New Derm - New Topicals (Rosac, Clenia, Retin-A Micro)

[LauraOSU05]

I have tried so many different products with little to no success, so I decided to go to a new dermatologist and get more opinions about treatments for my skin. As a female, this new derm understood the social problems that can coincide with acne. I even started getting teary-eyed when I was telling her my story and all of the medications I have tried in the past!

She wanted to put me on an antibiotic, but I have used them in the past and told her that they gave me yeast infections and never really kept my skin clear. She mentioned Accutane, but I am not ready to go that route yet. Finally, she decided to put me on Retin-A Micro (0.1%). I have used it in the past and it worked great, only my skin adapted to it after a couple of years so it stopped working (could have also been related to hormonal changes). I just hope it will work again this time--especially with some of my scarring! She also prescribed Clenia Foaming Wash and Rosac Cream - both of which have sulfer in them. Here is the routine she wants me to use:

AM:
Wash face with gentle cleanser (I use Cetaphil and she said that is great)
Apply Rosac Cream to a dry face (it has 12 SPF sunscreen in it)
Apply moisturizer (I use Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion for sensitive skin)

PM:
Wash face with Clenia Foaming Wash
Allow face to dry for at least 30 min.
Apply pea-sized amount of Retin-A Micro to forehead, cheeks, chin, and nose and rub in gently

Anyone else used any of these products with success? The sulfer stuff stinks bad, but if it clears my skin it will be worth it!

P.S. I am also taking Ortho Tri-Cyclen birth control, but have only been on the brand name for 1 month (generics messed up my skin bad!)

Any input is appreciated...sorry this was a long post!!

[LauraOSU05]

Bump....anyone use these products??

[BorderGirl]

I use Rosac and love it. Do you have rosacea? It has worked very well for mine, and also helped reduce the number of blackheads I have. I use it with Differin and spironolactone.

[eve24]

I went to the derm last month and was given Clenia foaming face wash, plexion (a mask with sulfur), and also retin-a micro 0.1%. She also changed my birth control from ortho tri-cyclen to estrostep-fe. She said that ortho tri-cyclen was probably one of the things that was making me break out. She said that estrostep and yasmin were the two best for acne. I don't have really bad acne. I guess that you could call it mild. However, I do have extremely oily skin (which bothers me a great deal). The plexion mask has worked wonders for that. I have also been using jojoba oil at night for a moisturizer, which seems to be helping too. My skin is looking much better, but the derm said it would take at least 2 months for results to really begin showing.

[LauraOSU05]

Thanks for the responses! So far, my new regime has made my skin a little bit dry/peely--especially around my mouth area. On the plus side, I have not had any new cysts since I started!

Bordergirl - Like you, I really like the Rosac cream...it goes on very smoothly and I can still apply moisturizer and make-up over it. I have never been diagnosed with rosacea, but I have combination skin and very rosie cheeks, so it is a possibility. If this cream helps with my blackheads like you said, I will use it forever!!!

eve - Did you experience a lot of dryness when you first started using Clenia and Retin-A Micro? How are you doing on the Estrostep FE birth control? I like OTC at the moment...especially since I am finally using the brand name after 2 horrible months on generic! I am going to give it until June to see if it helps or hinders my skin! Best of luck and keep us posted!