STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

I know dot's not a dermatologist but she may be able to help.  Fairywings is good with beauty items also so check with her also.

Just reading your post though, you might want to cut back on how much you use it.  I know bp really dries out my skin and using 3 products that contain it 2 times a day would kill my skin - itch, burn, peel, etc.  You may want to stick with the cleanser twice a day and a toner once a day to every other day on the toner and then use a moisturizer that doesn't contain either bp or sa.

tashina - ack! i'm sorry i got to this post late!

as aurora said, i'm not a derm but i've seen quite a few and skincare is a huge hobby of mine… and I’ve tried a lot of drug store and dept-store lines.

Anyway, it sounds like you’re going overboard. I think the two biggest lessons I’ve learned is how to listen to my skin and that gentle is always better than harsh. If something feels bad or doesn’t feel right, cut it out immediately. Don’t wait around for results from the products if you are suffering!!!

First, extreme tightness right after cleansing is a big signal that this wash is probably too strong for you! In my experience, I’ve controlled my acne the best by not using too many “acne-fighting” products at once or even at all. As Aurora said, 3 products with BP may be overload. When I think about all the stuff I used to use (like peels, scrubs, masks, etc.. which I still use but in moderation and only when I can see that my skin needs it) it makes me wonder how I didn’t burn my face off.

Also kind of toner are you using? Just from this kit? I stayed away from toner for years because I always associated toner with “Seabreeze” and having a burning/stinging effect. It definitely shouldn’t feel like this. It should feel like you’ve just wet the skin. I really like ones from Shiseido. They are very gentle.

The SA in the C&C moisturizer may be too much with the kit you are using now. Again, I would say cut back on the harsh stuff.

I use BP but only on spots. It’s very drying but good for zapping zits as they come. If you can definitely go derm and talk to them. Prescriptions can help (although don’t expect miracles). I would cut out this Acne kit stuff and just introduce it one product at a time into your routine (as you were doing with the cleanser). If you feel that the cleanser works for you but the other products don’t.. then cut them out. If you like the combo the cleanser but don’t like your current moisturizer check out something more gentle (like Purpose, Cetaphil lotion spf 15, Shu Uemura Dep SeaWater gel cream are all ones I’ve used and like a lot).

I wish I could tell you use x, y, and z for perfect skin… I wish someone could tell me that! I’m sorry! But definitely take it easy and just listen and feel how your skin is reacting. What works for one person may not work for someone else.

I know it’s so frustrating! I am 26 with acne and just recently started seeing a derm again regularly to try and take control of my skin. It’s really helped.. but I think the biggest help has been listening to my skin and not other people or sales associates or magazines about what products would be good for me.

Hang in there! HTH!

If you only get spot pimples Tashina try the DDF 5% tea tree oil bp gel.  It is great!!  I love the stuff and its not too drying.  I just use it in spots though because if I use it daily I will dry out.  I also only use it at night.  It runs close to $30 a bottle but a bottle lasts over a year and the expiration date is over a year on it too.

For face wash I switched from DDF to clean and clear deep clean (just to try it) and I love the feeling of my skin afterwards.  It just feels clean.  It runs about $5 at the drug store.

I'm still searching for a good moisturizer.  I tried the DDF one but it combined with the tea tree stuff and my makeup did not work!  I found I could only do either the moisturizer or the bp gel with my makeup but not both.  Plus the DDF one did not have sunscreen in it.