problem skin

Hi, it's been a while.  Just a quick question:  recently Proactiv (which I've been using since I was a teen for chronic acne - it worked great) recently changed their formula and all-of-a-sudden the new 'original' feels like it just coats my face and I can't breathe, even after I've washed it off!  I'm MCS, too, and was frankly amazed that after all the personal products I lost my face wash was not one of them - until now.  And it's all back so I obviously need to use something, but what?  I've already looked into Clinique's acne line and all the products have caffeine as one of the top ingredients!  I'm sensitive to that, too.  Any MCSers out there sucessful with dealing with problem skin?  Thanks!

-glitter

try going simpler, glitter.
i know it won't be as glamorous, but it will
be healthier.  i am finding these things to
work very well for me... not all at once,
but as needed...

1)  H2O2 - i clean my face with hydrogen peroxide on a cotton pad

2)  colloidal silver spray - i spray it on and it heals boo boos.  
     i make the CS myself for pennies.  i have a webpage with simple  
     instructions for making it:  http://body.patriciarobinett.com/2012/12/12/make-your-own-antibiotic-colloidal-silver/

3)  coconut oil - for moisture and even more anti-bad stuff.

i would never put anything on my face
that i would not put in my mouth.  i would
eat or drink these three things - in tiny
amounts, except for coconut oil... they are
all beneficial inside and out.  

love, patricia


On Dec 22, 2012, at 8:23 AM, Glitter wrote:

> Hi, it's been a while.  Just a quick question:  recently Proactiv (which I've been using since I was a teen for chronic acne - it worked great) recently changed their formula and all-of-a-sudden the new 'original' feels like it just coats my face and I can't breathe, even after I've washed it off!  I'm MCS, too, and was frankly amazed that after all the personal products I lost my face wash was not one of them - until now.  And it's all back so I obviously need to use something, but what?  I've already looked into Clinique's acne line and all the products have caffeine as one of the top ingredients!  I'm sensitive to that, too.  Any MCSers out there sucessful with dealing with problem skin?  Thanks!
>
> -glitter

Hi Glitter,

Although talking about MCS acne creams seems off topic for this list, I will throw out a couple of suggestions anyway. 

You are right, do not use anything that clogs up your pores. You want your skin to breathe and be able to heal.  I am MCS to many of the nasty ingredients in cosmetics, so I use mainly fresh raw Aloe Vera on my face. Sometimes to treat irritations or scars, I use Retinol (which I get in Mexico OTC for about $25.00 a tube). 

I think it is fortunate that you became dissatisfied with
Proactive,
because now you raise your consciousnes about the dangers of using mass market Industry type solutions to skin and hair care.

I have never used Poactive but I can see BS written all over it.  Let me count the ways:

1 . They Over Advertise their product more than anyone I have ever seen.  I don't want to use their product, I am not a teen, yet they are in my face constantly whenever I tune in the radiio or TV up to 6 times an hour.
2.  Proactive Products contain toxic ingredients that no
MCS person should be absorbing into their sikin.  I wouldn't put that
crap on my face if you paid me.
3.  Here is the Proactive treatment:   wash your face with renewing cleanser everyday then apply revitalizing
toner and finally repairing lotion. The process is to be repeated
everyday day and night i.e. two times on a single day.   I don't like how they maximize their profits by separating the acne program into 3 products, and trying to make it sound like they have some kind of medically solid solution to acne, when all they are doing is somethig you can do at home for cheap without absorbing toxins into your body. 

OTC products such as Clearasil, Stridex and Prescriptions such as Benoxyl,
PanOxyl, and Persagelm contain Benzoyl peroxide,
which is the main cosmetic  ingredient for acne treatment;  it is what targets
surface bacteria, which often aggravates
acne. irritation. 

But a common side effect of benzoyl peroxide is
dryness. The main ingredient in Proactive is also Benzoyl peroxide, and
the other ingredients they add to the cleanser and lotion are mainly to counteract the dryness of the benzoyl peroxide it contains, or as in the case of the Revitaliing Toner, to act as an astringent.  The Revitaliing Toner contains Aloe and Witch Hazel.  Just
buy some of that and use it, and I would wager you would get the same
benefit without all the
other toxic ingredients the toner contains.   And any OTC acne cream would probably work as well too because it is the benzoyl peroxide that is doing the work, not the expensive and fancy Proactive program.

As long as you use an  OTC product with benoyl
perioxide in it, combined with astringents to tone, and gentle clensing with non toxic ingredients, you can mimic almost exactly what the very expensive Proactive
Program does. 

Advertising is an Art designed to make you believe you getting something that you aren't.

Have you read the ingredients for Proactive?   The Renewing Cleanser contains methylparaben,  propylene
glycol, and propylparabens among other things.  The Revitalizing Toner contains


methylparaben, propylene glycol, propylparaben among other things , and the   Repairing Lotion  contains methylparaben, propylene glycol,
propylparaben,triethanolamine among other things.

If you are MCS, you  need to read up on why you do not want to be absorbing those ingredients  through your skin.  Figuring out what the cause of your acne is may alter the course of your treatment.






http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/acne

Acne is mainly caused by ‘androgenic’ hormones, which tend to become active during the
teen years. Sensitivity to these hormones, combined with bacteria on
the skin, and fatty acids within oil glands, causes acne.  For women, fluctuating hormone levels around the time of menses is an aggravating factor.  If you are a woman, and have symptoms such as irregular periods,
thinning hair, acne and signs of androgen (male hormone) excess, then hormone therapy with low-dose estrogen and progesteron may be helpful with these symptoms.

To prevent acne and reduce its damage to your skin, follow these tips.
    Choose
a cleanser specially formulated for acne. These products often contain
salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide, which help to clear acne sores.Clean
your face gently, as trauma to the acne breakouts may worsen the acne
or cause scarring. When washing your face, use your hands, as any
terrycloth or other scrubbing material may cause acne sores to rupture.If
you need to use a moisturizer, use only light, noncomedogenic
moisturizers, which do not aggravate acne. This type of product may be
your best option.If you are a woman, use an oil-free
foundation. Heavy makeup or other cosmetic products that block pores
may cause a flare-up of acne.
Hope this helps.

C. Johnson
[hidden email]
Wireless Refugee



--- On Sat, 12/22/12, Glitter <[hidden email]> wrote:
      







 



 


   
     
     
      Hi, it's been a while.  Just a quick question:  recently Proactiv (which I've been using since I was a teen for chronic acne - it worked great) recently changed their formula and all-of-a-sudden the new 'original' feels like it just coats my face and I can't breathe, even after I've washed it off!  I'm MCS, too, and was frankly amazed that after all the personal products I lost my face wash was not one of them - until now.  And it's all back so I obviously need to use something, but what?  I've already looked into Clinique's acne line and all the products have caffeine as one of the top ingredients!  I'm sensitive to that, too.  Any MCSers out there sucessful with dealing with problem skin?  Thanks!


-glitter
 

 
 
 



     




     

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On December 23, "C.a.b. Johnson" <[hidden email]> wrote:
> Although talking about MCS acne creams seems off topic for this list,
> I will throw out a couple of suggestions anyway. 

I can try to keep this on-topic by suggesting something that I've found
works for both acne and ES - a mud masque that's made primarily of
bentonite clay.  

Back when I was teenager, I tried all the various acne solutions and
found that the one that worked best was something called "MUDD".  Decades
later when I became obsessed with detox, I found that this very same
product seemed also helpful with detoxing stuff that had accumulated in
the skin, plus I could use my computer for longer periods of time while
the stuff was on my face.

Unfortunately, the product I used as a teenager no longer exists in
the USA, although the same company sells "MUDD" in the UK.  But
there are similar products around, including stuff that's sold in the
health food stores (don't know if that makes it any better).  I suspect
that the key ingredient is bentonite clay.

Marc