When the complexion problems get tough, the tough go to the dermatologist. After some stubborn acne started to worsen, I headed to my dermatologist (check his acne-fighting tips here [1]) for a visit.

He prescribed Finacea [2], a water-based gel with azaleic acid. It's generally used to treat rosacea, but my dermatologist said it would not only reduce redness, but also treat the acne. It's expensive, about $115, but insurance can help soften the financial blow. (Or, ahem, there are always Canadian pharmacies.) In my case, it's money well spent. I am so into this gel, it's not even funny.

From the first time I applied it, I saw amazing and quick results. The redness around my nose faded overnight, and within a few days, I found that my blackheads were coming to the surface. (All the easier to eliminate with my extractor [3].) Two weeks into my love affair with Finacea, I've had significantly fewer clogged pores, and most of my redness is gone. Side effects are minimal; sometimes it makes my skin itchy, but usually I don't have any problems. Obviously, you should talk with a dermatologist before looking into any prescription, but Finacea is such good stuff that I just had to let you know about it.