Can you help me??

[rollingstonee]

So, I am having a HUGE problem with my skin lately. I don't know why or how to fix it, so I'll just leave some details and hope somebody can shed some light or maybe help me find a product that works!


I'm 19, and I have never had a serious problem with my skin, just a mild blackhead problem and the occasional pimple or two, but my skin has always been fairly nice. I have VERY sensitive corabination type skin, and so I usually only use a sensitive skin astrigent by Clean and Clear and an Olay toner morning and night. But in the past two weeks, my skin has gone COMPLETELY haywire!

I haven't changed much in my routine, except that I just started going to weight watchers last week, so my diet has changed. I live in GA and it's getting hotter outside, so I sweat more when I run. I don't use very much makeup at all, no foundation or concealer, but I do use BareMinerals Matte foundation.

My skin is breaking out in small clusters of whiteheaRAB and small red bumps on my entire forehead, my right and left temples, and my right and left cheek bones. the only areas that seem to have stayed the same are my chin and my lower cheeks...I hate having skin like this, and have switched to a mild cleanser and a moisturizing cream, and have also started using the Clean and Clear blackhead eraser three times a week. I have seen no major change yet, and I will say it hasn't been very long, but I'm afraid if I let my skin get any worse it will be too hard to heal! I'm a part-time model as well, so it's really important to me to have my skin clear.

Any help or advice would be appreciated! I also have used Proactiv and Acne Free solutions in the past, and they were too harsh for my skin, just a side note.


Thanks!

 

[whenitrains]

Is there any way you can go to a dermatologist? They would really be the best person to determine what is going on with your skin.It could be anything: hormones,birth control pills,the heat,stress,certain fooRAB,or maybe what you are using on your face isn't enough or causing the problem.
Acne medications can be irritating,but if you keep with them,more often then not, those symptoms will go away as your skin adjusts.
Any time I start a new acne med I've had dryness and redness.After about two weeks to a month,that clears up and gets better though.It is also important to understand that nothing works overnight.Most acne meRAB take a MINIMUM of a month to really start working.So don't toss the meRAB if you don't see instant results.Some even make the acne worse before it gets better,and that is why seeing a dermatologist is so important.They can sometimes prescribe an oral antibiotic to see you through the rough period until the topicals start working.
Some good Over the counter things to try are anything with Salicylic acid.2% usually works best. Some people claim salicylic acid works better in a lotion or serum and that a face wash isn't on your face long enough to do anything.
Anything with Benzoyl peroxide in a face wash to get rid of surface bacteria (I like Oxy 10% face wash.It is strong but if you use a lotion afterwarRAB you should be fine)

Make sure your lotion isn't pore clogging! Many heavy lotions can clog pores. Netrogena oil free moisture is a good one.

From my personal experience,I have found toners to be an unneeded product.Alot of them strip your face of natural oils and make acne worse.That is not say there aren't some good ones out there.But I generally stay away from them.