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Just wanted to say to people that may be wondering, Have I cleared my acne ?  What do I take now? and is it helping?

To anyone wondering .....

     First of all, I am always trying something new, and No, I have not cured my acne yet. and then you may be asking if she cant clear her own acne how could she help me? Well , because I research a lot and what does not work for me does not mean it wont work for you. I look for treatments that you may not have heard of and that have high success rates. Also, by people asking questions  and leaving comments I will be able to learn more and be able to share it with you.  As to what Im taking I see no real point is mentioning it because I try a lot of different things and it may sound discouraging to people. But when I find it I or if I seem to be getting close I will let you guys know!!!                                I also look for things that are affordable and easy to find  Also, each post does not contain ALL the options they often contain the  basics but over time I will revisit a topic often to keep bringing more advanced info.                                                                                                  So feel free to make requests and offer comments on any thing from the blog layout to the post setup like to many pictures? not enough ?  are the posts to confusing? and so on.                Later I may mix some other topics in relating to fashion makeup or other!!                               

Treatment for hormonal acne Part 2 If you have tried everything you may consider this!!

Now your probably wondering why I have not mentioned BC for acne and its because its not practical. It does not help your hormones at all it  stops the production of your hormones and replaces them with synthetic. And even if it does work its dangerous has lots of side effects and lets face it you cant take it forever, and the longer you take it when you do get off of it, it takes a long time for your hormones to balance out again.  And most importantly once you get off of it your acne is always worse from what I've heard. So if  you are taking it for acne and trying to get off of it you need to take vitex and get a natural progesterone cream like Natural Balance because when you get off of BC you lack the hormone progesterone. So after you have completely stopped BC start taking the vitex and to speed vitex up take the pro-cream and rub an 1/8teaspoon on the fatty areas of your body twice a day rotating where you apply it. Use the cream for about two months and then lower your does until you completely stop the cream by then the vitex should have kicked in.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               To continue on vitex it does not release hormones it only helps you balance them so it encourages your body to make the hormones that it is lacking and cut back on the ones that are over producing and can be taken from what I've heard it can be taken for a long time.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Now, to get to the more presistant hormonal acne that usually includes painful acne all the time, normal acne you cant get rid of, darker hair on the face and other areas, hair loss, fat you cant get rid of, (you can still be skinny and get the other symptoms) dull skin, slow healing skin. Now you dont have to have all these symptoms these are just some that are most common.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        To get rid of the darker hair I have heard good results from stinging nettle, saw palmetto and spearmint tea.      You can find  nettle at GNC or Natures way. The best way to take saw P. is two 160mg liquid extact capsules from NOW brand you can get 120 softgels for a nice price.  Saw palmetto stops the production of androgens that cause hair and nettle helps get it out.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Now, for the new product I've heard about that sound very promising  is called DIM its a natural supplement gaining popularity because it gets rid of bad estrogens  caused by plastics, synthetic hormones and milk among other things. And you may be saying I have darker face hair and hair loss so I have to much male hormones? Why would I want to get rid of any estrogens good or bad!!?   Because the more you elevate estrogen the more androgen testosterone gets elevated to try and keep in balance so then you end up in a major imbalance that causes major acne all the time!!  So it can be used by men and women!!! I could type out what it does but I will just put up a picture of the box explaining what it does!!   Please continue to read after pictures!!

$18.00 for 120 caps!!

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

                             
Now there are different kinds but its best to find one without soy isoflavones this brand says it does not contain soy but then it does after that big word in the ingredients so I researched phospaitidylcholine and found it to be letchin  which is found in eggs and found that part of the soybean (fiber?) is sometimes used with it but its not the cancer causing soy isoflavones that everyone should avoid.                                               So, some people prefer a brand called Estroblock but it is VERY pricey and I kept coming across this brand as the best and they have the best prices. Ordering off of Amazon is the best price but there are some good companies  on ebay I can recommend.  Just to let you know I have nothing to do with Natures Way or amazon I just like the companies.  You can learn more about DIM on a website called www.thelovevitamin.com                                                                                                                                                                                            IMPORTANT!!                                                                                          I do recommend you research a little before you start any supplement and not take anything if you are on ANY medications.  

How to know if your acne is hormonal and how to start treating it

1. Hormonal acne usually  shows up around your chin and jawline and is painful and lasts forever or sometimes its has more of a rash look. And is usually caused by those monthly hormone imbalances and are a little easier to treat. And then, there are the hormonal kind that stay ALL the time and are caused by a bigger imbalance .                                                                                                                                                                            Lets talk about the first of the two. You will  probably get acne around "that" time and it will clear just in time for it to start again (while your still battling red marks from the last time) Yeah, really annoying. There are several different options to treat this. The first is a simpler choice to take a muti vitamin that has;                                                                                                                                                                  1,000IU of vitamin D3  if you dont get enough sunshine you may be lacking this its an important vitamin  to regulate your hormones. (you can get the spring valley brand at walmart)                                                                                                                                                                                                     8.000IU of vitamin A  it helps to slow down the oil production of your skin causing the acne to be less severe.                                                                                                                                                            B-complex is important  for nerves, energy, and hormones just make sure it contains B6.                                                                                                                                                                                                  The last is magnesium and vitamin C.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   The other alternatives are some very highly rated products that I have heard great results about and are defiantly worth looking into are;                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Natures cure two part female acne treatment.It comes with a one month supply of pills and take one pill twice a day and from the reviews they start out with that amount and after a few months are able to cut back and still maintain good results AND ITS ONLY AROUND $10.00!    It was discontinued for a year but because of the high demand was brought back. It can be ordered at walmart amazon or ebay . But I would look it up on amazon. AND THERES ALSO A MENS VERSION!                                                                                                                                         Next up is called Femaprin and contains vitex and B6 (which I would buy separate and take together to save$$$)   Now vitex has been used for female acne for a long time but is more of a risk because it can break you out worse if you dont need it. You can usually tell  in the first week. But if you take it and your acne does not get worse it may be your acne cure! The problem is that its a slow acting herb so as long as it does not break you out worse it may take 2 months to start seeing positive results. But the great news is that if you start seeing good results it usually only gets better and it can be taken for years without lessening results!              The best brand is by  Natures Way and has good instructions on the bottle. Always take the first does on an empty stomach in the morning and at least 30min before a meal for the rest of the day.                                                                                                                                                                                                     Next is a promising product  I have only recently heard about and  is for more persistent hormonal acne so I will continue this info on my next post since this is kinda long!                                                                                                                                                                              Feel free to comment!                                                                                                                                                                                        

Around $8.00

around 10.00

                                       All these choices are good to try for all types of hormonal acne!

READ PLEASE!

Around $18.00 (just buy your own vitex/B6 save$$$)

$10.00

             You should also look up the Natures Made website and read the 'about them' info to learn about the company.

The best Natural Deodorant that REALLY works! with no oil!

By now everybody  has probably heard  about the dangers of deodorant especially an antiperspirant. Which stops any sweat from coming so toxins that need to come out cant't. It's not the "sweat" that smells its the bacteria from the excreted toxins that smell. But for anyone that has "stress sweat" you know its impossible to find a deodorant that works!  I am pretty shy especially with acne! so I sweat a lot and it gets pretty bad!     Ive tried mens, womens and of course antiperspirants.  At the time I did not care if it was natural I was just looking for one that worked!  So without much faith I decided to try making my own and WOW! it worked! not only did it last though some " Oh my goodness!!!"  moments it does not stain and lets you sweat without becoming "wet".                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        So whats in it? Its simple and cheap you will need:       Baking soda,   Witch hazel,    Aloe vera gel,  Lavender oil.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       But you can also use orange oil, lemon oil, lemongrass oil (that smells amazing) just DONT use tee tree oil! The essential oil you use needs to be antibacterial AND smell good (the ones listed are) because when it warms up the essential oil warms up and gives a light sweet smell from the oil so you want to choose one that smells nice.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Now, to make this put a 1/4 cup of baking soda in a jar thats easy to pour and seals well (so it wont spill)          then put in 1T  of aloe gel ( you can find it at walmart or meijers in the sunscreen or lotion area its called fruit of the earth and is about $3)   and the add 1/2T of witch hazel    then to that add 4to5 drops of lavender oil or whichever oil you choose. Mix it together and if its to thick add a little more aloe.  Now as it sets it may separate just shake it up and it will be fine.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               To use shake well and apply  1/2 teaspoon to each underarm. Now you can use more then that just dont use SO much because it seems to just stay wet and may turn your black shirt a little white from the baking soda it will wash right out but you dont want that to happen when your out!                                                                                                                                                                                                               The reason this works is because the baking soda absorbs smell and the lavender is antibacterial and smells nice. The aloe conditions and keeps the deodorant in place as it dries. The witch hazel closes the pores and is also antibacterial. Some people use coconut oil and I dont recommend this because it stains your clothes and leaves your underarm oily and gets on your shirt and looks wet and does not dry.                                                                                                                                                                                           If you have any questions or have any advice to share I would love to hear from you! and  If you like to contact me without it being seen on the blog just leave a comment and I will give you my Email!

at walmart, meijers, around $3

at walmart, meijers,  around $4

This is what I own but, only because of the pretty bottle! I found it at a health food store and it was $7  

Antibiotics to use them or not? Also, natural antibiotics! topical and herbs to take

We have all taken antibiotics for some reason or another, there are many different kinds and your doctor decides which one is best for your condition. You take it for the week or two given and its great. But when its prescribed for acne its taken for months at a time and then comes the side effects. Nausea headaches,vomiting , diarrhea,  and tiredness but it helps the acne so you keep taking it. And then it stops working so you go back to the dr. and they give you another kind and another.... But the point is (which they often fail to mention) is that its not a cure, you cant take it for very long and you begin to build up a natural resistance to them. So if you ever need them for something more serious down the road they may not work as well. Now there's no need to panic, there are many kinds of antibiotics out there so odds are you have not been given the strongest kind. But just dont let your dr. shoo you out of his office with a new kind of antibiotic every three months. Now I am  not saying not to try them in fact when you find one that works its good to know in case you have a trip of event emergency and need clear skin fast. But just dont take them for months at a time and dont skip around with them (like take it for 3days and pick it up again in 4days and so on) it can increase your resistance to them.                                                                                                       Before I knew anything about them I had been on like 4 or 5 different kinds (at different times of course!)    and the only kind that worked for me was Amoxicillin  and at the time I was taking it for my tonsils and low and behold it cleared my acne !So I asked the dr. if I could take it for that and even though its not commonly used for acne he prescribed it, its a big white pill and more then I needed so I chopped it into 4 pieces and took 2to3 pieces a day or less.Its always good to start with the least amount first. But I have not taken any for years now and in that time I have been trying a more natural approach. And while I have not found my magic cure does not mean that these wont help you!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     The first is called Guggul and its gum resin from a myrrh tree and said in studies to be as effective as tetracycline!  without gaining a resistance!  and this is  what I found on webmd                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

• For severe (nodulocystic) acne: a twice daily dose of guggul that contains up to 25 mg of the active ingredients called guggulsterones.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                I did not see amazing results maybe I did not use it long enough? I took it for a month. Or maybe I was on tetracycline to long? or maybe wrong brand? I took swanson brand and I usually dont buy there brand  I like Natures way its from the U.S.A.                                                                                                            The next is garlic its a natural antibiotic and was regarded very highly in ancient times and though out history (just search it!) for its antibiotic purposes. I took it for two years and it worked great! But I realized I was probably taking too many at one time, because it does thin your blood at higher doses and once I brought the doseing down it did not work as well for me. But I have heard great results from other people so I would give it a try!                                                                                                                                              The others are  Olive leaf extract, oregano extract, manuka honey. and the short term-use ones are goldenseal,  echinacea, pau d arco, holy basil. and topical is colloidal silver, tee tree, sandalwood powder, holy basil, lavender oil.                                                                                                                                             Manuka honey is from Australia and is honey collected from bees that drink from tea trees. So its very antibacterial and it can be eaten and used on the skin, (it does have a slightly odd taste). And is currently being used to treat staph and to heal burns at hospitals.Colloidal silver is real silver and is crushed very fine and put into a gel base it can rapidly heal skin and is used in hospitals as well. Back in the roman days they would put a pure silver coin into there milk so it would not spoil. (I have not tried that one yet!)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ( I will insert Disclaimer here; I am not a professional and recommend you take any herb or other things under the supervision of an homeopathic or your Doctor and I cannot be held responsible for any out come.)  and if you are on ANY medication always find out interactions that could interfere.                                                                                                                                     But however  since I have tried these things listed (and others) I would be happy to help you find any info you may me looking for and offer my experience with taking different herbs and help you make a decision!

Best makeup for cystic or any other types of acne. Intro to Cassandra Bankson!

Covering up acne with makeup. Ugh... I cant even begin to get it right, Its to light to dark, to orange, to drying, to creamy, to thick, not thick enough. Yeah, so you can imagine I usually get it wrong. And did not believe it possible until I came across a youtube video that changed that. I started watching her videos and could not believe her beauty with or without makeup. Her courage and kindness, resilience and her ability to apply makeup  is amazing.  Her name is Cassandra Bankson and here is some of her pictures!

Cassandra Bankson  Before and after

Cassandra bankson 

I paired Cassandra Bankson next to Emmy Rossum in The Phantom of the opera I think she would make a great Christine daae!

Cassandra Bankson model

Cassandra  Bankson 

        I have a video link of her to the top right of this blog.( But I linked the first video to watch below ) Her youtube channel is called diamondsandheels14.  She has hundreds of videos but I would recommend watching this one first. and then you can go from there. She is  currently using an acne supplement called Acnease. I have not used it because it is pricey. This video is older so she now uses different products but her current makeup fav is dermablend pro-cover cream again, I have not tried it but plan to!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        My best two concealers are the Hard candy Glamoflauge heavy duty tattoo concealer .Its not to thick  but a little goes a LONG way. Just pat in well and set lightly with powder and spray with E.L.F setting spray. The second is amazing cosmetics concealer its pretty pricey around $40 so I would recommend Hard candy first, ( AT $6.00! ONLY AT WALMART)                                                                                                         I have tried Makeup forever  HD foundation and concealer and found it to thick and it changed colors I have tried many different concealers and foundations at Sephora and the best two FOUNDATIONS I found are Kat Von D Lock-it foundation it dries nice has good colors and covers! its $42.00 which is a bit but you get a lot of product. The next is Revlon colorstay its probably the best drugstore foundation out there but you have to work with it quickly  because it does dry fast.It does have a funny smell not perfumey just weird but it goes away after a while. (its around $12.)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Powders are hard!  I used to have one I loved until they changed the formula:(  it was Pur minerals 4-in-1 powder it was very nice.It was not so fine that it was dusty (for lack of a better word.)  and it covered great. So I mostly use a different kind of the brand (which I dont like as well) and E.L.F complexion perfection which has four colors green yellow, lavender, and blue. Sounds weird huh?  But its based on  lavender and blue cancel out shallowness of your skin and makes it brighter, and the green and yellow cancel out redness. Many people love bare minerals powder and says it helps clear there acne I have tried it and I have to say it did but that has been several years ago. I stop using it because every color I've tried turns grey or orange otherwise I would use it . So you can get a free sample and try it and see how it works for you!                                                                                                                                                                          Elf also has a great cream eyeliner that stays on despite the oiliness!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Choosing your makeup color 

 To try and and find your skin color undertones take a sheet of white paper go outside or next to a window and hold it next to your neck and jawline and the contrast will help you see what color undertone your skin is. And always ask someone else what they think. Also be aware if you hold it up to your cheek it may look redder then it naturally is because  of irritated skin. If your skin is fair with a slight yellow to no clear undertone your makeup color  its usually a Fair or a Classic Ivory. If it has a yellow and a slight red undertone its  usually a Light or a Classic Ivory, or Ivory. The medium colors can be used on fair skinned people who have neutral undertones and a tan or, naturally tan undertones but I find it looks to muddy on fair skinned people.  For Very fair, white skin tones with no undertones there is a makeup line in Sallys beauty supply called  Palladio makeup that is an Asian style makeup and has lighter colors.

$6   This brand is only at walmart and also comes in very light!

110 ivory  $12.00

$3.00

$42.00

E.L.F.  $6.

My Revlon colorstay blended to the right.    

 Bronzer -- New york color in Sunny $3       Blush-- Hard candy baked blush crush (in several colors) $7                    Mascara -- Hard candy 3 day lash ink ( does not last three days but stays on long and has a ink consistency that  gives lashes a  natural  look.)$6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Disclaimer; I have never met nor talked to diamondsandheels14 aka Cassandra I have just watched her inspirational videos and thought I would pass it on.)

Best lotions face wash, and treatments for cystic or any other kinds of acne

Face washes are hard, they claim to to brighten, clear and repair your skin. But you have to remember you will be washing it off it two minutes so......  Yeah, its not going to do much.  But it is true a harsh cleanser will burn your skin and leave it dry and flaky. My skin is odd, its dry and flaky but gets a super oily layer on top.Gross yeah. Anyway I found some products to treat both and, I have tried many! The first is two cleansers, the first is aveeno ulta-calming foaming cleanser, its not drying at all contains no soap but cuts though the grease at the same time.Great stuff. The next is clean n clear morning burst (not the fruit fusion) you know the fun sparkly soap with the floating beads?, I used it for years and tried other soaps in between and always came back to this.

around 4$ at most stor

around $6.00 at most stores

    The next is lotion. CeraVe  is a nice light moisturizer that has  hyaluronic acid which sound scary but its not an acid at all. It brings water into your skin and makes it look plump and hydrated and,   Holds up to 1000 times its weight in water! I actually get the equate version so whichever you prefer. The second I talked about before is Triderma but its very thick so I would not use in the day.                               Hyaluronic acid also helps with rolling scars and can be bought in pure form on amazon. But Its now become a filler like botox and they claim it to be better because its something your body already produces. Its also available in a supplement.  

Around $5.00  at walmart

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        And now acne treatments. The first is Acnevir adult formula.It does not contain benzoyl  peroxide but instead contains resorcinol 2x     salicylic acid 3x sulphur 3x  its a clear gel but does have a slight smell from the sulphur. It reduces redness and does not dry your skin out.  The second is neutrogena on -the-spot cream that contains 2.5% benzoyl  which does not sound like a lot but it has been proven to work the same as 10% with out the irritation.                  

$7.50 Walgreens, Riteaid 

$4.50 Most stores

              And finally an astringent, the best is homemade and contains 1cup of witch-hazel   a 1/4 cup of water 4 drops of tee tree oil . 3 of lavender oil.  and 1 to 2 T of apple cider vinegar. Needless to say it will smell... BAD! But the tee tree is just as effective as benzoyl if used often and lavender prevents dark marks  and all four ingredients are antibacterial. The water just dilutes it a bit.   Let me know your favorite products!