Tips and Products

something worth researching and investigating with regard to skin cleansing is .... the oil cleansing method .... cleansing with oil rather than soaps which sometimes can be harsh ... apparently castor oil when in combination with olive oil will work very well with erradicating black heads and white heads by dislodging and dissolving them with the oils being close to the composition of skin's natural oil, sebum ... the oil works in combination with very warm water and massaging ... researching sites such as ... www.acne.org/messageboard/OIL-CLEANSING-METHOD-Hi-t141871.html ..... and ..... www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/ .... beauty-treatments.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_oil_cleansing_method ... will provide you with the information needed to consider this method .....

My kids (ages 9 and 14) and spouse help me by using a code word whenever they see me unconsciously picking my skin. We decided together on a code word that means something to all of us, but someone who is not part of our family wouldn't be able to understand if they overheard the code word (therefore no extra embarassment or shame). It always stops me from picking. Too bad they can't go to work with me everyday!

STRESS is often a MAJOR trigger. I found studying in a public place(e.g.library) if possible ,really helps, otherwise mirrors turned around during study sessions at home seems to calm the temptation down quite a bit. Usually it just starts at saying i wont pick but looking in the mirror and eventually giving in - take away the mirror - take away a large mass of the temptation. Excercise - also helps stress levels and generally makes me feel better about myself(even if its just a walk outdoors). Showers by candlelight :) to avoid that harsh lighting which seems to make my imperfections scream. telling someone!... its hard but incredibly freeing. and...my favourite... pampering :) buying a range of facial masks or looking up and researching organic/home made ones online - my personal favourite = manuka honey - really calms down inflammation and acts as a natural antibiotic for my skin. :)

I have found Aquaphor ointment has two great results. One - it's an ointment that's gentle enough to use on babies rashes so it will heal any scab one may get. Two - it's so thick that when it's on your skin it makes it next to impossible to pick because your hands keep slipping away.----------------------- I have also found just trying to keep busy with your hands really helps. Normally if I am watching TV lets say the hands are free to pick without me really realizing BUT now I either try to keep the remote in hand or play with a hair band on my wrist so that my hands do not have the opportunity to wander and cause damage I will regret. ------------------------ And yes of course taking away mirrors is always a plus :-)

i am learning not to make excuses what-so-ever (of course this applies to every area of life) but ESPECIALLY when it comes to my addiction to picking ... today i had a tiny little bump that looked so ready to pop ... and so ... i told myself "okay, just this one" ... well ... "just this one" ... turned into lots more. still, i have to thank this site for dramatically reducing the time i spend picking ...... i definitely look in the mirror and think of all of you.. and stop! so thanks for that .. it helps a lot ... my new mantra of the day is "no excuses" ... "No one ever excused his way to success." ~Dave Del Dotto

Ok everyone...after years of picking I have used sooooooo many products!! I have tried every product imaginable. Products for scars, pores, acne, white heads, moisture and I can honestly say I think I have found the solution!! I have had the same system now for over a year and because my skin COULD look good, it is easier to quick picking. When there isn't something to pick and obsess over, it is easier to ignore those urges. I have tried some very expensive products and I have tried some cheap products and I have finally found the solution and you will be amazed at the combination. After I wash my face I: *Use proactive's "repair" lotion. It is the third step in the system. You can buy it individually. http://www.proactiv.com/howtouse.php?pactvid=dslh64gth8o6tbvvvfuajicbnq4rnrr5 I have used the whole system and it doesn't work for me. After that I use: *Clean & Clear's Oil-Free Dual Action Moisturizer http://www.cleanandclear.com/productDetail.do?productid=52&productpos=0 It works to moisturize dry patches and flakiness while treating and helping to prevent breakouts. It won´t clog pores and leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth. I can't use just the proactive lotion...it doesn't work. My skin gets all dry and flaky and it just doesn't seem to clear my skin all the way. I don't think the face wash is as important. I have a client who is a dermatologist and she told me that a plain white soap bar will work just fine, but I use an oil of olay pore refining scrub. I don't always use to though, and it doesn't seem to make a different. If you are interested though, here it is...http://www.olay.com/boutique/regenerist/products/re1024 I have tried sooo many different types of makeup to not just cover my scars and blemishes, but also to help clear my skin. I have found the perfect makeup. I used to use expensize products from sephora, then I used Bare minerals, and then I switched to mary kay. Then I was at work one day and picked at my face in the bathroom....well I didn't have any makeup to cover it up, so I ran to target real quick to find something that would due for the day. It was an accidental miracle because I LOVED IT. It is semi-new. I use: Make-up: *Mineral Power Powder by Maybelline. http://www.maybelline.com/Product/Face/Foundation/Mineral-Power-Natural-Perfecting-Powder-Foundation.htm It works better than Mary Kay and bare minerals! Because most of us with this problem are perfectionist I also use something on top of that. It makes my skin look flawless...even after a night of picking. It is: *Physicians Formula-Talc Free mineral face powder http://www.physiciansformula.com/en-us/productdetail/face/pressed-powder/02414.html I am obsessed with it. I got through it like crazy but it covers EVERYTHING! It is for For extra sensitive or breakout-prone skin, Hypoallergenic, Fragrance-free, Oil-free, Talc-free, Non-comedogenic, and Dermatologist approved. -They carry a lot of amazing products for those of you who break out! I love their products. I use their bronzer too! -With this you do not need any liquid makeup or anything to cover certain spots. All of my friends who have tried it are obsessed too! More tips: after a crazy picking session, wash your face and put neosporin all over the areas you picked at. If you do not have neosporin, any brand will work, and as a substitue vaseline works well too. It also helps stop the bleed and to softed hard scabs. It also helps scabs heal. A lot of times I will go to bed with it all over my face and my face looks a little better in the morning. Another reason why this helps is because when you have gel all over your face you can't really pick at your face. Your fingers slip, it is almost imposible. Vitamins: I am a sports nutitionist and I know that vitamins A, C & E will help your hair, skin and nails. water: atleast 64 ounces of H20 will help the appearance of your skin and keep it moisturized. A multi vitamin won't hurt! Food: fruits and anything high in antioxidants. Antioxidants also help hair, skin, nails, and immune system. Stay away from greasy foods and avoid high processed foods. I heard the choc causing breakouts is a myth...I eat a lot of choc and I don't actually break out very often. If anyone has any questions, let me know. If anyone would like to see some before and after pictures of before I started my routine and after a few weeks of this routine, I will be pleased to show you. I will do anything I can to help you all because I have struggled for so long. My biggest insecurity is my skin and I have to overcome this!!! Good luck everyone and let me know if any of my advice works!!!

I am new to skin pick, thanks for all the tips

Well firstly,I cannot believe I have just wrote out a long post and when I went to get a link my computer crashed and I lost everything...........but Im not going to get stressed ,because i might start picking !lol! Great tips starfish,I am using bare minerals at the moment,Ive used it before but gone on to try other things ,as we do!I sometimes feel its not the right product for me,sometimes feel its makes my skin look alittle older,I have to be very careful applying it.So I might try out some of the products you have mentioned! I fully agree with everyone about eating well,we moved abroad a couple of years ago and while I havent been working I have been enjoying having the time to focus on healthy meals,exercising,relaxation.Its given me the time to change our habits,to sort health problems out and I guess I feel Ive come so far with all I have achieved,that I now feel I need to sort the skin picking addiction out. I also have tried tons of stuff,from expensive to cheap! Here are some things I find helpful and some things I love! I was suffering with outbreaks on my jaw/neck,mild hormonal acne.I was using karin herzog oxygen products when I asked for there advice about this matter,they said it sounded very much like my lymphatic nodes were compromised and suggested I try lymphatic massage,I found a technique on youtube and did it 5 times a week, for about a month and all I can say is it worked,I now do the massage every now again ,along with facial exercises! Yoghurt and oatbran face mask,a very gentle way to exfoliate and leaves the skin glowing,this is my favourite out of all I have tried!(I once stayed at a friends in the uk,I came downstairs after doing this mask and my friend and another lady just stared at me,and said wow your skin looks amazing and these are lady's that spend a fortune on products and health spas :O)) Aspirin and honey mask is another great one,aspirin contains salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that helps to slough off dead cells and clear clogged pores and reduce production of skin oil. This mask makes great use of aspirin's skin-clearing abilities as well as honey's moisturizing effect. Because of the aspirin ,I find it helps with any inflammation,which has been helpful after a skin picking session.I always use a high Spf but I would recommend you use one after this mask,I only do this mask once a week or once a fortnight. There are lots of websites of this mask but heres one link that gives you instructions on how to make it,this mask also leave skin glowy and is great for acne!http://www.ehow.com/how_4416483_honey-aspirin-face-mask.html I have scalp problems from time to time(greasy hair,itchy scalp,which causes me to pick at it),for this I use coconut oil and afew drops of tea tree ,massage it into the scalp and leave for an hour.I also sometimes rinse my hair through with 50 apple cider vinegar/50 water mix,great for the scalp and great for shiney hair! Apple cider vinegar is great for so many things,I use it as a skin tonic,same mixture 50 acv/50 water,I add it to my antioxidant juices,lots of websites about apple cider vinegar out there. Also coconut oil ..........COCONUT OIL is truly amazing,I use it on my body,scalp,lips,face,in my smoothies,on my toast,I even oil pull with it! I would say read up about Dr Bruce fife and coconut oil and oil pulling!I have had so many benefits from it and I can tell its helping my skin,I have bad KP on my arms and from oil pulling I do think its helping!Im totally hooked ! I use the brand coconoil,you can use other oils for oil pulling but I just love coconut oil so much and it tastes better than other oils!I even use it for my oil cleansing method,I do this once a week,or once a fortnight before I exfoliate or put a mask on,like giving myself a mini facial!If theres one thing I cant live without right now ,its coconut oil......and guess what I have run out and waiting for a delivery.....thats because my partners been using it too!lol ARRGGGHHH!! take care all x

i've recently researched a practice called oil pulling and decided to try it. it is an ancient healing method that purports to provide health benefits for a myriad of ailments and supposedly being beneficial for the skin is one of them. so, i'm giving it a try to see how it goes. has anyone else heard of it? tried it?

use a timer that beeps when you are in the bathroom. I didnt use it while taking a shower but after I got out of the shower I would set the timer for a few mins (like 3 or 4 at the most). I would also set the timer when I would go pee or brush my teeth ... etc. It makes you conscious that you have only so much time you are allowed to spend in the bathroom and that picking at the mirror wastes your time.