You can't do anything to help prevent spots, can you?

[ImASecretTwigletNibbler]

DD is getting really obsessed about spots and worrying that she's going to get them. I said to her that all you can do is eat healthily, drink lots of water and keep your face clean and the rest of it is just down to luck. But is that correct?! That's what I've always thought but it suddenly ocurred to me that I really know nothing about it!

Does washing make any difference? Obviously they shouldn't use soap but should they use a mild cleanser or is plain water better?

And if drugs and alcohol caused acne, Kate Moss wouldn't have been quite so successful

Craggy- of course what you say is true I just thought OP could use the opportunity to put her DD off unhealthy ways in her teens

My 12 year old daughter was getting some nasty breakouts.
I bought several different washes etc for her to try, cheaper and expensive , but found that the 'anti-blemish' type ones were too harsh (made her skin dry, red & itchy)
Gave clinique mild soap bar a try (not the one for blemished skin - though that may be ok,we didn't try that one) and her skin has really improved - she uses it morning & night . She still gets a few pimples ,but nothing like before .
It's not cheap,but lasts for ages - current soap been in use 3 months+ and still loads left.

Craggyhollow - (sorry everyone, I know this is going off topic a bit because it is meant to be about prevention but I know how big a problem acne is). I read the list of food your daughter had for breakfast so just a suggestion - my daughter has had acne for years - if she eats peanuts they get much worse all around the outer face and in front of ears and under chin. She also has to stay off dairy products because it makes everything worse plus eczema (some dermatologists say the reason is that there hare a whole lot of hormones in the milk that disrupt your own system - hormones are not killed off by pasteurizing). Also too many fruit make it worse. She eats not refined products - and generally organic food (fluoride in pesticides esp. on some fruit is linked to cystic acne). This helps the worst flare ups - but after seing several very expensive dermatologists: there is no more she can do by washing (she is already over cleaning), we have sometimes resorted to the antibiotic cream. There are other stronger methods but a dermatologist would have to prescribe them. Please everyone, no one wants acne - most will be frantically cleaning their faces and maybe doing more damage because of this misconception that acne is due to bad hygiene.

Hello, Twigs. I opened this thread not knowing it was you.

Plenty of good advice here about diet and hygiene. I wonder too whether it is worth trying to tackle the anxiety at source. It is sad to think that your dd is "really obsessed" about something that hasn't yet happened and might never happen. Were you a spotty teen? Was your husband? Of course genes aren't everything and there is an element of luck, but if neither of you were spotty it might give dd some reassurance to know that her genetic inheritance might be working in her favour.

My brothers are on-off addicts and they have had terrible skin when using but ok when off; some drugs suppress the immune system so they can increase the risk of acne hugely.

You definitely can- I've recently been on antibiotics and a topical retinoid: Lymecycline and Isotrex and having given up all hope of getting rid of spots-Ive finally beat them :-) I also used a variety of skincare products (see my blog: daisydabbles.blogspot.co.uk/ )but I would really recommend visiting the GP xxx

The lining of the gut, the brain and skin are all part of the same system-
Having a healthy gut has improved my acne no end. I take probiotics, and eat unsweetened natural Greek yoghurt.
Eating sugary stuff just feeds the bad bacteria, and yeasts, so go easy on sugars, including fruit.
Try googling an alkaline diet also- my skin was fabulous on this regimen.

I had cystic acne and bacne, that's acne on my back, for my whole teens and it improved when I stopped eating beef and dairy- the hormones in beef and dairy were disrupting my own, and started eating natural yoghurt.

Also fwiw, my acne cleared to the occasional spot when I went on the pill.
I also found it was better when I started taking soya lecithin for mastitis - (it emulsified the fats), and kept them from blocking my pores.

Now I notice I've got some spots again as Ive come off hormonal contraception (because of my age) so have started taking high strength probiotics again and it seems to be working.