So when do you stop getting spots, then?

[ThePopsicleKat]

I've had the usual moderate skin problems during my teens. However, I thought it had gotten better with age - until I stopped the pill just over 3 months ago. Now my skin is worse than ever; as soon as one unsightly spot fades, it seems another 3 pop up elsewhere .

When will this go away? Or should I just go back on the pill to try and salvage the situation? (I'm 21, if it's relevant).

I have none at the mo but am BFing. Feel a bit worried by Vizzini's post...

I used to have a lot, not acne as such but quite spotty. I found that making sure I washed my face VERY thoroughly at night made all the difference. I used to sleep in my make up in my early 20s .

Not suggesting for a minute that you aren't already super clean OP.

I've had skin problems for years and pretty much solved it by using benzyl peroxide 2.5% plus lots of (cheapish) moisturiser once a day (start off with a good face wash). If you have bad acne you might need it mornings and evenings until it clears up. I got the recommendation on here last year - I think the website is acne.org. Ignore the annoying guy in the videos who seems to have unlimited time for face care - it only actually takes two minutes to rub the stuff in. Occasionally I get a spot nevertheless and just zap it overnight with a big dollop of creme. I can actually go out now without make up for the first time since my pre-teens.

I actually second the diary product thing. I posted on here last week about a link between milk and acne. I have been doing some research and it seems that cows milk has lots of hormones in it.

I have been off diary completely for a week and I have no new spots yet. I am quietly cautious and would be shocked if this simple thing had caused me years of misery. All my spots are on my chin (hormone related) and I usually have one or two (worse when I am on my period). The fact that my acne seems to be hormone centred made me make the link between the dairy and the acne - time will tell.

Tenebrist where do you get the benzyl peroxide from?

Perhaps your hormones need more time to regulate after coming off of hormonal contraception? I speak from my own experience.

GP is best to speak to, but if not a chemist may be able to suggest something for you to try.

For what it's worth, I find drinking lots of water really does make a difference to my skin, I still get the odd one or two, and I'm 27.

Hi. I heartily concur with Tenebrist - that website has cured my problem skin too! Although can I add that one of the main points made on the site is that you must be very very gentle with your skin at every stage of the routine. Absolutely no picking, rubbing, scrubbing, exfoliating. No using a flannel. At all. Wash with a gentle facewash, gliding the lather it over your skin so that you are hardly touching it. Rinse. Pat gently with a towel, then leave to air-dry.

I genuinely think that the gentle approach, and using basic unperfumed products has made more difference to the general condition of my skin than the benzoyl peroxide. It does sort out the spotty areas very quickly though. You can get it over the counter at Boots. Cheap as chips too!

Ooh lots of things to try, brilliant. Thank you all. Not washing make-up off before bed is a very bad habit of mine. In fact I will go and wash my face now.

Aah, that's better. I might check out benzoyl peroxide. I also haven't had a period since coming off the pill, so it sort of feelings like I am in a perpetual stage of oily-skinned PMT.

If you need to get every scrap of make up and dirt off, then seriously, try the Decleor toner for oily skin. I cannot believe how much crap comes off my skin even when I have washed and dried it. And the Ylang Ylang oil really helps - I stopped using it for a couple of days and my skin has broken out again :(

32 and still get them, although nowhere near as bad as I used to. They go beautifully with my grey streaks. The one saving grace is that I don't have any wrinkles.

See, I am and always have been scrupulous about my skin and cleansing/moisturising. I haven't ever slept in my make up and I drink loads of water / eat healthy foods (no cheese!) and have regular facials. Never had spots until about a year ago / age 40. No change to routine - I use Elemis and have done for years. It's not acne as such, more continual 3 or 4 spots on my lower jawline / neck. Nowhere else.

Hate them.

Ifancyashandy - that was where I had them too. My routine (see above) has honestly completely got rid of them.

I have pcos and I found I can have lovely skin if I drink 2lts of water a day, only have one cup of tea or coffee, avoid very sugary foods and use liz earle skincare, and avoid alcohol.

I had a fruit cake (yes all of it) and now I have 3 big spots.

My milk allergy showed up as madly itchy rashes on my arm but non-itchy pustules on my face. Oh that was FUN. If only I had known the anit-histamine tablets had milk sugar in them.