littleredhen - I helped a young girl in my office whose acne was flaring constantly - she was using St. Ives. I am Canadian so product choices are different (more limited usually). Eventually she found she could tolerate some of the Vichy products - I think you can get them in the US. Or you could try Cetaphil - my skin is very, very dry so does not work for me. But most important thing for you is to establish a proper skin care routine - and toss the Noxzema. I am 55 and everyone used it when I was a teen but long term use can result in problems later on. Re acne around your mouth, have you considered your tooth paste (tartar control is a devil for this); are you placing a phone received against your mouth - this is known to cause acne - I got around that by placing moleskin around the mouthpiece daily - and cleaning it - and of course pillowcases. Also some foods - acid types such as grapefruit can cause a problem - me for example. jannie - At 55 I feel your pain and I am allergic to most things. I note that you live in NY - maybe check out some of the Erno Laszlo products from the 8:30 clock. Also you might want to avoid moisturizers with a combined SPF - go separate. I use a night cream during day to avoid the combo product.

I quit coloring my hair over a year ago but 'touch up' a too obivious gray streak that developed when I was 18. I have a nice hair color, I don't know why I started coloring it in the first place (Someone probably dared me to do it) (Spell pedicure correctly 3 times: pedicure, Pedicure, PEDICURE!) I enjoy the maintenance when I have the time, maybe I'll have more time to pamper myself when all the boys are away at college next fall. I am upping my sunscreen protection and slowing replacing my makeup with products that include it. I can't think of anything I do every month on schedule anymore. When I colored my hair, I would call it "Mom,s Spa Night' While my hair was morphing, I would give myself a facial mask, use the epilady places where I needed to, and soak my nails for a manicure (no polish) Sometime I think just staying clean and trying not to sweat is a major beauty accomplishment for me. When I went through my "big hair' stage back in the 80's, keeping up a perm with bangs was tough. If anything, I'll apply just mascara and moisturiser for a day around the house. Cupajoe, I wonder if I had that kind of money in highschool, if I wouldn't have done the same thing. I was a narcissus little thing back then...had to keep the package looking good...

To Sunflowerrose - I had the same experience with soy milk! Recently I stopped drinking milk and started drinking soy milk and without changing anything else my acne began to clear, and my skin was the clearest it had been in ages! I'm in my 30's. I looked into "the benefits of soy" online and found various references stating that soy contains a form of estrogen and depending on how much you take it can act similarly in your body as birth control pills. It also affected my periods - less bleeding each period and longer time between each period - went from a 27 day cycle to a 40 day cycle. Talked to my doctor who also confirmed that soy can affect your hormones. For me the effect was good - improved acne and less frequent periods. I actually stopped taking the soy milk about a month ago and guess what - the acne returned, so for me I am convinced the soy is what did it. I am now back on the soy milk and can't wait to see the reduced acne effect again (took about 3 weeks for me to notice a change before....) Anyway my point is - you might want to try soy! At least it's natural. Here are some links to articles about soy and hormones and estrogen: http://www.isoflavones.info/isoflavones-abstracts.php?article=119 http://www.babyhopes.com/articles/soy.html However it's also important to note that there are critics of soy, some say it's downright unhealthy altogether, so do your own research. For me, the benefit outweighs any "risks" because I don't necessarily believe the critics.

I heard a doctor on the radio the other day talking about mothers and sons. She said that the son learns by the age of 12, all the good things his mother can pass onto him. That is how to live his life, how to be a good, kind, compassionate human etc etc. The doctor went on to say that from around 12 onwards, until about 21 (or even older, can't really remember) the son just doesn't "need" his mother. He needs her for practical things but emotionally he is finding his own way. Basically a mother has to tread very carefully around those years, otherwise her son will totally shut down and not speak to her ! It is a nature thing where the son is learning to be a man. Mind you this is where the father comes in, and the "man" teaching goes on for those years. I thought this was really interesting as I tip toe around my own 17 year old son. It explained a lot, to me. I thought this information might be useful to you, in your situation, as you are tortured by the antics of your son. Is his father around ? Really I am not sure there is much you can do. The worst you can do is lecture him, or tell him what to do. I really think you just have to work really hard at keeping the communication channels open, so he will come and talk to you about anything that could be bothering him. You just do not want to shut him down, by criticizing him or getting all upset in front of him. I think you have to think about putting your, very valid, concerns aside and trust him. You know how you have brought him up, you know he won't let you down. He is testing the waters, at this point, and he will come to realize it is a very murky water he is wading into. I know this is not easy - as I am in a similar situation with my DD - but you have this forum to vent. There are people here who will listen and sympathise. So try not to worry.... All the best to you. Popi