DRUGSTORE CLEANSERS
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free skin care · Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:37 am

Hello
So I have tried every over the counter drugstore cleanser that I can think of. I have also tried expensive ones too, and found really no benefits as far as keeping my clogged pores at bay. My derm says to use Cetaphil or an Aveeno product (have not found an Aveeno cleanser I like yet), but the Cetaphil just seems so slimy to me, even know I use. I feel like I need a cleanser that has BP in it to keep my clogged pores/acne in check. Can any of you recommend a drugstore cleanser that will not clog pore and cause breakouts? Also, stupid question I know...but when I cleanse I use a wash cloth (yes I change it everyday) to clean my face. Is this beneficial, or am I clogging the cleanser into my pores?

free skin care · Mon Apr 28, 2008 11:46 am

Be careful using Benzoyl Peroxide everyday. The constant stripping of oil with a harsh cleanser, will actually cause more oil production. And so you'll be in a vicious cycle.

Alpha Hydroxy Face Wash, mixed with Cetaphil might be a good alternative for you.

free skin care · Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:12 pm

Maybe Bioderma? It supposed to be no rinse and wipe off. As for the washcloth try using one made of hemp or bamboo. They resist bacteria better providing you let it dry properly ie. with air circulation.
Also it maybe what you are using as makeup and sunscreen that is causing the clogging more than the cleanser as it gets rinsed off anyways.

free skin care · Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:20 pm

Hi
Thank you for the posts: question
Alpha Hydroxy Face Wash and Bioderma, are those drugstore brands? Which would I find them at?
Also, I am not using any makeup and I do not use sunscreen/ or mosturizer, so those are not clogging my pores. I am currently using RX Benzeclin prescibed by my derm. But I can extract "white" squiggly stuff from my pores every other day. BTW, are these clogged pores? They are not whiteheads or blackheads. I can extract them, and then nothing else happens, my pores are clean.

free skin care · Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:52 pm

bergquis wrote:

Hi
Thank you for the posts: question
Alpha Hydroxy Face Wash and Bioderma, are those drugstore brands? Which would I find them at?
Also, I am not using any makeup and I do not use sunscreen/ or mosturizer, so those are not clogging my pores. I am currently using RX Benzeclin prescibed by my derm. But I can extract "white" squiggly stuff from my pores every other day. BTW, are these clogged pores? They are not whiteheads or blackheads. I can extract them, and then nothing else happens, my pores are clean.

I have the white stuff in the pores on my nose. I could extract them everyday..so what are they and how do we get rid of them? Their not pimple or blackheads could they be white heads???
what ever they are I wish they would go away. They make the pores on my nose look HUGE.
Lou

free skin care · Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:56 pm

Forgot to mention, I use tozorac (cousin of retin-a) bought the clarisonic and use it with cetaphil, and use mama lotion (mandalic acid) still no improvement on nose Sad

Lou

free skin care · Mon Apr 28, 2008 4:38 pm

I think the white stuff is just oil so not to worry. Its not harmful and its coming out easily if you squeeze it out. Unless you are talking about whiteheads.
www.bioderma.com for locations as I do not know where you are located.

free skin care · Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:44 pm

You want to use BP? THere are not so many things in environment can cause your pores clogged everyday. It is basically blackheads and whiteheads caused that, and these are all from your own face. If pick up a gentle cleanser instead of some harsh one. BP? Nobody is using bleach to wash their dishes.

Those white stuff in the pores are whiteheads. THey come from the unregularly secretion of sebum and thick cuticle which cloggs the pores , and the solid serum is the major component of it. When bacteria had a chance to enter into the pores ,and digest the whiteheads, your immune system will try to kill the bacteria, then the acnes come out.

The abnormal sebum secretion comes from your mood, genetics, environments and stimulations. So mood, genetics and environments have nothing to do with skincare products. SO you should ask for a skincare product which doesn't stimulate sebum secretion. As a result, find a very gentle cleanser which won't stimulate your sebum secretion.

The purpose of sebum secretion is keep your skin's moisture. So another way to reduce sebum secretion is to hydrate your skin, always make sure your skin is hydrated. This can be done by toner, serum, lotion, gel, cream and masks. Don't be afraid of oil, some oils can control sebum secretion, others can maintain your skin's moisture, therefore resulting in less sebum secretion.

A real treatment besides killing the bacteria and hormone regulation is to use AHA, BHA, glycolic acid or lactic acid to exfoilate your skin and some other effects, this can reduce sebum secretion, get rid of cuticle around the pores. My real HG product for this z.bigatti's stuff, however, this line is not very popular here, so you can try other lines.

If you really want to get rid of whitehead, blackheads, you can try these stuffs, darphin's purifying balm, z.bigatti's impact mask. However, only one day, you will find all the whiteheads and blackheads are back...

free skin care · Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:46 pm

SpectroJel

That was what I used to use before I started wearing makeup.

free skin care · Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:58 pm

I do hear what you are saying, I have tried "oils" and my skin was a massive mess. I tried several which were recommended here and on MUA. My skin was holy H****. When I try using a mild cleanser, I have massive lumps and cysts under my skin. When I stick to using a BP wash once a day, sure I have whiteheads, and those "white" squiggly things that come shooting out of my pores (which are not whiteheads). They may be sebum, but they are white and sometimes they can be an inch long. Once I extract them, my pore is clear. I can't leave them alone because my skin is bumpy and you can see it on my face. I have to clear them. Of course they come right back, but I would rather have some clogged pores, than massive lumps and cysts that never go away. My derm said to use my tazorac at night, which I was doing a while ago and stopped. I can not remember why I stopped, but I am sure it was not working or I would not have stopped. Then he has me using Benzeclin in the am. He said the tazorac will open the pores and the benzeclin is an antibotic cream. I am also on Tetracycline. One week now. I suppose we will see what happens. But does anyone know how long so see results? especially with the oral antibotic?? Thanks

free skin care · Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:04 pm

bergquis wrote:

I do hear what you are saying, I have tried "oils" and my skin was a massive mess. I tried several which were recommended here and on MUA. My skin was holy H****. When I try using a mild cleanser, I have massive lumps and cysts under my skin. When I stick to using a BP wash once a day, sure I have whiteheads, and those "white" squiggly things that come shooting out of my pores (which are not whiteheads). They may be sebum, but they are white and sometimes they can be an inch long. Once I extract them, my pore is clear. I can't leave them alone because my skin is bumpy and you can see it on my face. I have to clear them. Of course they come right back, but I would rather have some clogged pores, than massive lumps and cysts that never go away. My derm said to use my tazorac at night, which I was doing a while ago and stopped. I can not remember why I stopped, but I am sure it was not working or I would not have stopped. Then he has me using Benzeclin in the am. He said the tazorac will open the pores and the benzeclin is an antibotic cream. I am also on Tetracycline. One week now. I suppose we will see what happens. But does anyone know how long so see results? especially with the oral antibotic?? Thanks

I really don't know what kind of skin you have. Could you tell me what mild cleansers you used before?

I had antibiotics to treat my toothache, and it worked in 1-2 days. So the circulation of antibiotics will start to treat your face in 1-2 days...

Have tried acid treatment like glycolic acid?

Tue Apr 29, 2008 5:21 am

First of all, you should give Cetaphil a try. I've been using their cleanser for months. I know that it sucks that there is no smell and the texture doesn't feel great, but there is a reason that it is so highly recommended. As for the washcloth, you can use it to dry your face after cleansing but I would actually apply the cleanser with a washcloth.

free skin care · Tue Apr 29, 2008 5:51 am

bergquis wrote:

Hello
So I have tried every over the counter drugstore cleanser that I can think of. I have also tried expensive ones too, and found really no benefits as far as keeping my clogged pores at bay. My derm says to use Cetaphil or an Aveeno product (have not found an Aveeno cleanser I like yet), but the Cetaphil just seems so slimy to me, even know I use. I feel like I need a cleanser that has BP in it to keep my clogged pores/acne in check. Can any of you recommend a drugstore cleanser that will not clog pore and cause breakouts? Also, stupid question I know...but when I cleanse I use a wash cloth (yes I change it everyday) to clean my face. Is this beneficial, or am I clogging the cleanser into my pores?

Berqquis, I hated using the Cetaphil liquid cleanser but you should try the Cetaphil bar facial cleanser. There is the regular and antibacterial (with Triclosan) versions. I just bought the regular facial bar yesterday and it is the best! It lathers really nice and makes my face feel like it's really clean after washing. Reminds me of Clinique facial soap but 10x better without the irritants.

free skin care · Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:08 am

i always believe that your hands are the best wash cloth.....
and i am a cetaphill funs as well

free skin care · Tue Apr 29, 2008 1:55 pm

Hi
To answer the question about what type of skin do I have, I will tell you that I am fair skin, I think sort of thick. My skin is not to sensitive, even know one of my derms said it was. But I can use products that people claim burn (ie Benzeclin, or asprin mask, or such) and my skin is not red, does not burn, peel anything, so I don't think I have sensitive skin. I have tried over the counter cleansers such as Neutragena, Oxy, Clean and Clear. Higher end stuff like PSF, TRUE cleanser line, MD line) and I never thought any of them, stopped my clogged pores. I get breakouts, but nothing major, except for the fact that I do get what I call clogged pores that I can extract daily. So I have been using Cetaphil for YEARS. I did try to use the Bar soap Cetaphil because I read that it has antibacterial ingredients, well what a nightmare. I had whiteheas popping up all day every day. I don't mean a few, no LIE, I mean in the morning I would have 10-15 and in the afternoon when I got home, I would have another 15. So I stopped the bar soap.
My problems really started a couple months ago when I broke out on my forehead, ONLY with what I thought was a rash. Inflamed red/ sometimes just flesh color lumps that would turn into a whitehead, that was really hard to extract. Then the rest of my skin freaked out and now I have new ones daily. They start red (small) but by the end of the day they have a whitehead that I can pop. They seem to be surface, they go away rather quickly. And I can cover them up and no one can see, but I know they are there. I can not help to think that it is my cleanser or cleaning method. My pores are not getting cleaned so stuff is getting trapped. But I have changed nothing when this whole thing started. So I don't know what is happening. (OH FYI, my hormone levels were checked) along with a total blood work up. All came back aokay. And I drink 1 gallon of water a day. It appears the more water I drink, the more bumps I get. Sad

free skin care · Tue Apr 29, 2008 5:35 pm

bergquis wrote:

Hi
To answer the question about what type of skin do I have, I will tell you that I am fair skin, I think sort of thick. My skin is not to sensitive, even know one of my derms said it was. But I can use products that people claim burn (ie Benzeclin, or asprin mask, or such) and my skin is not red, does not burn, peel anything, so I don't think I have sensitive skin. I have tried over the counter cleansers such as Neutragena, Oxy, Clean and Clear. Higher end stuff like PSF, TRUE cleanser line, MD line) and I never thought any of them, stopped my clogged pores. I get breakouts, but nothing major, except for the fact that I do get what I call clogged pores that I can extract daily. So I have been using Cetaphil for YEARS. I did try to use the Bar soap Cetaphil because I read that it has antibacterial ingredients, well what a nightmare. I had whiteheas popping up all day every day. I don't mean a few, no LIE, I mean in the morning I would have 10-15 and in the afternoon when I got home, I would have another 15. So I stopped the bar soap.
My problems really started a couple months ago when I broke out on my forehead, ONLY with what I thought was a rash. Inflamed red/ sometimes just flesh color lumps that would turn into a whitehead, that was really hard to extract. Then the rest of my skin freaked out and now I have new ones daily. They start red (small) but by the end of the day they have a whitehead that I can pop. They seem to be surface, they go away rather quickly. And I can cover them up and no one can see, but I know they are there. I can not help to think that it is my cleanser or cleaning method. My pores are not getting cleaned so stuff is getting trapped. But I have changed nothing when this whole thing started. So I don't know what is happening. (OH FYI, my hormone levels were checked) along with a total blood work up. All came back aokay. And I drink 1 gallon of water a day. It appears the more water I drink, the more bumps I get. Sad

Hi, that white things which clogged your pores are definitly NOT due to unproperly cleaning. They are just some sebum secretion. They will come back even though you stay in vacuum. So don't try to clean your skin harshly, nothing really needs you to do this. You only need to be gentle to your skin.

The most importantly thing is to keep in a good mood. I have tons of whiteheads and blackheads, but I never thought to clean them up in one night, and never come back. I just don't care about them, leave them there and stay happy. At least, those whiteheads are not due to some psychylogical issues. And as I started to treat my skin gently, the whiteheads are starting to disappear.

All in all, don't let your face make you unhappy. A happy day is the most important. Treat your skin gently, choose the products which make you happy, not something will make you change completely in one day, that's not safe products.

free skin care · Tue Apr 29, 2008 6:31 pm

I agree with Januari. I think we should just have ABP-Acceptable Breakout Point. Its the amount of zits and blemishes we can tolerate before getting upset and demoralized. It may be a few or a dozen but we need to reach the point where we just can't get that down about it. It could be worst like a tumour which is gonna take a lot more to get rid of.

I think we have to accept that part of using skincare and makeup is the risk of something clogging or breaking out.

I have at one time or another a zit or whitehead. I just cover it with makeup and go on my way. We are lucky that we can at least use makeup to cover it up where is still a little unacceptable for most men to use makeup obviously.

ABP everyone!

free skin care · Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:12 am

berquis - if clogged pores are your main concern, I'd recommend Erno Laszlo Heavy Controlling Lotion as a night treatment. Dab it on your problem areas with a cotton ball after you've cleansed and moisturized.

free skin care · Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:18 am

Many derms recommend Johnson & Johnson's Purpose. It's a very mild cleanser that won't make you breakout. It's my favorite cleanser of choice behind Obagi's Gentle but you can get it at a drugstore.

free skin care · Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:53 pm

Have you been to see a good esthetician? That can really help.

When I was in my 20s, I had great luck with France Laure, a European skin care line--the cucumber wash. I've also had good experiences with Murad's Refreshing Skin Cleanser. Right now I'm using 302 Skincare's Rosacea cleanser.

I also found that getting enough vitamin B complex helped with my acne.

Good luck. Zits bite.

free skin care · Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:02 pm

I think Dermalogica Ultra Calming is a great cleanser.

free skin care · Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:02 pm

How often do you wash your face? You seem to be thinking that your skin is "dirty" therefore using these chemical products to clean it, but that will actually make it worse. Look around and there may be some replenishing oils (ones that don't clog your pores). You can try hazelnut oil, for acne prone skin. Is your skin oily, dry, or combination? If I were you I'd spend the extra money towards a more reliable skin care line instead of over the counter products (which most of the time has harmful ingredients). It's also hard to find a good derma. Maybe you can try Dr.Hauschka's line? http://www.essentialdayspa.com/dr-hauschka-skin-care-products.htm

You also mentioned PSF, have you tried the acne treatment mud?
http://www.essentialdayspa.com/psf-acne-treatment-mud-p_4964.htm

I would also recommend trying some of the moisturizers that the others mentioned.

free skin care · Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:36 pm

I too would recommend Cetaphil. As for the texture, yes, it is a bit "slimy." I use it to remove my make-up and pre-cleanse my face: I slather it on and then, instead of rinsing, I wipe it off. I then follow up with LRP Effaclar -- one you might want to consider, as it's suitable for oily, combination skin, but not as harsh and drying as a BP cleanser. Several have suggested Bioderma, which I find is excellent. I've only tried their Sensibio cleanser (for sensitive skin), but they have one for oily, acne-prone skin which is supposed to be very good. The key is to find something that's gentle and that won't dry out your skin and cause it to produce more oil.

free skin care · Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:48 pm

Hi
I cleanse my face only twice a day. In the evening I cleanse my face with a BP cleanser and a wash rag. If I do not use a rag, the mineral makeup does not come off. I get out and mosturize and then I apply Benzeclin. My Derm prescibed it and it is helping keep zits at bay. My skin is not really that dry. A little bit after the benzeclin, but then about an hour later it is fine. My current cleanser is not causing my skin to produce extra oil, in fact when I was using (CETAPHIL, for both washes, I use cetaphil stil for the AM since my skin is clean from the night before)You could fry an egg on my face and hour later, bu now that I am using a wash with BP, my skin is no longer oily., SO I do know that it is working for my face. I have benen conducting a small test on my skin. I use my forehead because I can hide it with my bangs if it is bad. But my test is this. I tried washing with just my hands and cetaphil for the last few days. My forehead has more clogged pores than it has ever had. It is an oil slick. However when I use BP, it has some clogged pores, but not as many as it has right now. I am going to a medspa tomorow for a facial. The gal I talked to on the phone was very nice and I told her of my recent "cloged" pores issues. She said that she has some great products that she knows will keep my pores clear. We will see right>? wish me luck. Very Happy

free skin care · Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:41 pm

bergquis wrote:

Hi
I cleanse my face only twice a day. In the evening I cleanse my face with a BP cleanser and a wash rag. If I do not use a rag, the mineral makeup does not come off. I get out and mosturize and then I apply Benzeclin. My Derm prescibed it and it is helping keep zits at bay. My skin is not really that dry. A little bit after the benzeclin, but then about an hour later it is fine. My current cleanser is not causing my skin to produce extra oil, in fact when I was using (CETAPHIL, for both washes, I use cetaphil stil for the AM since my skin is clean from the night before)You could fry an egg on my face and hour later, bu now that I am using a wash with BP, my skin is no longer oily., SO I do know that it is working for my face. I have benen conducting a small test on my skin. I use my forehead because I can hide it with my bangs if it is bad. But my test is this. I tried washing with just my hands and cetaphil for the last few days. My forehead has more clogged pores than it has ever had. It is an oil slick. However when I use BP, it has some clogged pores, but not as many as it has right now. I am going to a medspa tomorow for a facial. The gal I talked to on the phone was very nice and I told her of my recent "cloged" pores issues. She said that she has some great products that she knows will keep my pores clear. We will see right>? wish me luck. Very Happy

I don't have spa experience. However, I hope you will enjoy it and stay always happy. Good Luck!

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