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Style & Beauty

Acne

17 replies

MaviesDavies · 29/04/2016 13:21

I've NC for this thread.

DH is 33 and suffers quite badly from acne. He has a new white head spot every day. We pop it using one of them spot popper things which does the trick on some of them and they disappear but others hang around either coming back as a white head or just staying as a red blemish for weeks.

For years he just washed his face with water and moisturised using Nivea Day cream. Then he started using a gentle face wash, exfoliating a few times a week and zapping spots with tea tree oil. His new routine hasn't done anything. If anything, his skins got worse. So he's gone back to washing with water and using Nivea cream.

I think the problem is a sebum over-production- he often gets sebaceous cysts on his body.

He's really depressed about the state of his face. He's thrown loads of sickies at work and doesn't leave the house unless he definitely has to. He's miserable all the time and gets angry at me when I try to tell him it doesn't matter. He won't go to the doctors about it.

Is there anything I can advise him to do or buy that might help?

TIA everyone Smile

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tdm1 · 29/04/2016 13:52

Face wash at night with a gentle soap.
Splash water on face in the morning (no soap).
No moisturiser.
No pimple popping (but if a pimple pops, disinfect with antiseptic).
No exfoliating, until skin has calmed down a bit, and never more than once a week.
Use a foundation/ BB cream with 2% salicylic acid: Clinique anti-blemish solutions liquid makeup or Maybelline dream pure BB cream for oily skin.

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MaviesDavies · 29/04/2016 14:25

Thanks tdm1

He won't go for foundation, I know it. He's pissed off enough at wearing a bit of concealor. He definitely won't let me do foundation.

OP posts:
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lavenderpekins · 29/04/2016 14:35

Zineryt solution prescribed by the gp is the only thing that's worked for me.

if that doesnt work after 3 months he needs a Dermatologist appointment.

Good luck!

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AdventuresOfADentist · 29/04/2016 17:38

As a temporary spot treatment type thing, I find clay masks quite good on whiteheads. Obviously it won't get rid of them long term, but as a spot treatment they are quite good. I have the Origins Clear Improvement charcoal mask and the Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask. If I put them on in the evening and wash off when I cleanse the whiteheads are much better in the morning.

Also, lots of acne-prone people recommend Cetaphil as a face wash.

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Cassimin · 29/04/2016 17:49

Get appointment with the dr.
My children suffered with acne and tried everything.
Out doctor tried lots of creams and tablets. Some worked for a bit but acne came back.
Eventually got referred to dermatologist and prescribed roaccutane.
Their skin was perfect within a couple of months with none of the side effects.
I would recommend everyone to try this as I have seen how upsetting acne be.

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LazySusan11 · 29/04/2016 17:50

I had nodular acne, nothing worked I was about to take a course of roaccutane.I saw a new Dr told me to use Hibi scrub daily. Thought he was mad as I used to use that on my dog!

However my acne cleared up within a few weeks, perhaps give that a go.

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YesICanHearYouClemFandango · 29/04/2016 17:55

Zinc tablets. In doses higher than the RDA. (Not dangerously high though!) Google it. In my experience it can be as effective as antibiotics. I think I was taking 50mg a day.

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neveradullmoment99 · 29/04/2016 18:02

An appointment with the doctor sounds the best advice tbh. Its bad enough being a woman but at least in a way we can cover it with make up. Hard being a man in this case!

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hollinhurst84 · 29/04/2016 18:33

Definitely recommend zinc as a PP said. Apparently it's more effective in men too

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CaroleService · 29/04/2016 18:59

I can second Hibiscrub. About a fiver from Boots, he needs to be careful not to get it near his eyes. It banished my cystic spots after over 20 years.

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LuckySantangelo1 · 29/04/2016 19:34

Buy a Clarisonic skin cleaning brush. It's expensive but worth it. Turned my skin around. I've been using one for 4 years and immediately notice a difference in my skin for the worse if I stop using it for a few days.

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AdventuresOfADentist · 29/04/2016 20:24

PPs who mention hibiscrub, how did you use it? As a cleanser? How often and in what quantity?

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CaroleService · 30/04/2016 11:48

As a facial wash. Twice a day, sparingly, and just over my chin / bottom of my nose area.

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banivani · 30/04/2016 13:29

I'd second a visit to the doctor.

Home made advice that has worked for me this past year: low pH cleansing!!! Soap is alkaline and damages the skin's natural barrier function making it more prone to irritation and thus eruption. Simple moisturiser. Bensoyl peroxide (so you need moisturiser so you don't dry out). Get hydrocolloid pimple bandages. You open/pop the spot just a bit, but the plaster on and let it suck out the goo overnight. Fantastic things. See how far that gets him.

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tdm1 · 02/05/2016 12:05

I really recommend trying the BB cream with 2% salicyclic acid, then. It really isn't thick like a foundation and the salicylic acid is amazing at preventing pimples. Even if he only wears it at home.

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Cferg · 10/08/2016 14:36

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Grassgreendashhabi · 10/08/2016 14:38

I suffer very similar skin

I have been using sudocream

Literally cover face, neck and my case chest for about 1 hour and wash off

Do this a couple of times a weeks

Mines much better

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