Heyo! I’m feeling a bit better today. Better enough to answer this recent Ask Afrobella question that I identified with so, so much.
Hey Bella! First of all, I want to say GREAT JOB on your blog! I am a new reader, and I enjoy reading about your product reviews and other issues. I am writing because I need help with my skin. I am a young black female in my early 20s. My skin isn’t horrible, but I get my fair share of pimples and whiteheads. Sometimes they leave dark marks on my face. Anyway, I was wondering if you knew of any good face creams, washes or products I could use to prevent the pimples/whiteheads and clear the marks. Currently, I use Noxema facewash and St. Ives Apricot Scrub once or twice a day (depending on if I wear makeup or not). Besides this, I don’t use anything else to help my face. I try to drink as much water as I can, but I do love my diet pepsi!!! I would appreciate any help you could offer. Thank you very much, and keep up the excellent work!
~Kolie E.
Hey Kolie! Thanks so much for your sweet words about my site. I love hearing from new readers. Especially readers I might actually be able to help!
My skin issues began in my teenage years. When I was fourteen or fifteen, my face just… erupted. It was awful. Having acne can be scarring in so many ways. I was a die-hard face-picker in those days, and I was left with cheeks covered in pockmarks and dark spots. That really complimented the heavy dose of teenage angst and self-doubt I was going through at the time.
My mother sent me for numerous facials at Jencare, a chain of wonderful day spas that originated in Jamaica. (An aside: I can’t believe Jencare doesn’t have their own website! It frustrates me so much when high quality Caribbean businesses don’t even have the most basic online representation). There’s at least one Jencare in Trinidad, and I know of a Miami branch, although I’ve never been to it. Jencare also makes its own line of skin care products, and I used them for a long time. But like so many products do, after a while they seemed to stop working. By the time I was nineteen, I learned that drinking water is a must. I try to do that as much as possible. But my skin and I had settled into a frustrating pattern that continues to this day.
Once a month (guess when?), I turn back into that teenage girl and break out like crazy for a week. Then slowly, my break out fades away, leaving scabs and spots behind. Needless to say I’ve had to work out a serious skin care routine to combat this recurring condition, and I’m always, always on the look out for the next amazing anti-acne treatment. This is what works for me now that I’m a grown woman dealing with acne issues.
First things first, your daily skin care routine is of paramount importance. It’s something most people might not think twice about, but if you’ve been tackling ongoing acne, it’s worth taking a closer examination of your existing makeup removal regimen and making a change. The Makeup Girl recently did a great post on the topic, titled Makeup Removal 101. Some of her suggestions surprised me because I hadn’t really thought about them before. Wash my hands first? THEN remove eye makeup? What a fool I’ve been! Now I’ve been taking extra care to wash my grubby mitts before I let them touch my face, and to slather some Kiehl’s Supremely Gentle Eye Makeup Remover on before I get to washing. That’s the kind that works best for me, and I have really sensitive eyes.
You can add face wash to the long list of beauty products I’m addicted to (right after body wash, and conditioner. And lipgloss. And eye shadow. Lord, I’m hopeless). Because of my fickle skin, I’m always on the lookout for Afrobella’s Next Top Cleanser, and some of the stuff that’s really been working for me is out of the drugstore price range. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t generally splurge on cosmetic items. I’m still a bella on a budget and I try to find affordable alternatives for just about every beauty product. But skin care is so important to me, I do find myself getting products that are pricy. But if I’m paying more than $20 for a face wash, it better WORK! I’ve become very particular about the quality of stuff I use to cleanse my face.
I’ve got some current rave-about fave face products. SkinCeuticals Simply Clean for Combination or Oily Skin is a great, refreshing cleanser that is gentle and effective. It contains a hydroxy acid blend, and it definitely has helped to smooth the texture of my skin. Every other weekend I use a clay mask, and SkinCeuticals Clarifying Clay Mask is a bit pricey ($37.50), but I think it’s worth it. If I’m getting a painful, under the surface zit, I dab a little mask on it and it goes away quicker.
Another product that works great to dry up pimples as quickly as possible is Nu Skin Clear Action Day Treatment, and I notice when I use it, I’m less likely to get a lasting dark spot. It’s amazing! Nu Skin seems to have quite a few possibly great skin care products, but their Acne Medication System ain’t cheap at $100.70. (Compare that to the Clean and Clear Advantage Acne Control Kit for $19.99!) But I can vouch that the day treatment is rockin’!
These days, I’m using Murad Acne Clarifying Cleanser. I had heard so much about Murad and was dying to try their stuff, but at $60, I wasn’t sure about that complex kit. My friend Lauren had been using it with success for a while, but when it stopped working for her she passed it along to me. Great success! I love it so far. The cleanser has a very refreshing menthol tingle, and the Acne Spot Treatment dries up my pimples overnight. But my husband remains indifferent.
What do you think of the Murad? I asked him. He shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s OK, I guess. Whatever, if it says face wash or pore cleanser, I put it on my face,” he says. Brilliant explanation, thanks for enlightening me. He’s not into brands and fancy ingredients, he just uses what works. He’s still got a preference for Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask, and when he breaks out he reaches for the Clean and Clear. And that regimen is working for him, but not so much for me.
When it comes to exfoliation, I am head over heels in love with Clinique’s 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula. If you’ve got a current breakout, I would NOT advise you to use it. But between breakouts, it will keep your face smooth and clean, and get rid of some of that post-breakout roughness. I also use a little on my lips from time to time, because I have dry and flaky lips (a little brown sugar/olive oil scrub works great for that as well).
I’m about to up my exfoliation ante, though. I recently got a Clarisonic system kit, and I am DYING to try it! I’ve been too under the weather this week to bust it out. But my blog buddy Andrea over at The Girlfriend Lounge, calls it the only facial brush you’ll ever need. I’ll let you know my thoughts as soon as I try it, and if you want to score your very own Clarisonic, you can either save up $195, or you can check out the giveaway over at Andrea’s other site, The Organic Beauty Expert!
Recently, my skin had gotten so bad that I was seriously contemplating getting laser treatments. Two of my closest friends have, and they swear it’s amazing. In fact, my friend Jackie is an aesthetician and the manager of an American Laser Center in Long Island. I’d always assumed laser treatments were for hair removal, but I was wrong. They also offer microdermabrasion and Skin Rejuvenation. Jackie’s skin was as bad as mine when we went to college together, and now she’s practically going makeup free every day while I still need to slather on foundation to cover my blemishes. Obviously, laser treatments are not cheap, but Jackie guaranteed me that Affirm laser treatments would clear up my hyperpigmentation forever. I think that could be worth almost any price. And best believe when I stayed with her and Jenny in New York, I tried every last product in her cabinet! (As a rule, I am not THAT houseguest. But these chicks are really, really good friends of mine so I knew it’d be OK).
Ameripure is hardcore skin care stuff, some of which is probably best left to the professionals. But the Purifying Cleansing Wash was probably one of the best face washes I’ve ever tried. My face just felt so clean afterward, and my skin definitely cleared up when I stayed with them. Jackie also swears by the Cellular Anti-Oil Treatment.
So Kolie, my advice to you is, if your products aren’t working get an upgrade. You deserve to have the kind of skin you want, and having a couple of different products in your arsenal is always a good thing. If you’re feeling sketchy about just buying any of the pricier face washes, then just go to Sephora and score some sample sizes! That should help you to find a regimen that works for you.
Hey bellas! Do any of you have a new favorite facial cleansing product? Do tell! And if you’ve got an Ask Afrobella question, e mail me at bella@afrobella.com.
Okay so I’m a simple girl. In high school I was the die hard noxema fanatic. Now I only use Cetaphil.
Hi,
I did go through a period of serious out breaks and my face cleaning ritual became – use witch hazel as an astringent, and a gentle soap to wash my face with a super soft wash cloth. I use 24 spf and cocoa butter on my face. It clears up my skin and keeps it moisturized as well. I do this twice daily and I use a gentle apricot scrub once a week and rinse it off with luke warm water. Also watch what you eat. If you are drinking water but slacking on fruit and veggies your skin will break out toi. I give myself face a break from make up sometimes. Just a little lip gloss and eyeliner with some bronzer on your eye lids will do the trick. It lets your natural beauty shine through. I hope this helps and good luck!!
I would check out “The Skin Type Solution” by Dr. Leslie Baumann. She has you take an indepth quiz on your skin and then you find out your specific skin type. She gives you a daily regiment and reccomends what products to use. She is not sponsered by one company and suggest cheap to expensive products.
NOT ALL SKIN IS THE SAME!!! So what clears up my skin may break you out!
For my skin I use the Neutrogena line. I love it. The oil free acne cream cleanser is good and also the oil free daily acne face scrub. They work great! I also use their rapid clear acne treatment pads after cleansing my face. I use cocoa butter to moisturize though….I love my cocoa butter!!!! This regimen helps for my blemishes also.
Gibbo ur right…cetaphil is real good. I have a huge jar of it.
Hi Bella, glad your back 🙂
Kolie, have you thought about seeing a dermatologist? I say that because, I tried every prouduct I could get my hands on and nothing worked for me. My mom (bless her heart), tried home remedies on my face as well and still nothing. After many yrs. of tears, I finally found a dermatolgist that helped me get my skin in great shape. It wasn’t cheap, however after only 2 visits I could see a major change and so could my family. When I think about it… I’ve spent more on facial products, than I have with the dermatolgist. Don’t get me wrong, some of the products named I’ve used…they just didn’t work for me. So, I had to seek a dermatolgist. I hope one of the products listed, will work for you. If not, give a dematolgist a shot! It worked for me and I’ve been all smiles since. Be blessed and don’t give up!!
I had dewy, perfect skin my until my early 20’s. Then, stress caused me severe breakouts that were embarrassing and uncontrollable. I am sort of fair, so it looked pretty gross. I struggled with it for 4 years, attempting almost all of the otc remedies. I tried Murad, but the strong acids left chemical burns on my face. ProActiv was a miserable failure. What Kolie should do is see a dermatologist immediately. I had avoided that option because of money issues. And my goodness, in the mean time, please avoid any sort of scrub or peel, which can aggravate and even encourage breakouts.
An oral antibiotic taken for a month coupled with Benzaclin gel worked wonders for me. It took weeks to see results, but now I have few, if any, active breakouts and no scars, and I hadn’t used it in months. It’s important still that Kolie watches what she eats and drinks and keep her hands and hair out of her face. I hope this helps her avoid the pain it caused me. Acne in your firm years is a tragedy, so take my advice!
I too am a Neutrogena girl. I use Cetaphil cleanser to wash, A few times a week I break out the Loreal Thermal Skin Polisher, then finish up with Neutrogena Healthy Skin Visibly Even Daily Moisturizer w SPF15. At night I substitute the moisturizer with Neutrogena Healthy Skin Visibly Even Night Concentrate. My skin wasn’t horrible before but not good either. I have seen huge changes, more radiance, less hyperpigmentation and even less breakouts. I am now fanatical about good skin care.
Kolie:
You may want to visit a dermatologist to see if any topical medicines may can be prescribed (e.g. Differen, Retin A, Benzaclin). As for cleansers, most dermatologists “amen” Purpose line of products or Cetaphil’s line of products. I wish you the best with your skin. Oh! And don’t ever forget your sunscreen! That will help with the hyperpigmentation.
I am an Oil of Olay user. I use the basic foaming cleanser for sensitive skin, every two days I use their warming face scrub as an exfoliator and I use the basic Olay moisturizer with SPF daily.
I am blessed with fairly good skin and the Olay preserves the sexy 🙂
Thank you Afrobella! It made my day to see my question answered as today’s post. I never thought about upgrading the products I use on my face, but it sounds like a good idea…I will most definitely keep your recommendations in mind.
Cassi and Leah: I’ve never thought about seeing a dermatologist before…I never really thought my problems were serious enough for a dermatologist, but maybe I should see one. (I HATE the scarring!) As for sunscreen…I will admit that I do not wear it. As a black female (milk chocolate complexion), I have always believed that I did not need it. I thought that my melanin served as a natural sunscreen. Even though I do not spent much time in the sun, I have always thought that I am immune to sun damage since I’m dark. Am I right? Do I need to wear sunscreen?
Sunshine: Good point with saying “not all skin is the same”.
Thanks for all of the advice everyone!
Kolie,
I cosign with the sunscreen wearers, I wear some every day!! I use the Philosophy Airbrushed Flawless SPF 15 sunscreen, and it makes my skin look smooth, helps my makeup stay put, AND protects me from the sun. Gotta wear your sunscreen!
I used to have terrible skin as a teenager. At 25, it has cleared up some, but I still get painful whiteheads around that time of the month. My main problem, though, is blackheads. I can’t seem to make them go away without squeezing, or to prevent them from popping up. Anybody got any suggestions?
Oh, as to what I use for my face, there is a line called AcneFree that they sell at WalMart and CVS. They have this little $5 tube of pimple cream called The Terminator. I have used it on everyone I know and it takes the red out and calms pimples down in like 15 minutes.
With the stress of planning my wedding I broke out something terrible. I started using Biore but that made it worse. I went to my doctor because I was afraid some of my blemishes would turn into cystic acne (it was taht bad) She recommended I try Neutrogena before referring me to a dermatologist. Since then, thats what I’ve been using and my skins cleared up nicely. I’ve also been using their Glycolic Peel to get rid of the scars left by old breakouts.
For cleansing and maintenance, I’m a philosophy whore. it starts with purity made simple, hope in a jar (or in a bottle, but in a bottle can be a bit drying and it smells like concentrated windex), the oxugen peel (to fade dark spots quicker–kinda expensive, though) and the supernatural canvas when i want to look extra flawless. I tried their mineral powder, but there isn’t a shade dark enough for me 🙁 I don’t use scrubs anymore, cuz i swear it irritates my skin and makes it break out.
melanin in blacks DOES offer an SPF of 13, but who wants to be older and wrinkly???? don’t forget to put suncreen on your chest area, too!!! That is where most people with impeccable facial skin show their age…
I visited a dermatologist two months ago for the first time in my life. He prescribed Differin (for drying out pimples), and Clindomycin (sp?) as a topical anibacterial to prevent outbreaks. Works like a charm!
great article on dark skin and skin cancer:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5219752.stm
What email address should I send my ‘ask Afrobella’ questions to?
I really like the Clinique products…they even have a cleansing soap for men. I bought that for my hubby so he doesn’t have to use all of mine up.
http://www.happyheadedfro.blogspot.com
Sorry If this is a repeat but I hit submit comment and I don’t see my comment.
Anyways, a great exfoliator is cheap ol baking soda.
it’s very gentle you can use it every other day or so.
Make a paste and rub it into your skin in small circular motions, then rinse well.
And Noxzema makes cleansing pads specifically for blackheads. It works too. And no burning skin, either.
The cleansing pads have Salicyllic acid and sea salt.
I use the evil-taboo Hydroquinone for fading small dark spots. Don’t preach. I know Hydroquinone is the debil. But I don’t use it all over. Only on the small discolored spots left over from breakouts. I use dabs the smaller than the size of my pupil, or so.
I know this does not justify my use. leave me lone!(ducking head)
my skin looks good though.
A great product that I have used to help with acne scars and clearing up my skin is the Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Scrub. It’s oil-free, soap-free, hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic. It’s about $7 at walgreens, but I’ve found it cheaper at Target. Works great, skin feels smoother and it has soy in it. It has definitely helped in fading my acne scars.
I used to cry over my spots. My derm put me on Retin A Micro Gel and my face is almost to where I consider going out without makeup (my goal, have not been without makeup for many years). It has been a blessing to me and my self esteem. I also use African Black soap that seems to cleanse and fade the spots.
Good luck!!!
Honey stop wasting your time and your money at CVS and find yourself a good doctor and a spa that does facial designed for ance prone skin. Medical spas are the best because doctors are right there on hand. Always ask for samples that way you can test a product out before paying an arm and a leg for it only to discover it’s not the best product for your skin. I’m currently using SkinCeuticals. I have also received light chemcial peels to even out my skin.
Hey! Keep it simple. Stay away from the Pepsi, get plenty of EFA’s, drink lots of water, eat fresh, organic , and preferably home made, and begin to purge your skin care routine. This means stop scrubbing your face 2x a day and try to cut back to once avaery few weeks. This also means abstain from the drug store and beauty suppliers that sell us useless chems that do nothing for our skin. Check out your local health food store for clean bodycare products.Clean meaning paraban free, SLS free, and animal free. Abstain from harsh cleansers altogether, as well as makeup. Brew a lavender tea to keep in the fridge as your face cleanser. Read “perricone perscription”, “The truth about beauty”. These books stress the less is more theory when it comes to skin. If you don’t believe it , check out indigenous women, and their usually perfect skin. They are not running to a dermatologist, or a drug store, no fast food and chances sre they don’t pay $60 for a skin cleanser. Most important, monitor your digestion. Do you eat too late at night? Do you eat too many cooked fats? Do you take digestive bitters?
I use L’Oreal pure zone products, particularly for sensitive skin. They work better than anything else I’ve ever used.
I’m lucky to have good skin so I use Cetaphil to remove my makeup AND to wash my face and I don’ t have any problems.
afrobella,
I do hope your feelin’ better girl. When, I get like that nothing helps me like good ole apple cider vinegar.
heres the mix:
2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 c. of apple juice
1/2 c of water.
drink this down twice a day on an empty stomach and you will be good as new.
I see your from miami, check out FLO! for ladies only, (miami, baby :~} meetup group on meetup. com , we would enjoy having a conscious sister like you around.
peace and many blessings!
I started using black african soap to clean and raw shea butter to moisturize my face. Since I’ve been doing this, I’ve noticed that I have fewer breakouts and my skin looks cleaner. I’m starting to eat better drink more water, and exercise, because I can’t expect glowing skin, hair and nails, if I’m constantly putting crap into my body.
Hi Bella,
Very interesting blog…I am new here wanted to say “Hi” well came across to your blog while was searching for beauty blogs.
Hey Kolie, Rose water with equal amount of cucumber paste or mixed with lime juice and applied for 20 minutes will help in fighting pimples. Take camphor lotion with tomato juice 1/2 tsp and honey 1 tsp mix well to make a smooth paste. Apply on face, leave it for 20 minutes and wash off.
Hello ladies, I agree with Em.Kay.Aarrh ….simplify your regimen, eat clean (organic as much as possible) and EDUCATE yourself about YOUR skin type. If your skin is oily.. use gel cleansers, Dry skin..use cream cleansers (hydrate) that can be rinsed off with water or a moist cotton face towel (white..colored face towels could irritate skin), Normal skin (not dry or oily and occasionally breaks out due to hormones or stress) can choose between a gel or cream cleanser and Combination skin responds best to a foaming cleanser (creates a light foam like a gel but leaves a soft and supple feel to the skin to balance the oily and dry areas). So 1st…know your skin type and purchase product for your skin type. 2nd…Pay attention to how your skin responds to the product, you may experience an allergic reaction to ingredients and your not aware of it. Your skin is the largest organ on your body and one must be very mindful of the ingredients in skincare products. 3rdly… There are 3 acids currently used in facial products that are helpful in smoothing the texture of the skin and balancing the tone (fade or soften the appearence of hyperpigmentation…dark spots). Salicylic acid is great for acne and penetrates to kill bacteria in pores thus smoothing skin texture, Glycolic acid is a sugar derivative which makes it the mildest and most commonly used acid found in cleansers and over the counter peels. Glycolic acid will fade dark spots and even out the overall tone of skin and Lactic acid is typically found in spa or medical office grade products and peels. Also, exfoliating the skin too frequently will cause the challenge you are trying to prevent and eliminate..irritation, breakouts and black/whiteheads. After the age of 28, the skins natural ability to shed dead cells/skin every 21 days slows down resulting in dull complexion, frequently clogged pores and contributes to mild adult acne. I suggest exfoliating 1x a wk in the evening only (allows skin to heal itself) lightly massage skin with product…DO NOT SCRUB!!! PLEASE NOTE…This will not remove the black heads because they are inside the pore, they need to be removed from a licensed esthetician. And lastly….SPF 15 or 30 should be used everyday over any exposed skin rain, sun, overcast..it does not matter it it’s daylight protect yourself from dangerous UVAging and UVBurning rays. The fact that we have more melanin in our skin does not protect us from sun damage (we just can’t see it) or skin cancer (which has increased in african americans). So ladies…PROTECT PROTECT PROTECT that BEAUTIFUL skin Remember what you put into your body will come out through 1 of 2 ways… bowels or the largest ORGAN on our bodies… SKIN. Ciao Bella’s
I wanted to know what is good for removing blemishes???? can anyone let me know
Well bella if you’ve ever read my blog you’ll know about my struggle with acne. I’ve tried everything from Accutane to Proactive. I’ve even tried Murad. It worked in the beginning but after a while it just stopped. I recently started using Kiehls Blue Herbal Gel Cleanser, so far so good. I will blog about it in a couple weeks.
I have some acne on my face, not too much, just enough to be irritating. I had even more acne on my chest – embarrassing. And the worst acne on my back – horrifying! I did see a dermatologist and used prescription meds, creams and gels over the course of a couple of years. Nothing for me. It just broke me out in rashes, and then I had to take something else for that!
I now wash my face, chest and back with black soap from nasabb.com and after getting out of the shower, I rub pure aloe vera (Lily of the Desert) on my face, chest and back. Once the aloe vera has been absorbed, I use an oil-free moisturizer (generic oil of olay from walmart). I am acne free! I’m 34 btw.
Hello my fello bellas! Although I see quite a few very good products mentionned, I think it’s important to point out that ultimately it’s not only what we put on our skin that will give us beautiful, glowing skin, but also what we are nourish ourselves with. It’s like that old saying “Beauty comes from the inside out”. A balanced diet and lots of water can work miracles!
I found that when I quit eating dairy products, my pimples went away. Now when I have a bit of cheese, I know I’m going to break out. It may be food allergies you are dealing with.
After teenage years of passable skin I developed breakouts in my twenties. Quite a shock! But after using ProActive, stopping, starting back and stopping again when I finally realised it was no longer working I have found that washing with Olay Deep Cleansing Cloths (Combination/Oily), followed by Neutrogena Blackhead Elminating Astringent has improved my skin. It has also not been a strain on my finances. I also get acne facials (with products that contain tea tree oil and golden seal) at least once a month and my aesthetician even mentioned this week that my skin looked good. The litmus test of course is the fact that I no longer have any huge ‘monthly’ breakouts.
I will also suggest looking for products that contain Tea Tree Oil… I read part of a study that said that tea tree oil is just as effective at reducing acne. Plus that is what my aesthetician uses combined with golden seal powder to treat my skin. Apparently golden seal is useful for drying up acne … It may be worth the research and possible try.
After teenage years of passable skin I developed breakouts in my twenties. Quite a shock! But after using ProActive, stopping, starting back and stopping again when I finally realised it was no longer working I have found that washing with Olay Deep Cleansing Cloths (Combination/Oily), followed by Neutrogena Blackhead Elminating Astringent has improved my skin. It has also not been a strain on my finances. I also get acne facials (with products that contain tea tree oil and golden seal) at least once a month and my aesthetician even mentioned this week that my skin looked good. The litmus test of course is the fact that I no longer have any huge ‘monthly’ breakouts.
I will also suggest looking for products that contain Tea Tree Oil… I read part of a study that said that tea tree oil is just as effective at reducing acne. Plus that is what my aesthetician uses combined with golden seal powder to treat my skin. Apparently golden seal is useful for drying up acne … It may be worth the research and possible try. MAKE SURE U DO THE RESEARCH THO!
Hi very interesting – I really enjoyed your blog. Well Done !!
I can’t stop reading all the threads love you guys!I am using cetaphil cleanser since from last 1 year. It works great for me, i got to know about this product from myskin .com.Why don’t you try this, here you can get particular Cleansers that suits on your skin type.
This is a great blog. Thanks for all your hard work and the info you give.
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit my comment
didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all
that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say fantastic blog!