this cream treats the spots. Since the container is pretty much empty, I can move on to something else. It was too expensive, anyway. $20 is too much for only 1 oz, especially if it doesn't work.

Future fifth step. I've been waiting to use this No Marks stuff until I finished with the dark spot corrector. It came with a sample of face wash, which was nice. I really have no idea what to expect with this, so I'll just have to use it for a few weeks and see.

I like this astringent because it isn't as harsh as most others, but I feel like it cleans just as well. It claims to reduce the appearance of spots, but I haven't been seeing that. However, it definitely reduces breakouts quickly and does so without causing irritation. In my experience, that's very rare. Active ingredient: salicylic acid 2%

Seventh step. Yes, there are seven steps. Yes, I know it's crazy. I always try to use a cream with 10% benzoyl peroxide for the last step. I've found that any time I omit this step, I break out horribly. It's more than my skin reacting to a change in the regimen; my skin needs this stuff to be kept in line, kinda the same way my hair needs oil-based products. I'm just weird, I guess.

For a long time, I only used Terminator 10 by Acne Free, and it worked great. I always saw Persa-Gel by Clean and Clear commercials on tv and thought the stuff was garbage. Well, one problem with the Terminator 10 is I can't always find it when I need a refill, or I can only find it in a lower concentration. Obviously that's not helpful. The last time I need a refill, I decided to try the Persa-Gel. It's the same concentration and it's been around longer, so why not? Turns out it actually works better, so I decided to try the generic brand to save a little money. And that might be why I'm breaking out a little now. The CVS brand cream is great, but I just need something stronger. I'll be going back to the Persa-Gel as soon as possible. As far as the spots go, maybe I'll be shelling out a lot of money to try that Clinique stuff.