To think that at nearly 35 I shouldn't be riddled with acne...

[MumTeacherofMany]

Just that really. I turn 35 next month and currently have a crater chin and old acne scarring and little white heads popping up constantly. I have a fairly good skincare routine and making a conscious effort to drink more water. I do wear makeup daily because without... well it gors without saying. I use micellar water each evening and cleanse. Please what am I missing?! I know first world problems and that but it is REALLY getting me down, I feel like hiding away.

I was treated for acne for 30 years, always thought it was hormonal acne as it was the chin area. Roaccutane courses and antibiotics never got it cleared up and I just ended up tolerating it.
I wanted to use Dermatica for retinol and they responded that I needed the rosacea treatment, few months down the line and my skin was the best it had ever been. I am still using it now 2 years on as I never want to go back to what it was.

Go to the GP.
They will most likely to start you on a course of antibiotics.
A brief dose of steroids (controversial treatment so rarely prescribed apparently) and a longer course of low dose antibiotics cleared my skin up.

No topical cream can fix it after a certain level of severity

Get some clearasil pads to use after the miscellae water and you see a lot more dirt and make up residue come off!

Use benzoyl peroxide and pat it on and when absorbed, follow with moisturiser.

Exfoliate every few days.

The only thing that helped my acne was going on birth control (the birth control was to try to control very heavy bleeding during periods). It didn't help the bleeding much but it almost completely cleared my acne! My teenage daughter tried every over the counter acne med and currently topical clindamycin (an antibiotic) and trentoin (Retin A) are keeping hers under control (not gone completely but much better).

The only thing that helped my acne was going on birth control

Me too. It also completely cleared up when I was pregnant and then after the menopause. Totally hormonal in my case - PCOS. All the skincare in the world wouldn't solve it.

Don’t be embarrassed to see a dermatologist OP - that is literally their job!
Please ask your GP for a referral to dermatology - they will definitely be able to help you.
FYI - only dermatologists can prescribe roaccutane, not the GP.
Like others have said, roaccutane is a potent medication but extremely effective. As long as you take it as directed and know the possible side effects (nose bleeds, very dry cracked lips, etc) then you will be ok. They monitor you very well and you may only need to be on it for a few months anyway.

So many helpful responses thankyou!
I have tried Tropic stuff, didn't see any improvement. I currently use Body Shop & The Ordinary stuff. I don't over eat dairy but do enjoy cheese & milk, not in masses amounts though. My friend was on Roaccutane for 3 months and the side effects were awful, so I'd rather avoid. I am on the Yasmin contraceptive pill which I'd meant to help acne. It seems La Roche Posay is the way to go

What’s your diet like? Drinking water isn’t enough if you eat lots of sugar/processed food/dairy/drink alcohol.

I had hormonal acne around my jawline- my skin is perfect now, I stopped using harsh cleansers and switched to gentle ones with minimal ingredients, I use Tretinoin from Dermatica but the thing that has made the biggest difference is glycolic acid, it gets rid of any spots that are coming overnight. It does make my skin peel so I only use it once a week but it’s the best thing I ever used.

I’ve had dreadful skin for years but have recently given up sugar, processed foods and upped my water consumption. Three weeks in an I’ve not had a single new spot for a good 10 days. Haven’t changed my skincare routine at all so it must be diet related.

Try Skin47...its taken a while, but the serum has sorted some stubborn acne on my chin so might be worth a look. Def see GP - that's what they are there for.

DH and nephew were prescribed Roaccutane through their GP and it worked brilliantly. Nephew had no side effects at all. GP may also prescribe a topical antibiotic. As a teen DS was prescribed milder medication than Roaccutane but I cannot remember what it was now and Epiduo which had peroxide in it (I think). Sulphur soap seems to help plus a serum or toner containing salicylic acid then a mild oil-free moisturiser. If you can face it (pun not intended) a pharmacist could advise you of effective products too.

The only thing that ever made my skin better was the pill. It also improves my mood. I just don't suit my natural hormones!

I had a similar issue and I didn't want drugs and chemicals that had potentially serious side effects. I gave up dairy (all fresh dairy at first and then just cow dairy. Cooked dairy like in cakes was okay). The doctor was insistent that it would have no effect but my skin cleared up really quickly and i haven't had an issue since. I now have cow dairy occasionally but not a lot. If I overdo it, I sometimes get a very small breakout.

This thread is a great example.of why you should definitely see your GP as a starting point, as no one solution works for everyone 😃

Having said that, I agree that micellar water is unlikely to be taking off all traces of your makeup and getting rid of dirt and bacteria, so a double cleanse, or using something that you remove with a flannel, might be worth a try.

Also I think LRP Effaclar Duo is generally so universally liked on these threads that I always think it's worth a try! (I love it, personally.)

I was convinced for years that my (mild to moderate) acne was hormonal as Dianette seemed to improve it and the pregnancy cleared it completely (for the duration) BUT having said that, I now don't eat dairy and that seems to have made a BIG difference, so it may not just be one single factor.

Another one for gp then dermatologist - no one cause of acne, various things set mine off. It’s confidence sapping and yucky isn’t it…worth investing the time on the waiting lists, I’ve had issues on and off for 20 years now, so a year on a waiting list will still be worth it.

I had cystic acne for years until I'd had enough and went to a private dermatologist aged 40. (Normal GP spent years giving me useless creams that did nothing and kept avoiding anything systemic). Dermatologist prescribed Lymecycline antibiotics for 3 months, with Epiduo cream and La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo. It worked wonders. Don't get me wrong 3 years later I still get the odd spot but it's nothing like it was before. I will use the Epiduo once a week and also the Effaclar Duo. My skin looks the best it ever has. I'm kinda sad though that it took me so long to get it sorted. I wish I'd have pushed more with the GP when younger to get it sorted.

Agree with pp's saying roaccutane. Literally life changing.

Go to gp. Ask to be referred. Do what they suggest in the meantime but wait list could be long.

I was 30ish when I had it. No idea why I couldn't have had it in my teens. Skin is fantastic at age 51. I'm astonished really about the impact it made x

Mine was worse than being a teenager!
Not dependent on diet at all
All hormone related. Had lots of small fibroids taken out and it fixed it

Not everyone suffers horrible side effects on Roaccutane - my brother didn't.

Might as well try it. If you hate it, you can come off it and you're no worse off than before.

If it works, however, it's life changing. My brother wishes he had taken it years ago.

You need Roaccutane see your GP to get referred etc

I had cystic acne for years. Huge painful boils and spot prone skin.
I tried so many different skin care products that cost a fortune.
I was so desperate and had no money for a private dermatologist appointment and searched on here and used a recommendation of products in my price range. I stated using Boots tea tree & witch hazel foaming face wash and toner. Along with Acnecide face 5% gel to help with acne and I added Nutrogena clear & defend moisturiser.

My face has been pretty clear ever since, hormonal flare ups here and there but so much better.

Hope you find something that works x

xxx

Cerave has really helped me. It is on the lower end price wise, I have been using their cleanser and moisturiser and that has really reduced the amount of actual spots I get. I have just started their retinol serum and am hoping that will get rid of my blackheads and whiteheads.

Honestly, get a course of Roaccutane. Yes, it's brutal, but nothing you put on your skin will clear acne. I took a 6 month course in my mid 30's. I'm now mid 40's and I've never looked back.

I have rosacea and I get spots ( I'm in my 50's!!) and the only things that worked for me are Azelaic acid ( in cream form) and a liquid exfoliant, both from Paula's Choice. Can't recommend them enough. The only things that helped me, after years of red, spotty skin. Also check out Caroline Hirons for excellent skin advice.