PP -- OP here. Can you elaborate at all on WHY the murad doesn't work? I have just started using it after trying almost everything else. My face getting a little dry, but not too bad yet. I haven't tried Neutrogena, at least not recently. I guess I could try that. Although when I got a facial last month, the esthetician seemed to think I was trying too many products instead of finishing a course of one brand so I could see what was working and what isn't. The problem is that I want this fixed NOW, as in, yesterday. I'm too old to be experiencing this and the idea that it's because of bacteria or lack of cleanliness on my face is unbearable for me because I wash fastidiously. I just feel this problem starting to change my personality and the way I interact with people. And it hasn't always been this way. I was looking at a picture of myself from a year ago and my face was all clear. Now I feel like I'm broken out on both cheeks, my forehead and my nose and as professional person it is extremely embarrassing.

I'm using Skin FX foundation with is wonderful and topping it off with Bare Escentuals mineral powder in matte finish for acne prone skin. When I have that on, I look fine, but when I wash it off, you can really see the damage and I'm so worried I'll end up with pock marks. I never imagined that I would be in this situation.

Definitely switch dermatologists, and don't go to one who sells Murad products from his office. They don't get good reviews from anyone - they dry out your skin, are overpriced and won't fix your acne.

One relative of mine has been using it for months - she thinks it must be good because her doctor sold it to her - but her skin has never looked worse. You are better off with products from the drugstore like Neutrogena.

Dr. Sandra Seaman. She is wonderful and understands concerns like these. http://thedermcenteronline.com/staff.html She has a Virginia and Maryland office.
I saw several doctors with a similar problem about 5 years ago and she was the only one who seemed to understand that "ignoring it" was unacceptable!

I just went to see Dr. Margaret O'neill today for the first time. She was so great...actually wanted to help me and talked to me about different products and what's worked in the past, what to avoid doing, etc. I won't go on too much...she was just super helpful and genuinely nice. Really glad I found her. She's in Friendship heights...5454 Wisconsin. Look her up!

I have recently had success with differin and duac. They are topical prescription meds. I saw Amy Cole in Silver Spring.

Hi OP, I posted right after you, including mention about Accutane. As the PP said, it is still in use, but yes, there is that concern regarding pregnancy. My only knowledge regarding its use was that a friend's cousin (male) was prescribed the drug, and he had great success with it.

Accutane is widely used and reserved for women with breakouts that don't respond to other solutions. The biggest issue, though, is that it can't be used by women looking to conceive anytime soon. Causes serious birth defects. Generally reserved for teens.

Try epiduo (prescription and expensive) - its a retinoid and benzyl peroxide together. It has really helped my adult acne. It took a good 6-8 weeks for me to see consistent improvement.

Looks like accutane is still available, but it seems to be a very powerful drug. http://www.drugs.com/accutane.html
Has anyone here tried it recently?

The breakouts are ALL over my face but especially cheeks and forehead. And it's a different kind of acne than I've ever had before. I've just started Murad over the past week. The literature that came w/ the product says that I need to keep using it for four weeks to see the results and that I may actually break out more in the beginning while the product brings out "buried" breakouts. Is that really a real concept? I don't know. Anyway, it's been about a week and I'm sticking w/ the program, but I'm skeptical because nothing works for me: not proactiv, not DDF, nothing over the counter, not the clarisonic facebrush, not the drying gels, not differin, not the medicated facewash from the dermatologist. The frustrating part is that I will be almost clear sometimes, and then my face will just erupt. I have also just started erithromycin and clindamycin within the past 2 days.

Where is the acne on your face? If it is lower down on your face on around your chin and jawline, my derm says it is hormone related acne. No one thing worked for me. I switched to all Murad products and that helped a lot. The other thing that really helped was changing my diet. I really cut way back on carbs like bread, pasta, and anything with sugar or artificial sweetner in it -- desserts, sodas. I basically eat protein and vegetables with a little fruit. A naturopathic doctor that I consulted suggested that change. I still get really painful breakouts near my period. I used oral antibiotic for those as nothing else has ever worked.

Anonymous wrote:Hi OP, I'm one of those "lucky" women like you to have acne into adulthood. In fact, I've always had sensitive skin, and though it seems to have improved with time, it's quite frustrating and upsetting to still have this problem when essentially all of my contemporaries (I'm mid-30s) seem to be in the clear (literally!)
I've not taken it, but I have heard of success with Accutane; but not for pregnant women, so I don't if this applies in your case.
For me, the only OTC products that have provided help contain benzoyl peroxide (e.g., Neutrogena face mask).

I though Accutane was taken off the market?!

...sorry, I don't know if it applies to you...

Hi OP, I'm one of those "lucky" women like you to have acne into adulthood. In fact, I've always had sensitive skin, and though it seems to have improved with time, it's quite frustrating and upsetting to still have this problem when essentially all of my contemporaries (I'm mid-30s) seem to be in the clear (literally!)
I've not taken it, but I have heard of success with Accutane; but not for pregnant women, so I don't if this applies in your case.
For me, the only OTC products that have provided help contain benzoyl peroxide (e.g., Neutrogena face mask).

My dermatologist doesn't seem to be as alarmed by my adult acne as I am. I am in my early 30s and breaking out worse than I ever have, to the point where I hate leaving the house and interacting with people. I need a dermatologist who will take my concerns seriously and help me find out WHY this is happening, and how I can get it under control FAST and permanently. Does anyone have a recommendation? I'm really anxious to get started right away as I've tried EVERYTHING available OTC and even some prescription meds and nothing has helped.