Trying to stop using benzoyl peroxide!!!

I am 27 and am trying to stop using benzoyl peroxide products (which I've been using for over 10 years now!) b/c I've been told they're just making my face produce more oil which is why after all these years of the products (like Proactiv) working, they're suddenly not working so well anymore..but ever since I stopped using Proactiv, my face has been breaking out like CRAZY!!  I haven't looked like this since I was in high school and it's really depressing!!  How long will this "purging" process go on for before my skin starts adjusting and clearing up???  I'm currently using just a mild face wash (Eminence, which the salon I go to recommended) and moisturizer but my face continues to get worse with every day...If I knew this adjustment would last 3 months I'd stick it out but there doesn't seem to be an end in sight...HELP!!!

[loiloi]

I am 31 and still get acne too. It is possible to build up a resistance to a medicine or product you've used for a long time. I recommend Freederm facial wash and treatment gel which is an anti-inflamatory product, rather than one which dries out your skin. If you find you build up a resistance to products it may be helpful to use products in cycles, eg 6 months of Freederm, 6 months of antibiotics, 6 months of Dalacin. As well as going to a beauty salon see your doctor or dermatologist. x

[KU27]

I am also 27 and attempting to cease use of topical benzoyl peroxide, which I have been using since high school. I did a lot of research and, like you, came to the conclusion that benzoyl peroxide was drying the surface of my skin and trapping the oil underneath. I have been off benzoyl peroxide for about a month now and the breakouts are horrible and I have developed a lot of blackheads, which is even more embarrassing now than it was in high school. I am wondering how long it took for you to stop breaking out or did you go back to using benzoyl peroxide? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

[goldfinger55]

I'm a 23 year old guy who's had bad acne since I was 14.  I started back up on benzoyl peroxide again about 2 years ago and was applying it to my face and neck.  About a year ago I stopped putting it on my neck - it broke out like crazy and then eventually calmed down and is now mostly clear.  Four months ago I stopped putting it on my temples, just as a test area and its breaking out.  I eat healthy and exercise but am debating whether or not to fully stop the peroxide.  So if its any consolation, it seems like after 8-12 months your face should calm down.  Just remember that no matter what you've read, your diet is the biggest thing affecting your skin.  Eat fruits and veggies, drink a lot of water, and stay off foods that are high on the glycemic index.

[momeluv]

I am a 48 almost 49 yr.old woman.  I have been fighting acne for about 15 years.  It is such a bummer!  I started using "PROACTIV"  around the first of the year.  My skin is doing better then it has in years.  So what are you saying that is will srop working and I will be right back where I started maybe worse?  YIKES!
I just ordered  the  "MURAD"  They don't use peroxide.  I think I remember them saying that their product is better and won't stop working like "PROACTIV"  I am so confused.  I just wish I could have a clear face before I become a dang Grandma!  So for whining.  I just get so discouraged sometimes.  It seems like just when I feel like there might be some hope, BAM,  someone pulls the rug out from under me!   Gof bless!
Peace,
D

[nicoleheartpink]

I started using proactive when I was 17 years old and it stalled my monthly cystic acne to around 2 times a year!  However I was using oil blotters like crazy and proactive did nothing for the blackheads around my nose.  But I hated the cystic acne the most and continued to use proactive until I was 23 almost 24 yrs.  In September '09 I began using a natural oil cleansing product from a company in Florida (my uncle introduced me).  I had to slowly introduce the new product into my regime and slowly stop proactive...I was seeing such great results I stopped proactive cold turkey and my face had a horrible reaction..I was told my estheticians that my skin was so used to the chemicals in proactive that when you discontinue usage most will experience rashes or bumps or breakouts!  So the cycle started again where I slowly introduced proactive back and then slowly stopped (this lasted for around 2 weeks).  My skin was so soft and never dry once I was only using the oil cleanser, toner and natural moisturizer only and no blackheads or cystic acne.  Then January came.  My chin blew up with 3 horrible cysts that took weeks to clear and another 2 weeks for the scars to slowly disappear.  My face was in pain, once the chin started to heal one appeared on the side of my nose, and another on my chin.  In Feb. I went to a dermatologist for the first time in my life and received no answers.  I was told to stop using the oil cleanser, start using more and more chemicals and no moisturizer????  I asked about protection from the sun and the doctor said oily skin does not need a moisturizer and to only use a light sunscreen when I'm in the sun?????  Didn't make much sense to me...so I went and got a facial where the esthetician told me my breakouts were in hormonal areas and that I should try to heal from the inside out.  I am currently taking a natural women's daily vitamin, olive leaf extract for inflammation and it helps your immune system and fish oil 2 times a day...the vitamins are making a difference not only in my skin but my health as well.  Unfortunately I had one cyst on my chin that has taken over a month to heal even with a dermatologist recommended topical.  So last night I used proactive (the original) for the first time since September '09 and my face burned for 1 hour!  But I woke up this morning to see the one cyst on my chin drying up drastically.  

So bottom line my new plan is this...proactive at night with a good nightly moisturizer bc your skin heals as you sleep and during the day I'm going to use a more natural cleanser....I'm going to my local health food store tomorrow and have them help me pick something out (there's a fabulous lady who works there and is also a esthetician!)  Some say to use acne treatments during the day but I've mostly been told your skin heals better when undisturbed by daily pollution and makeup and all the stress we encounter during the day...when you're asleep you can allow your body to fully regenerate itself with little disturbance.

Hopefully my new plan works better for the time being however I do plan on stopping proactive again because I feel after years of the drying effect and then overproduction of oil is making the acne cycle worse and ultimately going to age my skin!