Cream to reduce scars from spots?

[puds11]

I compulsively pick my face. The current situation has highlighted the extent I do this and I am trying to stop. Can anyone recommend any creams to promote skin recovery and healing? I think the better my skin looks, the less compulsion I’d feel to pick at it. I currently have very spotty chin and sides of face. These are my problem areas. My skin care regime has been brutally stripped back as I think I was over doing it. I now just wash with water and use a moisturizer with spf 30 in.

Thank you

[Nogoodwithgoodbyes]

I’d be interested what others recommend. I find rosehip oil has been kind to my skin. I have marks too. They’re still there but I’ve only been using it a couple of months and there’s a definite improvement.

[puds11]

Thanks @Nogoodwithgoodbyes. I know people say vitamin E is good for scarring but I’m not sure if I’m meant to take a tablet or use a cream and which of either would be good 😱

[emsyj37]

Why not do some research perhaps by reading some Caroline Hirons cheat sheets or watching some of her videos on youtube? If you are wearing spf then you need to remove it properly or you will get spots. Water alone wont remove it properly.
I'm a lifelong paid up member of the pickers club - the things that have helped my skin (aside from Dianette, Roaccutane etc) are: double cleansing, niacinamide serum and Differin gel at night. As I am now old and haggard I have switched to retin A at night to improve the anti ageing benefits.
If you are very spotty then visit the GP when all this pandemic is over and get some advice and treatment. There are lots of options out there now. Chin and jawline spots tend to be hormonal I believe- they were for me. Only really cleared up when I went back on Dianette.

[Swiftier]

So something like differin or epiduo might work, they both contain retinol. I think this might work because as well as helping the underlying problem (the acne) the retinol also promotes skin rejuvenation and is good for scars etc. You can get them prescribed online via sites like dermatica or Superdrug’s online doctor service.

[justasking111]

Buy vitamin E oil in the capsules. Prick them and spread over spots, it really is miraculous. My friends little girl came off her bike her face was such a mess hospital said she would be scarred. A little old lady in the village said use the oil. It worked and she has no scarring at all.

[Nitpickpicnic]

Check out Trinny’s face care routines (the backlist on her YouTube channel). She hates her acne scarring (around her mouth & chin) and does every weird treatment available. Obviously she can afford the best, but I’m not sure it makes much difference. Or, at least I think you can only go so far.

Still you’ll get all the names and tips for brands, therapists and ideas she’s used.

[morriseysquif]

Try Avene Triacneal.

[morriseysquif]

Or a dermaroller?

[TheVanguardSix]

I buy a bottle of Jason pure vitamin E oil. It's thick, almost like honey, so use it at night. Vitamin E has always been my miracle worker.

[Swiftier]

The problem with vitamin e is it might help the scars but make the acne worse.

[puds11]

Thank you very much for the suggestions, I will do some research. It’s tough to know what will set my skin off.

[emsyj37]

Differin doesn't contain retinol, it is adapalene which is a different thing but it has a similar effect in terms of triggering cell turnover. Its much less irritating than tretinoin and so you might find it easier to use. It's great for acne. It's now available over the counter in the UK too.

[TheVeryHungryTortoise]

Pixi glow tonic has made a real difference to my old mirena coil cystic acne scars. I probably started to notice a difference around 3 months in and 6 months down the line my skin tone is looking much more even.

www.cultbeauty.co.uk/pixi-glow-tonic.html

[puds11]

Thank you

[LaLaLanded]

My recommendations for scarring would be:

• anything with a lactic or glycolic acid - Beauty Pie’s Dr Glycolic is potent but really good.
  
• an overnight retinol treatment - I use regenacalm from face theory but they do have a specific retinol scar treatment oil that sounds good.
  

The reason I recommend those is to increase skin turnover - acne marks are deep and will take time to fade, but they should fade - the products just speed up that process.

It sounds like your spots are a problem too? I have the same thing - I’m a picker. I use Paula’s choice 2% BHA which keeps the skin clear apart from hormonal spots on occasion. And I spent time learning to pick “properly”. Caroline Hirons has a couple of videos on YouTube on it if you’re interested. Having a method for “dealing” with spots then and there, and knowing which ones to leave damn well alone, has minimised scarring for me... worth a look, honestly! Also having a spot cream you trust helps - freederm is ok, Verso’s spot cream works bloody miracles but is expensive - you can get a sample from Cult Beauty if I remember rightly. Whenever I want to over-pick I slap a bit of spot cream on and run from the bathroom.

[puds11]

Thanks @LaLaLaanded. I do really need to stop picking. I was thinking of using the rubber band flicking technique but will have a look at those videos.

[Geppili]

Take oil of evening primrose internally. It really improves hormonal spots. Take everyday. Takes 3 months to notice difference.

[puds11]

Thanks @Geppili do you happen to know if it’s suitable to take when breastfeeding?

[yesyesdear]

Retin A or an equivalent. Facial oils seem to break me out, but the retinoid works well for me! Plus niacinamide.