Is Clear Skin Eluding You?
At forty it seemed that my face turned on me. I began to notice my tiny wrinkles had been joined by their less linear, yet equally unwelcome, friends – the pimples.
I had to take action.
Have You Tried Everything?
I know quite a few forty-somethings who have used aggressive products (such as Accutane), and it sounds like a hellish ordeal where you burst into flames if the sun shines on you during the months of treatment because your face is so red and dry and the rest of your skin is so itchy and tight. My dermatologist advised me to exhaust all other potential cures before heading down that path.
In order to avoid the burning and other possible side effects, I tried a bunch of drug store products, many prescriptions, antibiotics, and even that program that cured Jessica Simpson. Nothing helped.
I Found My Cure!
After googling "help for acne" in a total teenager snit one day I found Dan at Acne.org.
Dan suggested a preposterous treatment plan:
- Use a mild cleanser
- Follow with a very large glob of 2.5% benzoyl peroxide spot cream
- Finish with a basic moisturizer
- Do this twice a day, touching your face as lightly as possible.
I was dubious. What about exfoliation? What about toner? What about a mask? What a nut! I tried it though, and within days my face was clearer than it had been in months. My face was a little red and dry for only about one week.
My biggest problem was I didn't realize how much I touched my face until I consciously tried to stop. I'm sure I looked like a crazed puppet that first day, swinging my hands up to my face and forcing them back down. For hours.
Stick to the Routine
I had been following this regimen so faithfully, and was so thrilled with my perfectly clear skin, that when I ran out of benzoyl peroxide on a recent trip I figured "Eh, what's a day or two?" A lot.
After three days I discovered that my former face was back, angry and insulted at my complacency. I am back with the program and have clear skin once again. I will continue this until I grow out of this adult acne. Perhaps by fifty?
Unexpected Bonus
After faithfully doing this twice a day for a couple of months, my skin is dramatically more even. I only wear mineral powder about half the time now. I am very fair and have not experienced more sensitivity to the sun, but be careful just the same.
This week I talked to a friend who started the routine with me and now has clear skin as well. She has gone through 2 rounds of aggressive acne treatments and this worked much better for her, just in time for her wedding.
If you want to give this a try, check out Acne.org. Dan sells his own products but I used these: Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser, CVS brand 2.5% benzoyl peroxide – it's a tiny tube of spot cream, and Cetaphil moisturizer. I am going to buy Dan's benzoyl peroxide product because it is in gel form and is more cost effective because it is essential that you use a HUGE GLOB.
I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that Dan is very rich. And deservedly so.
After more than 10 years of practicing law and working in real estate, Laurin is recovering and pursuing her first true passion, writing. She and her great friend Kelly founded Laurin and Kelly Talk in April of 2008 and love everything about blogging. They are even Twitterholics already. Eavesdrop on them at www.laurinandkellytalk.com.
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Doing too much is the most certain way to aggravate acne.
I had problems for years until I started to getting shots for my allergies. Now I only break out when my allergies are flaring up.
I totally have to try this. I didn't have acne as a teen. It's like some cruel revenge that I have it now, at nearly 40!
Finn, so true. The acne.org site is pretty funny the way they describe how lightly you should touch your face, even blotting your face dry. I used to scrub like crazy with the towel because it felt good. A light touch is the key.
Califmom, it must be a rude shock to get it now. The worst part was feeling like a teenager again. Try it. I hope it works for you.