To want clear skin?

[meanmrmustard]

Had hormonal acne that started when i was 12, disappeared during my late teenage years when i took antibiotics for it, but now back with a vengeance. Seems to be especially bad the week before AF. Tried every skincare product I can get my hands on. Anyone got any miracle products that can help with adult acne? I’ll try anything!

I used to have this in my teens and early twenties OP, it's rubbish you have my sympathies.

My was sorted by changing the contraceptive pill I was on, Dianette was what worked for me. I was on it for a couple of years. Came off to have DC1 and the acne has never come back.

Ps I tried every skincare regime under the sun, tried to eat well, drink water, etc, but it was obviously hormonal for me.

Asda vitamin c own brand serum.

I have very similar skin to you. I got a referral to dermatology but the creams/abx didn't work. I started a trial of dermatica in January and it's changed my skin hugely. I now go make up free. I still get minor breakouts during my period but they're not painful or cystic anymore.

There is a miracle product-have a look at accumax skin tablets.

I totally sympathise OP! I have extremely reactive skin, definitely hormonal related. A combination of lifestyle changes (e.g clean eating and losing weight) and using benzyol peroxide every night cleared my skin up entirely.

Acne can be emotionally debilitating yet still isn't talked about much, despite its prevelance. Mine did clear up but it effectively ruined my teen years, and I still feel the psychological imact today.

My miracle solution after 3 decades of hormonal acne was Kallistia tablets. Fully natural solution which tops up the right vitamins. I still have the old scars but I can step out without foundation if I want to. Feels like freedom.

YANBU OP, I’ve had acne since age 12 and it’s depressing. Now in my 40s and I’m dealing with ageing alongside acne. Yay.

If it’s hormonal then the main options that are likely to work are Dianette and Spironolactone. Roaccutane also but that’s not suitable if you are wanting to get pg any time soon, also not available on the NHS unless you’ve tried other things first. Epiduo cream is also helpful (it’s a mix of benzoyl peroxide and adapalene which is a retinoid).

Dianette makes a huge difference for me, still not 100% clear but 80% better.

Sounds like it’s caused by a hormonal imbalance. Rubbing products on your face won’t help.
what’s your gut health like?

This was me 100% and honestly just accepted I had bad skin until I saw someone on here suggesting Dermatica.

Did a lot of research and checked reviews etc and all looked promising so went on their website and filled out their forms and sent in photos. They send you a monthly formula ( prescribed for you) and they build up the strength of the ingredients so you don't have a reaction. Mine had an antibiotic in it also.

I started over a year ago and I have clear skin. Actually clear! Not a single spot has erupted since I started! You need patience because the first 3 months I didn't see a huge difference in appearance but it works.

The best £22 a month I've ever spent. I still use it a year on as maintenance. I feel confident to go out without makeup and it can start to work on some of the acne scarring.

@Iwonder08 - are you using Accumax? I hope you are aware that it contains titanium dioxide. There are concerns surrounding titanium dioxide which are louder in the EU than UK - about it being a carcinogen. France has suspended its use.

www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/titanium-dioxide-e171-no-longer-considered-safe-when-used-food-additive

I have thrown away all toothpastes that contain it - better safe than sorry.

Those saying hormonal can't be treated with creams. My acne was absolutely hormonal( PCOS) and the solution I had prescribed had an anti inflammatory and antibiotic which has eradicated all of my acne

Problem skin is no fun. I think you need a proper prescription based skin care regime.

As others have said, Dermatica is fantastic and is so much easier and cheaper than visiting a dermatologist. Their products have been amazing at clearing up my skin.

Use code 4N98N5 - this gives you free custom skincare for a month plus 25% off your next month.

Thank you all for your lovely and supportive messages. doing research into all of these suggestions now- I spoke to GP about going on Roaccutane, who said they would write a referral to see a dermatologist. I would just love to get it sorted, it’s so painful and has had such a negative impact on my self esteem. Bit anxious about all of the side effects associated with Roaccutane, though.

Glad you've got progress, hope the dermatologist helps.

I'm on month 10 of skin and me but still getting breakouts. I actually don't want to leave the house and seeing my face on Zoom makes me want to cry.

I have acne and I hate it. It my makes me feel like a kid (also, I now have ageing skin too. Lovely!)

The only thing that cures it is Dianette (which I’m not allowed any more) A strict low carb diet and sunshine help. It’s hard. We live in such a beauty driven world, and obvious ‘blemishes’ can really affect how people view you.

It's effective but the trade-off is you get really dry, flaky skin and chapped lips. I'd try other treatments first before that last resort.

Yasmin contraceptive pill

I was reading that Woody Harrelson used to suffer with this until someone told him it was likely an allergy to lactose / dairy. He said it completely resolved when he gave up dairy. Could be worth a try??

Yes. I’ve had cystic acne since I was 21 (38 now) which dianette pill sorted out but they stopped prescribing it me a couple of years ago because if my age and it just got worse and worse especially after my pregnancy. Got referred to dermatology who cycled me on antibiotics and various topical things. None of that worked. Can’t do roaccutane as have anxiety and depression. Finally I read an article about a herbal supplement called DIm. It was completely life changing. I’ve been on it since February and my skin cleared within days of starting it. It’s fabulous stuff.

African black soap has worked for me. Got it from amazon, the raw version. It can be drying but a good moisturising routine combats the dryness.

For me it’s the combined pill. I’m on a low dose one as o get some side effects from the hormones. But the plus side of No acne and shorter lighter periods makes it worth it for me. I still have some scarring from when I came off it to get pregnant.

Try Dermatica or Skin and me. It's the only thing that sorted out my skin. I am now working on changing my diet/lifestyle (I would like to give up sweets, crisps etc. for good and only eat them on occasions like birthdays and so on).

I agree with a few PP, that certain contraceptive pills are the answer, as they rectify the hormonal imbalance. I used dianette. I'm not sure if that's still the name, but you could find out. That was indeed a miracle cure for me and others I knew who used it. Also like a PP, pregnancy then helped massively. I haven't used anything for my skin since having my children. It's not as perfect as it was when I was taking dianette, but it's really not an issue anymore.