17 year old guy in need of skincare help.

[kurtykat]

I need help because I'm quite clueless. I have a fair but uneven complexion, acne, red marks from the acne, dents from the acne, blackheads, the occasional white head, and oily/combo skin. Also my skin is semi-sensitive. I need advice/tips and product ideas for how to get my skin to be acne/blackhead free and also for how to even my skin tone and diminish the red marks/dents from my acne. So far I use Philosophy: Purity made simple foaming cleanser twice a day and once a week I use Clinique exfoliating scrub. I also use two products from my dermatologist but I'm not a huge fan and would like to switch to other products that can do similar things. One was a retinol product which for some reason she told me to use in the morning (retin-a micro gel), the other was a benzoyl peroxide product (benzaclin). They worked well but I wasn't a fan of the side effects (dryness and redness). I'd also like to look into eye creams and anything else that can help my skin look as great as possible without the need for makeup. Don't forget I'm a guy so my skins a little different. Thanks for any help you offer! 🙂

[tallwoman]

Hello kurtykat,

I can relate to you when you mentioned the dryness from the Benzaclin gel and Retin-A micro!!!!  Used these products years ago.   I have a suggestion for you...... Please try the Mario Badescu skincare line which offers many products that have ingredients in them to counteract dryness associated with acne products like salicylic acid or benzoyl perozide.   MB does not use BP in any of the products.  MB has cleansers, masks, scrubs, oil-free moisturizers, toners  and also bath and body products.  This skincare line is for women and men and is not age specific.  Please go to the website with this name and take a look at what it has to offer and contact a consultant there  to discuss a personalized skincare regimen to fit your skincare needs.  Hope this helps you!!! 

[anaa]

Hi, not a guy but have experienced the same kinds of issues you describe.  I would definitely make an investment in a Clarisonic Mia for the blackheads it is a miracle worker for many people.  In addition I would suggest  taking a look at some of the products already recommended, and going to the product pages and reading reviews to give you some idea of the kinds of results people get.   I would like to also suggest Zirh and Jack Black products are worth a look.  I have used Philosophy and Clinique products for acne related issues for many years with great success but everyone's skin reacts differently.  Philosophy's Help Me is a favorite of mine.  Good luck!

[6aad0801]

Start with getting a few products to start a basic skincare regime.  Clinique for men is fragrance free and excellent.  I suggest a cleanser: clinique or spectro gel. a clinique moisturizer to help heal and condition your skin after cleansing, and the clinique exfoliator for men (use once-twice a week).  A way to remove blackheads is a mud mask - but don't overdo it - a once a week treatment or spot treatment is enough.  But before you jump into everything, just start with a cleanser and moisturizer as mentioned above. about: Benzylperoxide -  should only be used every other day because it's so drying (also it will bleach clothes so only wear at night with a white shirt).

I hope that is helpful,

best.

[tenngal]

I would try the GoClear line of acne products which are designed for both men and women.  They have a great travel-sized kit that you could get to try the products to see if you like them before investing in the full-sized products called the GoClear 3 Step Acne & Blemish Regimen and the kit includes the following products:

- 2.4 oz Clarifying Cleanser AM/PM
- 0.68 oz Intensive Acne Treatment
- 1.0 oz Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 15

GoClear is an exclusively acne-focused skincare line committed to creating products that work well for all types, ages, and tones of skin, and are free of potentially irritating ingredients, which can cause post-treatment dark spots for acne sufferers. The products in the 3-step Acne and Blemish Regimen do not contain alcohol, propylene glycol, lanolin, PABA, or artificial dye or fragrance, and are all oil free and allergy tested. GoClear does not formulate with benzoyl peroxide.

You can find the kit I mentioned above at:  http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P261007&categoryId=C20478&shouldPaginate=true

Now about the acne scarring...A great, organic product to fade your acne scars is Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum which is a highly concentrated oil-free serum that improves the appearance of dark spots and promotes even skin tone.  Perfect for all skin types, it offers remarkable results, helping to correct dark spots, acne marks and scars.  Naturally powerful ingredients work to counter stretch marks, scars, and damage while bolstering collagen and elastin to boost your skin’s radiance, as well.  You can read more about it at:  http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P94421&categoryId=B70

I hope this helps you.  🙂

[sephoramusthave]

Acnetix for the acne, Mario Badescu Whitening Mask for the red marks and Weleda Sensitive Skin Regime. I would stay away from Philosophy-their stuff causes breakouts for a lot of people. Try Jack Black Pure Clean Daily Facial Cleanser.