Combination, Acne prone Cleanser

[#1]

I really need a new cleanser, but everything I have tried hasn't helped. I have combination skin. I suffer from black heads, regular blemishes, and recently I have been getting ones under the skin that never surface, hurt badly, and don't go away for a while after they don't hurt anymore. Everything is mostly on my chin and now on my forehead. Could anyone recommend me something that won't dry out my skin too bad and help with my out of control skin?

I had such nice skin in high school too. I turn 19 and my skin hates me!

[#2]

I use 2 cleansers. Something really mild in the AM, just to remove whatever I used overnight & a little oil. Currently it's the mildest Clinique liquid cleanser. At night there's more oil, sunscreen, makeup to deal with so I use a stronger product. Right now that's Bliss Foaming Face Wash. As a Beauty Insider I get so many cleanser samples, I hardly ever have to buy one, but I'm tempted by Shiseido 'cause their products smell so good!

This is a little off-topic, but the kind of acne you're describing--deep, sore swellings that don't come all the way to the surface--can be effectively treated with Retin-A. Talk to a doc. 

[#3]

If the junk under your skin is not surfacing, your skin have a slow metabolism/turn over rate, so use an enzyme mask to speed up cell regeneration (acne comes up sooner, and leaves sooner). I use Ren F10 and it makes my skin feel bouncy instead of thin and fragile. Use biore pore strips for pulling out blackheads/junk from the nose, and the Boscia or Kose peel mask to gently pull out junk/flaky skin from the entire face.

As for acne, I find most acne cleanser dries me out, so I still get oily skin and flakes on top of that. I used clinique 7 day cream scrub followed by the 3 steps for oily/oily combo skin (if your face hurt, it's most likely the toner, switch from 3 to 2. If you feel like the moisturizer is not moisturizing enough, switch to a gel cream like Bliss Oxygen+C cream instead of the Clinique gel).

I also really like L'oreal's 360 clean (the green one) for days when I feel particularly greasy. There's a lot of trial and error involved, and I can't give more recommendation than that unless I can see/touch your skin. Try new products one at a time, and for at least 1 week before evaluating the effect. Hope that helps. Good luck!

[#4]

Have you considered purchasing a Clarisonic Mia?  That in conjuction with using a gentle cleanser that contains salicylic acid (which incidentally comes from the white willow plant) or glycolic acid, has helped tremendously with eliminating blackheads from my skin.  All of the issues you mentioned are acne in different forms.  The salicylic or glycolic acid products are anti bacterial and will help gently exfoliate and eliminate bacteria.  Acne treatment is different from treating a headache.  Hopefully when you have a headache and take an aspirin it reacts on the temporary cause of the pain.  Acne can be hormone related and often needs continuous treatment.

[#5]

If you still want an acne line, i'd recommend Boscia "clear complextion" line. It uses natural willow tree back and other natural ingredients to help with acne. You need to understand the root cause of acne usually has these properties, clogged pores, over production of sebum, irregular amount and schedule of dead skin shedding/turn over. Using chemical acne ingredients will only temporarily "burn" off those oils or rough skin layer but as soon as you stop the regime, the problem comes back because you did not help balance your body (skin). It's like the Western medicine, a pain killer, the chemical reaction will stop you from feeling your headache pain and that's all it does. It does not help balance, regulate or heal your body for good. Same type of concept with skin care. Did you know the very popular chemicals found in the US skincare market (especially US brand) are extinct in asia because they're 12 years more advanced? Amore Pacific is one of those brands. Although not labeled organic, they don't use chemicals to zap problem skins. Their active ingredients include bamboo sap, ginseng and green tea. It is about gentle cleansing and nourishing each step of the way. No "burning off your skin layer to reveal smooth skin" like with glycolic acid. 

[#6]

You should try REN's Clear Calm 3 Anti-Blemish Clay Cleanser. I think it would be a nice change of pace if you've tried every salicylic acid/benzyl peroxide treatment out there because it contains natural salicylic acid. It's not drying at all and you can really  take your time massaging your face without it drying your skin out because it's free of parabens and sulfates. Of course, if you want more than just a cleanser, you may want to try an all-over acne treatment to prevent acne and not just get rid of acne. I use Philosophy's On a Clear Day all-over acne treatment for reference. I hope this helps!