To think it MUST be genetics?!

[Forthemerrynotthefew]

I’m in my 30s and I’m still as spotty as I was when I was a teenager. In every other way I am fit and healthy, but the spots are really getting me down. I drink a ton of water, eat all the right things and seem to have tried every lotion and potion out there. Everyone else I know has such good skin and can step out in just tinted moisturiser, whereas I have to wear foundation to cover the massive spots on my cheeks, chin and forehead. FWIW, I generally only tend to wear makeup once a week (if that). The rest of the time I’m at work where I don’t generally need to wear makeup.
My mum was quite spotty throughout her life so I’m wondering if it’s actually a genetic thing? It’s really getting me down now and I don’t know what to do. If it IS genetic then surely there will be no lotion or potion that can help? AIBU to just resign myself to being spotty forever. What does everyone else do to get clear skin?

To get mine I had to take Roac. I had deep deep under the skin lumpy acne on the chin area - yuck!

The pill never made a difference to my skin and I tried a fair few. Antibiotics kept the cysts at bay whilst on it but trouble recommended when pills ran out.

Short and lightweight course of Roac early this year ( in my 30s ) and never had another cyst since.

Dairy. Its evil. I had acne for many years, and cutting out dairy made a massive difference.

Dairy for me, too - I was a big latte drinker and when I stopped, it cleared a lot. Started again, and spots came back. Also changing to Paula's Choice skincare - it has proper active ingredients in to clear dead skin and stop pores blocking, but also to stop drying. It was recommended on Mumsnet and was really, really helpful. I have got a complete set of their gentlest products for my son as he enters adolescence, to try to help him avoid bad acne - as much as you can. (He won't use them, but I'll keep trying!)

I'm in early menopause, was put in it overnight (medical reasons) and now I can drink dairy again, no bother. So there is that to look forward to, possibly?

Please see a dermatologist, it's so different nowadays, people dont need to suffer spots/acne, my nephews had medication and had regular facials, you would never believe they had ever suffered with acne.
Quite possibly an allergy, which you can try yourself in the meantime, cutting out certain food types then reintroducing them again.
Google Luck, and make that appointment.

i also read a study they did though that it was placebo.as in the sufferer was convince it was said diet.so ut it out.and this didnt actually do anything to their bodies. they watched people and gave one third diary as normal.one non.and the other non(but they did really) and the people with no diary nothing happened. the people with (lied)non diary it got better. and they came to the conclusion that is what actually the stress and anxiety and the sufferers thinking they had found a solution in the non diary group so the spots disappeared. when actually they had been having dairy all along just less stressed,and anxious so symtoms got better as well as their bodies working better for them.

Like everyone else has said, dairy and roaccutane!

My GP has also prescribed me a tretinoin cream - Stieva-A - also known as retin-A. Retinol is a derivative you can buy OTC. I thought retin-A was for wrinkles but was given it for acne as well as swapping pills to Yasmin (a PP has mentioned). The pill didn't do much, and my doctor said she'd be reluctant to give it to someone over 30ish, but the Stieva is a godsend. Plus it's working on my forehead wrinkles 😇 this was not a UK GP so if you're there you may or may not be able to get a prescription, I don't know.

Also ask the GP to check your vitamin and iron levels. I had terrible acne until these were checked (at about the age of 30). Once I started supplementing what I was missing, my skin cleared up and has been good ever since.

It’s my understanding that quite a few scientists believe we as a species are evolving away from animal milk produce.

Have a look on Caroline Hirons website - she is great at suggesting products & routines for skincare (I'm part of her FB group & I see the changes in ppl's skin when they follow her advice). Pp mentioned Paula's Choice - these are great ranges for helping with congestion & scenic skin. Using products with salicylic acid helps hugely with breakouts & residual blackheads. This is Caroline's "cheat sheet" on acne: www.carolinehirons.com/2012/05/acne-cheat-sheet.html

My ex got it from eating pork. Tbf we thought that it might actually be from something in the feed or medicin they give the pigs rather than the actual meat since he didn't break out when eating pork on vacation in South Africa. My DH's skin cleared up when he quit smoking.

I had the worst cystic acne of my life doing long hours in a stressful environment.
I was made redundant and my skin cleared up.
Not very helpful to you op , sorry .

Thanks @stopgap, I’ll have a look for that Inositol. I have no idea if I’m oestrogen dominant! Haven’t actually tried the DIM myself yet.

As for Spironolactone- I don’t really get any side effects. I’ve always had slightly low blood pressure too but it hasn’t got any worse with the Spiro. I don’t need to go to the loo more either which surprised me.

Probably hormonal. Are you on the pill? If not I suggest you get omit.

Same here, for me it’s hormonal and the right pill gives me near perfect skin but as soon as I come off it my skin turns greasy and the hideous spots come, no amount of diet change or skincare does anything if the hormones are still causing the excess oil. I thought I’d grow out of it but it’s still here at 37 (had it since teens), it’s cleared up at the moment as I’m pregnant but expecting it to start again after the birth. It sucks.

Dairy triggers my spots too. I’ve given it up totally now and have not had even one tiny spot in ages.

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

To clarify, I’ve tried several contraceptive pills as recommended by the doctor and none of them worked. I’m now TTC so couldn’t go down that route anyway. I might go back to my GP and see if they can recommend anything else though.

In terms of products I use, I’ve tried everything from Body Shop tea tree range through to things like ProActiv etc. I regularly cleanse, tone and moisturise and have done since I was a teenager.

Will take many of the other suggestions on board though, including heading to the GP and a dermatologist! Thank you

I am very acne prone, have scars and has knocked me badly over the years.

Things that have helped include- cutting out diary, less stress, drinking water, using Jan Marino cleanser and exfoliating daily.

I believe the Jan Marino cleanser (Bioglycolic Face Cleanser) and the dairy have made the most difference.

Try avoiding dairy and sugar - for some reason both triggered spots with me.

**
Jan Marini

The best thing I ever did for my skin after trying Yasmin (pill), antibiotics and topical creams from the dr's, was to get referred to a dermatologist. I went on a drug called roacctane which is very strong, you can not get pregnant on (causes birth defects) and you have to go for monthly blood tests. I went on it for four months at the start of the year and I now have perfect skin and not one spot since. The side effects aren't easy, but treatment is usually 4-6 months.

I had my treatment through the NHS

Ah, if you're TTC then that rules out Roaccutane unfortunately.

It’s hormonal, not genes as such.

If you're TTC then you may find that your skin improves during pregnancy or after you have the baby anyway!

Hi OP - another acne sufferer. My dad has always had bad skin so I think it's genetic for me as well. As others have said, cutting dairy does make a big difference. I'm also very particular about which products I use and always check ingredients on incidecoder before buying new products. I use Azelaic acid, lactic acid, and niacinimide. Between the three of them, my acne is minimal these days.