Breaking Out: A Woman's Guide to Coping with Acne at Any Age

I have had cystic acne since I was a teen. I'm now 42 and there are no signs of it going away. I see a dermatologist regularly. I have tried literally hundreds of skincare products. I purchased this book, read it cover to cover, and changed my skincare routine in response. I am using products I already had - a mix of OTC and prescription items - I just didn't have a good plan for using them. To my amazement, I have now gone six weeks without a cyst. This may be the longest cyst-free period in my adult life. Lydia Preston, you are my hero. UPDATE: Three months, no cysts. I could seriously cry!

As a teenager, I was plagued with the occasional flaming red pimple. Although my skin was usually clear, I didn't fully appreciate this until my mid-20s, when - to my surprise - I started to have more frequent and severe flare-ups. Like many people, I assumed that acne was a "teenager's problem," so I was both puzzled and frustrated when my acne only worsened with age - despite the inordinate amount of time I devoted to skin care. Over the previous six months, the situation has become intolerable. Now approaching 30, the periods of flare-ups far outnumber clear days. Objectively, I know that I don't have it "that bad," but it's bothersome nonetheless. I decided to take action and map out a plan of over-the-counter treatments before turning to a dermatologist for help (a last step for me, since, in my experience, dermatologists seem to overcharge and under-deliver!). At first, I tried to locate advice on the Internet. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a site with comprehensive and consistent information; for example, home remedies ran the gamut, from lemon peels to shaving cream to tumeric. There are literally as many "folk remedies" as there are acne sufferers! Rather than try to sort through this information overload, I instead turned to my local library. The most recent book on acne treatments they owned was "Breaking Out," so I checked it out right away. I have to say, I think I hit the jackpot the first time around! "Breaking Out" is a comprehensive guide to acne treatments. Preston covers all the bases; she discusses acne myths and truths; OTC treatments that work (as well as those that don't); various prescription remedies; and even more drastic therapies, such as Accutane and hormones. A longtime acne sufferer herself, she's definitely done her research - and she also addresses her audience with empathy. She features interviews with a number of prominent researchers in the field, but the discussion is never dry or boring. Rather, she manages to break down the science behind acne causes and treatments so that it's easily comprehensible to laypeople. After reading "Breaking Out," I drew up a plan to deal with my acne: a facial wash containing 2% salicylic acid (twice a day), together with a 10% benzoyl peroxide cream (again, twice a day), and an oil-free moisturizer with sunblock (as needed). When I went to my local grocery store, book in hand, I was able to tackle the five mini-aisles of cosmetics with ease: I knew exactly what I wanted, and what products/ingredients I should avoid. Although it's only been a few weeks, it already seems like I'm getting fewer pimples (though I suppose it could just be my imagination!). Best yet, I feel confident, empowered to solve the problem, as opposed to sitting back and passively accepting the advice of clueless dermatologists. Even though the guide is directed at women, men might find it helpful as well - particularly the chapters on various treatment options. I'd also recomm

Very thorough--very well written--clear practical info on how to handle acne and it's subsequent scarring from a writer who's actually lived through it all herself... and *finally* someone in the skin industry publicly gives Accutane the credit it deserves-it truly is THEE miracle drug of this century. Besides the book's utilitarian merits it's actually a fun read--full of personal anecdotes-take it to the beach--well--put a brown paper bag bookcover on it first...

As a newspaper reporter who covers health and fitness, and someone who's had acne-prone skin for 20 years, I'm impressed with this book. Preston did a lot of research and covers all the bases. It's clearly and concisely written, with a lot of little tidbits of information that help us to make informed decisions about our skin care. For example, many of the benzoyl peroxide products on drugstore shelves are 10 percent strength -- but for most of us, 2.5 percent or 5 percent gives the same acne-fighting benefits without all the dryness and redness and irritation. There's a great appendix in back detailing what products contain which ingredients. Preston has suffered from acne herself, and her writing reflects that. I was left with the impression that she knows exactly how you feel -- which is very comforting. A very helpful and reassuring book.

I've been trying to find a book that could help me, and I finally found it. I love this book. It's very clearly written, packed with interesting and helpful information. It doesn't give you any one single cure or prescription that may or may not work for you. Instead, it explains ALL the different acne treatments out there - benzoyl peroxide, Accutane, retins, diet, hormones, etc., etc. - you can really understand how they work and how to use them - then make informed decisions for yourself. Also, some of the other books on the market are written by doctors who have their own line of products to promote - not this author, so the book is very balanced and unbiased. Finally, if you're like me and have acne and scarring, there's a long chapter on acne scar tratments a subject that most other books treat very superfically.