Help my skin, never had spots like this in my life....

[newstart2010]

As a teenager had very few spots, early 20's the same. Used dermologica for years and loved it. Then started to notice skin was not great. And money was tiht so stopped using dermolocica.

Since then things have only got worse. Used simple skin looked bad, started oil cleansing, skin started to look better, then a few days later got worse and worse. The stopped using anything atall.

Started using clarins, felt fae wash dried skin and moisturiser was too thick.

I know I sound really fussy, I loved the texture etc of dermologica, so thinking of going back to it, but have just heard some one on MN mention Neals Yard. Wondering what your thoughts are?

Or any other suggestions?

I have had hormone tests done which have all come back normal.

It is really getting me down as always had good skin and people always commented on it

[sansucre]

During my teenage years, I didn't have a single spot, and was lucky to remain spot-free through my twenties too. However once I hit thirty, I started to get huge cystic spots, just one or two but they were massive, took months to go and would re-appear in no time at all.

I had my hormone levels checked and nothing was wrong, I changed my diet, gave up smoking, started exercising and still they remained. Additionally I upped my skincare regime and started to use Dermologica, Dr Sebagh, Dr Brandt and Bliss, none of them did anything for the start of my skin although I'd recommend Bliss's exfoliator as it's amazing.

I read about the oil cleaning method on here, tried it and my skin cleared up initially but then broke out, but I re-jigged the types of oil I was using and the amounts and continued with it and within two weeks my skin had cleared up and I've not had a single spot since. I had terrible skin for almost 5 years, was almost at my wits end and contemplating going to an expensive dermatologist, so would urge you to give it another go.
(Most dermatologist will recommend Accutene or Roaccatane anyway, both of which are dreadful for the body)

Good luck

[expatinscotland]

I'm back to using ProActiv. It's the only thing that's worked for me, and my skin is now acne-scarred.

Like sansucre, I had no spots in my teens and didn't start getting them till I was around 30.

[newstart2010]

sansicre - what oils did u use oringinally?

and what oils did you change to?

I used olive oil and caster oil and tried to differnt amounts of combinations. it was terrible made the spots bigger and much worse

[expatinscotland]

ProActiv, I'm telling you. I get it on Ebay. The £40 one lasts for months and is 100% worth it - I can only use it once a day and I have bad skin. I use Cetaphil in hte morning and ProActiv in the evening before bed.

[newstart2010]

Just had a look at Proactiv - its quite expensive but garentees good skin or money back which is good, think i will look around for a few reviews before spending money on it.

[sansucre]

I used 10% cent castor oil and 90% olive oil then changed it to a drop (1/2 a teaspoon) of castor oil and the rest a much lighter olive oil (I use one from Waitrose which is a much much lighter colour to the other olive oils and not as pungent either.

I apply the oil before I get in the shower, let the steam from the shower work it's way into my pores and then pat if off with a hot damp cloth just before I get out.

I also exfoliate twice a week.

A few of my friends use pure Jojoba oil and they think that works best.

I think it's just a question of trial and error really. I'd got to the stage where I didn't think my skin would ever clear up so when my skin got bad again, I wasn't surprised but I'm glad I continued. I guess sometimes things have to get worse before they better

[doghouse]

I had dreadful skin after I stopped breastfeeding - all along the jaw and neck area. Really sore cystic acne.

I just wanted to say that I tried everything and FOR ME the ONLY answer was Roaccutane.

If you see a good dermatologist who ensures you get the correct dosage there should be no problems. Although you have to be VERY careful that you don't conceive whilst taking it and for several months thereafter.

I just think sometimes Roaccutane gets a bad press when it is not always deserved.

[doghouse]

I had dreadful skin after I stopped breastfeeding - all along the jaw and neck area. Really sore cystic acne.

I just wanted to say that I tried everything and FOR ME the ONLY answer was Roaccutane.

If you see a good dermatologist who ensures you get the correct dosage there should be no problems. Although you have to be VERY careful that you don't conceive whilst taking it and for several months thereafter.

I just think sometimes Roaccutane gets a bad press when it is not always deserved.

[Josy96]

I used to have spots after my 20s and have tried everything, have spent a huge amount of money trying to handle the condition but nothing worked. the only thing that completely changed my skin was IPL and the nurse who did it on my was really qualified she's been doing it for 10 years. I've heard that is not everyone good at this. sometimes you can get burn if the practitioner is not enough qualified, but she was great! and she gave back my skin.

she works at the pulse light clinic, hope you find her

[without]

Ponds Cold Cream Cleanser is great.

But I've also just made up some oil of my own to use - 25% castor oil & 75% grapeseed oil (wihich is astringent) - it's the castor oil that draws out the nasties from your skin. The instructions said to massage it in for around a minute then use a hot flannel on your face to steam it off - rinse flannel, then repeat the steaming.

This is the site www.theoilcleansingmethod.com/