How do you get spot free skin?

[browniebear]

I've tried wipes, baby lotion and cotton wool, dove soap, all different cleansers over the years to remove make up and I'm still spotty!

Not sure what to try next. Clearasil, Freederm, clean and clear. I've had them all and can't seem to shift them. Especially round the chin and mouth area.

Anyone got a miracle suggestion?

[freerangeeggs]

You need to go to a doctor and get something like Differin or Duac, or maybe a course of antibiotics.

How bad is your skin? If it's really bad they might offer you roaccutane.

[GeordieCherry]

Do you have any salon treatments? My skin was amazing after microdermabrasion & peels.

Got quite choked looking at my 'before' pics & wished I'd done it sooner

[duckyfuzz]

Depends how bad it is - since using Origins Perfect World cleanser mine has been much clearer.

[Financeprincess]

Have you tried a salicylic acid moisturiser?

[browniebear]

I haven't tried any of those, just the usual well known brands.

If say at the moment there are 10-15 yellow head kind of spots in the area and a lot more red marks from previous ones that won't go away but cover well with foundation. The whole of my chin is redder than the rest of my face from these marks.

What exactly is microdermabrasion? I always thought it was an anti ageing thing?

[MacaYoniandCheese]

Nothing you put on your face will work. It's all hormones. An Anti-androgenic birth-control pill is the best line of defence. Roaccuatane is great but has scary side effects and the results are often only temporary. Antibiotics will help with the infected spots but doesn't tackle oiliness/plugs. Make sure all your cleansers, moisturizers and makeup are labelled 'non-comedogenic' and try to follow a diet that is high in vegetables, protein, whole grains and low in SUGAR (it messes with your hormones). Get lots of sleep, drink loads of water and exercise often as those help to balance hormones too.

[PenelopeChipShop]

A tea tree oil stick works for me, bit of a teenage standby but a classic! With big ones I put toothpaste on them overnight too.

[MinnesotaNice]

This is what worked for me. Went to a dermatologist and she gave me some Retin-A and benzamyocin (sp?). That combo pretty much cleared me up in about 3 days.

To keep my skin clear, I use La Roche Posay Effaclar products. To remove my makeup, I use Origins Clean Energy, an oil-based cleanser.

[drawohamme]

I had awful awful skin from puberty which only abated when I went on the pill. Other than that Duac was pretty good (be patient though, it can take a couple of months to take effect). I've tried almost everything (not roaccutane as it scared me.) Also - don't pick. I was a terrible picker until my late teens and it def makes it worse. Don't even squeeze the yellow ones. I know - they're just so so tempting

[iloveweetos]

I wouldn't ever consider roaccutane due to stories I have read about side effects.
Chin and mouth area do suggest hormones. So maybe look into finding out from gp etc. are they there at certain points of the month and not others? Read up on what spots mean depending on where they are

[GeordieCherry]

Microdermabrasion is like a gentle resurfacing using a machine like a little vacuum cleaner.

Dermalogica also do a 'Prescriptives' facial that is more gentle using masks & extraction

[Lousylo66]

Used a combination of duac and an aha cleanser to exfoliate skin (MD formulations as recommended by Caroline Hurons). Suspect it was the cleanser that was the most effective as I only used the duac for a week or two before I saw results. Mine were those little hard whitehead type plus big red ones too

[Anatanacoat]

The only thing that ever worked for me was Marvelon. (And it works brilliantly.) I had to try about six kinds of BCP before I found one that didn't make me fat/crazy/spotty/exhausted, but it was worth it once I had.

[summerlovingliz]

U could try changing ur makeup.. I have never had spots until recently and keep getting them around the mouth, hormonal apparently! I went to boots to the Dior counter in search if a really gd concealer and came away with concealer and foundation, skin been much better since! She said its much less pore clogging! Good luck

[Katnisscupcake]

I've had bad skin since I was 17 - now 39. I've had all range or treatment/antibiotics but none have worked. The only thing that worked for me was Dianette (also a contraceptive pill) and I was on it for 18 years - which is crazy considering you're only supposed to have it for about 4 months !!! But they kept checking me regularly to make sure that everything was OK (it can cause clotting hence only supposed to have it for short term use). Nothing else has worked for me.

I haven't tried Roaccutane because we're trying for a baby - hence my stress because my skin is so much worse through not being on the pill.

It's horrid though isn't it? People that don't have bad skin have no idea how down and miserable it can make you feel. It does me, every day.

[Katnisscupcake]

Oops - sorry 12 years I was on dianette not 18...

[MaccaPaccaismyNemesis]

Quinoderm and bring rigorous about using it. I quite like my skin now

[naturelover]

What works for me is a diet low in sugar and dairy.
And high in veg, nuts, fish, avocado. Drink mainly water. Hardly any alcohol ever.

[JoanRanger]

1. Stopped having dairy.
   
2. Olive oil soap
   
3. Paula's Choice exfoliator at night, Paula's Choice sunscreen/moisturiser by day.

[Wilding]

Wipes, lotions etc all crap for cleaning your face, as are cleansers such as Clearasil which totally strip your skin's oil. Spots are mainly caused by diet/hormonal factors though - cutting out dairy/smoking and taking hormone medication such as the pill (Dianette is a good one) will help.

I would really recommend you read Caroline Hirons' blog here - I promise it will change your life, my skin is so much better since I started taking her advice.

[Fuckitthatlldo]

If you have ten - fifteen active lesions on your face, plus stubborn red scars, then you need a prescription product.

I'd forget your GP and go straight to a dermatologist if you can.

[MillyRules]

I had acne when I moved from Australia to UK when I was 17 and got a course of treatment from Doc. Was fine after that and have always had lovely skin ever since. Im now in early 50s. I don't have many lines and am told I look mid to late 30s. I only started moisturising when I was mid forties. I don't always bother taking makeup off when going to bed and just use baby wipes in the morning. I don't use anything else. I eat loads of fats and oils, fruit, veg, nuts, cheeses, meats, fish. I think a diet rich in oils and natural foods helps.

[coffeeinbed]

Crisps - I swear I get spots just from smelling the bloody things.
So avoid.