one thing i find useful to get rid of the occasional blemish or two or three...

I actually put a tiny TINY (emphasize tiny) bit of cortizone 10 on the blemish once or twice a day. It seems to make sense. its good for bumps and what is a zit? a bump. it stops itching and irriating that often comes with a blemish just like it does for bug bites, rashes or razor burn. so I would recommend it just don't over do it.

Also In the last year I have only been washing my face once a day instead of two and I have found its looked its best it has in five years, look at the gallery pictures. I have one from a few years ago and a few from a few months ago, huge difference I think. also every other day at night I use a dove daily exfoliating clenser..i know it says daily but 3-4 times a week seems enough cos exfoliating every day feels sketch. and than every other day at night (3-4 times a week) when i don't exfoliate I just use a normal benzoyl peroxide wash and than before going to bed each night just A TINY bit of overnight blemish treatment salicylic acid (1.5%). than when i awake instead of washing again i put on this spf 15 stuff that is also 2% salicylic acid and that seems to be fine..still occasional blemish or mild breakout. but much better than i was a year a half ago.

 

I would skip the cortisone. Topical steroids, such as hydrocortisone, can increase the infection in the pimple. Instead of a benzoyl peroxide wash, I would recommend a benxoyl peroxide gel, but only the 2.5 %. The wash doesn't stay on long enough to do much good.

On the other hand, you say it seams to be working. Maybe you should keep everything up. . . except the cortisone.

 

doesen't benzoyl peroxide cause you to get scars?

 

no, but acne or pimples can.

 

the best thing to do of course is to keep your face really clean.... wash, exfoliate, tone....

i like using that clearasel vanishing cream or neosporin on occasion too.

 

My experience with acne is that, the simpler and gentler the routine, the better. Mine only cleared up after I stopped using prescription and OTC topicals (differin and 2.5% benzoyl peroxide) and started using a gentle cleanser (unscented Dove bar for sensitive skin) and jojoba oil. My skin is on the sensitive side so using the harsh topicals did nothing but aggravate the problem after a while (they DID work initially, though, perhaps an immunity was built). It was always red and I was still breaking out. I think people, generally, put too much shit on their face and don't stick to routines long enough to see a difference.

 

one awesome thing I just found is mixing a little tea tree oil in with jojoba and sweet almond oil. Until this morning I've had some crappy little bumps all over my face for several weeks. Now theyre pretty much gone and my skin looks sooo happy!!! I have sensitive skin also which is part of why the bumps stuck around so long.. People with sensitive skin should avoid harsh cleansers and exfoliation. Milk and honey are great exfoliators for most skin types but especially good for sensitive skin.

 

interesting thread... what would it be good for Oily skin? better soap for oily skin? your suggestion?