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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it MUST be genetics?!

78 replies

Forthemerrynotthefew · 03/12/2019 23:03

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?

OP posts:
ruddynorah · 03/12/2019 23:04

Do you eat dairy?

NegroniOnIce · 03/12/2019 23:05

Definitely hereditary/genetic in my family. My son took Roaccutane which wasn’t available to my generation. Cured him in weeks and his skin has been perfect since. He took it 15 years ago.

Original poster
Forthemerrynotthefew · 03/12/2019 23:11

@ruddynorah I drink quite a bit of milk and eat cheese fairly often. Is dairy a trigger for spots?

OP posts:
AllergicToAMop · 03/12/2019 23:11

Have you seen a dermatologist? And kept a food vs skin diary and tried to take out some foods and see a difference?

Lard was a magic for my mum. Helped with everything including calming psoriasis and I swear to god she has now less wrinkles than 10 years ago. Lard or olive oil. No creams due to processing and chemicals.

Tolleshunt · 03/12/2019 23:12

Genetics definitely play a big part.

Can I ask if you are often stressed/anxious, or lead a high pressure life? Do you suffer any physical signs of stress or tension, such as frequent headaches, TMJ dysfunction, back/neck problems, etc?

OrangeSlices998 · 03/12/2019 23:14

My friends skin is vastly improved since giving up dairy. I forget why exactly, possibly inflammation?

Original poster
Forthemerrynotthefew · 03/12/2019 23:15

I haven’t seen a dermatologist yet no. I think that will be my next step - although cutting out certain foods is probably a good shout by the sounds of things.

In terms of high pressure life/stress, etc. I work LONG hours in quite a stressful industry. I figured my early greys were the gift I got for that part of my life though Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
Forthemerrynotthefew · 03/12/2019 23:16

I can’t believe dairy can potentially cause this! When I think about it, I’ve been a dairy fiend my whole life. I’m the one who orders a cheese board for dessert. May have to try cutting it out for a few weeks and see if that helps

OP posts:
Butterflycookie · 03/12/2019 23:18

Yes it’s definitely genetic!

minipie · 03/12/2019 23:19

Yes genetics in some cases. My mum had acne into her late 20s/early 30s and I’ve had it longer. Mine is hormonal, I have PCOS, hers probably was too. Hormonal issues do tend to run in families.

NerdyBird · 03/12/2019 23:20

It's more likely to be hormonal. I had acne for years. Nothing made any difference apart from finding the right contraceptive pill.

ShortHairSuitsYou · 03/12/2019 23:24

Definitely try food elimination before paying for a dermatologist.
My friend is a dairy fiend, cheese is her favourite food group and she periodically has to cut out dairy and stick to almond milk etc for a month or so to clear her skin.
She hasn't got the willpower/care enough to cut it out altogether.

Polkadotties · 03/12/2019 23:25

Hormone related most likely

Tolleshunt · 03/12/2019 23:25

Stress will exacerbate acne (sometimes by a lot), as the cortisol causes inflammation and makes the skin oilier.

What about trying to destress, and see what happens? You could try regularly meditating/using hypnosis, ensuring you get enough sleep, getting out in nature etc. Basically, get out of fight or flight as much as possible.

Lazysundays18 · 03/12/2019 23:26

I notice that I have more spots when I eat lots of dairy. Definitely worth cutting it out. Also, since my husband went lactose free, he hasn't had an eczema flare up, which used to happen often for him.

tulippa · 03/12/2019 23:27

If it's anything like mine it'll be hormones. Dianette contraceptive pill at first moving onto yasmin has done wonders for me. You don't have to put up with them.

Andysbestadventure · 03/12/2019 23:28

What shampoo and conditioner do you use?
What moisturiser do you use?
What make up do you use?
What washing powder?
What fabric softener?

Tigger85 · 03/12/2019 23:28

I'm 34 and have had acne from 11 years old, it was drastically better when following a vegan diet but never fully went. I have also done diets that include meat but exclude dairy, and vegetarian but nothing works as well for my skin and tbh overall health and energy levels as whole food vegan diet. Also appears to be tied to my mental cycle/hormone fluctuations. I get it on my face but worse on my back/shoulders and sometimes chest. I have just accepted thst I will always have bad skin though a whole food vegan diet lessens it the most.

incognitomum · 03/12/2019 23:30

What products do you use for cleansing and moisturising?

I had a facial and the beautician was shocked I didn't moisturise. So I have ever since and my skin has improved tons.

I agree about hormones. But your diet can affect your hormones. Watch the Michael Mosley programme on hormones and diet if you can it's eye opening.

TowelNumber42 · 03/12/2019 23:32

I had dairy this week. Unusual for me. I discovered in my late thirties that it gives me low level trouble. As a result of the dairy diet this week I am farty and have horrid spots. Without dairy I am rarely spotty and I am rarely farty. I have learned from this misadventure: I will have no more dairy for months until I crave custard again and convince myself my body can cope with dairy now

Justneedatemporaryname · 03/12/2019 23:33

Have you actually been to the GP? There are quite a few effective treatments. You don't have to suffer in silence. It's taken quite seriously. You'll be referred to a dermatologist if the first line treatments don't work.

ViaSacra · 03/12/2019 23:33

Go to your GP. There’s plenty of medication to deal with acne.

He or she will start you on some antibiotics, along with a topical cream, at first.

If those don’t work then ultimately you’ll be referred to a dermatologist for a course of Roaccutane.

Justneedatemporaryname · 03/12/2019 23:35

Cross-post ViaSacra!

FredaNerkk · 03/12/2019 23:36

you should see a good dermatologist. They are highly skilled at diagnosis and treatment. It's possible to see them privately if the waiting time is problematic

m0therofdragons · 03/12/2019 23:43

I eat so much cheese, yoghurt and drink milk and have very few spots. I personally think it's mainly genetics and hormones but eating an unbalanced diet isn't good for skin. Everyone is so quick to cut out main food groups. Cutting out dairy can impact later with things like osteoporosis so be careful with dietary advice on mn.