hey dude, i like using neutrogena cream wash, as it doesnt dry my skin out. a good toner is distilled witch hazel and i use a thin layer of aloe vera gel as a moisturiser, although it takes a while to sink into the skin. basically the good skincare products for Acne are the ones labelled "non-comeodogenic" just make sure theyr pH balanced so you dont overdry

I was on it for 5 years since the age of 15 to make my periods regular because i was suffering from severe period pains. People used to ALWAYS comment on my clear skin and how nice it was and how lucky i was to not have pimples. I thought to myself that i was pretty lucky not to have ever suffered from the effects of Acne and didn't think too much of it until I stopped taking Diane 3 months ago. My back today, is covered in pimples and for the first time ever, i'm really depressed about my skin. My face has also developed pimples especially in the T-zone. I've tried ALL possible Acne creams, been to dermatologists and all that crap but as soon as my next period comes, i'm back on Diane ASAP. I've done a lot of research on it and so long as you don't smoke and are fit, the Pill can actually have many advantages such as lowering your risk of developing Breast Cancer and ovarian cancer etc. Give it a go, you can always stop if you don't like it.

I've been on Diane 35 for over a year now. I had severe Acne which I was treating with Ortha-Tryclylene. It worked well, but made me feel quite sick for the first couple of months. I eventually went off the pill when I broke up with my x-boyfriend. Within a couple of months, my skin broke out much more severely than it had before. So my dermatolgist suggested I take Diane 35. Combined with an oral anti-biotic (which I took for four or five months) and Diane 35, it took over a year for my skin to heal (I still have scarring). I never felt sick from Diane 35. But to be honest, both Othra-Tyclene and Diane 35 worked the same for me, in terms of helping my acne. As for side effects, I gained weight (about 5 pounds) when I was on both pills. Again, it depends on your body. I did notice, however, I was much more effected by the Ortha-Tryclene (in terms of how it made me feel; I was much more emotional and felt less well...it's hard to explain). Again, everyone is different.

Today however, I read in the news the following:

The Province, Page A12, 15-Jan-2003
Drug misused as contraceptive poses high risks
TORONTO -- More than 800,000 prescriptions were written last year for the severe Acne treatment drug Diane-35, but some women were taking it for birth control even though it has not been approved for that use.
Many of these women were unaware the drug increases the risk of blood clots, CBC's news magazine Disclosure said in a report scheduled to broadcast last night.
When Health Canada approved Diane-35 for sale in September 1997, it included a statement saying the drug should not be prescribed solely for contraceptive purposes.
While Diane-35 does prevent pregnancy, a study published in the October 2002 issue of Current Problems in Pharmacovigilance, by the Medicines Control Agency in the United Kingdom, found it also increases the risk of blood clots by up to four times more than standard birth control pills.
"Diane-35 has never been approved as a contraceptive. Its approved use is for the treatment of women with severe Acne unresponsive to oral Antibiotics ," said Health Canada spokesman Ryan Baker from Ottawa.

It's your choice, but I warn you, once you go on the pill for acne, it is possible that once you stop taking it, your skin may flare up again. If you decide to go on Accutane, your skin will stay healed after you stop taking it, but it may take two successions (i.e. you may need Accutane again within a year). Also, the side effects of Accutane can be much more severe than taking a birth control pill (especially because you flare up worse for the first two months).

I have been on diane 35 for 5 years now, and it has cleared my skin trumendousely. But, I did gain alot of wieght when I started it. It gave me alot of mood swings too. Now, its ok, but all over th enew it has been talking about how bad Dian 35 is for you. I think I am going toget off of it. Trust me, if your skin is not that bad, try to stay away from this pill, becsue its very strong.

I was on Diane 35 for about a year for mild skin probelm and it was really effective in clearing up my skin. but be sure that your derma prescribed you with effective topical skin lotions as well as i was told that diane on its own is not good enough.. As for side effects, I guess I was one of the lucky ones who did not have any problems with it. In fact, I no longer have any PMS woes, my period was a lot lighter and less painful, I feel my life was a lot in control.

I have stopped taking it for the time being as my doc thinks i've no need for it now..After getting off the drug, I no longer feel as superwoman as i once was when i was on the drug..But i've still decided to stay off it as instructed as Health Canada has recently warned against the taking of Diane for purely contraceptive reasons. The drug has allegedly led to the deaths of some young women in Canada and Europe recently. As a point of advice, do surf the internet for more information on this drug.. Make an informed choice before taking it. Good luck!!

I would advise you take another pill like Yasmin. I have been on Diane for almost a year. I officially lose the plot to life once a month where I make my husbands life hell with my mood swings. He has said he now can see the signs at that time of the month where I actually go insane. seriously bad mood swings, and depression. If you can go onto something else rather do that, I highly recommend yasmin. I have gone off Diane as we are trying for a baby but really it's bad news... Stay away!! I will never use it again.