Severe Acne on face and back, all acne products irritating, can't keep skin moisturized and clear

[puffin44]

I have had mild to severe acne for about 6 years mostly on my face, and I have never found anything to really cure it. Now I am 20 and I have mild acne on my face, and severe acne on my upper and lower back and sholders. I have used products like Proactive and Acne Free, and both seem to clear up my face for the most part, but are very irritating and leave my skin raw and sometimes still dry. I can't seem to keep my face moisturized and clear, and I'm afraid of it leaving marks and scars on my face and would like to avoid it now while I still can. I also can't seem to clear up my back and would like to find something convienent and that will work and not hurt my skin. Please help!

[RDudley]

I am 26 I have had the same problem with acne both on my face and back all my life. I have been to many docs. The only response I ever got for my back was to keep it clean and when I get a chance sit in the sun for my back. Problem is I have many scares on my back as well. From acne and other things. The only way I have been able to deal with my back is just like I was told let your back see the sun. After a while I would notice they acne would start to go away and slowly my scares would fade. For my face I use proactiv. Yes proactiv will sometimes start to make my face get a bit dry so I would then cut back on how often I would use the solution.

I know this probably isnt the response you were looking for. But I had to response to it do to the simularities.