need encouragement to stick with Dr. H
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free skin care · Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:25 pm

Hi there - just looking for some encouragement and advice to tough it out through some purging. I just started a whole Dr. H routine on Friday - jumped in with both feet - using cleansing milk, cleansing cream, toner, normalizing day oil, and clay mask. Oh, and the sensitive rhythmic night conditioner. I've used the mask twice so far, and am using the cleansing cream twice daily. I like the way my face feels - I have reactive, rosacea prone skin, and my face feels calm in that respect, but I am experiencing some breakouts which I assume is from purging - I have a HUGE cystic pimple on my chin, plus a few more normal ones on my forehead and jawline. I have been spot treating with tea tree, and using a warm compress on the cystic one on my chin. Please tell me that this will go away soon! Crying or Very sad

also, does anyone have any tricks to help your skin get over this hurdle?
I excercise and drink lots of water, so I assume this will help me to detox faster. Any advice? Should I use the clay mask everyday to draw everything else out faster? Or should I back off and leave my skin alone?
Thanks

free skin care · Tue Nov 07, 2006 6:36 pm

Well, I'm afraid many people aren't going to be too happy with me for saying this, but if your skin is reacting like this to Dr. H, I say ditch it!!! I had the same reaction to Dr. H. Granted, I think that a lot of my acne was caused by hormones, but Dr. H really made it worse, AND caused a lot of small clogs all over my face. I stuck with it for a couple months because I was so sure that I was just purging, but finally by derm. told me that the products were just too much and too rich for my skin and that I had to stop using them. So, I stopped using them completely except for the toner occasionally. I had to kind of detox and rebalance my face after that, so I stopped all creams and serums except those prescribed by my derm, and started using a lot of Zenbiotic products which are brilliant for re-balancing and unclogging, IMO, and now, FINALLY, after at least a couple months, my skin is detoxed, uncongested, and clear. So, sorry I can't give you better news, but that's my honest advice-- I just think that Dr. H products don't work for everyone.

free skin care · Tue Nov 07, 2006 7:25 pm

Dr H can be a difficult routine to get into, especially for particular skintypes. Honestly, when I first started Dr H I really hated the way my skin looked and felt.

After using oil based skincare for a long time, I realised that A)It did wonders to help balance my skin in terms of oil production B)My skin could never 100% clear up, though I stopped getting zits, I had lots and lots of blocked pores all the time...

So basically, you can either try to stick with Dr H for a few more weeks, while increasing the number of times you do masks (let the masks dry out to soak up the oil) or you can try to move onto a non-oil based routine like Zenbiotic.

My skintype is that, I have to now exfoliate and do masks every other day, sometimes everyday to keep it clear. Everyone's skin reacts differently to product overload, you may need to let your skin breathe some days and nights by using nothing at all. Although if you find it extremely drying, then a mist moisturiser like Zenbiotic Phyto will do wonders.

free skin care · Tue Nov 07, 2006 8:49 pm

Oh boy is this the topic for me! Razz

First, let me say that I have different skin than manslayerliz but her advice is very good so consider it carefully if your skin is similar to hers.

I have been struggling with my acne for 6 years now. I had a great routine before I got pregnant with my first child but then I had to ditch all my prescriptions because of the pregnancy. After that, I've been in a freefall! It's been horrible trying to find something that will help me control it.

I started the Dr. H system in April. I started with most of the products except the cleansing milk, the conditioner and the mask. I had my skin get horribly red, irritated and scaly on my chin and my nose area in September as a reaction to I think a couple of new products that I introduced to my routine (not Dr. H). At that point, I bought the rest of the Dr. H stuff and began a complete Dr. H routine -- including the conditioner.

As soon as I started the conditioner, I got a few cystic acne. I kept with it and they went away. While my acne is not hugely better, I think -- now after two months -- it's getting pretty good. I think what has helped is that I now try to use the mask more (miranets recommends every other day. I haven't been able to do that yet -- those kids make me so tired that I've been falling asleep with the baby without even washing my face or taking out my contacts! -- I have managed to do it more often and it helps).

Why have I sticked to this system so long even though my results have been slow going? Well, after two months the red, irritated patches on my face are almost gone and they are no longer scaly. Definite improvement.

I think the purging answer is valid for me so I am sticking with the system for now. Once I run out of my products, I think I will reevaluate it if my skin is not a lot better, though. I am slowly seeing positive results so I think it is good for now. I like the simplicity of the system and I need that right now. I will check out the Zenbiotic line, though, next if I decide I need to experiment further (in spite of the whole Ph debate Laughing

).

Now, after all of that, if your skin is like manslayerliz's -- STOP, stop now!! I suspect you would be able to tell, though, because she had her pores start to all get congested. My poors don't seem to be that way. I'm just getting lots of little spots that I can tell are the result of purging. They get worse when I touch them. I have a lot of hormonal acne on my neck and I am the worst at touching my chin and neck!! (I wish you all could slap my hand for me so that I can stop!!)

Once I use up the products more, I am planning on doing a huge review of them. Right now, I can't say how I feel because, darn it!, I still have the acne. My next step, instead of a product though, will be to purify my diet. My skin is showing that I am not eating well. I really believe if I clean up my lifestyle, my skin will reflect that. (I'm hoping to loose some of that baby weight as well....)

Oh, one other thing. Manslayerliz mentioned once before that she has found that she cannot use any oils on her face or it will break her out. I have found that my skin is LOVING the face oils. That's one of the ways that I know our skin is so different. (But I just love some of the conditioners she's recommended to me before! Wink

Thanks, Liz! I gotta update you on that in another thread...)

I hope that helps. Sorry so long-winded!

free skin care · Tue Nov 07, 2006 10:37 pm

I think it's fair to give a product 3-4 weeks, to make sure the reaction is not hormonal or stress or some other factor. But don't torture yourself -- if it's making you break out, it's 10-1 that something in it is not right for your skin. "purging" is usually a symptom of hardcore exfoliation, which rapidly brings deep blemishes to the surface, which can happen with retinols, peels, etc. If you're just using moisturizer/cleanser/toner type stuff, you shouldn't have to deal with purging. Give it another a week or two and see what's going on. If you're still breaking out, take a week off and see what happens.

free skin care · Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:07 am

thanks for all your replies
I don't think this is pore clogging, for several reasons
first, the pimples I am getting are in different places and are different types(I never get cysts on my chin) than my normal breakouts.
second, the skin between my pimples looks pretty good
third, my skin feels so comfortable - something that is so unusual for me!
fourth, back in august I got a sample of the cleansing cream and normalizing oil with my EDS order and used them for two weeks - I was only using the cream once a day, and I kept with the rest of my routine. At the end of the two weeks, I saw my family for the first time in a few months, and my mom said she thought my skin looked great. That is part of why I chose to try this route. I did experience a small breakout the first few days of use, but that cleared up.
As for purging being a result of increased exfoliation, this absolutely IS a huge increase in deep cleansing for me. As a rosacean, I have a horrible time finding a way to clean my face deeply and effectively without irritation. Another reason why I decided to try Dr. H!
I guess I will keep going for another week or two, and see if it gets better. Last night I used the full two ampuoles of the conditioner, instead of one(I was trying to be cheap!), so I will try that for the next few nights and see if that makes a difference.
Believe me, if this goes on for more than 3 weeks or so, I will absolutely give this up. Cool

free skin care · Wed Nov 08, 2006 6:06 am

Unfortunately, I am part of the group that cannot use Dr H products or, for that matter, most products heavy on oils (the only exception being the rejuvenating mask). My skin was constantly congested.

This isn't to say that the products are bad...they aren't! They just don't agree with *my* picky skin. Rolling Eyes

There are quite a few gals with rosacea on this board who, I am sure, would love to help you out with a routine. My mom has rosacea and I know what a balancing act it can be to find effective products that won't irritate your skin.

If you're looking for a cleanse-tone-moisturize routine, you may want to check out the Ice Elements products -- they have Try Me kits -- some of the members here are enjoying their stuff (I have their cleanser on order). If you go to their site, you can email the owner about your skin and she'll give you product recommendations.

Good Luck!
Marla

free skin care · Wed Nov 08, 2006 8:41 am

I am a huge fan of Dr Hauschka so my reponse may be a bit biased, but I absolutely love and highly recommend Dr H to all my friends and family. I too experienced purging in the first couple of weeks of use. My routine includes the Cleansing Cream, Cleansing Milk, Clarifying Toner, the day creams (mostly Rose and Quince) and occasional masks (usually Clay or Rejuv). I have yet to try the Rythmic Conditioner but am sure I will eventually. My breakouts were mostly around my chin, some just whiteheads and one or two cystic pimples. I also got a few around the jawline. I never used to get cystic pimples before but because of a hormonal imbalance and PCO syndrome I was used to the chin and jawline acne. The first couple of weeks my breakout was all just exaggerated, but I stuck it out and have now been loving the line for over 3 years. I also use the cosmetics which I find have also greatly helped in maintaing my great skin. So my advice is stick out a while longer. Like every natural remedy, it has to get worse before it gets better but believe me, it will get better. Of course Dr H may not work for everyone, nothing ever does, but from what you've written I believe that you are just experiencing the initial purge and will soon be in the clear (pun intended Wink

). And make sure to read all the raves and reviews on this board about Dr H products. You'll find the occasional rant but I found it was mostly from people who didn't use the line for very long or were still using other lines and products as well. I think you should take the advice of those of us who have tried the line exclusively and have had excellent results. Your skin will be the happier for it. Smile

free skin care · Wed Nov 08, 2006 9:51 am

Thanks wildflower - I was hoping you'd jump in - I've read many of your reviews of Dr. H Very Happy

Is there anything you did when you were purging that you think helped to get through it faster?
Thanks

free skin care · Wed Nov 08, 2006 4:16 pm

elizasue wrote:

Thanks wildflower - I was hoping you'd jump in - I've read many of your reviews of Dr. H Very Happy

Is there anything you did when you were purging that you think helped to get through it faster?
Thanks

You're very welcome. I'm glad to help.

I didn't really do anything out of the ordinary from my regular routine but what I like to do when I feel my skin needs some extra help, is to apply hot compresses to my face before cleansing to help steam open the pores. This helps bring clogging gunk to the surface to be easily cleansed away. The one thing you have to do though, is fight the urge to over cleanse. I know that sometimes when breakouts appear I get this huge desire to cleanse and exfoliate more often but it just makes things worse so just stick to your routine and be patient and make sure to keep your diet in check as that is the most important factor. Drink water to keep yourself and your skin hydrated and remember to eat lots of colourful veggies. If you can stick to organic foods as well you will also notice a huge difference in your skin. Hope that helps with your question.

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