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Original poster

You can have clear skin...a support thread for those who want rid of spots

73 replies

AnyFuleKno · 03/10/2010 13:05

I've been meaning to start this for ages. Following the success I and a number of other MNers have had with the acne.org regime, it's time we had our own thread. Sign up here if you've got spots you want rid of, or pimply teens needing help. I am planning to go through the steps of the regime (it's pretty easy and above all cheap). Also feel free to discuss other methods.

OP posts:
Original poster
AnyFuleKno · 06/10/2010 21:44

Omni and herbeatitude - I did it for about a year (until after the wedding) and when I stopped doing it found my skin was still clear. Since dd was born I get the odd single spot maybe twice a year, which I put down to hormones. I use a bit of BP straight on the spot and it dies down quickly.

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FluffMacDuff · 06/10/2010 21:55

Thanks, will keep an eye on this group/thread. I am definitely going to give this a try.

At the moment the pill keeps my skin pretty clear but had to come off it recently and it changed back to its former angry state Sad so got back on pronto. If this works I might not be so down when TTC.

raindroprhyme · 07/10/2010 12:16

where do you get 2.5% BP, i have only been able to get 4% or 5% from boots here.

I am going in later today though to get a cleanser and moisturiser and do it religiously from tomorrow hopefully have clear skin by christmas.I will ask if they can get me 2.5% stuff.

What about makeup, i wear foundation everyday do i need to take this off first? or would that just stimulate my skin to much.

whethergirl · 07/10/2010 15:36

Cor AnyFuleKno, your other half looks like a good looking version of Ricky Gervais! Your skin looks great, so happy for you that it worked. I also have tried everthing, I found sunbeds did work but probably damaged my skin more in the long run. It's amazing what a difference clear skin can make to your face isn't it. At the moment, I use Liz Earle cleanse & polish cleanser, but with this I use a muslin cloth to remove which also exfoliates, I always thought exfoliating was a good thing?
I also use Stiemycin topical soloution which my dr prescribed for me, I think it helped at first but not sure if it's even making any difference now.

Original poster
AnyFuleKno · 07/10/2010 19:40

raindrop you can get panoxyl aquagel over the counter at the chemists/boots, its less than £3 a tube. If you start now bet you'll have some really good results by christmas.

whether that's not the first time someone's made that comparison! thanks for the nice words. I like cleanse and polish (my friend gave me an eve lom gift set - pricy!) but I can't be arsed to do it a lot. I think exfoliation is good but if your skins spotty - imho - it just adds insult to injury by making your skin sore. I think a lot of skincare regimes encourage your urge to scrub your skin clean as though the spots are caused by dirt, but they aren't.

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raindroprhyme · 09/10/2010 20:14

I got boots to order me panoxcyl, yeah
struggled on the cleanser and moisturizer front tho. Ended up with Neutogena Deep Cleansing wash and Olay Complete Care sensitive.

Been using since yesterday am and skin feels much nicer already tho still spotty. Wink

I wear make everyday for work so am taking off eye makeup with my usual remover then just using the foaming wash to get foundation off. does that sound ok?

moajab · 13/10/2010 15:08

Just to say thanks for this thread. Stupidly it never occured to me to look on the internet for a good skin regime to get rid of those last teenage spots (more than 10 years after I stopped being a teenager!) So I'm going to try this. Just received my panoxyl from in online chemist and will start regime tonight!

CrazyPlateLady · 13/10/2010 19:37

I was going to start this but not sure whether to whilst I'm pregnant as my skin is slightly all over the place anyway. I've always had bad skin. My 1st trimester was horrific for my skin. It has cleared up considerably but its not clear by a long way.

Is it worth doing it now or shall I just wait? I do like Clean and Clear mosturiser anyway, its what I have so its good to know thats what is recommended.

Can you still remove your make up with wipes then wash your face? I usually just use wipes and an exfoliating facial wash in the shower (Clean and Clear). I can't see how just washing your face will get all the make up off.

Glad I found the thread though!

raindroprhyme · 13/10/2010 22:26

Crazy that was my concern about make up. Just not wearing any at the moment but back to work in a week and a half.
i have looked on the acne.org forums briefly so might post on there and ask about the make up

Original poster
AnyFuleKno · 27/10/2010 23:02

sorry guys I lost this thread off active convos, but I'm back now...

Has anyone been following the regime? Let us know how you're getting on

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RespectTheDoughnut · 27/10/2010 23:33

Ooh, interesting. I've been trying the oil cleansing method, but it hasn't really worked - it's quite good for blackheads, but not my obvious spots. How long does this take each day to do? I'm not very good at sticking to lengthy processes...

Original poster
AnyFuleKno · 27/10/2010 23:39

About five minutes. It's quite relaxing though, and not too faffy. I did it, including over leeds festival camping weekend and I'm the most disorganised person in the world

What's the oil cleansing method, don't know much about it

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RespectTheDoughnut · 27/10/2010 23:45

I think I'll give it a go. It's got to be worth it for a couple of quid. I've been thinking about going to the doctor about my skin, as it's getting worse (stress, I think) but I'll try this first.

The OCM is basically a combination of castor oil & another oil (there are loads to choose from - olive oil is the most common) used as a cleanser. No soaps, moisturiser, etc. Then you use a muslin cloth & hot water to steam the oil off. The thinking is that it balances the oil production of your skin. It does have a positive effect on my skin (& lots of people seem to swear by it) but it's not good enough. It mostly just makes the skin between my big, angry red spots look nice Hmm

juneybean · 28/10/2010 00:03

I suffer from hormonal spots along my jawline during ovulation, would this regimen help with this?

Original poster
AnyFuleKno · 28/10/2010 00:37

respect Grin

juney yes definitely will help, spots on the jawline are the worst hurtiest ones aren't they?

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coffeenut · 28/10/2010 10:07

Crazy be careful with acne products if you are pregnant. I had to stop using a lot of clean and clear products because many contain salicylic acid. I'm not sure about using BP when pregnant but maybe you should ask a doctor before you try it? I used Belli acne wash which is expensive but brilliant.

BP burns my skin unfortunately. I havent tried it in such a low dosage however - maybe I will on those stubborn hormonal spots on jaw and chin.

moajab · 28/10/2010 23:53

I've been following the regime for about two weeks now and have been really pleased with the results. It's virtually clear already! I found the BP burned my skin a little the first couple of times I used it and it was a bit flaky for a while, so I've been using extra moisturiser when needed.

The only downside is that I can no longer tell when my period is about to start just by looking at my skin!!! :o
Definitly recomend this regime to anyone!

Himalaya · 29/10/2010 00:04

What's the difference between Panoxyl and Quinoderm (also b peroxide) and does it matter?

Btw it doesn't so much stain your pillowcases, nightshirts, towels etc.. as bleach them.

zonkin · 29/10/2010 20:12

I bought my panoxyl aquagel today and will be following this regime. I have been plagued by acne forever.

I too tried the oil cleansing method but as Respect said above it does improve your skin but those stubborn spots still hang around.

CrazyPlateLady · 29/10/2010 20:17

I think I will wait until after I have had the baby, just in case.

I had stuff from the doc before that bleached everything. The stuff didn't worl and my towels and bedding were ruined. Is this going to happen again? And why didn't the stuff I had then work?

ScreamsInBinary · 29/10/2010 20:52

May I join? I've had persistant spots on my chin and around my mouth forever and - frankly - I'm too old to look like I'm sniffing glue.

Original poster
AnyFuleKno · 30/10/2010 00:08

Himalaya, Quinoderm is 10% concentration so much stronger than PanOxyl. I see some good reviews for it on Amazon but it could make your skin very red and dry when you first start using it so I would start off with a really small amount. Personally I recommend starting off with the Panoxyl 2.5% - this is enough to clear the acne without burning your skin

Crazy - yes it does bleach. I used an old pillowcase and wore an old tshirt to bed.

I think the key is to spend a good few minutes massaging the stuff over your skin. I don't really know why - on acne.org they say it kills the bacteria that causes spots. Whether that's true or not, it seems to work and it feels really nice (especially after years of treating your skin rough to get rid of spots with various scrubs, harsh cleansers and whatnot).

Did you keep it up for a while when you used benzoyl peroxide before, and did you use it regularly?

Screams good to have you on board Grin

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Himalaya · 30/10/2010 08:42

Anyfulekno. Thanks. I use Quinoderm 5, it works but you're right it's a bit harsh. So when the spots go I stop using it, and then they come back...I fear that my skin may have got acustomed to the stronger concentration though.

Anyway I have ordered some panoxyl 2.5 and I'm going to give the regime a try. I'll keep you posted.

Original poster
AnyFuleKno · 30/10/2010 15:07

good luck himalaya, if your skin is used to the stronger stuff you might want to gradually increase the amount you're using.

I did wonder if the quinoderm comes in different strengths as I could only find the 10%.

let us know how you get on

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CrazyPlateLady · 30/10/2010 18:55

I can't say that the stuff I used before made much difference. I can't remember as it was a while ago, but if it had worked, then I would have kept up with it. I did use it for a while too. I wish I could remember the name.

It smelled very very strong and stung so maybe it was too strong.