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Hi All,
It was early September 2009 and the summer before my junior year of college (age: 20.5 years old) when I finally decided to do something about my mild-to-moderate acne. It was never terrible, but I felt that if my face was clear I would be more comfortable in social situations.
So I first started the Regimen. I didn't have an initial breakout like many people do, and within just a couple weeks my face was rather clear without any major dryness or flaking!!
Junior year of college was amazing... joined the rowing team at my school (and excelled), turned 21 and became somewhat of a social party animal. My face was sufficiently clear that I always felt comfortable about it. I wasn't always so comfortable about applying BP in the gym locker-room and moisturizer afterwards in my car (before class), but it worked for my face so I stuck with it. And this was with pretty minimal amounts of BP and moisturizer.
Fast forward to about a year after starting the Regimen; met a girl who became my first legitimate girlfriend (just dated around prior). While with her my face was fine! But several months into that Dan decided to switch from the white moisturizer to the current yellow one. This slowly changed my level of satisfaction with my skin. To put it swiftly: the new moisturizer was the worst thing that happened to my face since starting the Regimen, because my face grew increasingly more flaky.
And fast-forward to now: I have been with my current girlfriend for a while, and proposed to her about 3.5 weeks ago! She's an awesome girl; beautiful, smart, no-drama, great parents, and I could go on and on. I mention this because currently when I spend time kissing her, the skin around my mouth can become rather flaky. And if her shoulders touch my cheeks, they flake and sometimes leave skin flakes on her clothing!! I also get flaky between my eyebrows, so that tells me the flakiness isn't necessarily related to shaving.
Here's my current rendition of the Regimen:
Morning:
1) 3/4 pump of Dan's cleanser, made into a lather. Gentle washing and gentle rinsing. I've tried to become more gentle over time in hopes of reducing flakiness (been gentle for 1+ months)
2) apply a decent amount of Dan's jojoba oil. Also use this to rub flakes off (because there are so many)
3) 1 pump of Dan's BP. Applied gently.
4) spot treat with Dan's AHA, while BP is still wet.
5) 1.5 pumps Dan's moisturizer applied with my left hand so I can eat cereal with my right hand... takes 8-10 minutes to rub in all the moisturizer and I still have to make sure to get all the flakes off.
Mid-morning, about 3-4 hours later:
1) blot my face to get rid of the oily-ness
2) eat a bagel, and this has the side effect of stretching the skin around my mouth, which makes it flaky
3) apply more moisturizer around my mouth
4) blot around my mouth to remove oily-ness
Night:
1)shower with moderately warm water. Wash body, use Dan's cleanser on back of neck/back/chest. THEN get head/face wet, wash hair and ears. Dry off but leave face wet.
2)shave face, with a Schick Quattro Titanium razor. Yes it has 4 blades, but I need the closer shave. Use 1 pump of Dan's cleanser lathered as a shaving cream on face and neck.
3)add another half pump of cleanser and wash rest of face gently. Dry face.
4)perform steps 2)-5) from morning routine, exactly the same.
I'm rather unhappy with the level of flakiness, especially lately... despite all the jojoba oil and moisturizer and being gentle. The Regimen alone consumes half of my morning routine, and at night if my fiance comes over, she has to wait for the moisturizer to dry (~20mins) before she can kiss me... and even then I have to worry about my skin flaking from her kissing me
So I'd like to move on from BP (after 3.25 years) and go with the Hibiclens treatment. But I don't know how to come off of BP without triggering something worse. Does anybody have suggestions on how to transition off of BP and work into Hibiclens? I've got some already from treating folliculitis.
Basically my primary dilemma is getting rid of the flakiness, and if possible eliminate the BP... but if I still did BP at night it would be alright.
If you aren't ready to completely give up on The Regimen, give Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion a try. It almost always takes care of dry flaky skin if our moisturizer (used generously) and extra jojoba oil do not cut it.
As for getting off The Regimen and transitioning to something else. I would suggest gradually coming off rather than cold turkey. Then gradually introduce whatever it is you want to use to replace the bp.
Good luck!
Thank you for your response, Brandy!
A while back (when the flaking wasn't quite as bad) I gave Cetaphil a shot. I found it to be extremely oily, and upon application it seemed to pull all the flakes to the surface. I've also tried out Moisturel Theraputic Lotion, Eucerin Original Moisturizing Lotion, Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair, and Olay Complete all day UV moisturizer.
One of the issues I have is that 12hrs after I shave, it's harder to apply products where facial hair grows, especially on my chin (hair grows in thickest there). I actually don't put on suncreen because applying it flakes my skin to hell. And if I were to put on suncreen, I'd have to first shave, and then try to scrub all the flakes off... lots of irritation there.
Some reading earlier today brought CeraVe products to my attention. Do you have an opinion on their products (Hydrating cleanser, regular moisturizing lotion, etc.)?
I've definitely read that people quitting BP cold-turkey break out intensely, and that's not really something I could handle.
I agree that if you have naturally oily skin (which it sounds like you do if you're having to blot it during the day) Cetaphil would be too rich and oily, however it would be ok to use during your night time regimen. I mainly use dan's moisturiser with jojoba oil, but during times when my skin is dry (and I have naturally dry skin) I use cetaphil at night time. Who cares if I go to bed with an oil slick face?
Another thing you can try is to apply AHA+ all over your face at night, rather than just as a spot treatment. AHA completely and totally keeps my flakes at bay. Give it a shot before giving up on BP as it seems to have kept you clear for some time now.
Good luck! 
I appreciate your response As far as it's-nighttime-I-don't-care-how-greasy-my-face-is, do you have any trouble with your face drying out over night from being on your pillow? I sleep with a towel on my pillow (and change it out every few days), and generally sleep on my side. Some mornings my face is very flaky, presumably from being dried out by my pillow towel.
Also using AHA in place of Dan's moisturizer at nightnever really seemed to help a whole lot with flakiness. Typically it makes my face a bit red the following day, and since I can't really apply sunscreen regularly (due to flakiness upon application), I try to limit my AHA usage.
I've already begun to use less BP in the mornings, so we'll see where that goes! Though I'm still unsure if/how I can work in Hibiclens and see if that helps anything.
Well, I decided to begin cleansing with Hibiclens, and my BP usage is down about 25% at each application. I'm also tracking what I do to my face to check for things that may cause me to break out.
Here's my current routine:
Morning:
1) Something around 1-2 tsp Hibiclens, rubbed into a lather. Gentle washing for 1min and gentle rinsing. This has consistently caused me to rub flakes off my face.
2) apply a thin layer of Dan's jojoba oil. Also use this to rub flakes off.
3) ~ 0.7 pump of Dan's BP. Applied gently.
4) spot treat with Dan's AHA, while BP is still wet.
5) 1.5 pumps Dan's moisturizer applied with my left hand so I can eat cereal with my right hand... takes 8 minutes to rub in all the moisturizer and there are still a few flakes that require attention.
Mid-morning, about 3-4 hours later:
1) blot my face to get rid of the oily-ness
2) flick a few flakes away
Night:
1)shower with moderately warm water. Wash body, use Dan's cleanser on back of neck/back/chest. THEN get head/face wet, wash hair and ears. Dry off but leave face wet.
2)shave face, with a Schick Quattro Titanium razor. Yes it has 4 blades, but I need the closer shave. Use 1 pump of Dan's cleanser lathered as a shaving cream on face and neck.
3)Something around 1-2 tsp Hibiclens, rubbed into a lather. Gentle washing for 1min and gentle rinsing. This has consistently caused me to rub flakes off my face.
4)perform steps 2)-5) from morning routine, exactly the same.
So far so good, after 3 days of using Hibiclens to replace Dan's cleanser. Being very careful to keep it out of my eyes and mouth! I think the next step (after I am sure it's effective) will be to buy a bigger bottle of Hibiclens and buy a foaming dispenser pump.
Just thought I'd update this after several months!
It seems Hibiclens is doing it's job nicely. My face has been rather clear, and though I do get the occasional small pimple, it doesn't last very long. Most of the pimples I get are from irritation (around the mouth from kissing my fiancee, on my forehead from where my bike helmet makes contact).
Couple changes:
-I switched out Dan's moisturizer for Cerave Moisturizing lotion, and haven't looked back.
-At night I don't use jojoba oil.
My face doesn't get flaky, even after kissing my fiancee for lengthy periods (this was a big one for me). And I can now smile with the knowledge that my face won't look scaly if stretched enough! I'm not sure if it was the Cerave moisturizer or using Hibiclens instead of Dan's cleanser (or a combination of the two) but my face is at the point I've been looking for
Last but not least: applying sunscreen is no longer an issue! If I exercise [outside] with sunscreen on my face it tends to show but that's not a huge deal for me.
Woah, it's been exactly 5 months since the last time I posted here.
Here's what I'm doing these days:
Morning:
-Hibiclens cleanse, about 30sec., then dry face.
-2-3 drops Dan's jojoba oil
-2/3 pump Dan's BP. Apply AHA on pimples. Let dry.
-1.5 pumps Cerave moisturizing lotion
Night:
-shower, shave at end of shower (in the shower), with manual "sensitive skin" razor and "sensitive skin" shaving cream
-- I need to shave every day. I do this for professionalism at work, and also to keep my face from mauling my fiancee's face when we kiss.
-same routine as in the morning
My face gets oily. At work I typically blot the oil with toilet seat covers (they absorb very well!) 2-3 times in the 8-9 hours following my morning routine. After my routine at night I blot with toilet paper if I'm going out or having company over.
Also I still break out from time-to-time. About 4 or so days ago I broke out semi-badly, and although I try to track my face routine and things that can affect my face's well-being (daily), I have no idea what caused it. Sometimes I wonder if my fiancee's menstration causes me to break out, but she gives no indication when she menstrates.
I'm getting married in 9 days. My honeymoon is in 11 days. I'm contemplating using the honeymoon as an opportunity to change my routine. Thinking of lengthening cleansing time with Hibiclens, cutting BP out altogether, and subsequently reduing moisturizer usage (after face has adjusted to not using BP).
Anyone have thoughts on this?
Woah, it's been exactly 5 months since the last time I posted here.
Here's what I'm doing these days:
Morning:
-Hibiclens cleanse, about 30sec., then dry face.
-2-3 drops Dan's jojoba oil
-2/3 pump Dan's BP. Apply AHA on pimples. Let dry.
-1.5 pumps Cerave moisturizing lotion
Night:
-shower, shave at end of shower (in the shower), with manual "sensitive skin" razor and "sensitive skin" shaving cream
-- I need to shave every day. I do this for professionalism at work, and also to keep my face from mauling my fiancee's face when we kiss.
-same routine as in the morning
My face gets oily. At work I typically blot the oil with toilet seat covers (they absorb very well!) 2-3 times in the 8-9 hours following my morning routine. After my routine at night I blot with toilet paper if I'm going out or having company over.
Also I still break out from time-to-time. About 4 or so days ago I broke out semi-badly, and although I try to track my face routine and things that can affect my face's well-being (daily), I have no idea what caused it. Sometimes I wonder if my fiancee's menstration causes me to break out, but she gives no indication when she menstrates.
I'm getting married in 9 days. My honeymoon is in 11 days. I'm contemplating using the honeymoon as an opportunity to change my routine. Thinking of lengthening cleansing time with Hibiclens, cutting BP out altogether, and subsequently reduing moisturizer usage (after face has adjusted to not using BP).
Anyone have thoughts on this?
Are you diluting the hibiclens? I dilute mine. I pour a normal size shot glass full of hibiclens, pour the hibiclens into my 7.5 fl oz foaming liquid soap pump(was and old foaming liquid hand soap pump) then fill it up almost to the top with distilled,bottle water or just tap water.
I just rub one pump of the foam on my face and let sit for about 10 mins. Then wash off with tepid water.
I also mix it with caldesen baby powder with zinc(pink bottle white cap) to make a mask. I leave that on for ten mins and it really helps with oil, hyperpigmentation and inflamed acne.
Woah, it's been exactly 5 months since the last time I posted here.
Here's what I'm doing these days:
Morning:
-Hibiclens cleanse, about 30sec., then dry face.
-2-3 drops Dan's jojoba oil
-2/3 pump Dan's BP. Apply AHA on pimples. Let dry.
-1.5 pumps Cerave moisturizing lotion
Night:
-shower, shave at end of shower (in the shower), with manual "sensitive skin" razor and "sensitive skin" shaving cream
-- I need to shave every day. I do this for professionalism at work, and also to keep my face from mauling my fiancee's face when we kiss.
-same routine as in the morning
My face gets oily. At work I typically blot the oil with toilet seat covers (they absorb very well!) 2-3 times in the 8-9 hours following my morning routine. After my routine at night I blot with toilet paper if I'm going out or having company over.
Also I still break out from time-to-time. About 4 or so days ago I broke out semi-badly, and although I try to track my face routine and things that can affect my face's well-being (daily), I have no idea what caused it. Sometimes I wonder if my fiancee's menstration causes me to break out, but she gives no indication when she menstrates.
I'm getting married in 9 days. My honeymoon is in 11 days. I'm contemplating using the honeymoon as an opportunity to change my routine. Thinking of lengthening cleansing time with Hibiclens, cutting BP out altogether, and subsequently reduing moisturizer usage (after face has adjusted to not using BP).
Anyone have thoughts on this?
Are you diluting the hibiclens? I dilute mine. I pour a normal size shot glass full of hibiclens, pour the hibiclens into my 7.5 fl oz foaming liquid soap pump(was and old foaming liquid hand soap pump) then fill it up almost to the top with distilled,bottle water or just tap water.
I just rub one pump of the foam on my face and let sit for about 10 mins. Then wash off with tepid water.
I also mix it with caldesen baby powder with zinc(pink bottle white cap) to make a mask. I leave that on for ten mins and it really helps with oil, hyperpigmentation and inflamed acne.
Hi, I don't dilute Hibiclens, just simply use the foaming pump and use one pump (also bought a 32oz. bottle for refill). May I ask why you choose to dilute Hibiclens?
This evening I cleansed (with one pump Hibiclens) for 45sec instead of 30sec, and let it sit on my face for 1min. before washing it off. Also I put 2 drops jojoba in with my 1.5 pumps Cerave moisturizer (instead of doing jojoba before BP).
When you say you use "caldesen" baby powder, which I'm not sure what that is, does this reduce oil production throughout the entire day, or does it just absorb some of the initial oil? I ask because my face constantly produces oil, hence the desire to blot so often. Today I think I blotted 4 times due to 16 hours (instead of 12) between morning/evening face washing routines.
Woah, it's been exactly 5 months since the last time I posted here.
Here's what I'm doing these days:
Morning:
-Hibiclens cleanse, about 30sec., then dry face.
-2-3 drops Dan's jojoba oil
-2/3 pump Dan's BP. Apply AHA on pimples. Let dry.
-1.5 pumps Cerave moisturizing lotion
Night:
-shower, shave at end of shower (in the shower), with manual "sensitive skin" razor and "sensitive skin" shaving cream
-- I need to shave every day. I do this for professionalism at work, and also to keep my face from mauling my fiancee's face when we kiss.
-same routine as in the morning
My face gets oily. At work I typically blot the oil with toilet seat covers (they absorb very well!) 2-3 times in the 8-9 hours following my morning routine. After my routine at night I blot with toilet paper if I'm going out or having company over.
Also I still break out from time-to-time. About 4 or so days ago I broke out semi-badly, and although I try to track my face routine and things that can affect my face's well-being (daily), I have no idea what caused it. Sometimes I wonder if my fiancee's menstration causes me to break out, but she gives no indication when she menstrates.
I'm getting married in 9 days. My honeymoon is in 11 days. I'm contemplating using the honeymoon as an opportunity to change my routine. Thinking of lengthening cleansing time with Hibiclens, cutting BP out altogether, and subsequently reduing moisturizer usage (after face has adjusted to not using BP).
Anyone have thoughts on this?
Are you diluting the hibiclens? I dilute mine. I pour a normal size shot glass full of hibiclens, pour the hibiclens into my 7.5 fl oz foaming liquid soap pump(was and old foaming liquid hand soap pump) then fill it up almost to the top with distilled,bottle water or just tap water.
I just rub one pump of the foam on my face and let sit for about 10 mins. Then wash off with tepid water.
I also mix it with caldesen baby powder with zinc(pink bottle white cap) to make a mask. I leave that on for ten mins and it really helps with oil, hyperpigmentation and inflamed acne.
Hi, I don't dilute Hibiclens, just simply use the foaming pump and use one pump (also bought a 32oz. bottle for refill). May I ask why you choose to dilute Hibiclens?
This evening I cleansed (with one pump Hibiclens) for 45sec instead of 30sec, and let it sit on my face for 1min. before washing it off. Also I put 2 drops jojoba in with my 1.5 pumps Cerave moisturizer (instead of doing jojoba before BP).
When you say you use "caldesen" baby powder, which I'm not sure what that is, does this reduce oil production throughout the entire day, or does it just absorb some of the initial oil? I ask because my face constantly produces oil, hence the desire to blot so often. Today I think I blotted 4 times due to 16 hours (instead of 12) between morning/evening face washing routines.
Hey! I dilute it because it just dries out my skin to much at full strength. You don't have to dilute if its not causing you to have flakey skin.
Yea it just repels moisture and soaks up oil. So if you're oily and live in a city where there is high humidity it can be benifical.
I just pour a small amount in my palm, swirl a clean makeup brush in the baby powder and press it onto my face. Then I'll gently blend it in so its not so white looking. If you just slather it on your face it will get in your eyes or nose and make you sneeze.
Thanks for the information
Well, I have now been married for 2 months! And that means I've been off BP for 2 months as well.
For the last month I stopped using moisturizer and jojoba all-together. And for the last couple weeks I stopped using AHA.
So lately my routine has simply been washing with Hibiclens for 30sec. and leaving it for a minute.
My face's oil production has decreased so much that it's as oily after 12 hours as it used to be after only 3 hours or less. This is the only good thing that has happened with my face over the last 2 months.
BUT: my acne is kinda bad, enough that it's certainly affecting my social life. I'm lucky to have a woman who still loves me and is attracted to me despite it!
My biggest issue with my current acne isn't just how it looks, but also how it FEELS. Right now for example, I can FEEL several of the active pimples on my face. I occasionally (once every 2 days or so) take ibuprofen to help with that, but it's only temporary and of course I don't want to take it too often due to regular exercise and not wanting stomach ulcers.
Therefore I'm looking to move forward. I'm considering keeping the Hibiclens portion of my routine, and start slowly adding Dan's BP (starting with once a day, small amount) and use Cerave moisturizer as well.
this is a shot in the dark.. but i think u should slowly start BP and regimen again till u use the full dose... almost 2 pumps...
by the way your whole experience goes BP was working great for you, til the moisturizer changed...
Also i noticed you mentioned shaving alot... Could it be the product you use for shaving? maybe an aftershave you use that caused all the dryness/flakyness??
this is a shot in the dark.. but i think u should slowly start BP and regimen again till u use the full dose... almost 2 pumps...
by the way your whole experience goes BP was working great for you, til the moisturizer changed...
Also i noticed you mentioned shaving alot... Could it be the product you use for shaving? maybe an aftershave you use that caused all the dryness/flakyness??
Hi thanks for the response. I never used more than 1 pump of BP as part of my regimen, never needed to.
I used to shave with Dan's cleanser, but moved on to Barbasol for sensitive skin. I also used to have problems with ingrown hairs on my neck, but rarely get them anymore 
As well, I don't put shaving cream on my forehead but still have pimples there.
I've never used an aftershave.
Also I am contemplating starting back on BP tonight. Thinking about 2/3 pump of BP tonight, skip tomorrow morning, and then again tomorrow night. May also put on some Cerave moisturizer. We'll see. All I know is my current acne situation is quite unhappy.