Struggling with acne before the big day

Proactiv didn't really work for me. Have you talked to your doctor? It could be hormonal. In fact adult women who get acne often have an underlying cause that has not been diagnosed.

I use DermaDoctor. They have a website. I'm going to post this now but I'll be back in a minute with a link to the specific products I use.

ETA: http://www.dermadoctor.com/conditions/acne/aint-misbehavin-acne-therapy-duo.html

I use the serum and the cleanser. It's cheaper to buy the duo than to buy them separate.

ProActiv made my skin WORSE. I use Cetaphil, morning and night. Make sure you're cleaning your makeup utensils if you use them. I use a mask at least three times a week to keep my pores cleared out. Make sure you're drinking a LOT of water!! That will keep your skin clear.

So I've always had face issues too, and last summer my FH and I moved from Florida to Chicago and I guess all he stress and anxiety was coming out in my skin..it was horrible!!! Before going to a dermatologist, I bought the Proactive Plus and it worked wonders! There's three steps, the wash, zit zapper cream, and moisturizer, however I don't really use the moisturizer, I use something a little more creamy. I suggest though, after you wash your face, use Sea Breeze Astringent to wipe all the excess dirt and oil off your face. It does wonders. Just don't wipe your eyes with it! Use a cotton pad and dab some of the solution on it. Another trick is Baking Soda. Make a paste with it by adding some water to it and place it on any pimples you have until it hardens and starts cracking. Then you can take it off. The next day your pimples will be significantly smaller if not completely gone. You just do not want to dry your face out too much so moisturizer is key!

@hannah I haven't talked to my doctor about it. But that's a great idea to do so. Thank you.

@lauren thank you lauren! I look forward to seeing your products.

Talk to a dermatologist. We can all suggest plenty of products that has worked for us, but your dermatologist will be able to recommend products (or even medication) based on your skin.

Never underestimate the power of a good facial once a month. Also, try not wearing makeup every other day. It gives your face a chance to recover, especially if you have sensitive skin and/or cheap makeup.

I have a friend that sells Nerium and she swears by it.

I use proactive and it's awesome! But I definitely doesn't work for everyone

I'm with Katie. Dermatologist.

Following. The past month an a half I've been having the same issue. I never had skin issues. Now with stress of wedding planning and buying a house my face is breaking out so bad!

I've heard about charcoal soap - lush has them. Makes skin very soft from what I hear.

I've also tried cetaphil but my face didn't have a refreshing or feel clean after using it.

What kind of masks would you suggest?

Also facials would be good every month. I should try that also.

So much great ideas! I love asking here before asking my Facebook friends lol

I thought "oh, my skin isn't bad enough to need to go to a dermatologist!" ...until suddenly it was, so I did, and I completely regret not going sooner. I took all of the products I currently use in with me and she told me what to ditch, what to keep using, and prescribed some stronger stuff for spot treatment.

I would go to the dermatologist. I also eat clean, not very stressed, and don't wear foundation. Nothing over the counter was working the way I thought it should. I went in January and I've had less breakouts since going. My acne was pretty mild, I was told to wash my face with a wash containing Benzyl peroxide. The doctor gave me a clindamyacin lotion to use during the day and a retina A cream to use at night. My face has definatley cleared up in the last few months!

I never had true acne until college (beforehand I used Proactive for whatever pimples I did have), and then I started getting these horrible cystic things that would take months to go away. I went to a dermatologist and went through everything - birth control to control hormones (worked for about 6 months), prescription topical, oral antibiotics, and then finally Accutane. Twice. Since the second round, I still get cystic and regular zits if I go off of this regimen (with the occasional hormonal zit of course):

Neutrogena oil free acne wash at night (good for taking off makeup), then Aveeno daily facial moisturizer with salycic acid

Cetaphil daily cleanser in the morning, followed by apple cider vinegar applied with a cotton ball like toner, followed by the Aveeno moisturizer once the ACV is dry.

I recently bought a daily makeup brush cleanser as well.

I swear by the apple cider vinegar. I just get the grocery store brand. If I don't use it, I start to break out. I definitely recommend trying that and also talking to a dermatologist.

Forget the drug store stuff. Don't spend time and $$ experimenting with stuff that may or may not work. Go see a dermatologist!!! I was getting acne right before my wedding, went to the dermatologist, got a prescription topical and it cleared up perfectly. Don't mess around with something as important as good skin for your wedding!

Definitely see a dermatologist. I would also recommend getting an ultrasonic facial and look into some products like Glymed and NuCell. The ultrasonic facial is great for people with acne though.

I agree with dermatologist! I went and they ran tests and turns out I had a hormone imbalance that triggered mine. So no special soaps or anything was going to work. The derm will customize treatment depending on you.

In the morning I use Clearasil fast acting and at night I use an all natural facial cleanser called Desert I got it at a local health foods store. If I'm having a bad breakout I put honey on the spots overnight and that helps significantly. If you use honey I would recommend putting a towel over your pillow so it doesn't get sticky. The only problem with the honey is it's itchy! But it works so well!

I've had issues with my skin for years, and have tried dozens of remedies. If you have access to a dermatologist I would recommend seeing them first and foremost. They can tell you what type of acne you have, which will allow you to better treat it with or without medication. I'm in Canada and our health care system being what it is, it can sometimes be a long and drawn out process to see a specialist like that. So I have not been myself. Lately, I've been having success with diluting tea tree oil in hot water and applying that to my face with a washcloth to disinfect my skin. Then I moisturize and help to keep bacteria from forming with Silver antimicrobial gel. I am however getting pretty damn sick of being 26 and breaking out like a teenager, so I will probably have my doctor begin the referral process at my next visit. Thankfully I have some time before my wedding to get my skin in check. Best of luck!! It really is trial and error as everyone's skin is so different.