To be bloody depressed about adult acne?

[NTHEN]

Posting here for traffic as I'm desperate, apologies.

I'm 26 and until this past year have never suffered with acne but I now have it horribly. It seems to have coincided with me having a baby 18 months ago and is getting worse.

I wash my face daily, use a mild facial cleanser from clearasil and never sleep in make up. I use a light moisturiser.9

I've been using acnecide which has slightly reduced some of the bigger spots but I still have new ones popping up every other day.

I don't wear make up unless I'm going out somewhere where I'll need to make an effort (2-3 times per month) so I'm not clogging my pores on a regular basis.

I applied tanning lotion last night which has only made it look 10 x worse.

I feel unattractive, unclean and insecure. I don't mean to sound so vain but it's starting to impact my daily life and I'm not wanting to go out.

PLEASE could you suggest anything that will help me / has helped you or others you know?

I definitely don't want roaccutane if I can avoid it.

Try b vitamins, fish oils, probiotics and Kalme face creams (online)

Have never had good skin (now early 30s), until I started using the following:

Kiehl's ultra facial cleanser - non drying and rebalanced my skin. Use morning and night.

www.kiehls.co.uk/skin-care/category/cleansers-scrubs/ultra-facial-cleanser/714.html#start=10&cgid=face-cleansers-scrubs

Kiehl's overnight micro peel every night - gentle acid that exfoliates and clears pores. Smoothed out my bumpy clogged forehead skin! Takes about six weeks to get results.

www.kiehls.co.uk/skin-care/category/targeted-solutions/dermatologist-solutionstm-nightly-refining-micro-peel-concentrate/KHL110.html

The Ordinary b5 + zinc serum - AMAZING for keeping spots away. Apply morning and night (after the Kiehl's acid micro peel)

theordinary.deciem.com/product/rdn-niacinamide-10pct-zinc-1pct-30ml

I now use a lot of different serums but these are my core spot-busting products that keep my skin nice and clear.

@WT422

Have never had good skin (now early 30s), until I started using the following:

Kiehl's ultra facial cleanser - non drying and rebalanced my skin. Use morning and night.

www.kiehls.co.uk/skin-care/category/cleansers-scrubs/ultra-facial-cleanser/714.html#start=10&cgid=face-cleansers-scrubs

Kiehl's overnight micro peel every night - gentle acid that exfoliates and clears pores. Smoothed out my bumpy clogged forehead skin! Takes about six weeks to get results.

www.kiehls.co.uk/skin-care/category/targeted-solutions/dermatologist-solutionstm-nightly-refining-micro-peel-concentrate/KHL110.html

The Ordinary b5 + zinc serum - AMAZING for keeping spots away. Apply morning and night (after the Kiehl's acid micro peel)

theordinary.deciem.com/product/rdn-niacinamide-10pct-zinc-1pct-30ml

I now use a lot of different serums but these are my core spot-busting products that keep my skin nice and clear.

I should say, the Kiehl's peel is expensive, but a 30ml bottle lasts me about 9 to 12 months. You use a tiny amount (three drops) each time.

I think it's Roche Posay effaclair that helped me a few years ago. I'd heard loads of people talking about it but it honestly was amazing. That, loads of water and started eating tons more fruit. Mine didn't seem to be hormones though, whereas when I was much younger changing pills cleared it. Look up Laura Kennedy, she does beauty articles for the irish times, and has lo as ds of old posts online from when she was with beaut .ie

I went on roaccutane 10 years ago after years of chronic acne. I haven’t had a single spot since. It was honestly life changing. It was hard sometimes With bouts of low mood had mood swings but it was worth in the long run to put up with it 6 months to come out the other side with no more acne. A lot of depression and anxiety was related to having zero self confidence, so having better skin has had a great positive impact on my mental health in the long run. You should reconsider it.

Roaccutane is the only thing that worked for me. I was 28, stopped taking the Pill and came out in dire cystic acne that left scars (no, I don't have PCOS). Tried the antibiotics, all sorts. Roaccutane was a magic bullet. I had laser treatment on the scars.

I use skin peels from Nked Face they are professional strength, reasonably priced and can use at home I swear by them it’s the only thing that’s worked for my acne.

Try dermatica or skin and me for a bespoke prescription for your skin.

I get spots and always have.
I find chocolate makes it worse and greasy food.
What works for me Is drinking lots of water everyday.
Skincare I use body shop tea tree range so a face scrub then the foaming soap then the cleanser. If I get a bad bout I don’t moisturise that area and wear a sudocrem mask whenever I can around the house for a few days and especially over night.
Hope this helps.

@MarieInternette

Sorry to hear you’re suffering with acne. I notice a few posters have recommended Accutane. My advice would be to try anything but this drug. My perfectly normal daughter took her own life whilst taking this drug. It can cause suicidal ideation. Those who say don’t believe the horror stories have been lucky. It is a very dangerous, toxic drug which can affect your mental state so very very badly including after you have completed the course. It is also linked to bowed problems, sexual dysfunction among others. Just don’t take the risk. Do not trust a dermatologist. They will tell you it’s safe. IT IS NOT. Nobody knows who will be ok on this drug and who won’t. Please don’t take the risk. Look at the FB sites for side effects and you will see how many people have had their lives ruined by this drug.

Thank you for sharing that Marie, I'm truly sorry for your loss.

My mental health is fragile as it is and I have fluctuating anxiety and depression, It just wouldn't be advisable for me to take roaccutane for that reason alone - and then there are the other side effects.

I have a low tolerance for most medications and even antibiotics play havoc with me.

Rest assured I definitely won't be asking for roaccutane.

To everybody else, I'm still here and reading. Thank you all for your advice

I do have a 0.5 derma roller but read that it's not advisable to use when you have active acne (puss filled spots) which I do at the moment.

Question about acnecide: those who have used the cream.. do you apply it all over the face or just as a spot treatment directly onto the spots? I've been using it in little dabs on the spots until now. The tube is tiny and contains very little product.

I will confess to having a fair amount of sugar in my diet. I've vowed to drastically reduce that if not cutting it out completely.

I've been looking at non dairy milk alternatives this morning as I can't go without my cups of tea.

You must never derma roll on active acne. Acnecide is meant to be applied in a very thin layer all over the face except the eye area and the corners of lips. It’s bleaches so use white linens.

You’ll have to supplement with vit d & k if you give up dairy. Adequate vit D is really important especially with covid mortality linked to patients with low vitamin d levels.

Interestingly my dermatologist said that they’d never had anyone with mh issues off accutane but they had had a pregnancy. The woman’s husband had a vasectomy. Unfortunately her boss hadn’t had a vasectomy. Awkward.

You still need to see the dr to try a topical antibiotic. Acnecide is a very mild treatment hence it being otc.

If you can’t contact your GP, I would use Dermatica.Its an online dermatology service and used by lots of people on here. Over the counter stuff really doesn’t compare.

Go to your GP. Keep trying for an appointment. The treatment pathway can take a long time to find something that works for you as there are different stages that your GP will try before referring you to a dermatologist.

@Fluffycloudland77

Right, you need to put aside thoughts of intermittent fasting and cutting dairy 🙄, being allergic never helped me with acne and I didn’t go to the dr soon enough and now I’ve scarred.

It doesn’t matter if it’s diet or hormonal. The cause doesn’t matter if you cleanse regularly.

You need to see your dr. If something’s going to work it works pretty quickly.

I took roaccutane at 41 after refusing it at 31, by the time I took it I would have taken capsules of powdered dog shit if they’d said it work. It’s worked brilliantly.

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/acne-vulgaris/management/primary-care-management/. This is what your dr can do for you. It’s very treatable for the majority.

You cannot treat a bacterial infection with diets & supplements anymore than you can treat cancer by going vegan or a broken arm with homeopathy.

The cosmetic industry has completely hijacked acne and convinced people that it’s something your doing wrong but your not. It’s a very difficult infection to kill, when I get tonsillitis I’m on penicillin for 10 days, acne is 4 months & if it doesn’t work your off to dermatology for roaccutane which is nowhere as bad as journalists (who’ve never taken it) make out.

This is so true. Dear friend is a consultant dermatologist and cleansing regimens do nothing and cost money. Acne is a hormonal imbalance that can occur anytime in one's life. I had one briefly in my early 20's.. ery upsets. An oral antibiotic cleared it.

I would get an appointment and see a dermatologist.
Duac is an old antibiotic cream for spots and very effective for the odd one.

IMO an oral antibiotic is the best option.

@Greyblueeyes Look at Dr Davin Lim on YouTube he explains derma rolling really well.

Another vote for The Ordinary from me. I had to come off the pill years ago when I started getting migraines, and was shocked when my previously clear skin suddenly became constantly spotty - it shattered my confidence and was so upsetting. I suffered for years and tried all sorts to no avail. I read good reviews of The Ordinary and thought I might as well give it a try, but didn’t really hold out much hope. However! I have been using a daily regime of Buffet, Hyaluronic Acid, and Niacinamide every morning and then more Hyaluronic Acid and Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate every night. I started about 3 years ago and my skin is honestly transformed. It’s not too pricey a range, so it’s worth a try, OP - best of luck!

Absolutely go back to your GP.

There is a LOT that can be done between topical creams and Roaccutane.

If you have cystic acne you will likely need something by mouth, consider Dianette (contains an anti-testosterone, also acts as a contraceptive, licensed as an acne treatment) or Lymecycline (an antibiotic usually taken for 4-6 months or so).

Please contact your GP again. You have not actually spoken to a doctor yet, and it is well worth having that conversation, even if it is by phone.

Ask you GP to refer you so you can be prescribed roaccutane. It will clear it up for sure. The side effects of the drug can be pretty rough but you are only on it for a few months and it is so so worth it! It clears it up usually for good if you have it as a adult.

@Starlight2004 They won’t refer to dermatology in the UK until the topical & oral medications have all failed & one of them might work.

I'm going to give my GP a call tomorrow morning (I've missed the cut off point now, you have to call at 8am if you want a same day call back)

I've used some products from The Ordinary before. The hyaluronic acid and the red acid peel (I don't remember the name of it) and both made me break out terribly, worse than i was already.

@Angelina1972

Ask your GP for the antibiotic called Lymecycline. It is brilliant at clearing acne. Takes a couple of weeks for skin to look a lot better. Cleared mine completely. You need to stay on it for a few months.

I’ve just started to take this so was happy to hear it helped you, I’ll hang on in there with it, Thankyou! OP I hope you find something to help 😊

YANBU I had severe depression and suicidal thoughts to the point i took myself to a railway line due to acne. The only thing that saved me is roaccutane. I know it has a bad rep but it worked and my acne went forever. I was so incredibly low when I started roaccutane that I could only go up from there. I distinctly remember as my skin cleared tha black clouds cleared and I was so much happier

I'm currently battling a spot the size of Russia on the very tip of my nose.
Got it slathered in Sudacrem.
This simply should not be happening at my age - I thought my Sudacrem-slathering days were over