I know, I’ve written about acne before; however I used to have horrible acne, so if I can help someone, I will. Here is an email from a woman wanting to order my organic and vegan makeup (www.christopherdrummond.com). My response follows….
I’m Asian, 40 yo, have combo skin and been battling cystic acne the
past three years. Never had skin problems before until I started using
the Obagi system. Everything went to hell from there so I think my
skin is very sensitive and doesn’t like actives such as retinol, vitamin
C, and especially glycolic acid. I’ve tried so many remedies: copper,
salicylic, bp, etc. you named it but nothing worked. I’m currently
laying off all actives and just go back to my simple maintenance to see if
it gets better.I now have to wear makeup to cover my acne and red marks so would
love to try your samples since it’s good for the skin.
me: Let me ask some questions:
are you taking any vitamin supplements for the acne?
what makeup are you now using?
What hair products?
what skincare?
her: I’m taking One-A-Day multi, flaxseed/Omega-3 Oil gel, and Zinc supplement.
I’m currently using MAC oil cleanser, Garden of Wisdom (GOW) castor/castille cleanser after. Moisturize with jojoba/kuikui nut/red rasberry/emu oils depending on my moods. Use GOW chamomile and helichrysum hydrosols a lot. Mask with honey/aloe very gel or egg white or yolk.
For hair I’m using Pureology. I’m still looking for the ultimate mineral makeup. Tried Lililolo, Alima, Lumierre, Jenulence, UGlogirl, Laura Mercier, etc. I tried to keep away from bismuth and other stuff. Like Jenulence for the coverage (to cover my red marks) but like Lililolo finish the best.
My skin is light to medium with some yellow/gold undertone.
I don’t know if it’s hormonal or it’s too many active ingredients on my skin but I’m so tired of being acne prone. How I long for the good old days of blemish free skin…
me: okay, first of all….NO OIL AT ALL. Nothing. Everything you are using has oil in it!!! No wonder!!!! I don’t care what they say. Dont use any oil. NONE. I have worked in spas and in skincare for 12 years, and oily skin cannot wear oil on their skin. Period. I used to have very acne prone skin, and I tried “organic, non-comedogenic oils”. I broke out worse. An oil is an oil, and oil clogs pores. That is your biggest culprit right there.
In all my years, I have never seen holistic products that effectively clear up acne. Just an fyi. I know you want to be healthy and all, but all natural oils and salves are not good enough. You need something stronger. I know you don’t want it, but that’s how it goes.
Second, don’t use anything from MAC. Period. They are not a skincare oriented makeup line. That line is made by a photographer, so they don’t know what they are doing when it comes to skincare. SO MANY people break out from MAC
Third, try Juice beauty if you want to go organic. You MUST use a line that is specifically for acne prone skin. They have a $39 anti-acne kit. Get it.
Lastly, stick to the same anti-acne routine for at least three months. Acne didn’t just appear overnight, and it won’t go away overnight. It takes time, and you have to be patient. If you keep switching up products, you skin never gets balanced…
whew! It’s just that I have been through what you are going through. Trust me. Everything I’m telling you is true.
Also, go to Acne.org. It’s a great site!!!
and my makeup definitely will NOT make your situation worse..
I’ll send it by the end of the week…..
hope this helped…
