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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think a moisturiser that doesn’t cause acne exists?

119 replies

Ansumpasty · 02/09/2018 07:46

Posting here for traffic!

After having a skin treatment done, my acne prone skin is having the worst outbreak ever. I’ve never moisturised but it’s so so so dry and itchy, as well as getting more spots than I’ve had had at the same time.

Cetaphil moisturising cream gave me spots, Dermalogica active moist is making it burn- I’m desperate!!

Can anyone recommend one that DOES NOT cause spots or make the many that I have worse?

Thank you!

OP posts:
Immigrantsong · 02/09/2018 12:05

Sorry just read you have microneedling. This is very concerning as the needles may not have been sterile, or too big for a beginner. You should always have the thinnest ones to begin with. Do you know how many mm's they were? I would go back for aftercare. They should do something to help.This isn't normal, but I am not keen on it as a treatment due to the danger for infection even sepsis.

Original poster
Ansumpasty · 02/09/2018 12:07

Thanks, everyone.

I had radio frequency microneedling at 1.5mm, called Intracel. I did wonder if I was allergic to the numbing gel or soothing mask they put on afterwards as even my eyebrows went red and weepy, even though they didn’t do my eyebrows!

I’m not brave enough to put a picture as every post I write is pretty outing as I have no filter, haha. Picture would be the final nail in the coffin and I know a few people who read on here.

I’ve now sent a picture of my face to the clinic and the dr has said I can come in tomorrow after work for a free ‘light’ treatment.

Anyone had this? Pooing my pants that it can cause an initial outbreak and make things worse...

OP posts:
Wonkypalmtree · 02/09/2018 12:08

I switched to a mineral powder foundation, use non fragranced soap for washing and just use Boots no.7 intense serum as a moisturiser and base for foundation.

I use the powder daily, if I don’t I get a breakout. Boots tell me that I should add a moisturiser to my routine but the serum seems to be just enough.

I also would recommend trying a course of anti histamine to help prevent reaction, if you haven’t already tried the antibiotics maybe give that a whirl too?

Original poster
Ansumpasty · 02/09/2018 12:09

@immigrantsong sepsis Shock That’s terrified me.
The clinic was extremely reputable and showed me the clean needles as they took them out the packet.

OP posts:
Dinosaurus86 · 02/09/2018 12:10

Your skin sounds like it’s sensitive rather than just oily/combination. I also reacted badly to effaclar and have had various reactions to facials. Now I just use Clarins sensitive range and my skin isn’t absolutely perfect but it’s much better. It seems slightly counterintuitive because the products are also aimed at dry skins, but it’s working for me.

I use the extra comfort cleansing cream, extra comfort toning lotion, the skin repair beauty concentrate (I often use this as a serum and highly recommend it for calming down skin - even if you don’t use the rest of the range), and the gentle day cream.

If you’re near to a Clarins with a beauty bar then you could try to book one of their mini facials - go for the SOS and emphasise that you need all sensitive/calming things. (And I realise that this post makes it look like I work for Clarins - I don’t!)

Original poster
Ansumpasty · 02/09/2018 12:10

@Wonkypalmtree

I tried the antibiotics for 2 days and got awful diahrea (sp!) and the dr told me to come off them. Can’t win. Currently icing my chin...

OP posts:
LeftRightCentre · 02/09/2018 12:12

I had horrific cystic acne for decades. Really only menopause solved it (I've had a dozen or so huge spots on my chin and jaw every cycle that Differin gel sort of minimised) but I've never been able to use moisturiser. I've tried scores of them, they all gave me painful spots. If I had to do it all again I'd have banged on until I could try Roaccutane. I'm now paying a fortune having scar treatment. Acne is horrible.

Immigrantsong · 02/09/2018 12:16

1.5mm is quite large for a first user. Why didn't they start with 0.5? I think you need to ask them for more than a free light treatment, you need a series of them. Light treatment should help with the spots (make sure they use red and blue light at a high strength). You will need at least 2-3. Keep us updated. And please go to the GP.

angieloumc · 02/09/2018 12:19

Clinique's dramatically different I find is great for me and my daughter. There is a lotion, gel and cream; she uses the lotion I use the cream. We both have super sensitive skin and it's very gentle we find.

Original poster
Ansumpasty · 02/09/2018 12:22

@Immigrantsong

Will one free session of light make any difference at all and can it make things worse?
I barely got any spots before this since using benzoyl peroxide, maybe a few a month. My acne was under control, but I was left with acne pits and icepick scars, etc.
Going the GP again seems pointless- I’ve been so many times over the years and like I said, my acne had almost gone. I did go about my acne scarring and was referred to a dermatologist at the hospital, who said it was classed as moderate and not severe enough for treatment on the NHS.

I wish I’d never meddled Sad

OP posts:
BadderWolf · 02/09/2018 12:24

Hi OP the light therapy treatment they've mentioned will most likely be low level laser, red and amber wavelengths are used for sun damage reversal an collagen stimulation (type Omnilux branded product). If they are a professional derm office and focused on reducing redness and inflammation they should be using green. If looking to reduce acne and scarring they will use
blue and red (simultaneously or sequentially).

These treatments are safe (in safe hands) but require a series of treatments to have good effect.

Madeline18 · 02/09/2018 12:27

Rose hip oil works wonders. Also trilogy's moisturisers are amazing.

BadderWolf · 02/09/2018 12:28

X-post with immigantsong Grin I would imagine they went for 1.5mm as it was scar reduction treatment and 0.5mm won't impact this.

Original poster
Ansumpasty · 02/09/2018 12:31

Yes-1.5 was because my acne pits were why I went. Had awful skin texture and big pores but my acne was pretty clear. I had 2 little spots when I had the microneedling which she said she’d avoid

OP posts:
Original poster
Ansumpasty · 02/09/2018 12:31

Please excuse typos- holding phone with 1 hand because other hand is icing my chin Grin

OP posts:
9amTrain · 02/09/2018 12:33

@Ansumpasty ah RF microneedling! Different to standard microneedling. I also had that, but I had Infini. It was so painful and I broke out in thousands of whiteheads all over my face.

megletthesecond · 02/09/2018 12:34

Try a sample of Lush Shangri La. It's quite thick, but healing, and seems to calm my spots down.

Immigrantsong · 02/09/2018 12:38

You aren't supposed to have any microneedling when you have spots as this can cause an outbreak and infection as you have found. Who administered it?

UnknownWoman1 · 02/09/2018 12:42

Hi Hun I have suffered from acne in the past for getting acne at bay I used acne.org regimen kit and currently use Forever living aloe propolis which is great for scarring and is not oily either it is a rich moist cream. If you are social media instragam I can recommend a woman who I have purchased products from that have completely got rid of my scars after years of scarring

BadderWolf · 02/09/2018 12:43

Oh OP I really feel for you. Microneedling can work wonders for acne scarring; you did nothing wrong with "meddling". I've done needling from 0.5mm to 3.0mm (!) for many many years (for collagen and hypopig) and had great results (see the old owndoc forum for an absolute wealth of information from many people with the same issue you have). But at anything over 1.0 there are significant risks, from hygiene, ingredient sensitivity and just the fact that all skin is individual in its response. I don't think these risks are understood explained fully by some practicioners. Really hope you get it sorted.

Butterflycookie · 02/09/2018 12:48

I would definitely recommend the clean and clear dual action moisturiser. Been using for years and it is very lightweight. www.boots.com/clean-and-clear-dual-action-oil-free-moisturiser-100ml-10002564

Immigrantsong · 02/09/2018 12:54

Yes light treatment should help, but you will need a series. Why don't you ask them to come up with an action plan and proper aftercare? They should want to resolve this for you as it sounds you were left worse after the treatment and that shouldn't happen. Ask for the strength of their light machine. It needs to be higher than 650 as a minimum to have any effect. And take photos to prove the state of your skin in case you need to pursue this further. It doesn't sound like they advised you properly.

Immigrantsong · 02/09/2018 12:55

@badderwolf 3.0? You are very brave. My hat off to you!

ButDoYouAvocado · 02/09/2018 12:57

My daughter suffers with terrible acne but Clinique Moisture Surge works very well as PP said

Original poster
Ansumpasty · 02/09/2018 13:00

@Immigrantsong
They weren’t major breakouts and the practitioner said she wouldn’t use the needles over the breakouts. It wasn’t the dr but everyone at the clinic is qualified to do over the 0.5.

@9amTrain How did you calm your spots down? Mine was a while ago now- over 2 weeks. I agree, it hurt badly!

OP posts: