Acnefree=Proactive's less expensive and (IMO) equally effective cousin. And this is coming from someone who dealt with SEVERE acne in HS.

And I second those recommending a dermatologist. Not only will they be able to recommend what would be best for you, they will also rule out any underlying issues, whether it be infection, hormones, etc.

I'll agree with everyone on the dermatologist. I only had a pimple here and there, until midway through this past semester. Probably due to a whole host of factors, I had a really severe breakout on both of my cheeks that lasted for several weeks. After a trip to the dermatologist, my acne started getting better within days. Two months later, I only get a pimple here and there. It was so worth it!

Please see a dermatologist. I once had horrific acne in college and all kinds of dry flaky redness. Turns out it was from using too much product and I needed to simplify things. He also gave me antibiotics and that helped a lot in the healing process.

Though it can be a touch costly, if you can see someone who does makeup, maybe in Nordstroms, a big Macys or Sephora you can learn some tips for coverage and get a quality product. At department stores there are always some free gift or special going on, and having someone show you how to use a product and getting free samples is always a plus.

I agree with everyone else about going to a dermatologist, but I also wanted to add that you may want to see if your derm or anyone you know can recommend a medspa with sulfur facials, microdermabrasion, or red & blue light therapy. The sulfur facials and microderm worked for me even after Accutane didn't work.

As a now-adult with random flare-ups, I've found that the Clarisonic brush helps keep my pores clean and keeps break-outs away.

But the bottom line is that you need to display confidence. If you hide behind your acne, no one will get to know you. Don't cake on your make-up. Do it nicely and naturally and be yourself.

I have used Retin-A for over twenty years. I started using it my twenties for acne, and now, I use it for wrinkles! It works beautifully for both, but it can be irritating at first. Retin-A is available in different strengths, and is available from a physician. My son is 14, and has/had moderate acne, but he recently started using Retin-A, and his skin is already starting to improve. Ask your doctor about it-

Proactiv didn't work for me. At 28, I finally saw a dermatologist and went on accutane. I don't care what kind of risks are involved with accutane, the crappy side effects I suffered during was the absolute best decision I ever made. I have had clear skin since January, and I cant even describe the relief...

I hope the original poster is taking comfort in the fact that so many sorority members and alums are outing themselves as fellow acne sufferers. It happens to the best of us, even sorority girls!

Bacteria happens.

Ok this is going to sound bizarre but I've tried dozens of over the counter and prescription products and nothing works. BUT....I finally found something that does...Apple cider vinegar! It is cheap and easily available. Just put it in a spray bottle and spray it on the area after you wash it. Yes the smell is not pleasant but it goes right away after it dries. If it burns/irritates your skin too bad, try diluting it with water. But seriously, it's the only thing that has worked for me.

I had mild acne when I pledge and used a benzoyl peroxide cream prescribed by a dermatologist that bleached everything. Very annoying! Later, another MD prescribed an antibiotic mixed in an alcohol based solution that you applied to your skin after washing. It was so awesome! I had the best skin with that product. I used that until I started taking the pill. I have had no acne since I started taking a low dose pill. Many people notice a vast improvement in their acne on birth control, though some pills actually make it worse.

You can be successful with acne, as these ladies have pointed out.

However, if you have whiteheads at recruitment time, I would really suggest popping them (correctly, of course, so that it doesn't lead to scarring). I personally find mega whiteheads distracting when I'm talking to someone and can't stop staring, no matter how much I tell myself to stop. You really don't want anything distracting girls from getting to know you!

Wow I'm not the only one! It is so much easier to cover up a red spot with make up then a whitehead. But I'm the same way, I find them distracting when I am talking to someone who has one. I keep thinking "I want to pop that thing and put make up over the red spot".

Thank you for all the advice :)

I suppose I did forget to mention that I have tried basically everything possible short of Accutane (which I can't take because I've been depressed before) and no luck. Dermatologists have basically told me that it's genetic and not a lot is going to work. I've done Proactiv for years, Murad, every other face wash product on the market, a variety of antibiotics, Retin-A...I'm unfortunately going to have to just wait it out, it seems like. I get very few scars, so that's good.

And, I personally am not very self-conscious about it, I don't let it bother me and I don't think it makes me an ugly person but I know that some people don't agree and therefore I thought it might affect recruitment. I'm going to go through recruitment though, and see what happens :)

have you tried birth control pills? i have known of several girls who felt that they had severe acne, had tried a myriad of products and prescriptions to no avail, and then tried birth control pills at the suggestion of their doctor and had dramatic results.

This might be a long shot, but have you had your hormone levels checked? Hormone imbalance can cause acne. I know of at least a few women who take the Pill for ongoing female issues such as PCOS, and their acne improved. Not saying this is your problem, but it's something to think about.