How do you get spot free skin?

[browniebear]

I've tried wipes, baby lotion and cotton wool, dove soap, all different cleansers over the years to remove make up and I'm still spotty!

Not sure what to try next. Clearasil, Freederm, clean and clear. I've had them all and can't seem to shift them. Especially round the chin and mouth area.

Anyone got a miracle suggestion?

Obagi?
Cheaper copy mix 0.1% tretinoin with 4% hydroquinone before bed, must wear high sun protection product

Benzoyl peroxide. It's really good but don't use more than once a day and make sure to use moisturiser.

I tried the acne.org regime first, on the grounds that it was gentlest, easiest and (among the) cheapest of many options - I figured I could escalate in one direction or another if it didn't work.

It's brilliant! The basic gist is that you cleanse v gently, apply benzoyl peroxide, then use a good moisturiser. I've been amazed with the results. I use Dermalogica UC cleanser and skin smoothing cream. It feels really emotionally nice to be treating my skin gently, too - I tried dermaflannel before, plus I've done a lot of compulsive horrible spot-squeezing - so it's a wonderful change.

The stuff about diet pisses me off tbh - I eat mostly healthily anyway, but normal people get to eat chocolate without suffering the wrath of 7 new spots, so I was keen to look for a topical solution first!

I tried the acne.org regime first, on the grounds that it was gentlest, easiest and (among the) cheapest of many options - I figured I could escalate in one direction or another if it didn't work.

It's brilliant! The basic gist is that you cleanse v gently, apply benzoyl peroxide, then use a good moisturiser. I've been amazed with the results. I use Dermalogica UC cleanser and skin smoothing cream. It feels really emotionally nice to be treating my skin gently, too - I tried dermaflannel before, plus I've done a lot of compulsive horrible spot-squeezing - so it's a wonderful change.

The stuff about diet pisses me off tbh - I eat mostly healthily anyway, but normal people get to eat chocolate without suffering the wrath of 7 new spots, so I was keen to look for a topical solution first!

Oops, sorry for double post.

I agree with Geordie - microderm and peels are amazing. I rarely ever have spots since I started having them at 26.

Look for products with salacylic acid in (or other ahas)

I use quite a few things from Bravura (online very good value)

Start using facial peels once a week, they are amazing. I'm using 20% salacylic acid now (you have to build up to this otherwise it will burn) I used benzoyl peroxide for about 4 years before this and wish I'd stopped sooner. It's very drying and I think it agedy skin.

I also agree on the diet advice. I had a chocolate binge 2 weeks ago a I had dreadful skin last week, the peels have sorted most of it out now.

I have acne rosacea. I recommend vitamins, diet, water, Lotte caffeine and low sugar, and then weekends loads of money and get a little frustrated until you find the right blender and moisturise for you. My friends day I don't look like I hasn't acne rosacea anymore, but its a virus that never dies, I'm just managing it well. Good luck, spots are a pain in the ass.

Loads of money generally helps with everything.

I'd just like to second the warning about Dianette and a link with depression. I took that pill for three or four years and suffered serious depression. At no point did I realise that the pill had any link. It was only when I stopped taking it for other reasons that I realised what it had been doing.

I too get down about the link with diet as I eat very healthy, nuts, avocados, drink water, fruit, veg etc and still have crap skin! I do agree that if I eat crap, my pallor does suffer and you can Definately tell, so I try to avoid alcohol, caffeine and sugar.
I can get very down about my skin and sad to say I think about it every day and feel self conscious when talking to people. I don't even like my dh or family seeing me without makeup.

I think I'll improve my diet and try a face peel. Already suffer with depression and don't want to take the pill. Is it expensive to go straight to a dermatologist or do you get referred via GP? Thank you for all the advice

This is brilliant
www.facingacne.com/home-acne-remedies-zineryt-works/

I also used to get chin/around mouth/jawline type spots - including cysts from time to time.

I have never had better skin since being (almost) dairy free and using a lotion with salicylic acid and glycolic acid at night (one of the Jan Marini ones). I'm too scared to get a proper acid peel as my skin is quite sensitive but this stuff works really well anyway. Have not had a cyst since starting this combo and only a pimple every now and again. I also try to stay really hydrated as I think when I get dehydrated my skin not only looks haggard but seems to break out (eg after flights, 5 cups of coffee in a day etc)

The pill helped me but messed with my mood terribly (I've tried pretty much all of them too). I'd be careful with benzoyl peroxide, it is really supposed to be ageing - and I found it really really irritating, wanted to itch my skin off.

I'd also pay attention to products that may break your skin out - I can't use many MAC products for instance as they are AWFUL for my skin. I get pimples almost immediately. Most mineral makeup gives me cysts and apparently this isnt uncommon.

HTH.

oh and if you wear makeup, double cleanse. I use makeup remover wipes then a gentle cleanser.

I've been eating clean for two weeks now, no dairy no sugar no yeast, loads of veg, green juice, avocados, nuts...my skin is worse than ever, please tell me it gets better :,(

Give it a chance - but also consider whether it's something you are putting on it?? Also, some healthy foods can trigger acne in some people - ie for me I cant tolerate fish oils or nuts. I dont care how many people tell me they are good for my skin. THEY ARE NOT.

I saw a dermatologist when I was 21 and he told me to avoid citrus fruits even now if have a small glass of orange juice I will break out the next day. I also think eating an apple every day really helps me.

I had acne ALL my adult life. Dianette was excellent while I was on it, same for all the cycline family of antibiotics. But as soon as I came off them, the spots came back.
I had a 6 month course of Roaccutane about 2 years ago and it really is the last resort but it worked and now I only get 1 or 2 pimples around the time of my period.

Acne has to be treated from the inside IMO, for me no amount of water, fruit, exercise, good diet and skin care worked.
Previously I rarely had a day without spots, often painful cysts the size of a 20p piece, now I go almost the whole month with nothing. I wish I had taken Roaccutane 20 years ago.