I came across your site and read this article and learned very much, thank you. In fact, I have bookmarked your blog so I can come back and read more of your posts.
I am sorry you are having such a battle with your acne, in the photo’s your skin looks nice. Just keep moving forward and never give up. Remember that story…”you can go one more round.”
I never knew there were so many natural products out on the market to help folks with these skin problems. The natural bar shampoo does sound a bit different to get used to, but sometimes the hair products we use can be the catalyst. Sometimes also it is our diet, or stress can also be factors.
Once again, thank you for your post. Good luck.

I tried their Elder Berry mask for the first time last night. I like it! I could feel it working, and my skin felt really good after I removed it. I am thinking that I could see some faster improvement if I work that mask into my routine. I will probably start using it a couple of times a week.

I am becoming more of a fan of the Ferro cosmetics. Every time I use it, I always think I don’t like it. Then, at some point during the day, I look in a mirror and think that it doesn’t look half bad. I think it improves throughout the day, which is a rare thing for makeup. I am still trying to get the technique perfected, but I am willing to keep trying!

Fingers crossed!

I have to admit to using one additional acne product. My skin looks so bad that it’s embarrassing to be seen bare faced. I am using Bare Escsentuals Rare Minerals Blemish Therapy because it has a little bit of color, so it helps to camouflage the redness.

I got my sample of the Ferro cosmetics. Not being a big fan of mineral cosmetics, my socks weren’t knocked off. I liked it as well as any other mineral makeup I’ve tried, though, so I ordered a full size. I figure if it works as well as what I had been using, minus all the unsavory ingredients, then I should stick with it. Maybe once I get more used to using mineral cosmetics, my opinion of them will improve. I’ve heard it’s all in the technique with that stuff.

Anyway, I just wanted to give you an update!

I also wanted to touch on something Andrea mentioned about the good stuff bringing all of the junk to the surface. It really does sound like the facial skin is purging. I went through it with the Pevonia and have before with other medicines(prescription and OTC). I’m almost betting the masque will help loads! The thing that sucks is when the skin purges…that’s when you tend to get the big ones.

Throwing lots of encouragement out there for the both of you!

How often did you use the Carley’s mask? I haven’t tried it. Maybe I will tomorrow.

Thanks for the natural shampoo recommendations. Have you ever heard of/tried WEN by Chaz Dean? I’m not sure how pure it’s supposed to be, but I know it’s supposed to be free of detergents, and that you don’t need to use conditioner. Seems too good to be true. I thought about giving that a whirl to see how it does.

andrea, I hear ya so well. be careful with Bareminerals. it has Bismuth in it, and can irritate acne prone skin. it was my all time favorite mineral makeup until I learned that. i think you have to really become a pro at application and then you will find it has great coverage. Ferro is amazing! i can’t wait for you to get those samples.
and as far as the natural shampoos, you do have to play around and find what you like. a shampoo bar is pretty hardcore to start off with. you are stripping off all the silicone out of your hair, and making it a ratty mess. I promise it will be better. The Amazon Beauty Shampoo is fantastic But I think you fall in love with the Belengza stuff sold under my Nimli link on my shopping page. they have options.

My mom has always told me about everything in life, “it always gets worse before it gets better.” Cheers to the better part! Diane I hope the burts works so you don’t have to switch over at all!

I am not the fan you are of the natural soap as shampoo. I guess I just need to keep giving it a chance, but I haven’t been able to wrap my mind around using a bar soap as shampoo. I can understand the theory of not using pore-clogging hair products, because they can deposit junk on your face, so I’m going to try the natural soap again. If I just can’t get behind it, then I will try to find more natural hair care products that are still in the usual form.

In the name of purity, I am also switching to mineral makeup. I have ordered the Ferro samples from the link in your sidebar, and I’m also using Bare Escentuals. I am not a huge fan of mineral cosmetics, because I don’t think they offer enough coverage to hide my bad skin. Still, I want to do all I can to give this the best shot I can.

Tomorrow is my weekiversary, so I’m hoping that the next week will see an improvement. I will send you pics so you can tell for yourself.

One thing I will say is that the website says you will see an improvement is pore size. I have found that to be true. I have large pores and blackheads on my nose, and I have seen a great improvement there. Yay!

Here’s to a better 2nd week!