My Skin - Combination, congested and spotty - I need HELP!!!!

[Karbea]

Hello,

I really need some help :(

I'm 38 and I used to have lovely skin.

Now I have combination skin and my cheeks are red and spotty, congested, and on both cheeks I have what look like red boils, they come and go and never turn into spots they just hurt and look bad, this morning I can feel one growing just under my lip. I had a good look at my skin this morning and I can see blackheads (I never used to get black heads).

I was using a glycolic face wash by Marini, and I'd say my skin was worse (it was dry and scaly as well as the above. At Christmas I stayed at my mums and used some Clinique (the next morning there was a marked improvement) so i've continued with that, but as I say now I seem to be getting congested which I didn't used to be.

Can someone advise me on what to do with my skin, I have a big night out with my girlies next weekend and I want to look a bit better.

Oh and I use an Elemis moisturiser.

I'm willing to throw money at the problem if it'll improve...

Thank you

Don't throw money at the problem, go to the doctor and take medical advise.

I don't think it's bad enough to go to the doctors with.

The reason I suggested the doctor is that my DD (twenties), who usually has lovely skin, recently had a spate of skin problems similar to what you describe. She spent a small fortune on branded skin care and facials before going to her doctor who gave her a course of antibiotics which cleared her skin up very quickly.

Yeah another rec for docs too. I got anti biotics for my skin and its done the job. Just think what would you rather do spend a fortune on stuff that may or may not work or may work a little or go to the docs see what they can do. Just think of how much money you'll save. I get three months work of anti biotics with one prescription. Win!

I had adduct acne for years. Following the acne.org regime using a BP gel has cleared it up. It was recoemmended on here, an it really has worked for me. I have to continue to use the gel even when I have no spots to keep them at bay.

Also, I'm toying with the idea of buying a clarisonic, as highly recommended on here and make up alley. I'm dithering as it's so expensive but the reviews are so good I think I'll probably go for it.

I just ordered the Olay version of the clarisonic which also seems to have good reviews on makeup alley. Paid £33 will review when it arrives - should be tomorrow

This was me 5 years ago and im a bearuty thapist who tried everything! Doctors can help if your problem is acne roseaca as antibiotics really help, otherwise they are generally not that helpful (in my experience ). What I would recommend is ditching clinque and get yourself a back to basic routine with vitamin e cleanser (body shop or supdrug) and a pile of face cloths (google sali Hughes article on hot cloth cleansing). A mild facial oil to massage in at night vit e again is good and light SPF moisturiser daytime. Next up a course of microdermabrasion facials would really help, have one before the weekend!

Id recommend dr hauschka stuff, really gentle and worked for me. A bit pricey but you don't use much. It seems to regulate the oil production. I also had great results with proactiv when I was a teenager, it was a lot harsher though. May have been glycolic acid in it I'm not sure.

Liz Earle all the way, it's a bit faffy using the hot cloth but you soon get used to it. Try the the hot cloth cleanser, the skin tonic and the moisturiser for your skin type . I used to think the tonic did nothing but it does something as without my skin is not as bright.

And for reference I have very sensitive, dry skin and no breakouts despite the strong scents. Lots of lovely natural ingredients on there too

I?ve had terrible hormonal zits in my late thirties too :-( and after faffing with hot cloths etc I have found that this combination works for me Mama Mio Clean Slate cleanser www.mamamio.com/uk/clean-slate.html and the Mighty Moisture www.mamamio.com/uk/face/mighty-moisture.html it?s the only moisturiser that doesn?t bring me out in zits but still makes me feel plumped up if you know what I mean! ;)

I would also suggest the doctor but not necessarily to treat the symptoms, rather to consider your hormones. I'm the same age and had similar issues up to a year or so ago. I'm on the Pill and asked about changing it and I had exhausted my patience and bank account trying endless different products. I tried two different pills and the second one - Yasmin - did the trick. My skin is has never been better. Doc said she suspected I was peri-menopausal (normally starts about 10 years before menopause) and my hormones were causing the skin issues.

This was me a few months ago,bloody painful what seem to be like boils not spots,blackheads and angry red cheeks and nose.

So I went to the doctors who said it was rosacea and he gave me some metrozidanole antibiotic gel which I use daily before moisturiser and now my skin is 1000 times better and I feel happier that I don't have to go out with a bag over my head.If I stop using it for a few days it starts to come back and I am 44 btw.

I'm working on the assumption that you use either Elemis PCMC or SOS cream. Either is excellent. I would really recommend that you try the Elemis Tri-Enzyme range. QVC have a great offer on at the mo for the Facial wash (normally £22), Mask (normally £45) and night cream (normally £54) for £55 (if you inc the £5 pandp). And today it is on easy pay so you would only pay just over £17 to get it home if you didn't want to pay the full whack. It's the Tri Enzyme essentials collection.

I use to get the painful lumps, had blackheads for years and always suffered with scarring when the spots eventually went. Now my skin is PERFECT. Admittedly I use other Decleor and Elemis products too but its definately the skin wash and mask that have sorted the crazy skin conditions. You still need to use a good cleanser and tonor (the wash gets used after the cleanser as it isn't designed to remove make-up) and I would recommend Decleor's arromessence Neroli as that will help regulate your oil production but I would at the very least recommend you read the reviews on the qvc website - just stick the collection name in the search bar and it will come up.

it really is bad enough to go to the Dr with, believe me. Your skin sounds like mine. Red lumps that are painful, never erupt really and leave scars when they eventually go. I have a prescription face gell to use twice a day called Rosex. It really helps. Good luck

I use the Dermalogica gentle face wash, sometimes using a muslin cloth for a gentle exfoliation as well. I then use the Sanctuary toner. It's paraben-free, and contains salicylic acid and witch hazel which can be good for rosacea-prone skin.

I still get a faint hint of rosacea, but no spots. I'm really reluctant to resort to antibiotic gels.

Your skin may be reacting to many things - stress, the time of year, or the products that you use. I always think that less is more. Use as few products as you can get away with - cleanser and moisturiser may do. But use good quality products (expensive does not necessarily mean good). Use as natural a product as you can, avoiding unnecessary chemicals.