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!

The contraceptive pill yasmin works wonders for acne. It stops the production of sebum so works from within instead of treating the actual spots it stops theM from forming

It’s not for everyone, but I’m very much the same. It started at 12, and just never really went away. I had episodes of clear skin while pregnant but that was it. About 6 months ago I decided to try Lucette combined pill - which I buy from Lloyds Online Doctor as the NHS generally won’t prescribe it because there are cheaper options available - none of which agreed with me, and some actually made my skin worse. My skin is the clearest it’s been in my whole life. I’m on a pill schedule where I take 3 strips back to back (as advised by my Dr) then take a 4 day break rather than 7 day as you normally would. During those 4 days, I’ll have a mini “period” and usually one or two spots will appear on my jawline 🤷🏻‍♀️ but that’s a small price to pay!

Just for reference this is me 4 months down the line on dermatica. My confidence has soared.

Be wary of dianette/contraceptive pills - I have been on and off these for acne for years and years and had awful resurgences when stopping them which inevitably you do have to do at some point. Had amazing results with roaccutane but have receding gum line as a side effect which isn’t great and now got small amounts of acne returning 2 years after finishing - but would recommend as nothing else has had such a good effect for me. Dermatica now just about keeping things under control! Still occasional spots though. Hoping aging will do the trick at some point 😂

I suffer with horrible cystic acne all across my chin and jaw line. I've bought lots of salicylic acid products but the biggest game changer has been inky list C-50 blemish night treatment, it has transformed my skin. You cleanse then put this on, it dries gradually and feels quite tight at first but I have not had a single breakout since I started using it and it's only £13 in boots. I wish I had discovered it years ago!!

I suffered from persistent acne from early teens too, didn't go GP until late teens because my mum insisted they wouldn't be able to help (none of the prescribed medicines helped her when she was younger). From late teens to early 20s,went down the list of topical treatments, topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, pill then topical retinoids. All improved to a certain extent but then rebounded. I stopped short of isotretinoin because I feared side effects.

In my mid 20s I bit the bullet and went for isotretinoin. My biggest regret is not doing it sooner. Although I have not had complete resolution, it got so much better. Since had ups and downs with hormonal changes through pregnancy but it mostly is not too awful

This stuff comes highly recommended - really sorted my skin.
47skin.com/blogs/blog-home/what-is-silver-chitoderm

Wow, you're skin is incredible!

A course of roaccutane was the only thing that changed my skin in my youth.

as an adult, I use a niacinamide serum, and a spf every day. Have a look at face theory. Great products at great prices, with ingredient strengths to rival the big cosmeceuticals

Skin+Me has sorted mine out - I had some topical treatments from the GP but they dried my skin out totally. My first few months treatment included clindamycin and I saw a noticeable inprovement very quickly, and they didn't return once clindamycin was removed. I am over a year in now and haven't had a single 'eruption' since I started and my skin overall is far, far clearer and smoother.
Good luck, I hope you find the right treatment for you.

Following for everyones advice I too suffer hormonal acne and at 30 it's not ending.

Go through an online pharmacy and fill in the consultation form. They can prescribe you antibiotics and Tretinoin or adapelane.

ensure you are exfoliating with an acid and encorporate salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide (wash is best) into your routine. Be cautious not to be too harsh and not use the products every day, or out your skin will become too sensitive

accumax is a supplement you can take.

Wow-Your skin is fabulous! Looking into dermatica now!! Seems quite similar to skin and me in terms of filling in a consultation form? Trying to decide between the two.

Anyone have any experience with The Ordinary? Seen a lot of people raving about it, seems very affordable- too good to be true?

@meanmrmustard

I actually did try the Ordinary before I signed up with Dermatica but the strength of their products were not enough and it didn't make any difference. Dermatica is prescription, signed off by a dermatologist

Oh, that’s good to know.

I also used The ordinary before trying out dermatica. I tried Paula's choice too as seen that had some good reviews. I just don't think it was strong enough for my skin. I did use skin +me last year but I didn't get amazing results. I think I've found my 'thing' and won't budge. Recommendations are great but I found it's trial and error until you find the one that works best for you.

Just ordered free trial of dermatica! Excited to try!

Roaccutane is the only thing that worked for me and coming off birth control entirely, anything hormonal was fighting with my skin and making it worse. I then read the 'Skin' book by Caroline Hirons and even though I think she's a bit of an idiot - the book is very helpful.

I cut out all carbs (was on under 50g carbs a day) and it totally transformed my skin. It happened within a few days, then I was non-stop glowing, honestly (I know it sounds suspect). I did feel rough on around day 3 (like flu) but apart from that I felt amazing all the time. I'm not low carb now, but don't gorge myself on bread, pasta etc and the acne has never come back. It's like my hormones were reset. I just wish I'd done it 25 years earlier.

Google the studies about taking the vitamin zinc and acne

I would be wary of Dianette - just make sure you read the side effects. Within 7 days I had angioedema and I have had it ever since. I had to fill out a report for the NHS - it is banned in many, many European countries.

Yep highly recommend dermatica. Like others say it does take months so the before and after photos are really useful. I am in my 40's and my skin is the best it has been I barely wear makeup now.
I use dermatica alternate nights as it is quite drying, this also means I only need to order every 2 months.

I love the ordinary but initially their products were not strong enough. Good luck.

Benzoyl peroxide alongside jojoba oil to counteract the dryness / make your skin glow. Only thing that worked for me. I used Acnecide cream and pure jojoba oil (lasts for ages, is non-comedogenic, fab stuff).

I had cystic acne for almost 10 years after ds was born. Got to the point where I didn't want to leave the house. Tried everything bar Roaccutane as I have a family history that made it a really bad idea.

Within days of using BP and jojoba oil, my skin was noticeably clearer. I am now another 10 years down the line, almost 50, and my skin is (frankly) bloody gorgeous, gets comments all the time!

@ThereWillBeSnacks

Do you mind sharing which oil you use please?