How do your teens deal with acne? DD never had this problem before, but now with all this senior year stress she got those bumpy acne on the chin. She likes to use natural products in general, but now need to find something stronger.
Thank you.
My D also likes using more natural products. She has used a combo of witch hazel, tea tree oil and jojoba oil (to keep skin from drying out too much). Squirt witch hazel generously on a cotton ball; add a tiny, tiny drop of tea tree oil; then add one or two drops of jojoba oil on top of that.
Depending on how dry or oily one’s skin is, the jojoba oil can be eliminated.
She has also used Yes! to Carrots brand of acne stick, which has salicylic acid as one of the main ingredients - but I’ve used it myself, too, and it’s not too drying and works great for the occasional flare-up.
I, personally, have found, in my younger years, anything with salicylic acid or alpha-hydroxy acid to be helpful.
Thank you @BeeDAre
Can you get a referral to a dermatologist?
My senior D is breaking out for the first time, too. It must be the stress of preparing college applications. Although she is breaking out with acne, her skin is still very sensitive and she cannot use anything harsh or drying. She is using Aesop’s Parsley Seed Cleansing Oil, as well as their Oil Free Hydrating Serum and Chamomile Concentrate Anti Blemish Mask. All of their products are very pure and plant based. I have noticed an improvement in her skin’s redness and irritation since she has eliminated peanut butter, wheat and sugar from her diet. She is also taking some supplements that are specifically for her skin. She started with a month long course AKN from Nature’s Way, along with Omega-Genic’s EPA-DHA from cold water fish oil and a good probiotic. She is alternating with a month of the AKN herb combo, followed by a month of Murad Clear Skin Clarifying Dietary Supplement. Her skin has really calmed down, but she still has blemishes. Hope this helps.
It is not that bad that we need to go to dermatologist right now. I remember the long saga with dermatologist for acne with my son, and it was not helpful at all. He had acne into his early twenties. He discovered tea tree oil wash and it worked. DD is using it now too, but with all this senior stress her hormones are all over the place.
If she’s into treating it naturally, she could try taking probiotics and eliminating dairy. This helped my son, especially avoiding dairy.
Your D may not find this as easy to fix as her brother did … hormones can really play havoc. I would suggest a visit to a good health food store to find supplements for adrenal support and hormonal happiness.
What worked for Happykid, was any store-brand face wash with 2% salicylic acid. It was like magic.
2.5% benzoil peroxide from acne.org. worked great for my son and daughter, but it bleaches all your clothes and pillowcases…
Start with OTC acne medications and also wash face with a mild soap. Be very careful with benzoyl peroxide because it will bleach. Most of the OTC acne medications are salicylic acid.
If that doesn’t work, contact your physician. If it is simple acne, you can just go to primary care. If it is severe or cystic, see a dermatologist.
I’ve tried many things both Over the counter and prescriptions for stubborn acne. The best seems to be tea tree oil as mentioned in post 1.
For hormone based acne, spirnolactone works but prescribed by derm and only as a last resort sue to potential side effects
H’s derm recommended he try PanOxyl bar soap, and while it has taken two months of daily use, it has made a huge difference. Some people find it too strong. It is available at drugstores OTC, and costs about $7/bar. They have other formulations, but this one worked where quite a few others didn’t for him.
You could try cutting out dairy. I had acne all over my face. I cut out dairy on recommendation from my friend’s mother. Two weeks later and it was practically gone. I still get a bumb or two every now and then, but it’s pretty manageable. Just a suggestion. 
She could try GRISI Sulfur soap with Lanolin. I purchase the 6-pack via Amazon. This soap can be a little drying.
You can check out reviews of different products on Beautypedia. Be aware that they put way too much emphasis on antioxidants.