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Original poster

Shit skin thread. Sign up here!

89 replies

Clarabumps · 28/03/2015 21:27

I've been on many an acid toner thread in the past and I'm all about the good skincare regime but I feel it's just not enough anymore. I'm having monthly breakouts around my chin area and I finally went to the doctor and told her I couldn't have anymore anti biotics and I wanted a topical retinoid. I now am the proud owner of a tube of Differin gel. Woo hoo!!!

Is anyone else battling the curse of shit skin. I have no bloody wrinkles at 34 but a chin like Mount Vesuvius. So what has worked for everyone?what hasn't worked? Mainly just a support for those who are battling "the spots" bastards

OP posts:
jalopy · 28/03/2015 22:30

I have found Cetaphil cleanser to be a god send. Has made a huge difference to my skin.

Allbymyselfagain · 28/03/2015 22:33

Me too. Not a single wrinkle, still getting id'd regularly but 32 with terrible spots. Also im now noticing that the spots even though I don't squeeze are leaving huge pock marks too. I can't give advice im afraid as nothing has worked long term but for a Quick fix I recommend Cane and Austin acne pads from space nk.

They were too strong for me to use continually but they did do wonders for my skin.

Allbymyselfagain · 28/03/2015 22:34

Cetaphil again didn't work for more than about two weeks and then the spots came back for me

Chicksy · 28/03/2015 22:35

My chin was like yours - spent years being prescribed everything from GP that never worked. Finally saw a dermatologist who told me I actually had rosacea!! One tube of rosex cream later and I finally had spot free skin.
Wish I had gone sooner.

TelephoneIgnoringMachine · 28/03/2015 22:40

I know how you feel, OP. Despite 2 full courses of Roaccutane over the last decade, my skin is also not a thing of beauty. I use La Roche Posay Effaclar face wash & Duo, it definitely helps. I also try to avoid eating too much sugar, and drink lots of water - this also helps. I don't use a physical exfoliant as it can irritate the skin. I've heard that an aspirin face mask can help as well, just google it, obviously observe the recommendations re how often to use it. Also, check out Caroline Hirons skincare blog, very interesting.

I am almost the same age as you & have no wrinkles - it doesn't soften the blow of still having skin like a teenager.

Taystee · 28/03/2015 22:51

I'm a similar age. Also no wrinkles. Thought I was having some success with ocm and jojoba oil as a moisturiser but my skin looks awful at the moment. Today I bought on a whim avene cleanance toner and cleanance active moisturiser, and a vichy normaderm night treatment which will hopefully help. Will post back with results.

Original poster
Clarabumps · 28/03/2015 23:43

I'm a HUGE Caroline fan. She's actually kicked my skincare regime into touch and I've seen a massive improvement in my skin but I'm still getting the spots so after Caroline's post on anti bios I went all storming Norman and "demanded" a retinoid. My skincare regime is as good as it can possibly get. I think it's medicine related now. I don't eat wheat, no dairy and limiting sugar so meds are the next port of call.

OP posts:
Original poster
Clarabumps · 28/03/2015 23:45

I've been using la Roche prosay effaclar duo after the Sam bunting post on Caroline hirons page but it's made no difference whatsoever. I don't fancy the cleanser as its foaming.

OP posts:
Mmmicecream · 29/03/2015 00:23

Watching with interest as am spotty as well.

Do you find diet helps? For me it just doesn't seem to make much difference

gingerfluffball · 29/03/2015 02:14

I'll sign up! Pregnant hormonal skin here, improving with Effaclar duo but still not perfect.

When I was on roaccutane a few years ago my dermatologist told me the only evidence linking diet and worse acne was with high GI food and dairy, so to minimise that. But tbh, if your genetics give you acne by default (and most adult acne is down to genes), how much difference are dietary changes really going to make...

Can someone explain acid toners to me? I've seen them on various threads but always thought toners were just expensive water... are they actually any good?

gingerfluffball · 29/03/2015 02:16

Also keen to hear how you get on with the retinoid OP as I'm planning to try one post-pregnancy if my skin doesn't clear up! Keep us updated Smile

SilverBlur · 29/03/2015 03:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CloserToFiftyThanTwenty · 29/03/2015 04:04

Envy at all the pp without wrinkles - I have both wrinkles and spots Sad

Topical antibiotics work well for me, but I'd prefer prevention rather than cure. Dianette was great, wish there was something similar I could take on a regular basis to keep my skin clear

PastPerfect · 29/03/2015 04:28

I had terrible oily skin and huge hormonal break outs (mostly chin but also rest of t zone) I have tried endless expensive lotions and potions but what seems to have cleared me up is double cleansing.

I use a cheap (loreal I think) cleanser, tissue off, steam with flannel then use Roche posey micelleur cleanser. My skin has been perfect for near three cycles.

I have also started using decleor oil but too early to say whether it's great, although I like it.

PastPerfect · 29/03/2015 04:29

Also loads of water - I'm really surprised how positive this has been for my skin.

spookyskeleton · 29/03/2015 07:24

I am 40 and have suffered with spots around my chin and jaw for years.

What has worked for me is Panoxyl which contains benzoyl peroxide - it truly has been a miracle and my skin is clear and looks fab.

I use it as part of the 'regimen' from acne.org (google it) so you cleanse with a foaming cleanser, put the Panoxyl on, leave it to dry for 10 minutes then moisturise (the Panoxyl is drying). I do this every evening and in the morning I just cleanse and moisturise.

Doesn't really matter what brand of cleanser/moisturiser you use - at the moment I am using Boots Natural ones.

I cannot recommend it enough Smile

TelephoneIgnoringMachine · 29/03/2015 07:47

I know that some medicines can affect acne - I've recently found out that the copper coil has a surprising effect on the skin - even though it supposedly doesn't cause any side effects except with your periods. I've had increasing cystic acne over the last few months (and other symptoms), I'd had moderately decent skin since the last round of Roaccutane, so I'm gutted about this. Not just restricted to my T-zone either - neck, shoulders, cheeks, on my scalp, chest. I have got rid of my coil but the side effects will probably take a while to calm down. My point is, don't just go by the list of 'official' side effects the GP tells you about/the ones that are on the pack. Check out comments on the web etc - I'd never have got my coil if I'd known.

I do find that drinking lots of water helps, as does reducing sugar/rubbish food in general. Also getting plenty of sleep helps, I always get a big breakout after I've been ill, or if I slip off the wagon, healthy-eating wise.

YY to double-cleansing - on the rare occasions I wear makeup (generally only if I'm very spotty) I wash it off the minute I get in with an oil cleanser, I like the vitamin C one by Una Brennan. Smells lovely and makes my face feel clean but not stripped of moisture.

Truckingalong · 29/03/2015 08:01

I'm 43 and have wrinkly saggy skin and cystic acne. Winning combo! Being perimenopausal has helped me no end! Antibiotics from the doctor helped me for years but no topical products have ever really helped with the boils on my chin.

chanie44 · 29/03/2015 08:50

Count me in.

I have pcos and a spotty forehead.

A beauty therapist told me my skin was dry and dehydrated, causing my skin to produce more oil. I use a skincare range for that. She also said my skin was sensitive, but the sensitive range wasn't hydrating enough and caused a major breakout.

GP gave me Duac, but it didn't do anything.

I'm at a loss.

CremeDeSudo · 29/03/2015 09:18

Joining too! Didn't get many spots at all until I hit 20 (when I started smoking regularly strangely enough). Had the best skin ever when pregnant but got hit with a bout of cystic acne last autumn which antibiotics cleared up.

My main concern is red scarring now, and some fine lines appearing round my eyes.

Been following Caroline Hirons routine for a a month and saw a huge improvement really quickly but I was ill and came on last week so have had a couple of new spots Sad hoping they go quickly.

A support thread is a great idea! looking forward to hearing what works for others.

gingerfluffball · 29/03/2015 11:05

It's strange isn't it how differently people can react, I wonder why some get great skin with pregnancy and others it's horrendous!

Using a really gentle cleanser (Cetaphil) has been helping me, I think attempting to sort out skin with strong stuff just made it angry and worse. Plus double cleansing is great! Noticing a difference, skin is feeling much cleaner each night.

Original poster
Clarabumps · 29/03/2015 11:33

Morning all! Last night I applied my differin and my ethromycin liquid and my spots feel more "out" this morning as opposed to lying under the skin. I seem to have a wee cluster going on. I've read there's a purge stage with differin so i need to push through.

Off to the soft play Confused will be back later to chat about acid toners

OP posts:
MoreTeaPenguin · 29/03/2015 12:48

I inherited greasy skin from my mum. I found nothing from the gp worked until I got roaccutane, which worked wonders. Now I just need to wash every morning with tea tree soap and that keeps the spots under some sort of control.

iwantgin · 29/03/2015 16:01

Shit skin here too.
Am in my late forties and have struggled since about 12yo. Sad

Recently saw a dermatologist who apecial in acne .

So have just started on Spironolactone and Epiduo. No major side effects so far and skin feels a little less oily so far.

Am hoping that menopause will end all this crap.

Skincare: don't often wear make up so I uCetaphil to wash with. It's just mild and non irritating. No special powers. If I have had make up on then will use a soap free sensitive skin wash. Imoisturise if I feel it is necessary that day.

ReallyNotMe · 29/03/2015 16:50

Me too. Only thing that has ever worked for me is taking a large dose of vitamin B5 and I am worried about the potential long term side effects of this.