Teenage spots, what works?

[Hoojimiflip]

DS is 14 and has a real crop of spots on his forehead. I'm taking him to get his swoopy fringe trimmed as that can't be helping but this will partly reveal the previously hidden spots. Is there anything that you could recommend that might lessen the appearance overnight or am I asking for the moon please? He currently uses Clean and Clear daily wash.

I have found the Simple range works really well for DS. He uses the face mask once a week and the face wash twice a day. IME teen ranges are often too harsh & upset the natural balance of the skin.

Depending on how bad his spots are and how much its effecting his confidence, a trip to the GP for some antibiotic cream will do the trick!

I had one where I only needed to put a little bit on at night and it cleared everything up.

Thanks, I'll pop into Boots while the hair cut progresses and look for a Simface mask in the first instance :-)

Silly phone! Simple face mask :-)

Quinoderm cream (use the 2.5 strength at first) Use a very thin layer, or it doesnt work so well.
Over the counter at the chemists

Interesting, so proper, non-cosmetic spot cream available over the counter emme? Cheers, I'll have me some of that! I couldn't find a simple face mask, I picked up some wipes and wash from their blemish range. I looked on the internet for a homemade face mask recipe, they seemed to contain honey as a common ingredient. Do you think it's just the honey that's the active ingredient and the rest is a waste of good food? The first was oats, lemon juice and honey, the second was mashed banana and honey. Hmmm.

spotty DS2 is currently using THIS its cheap enough and really has made a difference. he has tried a few other washes but the spots come back so he always goes back to this.

Eccles I remember that! I had it once before and really enjoyed doing the face masks, I love a good mask . I'll definitely look out for that. DS has been using the wipes and wash I bought him, no noticeable difference just yet!

Calamine lotion overnight can calm them down a bit. Sometimes an antihistamine can stop a really swollen spot developing.

Witch Hazel also good.

Someone here recommended Elmis FreshSkin face wash in blue

Would he consider a low GI eating plan (not diet), it makes a huge difference in my experience. Also would recommend cleansing with a Clarisonic, they do a grey or white model that might suit your DS. La Roche Posay Effaclar range is great for spot prone skins but I do realise that one size doesn't fit all with skincare. Also a visit to your GP. They very best to you both.

Wow, thank you for all the advice, I'll save it and see how things play out

If the spots are a bit pussful (sorry) a good way of drawing them out, gently is to buy a carton of fullers earth, from health food places.
Mix a dessert spoonful with water to a smooth gunk.
Apply then leave to dry and wash away with warm water.
You can actually see the muck it has drawn out.

Eeeeww! That's sounds awful and amazing Emme! I'm heading into town now, I must admit to not having entered a health food shop as an adult , what sort of thing is fullers earth?

They don't make quinoderm in 2.5% only 5% and10%
Duac gel from the dr is a good one

the advice i've been given is to just use a bar of simple (as in the brand) soap, keep it in a travel soap tub to make sure it's not used by anyone else wash the face twice a day.

if you like a good mask hoojimaflip you will love THIS even DH said 'oh your face looks all clean' which believe me is a compliment that he even noticed my face

I have bought Quinoderm at 2.5.
(from experience)

Anyway, OP, a thin layer works best.
Fullers earth is like dust, its really absorbent and worth a try

DS found that Lush Black Angel scrub really cleared his skin up, buts its made of charcoal and quite messy

I bought some of the Boots (in a pale green tub) round cleansing pads for DS 14.
Not spotty but a few blackheads (though he's not very au fait with cleansing)

When I want to properly scrub him I apply Philosophy MicroDelivery Peel (a two stage scrubby paste then a Vit C liquid)

I know it's gentle and effective (if used right which is why I apply it on him ) .

Reporting back re the Simple wash and wipes, DS has been using them since Wednesday (when we also got the haircut) and his skin is looking much better . I'm really pleased with the result, far more pronounced and immediate than with anything I've ever tried before.

This is the stuff

I also recommend quinoderm. Worked wondersfor me when I was younger. Just be aware though that it bleaches everything, so once he's used it he will need to wash his hands thoroughly. Will be a good idea to give him a towel and a pillow case that you don't care about getting bleached.