When it comes to zits the best advice I've ever received is "Name 'em."
Yes, that's right. Name them.
I've found if I name them it gives them validity for being on my face, because, let's be honest. I never thought I'd have more trouble with acne at 25 than I ever did in my teenage years.
I am one who manages acne (zits, pimples, blemishes, life ruiners) however I can. I've read and reread so many times that it's chocolate that causes zits. NO! Wait. It's not chocolate it's French fries! Oh? Did we say French fries? We meant stress. Yes, stress causes zits. No, not stress, hormones. Wait? Hormones? We meant diet and environment.
GAH!
I know I get zits right before my period. And at other random times of the month. I've never found a big reason for it, they just happen. I've switched make up, I started washing my face every night. I started using a toner. I use an overnight spot treatment on the really nasty ones. I eat well and drink plenty of water. And you know what? Short of going to a dermatologist and using a whole bunch of expensive chemically laden prescriptions on my face, I've found a routine that works. And I've become okay with the fact that zits happen despite my best of intentions.
What's really funny is that I used to apologize for my blemishes. I used to draw attention to them on purpose. What's with us women? People would always respond "Oh, I would have never noticed." and it's true, they probably never would have, but what they don't add on is "BUT I DO NOW!"
We have all been given different skin types just as we have all been given different hair types, different eye color and different sweating abilities. I'm coming to realize that instead of hating what we've been given, our first step is to take what we've been given, find the best way to deal with it (or even *gasp* embrace it) and focus on what we've been given that really does make us grateful to be us. For example, have you seen my wrists? They're amazing. And I wouldn't trade my eye color for anything.
So how about you? Have you found one big answer to all of your facial woes? Or are you just as confused as I am? Are there some of you with clear glowing skin that have an answer for the rest of us? What have you found that works? Come on over to Blissfully Domestic Living and discuss zits with those who know zits best. (OH! And I'd love to hear of any popping up at the worst time possible! Wedding day anyone?)
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I am having more problems with acne now that I had as a teenager as well – I'm 24 and about to see a dermatologist for the zits that keep showing up on my forehead – arg! I have even found my skin to be more sensitive now than when I was younger – I can't use any acne medicine face wash without the chemicals making my eyelids swell shut! It is frustrating! And no…I haven't figured it out – tried tons of different creams, face washes, drink plenty of water etc…they just happen – stress I guess.
I'll go you one better. I'm 41 and still getting zits. Sometimes they are little whiteheads, other times it's blackheads. I'm also fighting off the first wrinkles and I've now got one little hair right THERE on my chin that keeps coming out!
I used to gripe about the acne, until I realized that my 84 year old Granny doesn't have as many wrinkles as most folks MY age have. So, the up side of zits is that our skin doesn't wrinkle as fast!
Pimples. Ick. I get them right before That Time of the Month….and pretty much whenever my face feels like it.
The one thing I've found that really helps my skin is washing it frequently and wearing makeup as infrequently as possible. I wash with an extremely gentle cleanser in the morning, around lunch time, at night before dinner and before bed. In the morning, I hit it with a toner and a Vit. C cream and the same at night, although I also use Burts Bees Blemish Stick on problem areas. The vitamin C keeps my skin vibrant, the frequent washing keeps the oils and bacteria at bay, and the blemish stick gets rid of pesky pimples that have managed to get through everything else.
I should mention that I'm a SAHM and don't wear makeup unless I'm going out.
A little pimple secret? Calamine lotion — it really works wonders and gives such relief! Sweet sweet relief!
Ya, I get 'em too. Usually around day 28 of my cycle. But you know what, I don't even care anymore. Slap on some concealer and go.
About day 28 of my cycle the only thing I care about are the nearest pain relievers….'cause the cramps nearly kill me.
I hope that wasn't TMI….
I never had issues with zits until I had the Noodle … and then they kicked into overdrive. I got the huge, red, painful, bruised looking ones. OWWWW Teenage karma kicked my tail for that first trimester.
Now I'm back to having them again ~ but they are all under my jaw line/ears/residing on that 2nd chin (that my kid also gave me as a thanks-for-giving-birth-to-me-Mom present)
I'll try nicknaming them after the new pregnancy ~ maybe that will ease the pain!
OK.. I win.. I am 51, menopausal and and have both acne and wrinkles. I am just glad that my teenage self had no idea they were going to last so long!
I didn't get zits until my 30's. I had 1 zit, yes 1, in highschool. Sadly, it was picture day my sophmore year. Luckily, it was on my forehead and I was rockin' the 80's mall hair. My mom who is turning 60 this summer has assured me, the zits are here to stay. She still gets them. At least, our hair looks better now than it did when we were in highschool. I find mine are caused mainly by stress, illness and hormones. Usually if I get the cystic acne, I get the flu or cold several days later. Luckily, my husband, while in awe of their size, is not put off by my zits.
Is this the post in which I can gloat over being in my mid-thirties while you're still in your twenties? I've been waiting for a post just for that reason. Because now that I'm *gasp* older, I almost never get a zit.