Acne Products That Work

Updated on December 21, 2010
K.U. asks from Fort Worth, TX
42 answers

I've been struggling with acne off and on since high school, but the last 6 months have been continuous breakouts that I can't clear up! I've tried all the store brand products and a couple of others including Pro Active, Obagi, and Retin-A. What products have you or your kids used that don't cost a fortune, but keep your face clear?? I know it's not the end of the world to have some breakouts, it's just SO frustrating to feel like I'm 15 again! Thank you :)

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K.D.

answers from Dallas on

If you have tried all those different products and none have worked, then you have something else going on other than just acne. It might be time to visit the dermatologist.

D.D.

answers from Chicago on

Have you gone to a doc? I was prescribed Benza-Clin a while back and it seemed to help me.
My 13 yr old is now using it. She got bad acne that started recently and just started using it. It is so far working for her!

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C.K.

answers from San Antonio on

Cetaphil Gentle Cleansing Bar. I very rarely have breakouts since I started using it a few years ago.

My teenage son tried other products before he finally started using Cetaphil (didn't want to use Mom's "girl soap"). He has fewer breakouts now, and they aren't as bad either.

Be careful not to get the Antibacterial bar though. My son and I both started breaking out again when I bought the antibacterial instead of the plain gentle cleansing bar.

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A.S.

answers from San Diego on

I would try to stay away from any drugs that help with acne. First see if there is anything in the diet that is making you break out: glutens, sugar, anything. Second try using a fresh pillow at night and not any heavy cream. At night is when the skin is trying to repair itself, I usually recommend to my clients with oily skin to try aloe vera. It soaks in fast and is more nourishing than anything. Try changing your makeup, heavy foundations clog the pores if not cleansed properly. My clients with oily skin I tell them to use a foaming cleanser, and maybe use some tea tree oil in with your cleanser and moisturizer. Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial that has many uses. On its own it is very drying, play with it to see how much you need in order to balance your skin out. Salicylic Acid is also used in alot of products that are for acne prone skin. You can go to a pharmacy and see if they sell the pads to cleanse your face with. The point is you don't want to try to dry your skin out, because then you are telling your skin to produce more oil. Bare minrerals make up is really good for the fact that it doesn't clog the pores. You can try witch hazel as well but for my clients I prefer tea tree oil. High frequency treatments can help as well with the breakouts. I am an esthetician so skin care is my business, take care and it's pretty much trial and error and what you think is best for your skin.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.

answers from Chicago on

Go to your doctor & get an rx... both tetracycline & a prescription cream will truly work.

1 mom found this helpful

J.T.

answers from Dallas on

Walgreens has a face scrub called Blackhead clearing scrub,, and Zap it. I used to spend a fortune on cleaners, mask, etc....

One day I decided to try anything, I went for the Walgreens brand and all of our face has stopped breaking out. You will still get the occassional blemmish, but if you find anything that stops you from breaking out totally, Please let me know.. good luck

1 mom found this helpful
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L.D.

answers from Las Vegas on

I have had the worst problems with overly oily, acne prone skin since I hit my teens. Recently I purchased a Philosophy "Makeup Optional" skin care set for congested skin and within a couple of weeks of using it, I finally have clear skin! I've tried them all practically -- Clinique, Dermalogica, Pro Active, Murad, Phillip Thomas Roth -- and this is the only one that has truly worked for me.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.D.

answers from Dallas on

I just want to say that scrubs may work for some people, but using one ALWAYS without a doubt makes my acne worse. It seems to spread acne bacteria around. You really have to try some of the below ideas until you find something that works for you. Start though by drinking TONS of water, that always helps. Good luck!!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.M.

answers from Indianapolis on

I like the Acne-free line. It comes in a 3 piece kit- very similar to ProActive but is less expensive and you can get it at almost any store- Wal-greens, Meijer etc. I use the severe one (the orange bottles). I don't like the daytime "lotion" that is in there, so instead I use Aveno lotion that has salicylic acid in it. I also use witch hazel if I run out of the astringent.

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C.C.

answers from Denver on

Accutane was a wonderdrug for me. I had extremely bad skin, but after using it, I didn't have a pimple for about ten years. It was moderately difficult to get back then, and now they really make you jump through hoops for it. But totally worth the trouble.

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M.P.

answers from Detroit on

The skin is a reflection of what is going on inside your body. Do you drink water? How about what you eat? You know fresh fruits and vegetables (staying away from oranges and tomatoes as they are high in acid). Diet is crucial in keeping acne away.

In addition to that Enfuselle Acne Treatment works great. It doesn't dry out the skin and acne is gone in a couple of days.

Good luck and hope this helps.

T.K.

answers from Dallas on

I use an acne scrub and a moisturizer, both with salycilic acid twice a day. I believe the scrub is really important. You have to get the dead skin cells off so they don't clog pores. The moisturizer is really important because acne products dry your skin out and your skin starts to overproduce oil to compensate. It also helps to have that layer of salycilic acid between your face and makeup. I use Wal Mart generics. I use both a salycilic acid and a benzoil peroxide spot treatement when necessary. Good quality base and I wash it off before bed ALWAYS! Since starting this very simple regimen, my blackheads have gone away and I don't get pimples anymore. I get a few little white heads around my nose right before I start and when I really work out heavy, but nothing major.

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D.A.

answers from Dallas on

My 16 yr old son and I have used Bath and Body, Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology Acnescription Anti-Acne Starter Kit. In matter of days we both had clear skin. It's wonderful. Read the reviews online. We have tried other products and this one works the BEST. It retails for 29.99. I usually buy it when they have 10.00 off of $30 purchase. Trust me...It works!

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S.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

Iam a 39 mom that still breaks out! Know how you feel. My dermatologist prescribed Aldactone ( a form of a diareutic) I have been using it for 2 months and it has helped. He explained to me that topical is not only solution for adult acne. We women with this problem produce too much testosterone, although our sex drives are great our faces do show unfortnately acne. The Aldactone helps discard the by products of testoterone which in our case, leads to acne. My prescription with no insurance was only $30 a month at Walgreens. There is a generic available. Good luck.

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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi K.,

We use a product called Zap-it. It works great HOWEVER no product will work if your nutrition is not good. Most foods have synthetic chemicals (i.e. preservatives, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, etc) that will break down your immune system. When that happens, nothing topical will help no matter how good it is. We also take a multivitamin that is guaranteed to absorb so we know we are getting our nutrition.

Water is also important to flush toxins....water without chlorine or fluoride, 2 other damaging chemicals.

Hope this helps...

M.

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H.M.

answers from Redding on

I use Zap-it also, it works for me. Good Luck :0)

H. M.
http://hannahmayr.blogspot.com

C.R.

answers from Dallas on

Ok well this might sounds nuts but have you ever heard of OCM Oil cleansing method? Yes it's cleaning your face with oils. I know you are prolly thinking I'm nuts but it can really help. I would suggest you do some research on the web and see some reviews to see if it might be something you would be willing to try. It's working for me and my skin is very soft and glows. I'm happy with it. But here is some good information from acne suffers just like us. Lots of information that could help you out: http://www.acne.org/
Hope you find you answer :)
C.

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A.W.

answers from Dallas on

I have gone the dermo route before...ended up using Accutane which worked for several years but two years ago, my acne resurfaced with avengence. I tried antibiotics again to no avail...was about to get serious and head back to the doc again when my mom sent me a link like this:

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2009/05/17/laxative-licks

I can't believe it but Milk of Magnesia has been working so WELL for me! $3.50 a bottle for the generic kind, plus I use my current products (apricot scrub to exfoliate and then Cetaphil daily cleanser) and just before I get out of my morning shower, I pour a handful of MoM, apply it to my face and let it sit about a minute of so. I rinse before I get out of the shower, and poof! A MUCH clearer face! Instead of a constant crop of 10+ blemishes, I've ended up with only ONE during my monthly cycle. So cool!

Other folks use it differently too, they let it dry and keep it on over night. If you're willing to try something new, Milk of Magnesia is sooo cheap and even I can't believe how effective it is.

S.R.

answers from Kansas City on

I have used pro-active too and it didn't work for me. Recently I started using something called wei-east, you get it from HSN. I love it, my mom uses it too, she reccomended it to me. I love it, and have found nothing like it before.

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C.T.

answers from Dallas on

If your acne is severe (and you aren't going to have any more kids for a while) then Accutane is the way to go. Accutane will continue to help with your acne even after you've finished a course. It is really only for severe acne, though, as there are some big side effects (including severely dry eyes and birth defects, if were to become pregnant while taking it). Other medications that I've found helpful include 10% benzoyl peroxide (over the counter), differin (prescription), and ziana (prescription, a retinoid plus clindamycin antibiotic). Of course, make sure that all your makeup and lotions are noncomodegenic. It must say noncomodegenic on the bottle, not just "dermatologist tested", and even then, I've had a few products claiming to be noncomodegenic that caused breakouts on me. I like Aveeno lotions and either Mary Kay makeup or Clinique's 'almost makeup'. Good luck!

J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I am, and have always been, very very acne prone. Unfortunately it runs in my family on my moms side. A few months ago I had the worst breakout ever. I mean I easily had a hundred or so zits on my face. My face hurt so bad, and it was very swollen and red. I used clean & clears spot treatment to dry it all out, which actually worked. The first time I used it, I saw results the very next morning (i used it at night). My face didn't hurt as bad. Within a week of using the spot treatment my face was feeling and looking much better. It's not 100%, because it does over dry your skin. But I figured I would rather have dry skin and use my moisturizer then have a face full of zits.
After I got most of the spots dried out, I starting using a product line by Avon. I have had no complants, my skin still has an occassional spot here and there, but for the most part I have been clear. There was a mom on here (sorry I forgot her name) that is a representative and really helped me with the questions I had about the line.
Good Luck!

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K.F.

answers from Dallas on

Mary Kay's Velocity set is wonderful, and inexpensive! I use the Velocity in the summer and the TimeWise in the winter (I'm 37) and the spot acne treatment as needed all year. When I started using it, my skin broke out a little more for a couple weeks as it pulled everything to the surface but once that was over I quit feeling like a teenager (trust me, I feel your pain). Now I just get the occasional zit during my period and the spot treatment clears it right up.

Whatever brand you use I want to pass on one tip that has been HUGE for me . . . make sure you are using a good moisterizer. If you over-dry your face it will create more oil resulting in more breakouts. Find a lightweight oil-free moisturizer that works for you and use it every day!!

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B.M.

answers from Allentown on

I used to use Proactive, but it stopped working for me, I now use Zap-it, and also use chemical free makeup on my face and I can't believe the difference in my skin!
Make sure you are drinking plenty of water, have good nutrition and take a good multivitamin!

B.
www.wedeliverwellness.com/themillers

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S.P.

answers from Cleveland on

neutrogena has a stress acne line i use the wash and their clear pore astringent finish off with mary kay timewise lotion. i only use scrub once a day and the astringent twice a day(sometimes more if i need it). after i had my daughter i got really bad acne tried a bunch of stuff....loots of water and i also cut back on dairy plus the above my skin looks good. i'm going to try that MoM thing though. good luck

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P.M.

answers from Dallas on

I am over 40 and found the Burts bees acne product works well. I have to be careful in winter using it because of dryness, but that is the only problem I have had. Hope it works for you!

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J.R.

answers from Miami on

Hi K.:
1. A GENTLE CLEANSER TO START. IRRITATING CLEANSERS WITH MINT, LEMON ETC ONLY MAKE ACNE WORSE. NO FRAGRANCES

2. TONER WITH SALYCILIC ACID (BHA). NO ALCHOHOL.

3. ACNE MEDICATION -- either with benzoyl peroxide or something from the dermatologist.

4. SUNSCREEN IN AN OIL FREE FOUNDATION

THAT'S IT. THE GENTLER THE BETTER.

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A.H.

answers from Dallas on

You have to treat it from the inside out.
Get AKN Skin Care by Nature's Way at the health food store.
It works, trust me.

~Former pizza face

P.S. ONE soda gives me a pimple, seriously

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A.D.

answers from Dallas on

My husband uses Witch Hazel (It has done WONDERS for him....a bit on the stinky side at first but goes away pretty quickly). I use a product I recently discovered at Ulta. It is Philosophy. Purity made simple one-step facial cleanser. It is apparently a mulit award winning product. It is $20 for the 8oz bottle but you use so little it will last FOREVER! I just started using it about a week ago but I really like it so far. It doesn't dry my skin out like some things I have used and it doesn't leave it with that weird squeaky residue that you get from some other products either.
Hope that helps.
Good luck!

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

Try the Aveeno face product line, there is nothing acne specific, however it is great for your face/skin and I have had a reduction in my rosecea and small break outs since using it ... as well the make up you wear can play a HUGE part in it, I use the Aveeno Tinted moist and bare minerals WOW what a difference!

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B.R.

answers from Phoenix on

I don't like to talk about other people, but this is for the greater good. My wife has adult acne and she is 28. The best thing that has worked for her (when things are cleared up the most) is Mary K's products regarding Acne along with the microderm abraision kit. If you are looking for a good face lotion or cleanser you might try Cetaphil as their products are proven to not cause acne when used.

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L.B.

answers from Dallas on

I recommend a facial from an aesthetician. They can manually extract the blemishes and clear out all the bacteria causing the break outs.

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J.S.

answers from Dallas on

Have you tried the Extra Strength Pro Active? The regular formula didn't work for me at all, but I have been very happy with the Extra Strength.

L.C.

answers from Washington DC on

They put my son on a low dose of tetracycline... it works.
LBC

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M.S.

answers from Dallas on

I would concur with Jennifer M., are you sure its merely acne you have and not something else? I would very much suggest you visit a dermatologist.

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E.M.

answers from Johnstown on

Absolutely, without a doubt, Mary Kay. I had to use their Velocity line for several years. It's designed for teenage skin. I have since graduated to the Timewise line. The color cosmetics are now mineral products very similar, yet much easier on the wallet, to Bare Minerals. Contact your local consultant and ask her for a complementary facial to try the products. If you don't have a consultant, please let me know and I'll be more than happy to help you.

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C.M.

answers from Denver on

There is a medical grade line called Image and it has a Clear Cell Line that I've used for active acne. The products range from $18-$35 so a bit more pricey than OTC products but they really work. The products have a higher % of salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. I do not think you can find these products on the web so you can go to their main website (www.imageskincare.com) and find a provider near you. Good Luck!

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E.J.

answers from Dallas on

I had really bad acne during the summer until my mom told me to use Neutrogena oil free acne wash and witch hazel for an astrigent. I also use Avon's Anew Clinical advanced retexturizing peel every other day which helped me. After using the soap & witch hazel my face cleared up after two weeks.

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S.W.

answers from Chicago on

In my experience, being on birth control has drastically helped my skin stay clear and breakout free. My skin has always been very sensitive to hormonal changes so I think that is why the BC helps. Good Luck!

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A.O.

answers from Sherman on

Try the Mary Kay timewisenskun care for combo/oily skin

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M.B.

answers from Dallas on

Mary Kay has a product that is very good. Good lick!

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J.M.

answers from Dallas on

Are you sure that it is not Rosacea? I trip to the dr might be the best bet to make sure.

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