Question
I recently noticed that my pores are much more enlarged than before, around my cheeks and nose. I'm not sure what to do about this. I use daily face wash and recently started using a pore cleansing wash, but it doesn't seem to help. Is there an efficient way to effectively tighten my pores? Thank you.

(submitted by alias: Tom)

Answer
Hi Tom, I believe your daily face wash and your recent pore cleansing wash are both soap base. Soap base cleansers will cause your surface oil and oil within the pores to harden. Since there are always debris on the surface skin and within the pores, they too got hardened. When clogged debris are hardened, and couldn't be cleared daily, they accumulated more and at a much faster rate over time. These accumulated clogged debris expanded and caused the pores to enlarge as well. To tighten up your pores, you need first to clear them of the clogged debris. To clear the clogged debris you need good effective cleansers that work by gently softening and dissolving them, and without robbing your skin of its natural oil secretion. You need also other skincare regime items that are non-comedogenic(i.e creams that do not contain high wax content in them). Try our sampleset, and you'll see fast amazing results. For your convenience I have pasted a copy of our text version Sampleset Request Form below here for your completion. Best Regards: Pierre

Question
I HAVE DRY DEHIDRATED SKIN NO LOTION WORKS I USE NIVEA VISAGE FACIAL NOURISHING I HAVE CHANGED PRODUCTS SEVERAL TIMES. I ALSO GET BLACKHEADS AND I BREAK OUT WITH READ PIMPLES THAT ARE UNAPPEALING THEY USEUALLY ARE NOT BIG JUST RED. I HARDLY EVER WEAR FACE MAKEUP. I JUST CAN NOT GET RID OF IT AND IT IS A REAL ANNOYANCE. PLEASE HELP WHAT SHOULD I USE?

(submitted by alias: )

Answer
Hi, you most likely must have been using soap as your daily/nightly cleanser to cleanse your face, and/or have used some other treatment products that dehydrate your skin. Stop using soap amd any other product that is dehydrating your skin. Soap causes hardening of oil and debris and leads to more clogged pores. Clogged pores trapped bacteria, and led to breakouts. So, your problem can be resolved with a good set of daily/nightly skincare products that cleanse effectively by dissolving those clogged debris, yet not dehydrating your skin, and not hardening fresh oil secretions and debris(which comprises dead cells, dirt, salt from sweat, waste and bacteria from sweat, etc.), AND that truly moisturizes your skin without adding deposits to your clogged pores to get them more clogged. Most creams from other companies contain a high wax content. When the water content from the cream evaporates, leaving the solid wax component as deposit, the pores got more clogged. Get hold of a set of our samples now, and you'll soon regain your youthful baby-soft complexion. For your convenience I have pasted a copy of our text version Sampleset Request Form below here for your completion. Best Regards: Pierre

Question

(submitted by alias: )

Answer
Hi Rachel, That was only the beginning. When skin is oily it attracts makeup powder, dirt, bacteria more easily, and together with the daily shedded stale dead cells can flow inwards into the pores and clog them. The deposits accumulate over time, and if you don't have an effective cleanser to remove them daily, that's it. The bacteria in the clogged deposits multiply rapidly, and when your health is weak at times with low defense activity from within your own body, the on-going battle between the bacteria and your weak defense system cause the red swelling to appear(those are pimples). After a while, they became pustules. Pustules are dead bacteria. That's a good sign, because it means that the bacteria have lost the battle, and the pimple will subside. However, because of the same on-going health and hygiene habits with the use of ineffective skincare products, new bacteria and other harmful deposits continue to be absorbed through the pores, and the problem usually aggravate over time. Worse, most skincare creams contain high wax content.

Despite their big names, most of these companies use standard formulations obtained FREE from their chemical suppliers, just like FREE recipe books given to housewives by suppliers of cooking oil. That is why they are all about the same amongst the different big brand names. When the cream's water content evaporates the remaining solid Wax deposit aggravates the clogs, by causing the clogged debris to harden further. At this stage most people thought frequent cleansing with soap-based cleansers will rid the oiliness and the clogged pores, and controlling secretions. Most skincare product companies encourage and endorse such methods with the use of their standard formulations. Soap-based cleansers emulsify away fresh soft secretions instantly causing skin to dehydrate. The freshly secreted oil is much needed by the skin to BOND the daily shedded dead cells together to form that protective layer known as SEBUM or ACID MANTLE.

Soap also contains salt which will readily cause the clogged oily deposits to harden further. When skin gets dehydrated, the bonding breaks, and the skin ruptures, thus becoming easy grounds for bacterial invasion and foreign matters to penetrate. What needs to be rid off daily are those hardened staled waste deposits, but soap-based cleansers won't remove them. They only made them harder and more difficult to remove over time. After each wash with soap-based cleanser, when the skin's freshly secreted oil is removed, the skin will physiologically react to compensate the loss oil by multiplying its sebaceous production activity, thus causing the surface to appear oily again within a few hours. During that few hours of transition time, the skin was in a ruptured condition and bacteria and foreign matters got in easily. When increased sebaceous activity caused the skin to become more oily hours later lots of those oil will also be absorbed by those clogged deposits on their way out through the hair follicles. Thus, the deposits get thicker as the absorbed oil became hardened through the same vicious cycle. So, the skin will appear oily but with enlarged pores, blackheads and acne over time, and your total complexion appears coarse and thick. If you do have great effective cleansers, you can continue to use makeup.

However, if you were to continue with the current set of cleansers you have, then obviously makeup will aggravate the problem, although not using them will not help either due to the ineffectiveness of the cleansers and the comedogenic creams that are depositing waxes into your pores daily. I strongly urge you now to stop using all of them, and switch to using the complete set of our herbal products for your daily/nightly regime. I assure you that you will regain your baby-soft youthful and supple complexion soon! Even with the first application you will see and feel the great difference, and within days your family members and friends will notice the change in your complexion. Well, we do offer free samples by uniquely matching a set for your skin. Infact, we encourage potential customers to try our samples first, despite the fact that we have over 95% satisfied customers (incase someone happens to be among that remaining <5%).

The sampleset comprises 5 to 7 items(depending on your skin condition), to be used for your daily and nightly routine. This is to provide you an opportunity to use exclusively only our line of products, without mixing with other competitive products, in order to achieve fast positive results. You need only pay US$10 for postage and handling. The sampleset will be shipped via registered air parcel directly from Singapore. However, you need first to provide us with info of your skin condition, either online at: https://web62366.securesites.com/ss45b/matsamp.htm OR alternatively, by completing the text version sample request form I have pasted here below. And if you have enough confidence in our products through multiple great testimonials from our customers, and want to purchase the retail sizes right away, then use another form which I have pasted below the first. (Note: Actual forms are removed from here to save space) Best Regards: Pierre

Question
Dear Sir: I'm in my early 20's and have had acne for 10 years now. I have gone to 2 separate dermatologists and both have put me on Benzamycin. I'm originally from the north, but have lived in Florida for 4 years now. I thought the sunshine and salt water would help heal and clear my skin. Though, it has not. I usually have very oily skin which is partially contributed to all the sun and hot, humid weather. I wash 3 times daily to keep control of my oil secretion of my glands. Though, I still have acne, blackheads, and cysts. My T-zone is fairly okay. Blackheads and a few whiteheads here and there on forhead, nose, and cheeks. Major problem is my chin, which is weird to me because my brother and friends might have acne or breakouts on their cheeks and none on their chin. In my case, it is reversed. My chin just will not clear up for anything. I have scarring around right side of mouth and down that chin line. I just recently went to see dermotologist and he informed me that I have deep cystic pockets on both sides of chin, with a few in middle. He put me Retin-A (.25%) and that has done nothing but made it worse. I have heard nothing but good response about Retin-A, but I feel my skin is immune to it. Over the past 10 years, I have tried everything and anything to heal my face. Obviously, nothing has worked. So, after reading some of these letters sent in to you, I am curious as to whether your product can help and heal my face. I work out at a gym 6 days a week and do take supplements to enhance my muscles. I also take Vitamins B and C daily, and also was considering some liquid Vitamin E for face. Is that good? I have a rather partially balanced diet due to college implications and such. I usually obtain 7-10 hours of sleep a nite 5 out of 7 days a week. Currently, my face is drying harshly and thus I have to use a moisturizer which contradicts the whole cleansing process.??? Due to my ance of the past 10 years, I have suffered deep depression stages which have almost eliminated self-esteem and confidence as well as hindered any drive to perform daily routines. So, if you could recommend some samples along with a daily routine of your product line to help: a) cleanse my skin properly b) exfoliate the dead skin cells c) remove blackheads d) unclog the cysts e) reduce drying, irritation, and redness I would gladly appreciate it and any other recommendations you may have. Thank you, Jim

(submitted by alias: Jim)

Answer
Hi Jim, Too much sunshine will actually dehydrate your skin, thus causing it to rupture, and allowing easy bacterial invasion. I supposed you wash your face with soap or some kind of foam cleanser. That will actually makes your skin worse. Soap will rob your skin of the essential oil that is needed to hold your skin's surface dead cells together to form as a natural protective layer(called acid mantle). Apart from dehydrating your skin(and causing the rupture), the sebaceous glands will be stimulated to multiply the production of oil to compensate for the loss caused by the soap. This happens physiologically and automatically the moment your skin becomes dehydrated. Thus, you will have a condition of external dehydration, and internal pore-cloggings caused by hyper-activity of your oil glands. There are many cases of side effects reported by users of Retin-A. All supplements of this kind help your body produce amino-acids(proteins). The process will cause your body to heat up easily. That is, your body becomes heaty easily. Symptoms of a over-heaty body are: sore throat, nose-bleeding, mouth ulcers(most common of all), bad breadth, acnes and pimples. You need to drink plenty of water. No Vit E for you now. It will amplify your body heat further.

Your workout schedule is a healthy practice, without which, your current facial condition will definitely be worse. Yes. The dehydration is the net result of your current skincare regime, as I have explained above. Stop using soap altogether now. Moreover, I'm quite certain the moisturizer you are using now contains also high content of waxes(most moisturizers from other companies using standard formulations given them free by chemical companies contain high amounts of waxes!). Stop using that also. I understand your predicament. I'm sure we can be of great help. OK. You need not buy any retail sizes of our products first. We do offer free samples by uniquely matching a set for your skin. Infact, we encourage potential customers to try our samples first, despite the fact that we have over 95% satisfied customers (incase someone happens to be among that remaining <5%). The sampleset comprises 5 to 7 items(depending on your skin condition), to be used for your daily and nightly routine. This is to provide you an opportunity to use exclusively only our line of products, without mixing with other competitive products, in order to achieve fast positive results. You need only pay US$10 for postage and handling. The sampleset will be shipped via registered air parcel directly from Singapore.

However, you need first to provide us with info of your skin condition, online at: https://web62366.securesites.com/ss45b/matsamp.htm Best Regards and have a blessed New Year! Pierre Hi Pierre, I used to have very few pimples although my T-zone is kind of oily. But about two years ago, I started to breakout more frequently. About six months ago, the situation got realy worse. I breakout a lot on cheeks, then chins, but not much on forhead or nose. But overall my face looks very oily. I even breakout on some not so oily area. I've been using clinique products for almost two years. They don't seem to help. I've been using Neutrogena acne product for past seven months, and that could probably be why my acne problem get worse. I stopped using makeup, but things didn't change. What would you recommend for me to try? Rachel

Question
Your products look very promising; I have had acne since I was 13 and have done 3 courses of Accutane, which works at the time of use and for a few months afterward. Then the acne comes back and it is currently very flared up. I use Dove moisturizing soap, and have tried most of the drugstore acne preparations such as Clearasil, Tea Tree Oil, etc., and several prescription items such as topical antibiotic ointments. None are effective. I have dry skin on cheeks; oily t-zone; acne on forehead, around nose, and lately, around the jawline. Your advice is appreciated. This is an excellent site.

(submitted by alias: Lynne)

Answer
Hi Lynne, Hope you are aware of the side effects of Accutane. There are many different methods offered for topical acne treatment. Most topical products treat them by drying them out(thus causing skin peeling). Results with such methods will, at most, be temporial, as the real root of the problem that causes the acnes was still not addressed. The acnes were merely suppressed. Thus, when they have a chance to return, they appeared flared up. Despite how much moisturizing ingredients are incorporated in soap, they remain a surfactant(surface active agent), although some are gentler than the others. It is the surfactants in soap that emulsifies the skin's surface oil(the sebum) away. After each wash, with the drying of the skin, the underlying oil and sweat glands will have to physiologically react by increasing their production of oil and sweat to compensate the loss. This inevitably causes the outer skin to appear dry(but temporarily), while the underlying skin is oily. (The drier outer skin will rupture, thus allowing increased bacterial invasion). Eventually, the oil will surface and give a more greasy appearance than before. The increased production of oil will thereby increase the risk of more clogged pores. Salt contained in soaps will also cause hardening of the clogged debris(commonly known as comedones or, simply, blackheads). Soap should never be used as a permanent daily cleanser in your skincare routines. During winter(or during drier months) the problem can be aggravated by using soaps. Clearsil is also known to be treating acnes by drying them out. Each time when the skin dries, it cracks. The sebum(that is the natural emulsion of sebaceous secretion and sweat excretion, known as acid mantle that is needed to provide a covering layer against penetration of any foreign matter) becomes unstable and breaks up, leaving no protection, but becoming a conducive area for bacterial growth and invasion. Tea tree oil, if not adulterated with low grade oils, can yield effective treatment without any known side effects so far. Topical antibiotic ointments may be used as temporory aids to prevent the spread of bacteria, but it should not become a part of long term routine in your skincare regimes. It will eventually reduce your body's need to defending itself, and you will become more and more dependent on them. Our herbal line of products do not treat acnes by drying them out. And we do not believe in just treating the symptoms alone. We get to the root of the cause, and advice you what you must or must not do, besides using our products. Should you decide to place your order of products with us, I will recommend a set to match your current skin-type and skin flaws. Regards: Pierre

Question
I have had acne for few years now, but recently it had taken a turn for the worse. I started on Antibiotics beginning of last year. Was given Doxcycline 100mg and Isotretinoin 20mg as well as vit E. Intially, there was no change but after a few mths, I broke out less and by March/april 97 my skin was more or less clear, the scars were fading. I had already stopped treatment around the beginning of the year. But in july, it started breaking out again, this time much worse, my cheeks were red and looked swollen and my forehead was also not spared. So i was put back on the antibiotics. It didn't seem to help, in fact it became worse, it's only now that the break out is not that often but it has left behind lots of red scars that just don't seem to clear. And i noticed that my pores have become bigger. Is there anyway to make the scars go away more quickly and how bout tightening those pores ? I have fair skin so it makes it more obvious, drink plenty of water, wash 4 times daily and stay out of the sun, try to use minimal make up but have irregular sleeping habits and eat everything.

(submitted by alias: ann)

Answer
Hi Ann, Doxcycline has been reported by researchers to be quite effective in treating not only diseases with micro-organisms such as acnes, but also diseases not caused by bacteria, like osteoporosis, arthritis, and cancer. However, so long it is a form of antibiotics, long-term dependency will always lead to immunizations. There's no instant results for treatment of post acneic scars. Some of the bigger pores you mentioned could be actually post-acneic indentation scars. Washing your face 4 times daily, and if with soap, is not good. So as eating everything. Long term use of soap as a daily cleanser will cause the skin to dehydrate, crack, rupture, and becomes a free gateway to bacterial invasion. I have appended below here part of my answers to another person, the contents of which explains the negative effects of soaps. "No matter how much moisturizing ingredients are incorporated in soap, they remain a surfactant(surface active agent), although some are gentler than the others. It is the surfactants in soap that emulsifies the skin's surface oil(the sebum) away. After each wash, with the drying of the skin, the underlying oil and sweat glands will have to physiologically react by increasing their production of oil and sweat to compensate the loss. This inevitably causes the outer skin to appear dry(but temporarily), while the underlying skin is oily. (The drier outer skin will rupture, thus allowing increased bacterial invasion). Eventually, the oil will surface and give a more greasy appearance than before.

The increased production of oil will thereby increase the risk of more clogged pores. Salt contained in soaps will also cause hardening of the clogged debris(commonly known as comedones or, simply, blackheads). Soap should never be used as a permanent daily cleanser in your skincare routines. During winter(or during drier months) the problem can be aggravated by using soaps" Isotretinoin is the chemical name for Accutane. It is a drug used in the treatment of acne by way of reducing(dryig up) oil secretions from the glands. It isn't a permanent cure for acne. What it does help is to buy time hoping that a natural physiological or hormonal change later will stop them from returning. What you are experiencing now with the returned outbreaks is part and parcel of Accutane's post-treatment symptoms and side effect.

An article reported the following side effects frequency:

1. Chapped lips 90%

2. Dry skin and itching 80% - the use of daily alpha hydroxacids will help prevent this side effect to some extent.

3. Dryness of nose, mild nosebleed 80%

4. Irritation of the eyelids and eyes 40% - Vitamin E 400 IU each day may lessen this side effect.

5. Joint and muscle pains 15%

6. Temporary hair thinning 10%

7. Rash 7%

8. Intestinal symptoms 5%

9. Urinary symptoms 5%

10.Headache 5%

11.Increased sensitivity to sunburn 5%

12.Decreased night vision <1%

Were you told of the side effects, and were you given a blood chemistry test before you were prescribed isotretinoin? The most damaging side effect is serious birth defects if taken during pregnancy. You should never take it while pregnant, and not to conceive during the isotretinoin course. Vitamin E is OK if you don't get exposed to the sun. It will cause severe peeling when aggravated by the UV rays. When used together with Doxcycline and Isotretinoin, it's too harsh. Do watch out your health too. What you eat does affect your health. Avoid sweetened food, such as candies, chocolates, and fried food. If you wish, I'd recommend you a set of our herbal products comprising 5 to 7 items with a detail Usage Directions Guide. We can send you these items as Free samples, provided you're willing to foot your own registered airmail postage cost, which is $10.00. Let me know if you want me to proceed. Meanwhile do note that it's good that you also observe the following Health and Hygiene Habits:

Hygiene and Health Habits to observe:
================================

1. Make sure you have adequate sleep (go to bed before midnight). For a normal person, and with your condition now, you would require 8 hours a day. Do not stay till the wee hours, and then tried sleeping in the day to recover. Overstressing in the night, and sleeping in the day will cause your body heat to rise and your body system to be imbalanced. This will cause your acneic condition to deteriorate.

2. Try washing your hair daily. However, when you shampoo your hair, ensure that your face is not wet by the dripping shampoo draining down from your hair. The bacteria from your hair will worsen your acneic condition. The shampoo (being soap) will also cause dehydration to your skin. This further causes your skin to crack and rupture and avail itself further to bacterial invasion.

3. Avoid dusty and hot places, as well as places with chemicals or gas.

4. Avoid over-exposure to the sun or to cold air. Both extremes will cause further dehydration, skin ruptures, and bacterial invasion.

5. Change your pillow case often. Another alternative is to cover your pillow with a clean towel when you sleep, and change it everyday. This is to prevent bacteria from your hair from spreading to your already ruptured skin.

6. Drink plenty of water(not necessarily mineral water. Too much of minerals can also be contra-indicative).

7. Avoid fried food, rich proteinic food, and candies or chocolates which contain high sugar contents.

8. Take adequate amount of fruits like oranges, apples, etc., as well as vegetables.

9. If you are on anti-biotics, I advice you don't rely on it for long term. Your body will reduce its own capacity to defend itself against bacterial invasion, and eventually became overly dependent on the drug as the defense system.

Regards: Pierre

Question
Hi. I'm a 28 yo male thats currently not using a skin regimen except washing my face and putting on some lotion. I used to go to a dermatologist in my teen to early college years and I was on Retin-A and Tetracycline. These did wonders for me and after using it for 4 years I stopped since my skin was clear and I rarely broke out. Now a few years later I am starting to break out occasionally maybe twice a month. My skin is a combination of oily in the T-Zone but dry to normal on my chin and cheeks. What skin regimen do you recommend I use for my face and for the REAL PROBLEM which is the excessive breakouts on the upper back of my body which has left some discolored scarring? I'd really rather not go back to a dermatologist or is that the best course to treat my back at least? Thanks for any help or advice you can give me.

(submitted by alias: Alden)

Answer
Hi Alden, In your teens during college years, it was common to have acne outbreaks due to sudden hormonal changes at puberty. Retine A and tetracycline caused acnes to dry up, and can be an effective in containing acnes for some people, like yourself. However, it will also cause skin dryness. With your current ocassional breakouts, you will need to handle it with great care. Acnes, like open wounds, are susceptible to easy bacterial invasion. If not properly managed, it can spread like wild fire, and causes scarring like what you're having at your back. I believe you wash your face with soap. This is not recommendable. Soap breaks down the skin's acid mantle, thus causing dehydration, and dehydration ruptures your skin. It becomes conducive for Bacterial invasion. Your glands will also be forced to multiply their oil and sweat production to compensate the moisture and oil loss, as such, and your skin will be more clogged and appear coarse as a result. I'd advice that you stop using soap. I'm not sure what kind of lotion you are using.

Do note, however, that milk lotions if formulated with high wax contents can also promote pore clogging. When pores are clogged, the skin will become prone to having acnes. To contain acnes you need to keep your skin clean and hygienic at all times, yet not causing it to lose its oil/moisture balance. It is a difficult task, but not impossible. What you need is the right products, correct usage/application methods, and live a healthy life style with good hygiene habits. As for the breakouts on your back, it is caused initially by clogged pores too. The glands on our back are usually quite active. For most people, because the back are usually covered and protected with clothings most times the pores did not get clogged easily. If your back is exposed to the open air often(especially in environments that are dusty, humid, or with fumes, chemicals and gas), you will have a much higher risk of getting clogged pores, thus acne infections. Likewise, if you seldom scrub your back properly during your showers/baths the condition can be as bad.

Moreover, you need to get adequate rest and sleep - 7 to 8 hours nightly. Do not take aftrenoon naps. It will cause your body temperature to to heat up unnaturally, and upsetting your body's system. I'd recommend you avoid bare backs. Always clothed when exposed to the external environment. Use a good body scrub to scrub your back daily, and apply a good anti-acne cream/lotion until your back is clear of acnes. If you want to use our line of products we can recommend you two items from our line as follows: 1. PSN - Sage Peeling Scrub 300ML $76.60 2. 090 - Ginseng Anti-Acne Cream 12ML $26.60 Unfortunately, we have no samples for the 2 items. However, for your face, we will send you a set of Free samples comprising 5 to 7 items, together with a detail usage directions guide. Normally, you will have to pay for your own postage for these samples, costing only $10.00. But if you are ordering the above two items for the body treatment, we don't mind sending these samples together, and we absorb all the postage costs. If you want us to go ahead to send you the samples without the order for the two items above, and agree to pay for your own postage(i.e. $10.00), please email me again. But you must agree not to mix with other products, and to stop using them altogether, in order to see fast amazing results. If you wish to order the above two items, and receive the Free sample set for your facial routine, please email me also, and indicate so.

Regards: Pierre

Question
I am an 18 years old female. I take a shower everynight and wash my face in the shower. I run on a treadmill for 20 min. every other day. I don't wear much make-up just base, and powder. My zit starts out as a big red bumb, them it turns into a 'whitehead' which I can never pop what do I do? I have very pail senstive skin. The only thing I could think of is maybe I don't get enough sleep or my make-up. My base is for sensetive skin and so is my powder. I don't understand I take very good care of my skin but yet it still breaks out. I have just ordered your WonderGel so I hope that works. Why don't you sell it in U.S.A? Thank You

(submitted by alias: Malice1)

Answer
Hi Malice1, It's not good to wash your face in the shower. If you use a soap-based cleanser(or worse still your hair or body shampoo) it will dehydrate your skinexternally, and causes your skin to physiologically compensate for the loss of oil and moisture by enhancing your sebum production activity. Soap contains salt as part of its ingredients, which will also harden up your oil secretions, thus causing your pores to be clogged by hardened secretions. Meanwhile, the increase activity in oil production underneath your skin will cause more oil to be accumulated(since your pores are clogged) resulting in more clogged pores and coarse skin. Also, never allow your shampoo to drain down from your hair(carrying all the dirt and bacteria along) to your face. External dehydration causes skin to rupture and avail itself to bacterial invasion. All these resulted to your breakouts, once your body feels weak due to stress or lack of rest/sleep. If you were to use a cream cleanser in shower, then it will have no cleansing effect at all, once the cream is mixed and diluted with water. Thus, your skin's dead cells and debris were left to accumulate, resulting to status quo.

Drink plenty of plain water and have adequate sleep and rest will help a lot. Zits will not form into 'whiteheads', medically known as milia seeds. Zits are caused mainly by blackheads(though they may not necessarily appear black. They turn black only over a long period of time upon oxidation. The medical term for Blackheads is Comedones) Whiteheads are as hard as rice grains though much tinier, and cannot be easily squeezed. You need to prick it with a sterilized needle. Whiteheads are mainly formed in sweat pores, unlike blackheads which are found in hair pores. Whiteheads, being more stubborn and embedded deep in the tinier sweat pores is more difficult to treat, but over time they still can be rid off, with good proper skincare routine and efficacious skincare products. Your current sensitive condition is also enhanced by dehydration caused by improper cleansing. Without proper cleansing(correct method and effective cleansers) makeup should be avoided for the time being. Makeup contains colored pigments(Iron Oxides) which are hard grainy substances that will certainly clog your pores even more.

However, if you do have an effective cleanser to effectively remove them daily, then it's not a problem to use them. Wondergel does help in removing your clogged pores more effectively, but it cannot be used daily as a cleanser. Three times a week is recommended, not more. For your current condition, if you are prepared to take my advice, I would like to recommend you a set of 4 to 5 items, which I will send you as FREE samples. You need, however, to pay only the postage which cost about $10, but you'll pay only upon receipt. You will need to stop using all other products to see rapid improvements. If you want me to proceed with sending the samples, please let me know. By the way our products are already sold in the US online since early this year. We have also a couple of customers who have applied to become our distributors after being convinced of and having full conviction in our product quality and efficacies. You are also welcome to apply as one of our valued distributors later when you are convinced of our product quality and efficacies. We grant distributorships only to our customers, because they can then represent our products with genuine conviction, after being convinced themselves first.

Regards: Pierre

Question
I have been fighting clogged pores all my life. But for the past 3 months the problem seems to be getting worse, specially my chin and nose. Therefore, for the past 6 weeks I have been getting glycolic acid peels with extractions to try and clear up my skin but no luck. I have also changed my skin care line to a clinical skin care line called Peter Thomas Roth based out of New York. Their products are specially formulated for acne prone skin and clogged pores. My esthetician does not understand how my pores can be so clogged after all the extraction she performs. She also says that my skin care routine is correct for my skin type. I go get these peels every 2 weeks- I have completed 4 of them at the moment. Also, all of my make-up is non-comedogenic and I do not touch my face. I have tried absolutely everything to try and clear up this problem and I seem to be using all the correct products - do you think Wondergel would be useful for me? If you think that it might help would be possible to try a sample first. Please respond as soon as possible. Thank you for your help. Alejandra

(submitted by alias: Alejandra)

Answer
Hi Alejandra, Clogged-pores is a common skin flaw. The debris that clogged the pores comprises the skin's surface dead cells, environmental dirt, bacteria, salt from dried-up sweat, staled sebum secretion, waxes dried-up from face creams, and colored pigments(i.e. iron oxides) from dried-up makeup. These are being deposited on the skin's surface daily. As such, if they are not properly removed, the accumulations will seriously clog-up the pores. Glycolic Peeling will not help in your clog-pores. Infact it will make it worse for your current situation. Glycolic Peeling will shed your skin even more, thus producing more shedded dead cells to clog your pores. From what you describe, the products you are currently using aren't effective. Firstly, you must use a cleanser that really cleans by effectively softening/ dissolving the accumulated debris now clogging your pores, as well as removing your daily debris deposits. Next, your skin's excessive secretion must be calmed/sedated by applying products that contain soothing/calming active ingredients. Trying to rid off oily secretions by excessive washing with soap or any foam/soap base cleansers will only make it worse. When you wash excessively with soap, your skin will dehydrate after each wash.

During the dehydration period, the skin will physiologically react by trying to compensate the temporary loss of oil/moisture by stimulating the oil glands to produce more oil. This stimulation only causes more oil(which could not flow out due to your clogged condition) to build up beneath your pores and, thus, worsen the situation. You will find your skin getting coarser. Makeup are colored products, which contain coloring substances, colored pigment oxides(iron oxides), zinc oxides, titanium oxides, talc, etc.. As such, the manufacturer should never claim that they are non-comedogenic. To claim that a product is non-comedogenic is to say that the product contains ingredients that will not contribute to the building up of comedones. Comedones is a medical term for blackheads. The debris that clogged the pores are blackheads/comedones!!! And all the pigments, oxides and talc are powdery grains which do contribute to pore-cloggs. Unless you have a good and effective cleanser and a good skincare routine, I'd advise that you stop using makeup for one to two weeks. If you are willing to accept my advice, I would prefer that you stop all others and use the samples I will send you. It will comprise 4 to 5 items. I am confident you will see quick positive results, like many others have testified to us. However, you will have to pay only for the postage which costs about $10. You only pay upon receipt of the samples. One more request is that you testify for our products efficacies when you see remarkable improvements. Please let me know if you want me to send the set of samples.

Regards: Pierre

Question
I am 27 years old, Japanese and living in the States for 6 years. My acne has started since when I was 14 or so. (After I started my period.) Although my acne on the cheek is gone, the openpores and redness remained and the skin got rougher. And the worse thing is the part is expanding year by year. As I mentioned before, before the menstoration, I get tiny acne inc. whitehead on the area where I don't have acne before. So now clear skin is almost gone from my face. I am sure I usually have whitehead as well as the blackhead. (I cannot squeese unless I use needle.) I have whitehead near chin and neck now. I know it is something to do with my hormone. So I have started to take birth control pill called Oarth Tricyclen. It is less than a month so that I cannot figure it has been good for me. Before I took different kinds of antibiotics, Minocyn or monodox, but didn't work. I also tryed topical products such as Metrogel, Azlex(New brand), Neostrata, and all kinds of stuff I can get from drug store. Only tings I haven't try are Retain-A and Accutane.... I am not sure if you are familiar with those products... I am single, not pregnant. I usually use facewash from salon, which is Dermelogica "anti-back face wash" or Japanese CAC (Brand) powder type, this one is very mild. For the toner I use Pola (Japanese) Sekkisei, or Chanel for Oily skin. Lotion and sun protection I am using Total Diffence from Chanel (Spf 15, non-fre, oil control). I try not to use fregrance-in, and avoiding oil contained. I don't usually put makeups. Night time I am not using anything right now except Vitamin E oil for aroud eyes and neck. I used to have very oily skin but it is changing. So I have kind of oily skin but it is also on the cheek. People usually tell me I got very sensitive, or combi, or oily skin. Aroun my nose and cheek, I have openpores and I can see oily-white stuff ( Are they comedos?) coming out from pores. Sometimes I use twizler to take or they can be squeezed out. I don't have Stress that much and I can sleep soon after I am in bed. I think since I started to take birthcontroll pills, I sleep well. (But I have very hard time waking up, maybe because my body has been changed as well as the bloodpressure.) I also take vitamins, eat a lot of fruit, vegis, and don't eat greasy that much. I wash my face twice a day. I went to see many dermetrogists and, some told me my problem is genetic, but non of my family has this proble that I know. I even went for lazer because of the spider vains. The doctor said, most of the redness is caused by acne. So I have combi of things going on my facial skin. But my acne is almost unseen (They are looked more like rough skin because they are small and not really poped out most cases)) with the redness. Well, when I take picture closeup of my face I will send it to you. Meanwhile I just want to try your products. I forgot to tell you that I use mask, Purifying Mask from Shiseido and Chinaclay mask from Clentel (U.S. product). I hardly use scrub since I know it might cause more broken vassels. Please give me suggestion, I will do anything for my skin. Thank you very much for taking your time.

(submitted by alias: Sachiko)

Answer
Hi Sachiko, I received your letter and 8 photographs. Observing from your photos(although not very sharp), your skin is now very sensitive and inflamed. You also mentioned that you flushed easily even since childhood days. This means you have got very fine(and fair/light) epidermis. As such, your skin is quite easily reddened also by sunlight(photosensitive), because your skin contains little amount of melanin pigment cells(melanocytes), and thus cannot effectively protect it from the harmful effects of the UV rays, which worsens your current condition. Although you need protection from the sun (especially during summer time, or whenever you are out in the open), unfortunately it's not advisable for you to use sunscreen of high SPF value. You should use only below SPF15 (try a small amount on your neck area first to test if your skin can take it or not). You also should not use any soap-base cleansers(like the fash wash you mentioned) to wash your face, and you should not wash more than twice a day for the time being. Soap-based cleansers will cause superficial dehydration(though temporarily).

When this happens two events happened:

1. The skin cracks and ruptured(and became coarse), and allows bacteria to penetrate freely. This worsens your acneic condition.

2. Your skin will physiologically react on its own to try to compensate the loss of moisture(due to the temporary dehydration caused by the soap-based cleanser). When this happens there will be excessive production of sebum underneath your skin, causing your pores to clog. Soap-based cleansers also contain salt(part of the ingredients to help increase the viscosity of the cleanser) which contributes to the hardening of the sebum. Cream cleansers are generally better for conditions like yours, but some cream cleansers unfortunately contain large amount of high viscosity wax. Such cleansers usually leaves stains of hardened waxes on skin after rinsing, and thus also contribute to pore-clogs. Cream cleansers with low viscosity wax and oil are known as non or low-comedogenic and are safer and more effective. The same applies to day cream and night cream which are to be left on the face for long hours. Those containing high viscosity wax and oil should be avoided.

You can do a simple test to find out if a cream(cleansers, day and night creams, etc.) is non-comedogenic or hyper-comedogenic (Non-comedogenic means not prone to contributing to comedo). Just decant one to two ml of the cream and place it on a piece of normal writing paper for one to two days, and observe again (do not spread the cream. Just leave it as a lump like a small moldhill). If after two days, most of the cream had disappeared and are absorbed into the paper(you can see the oil patch surrounding the cream), leaving very little or no traces of any visible cream on the paper, then the cream is low or non-comedogenic. If, on the other hand, you find the small moldhill of cream is still there or has shrunked only slightly, leaving a lump of hardened wax substance still there, then the cream contains a high content of wax substance and should be avoided. Too much of Vit E and Retin A will cause your skin to peel often(not good for sensitive skin like yours currently). Clay mask will also absorb(suck) moisture from your skin and cause dehydration. I recommend you stop applying for now. Now I'm going to recommend you a simple regime, usimg only four of our products first. You should stop all others in order to see fast results.

The 4 products are:

1. Pierre Chenxu No.17/F DeepCleanse Refreshening Fluid. (This is a liquid cleanser/makeup remover).

2. Pierre Chenxu No.69 Licorice Toner.

3. Pierre Chenxu No.87 Azulene Active Cream.

4. Pierre Chenxu No.090 Wondergel Ginseng AC Cream (Anti-Acne CReam).

Please follow and adhere to the following instructions closely:

A) Every morning:

Step 1 : Pour No.17/F on a cotton pad, and wipe face and neck gently to remove staled grease, dirt, dead-cells and any debris.

Step 2 : Rinse thoroughly with running water(Use a facial sponge if desired, but wipe gently and lightly).

Step 3 : Tap dry with a tissue(avoid using towel for time being).

Step 4 : Apply No.69 with a cotton pad, by tapping lightly on face and neck, and wait a while for it to dry and absorbed, before going to next step.

Step 5 : Apply No.090 sparingly on acne spots(or acneic areas). Apply No.87 on all other unaffected areas. For the time being, please avoid applying any makeup(except eyebrow and lip areas).

B) Every Evening/Night:

Step 1: Pour No.17/F on a cotton pad, and wipe off makeup first(in your case eyebrow and lip areas only, if you do apply), then wipe face and neck gently to remove staled grease, dirt, dead-cells and any debris.

Step 2 : Rinse thoroughly with running water(Use a facial sponge if desired, but wipe gently and lightly).

Step 3 : Tap dry with a tissue(avoid using towel for time being).

Step 4 : Apply No.69 with a cotton pad, by tapping lightly on face and neck, and wait a while for it to dry and absorbed, before going to next step.

Step 5 : Apply No.090 sparingly on acne spots(or acneic areas). Apply No.87 on all other unaffected areas.

Other Hygiene/Health Aspects to observe:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Tie your hair up when sleeping to avoid bacteria from hair from spreading to your ruptured skin.

2. Change your pillow case as often as possible - preferably cover it with a clean towel and change it daily.

3. Wash your hair daily if possible(avoiding the shampoo from flowing down on your face!!!).

4. Avoid squeezing, fiddling and pricking your acnes(or face) with bare hands/fingers.

5. Avoid the sun.

6. Avoid fried food.

7. Drink plenty of plain water.

8. Go to bed on time and sleep at least 7 to 8 hours nightly. Do not stay up late at night.

9. Avoid dusty places or places near chemicals, where chemical gas/fumes are likely to be present. Above steps are also applicable for your hands and other parts of the body as well. Samples will be sent to you this week, and should receive them next week. Keep in touch with us, and let us know of your improvement, or if you have any further clarification to make, please don't hesitate to email me.

Best Regards: Pierre