Sunday 24 June 2012

BATTLING ACNE: Cod Liver Oil and more!

want clear skin? Take some cod liver oil capsules every day!
I am in my mid twenties, and I have acne. It sucks... a lot! Most people seem to think that acne affects teenagers, but for me, I got hit hard with acne after going off of hormonal birth control last year. I had chronic, painful cystic acne all over my chin, and it ruined my self-esteem. It made me want to hide from the world! It was emotionally and physically harming. I have spent hundreds and hundreds of dollars trying every cleanser and anti-acne product in the world, but nothing helped. Then, I made a post on my blog about the topical treatment Retin-A. It was the first post in a series of posts called 'Battling Acne', and I talked about my mild success using this topical treatment. Retin-A wasn't stopping new acne from coming in, but it helped make the acne go away much quicker.
I still use Retin-A on my chin every single night. It is an amazing product. It makes acne heal very quickly, and it also works wonders at making dark marks and scars disappear. I have tried other 'dark mark removers' with no success. This prescription product is actually cheaper! And it works way better! If you want a great topical acne treatment, I highly suggest you talk to your doctor about Retin-A. It worked for me! However, I was still getting acne pretty steadily, even though it wasn't lasting as long. A lovely reader of mine commented suggesting I add Cod Liver Oil supplements to my daily diet. I did some research and immediately ordered a big bottle of Cod Liver Oil capsules from well.ca, and I've been taking them daily ever since! I have to say, they have dramatically cleared my skin up! I still get some acne, but it is a million times better than it was. I take four capsules every day. It was suggested that I take 8/day, and maybe if I upped the dosage I'd be 100% acne free, but four is working pretty well for me at this point in time. To be honest, I hate taking pills and it is a total chore, but so worth it!
My final holy grail anti-acne product is the Proactiv Refining Mask. I use this as a spot treatment every night on top of my Retin-A. It yields amazing results! This is hands down the best spot treatment I have ever used. It is not overly drying, and it reduces swelling like no other! I cannot recommend this enough- get some for yourself! You can go to a kiosk and buy it outright- no need to subscribe to their entire regimen!
Proactiv's Refining Mask - the best spot treatment ever! 

Retin-A - prescription acne fighter! 
I just thought I should do a little update and let you all know how well my skin has cleared up with these three amazing products! I am no longer ashamed and embarrassed of my skin, and although I still do get breakouts, they are less severe and heal very quickly!
Do you have any holy grail anti-acne products or supplements? Let's talk about it!
--S

28 comments:

  1. I have been hearing some really great things about cod liver oil. My skin got a lot worse than it ever was. I had to undergo some laser treatment last year so I can reduce acne scarring. I think I breakout badly because of poor diet, lack of sleep, and stress during my final year of university. Like you, it has really lowered my self-esteem. I still have occasional break out around my chin and cheek, which sucks but at least it's not as bad. I think my main issue now is finding ways to reduce scaring. Do you have any recommendations on that?

    Samantha
    nailartcouture.blogspot.com
    3d6bf

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    Replies
    1. retin-A! Ask your doc for a prescription -- it helps make my scars heal much faster! Retin-A helps acne by causing the skin's outer layer to grow more quickly and be replaced with new skin cells, which helps to reduce the formation of blackheads + whiteheads, but it also helps fade scars quicker!

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  2. Oh I have SO much to say about acne LOL! I had a bad episode in 2010 that took 6 months to clear, and I am going through a bad bout right now (started in March of this year)...

    Now here's what I think caused this acne: whey protein powder I was using in my smoothies (trying to be healthy - HA!) . It's the only thing I can think about that is in common with both these time periods. I think the whey starts the acne - and even if I stop the powder, it takes a while to clear up. I know many people say acne isn't dietary - but nothing else makes sense (no hormonal surges, no changes in lifestyle).

    I've recently discovered the Proactiv Toner (has glycolic acid which is great for acne scarring). I think the whole system can actually make your acne worse (because it's too much - salcylic acid in the cleanser, glycolic acid in the toner, benzyl peroxide in the treatment lotion)- but taken individually - parts can be really helpful.

    I plan on buying the mask and the cleanser at some point....I had written of ProActiv before, but I'm glad I'm giving parts of it another chance :-)

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    Replies
    1. P.S. Have you ever tried Queen Helene's Mint Julep mask - how does it compare to the ProActiv mask?

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    2. You may be right- I've heard from others that whey made them break out too! definitely cut it out of your diet for good! I agree with you- the entire proactiv system is way harsh and can be overly drying and cause acne and skin sensitivity to increase! plus I don't like the way they do business as a company! but the refining mask is great! I have heard good things about their toner, too. I am not a fan of BP, which I find to be way too harsh and irritating, plus it stains and bleaches everything!!

      I have heard of Queen Helene's mint julep mask, and I've heard nothing but good things! however, I have never seen it anywhere for sale. I would totally buy it if I did- I love mint anything :)

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    3. For some reason, I think the Queen Helene Mint Julep mask isn't approved for sale in Canada - although I've seen the scrub for sale at Sally's Beauty Supply. I have a huge tube from when we lived in the U.S. - it's definitely a cult favorite and available at every CVS.

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    4. hey! I also heard great things about the Queen Helene Mint Julep mask so I bought it. I didn't think that I had sensitive skin until this, but I put it on and it felt like it was burning my skin. I tried it again a week or so later to see if it was a fluke before I threw it out, but nope, it wasn't...

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  3. I don't have terrible acne problems but I am prone to breakouts. Currently, most of my acne is gone (except for the usual gang on my forehead) but have left a few scars on my face. Do you have any recommendations to get rid of acne scarring? Or make them less obvious?

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    Replies
    1. I just use retin-A, which really seems to work the best. I have tried other dark spot correctors with minimal success unfortunately!

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  4. So I'm thirteen and get bad acne up along my hairline. I never have used acne wash or really anything to battlE it at all. I need something that I can use very fast and will dry very fast, that is cheap, and that I can get in Walmart. Not online, not malls, I can do the chain drugstores to. I'm trying to improve my look before school starts again in the fall, I fixed the teeny tiny, crinkly lip problem, now I'm out to fix this one. Thanks!
    Ashley
    craftlikeateen.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Ashley! first off, you need to make sure you're showering regularly. I usually only break out around my hairline if I miss some showers because the hair grease can really trigger break outs! also, sleep with your hair tied back, not loose.
      For cleansers, I use Philosophy's Purity, followed by a toner. I would suggest a face mask like Proactiv's as an over night spot treatment. I don't really have any Walmart branded suggestions, although I've heard good things about Neutrogena's anti-acne products.

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  5. I was just looking at these pills but I thought I should quickly talk to the doctor before.. I finally saw the kiosk at a mall, and the lady was selling the mask for $30, after your reviews I really wanna give all of these a shot:)

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    Replies
    1. Cod Liver Oil capsules? Yes talk to your Doc but they're a natural supplement so unless you have pre-existing health issues it shouldn't be a problem I am sure!
      The mask is totally worth $30- it is a huge tube and it will last you AGES as a spot treatment!

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  6. You can get Queen Helene's mint julep mask on ebay usually.. Have you read anything on pure organic apple cider vinegar.. It has to have the mother in it though and the best brand is Bragg's. You can find it at a health store. Tons of good reading on the net about it. You can take a little each day and also water it down for a toner that keeps the bacteria off of your skin. You will most likely see a huge difference. Not sure I would try the julep mask though as I would wonder how strong it might be.. I use an asian product called Peel So Good and I love it along with the vinegar. Oh and checkout DiamondsAndHeels14 on youtube she has really bad acne and she will blow you away how she looks when she covers it and how she keeps it under control.. She is a wealth of info!!

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    Replies
    1. I have read about ACV before and I have been interested in trying it. I wonder if I could use the cod liver oil and ACV at the same time?? I know it is fairly cheap, so I don't know why I haven't given it a shot yet. Thanks for the youtube tip, I will totally check her channel out!

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    2. I can't see why you can't use them both at the sametime.. Both are natural.. I will warn you though ACV tastes nasty if you are going to take it internally too but you will feel it working in no time.. There are some video that Braggs put on youtube as well. Hope you were able to get some tips from DiamondsAndHeels14 too.. :)

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  7. This blog is informative and we can also use Hormonal Therapy for Acne for acne treatment.

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  8. Congratulations on finally finding the solution to your acne problem! I’ve noticed that you’re not using a hydrating moisturizer in your daily beauty regimen. A hydrating moisturizer will keep your skin nourished and protected against acne and signs of aging. It will make your skin look a lot younger and softer.

    >Marc Bryan

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  9. Sounds great... Cleansing your skin regularly will help you to get rid of acne quickly. Would definitely love to try this as my skin is completely damaged due to acne breakouts. I need some acne relief remedies. This product may give some relief to skin. I think it's worth a try...

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  10. Ooh, I can see that you’re really conscious about your skin, huh! That’s great. You provide yourself with all the supplements and beauty products that your skin really needs. I’m sure you have a very youthful glow about you! :D


    Shavonda Duarte

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  11. I can see that these three products were very effective on you. Not only does it give you smooth and glowing skin, but is also makes you feel good about yourself. That’s great, huh! I hope you continue on with this positive outlook! ;)

    Terry Bayer

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  12. I have a scar removal gel that works GREAT for my stretch marks and other scars,acne severe treatment but I've yet to see this dramatic or any improvement in my acne scars.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Acne is a common cosmetic condition where the skin develops areas with red color, blackheads, pimples and zits.I am affected acne. I am try to solve my acne problem in your post. Your post very helpful for me. Thanks

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  14. Women...Just clean up your beautiful faces daily....this is the best suggestion. Don't sleep with make up thinking that next day you would be able to touch it up or create another earth friendly, reusable statement! Be clean, it is all you need! acne controlled

    ReplyDelete
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