Beauty product conundrum

[sal_amanda]

I think I have to quit Proactiv and other facsimiles (i.e. the cheaper Acne Free you can get in the grocery store that's essentially the same thing).

I was having horrendous skin along my chin line a few years ago and someone I worked with at the time told me she actually used Proactiv. I didn't think people really used that stuff. I have since learned that I know more people that use it than don't, but that's beside the point. The stuff really did work. Not perfectly, but any zits that pop up are generally taken care of quickly and they don't pop up as often. Definitely curbed the permanent zit line I had going on.

Here's the problem. It's got peroxide in it so it bleaches stuff. I started off using it at night, which was a huge mistake since pajamas and wash cloths and towels and pillow cases and sheets got bleached. So I switched to only morning and only in the shower so I can wash the cleanser off properly. And I'm religious about washing my hands thoroughly after putting the renewing lotion on, then I let it dry very thoroughly, then put sunscreen on over it, then let that dry thoroughly, then finally get dressed (thus the reason it takes me so damn long to get ready in the mornings).

But I still have some shirts that have bleached out collars, despite my strongest efforts. I've been willing to put up with the occasional ruined shirt, however distressing it may be, for the sake of good skin.

We just bought some new minor houseware items in honor of getting my brother out of the house, such as a new shower curtain and new bath towels. Despite all the above mentioned precautions, I've just discovered bleach stains on the new bath and hand towels.

I think I have finally reached my limit, but I'm also afraid to quit. I had seriously horrible adult onset acne going on there for some bizarro reason and I have no desire to go back to that. I guess I'll try out some salicylic acid based stuff for a while and see if it's up to snuff, but I honestly think I'll probably be running back, at least to the cheaper grocery store version. I'm not sure how difficult cancelling the Proactiv order will actually be, but I suspect it's going to be a real pain in the ass.

Comments

[sal_amanda]

But that's why it's so damn effective and hard to let go of.

[busybusymama.livejournal.com]

I hate to complicate things, but you should probably check to see if using salicylic acid is okay when pregnant. I can't remember for sure, but I think there might have been a question at some point about whether or not it should be avoided while pregnant. Good luck.

[sal_amanda]

Checked into it right off the bat because I was still using that stuff at night so I'd stop bleaching my jammies. It's okay according to what I read.

[i-am-solid.livejournal.com]

I feel your pain! I too have the bleaching problem and it's amazing the ways it will pop up when you are sure there is no more of it around. I was especially mortified when I dried my face off without thinking while staying at a friend's house and bleached her pretty purple towel. I ruined a few of my favorite t-shirts because I would sleep in them and get bleach stains on my shoulder. I've mixed in a few non-Proactive (or Acne Free because I use that too) products to cut down on the amount of bleaching going on. Here's my ridiculous routine:

Morning - wash face with the Proactive wash stuff. Step two is the Clinique toner for oily skin - I NEVER use the Proactive version because it's too damn expensive. Nothing horrible happened to me when I switched toners and I really like the Clinique version - doesn't bleach a thing and has that Sali-whatever acid. Then the lotion I use is the Neutrogena anti-blemish, anti-wrinkle cream becasue that also has the s. acid. I've used that cream for years and really like it.

Whenever - swipe that Clinique toner whenever you get greasy

Night - I take a shower at night so instead of the Proactive face wash I use a bar of Aveeno clear complexion soap and a scrubby glove. Can't remember the exact name but it also has s. acid and cost under $3 a bar. Awesome deal. Then the Clinique toner stuff and then the Proactive peroxide lotion. And I wear a white shirt to sleep in. And I've got white towels, and given up caring about the colored ones.

As for cancelling the Proactive order, I did it after the first month because I wasn't comfortable with their automatic billing and I told them so. They had no problem with that, and there are two malls here that sell Proactive so I can buy each piece when I need to. Using the Aveeno soap, Clinique toner, and Neutrogena lotion makes the Proactive stuff last longer and saves me money. Plus, I do what dermatologists tell you not to do and throw some of that generic Wal-mart white acne cream over the really messed up parts of my face like my jawline to dry them out too.

[sal_amanda]

I figure I'll keep the Acne Free stuff around for when it's bad and I need a fixer-upper and then I'll be careful about what towels I use, but I don't like having to live like that. Of course, I don't like living with zits either. Thus, my dilemma.

I had other peroxide stuff that I had used in the past and I did a good job of bleaching out washcloths and towels of John's when I used to go visit him in Burlington. Felt pretty bad about that, but at least I learned on him so that now when we go to his grandparents' house, I know to be more careful.