True acne is a genetic condition in which your dead skin cells are shedding faster than the average skin type. Normal skin sheds 1 layer of skin cells per day, whereas an acne skin type can shed up to 5 layers per day. This causes excess build up and congestion, bacteria, and inflammation.

Acne takes about 90 days to form. This means you will have about 90 days of acne that will need to surface to begin having clear skin. We usually see acne treated within 3-6 months as long as proper home care instructions are followed.

Rest and Stress

Get enough rest and reduce your stress. Stress stimulates the adrenal gland which promotes oil production that can lead to clogged pores in the acne-prone individual.

Fabric Softener

Fabric softeners (liquid or dryer sheets) leave a waxy residue on pillowcases, towels, wash cloths, sheets, and any other fabric comes into direct contact with the skin. This residue can clog pores of acne-prone individuals. Even if it is fragrance free. You can use anti-static dryer balls to reduce static cling.

Detergent

Detergents with fragrance can cause skin irritation. Fragrance-free detergents are a better choice.

Remember to check the ingredient list of the detergent you choose by visiting our pore clogging ingredients list.

Pillowcases

It is good practice to change your pillowcases often. Oil and other products (such as hair care) can leave build up and contribute to clogged pores.

Water Softeners

There is some evidence that water softeners can lead to acne, especially those containing high amounts of potassium chloride.

Swimmers

Swimming pool disinfectants contain iodides and chlorine which can remain in the water, causing skin problems for frequent swimmers. Consider applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly over your sunscreen before you get into the pool.

Sun Exposure and Acne

Although sun exposure causes desirable scaling and drying, it also damages the follicle, exacerbates dark spots, and causes skin cancer and premature aging. Always wear sunscreen, even if it’s overcast and/or raining.

Beware of Hand Lotions

If you are using a pore-clogging (comedogenic) hand lotion then leaning your face on your hands or sleeping on your hands, this could exacerbate your acne.

Breakouts Around the Mouth Area

Many lip balms, toothpastes, and even facial tissues have comedogenic ingredients in them. If you see breakouts around your mouth area, one of these products may be the culprit.

We recommend petroleum jelly as a lip balm and toothpaste without SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate). Many well-known tissue brands are infused with things like coconut oil, isopropyl myristate, and SLS, all of which will clog the pores.

Resist Picking or Squeezing

Rub ice on pustules and pimples for a couple of minutes, twice a day.

IMPORTANT: if you pick, squeeze, and break the skin, that scab will leave a red or dark mark that will

be there for months longer than if you left it alone.

Birth Control and Hormone Replacement

Forms of birth control that contain low doses of estrogen can be higher in androgen hormones, and that combination may aggravate acne-prone skin.

Certain forms of birth control are FDA approved to treat acne. Please speak with your doctor about the birth control method that will be best for you. You should also familiarize yourself with the benefits and risks of any birth control. Please see the Birth

Control And Acne Simplified handout for more detailed information.

Progesterone hormone replacements may exacerbate acne. If you have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, it can cause hormonal changes and breakouts.

Prescription Drugs

Prescription drugs that may exacerbate acne include some topical and oral steroids, anticonvulsants, thyroid medications, fertility drugs, Isoniazid, Imuran, Danazol, Gonadotrophin, Cyclosporin, Disulfiram, and drugs that treat ADD/ADHD.

Other topical prescription drugs that must be discontinued at least 14 days prior to receiving a treatment or starting Face Reality Skincare active products include Azelex, Finacea, Retin-A, Tazorac, Differin, Clindamycin (Cleocin-T), Erythromycin (Erygel), Dapsone (Aczone). This includes any topical treatment from Proactiv or Curology, that is not benzoyl peroxide only.

If you are taking oral Isotretinoin consult your Acne Expert for guidance on how long you must wait after discontinuing use prior to starting treatments and active products.

Recreational drugs & alcohol

Recreational drugs that may exacerbate acne include marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines (speed).

Chemicals

Coal tars (roofers), grease (mechanics, cooks, waiters), chlorinated industrial chemicals, and dioxin can

exacerbate acne.

Iodides: iodides irritate the pore and may cause acne flare ups.

• Shellfish

• Iodized salt (table salt)

• Milk (including organic and non fat) (nut milks are okay)

• Cheese (nut cheese is okay)

• Whey, soy or creatine

• Soy products: tofu, soy milk, tempeh, edamame, soy sauce

• Seafood, shellfish: cod, scallops (fresh water fish are okay)

• Spirulina, chlorella, blue-green algae

• Kelp, miso soup, seaweed, seaweed supplements

• Vitamins with iodides, iodine, kelp, potassium iodide

• Biotin and B12

• Peanuts, peanut butter

• Peanut oil, corn oil, canola oil

• Organ meats including pate

• Any foods you have sensitivity to or allergies

• Excess sugar

• Excess caffeine

• Trans fats or over heated cooking oils

• Ceylon cinnamon

• Apple cider vinegar

• Green tea, especially matcha

• Brazil nuts

• Pinto beans

• Halibut

• Wild–caught salmon

• Oats

• Navy beans

• Chicken

• Spinach

• Turmeric

• Ginger

• Green tea (especially matcha)

• Ceylon cinnamon

• Apple cider vinegar

• Cremini mushrooms

• Tuna

• Chicken breast

• Fish (halibut, salmon,

• sardines)

• Leafy greens

• Asparagus

• Fatty fish

• Salmon

• Sardines

• Atlantic mackerel

• Anchovies

• Herring

• White fish

• Omega-3 enriched eggs

• Walnuts

• Deep leafy greens:

  spinach, kale, watercress

• Blueberries

• Hemp seeds

• Mustard seed

• Brussel sprouts

• Winter squash

• Navy beans

• Acetylated Lanolin

• Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol

• Algae Extract

• Algin

• Butyl Stearate

• Carrageenan

• Cetyl Acetate

• Cetearyl Alcohol + Ceteareth 20

• Chondrus Crispus

(aka Irish Moss or Carageenan

Moss)

• Chlorella

• Coal Tar

• Cocoa Butter

• Coconut Alkanes

• Coconut Butter

• Coconut Oil

• Colloidal Sulfur

• Cotton Seed Oil

• D & C Red # 17

• D & C Red # 21

• D & C Red # 3

• D & C Red # 30

• D & C Red # 36

• Decyl Oleate

• Dioctyl Succinate

• Disodium Monooleamido

PEG 2- Sulfosuccinate

• Ethoxylated Lanolin

• Ethylhexyl Palmitate

• Glyceryl Stearate SE

• Glyceryl-3 Diisostearate

• Hexadecyl Alcohol

• Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil

• Isocetyl Alcohol

• Isocetyl Stearate

• Isodecyl Oleate

• Isopropyl Isostearate

• Isopropyl Linolate

• Isopropyl Myristate

• Isopropyl Palmitate

• Isostearyl Isostearate

• Isostearyl Neopentanoate

• Kelp

• Laminaria Digitata Extract

• Laminaria Saccharina

Extract

(Laminaria Saccharine)

• Laureth-23

• Laureth-4

• Lauric Acid

• Mink Oil

• Myristic Acid

• Myristyl Lactate

• Myristyl Myristate

• Octyl Palmitate

• Octyl Stearate

• Oleth-3

• Oleyl Alcohol

• PEG 16 Lanolin

• PEG 200 Dilaurate

• PEG 8 Stearate

• PG Monostearate

• PPG 2 Myristyl Propionate

• Plankton

• Polyglyceryl-3

Diisostearate

• Potassium Chloride

• Propylene Glycol Monostearate

• Red Algae

• Seaweed

• Shark Liver Oil (Squalene)

• Shea Butter

• Sodium Laureth Sulfate

• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

• Solulan 16

• Sorbitan Oleate

• Soybean Oil (Glycine Soja)

• Spirulina

• Steareth 10

• Stearic Acid Tea

• Stearyl Heptanoate

• Sulfated Castor Oil

• Sulfated Jojoba Oil

• Wheat Germ Glyceride

• Wheat Germ Oil

• Xylene

• Not on Eye or Lower Neck

Do not use Advanced Acne Med on your neck or eye area. The tissue in the eye and neck area is delicate, and Advanced Acne Med will irritate the skin too much.

• No Eye Cream

Do not use eye cream or moisturizer around the eyes or neck because the Advanced Acne Med will migrate through the cream and cause irritation and possible swelling.

• Eye Irritation

Allow your Advanced Acne Med to dry before going to bed. If your eyelids get irritated, try changing your pillowcase more often. When you are wearing Advanced Acne Med all night, it will get on the pillowcase.

• Smile Lines

This area tends to be the most sensitive area on the face and will be the first place you see irritation and dryness. You can put a very thin layer of Vaseline on this area to occlude it for a few days and then resume product use there.

• No Working Out

Do not wear Advanced Acne Med when you expect to perspire, as in exercising, physical labor or getting hot in the sun. If you are wearing it, wash it off or it will irritate your skin.

• Will Bleach Fabric

Advanced Acne Med will bleach fabric, so we suggest wearing a white shirt or T-shirt when using it.

Use white pillowcases when you start wearing it overnight. Make sure to wash your hands with soap after using it to avoid bleaching towels.

• Allergic Reaction

Allergies to benzoyl peroxide are rare but do occur occasionally. Dry skin does not constitute an allergic reaction; rather an allergy is characterized by itching, swelling or burning associated with a rash (similar to a mild case of poison ivy dermatitis). If an allergic reaction occurs, stop using Advanced Acne Med and contact us immediately.

• Use Consistently

If you skip a day or two, or only spot treat, it gives a chance for acne to form. You must do your home care routine consistently to reach and maintain clear skin.

• Expect Some Dryness

Expect your skin to get a bit dry while getting used to the Advanced Acne Med. This is normal; however, if your skin gets uncomfortably dry, please contact us so we can adjust your home care routine. Do NOT stop using your Advanced Acne Med until the next time you have an appointment— when in doubt, call us.

• If anything tingles more than a “2” or stings/burns, do NOT use that product. Wash it off and contact us.

• Apply sunscreen every day whether you are going outdoors or not.