Desperate seeking ance help

[LackingCommonSense]

Morning everyone

I’ve been on a few times asking for skin/make up advice (in order to hide my skin) and got some great tips, but I’m worried I’m doing too much now and stripping my skin as the break outs keep coming and I’m getting reoccurring cystics

I’ve suffered with bad breakouts since my early 20s (now 33), and used to use Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel range (foaming face wash, day/night moisturiser and exfoliated once a week) which seemed to mostly be OK. When I was pregnant my skin was wonderful and remained that way for about a year however around September I broke out really badly around my chin and either side of my nose and did everything within my power to get rid of them and I think probably made it worse.

I came on here for advice and discovered the La Roche Posay range which I’ve now been using since beginning of November (the Effacler set of foaming wash, toner and duo for sensitive ance prone skin). I saw an improvement within a couple of weeks, but it seems to have got worse again. My Dr has given me antibiotics (Lymecycline) which I’ve been on for nearly 4 weeks now and Zineryt ointment (which I hate using).

I also discovered Salicylic Acid peels on here and completed my third peel using 20% acid on Monday. I’ve seen an improvement in the redness and scarring but I’m still getting nasty cystic ance that hurts to touch plus ‘normal’ pimples.

I’m wondering if I might be messing with my skin too much and maybe I should just go back to something simple and gentle. Or perhaps just back to the Boots Tea Tree range? Or just soap and water?!

What do you think? Any recommendations on more gentle products?

[LackingCommonSense]

Didn't realise this was an essay sorry!

[RonaldMcDonald]

For me tea tree anything is too harsh

I use olay fragrance free wash cloths....wet them with tepid warm water gently wash face rinse with tepid water pat dry with clean towel

I then use Benzyl Peroxide

After about 15 mins I use a bha that also takes away any tight feeling

These things, done together, every day, with nothing else, sorted out my skin.

Prior to this I had used everything and had had different pills antibs paint on ointments dietary changes.
I saw a dermatologist as my brother had had great success this way but my acne was different and worse as it seemed to combine cystic and ordinary spots.
This is my saviour routine, wash with something completely inert, rinse with water. BP to get rid of the bacteria and then a bha to help to sort our how the pores are working.
I won't even try anything else now.
I've been lured by the Oil Cleansing method and by dermalogica clinique clarins eve lom but it always ends with a flare up.
Keep it simple and stick to it ...sorry for the essay back!

[LackingCommonSense]

No cleanser or moisturiser?

Am wondering whether to buy something at lunch today and go back to basics..

I have a follow up appt with the Dr next week so I'll ask about Benzyl Peroxide then. I really don't like the Zineryt stuff!!

[Bakeoffcakes]

I've had terrible flare ups recently.

After trying many things, I've gone back to using Liz Earle cleanser- I find its very gentle. Then about twice/three times a week I use something like La Roche Posey cleanser. If I use this all the time, my skin goes very dry.

I also use a clay mask, again Liz Earle, just around my problem areas, about twice a week. This seems to really help bring the spots to a head.

I put on a spot cream during the day and at night Ive found suda cream really helpful.

I think a mixture of things is easier on the skin.

[ZaraW]

Beauty products did nothing for my acne my GP prescribed Differin and it worked really well. For me the simpler the better for skin care.

[dinodiva]

I stick with very gentle stuff because for me, I've always found that specific acne products dry my skin out so I end up with spots AND flaky skin. Not attractive.

I've been having a go at double cleansing and have been pleasantly surprised with the results. I'm using Liz Earle cleanse and polish / superdrug equivalent first and then Simple gel, followed by No7 night cream at night or No7serum and a now discontinued Garnier naturals moisturiser in the morning. I get the occasional hormonal blip but otherwise it's been fine.

My husband gets rosacea combined with acne and Simple and Liz Earle man moisturiser has made a difference for him.

[LackingCommonSense]

I've just bought a Superdrug Vitamin E hot cloth cleanser set and that Neutragena spot treatment RonaldMcDonald linked to.

Will use those with Cetaphil suncream moisturiser in the day, and the acid peel once a week as instructed.

La Roche once/twice a week.

I'll ask the Dr about Benzyl Peroxide next week.

Does that sound like it might be OK?

[LackingCommonSense]

dinodiva That's what I've got! Spots and dry patches! Doing my head in

[ExtraVolume]

About a year ago I read on here about epsom salts and sodium bicarb in water. Mix it in a bottle and dab on your face 2 or 3 times a day. Big tubs are about a quid each in Boots so it is very cheap.

It really really worked for me, dried up the oil, plus less dry patches as I'm not using so much stuff. I get the odd non painful spot now, especially if I don't keep it up but nothing like before.

[Bakeoffcakes]

I had the dry flaky skin too, with the spots.

Suda cream works wonders for that, honestly give it a try. I read about it on MN and was a bit sceptical, but thought it was worth a go. It's been great for clearing up dry flaky bits and when I've squeezed a spot

[Bakeoffcakes]

Sorry sudocream

[LackingCommonSense]

Whenever I've used Sudocrem I've found it makesa me congested and seems to make it worse. It might be short sighted of me and it's actually getting worse before it gets better but I'm reluctant to try it again to be honest!

I've heard of Epsom salts and Bicarb in the bath, but not on your face...I wouldn't think it would hurt to bathe using that then use that water to rinse my face?

[Bakeoffcakes]

Oh that's a shame Lacking. I hope the other things work for you.

[Phoenixfrights]

Have you considered going on the pill?

Being pregnant and (previously) being on the pill was the only time my acne cleared up properly.

[LackingCommonSense]

I've got the coil in now...I was on the pill for years, but never noticed a difference in my skin, just my weight and the size of my boobs!

[lurkingaround]

The Mirena isn't great for acne prone skin. The progersterone in it can cause oily skin and acne, particularly if you're susceptible to it.

Would you go on Roaccutane? Cystic acne is very difficult to get control of with topical agents.

[LackingCommonSense]

I'd had it in for a year before the bad break outs though - do you think it would take that long to cause a problem? I've heard that the coil isn't great, but I would have expected it to get worse sooner..?

I've read about Roaccutane on here..just googling it - can you take it if you're taking antidepressants? It also says something about contact lenses?! I get the impression Roaccutane is a last resort and I'm not sure my Dr will prescribe it before trying other things first. I'll mention the cystics when I'm there next week though.

[lurkingaround]

Not necessarily re the Mirena. Can happen at any stage.

Roaccutane is dermatologist-only prescribed, and yes, they will want you to have gone through the various steps of treatment. But you're already on the track. The derm would go through it all with you re anti-deps, side effects, dry eyes etc. You have to have blood tests too. They will go through it in detail with you.

Cystic acne leaves lifelong scars. You're now 33, your acne is unlikely of its own accord. Suggest referral to a dermatologist to the GP at your next visit.

[lurkingaround]

Sorry, meant: cystic acne is unlikely to settle of its own accord

[RonaldMcDonald]

I really mean stick to the same thing every day and make it very, very simple
don't add different anything into it until your skin has settled down
I literally used 3 things for about a year.

My friend had very good results with the same v simple treatment and added hormonal blocker? I can find out if you like?

The scarring can be helped once you get the acne under control. You can have peels and laser treatment if you want and they can really unbelievably reduce the scarring.

[LackingCommonSense]

At the moment my foundation looks all dry/crusty around the spots and I'm dying to moisturise. Caught a colleague with a 'wtf is up with her face' look earlier

Right, POA is to simplify and speak to the Dr next week! NY resolution is to sort my bloody skin out!

[LackingCommonSense]

Thank you everyone so far!

[lurkingaround]

Oh I didn't mean to put a downer by talking about scars! Hope I didn't cause upset. I only mentioned it as a reason for treating cystic acne seriously. (Treat so you don't get new marks.) I think acne is often minimised as a purely cosmetic issue, which, as anyone who's been there knowa, it is not.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Caroline Hiron suggests not using foaming face wash at all and double cleansing. Her blog is worth a read. Tea tree anything is very harsh ime.

[LackingCommonSense]

No it's OK lurking I'm already very much aware of the scarring issue, hence the acid peels!

After extensive googling, I'm feeling somewhat grateful that I don't suffer as bad as some people do.