I found it!!!! (kindda)
Sorry about the delays.. This post was written on 10/10/10, and my Internet went down, so I am writing from scratch again.
I’m not sure if I mentioned it or not, but my doc told me to get “Benzoyl Peroxide cream” at the drug store. I went numerous times to Duane Reade scratching my head with frustration, not being able to locate the “cream” he was talking about. I guess the word “peroxide” made me think that it was in the first aid aisle, and not in the cosmetics section.
So, a couple weeks ago, I was really determined to find the cream I finally managed to find benzoyl peroxide creams in the cosmetics/skin care section. I figured the max amount will be 10%, and the ingredients in all of the creams looked pretty similar. I decided to go with clean and clear since they said it had maximum strength – and by maximum, I do think they are dead serious.
So this is how the cream looks like.
and the price is around 6-8 dollars (depends on where you are), so it’s pretty affordable.
At first, I was very ambitious. I slapped on so much all over my jawline and neck, it got to a point where I felt like my skin was cracking and splitting up. I then regained my sanity, and started applying moisturizer around the area before I applied the cream (and also reduced the amount I was using). That immediately soothed the flaking, and my acne seem to calm down too. I am actually amazed at how well the cream has worked. I have been applying the cream twice a day – morning and night, and I have to give it a lot of credit for clearing up my acne.
tada!!!!!!!!!!!!
I mean, it is still a long way to go, but the results are pretty darn impressive.
For those that are lazy and don’t want to browse around (or wondering what the comparison is), here is how my jawline/neck was a couple of weeks ago.
So despite the scars, the angry acne is pretty much tamed.
But wait! before you run out to the drug store, I do want to write down some serious cons.
1. This cream is HARSH!
and by harsh, I mean it with all my penguins.
I used to have pretty good skin (I think I did, now it’s like a fairy tale to me), and the areas where this cream has touched are all like chewed up leather. My jawline/neck area is saggy, dull and very dry and rough.
If you do not use enough moisturizer, the cream will dry the sh*t out of your skin. and I’m not even kidding. -_-;;
That’s how harsh BP 10% is.
2. It bleaches out pretty much everything it touches.
A lot of my shirts fell victim to this cream since I was applying it on my neck and jawline. Here’s a good example.
as you can see, wherever the cream touches gets bleached. and that’s no fun 🙁
I ruined a lot of my office clothes because of this cream. So beware of the bleaching effect.
3. I think the skin gets addicted.
Yes, it does deliver wonderful results, but I think the skin gets easily addicted to the cream. If I apply the cream, my acne seems to be less angry – but it doesn’t seem to go away 100%. If I miss a day or two of applying the cream, the acne pops right back out and I have to dump a lot of cream on that area again.
This has been going on for quite a while, and I feel like I can’t even gradually reduce the amount of cream because my skin seems to pick up on asking for more really quickly.
Anyway, that was my share with how I am dealing with my skin lately.
I feel so out of the loop lately. I haven’t been on Youtube for the longest time, I don’t know what’s going on, I haven’t bought new makeup for months now and I’m just starting to wonder how everything is and how everybody is doing.
If you want to let me know anything new or just want to say hi, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment :p I will try to update, at least, the blog so you guys can keep me in your system.
Have a great weekend!
Catalina
Mara
I have the same product and you summed it up pretty well. I don't use it often when I do it's good, but how it leaves the area super dry is something I'm not fond of. Glad to see that you found something that works on your acne. 🙂
Anonymous
Just wanted to say hi 🙂
Hm, I've never had that bad acne, but concerning spots I found it to be more effective to be very gentle and nice to your skin. I don't have sensitive skin for example but use creams for sensitive skin because I think a lot of a skin's follies are caused by allergies or bad reaction to too aggressive stuff?
Hammy
Hi! I also use benzoyl peroxide to treat my acne. Though usually a stronger version of anything would be desirable to treat acne, it's opposite with benzoyl peroxide. 10% is extremely and unnecessarily harsh. 2.5% is the ideal concentration that you need. I use a product called "Neutrogena on the Spot" spread thinly on my face every night and I moisturize with jojoba oil.
some info on benzoyl peroxide:
acne.org/acne-products-guide.html
Please stop using the 10% version! I've used it before and know how harsh that is!
Elana
I use a soap/cleanser called Panoxyl, my skin is pretty good, but I got a flare up a while ago (scars still remain t.t.) so I started using that soap. It seems pretty good, it has benzoyl peroxide in it (my poor towels) I use it once a day at night, since it seems to dry out my skin even with a one a day application, so I slather on the moisturizer, but my skin seems to be doing …okay *crosses fingers* maybe you should try it? It seems less harsh than slathering concentrated cream on your face t.t. I have the 2.5 percent spot cream that I used when it was at its worst…but I haven't used it in a while…probably because I try not to look at my face very carefully..don't want to get too upset lol. I miss my skin from when I was little! Maybe you should try some aloe masks to speed up the healing?
Hope it gets better!
Anonymous
I've been using BP for about a month now, I use a 3% gel formula as I couldn't find anything lower than that where I live (I think 2.5% is the lowest you can get, so it's not much of a difference). Personally, I wouldn't use anything stronger than that and I've seen great results with it. Maybe you could try a lower dosage when you finish your tube. 🙂
Anyways, acne.org is a great source of information on BP as an acne treatment, do check it out. They have a forum with a lot of active members.
I hope you'll keep us updated on your acne progress, I like reading about it!
galpal.hi
Hi Tammy,
I think that it's my first time commenting here. Anyway, my sons all used a prescription Benzoyl Peroxide Wash and that is only at 5%. It is used twice a day and followed up by some cream/gel called Clindagel, which is also a prescription. I think that if their prescription wash is at 5% then your cream at 10% is a bit much. Definitely the Benzoyl Peroxide does ruin clothing and towels if it's not rinsed off well. I had to switch to white towels because of the bleaching effect on fabric.
The youngest son seems to be having the most problems with not being able to stop using the products yet. He tries but the acne comes back.
Good luck to you in your battle with acne.
*Kat*
tsuki
I'm glad the persa-gel is mostly working for you! I tried it once, but I had an allergic reaction and my eyelids puffed up like balloons =_=". If you have health insurance, I'd definitely recommend seeing a dermatologist or even just your regular doctor. At my last check up I asked about my acne, and my doctor gave me a topical antibiotic that works really well.
flyaway
Hi, I love your youtube videos!:)
I only have 1-3 acne pop out when I am under stress or eat too much chips. I use the tea tree oil from the body shop to treat them, and they would disappear within a week. I feel that the tea tree oil may prevent the acne inflammation.
I hope your skin get better soon!:)
Delete
Hey Cat! SO good to hear from you again! I'm glad you found a product you're liking. Please keep us posted! ( :
Hayne P
I missed your posts! Been lurking for a while so…
I'm glad you found something that worked for you, but 10% is quite a strong concentration. I do use a 10% cream on occasion, but I find that my 2.5% cream does even better, plus I don't get dried up.
Have you tried chemical peels and papaya soap? Personally, I find that they worked really well for me, but it took since the end of June this year till mid September before I seriously stopped getting acne and my scars were light enough to be able to be covered by foundation or concealer. I do have progress pictures in my blog if you're interested in how it looks.
Alexia Pham
hmm.. ive been breaking out a lot cuz of my foundation.. maybe i should use that.. had it a while ago but was too lazy too follow through
MissS.elle
Hi Catalina!
My boyfriend has the same skin condition as you, maybe a little bit worse. I introduced him to Clinique's acne solution 3 step program and his skin is becoming better than ever. I think that the secret weapon is the moisturizer, "Acne Solutions Clearing Moisturizer Oil-Free" which contains Benzoyl Peroxide. I don't know the % of benzoyl peroxide in it but it really helped my bf's skin out and it didn't dried out his sensitive skin. Hope it helps! 🙂
selphia
Please go get a blood test for vitamin D levels and hormones. Low levels of vit D can cause your skin to be like this. Apply stuff on the skin is only temporary fix, you need to fix the core of the problem.
Wing
Hi there sorry to read about your acne problem 🙁
I had a point where I was really down due to flare ups and used BP. At first it was good at getting rid of the spots, but then my skin reacted very badly to it. It swelled up and was red and itchy for days and I've been put off BP now so I'm kinda worried for you.
I think the stuff is far too harsh and shouldn't be lathered on all over, but just dabbed a bit on the individual spots only.
Now I only stick to using Tea Tree oil or Witch Hazel natural products. I've found that the more you treat acne with harsh products, the worse it gets!
sammy
i use a benzoyl peroxide cream too 🙂 except my doctor recommended me Benzac AC (10%) and i think the results are GREAT.. but yes, i do agree with you with how the skin gets addicted. when my acne cleared up, i decided to stop using the cream.. biggest mistake of my life! haha
i have acne in the most noticeable places ever .. like near my nose/cheek area and also on my forehead and chin! IT'S A NIGHTMARE. i have a lot of scarring, and this cream doesn't do anything for that so i've been using kosmea's rose hip oil for the past 2 weeks and my scars are less red, but nothing too significant. but i'll be waiting for about a month to see the difference on my skin!
anyway, you should keep doing posts about your skin, i love reading them because i feel like i can relate to someone ;D
Christine.
Hi i'm glad you're back! Even if it is only with a blog post. 😀
Mindy M
Hey, I heard that benoyoperoxide will help you get rid of acne quicker but Tea tree oil is good for long term and can help prevent acne and breakouts. You should also find sulfer
Lene
I'm having breakouts as well lately 🙁 not sure why.. haven't switched routine.. perhaps I need to change products like you did…
Unfortunately clean&clear is not for sale in NL 🙁
Miss your videos!
Unknown
I'm going through a similar problem with my skin right now. I wish I could give this a try but I know for a fact that my skin reacts violently to benzoyl peroxide :[
And HI! I hope you stay active on blogger and Youtube. MISS your videos, for sure.
Mystery Bruises
i love that stuff!
keep up the good stuff
xx
mysterybruises.blogspot.com
Andromeda
Hi! Have you consulted a dermatologist? If you haven't you really should do it and get proper treatment for your acne problems. Unless you're a teenager it's not normal to become like that all of a sudden, particularly if you didn't have any major skin issues before.
Unknown
Hey Catalina, I struggle with major acne, like bumps every where crazy acne.
I was on a derm-prescribed benzoyl peroxide gel. It works for a while.. but then it stops. It irritated my skin and made it terrible.
I am now on Retin A which is supposed to wreak havoc on your skin for 4 months (it basically burns off your skin and tightens pores, causing major breakouts) and then you have perfect skin. It is now starting to clear up and I only have a few bumps.. I think you should try it!
Also, birth control fixes it for many people.
Catalina
@Stephernie: thanks for the advice 🙂
@Mara: haha, yeah.. the drying part is a real sucker.
tiggerbak
I'm so glad you found the cure 🙂
Be careful of the side effects. Don't use too much
Liyee
youtube.com/watch?v=JsQFAp8zNDc
hope this helps in your stressful situation. (3
God loves u pretty babe. u don't have to rely on urself! (3
philpringle.com/
<3, and hope ur skin gets better! ((3
MS
Sorry to hear about your skin troubles. I stopped using moisturizer about a month ago and my skin is so much better. I just used a gentle, non-drying cleanser by Clean & Clear once a day.
Then I read that there is no moisturizer for oily skin–it's kind of an oxymoron. If you have oily skin, you should only moisturize dry patches (if any) with a formula for dry skin.
cleanandclear.ca/en/prod_details.asp?productid=42&productpos=320
For your acne you may want to try a lower strength now. There's a good, not as drying one from Neutrogena that's like 2%.
neutrogena.com/product/cleansers/acne/oil-free+acne+stress+control-+3-in-1+hydrating+acne+treatment.do?sortby=bestSellers&page=2
soiia
Yay Catalina for the new vids and the acne going (slowly) away!!
I used the same cream, but with 5% BP instead and it works really well too. I suggest you go for the 5% after a while, so you can gradually make your skin NOT addicted to BP instead of stopping it one shot; your skin might not be able to cope with the sudden stop of the drug 😛
Unknown
I feel so happy for you about the recovering skin!!! I was waiting for the longest time for you to update this blog and upload new video on Youtube~~and please update more!!! 🙂
MonChaiChan!~
i'm so happy that u found something to works for ur acne! i came by hoping to see ur update on ur skin problems. i'm going through it too and benzoyl peroxide is so harsh, but it works on me…i recently stopped using some of my topical acne meds and was using st. ives green tea too for a few weeks and now i'm back on my original ones. i'm gonna check out the persa-gel one and use it cos i'm having the same acne problems in my jawline. fighting~!
Unknown
Hi Catalina!
The problem with topical creams and stuff like acne-targeting facewash is that not only they can be really harsh on your skin (as you also found out) but if the problem is caused by internal imbalances (which is usually the case), you won't get to the root of it.
My tried-and-tested remedy to acne is to take zinc supplements. I used to have very oily skin and taking zinc tablets helped. I later switched to a skin, hair & nails supplement which got rid of my breakouts in 2 weeks (except for the odd one) and evened my skin tone as well as fade the scars. The acne I had resembled the one in your earlier pics.
Give it a try. You can get skin support supplements from your pharmacist, they should be able to recommend a good brand. We have Thompsons in New Zealand, which I take.
Hope this is helpful.
Hope you do more youtube vids, too – I thoroughly enjoy watching them! Good luck with your skin =)