How to Treat Acne?

[ianc96]

So I've been using Proactiv for around 1.5 years now. It used to work good, but now I've noticed that I'm starting to get more acne on my face, as well as on my back, shoulders, and chest.

I'm pretty sure it is due to my job as a dishwasher. It gets extremely hot in the kitchen (reaches 110 degrees regularly during the summer), and I believe that all the moisture, combined with the grease, sweat, and all the dirt, is leading to my increase in acne.

I've tried to convince my mom that I think I need to switch to an OTC supplement or something to that effect to help treat my acne. However, she gives me some story that 20+ years ago, somebody she knew became sterile because of the acne medication (to which I replied that 20 years ago, they thought AIDS was contagious :P ). She has been trying to get me to try other methods, but they just aren't working like they thinks they would.

So before I try to convince her of my way, I'm looking to see if anybody here has been in a situation like mine (found a way, but eventually stopped working) and found a cure/treatment for it. I'm thinking something along the lines of a mask I could put on after work (and other days), or some cleanser (I've heard baking soda??)

Any tips you could offer me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

[tubanic]

Witch-hazel gel works for me!

[imaguybro]

For your back, shoulders, and chest this works: http://www.cibuinternational.com/washabi.html

I use it everyday and I dont even see my acne on my back anymore. I got mine at my local hair cut place, but heres the link if you dont have a local shop.

[Nomad_X]

as soon as you get home from work, have a shower, and a good scrub. It will help unclog the pores that are being clogged with the increased sweating you experience from the heat in the dish pit. Also, drink more water while at work.

and BTW, HIV is contagious.

[Gigablue]

Try a different cleanser and topical treatment for it. You can ask your pharmacist what they recommend. Proactiv uses 2.5% benzoyl peroxide, so you might want try 5%, or salicylic acid, another common treatment for acne.

If none of that works, you should see your doctor. They will be able to give you stronger topical treatments or oral antibiotics if necessary.

[zeebo]

Sounds like the environment is more of an issue than anything...try to get outside and in the shade as much as possible.

[Dominic Aesch7]

I have proactive and it works for me....but vitamin c helps a lot with acne so take some extra it should help

[ForeverTwelve]

I use Olay Regenerist facial scrub on a loofah, daily. Then when my acne is real bad, I use this stuff called Dr. Bereman's mineral mask. It's kind of expensive, but it works.