I have still struggled with adult acne for the last decade or so, starting after the pregancy of my last child.  I was never acne-prone as a teenager, in fact, I can remember vividly so many times that girlfriends would have flare-ups just in perfect time for pictures, prom, a first date and they would tell me how very lucky I was to never have that nasty zit or two before a big event!

Well, those days have been replaced with embarrassing acne flare ups, always at the worst time, and I have truly tried so many product lines that I just felt that I would kind of have to “live with it”, hiding and camoflauging the breakouts the best I could with great makeup.  I am too sensitive to the antibiolics that work best to address adult acne, I also deal with rosacea, so I cannot use the more “hard core” kind of products that can address acne as they would leave my skin literally raw, red, and looking even worse. 

Recently, I visited Euro Day Spa, in Laguna Niguel, California and got an amazing facial treatment and received some fantastic recommendations for products that could help to impact my skin.  At first, I thougth, “Nope…not going to do it…not yet ANOTHER product line!”.  But I took the risk, and purchased the products that she recommended for my skin type and for my occasional acne flareups.  And, the risk was really mitigated by two factors:  Euro Day Spa is a day spa founded by Dr. Lorrie Klein, my dermatologist (and dermatologist to my entire family!), and the esthetician did not recommend the entire store to me.  Instead, she truly listened to my concerns, closely examined my skin and took into consideration my skin sensitivities and the acne protocol that I have followed in the past.  She took care to select only a few key products that were effective, yet gentle, that had more natural ingredients and that she stated she could stand behind and put her professional reputation behind.  How refreshing, right?!

One of the products that was recommended to me was Epicuren’s Acidophilus Probiotic.  The Acidophilus Probiotic works by mildly, and I do say very mildly, exfoliating skin to help blemish-prone skin and skin types.  While it exfoliates, it also moisturizes so you do not get the red, dry, flaky skin from other types of exfoliators.  The ingredients also help to create a healthy “flora balance” on the skin so the bad acne-causing bacteria does not have an environment in which to thrive. 

Please note that this product can make you sun sensitive, and you should always follow up with sunscreen and limit sun exposure.  But we are all careful with sunscreen and sun exposure anyway, right?!

I have truly seen a profound difference in my skin, the condition of my skin, and how dramatically fewer breakouts I do get.  When I do get breakouts, they are much smaller, and certainly not the cystic type of acne that I was experiencing.   Overall, the condition of my skin felt smoother, more clear and almost brighter.   The gentle effects of the exfoliating were truly impacting my skin overall.

I am not here to say that I am like completely cured, my skin is now completely flawless or that any product has worked some amazing magic, and I would not believe that hype if I read it somewhere else.  However, I am thrilled and excited to say that indeed this product has surpassed my expecations, and I have had friends and family comment on how fantastic my skin looks. 

While I still get the occasional breakout, I have found yet another product to address that beautifully!  Another product that was recommended to me is NeoCeuticals by NeoStrata’s Acne Spot Treatment Gel.  Love, love, love this gel!

I have used many acne spot treatment products, most of which completely dry me out and I end up with a huge dry spot on my face instead of a small, manageable pimple!  Ugh!  Not this treatment gel, this is a total gem.

The Acne Spot Treatment Gel has 2% Salicylic Acid and works more gently than any other spot acne treatment that I have ever used.  I apply it on a problem area both morning and night, and typically I can see results the very next day.  I have even put this onto problem areas before going to bed, or a spot that looks like it is going to become a breakout, and upon waking up, I have no breakout, I have no problem area.

So, I have found that I have been able to really manage the majority of my adult acne issues with two fantastic products.  I recommend that you discuss these products and other options with your dermatologist as there are products out there that can truly work, without any hype, and help to impact the effects of your adult acne symptoms.  There is no “miracle cure”, however, there are products that can work for your skin, your skin type, your lifestyle and your expectations.  Good luck, and feel free to share your success stories, so we can all help each other find real world skin care solutions!