Acne Agony

[CareerChange24]

I have really bad acne on my chin and often on my forehead and hairline. I know it’s only one area. But I love to not wear makeup, so if I don’t it’s so red angry and a mess. Wearing makeup I have to spend ages covering it up.

I’ve tried doxycycline and duac to no avail. Can someone recommend something please! My confidence is really low and I didn’t realise how something like this could knock you. The hard lumps I get are massive and I feel the scarring and redness may never go away.

Skin rocks? Skin and me? Medik8??

There is a much better type of retinol that you can use which derms tend to favour over tretinoin. Tazarotene generally works faster, is more potent, yet doesn't tend to cause as much irritation (you have to start with lower strength creams first, don't go straight to 0.1%) You can buy it fairly cheap from online pharmacies. Do read up on it.

I'm afraid there are no known better treatments than Roaccutane and retinols for moderate to severe acne. There are light therapies, but these are expensive. And apart from hormone pills like dianette and antibiotics like oxy (some of which are really strong with side-effects), that's your lot really. Most of the commercial treatments will involve retinols and salicylic acid, or just be a load of expensive woo-woo hocus pocus crap.

There are some nice foundations you can use that don't block pores, and some that even help to soothe skin: Dr.Jart+ Cicapair Tiger Grass Color Correcting Treatment or Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Liquid Makeup and Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation SPF20 these are all safe to use for people with acne or rosecea.

I would really recommend the La Roche Posy range, quite often on offer at Boots.

I’ve had really bad acne for a lot of my teen and adult life, managed to clear it up in 2022/2023 with a combo of the following. I’m not sure which of these contributed to my skin healing so will list them all:

• I use La Roche Posay effaclar duo - this stuff is like magic potion for my skin, I highly recommend it. It is the only thing I use after la Roche posay face wash
• cleaned up my diet, cut down sugar, increased veg
• drink 2l water a day
• Intermittent fasting (16/8)
• I had a 2 month course of Lymecycline (via online GP as my face to face were useless)

Strong recommend Dermatica personalised solution. It changed my skin and my life.

Dalacin t topical solution (antibiotic solution of prescription)
The combined pill dianette

My son was referred to a Dermatologist and put on Roaccutane. He had zero side affects (albeit it’s not the same for Eve one and we were advised accordingly), he was told once his skin was clear, the acne will likely never reappear. This has been absolutely correct and while we were there, got talking to another patient who was raving about Rouccutane and said to my son ‘you must try it and if it works you’ll never look back’. She was right. Try everything as acne is utterly demoralising. Good luck 🤞

I have suffered with painful acne on my chin all my life, even now at 33 and it’s horrible. I found that a 6 month course of lymecycline alongside Epiduo cream sorted mine out, and after the lymecycline the epiduo was enough to keep it at bay. I had a really bad breakout the other week (the spots lasted three weeks and were painful and unsightly, I didn’t want to leave the house) and so now I am back on the lymecycline. Definitely see the GP and ask if you can be referred to a dermatologist too. Good luck!

My daughter has had roaccutane twice. Once aged 15 and once aged 31. SE of dry skin were awful but the results were amazing. She was unfortunately one of the 5% of people who needed a second course 15 years on.

I feel your pain. I had adult acne and it was horrendous. I was so embarrassed by it and nothing helped - antibiotics, changing the pill, coming off the pill, creams, treatments, facials etc. my best advice would be go to your GP, ask to be referred to a dermatologist and get onto roaccutane. It changed my life, the side effects for me were minimal and I wasn’t on it for long however it changed my skin within 6 months. I can’t recommend it enough, I know some people experienced the side effects and some will be glad to tell you horror stories however if your skin is getting you down, do not waste your money on skin products or facials.

Before spending money on expensive creams etc, try taking zinc supplements. Honestly, of all the supplements I've taken (and that's a lot!) it's the only thing where I notice as soon as I stop taking it because I break out! It's completely cleared up my hormonal cystic acne. I recommend it to anyone who'll listen to me!

Also, just to add, I get zinc in my multi vitamin, but apparently this isn't enough and I need the extra.

Yeah, acne is a bit like the fire triangle (fuel / oxygen / heat), except the acne triangle is: bacteria / hormones / skin type. All 3 of these play a part in causing your acne, but one or two of them may be more of a main cause than the other.

So, for example, someone can have a filthy face covered in bacteria, but because their skin type is not prone to acne, they get no spots (all us acne sufferers know someone like this)!

You obviously have the skin type that does, but even though you treated the bacteria, you still got acne, so maybe it's the hormones or your sensitive skin that are your main problem? You may have a high androgen level, so Dianette may help. Or you may have an issue that's inflaming your skin, such as skin mites (don't be alarmed - everyone has them). Unfortunately there can be many causes that increase inflammation if you have very sensitive skin.

I feel your pain, I suffered for years with it, sometimes in tears before having to go to work feeling so self conscious or staying home to avoid being seen. The turning point for me was Lymecycline prescribed by the doctor, I’ve been taking them for 2 years (Doctor says it’s fine) and my skin is better than it has ever been, perfectly clear now! Good luck

I've had Roaccutane twice. Once when I was 14, and again when I was 28. As pp says, there were some side effects (no depression, just aches), but it was the only thing that really worked after years of prescription pills and creams.

The first time I took it, it rid me of my cystic acne (basically the worst acne you can imagine - I had kids telling me they wouldn't leave the house if they looked like me). The second time was to treat a massive flare-up after the birth of my second son.

Rather than asking your GP for advice, ask for a referral to dermatology, so you can see a doctor who specialises in that field.

Minocycline worked for me years ago and for my DD quite recently. My DS did a course of Roaccutane about 7 years ago. The main side effects were really dry lips and mucous membranes but his acne never came back.

Yes, La Roche and Eucerin ranges have products that are good for sensitive and acne prone skin. To be clear, they won't cure your acne, but they will support healthy skin and not irritate or block pores. I tend to use their oil control moisturisers and spf creams - they've never made me break out.

I sympathise OP.

I suffered horrible breakouts from the age of 15- 36. Every month - particularly my chin. If get really painful spots on my lip line, under my nose and they really made me feel self conscious.

Eventually, it suddenly stopped around age 36/37. I'll now get only the odd random chin spot, but it's not often now.

I know this probably isn't what you want to hear : but I think a lot of the treatments are futile. I really don't think it's anything to do with skincare/make up/diet - it's hormonal. Also if you have oily skin, you're far more prone to clogged pores and hence spots.

I've known people have success with roaccutaine: but the side effects I've heard are pretty brutal.

You put it much more eloquently than I did. For me it was hormones, I’ve never wanted to go on hormonal contraception so had acne until I was 29 and got pregnant. Now I have much clearer skin that has lasted beyond pregnancies and breastfeeding. Almost like a hormone reset. I used all the prescription medication. So many brands of skin care, peels, led light, going makeup free and it never worked for long.

Agreed, azelaic is wonderful to reduce redness and inflammation, I use it everyday. I'd recommend op uses 10% to begin with tho. The Ordinary has a good cream that I add to my daily moisturiser.

I asked my GP for Differin Gel and she prescribed it for my acne. Seems to work well but you need to start very slowly with it, it's a topical retonoid. Look it up on YouTube / tiktok. Prescription only but GP happy to prescribe.

Can't offer anything further than has already been said in terms of treating the acne but I find mineral foundation a god send.

It is very quick to apply, doesn't seem to aggrevate spots and takes away the redness really well (you get special green versions to colour correct but I'm so pale these didn't work for me).

Forgot it once on holiday and could only get a liquid one and it covered nothing in terms of redness.

Hi @CareerChange24 My DD did everything listed below too. She also went on the pill and used a blue LED light.
when cleaning up her diet she had an intense course of pro biotics.
Her’s cleared up by the time she was 16.

I don't suffer from acne per se but have outbreaks and allergies that cause really bad spots.

As someone else suggested try Finacea (Azelaic acid). Just be careful to follow the instructions and it does dry out the skin somewhat.

I also use FAB (first aid beauty) cream on my face, for me this has been the best cream ever. It has some natural antiseptic ingredients.

My skin has always been crap OP, tried duac and roaccutane over the years, both of which worked while I was on them but stopped as soon as I came off. Best thing I've found is osskia Renaissance facial cleanser every day, and duac every 3 days or so - my daughter calls it skin cycling. Good luck x