Any suggestions anyone?
I am 37 years old and having both of these at the same time!
Any help will be greatly appreciated!

I just started using Aloette skin care with great results. No more acne flareups at that time of the month, or if I get one, it goes in a day or so. I've been using these products for 3 months, and my skin is getting firmer. I really love them, (and I've tried them all LOL)
Hugs,

Teechia

Any suggestions anyone?
I am 37 years old and having both of these at the same time!
Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Me too! It's not fair is it? ;)

I'm 31 and getting just the beginnings of crows feet and I've been fighting off acne since I was 15

After years of experimenting, here's what works for me: (everybody's skin is different though :) )

I cleanse in the evening with Cetaphil skin cleanser (available at Wal-mart and drug stores)

I alternate skin treatments, I use Alpha Hydrox gel treatment (for wrinkles and acne) one evening and the next evening I use Neutrogena pore cleansing gel (a beta hydroxy acid that is specific for acne) the next evening. (Evidently if you use both products at the same time, neither works well.)

Here's a link: (Paula Begoun's advice on treating acne)

cosmeticscop.com/learn/article.asp?PAGETYPE=ART&REFER=SKIN&ID=6

Paula Begoun really knows her stuff (more than the two dermatologists I've used). She also explains really well how alpha hydroxy acids and beta hydroxy acids work. I've got her book too, she's never steered me wrong yet!

Oh yeah, Paula Begoun is kind of a "consumer reports" for the cosmetics industry--in case you weren't familiar with her (I think I've seen her mentioned on these boards before)

Me too, and I'm only 26!!

After much experimentation, the only thing that works for me without breaking the bank is Neutrogena's Pore Refining line: cleanser, toner, moisturizer with SPF 15, and the gel mask 2-3x/week.

Now this just gets rid of the zits, not the wrinkles...the stuff I'd tried to get rid of wrinkles just gave me more zits!!!

Thanks everyone!
Now on to more experiments!
I sure do appreciate the recommendations and the great site Ladybug!!!

Hi Nordic chick,

A really powerful, cheap and effective way to zap both problems is some raw, organic apple cider vinegar.

You can begin by diluting the vinegar with some water, about half and half and apply all over with a cotton pad, let it dry and leave on your skin for at least 20 minutes and then rinse.

You can even get creative and steep some beneficial herbs in the vinegar for two weeks or longer. You can use refreshing herbs like mint, soothing for skin like lavender or rose petals, chamomile, calendula, etc.

It's a great and quick way to cleanse when your skin is feeling oily in the middle of the day and you can rinse it right off so you don't smell the vinegar.

You'll notice right away how clean your skin feels afte wiping with the vingear and yet it's not stripped and tight feeling.

After you get used to using it you can use it full strength once a day before or after you cleanse. Over time it will keep your pores from clogging and will exfoliate the skin, which helps with wrinkles.

I've recently cleared my skin with vinegar (among other things). For some reason I was breaking out, it began with the summer weather and about a month ago I got the vinegar out and started using it regularly. My skin has cleared up.

HTH ;)

Ann, thank you for mentioning the vinegar. Recently my acne started flaring up and I've been trying different things to combat it, but I realize now that the timing may coincide with when I stopped using an ACV toner that I had used for a long time. I ran out and never bothered to make more. Why do we do that? :ponder: Time to break out the vinegar! :D

Ann, thank you for mentioning the vinegar. Recently my acne started flaring up and I've been trying different things to combat it, but I realize now that the timing may coincide with when I stopped using an ACV toner that I had used for a long time. I ran out and never bothered to make more. Why do we do that? :ponder: Time to break out the vinegar! :D

It really is amazing stuff isn't it? Where would we be without it? Good for hair AND skin and many other things too.

HI Nordic Chick, I'm 35 and in the same boat, skin-wise... I use 2 of the 3 Proactiv basic system products, (I stopped using the toner because my skin was looking very dull and the spa gal said the extended use of glycolic acid will do that :( )--I have been using the Physicians Choice toner instead.


I have also been getting PCA peels and using Avon's new eye cream--both have helped with some fine lines and skin tone-- :D

edited for spelling!!

Retin-A. If you have sensitive skin, Retin-A Micro. Dry skin, go for Renova.

Of course, that's the more powerful route. My mom used Retin-A for years and has baby smooth, even toned, clear (however, oily) skin. Definitely doesn't look her age. I'm looking into this because not only do I want to combat wrinkles, but I have severe sun damage. Unfortunately, because it's a vitamin A derivative, I may have to wait until I'm finished breastfeeding. I'm really very anxious to start it because I've seen what it can do. Great stuff.

Anyway, just thought I'd pipe up with that. ;)

Steph

My BF has started using Lush Coalface soap with wonderful results; his acne is already starting to clear up from it.

http://www2.lush.com/cgi-bin/lushdb/233

After several weeks of using the miracle Neutrogena products, they are no longer miraculous. The zits are back and my skin is 100% dried out. Aaaaargh.

The library at mothernature.com has several books online for free reading, here's the acne chapter from the Rodale book, New Choices in Natural Healing:

http://www.mothernature.com/Library/bookshelf/Books/21/56.cfm

(there's a wrinkle chapter too, link all the way at the bottom on the left).

Dulci reminded me of another book... Treat Your Face Like a Salad. This is where I first read about the EVOO cleansing. It covers EVERYTHING and has been so helpful. All natural.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0963290789/qid=1062608589/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/102-6995701-8378554?v=glance&s=books

HTHS!
Steph