I am one of those people that ProActive does NOT work for. At all. It works great for lots of people, but it is by no means a "one size fits all" solution.
I used to get those really deep, painful breakouts about once a month. The kind you can't pop, and that leave brown "scars" that take weeks or months to completely fade. Hard to conceal with make-up, too.
Then roughly a year ago I read about someone else with the same problem, and he recommended the following:
* wash face with warm water, and gentle cleanser & using only your fingers/hands
* apply 2.5% (or higher) benzoyle peroxide cream (I use 10%) to affected area, and gently work it into the skin. Wait for 5-20 minutes before putting on any lotions, sunblock, moisturizers, etc.
That's it. No expensive acne products or time consuming "routines" to follow. And I haven't had one teensy pimple, breakout, or flare-up since I started doing this. Not
one. (And I am 36 by the way, so this was something I was battling for many, many years and I did try lots of different things before finding this remedy).
As for wrinkles, I have some suggestions there too. And since people routinely mistake me for being in my early to mid-20's maybe my advice is worth listening to
:
#1 -- Stay out of the sun as much as possible, and/or wear sunblock ALL the time. Even on cloudy days, in the winter, etc.
Never skip it. (If you have been breaking this cardinal rule of looking young, then start obeying it now. It's too late to undo years of sun damage, but you can prevent things from getting worse.) I can't stress this one enough.
#2 -- Don't smoke. Period.
And to a lesser extent:
* Moisturize your skin. I've been using anti-aging creams and Olay since I was in my twenties. It seems to have helped keep the wrinkles away so far.
* If at all possible, avoid rubbing your eyes -- treat the skin around your eyes as if it could tear as easily as tissue paper. This goes for washing it, removing make-up, or whatever -- be kind to your skin!
So, that's some advice from an older gal who looks to be in your age group!