Blackheads...hate them! Hate them! Hate them!

[JessaJam]

FFS I'm not 13 any more, haven't been for a while...I can cope with getting a spot or two every so often...but can someone tell me how to get rid of these blighters?

remember those wee silver things with the hole in them like a needle and you pressed the blackhead out? The satisfaction of seeing it come out!!! Would always leave a hole though....

and to stop the feckers coming back...? (please don't tell me to wash! I DO do that!!)

no advice I'm afraid, I'm 37 and still have the blighters, presume I will til I die! Have been to doctors, skin clinics etc etc. Also have spots, yipee!!

When i was at the skin clinic, did feel quite ashamed when I saw the photos on the wall of other people who had visited. Mega acne. Felt embarassed I'd come with my 2 spots.

I'm sure over the years I've tried every bit of advice going re spots and acne, and nothing has worked. I reckson it's genetic (poor ds1 and ds2)

No magic cures here I'm afraid, despite spending an awful lot on supposedly excellent potions.
Neck and neck for best performace are Bliss Steep Clean something or other (this one ) and the Clearasil Cream Wash in the squeezy tube.
Fallen by the wayside include the Bliss clog-dissolving wash, anything with teatree oil, L'Oreal home microdermabrasion kit, Nivea Oil-Free Scrub, all toners, the whole Clinique system (except Total Turnaround renewer which isn't bad but is far too expensive), Bioré pore strips.

Read an article in the Sunday Times about Britain's best facialists, and the vast majority say they place a big emphasis on 'extractions' ie squeezing he little buggers. And if a renowned facialist can't find a product that dissolves them, what chance have we?
The ol' steamy shower followed by gentle squeeze, then splash with cold water to close pores seems to be the only option...

My mum had 'bad' skin too. I thought it was at least in part down to her crap diet, smoking and stress (she was a bit of state really) but maybe not...
I had hoped I might get a little time between spots and grey hairs but nope, I have both! Grrrrr!

You could try using cider vinegar as a toner wherever you get them, and steaming your face once a week. It really works.

I was going to write this as a tip in the Health section, but don't want to sound like a rep for the company so got all shy and didn't bother.
But anyway here goes - PanOxyl, it's the best!! I have had awful skin since the age of 14, not full blown acne but a combination of black heads and gross white headed squeezable ones (sorry, tmi barf)
PanOxyl seems to be the generic brand, it's really cheap £3.49 for a tube that lasts ages and has totally changed my skin.
It is harsh though, it seems to work by totally drying out your skin which in the first couple of weeks can lead to some horrid flaking but stick with it and its ace.
Its the same stuff thats in Oxyten but a fraction of the price and seems more effective.
OK, said my piece, must make coffee
M

PanOxyl you say? Can you get it in supermarkets? My DS aged 15 has just started with terrible spots on his forehead which he covers with his hair, which seems to make them even worse.

Vichy Normaderm is a really good cleanser too, it sorted out my skin. If you ask in a Lloyds pharmacy they will give you a trial pack of the cleanser toner and moisturiser, which lasted me a weeek, so you can see if it suits your skin.
It has a lovely melon/cucumbery smell too.

themoon66 - yep, PanOxyl but I had to ask the pharmasist for it. It comes in different strengths, PanOxyl 5, 10 or 15 depending on the percentage of active ingredient (whatever that is) I bought the PanOxyl10 and as I said, it did make my skin flake for a couple of weeks but after that it has settled down and I only have a couple of tiny spots as opposed to the massive underskin boils I had under/on my jaw line and on my forehead.
I do have to keep using it though, I got all complacent and stopped for a fortnight and the greasy skin came straight back. Inherited from my mum, thanks a lot!

Will attempt to buy some for DS in Morrisons pharmacy when I do my big shop this evening... thank you

my fear would be that when I use an astringent cleanser, it tackles the grease, fine, but makes my skin initially dry and tight, and to compensate, my skin works EXTRA hard to moisturise itself by producing more grease!!!!!

Am with you scotchick - hence my preference for the Clearasil creamy one, which somewhow moisturises with gylcerine or summat to keep it all soft but not oily.

I do use Oxy-type stuff on big spots (as opposed to all over face) though - it's even cheaper if you just ask for unbranded 10% Benzoyl Peroxide cream. Bleaches anything that's grey or plae blue though, so watch your bedlinen & towels.

excuse my ignorance, but do I get that in eg Asda?

MrsBadger, good point. I ruined my brand new blue towels this way. DP was not amused!

to clarify (ha!) I do just rub it into the spotty bits of my face, delicate skin like around the eyes I am very careful to avoid

Yes you can buy it in supermarkets, it seems an odd thing as it will be amongst the oils, vinegars etc, but saying that I use olive oil as body moisturiser and always have and thats classed as a 'food'.
If you do buy it in a supermarket then dilute it half half as it's quite strong, otherwise you can buy a milder version in Holland and Barrett etc.