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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

My skin is ruining my life and I’m only 27

54 replies

pipsqueak7 · 06/12/2023 22:34

Sorry for gross pictures.

It’s been the same for years. I have tried absolutely everything. I’ve stuck to strict skincare routines, but it hasn’t helped. I’ve recently had a round of 3 chemical peels, extractions and LED light therapy but it’s made zero difference. I was then recommended to have microneedling but can’t afford £350 for 3 sessions right now, and I’ve heard it’s not effective anyway.

I always see people upset about one spot or one red patch on their face and I feel awful. I look like a pizza, I have redness and holes and sagging skin and bobbles ALL over my chin. It’s got to the point I’m avoiding taking pictures now because you can see craters in my face and sagging skin like I’m old.

I feel like giving up. What can I do 🙁

My skin is ruining my life and I’m only 27
My skin is ruining my life and I’m only 27
OP posts:
Motnight · 07/12/2023 06:42

Mumtobabyhavoc · 07/12/2023 04:17

You need a dermatologist. Don't waste any more money on these treatments and store bought products.

Edited

I would agree with this, Op.

My DD has waited 6 months for a GP referral to a dermatologist, but she did get the referral itself very easily. Good luck.

Original poster
pipsqueak7 · 07/12/2023 06:45

What’s weird is it’s not acne though? The first picture look like red spots but actually they’re all red marks/deep scars :( I have one or two actual spots on my chin but that’s it

OP posts:
Notsure94 · 07/12/2023 06:52

If it's any comfort I had similar acne and scarring well into my twenties but at 49 now you wouldn't know, my skin isn't like peach fuzz by any means but it did get better over time. I know it doesn't help much now! Definitely pursue professional advice and don't just buy off the shelf stuff however rave the reviews. I really do sympathise though I know how miserable and painful it is to have damaged skin.

uwaga · 07/12/2023 07:31

My skin is very similar and like you I have tried everything. I have recently seen a dermatologist who diagnosed perioral dermatitis. I'm treating it as fungal first (oral itraconazole and over the counter antifungal cream) and then a course of doxycycline to reduce inflammation.. My skin is still far from normal but it is slowly improving. Other useful treatments for me have been sulphur masks and avene cicalfate zinc cream. There's a Facebook group for perioral dermatitis which has lots of useful info. Good luck!

orangeblosssom · 07/12/2023 07:42

See a GP.

Epiduo would be helpful for you and possibly Lymecycline.

Noghtsaving · 07/12/2023 07:49

Another vote for asking GP about a contraceptive pill which will help.

minisoksmakehardwork · 07/12/2023 07:57

Dermatologist AND allergist. It has taken me until the age of 42 to realise I am probably dairy intolerant. After a week where I had endless cups of tea, my eczema was awful, especially on my face. Red raw, spotty and bleeding. A light went on as I've never drink this much tea but until earlier this year I ate cheese like it was going out of fashion and had constant issues with my skin.

Cutting back on dairy helped within days.

I'm now requesting an appointment with an allergist for testing to confirm.

Lessboozy · 07/12/2023 09:10

Lessboozy · 07/12/2023 05:34

Good skin starts with the gut.

I had terrible skin with horrible acne until I improved my diet and minimised stress. What cleared my skin was:
Cutting sugar out - including alcohol. I rarely drink alcohol now.

Eating a plant-based diet with lots of good fats (nuts, avocado, very little dairy, no meat but I do eat oily fish).
Drinking plenty of water and herbal tea.
Exercise including daily yoga which helps manage stress.
Taking vitamins - a good multivitamin plus collagen and fish oil.

In terms of skincare, all I use is a potent high vitamin C /niacinamide/ferulic acid serum twice a day . Moisturiser blocks my pores.

Use a cleanser like Cerave twice a day and let your face dry naturally - towels harbour bacteria. I clean my teeth while my face dries, then put serum on and SPF if I'm going out.

Edited

I forgot to add another important step - include probiotics and read the book Hormone Intelligence by Aviva Romm

GalileoHumpkins · 07/12/2023 09:29

You need to see your GP, people can tell you all day what helped with their skin but it might do nothing for you. You need to get to the root cause.

Fraaahnces · 07/12/2023 09:33

Please don’t use micro needling on inflamed skin that is prone to pitted scars without medical advice. I worry it would make things worse. I agree with the advice to request a referral from your GP to see a dermatologist. In the meantime, use gentle, non-inflammatory products and sunscreen every day.

CarolHath · 07/12/2023 09:37

Another vote for cutting out dairy and eating a more whole food plant based diet. I haven't had one spot since I changed my diet. Skin is a reflection of your gut health

LemonLight · 07/12/2023 09:44

I really feel for you, I had the worst cystic acne in my late 20s and it made me so depressed. Only after spending a bit more money, changing my skin routine and finding what worked for me did it clear up completely. My skin is actually really nice now and the scars aren't noticeable I rarely wear foundation and only put concealer around my eyes. I get the odd spot on e every few months but it's usually tiny any goes away overnight. I use a lot of skin cleansers too, I'd really recommend the ordinary aha bha face peel, it looks like a pot of blood but it's did wonders on my skin as part of a larger routine.

cherryscola · 07/12/2023 10:13

B5 supplement and cod liver oil has changed my skin. I had terrible spots and scars.

I also have very sensitive skin and stripping back my routine has really helped.

I use a gentle cleanser and an emollient on my face to keep it moisturized.

Having said this, please go to the GP. You're not wasting their time - be honest about how much it's getting you down.

Waitingfordoggo · 07/12/2023 10:23

From the photos it looks as though the problem is acne (and consequently, acne scarring). I had acne from age 20-40. I eventually saw a dermatologist and was prescribed Spironolactone which worked wonders for me. As PP said, it is not actually designed as an acne treatment but can be prescribed for this purpose (and for me was incredibly effective). I believe it lowers testosterone. Not all acne is caused by excess testosterone, but mine almost certainly was. The dermatologist offered me Roaccutane in the first instance but I was unwilling to take it due to a history of mental illness and possible risks with that. I took the Spiro for a period of maybe 8-10 months and it cleared my skin up completely- not only the acne around my chin/mouth but also the huge cystic spots on my upper back which were painful and unpleasant.

I am in perimenopause now and no longer need the medication as my changing hormone balance has meant the acne has gone. I use tretinoin now which softens fine lines but also can help improve the appearance of acne scarring. I had a few pock marks. think that’s what they’re called- basically tiny holes where a particularly nasty pustule had been. A lot of my acne spots were recurring so I’d get one repeatedly in the same place and those left scars. Tretinoin has made a big difference to the scarring.

Definitely see a dermatologist- push for a referral or if at all possible, pay privately to see one.

PippyLongTits · 07/12/2023 10:44

No idea if it works or not, but I've heard things about using head and shoulders dandruff shampoo on your face to combat certain types of acne. Maybe have a Google and see if that might work for you?

FartSock5000 · 07/12/2023 11:17

@pipsqueak7 honestly, stop trying to fix this yourself and go see a dermatologist or two.

Get professional advise and go from there. You could be making it worse by self treating.

ladyofshertonabbas · 07/12/2023 11:20

I hope you find get to see a dermatologist. have you asked for an NHS referral, as this is impacting your happiness?

The Ordinary do loads of products and aren't too expensive. It's worth getting advice on some of them.

LyndaLaHughes · 07/12/2023 22:14

I would strongly advise you to look into Zoe Bee products. They are an absolute game changer. There are so many before and after photos of people at their wits end who have tried everything for whom the products have made a massive difference. I will never use another skincare product again as the difference I've found is unbelievable and considering the products are all natural too- they really are amazing.

Ndd135632 · 07/12/2023 22:48

Anything you can buy over the counter won’t really do anything. You need prescription medication such as tretinoin that you can either see a dermatologist for at great expense or get it online at Skin and Me, Dermatica or the new brand from Skin and Me - And Begin.

Itsjeremycorbynsfault · 07/12/2023 22:53

I had significant issues my skin when I was younger and the GP referred me to a dermatologist who prescribed roaccutane . It was the only thing that worked and I tried every antibiotic, herbal remedy, cream etc going

As others have suggested request a referral to dermatology as they are the experts

Lysianthus · 07/12/2023 23:08

Try eliminating dairy and keep a diary. As in, monitor any differences. And a dermatologist would be better than chemical peels and interventions which actually could make things worse. Good luck OP

marmaladeandpeanutbutter · 07/12/2023 23:17

I think dermatology too, rather than random recommendations.

stayathomer · 07/12/2023 23:23

I’m so sorry to add to the list above and I agree a skin specialist and look at water and diet could be key, but just if it helps at all I have roseacea and had skin that I could have clawed off me if felt so uncomfortable, now I use Cetaphil gentle skin cleanser, avene skin recovery cream, and Roche posay spf, drink more water, have cut down (not out as I couldn’t!) on sugar and I feel human again. Just to put it here although you’ve other great advice above. Huge hugs op it’s so hard x

MakeupTable · 07/12/2023 23:31

Go to GP, 3 months of Lymecycline antibiotics and Soolantra Cream.

Only thing that worked for me.

ADHDGURL · 07/12/2023 23:51

This may not be suitable for everyone..I had adult acne while undergoing massive life changes ( divorce/ unwell young child) my skin was similar to your pics.. not a single cm on my face without a scar/ new spot.
I tried everything.. then I tried a series of colonic irrigation

After the 1st session, no new spots.. After 3 almost 70% clear skin.
The scarring took longer to heal, I used a serum by Zelens don't know if still available.
My conclusion was the skin was reacting to internal inflammation, as soon as this was addressed the proof of no new spots almost immediately made me carry on with the treatments.
As I said..its not for everyone, I was 31 at the time, it may be worth considering before treatment on the outside to treat what I believe was the cause of my acne.
Best of luck OP. 👍