So fed up with spots...

[ToffeeWhirl]

I have started getting spots on my neck, behind my ears and on my jawline. This morning, I have a huge spot brewing on my chin . I don't know why I'm getting them or what to do about it. I tried the oil-cleansing method a few months ago and that was disastrous for my skin, so I've gone back to Liz Earle.

I'm 49. Wondered if it was a hormonal, premenopausal thing...?

Any ideas? I now have wrinkles as well as spots. It's not fair.

I have the same hormonal / cystic spots you describe :-( I've had great success with only 2wks of Duac gel from my Gp & have also ordered some retin A cream to keep me on the right track (although it hasn't arrived yet)

Can really recommend the Duac, but it's a bugger for bleaching clothing

Sounds hormonal, sometimes they can be due to teeth issues too.

I was given hibiscrub my skin is so much better I now only get the occasional breakout

Thanks, Sofa. Sounds like I should visit the GP for some of that gel.

WholeNutt - I do have an infected tooth actually. The dentist keeps treating it and it's still sore. I didn't know teeth issues could cause acne?

I googled Hibiscrub: isn't that just for handwashing?

Hello toffee to avoid these hormonal type of spots you need to do a couple of things: avoid touching your face as much as possible (I know this sounds obvious but think about how often you may do it without thinking such as at gym). If you have long hair tie it back at night. Never use oil based products on your face, the acne bacteria will feed on the oil and aggravate the problem. A course of glycolic peels can probably also help.

I'm 41 and used to get hormonal breakouts near my jawline but LRP Effaclar products (used sparingly, Effaclar AI on the sore brewing bumps and Effaclar K for moisturizing) and mineral makeup have made a massive difference. For more severe acne, I would recommend seeing a doctor.

Thanks, marade. I'll try those tips. You're right about the oil: the oil-based cleansing method was hopeless for me. I had more spots than ever before.

I have some glycolic lotion, but had stopped using it.

Google caroline hirons acne cheat sheet. It sorted me out.

I agree with all the tips about not touching/tying hair back etc. Also washing face as soon as you can after exercise.

I am using benzoyl peroxide (quinoderm 10) and it has really worked, although it is quite drying on facial skin.

It's available from boots pharmacy.

Hibiscrub to wash with (every other day) use soap/water otherwise
Panoxyl or fuchsia for individual spots
Estée Lauder advanced night repair at night
L'oreal derma genesis in the day

Fucidin, not fuschia!

purple - I have just bought some Quinoderm and have probably put too much on in an attempt to dry the spots out before tonight (going out). It makes my skin go red and scaly if I use it too often though.

Fluffy - thanks, I'll google her.

Frugal - funnily enough, I have just bought some mineral powder foundation (Youngblood) and will give that a go instead of liquid foundation for a while.

rollon - thanks, will google.

Have just been having my brows/lashes tinted at a beauty salon and the beauty therapist said I don't have acne, so that's some comfort. Not sure what defines acne, but I basically have clear skin, with these big, horrible, red, pus-filled spots appearing every few days.

I have a patch on my chin of red rough and spotty skin. I put it down to my age and the start of the menopause. really hacks me off as the rest of my skin is in fine condition. I have had some success with fucidin which was a tube DH had been prescribed ages ago for an indeterminate rash. I am scraping the last dregs out of the tube as its a prescription only thing. anyone know if there is an over the counter version of it?

Hi Toffee. Oh really feel for you -I had a similar problem all my 30s until last year.
Go to your GP, get the Duac gel - I have only have 1 big nasty spot since. I didnt think I had acne but my GP confirmed I did.

Yes to Duac Gel from me too.

I have always suffered from breakouts on chin and cheeks and it really works.

Also bleaches your pillow case too so don't sleep on your fancy ones, just plain white ones.

Your GP will be able to prescribe it for you.

Tea tree foaming facial wash did the trick for my mature onset acne. Can now get it in lidl. Wish I'd had it for my youth onset acne!

I used to use Duac and it was good, but I now use Epiduo which is even better - it's basically Duac with some Retin A mixed in (ie mix of benzoyl peroxide and retinoids)

Still bleaches everything and you can't use it while pg due to the retinoid content.

eccles fucidin is an anti fungal. If you have a rash that's responding to it that suggests it might be something fungal... so worth going to the doc about.

Spots dry up with an application of surgical spirit on a cotton bud, at least twice a day. Wash as usual and keep hair tied back etc as mentioned by another poster, earlier.

IME, Liz Earle c&p is absolutely disastrous for hormonal skin - I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole. Like other people have said, La Roche Posay Effaclar has been amazing for my hormonal spotty skin. I use the Effaclar face wash twice a day, followed by the Effaclar Duo over my problem areas (cheeks and neck) also twice a day. I use a richer cream just under my eyes and my marionette lines, then I use a very small amount of La Roche Posay Toleraine moisturiser over the rest of my face. Sounds annoying and fiddly but in reality it takes seconds.

In the first few weeks of using Effaclar Duo, I had slight flaking especially of my spots (lovely!), but that cleared up within a month or so. I now have clear skin, with very very few new spots - maybe one a month, as opposed to waking up to new horrible spots every day.

It has totally changed my skin for the better, and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Oh, and also I change my pillowcase every night, which I think may also make a small difference.

I agree with changing pillowcases!

If I get a sudden cluster of spots, or one that is very red and obvious, I put Calamine Lotion on it at night. I also do this for my teenage DD.

Just to let you know what i read the other day that may help. Dissolve one aspirin tablet in little water to make a paste. Put on the spot for 5-10 minutes twice a day. Hope it will be helpful. You may need more than one tablet if you need more paste.

I sympathize OP. Clinique 3-step is the only thing I've ever found which didn't make it worse.

Have your thyroid checked as well.

Your spot pattern does sound hormonal.

Do your have poly cystic ovaries.

I'd go to the GP, and not bother too much about the over the counter remedies until you know more.

I had hormonal acne for years and it has recently disappeared, however I'm not sure which of the products I was using did the trick.

In a last ditch attempt to get rid of them I bought

1. Tea tree toner plus foaming cleanser

2. Quinoderm 10

3. Clinique's anti blemish foundation.

I used the quinoderm really lightly, just a small amount once a day. Anyhow, touch wood, the little buggers have been gone for a couple of months now.

Zineryt (from the GP) worked for me on similar cystic spots. Stopped the buying everything in Boots on the basis that they would be the 'one'. With the zineryt skin is clear and I just use Boots Botanics to cleanse and moisturise.