My 13 year old is really starting to get acne.
He has always had an abundance of sweat glands, he even used to sweat as an infant when he nursed!
Any suggestions for more natural treatments that work, or a product I could buy and possibly would get a good rating from a site like Environmental Working Group?
We are currently having him wash his face with Neutrogena face bar soap one to two times a day, and sometimes put rubbing alcohol on his face when the acne is getting really bad. But I'm not sure rubbing alcohol is that great to be putting on any body part consistently.
I haven't bought any of the store bought treatments and dont' want him on a prescription because I know they are full of chemicals that aren't good for anyone.
Thank you.
I don't have any good advice, other than to switch from alcohol (makes oil glands produce more oil) to witch hazel. It smells funny, but for me in my teenage years, it worked better both as a toner and an acne fighter than any product I tried, to include ProActive.
Also, as an afterthought, maybe he rests his face on his hands? I find myself doing that as I sit here an type on the computer, so maybe he could try to become more aware of touching his face?
Get him proactive. I would quit using the alcohol, that probably just irritates the skin even more.
Proactive worked great for me as a teen...the key is to make sure he consistently washes his face, my teenager complains about his acne but he will go 2 or 3 days without washing his face and wonders why it breaks out so bad.
Drink lots of water too...
Take him to dermatologist. I would think that putting a prescription cream on his face is preferable to possible disfiguring scarring.
Rubbing alcohol will just make it worse! I suggest going into a vitamin store, whole food store, or something similar. They can point you in the direction of a good, safe product.
I would recommend Oxy Maximum Face Wash 2x daily. I use it as an adult and so does my 11 yr old daughter. Works great, but be careful what he uses to dry his face afterwards...can bleach some fabrics.
Proactiv?
I prefer a more natural approach as well. Check out www.thepaleodiet.com - they have a book specifically for acne. http://www.thepaleodiet.com/paleo_books/
In a nutshell the Paleo diet consists of lean meats, veggies, some fruit, nuts/seeds, no sugar and little to no starch. Acne is caused by inflammation and inflammation is most often caused by environment or foods that we are eating.
Other than that, I don't have personal experience with acne, just the occasional blemish here/there but since going paleo - my skin is so healthy. I don't use any harsh chemicals either. My moisturizer/sunscreen is coconut oil - LOVE IT!
I want to second the suggestion to look at his diet.
My 16 year old appeared to be going that direction when he was about the same age (his father had a problem with it too) - HOWEVER, when he went gluten free last year his acne almost completely disappeared. My younger son has been gluten free for a few years. 16 yo son noticed that he felt better when he stayed off gluten so he avoids it too. The acne cessation was quite a surprise bonus. Now he only gets a bump or two from his football helmet (oil build-up) or his orthodontic mask.
Good luck.
Couple of things that can help: a) minimize sugar intact b) drink the recommended 8 glasses of water per day c) reduce fats to less than 20% daily intake d) sweat from exercise or perhaps a steamy bath (to open pores) e) avoid margarine or oily chips. Use an antibacterial soap and there are some good not costly treatments too. Also can use tea tree oil when see blackhead starting which will help get rid of it.
Don't do the alcohol as it does naturally stimulate oil products.
I would also suggest witch hazel.
And if he's sweaty from being active, he's gotta wash the face!
High testosterone might be the issue. Are his cortisol levels ok? That is what i would have tested- with a saliva cortisol test. Cortisol controls sex hormones.
Maybe get him some cleansing wipes that he can take with him when he is out. That way if he's active and sweats a lot, he can wipe down his face. Also, try the liquid Neutrogena acne wash.
I've had troubled skin all my life. The only facial product that works on my skin has been the Philosophy "Purity" cleanser and "Hope In a Bottle" clarifying lotion. Also, The Body Shop has a cocoa butter bar soap that seems to clear up congestion on my back, chest and arms.
Like you, I do try to keep the things in my life healthy and free of toxins and I'm not sure where these two products rate on the EWG database but they work for me.
Sounds like you're someone who really wants to be natural - and I'm all for that. I try to eat / feed my family organic when possible and practical - we try to limit our meat, I use vinegar and baking soda to clean much of the time - but I'm willing to use other products /food when neccessary. The Proactiv product line is supposed to work like magic. If your son is in public school, and since teenagers are cruel, and can be really brutal to eachother and this is such a tender age to begin with, I beg that you reconsider your position on natural vs. non-natural products. If using a non-natural product line for a while helps your son have more confidence and face the world in a better way I think it's worth consideration for his emotional well being.
The only other thought is that when kids are very involved in sports they tend to perspire much more and their skin gets more clogged. When my teenage daughter is in season for her sports she has to wash her face thoroughly the minute she gets home.
good luck!
I have to agree with all the mommas advise below on the importance of a good diet, lots of water, and no skin care product is going to work with out regular use. I grew up eating only healthy foods- no sugar, processed foods, or store bought meats, but still had some acne issues- which I still have to this day. Never super bad, just small breakouts. I used Proactive for awhile, but it stopped working for me- I hear that they have a new line now, I haven't looked into that one. I have been using Zap-It entire line and changed my make-up to the Sei Bella line (which your son shouldn't have an issue with-LOL) and have had so much improvement!
I use Say Yes to Tomatoes Skin Care Line and it has helped a lot (95-99% natural/organic depending on the product). I also put toothpaste on big ones overnight. I too didn't want chemicals and other stuff as I am pregnant BUT I break out when pregnant or going through other hormonal changes (like when I quit nursing my 2nd baby). Good luck to him. I would do what you can to avoid scarring -- that will be with him for life.
I know you don't want a prescription, but if his acne is nodular, please consider taking him to a dermatologist. Severe acne is not only difficult for kids socially, but it can disfigure him permanently and cause scarring that he will live with his whole life. For me, the only thing that worked was Accutane. It's a very serious medication, but it resolved the acne permanently in my case when nothing else had worked. My doctor monitored me very carefully the entire time, and would have stopped treatment if any problems came up. I am so grateful that option was available, and that my skin has been beautiful ever since. The guidance of a good dermatologist is critical in resolving acne, in my opinion. Just my two cents.
I agree with the mom below, if it is serious enough, you may need to go to a dermatologist and he may need a prescription. My 13yr old just started using Benza Clin. It is a prescription and she is starting to show signs of it clearing up. Nothing else worked before. Not even the Neutrogena soap. But, maybe thedermatologist can also recommend something without the chemicals for you.
Rubbing alcohol and all that washing could make his skin break out more.
Take him to a dermatologist, natural cures are okay for small breakouts, but when it becomes more severe or cystic or nodular, then he needs something more that can help fight the cause of the acne. They can not only be painful, but really injure his self-esteem and case scarring.
When I was a teen, I used Accutane, the only thing that worked but they have better prescriptions now.
Also, habits such as not picking at or touching his face, not putting his face on the phone, washing his hands often, cleaning his pillowcase regularly, drinking lots of water and less proceeds foods... all can help.
Stop with the rubbing alcohol. Over-drying your skin will stimulate the oil glands, making the problem worse. It can also cause a layer of dry skin to form, further trapping the oil and causing pimples.
A thorough but gentle cleanser is best. Neutrogena is good, but personally I like the liquid vs. bar. And I don't personally like the acne cleanser, just the regular cleanser.
And for severe, cystic acne, take Catherine C.'s advice.