How to help get rid of my 14 year old son's acne?

Rachel - posted on 10/11/2012

Proactiv is an awesome product. It can dry the skin out but actually, that is the best thing. If you can cope with a few days the discomfort associated with dryness then you will see the benefits. I had very bad acne for years and years and so did my daughter. We both started using it about 4 years ago an truly, have never looked back. We love it. I think that most people give up after the first couple of days because it can make you itchy. Stick it out over that first hurdle and you will definately see the amazing results. We both have smooth, silky skin now. I wish it was around when I was a teen!! Better late than never I guess!!

Starr - posted on 10/08/2012

My daughter used doxycycline. It is a prescription antibiotic. It wasn't very expensive at all and worked great. Since it is an antibiotic used for several other common conditions our insurance covered it no problem. I would also use a face wash/toner with benzyl peroxide in it.

Morena - posted on 10/05/2012

garlic really help .3 gloves of garlic with 1 glass of boiled water let it cool and then drink

Sangay - posted on 09/28/2012

i have a solution.plz to gets rid of acne use proactive cause it is cheap and effective.i am also 14 and i use proactive and it help me alot to look my face clean and clear as well as get rid of acne.

Dawn - posted on 03/01/2012

Thank you everyone for all the feedback it is greatly appreciated. My son is now a sophmore and will be 16 next month we continue to fight with the acne but it is not as bad as before he is now using a clean and clear system for active sport teens and seems to be working great..... I am taking him to se a Dermatologist next month since we now have better insurance.... Thank you all for everything.... Dawn

Carol Ann - posted on 02/27/2012

There is a product called Persa gel which worked great for my son. http://www.amazon.com/Clean-Clear-Persa-...



Hope that helps : )

Dee - posted on 11/27/2010

Dermatologist. Good acne wash and medicine (Adoxa) worked wonders. My son had it very badly and it had a wonderful result.

Amanda - posted on 11/21/2010

Hi witch hazel is very inexpensive some local grocers may have it and most drug stores do. Wash then wet a cotton pad or a couple of cotton balls with it and wipe over skin you may need a moisturizer for sensitive skin ones with more natural ingredients a little more expensive Burt's bees does have a good one. Witch hazel will dry the skin and it is a naturel stringent to clean out the oils in the pores good luck. Adding cranberry juice to his diet may help too so will green tea ( not flavored find real green tea) and blueberries

Patrizia - posted on 09/06/2010

be careful with the proactive it is not for everybody. my neice has used it for ages and it really doesnt seem to be doing much for her skin and i also know of someone else who used it and it actually stripped the pigment from her skin and she ended up with white blotches on her face

Lisa - posted on 09/05/2010

Hi Dawn;
i;m Lisa from Australia & both my boys had a bad case of acne, then we moved stsye they , especiall my elder one was hitting puberty. The new Dr put him on DBL, Doxycycline capsules 50mg & they get the odd pimple but NOTHING compared to what they used to get & they used to wash 3 times a day & everything. Now the take the capsule evey day the aafter about a month they give it a break & 2 yrs later, they only need it every now & then. Great stuff.

Michele - posted on 09/03/2010

If you could afford one round (month) of antibiotics prescribed by pediatrician I would highly recommend it. My son's acne cleared up after 6 weeks on antibiotics. Pro-activ is expensive and damaging to the skin. Aveeno products seem to work well. Also there is a natural OTC gums called Frutels that are chewable and have helped my son. Also perhaps some product that has retinA in it

Heather - posted on 09/01/2010

Have you tried Clearasill? From Avon? I have problems with acne and my kids do as well.. we use that from avon... its not terribly expensive and it really seems to help... hope that helps... Prayers heather

Joann - posted on 08/31/2010

$1.00 CURE--the solution that works in my house...i have 3 teen girls, 18, 16 & 13 (btw the youngest got very bad acne from her dad) is washing their faces (mine 2 now thanx 2 menopause) morning & night..hot water, washcloth...Dove soap...& here is the most important part...RUBBING ALCOHOL..it is the active drying ingrediant in almost all acne meds & that with a firm cotton ball WILL WORK...I am always broke & feel your pain on that..but I swear by it, it works.

Wanda - posted on 08/27/2010

My daughter has found that Noxzema works for her. She tried the prescription medicine and it made her face worse so she stopped using that. She still has some parts that need a little more attention then others but it is getting better.

Leslie - posted on 08/27/2010

Products that have worked for my kids include:

Burts Bees Natural Acne Solutions
Neutrogena Acne Stress Control line of products
Queen Helene Mud Mask about once a week.

Good luck!!

Erin - posted on 08/26/2010

My daughter uses witch hazel. It's sold in the pharmacy and is a natural remedy. We've also had to use Clean and Clear continous control. That specifically worked for her.

Sherry - posted on 08/26/2010

my kids us Avon clear skin it's a pretty good price

Anna - posted on 08/25/2010

I'm a natural medicine type of person. For my teen boys one 15 and one 14 I have them use Tea Tree Oil. This works like magic. There are face wash soaps or the oil it self that comes in a roll on stick. These products can be found in a natural food store or online. The roll on cost about $6-$10 and last a fairly good time. My boys face are generally clear of problems because of the Tea Tree Oil they use. (The Tea Tree Oil is NOT a greasy oil) I suggest go online and research it and try it. This stuff has work in my family for many many years (Tea Tree Oil is not just for acne problems)Once you get o hold of this you can find many other use for it like insect bites, I use tea tree oil mouth wash, and a few other things.

ARDS - posted on 08/25/2010

ProActive really helped my teenage daughter..you do need to give it a couple weeks- there's no quick fix as far as I know

Sharon - posted on 08/25/2010

My teenager uses Proactive - I bought a 3 month supply for only $20 online (I noticed our mall now has a vending machine with it in there!). It has worked quite well for him and works pretty quickly.

Kerri - posted on 08/25/2010

My daughter uses the Proactiv soulution "refining mask". They sell it at our mall in a little kiosk. We didnt buy the whole system just the mask (another friend told us about it). Its an over night spot treatment & it cleared my daughter up in 1 week! It costs less than $15.00 & is worth EVERY penny! It comes in a 2.5 oz tube & lasts along time! We are still on the same tube & she has been using it now for over 6 months! Her face is totally clear now. She washes every night before bed & uses a cheap (walmart brand) toner & face wash. If she feels a pimple coming on she will use the Proactiv on that spot over night. This stuff is GREAT! Best wishes!

Emma - posted on 08/24/2010

Hi dawn, aside from that proactive stuff, i know that retinol a (spelling may not be correct) is meant to be good. I know it works from my husbands cousin telling me how proactive did not work for her son. My mother inlaw uses it for wrinkles. I do know that your skin can not be in the sun when wearing it (i dont know why a dr will know) so i think they put it on each night and i assume it had soaked in through the night and was no longer a problem. But It is the pure??? retinol A not a mix??? I hope this is helpfull and not completely confusing! :) Best of luck with your sons freshman yr! Oh it worked for my husbands cousins boy!

Pat - posted on 08/24/2010

Try a tea tree oil facial or body wash. It doesn't smell great but the odor is gone fairly quickly. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic.

Wendy - posted on 08/23/2010

My son tried Pro-Activ. it did nothing for him. It cleared it up for about a week and then it didnt work anymore. I talked to ped. about it at his check-up and Dr. prescribed benzi-clin. It works great and we get it through mail order program with prescription insurance company and it is like $50 every 3 months. She also put him on an antibiotic to help on big zits. That costs about 80 cents a month. It is very simple and not very expensive. I know our insurance covers diff. things for kids, so call and double check with your insurance. A friend of mine also uses honey on her face and that works for her.

Stephanie - posted on 08/22/2010

i use rubbing alc. the only catch to that is i have to moisutreize after cause the alc dries out my skin if i dont

Connie - posted on 08/22/2010

i actually asked about those-- in many cases, they contain holding agents that may act against fading the scars. another sad fact is that some scars are too damaging to go w/o dr. intervention; hence our need to revisit the derm. for injections to fade the scars. and stay out of the sun while using the products. many of them depend on sloghing off the old skin, thereby exposing new skin. NOOOOO sun!

Dawna - posted on 08/22/2010

there is a scar gel even a generic that Walgreens and I imagine most drug stores carries, I haven't read the bottle but I bet it would work on acne scars, it's awesome on other scars and works fast, a little pricy, $7-8 for generic in the St Louis, MO area

Dawna - posted on 08/22/2010

clindamycin gel ia awesome and also works great for acne but antibodics seem to do the best

Dawna - posted on 08/22/2010

sent you a message to your inbox...about my solutions...had the same problem

Pip - posted on 08/22/2010

That pro active stuff really works however it can be costly. The active ingredients in pro active is benzoyl peroxide. You can find another product that has that exact ingredience in it at half the price (wall mart). My sons have been using it and their skin is all good again and the self esteem is also intact. Good luck

Connie - posted on 08/22/2010

again, agreeing with MANY of the previous posts, acne is indeed an infection. after monthly visits for well over a year, using Accutain and tretolin cream for my son's acne, he is finally clear, but not after some scarring which the dermatologist can inject with further antibiotics to reduce the scarring appearance. we waited too long, using over-the-counter topicals (Proactiv types) and by then, the pores had turned to bleeding sores. don't wait--see the dermatologist, especially if the acne is on his face. i do believe more things ARE covered for pediatrics than for adults. i wish you the very best of luck-- i cannot cuggest anything as each skin-type infection is different. =0(

Fleurde-Lee - posted on 08/22/2010

The plain simple old fashion way. My family tends to have pox marks..meaning bad acne while young. My grandfather had me wash my face with a very hot wash cloth, almost burning my hands- to open the pores, then use a cotton ball and apply Witch hazel it is a natural astringent. Then apply a cold very cold wash cloth to close the pores. If his skin is very oily, after the Witch Hazel you can use alcohol to help dry the pores and let it air dry. No cold wash cloth. My skin is awesome!!!! I am 40 and have no pox marks and neither did my grandpa!!!! :-)

Shaylynn - posted on 08/22/2010

I have a 15 year old son who had a semi-severe acne problem when he was about 14, I took him to his doctor and asked for an antibiotic. It worked wonderfully and it has been under control since then. That would be my recommendation.

Heidi - posted on 08/22/2010

Purchase some zinc tablets and give them to him. Has helped my daughter. Aaaalso washing and exfoliating with a mild exfoliator every day and light moisturisation which is oil free as he still needs the moisture otherwise he will not be balanced.

Erica - posted on 08/21/2010

Check out acne.org - I have struggled with acne since I was a teen and I am almost 40. I bought the products (not too expensive) and followed the regimine and finally have clear skin. I also have a teenage daughter and I am thrilled and when and if she ends up with issues I have an answer for her. Good Luck!!

Melissa - posted on 08/21/2010

There is a soap called black soap it is in the african american section at our local walmart store it works wonders for all races when it comes to acne. I use it and have bought some for my sons friends and have got many thanks for it. also you could have him try egg yolks have him apply the yolk to face until it drys and then rinsewith water.

Shanetta - posted on 08/20/2010

My son is 16 and has very oily skin and is prone to breakouts. I recommend taking your son to a dermatologist. Many of the prescriptions that are not covered for adults by your insurance are in deed covered for teenagers. My son's dermatologist prescribed him a sulfur wash which was amazing and cleared my son's skin up along with a gel (I can't remember the name but was in a yellow and white tube with blue lettering...it'll come to me eventually). Recently, my dermatologist prescribed me epiduo which is good for me and I see a lot of commercials for teens for this product. Always ask your dermatologist for coupons or free samples to use when you fill out the prescriptions and check the medication's website for discounts as well. Mine gave me a discount card to use up to three refills and it can be used with or without insurance.

Now if you still want to use over the counter which is okay,, find a good cleanser and toner (Clearasil is an example) with either sulfur, benzoyl peroxide, or salicylic acid. Check the ingredients and the amounts. Which one would depend on what type of acne your son has. Pro Activ didn't work for my son, but I know for some people it did. Good luck.

Denise - posted on 08/20/2010

Although it's a prescription, my 14-year-old son has had amazing results with clindamycin gel. I see it online for $43 and it lasts 2 or more months which isn't bad per month. WalMart does have its own version of Proactive at a much better price but the child must commit to do the regimen. Very important for self-esteem at this age.

Jennifer - posted on 08/19/2010

I took my daughter to the doctor for the same thing. She was younger. The doctor told not to buy the expenseive creams and don't buy the soaps. Just wash with water and buy Benzoyl Peroxide gel 10%. It the main thing in most acne cream and it only cost $3- 5.00. I buy it at the drug store. The doctor told many of the creams and thing have so much other stuff in them that they make the acne worst. It's very drying to the skin, so just put on the spots. Not like a face cream. Hope this helps

Shenna - posted on 08/19/2010

Pro active. You start out with a month supply, then they mail you a 90 day supply payable in 3 monthly payments. Seems to be helping my 14 y/o.

Heather - posted on 08/18/2010

thats tough, both my children have horrible acne.. we have done the proactiv and the murad.. the thing i have with this stuff is that they automatically send it to you wether u need it or not, also if your 14 yr old is anything like mine.. they dont use it the way they are suppose too, my daughter has decieded that she really likes the Clean and clear morning burst face wash wash and is now trying the clean and clear acne set, it has worked great for my son, just now he has scars from not using the other products cortrectly, i suggest finding the simplist acne med, cause wasing toning and masking twice a day isnt something most 14 yr olds will do

Zatonda - posted on 08/18/2010

proactiv is like $19.00 and they even have some other products at wal-mart that work the same that may cost less, I got my son some of that and his skin is flawless, and no longer has to use it, he just drink lots of water. he was 14 and it was pretty bad, at 22 you would never know he used anything. Hope you find some product that works for you that you can afford.

Dawn - posted on 08/18/2010

thanks to all i will try all the advice thank you girls soooooo much

Rita_2_davey - posted on 08/18/2010

You can buy the Clear Skin Pads in a jar over the counter at most Drugstores. I know my son used it and it worked for him. I believe its around 10.00. Somewhere in that area. There is also basically the same through Avon, it works just as well. Hope this helps. Take care, Rita

Nancy - posted on 08/18/2010

I tell ya what...A friend of my daughter's had acne really, really bad. We were always laughing when she said she was going to try Proactive. Well, she did and guess what?? No more acne!! This girl looks absolutely gorgeous and swears by this product! I have heard from others that it really takes care of the problem. So maybe that would be an option???

Louise - posted on 08/18/2010

Just tread carefully with acne as it can leave scars on the face. My husband has lots of scars caused by acne and ended up on prescription drugs to help him as a teenager. If your son does have a lot of puss filled spots then it would be money well spent to help him get rid of them with something stronger than lemon juice. The facial washes on the market do not hav any active ingredient in them to prevent acne they are just designed to encourage teenagers to wash. Acne is an infection in the pores of the skin and needs either antibiotic wash or in extreme cases steroid creams.

Sharyl - posted on 08/17/2010

My friend's 16-year-old son uses lemon juice on his acne, and it surprisingly seems to help. When my oldest was a teen, the only OTC products that we found helpful were Burt's Bees Garden Tomato Toner and Burt's Bees Herbal Blemish Stick. They weren't exactly cheap, but they were significantly less expensive than prescription meds and were well worth the money we paid. Burt's Bees has since come out with a whole line of acne products that we've never tried but I know are available at most retailers. My daughter and younger son tried Proactiv Solutions and didn't find it to be effective for their skin. Honestly, plain old exfoliating with buff puff type pads seems to be the best remedy for my kids. Good luck!