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Style and beauty

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Original poster

Spots getting me down. Any ideas.

32 replies

Sunnyshine · 04/05/2015 17:48

So I am mid 30's and have had bad skin for about the last 4 years. Used to work at home so wasn't a problem but now have a new job where I see people every day and have become more and more miserable by them. I currently have a huge mark approx 1cm x1cm on my face. Its awful. Tried to cover with makeup today but makes it stand out more. Have tried all sorts of washes, soaps, creams from chemist but always come back. Any ideas appreciated

OP posts:

LucilleBluth · 04/05/2015 17:52

I have always suffered with spots and still do in my mid 30s. I've had good results with Pro Activ. I am currently using Retin A as an anti wrinkle cream and it has the side effect of clearing my skin (bought dodgily from ebay).

newstart15 · 04/05/2015 18:14

Is there a particular area? I tend to get outbreaks on my chin which seems to be hormonal.Google face mapping. I have tried everything over the years but the biggest difference is treating my skin as hyper sensitive.I use a ph balanced face wash for sensitive skin and Simple cleanser adterwards.Their toner is too harsh for my skin and causes outbreaks. If I get an outbreak I used Duac which lowers the inflammation.

I seem to have managed to have clear skin for a little while now which is the longest period in my adulthood.

FrugalFashionista · 04/05/2015 18:19

Time to visit your GP? Over the counter topicals only work for mild acne. For me, Effaclar and going oil-free have helped, but I'd visit a doctor.

Original poster

Sunnyshine · 04/05/2015 18:26

Is duac a prescription medication? Do I need to see my gp? Always on my chin, under my chin and down side of face. Will look at pro activ. Thanks. Any thoughts for covering?

OP posts:

Kundry · 04/05/2015 18:29

You need to watch Sam Bunting's acne video and follow her advice to the letter - if after than you still have spots, you need a prescription.

So non-foaming cleanser: Cetaphil, La Roche Posay Physiological Cleansing Gel or Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser

Salicylic Acid: LRP Effaclar Duo (this is the business!)

Moisturiser: oil-free, only if you think you need it. I found Effaclar quite moisturising so didn't bother but I know other people who found their skin drier when using it. Her recommendations are LRP Effaclar H or Toleriane Riche.

In the evening add a retinol like Avene Ystheal or LRP Redermic R.

Bonus of all of these is they are anti-ageing as well This sorted out my hormonal acne beautifully. If it doesn't for you then you need to see your GP.

Kundry · 04/05/2015 18:31

For covering the gold standard is Dermablend - sadly I'm a bit paler than their palest concealer. But Lisa Eldridge's video demonstrates her working a miracle:

RedRaw · 04/05/2015 18:34

Same here, until I changed from BB foundation to bare minerals, and from cleansing wipes to Garnier micellar water. Also used efeclor moisturiser.
Duac is prescription only, but worth seeing your GP if you've tried the usual. Hope it clears up

Original poster

Sunnyshine · 04/05/2015 18:48

I don't really wear make up so not sure that my pores are blocked by that. Feel like I have tried most things so am going to see how I get on making an appt.

OP posts:

Findingme40 · 04/05/2015 18:50

Hi, This may sound a bit far fetched but I promise it's true. I've had really awful spots / acne for 20 years. I've tried so much, I've had prescription lotions / Duac / been on antibiotics for years continuously / the pill (Dianette / Yasmin). Some of these treatments have helped but I've always still had break through spots with all of them. I've been thoroughly depressed by spots, it really has been depressing.

In December, I started taking a Turmeric paste to help some inflammation of my knee and since then I haven't had a single spot, not even one tiny pimple, it's has been an absolute miracle, it really is the only thing that I have done differently. I realise this may not help everybody but having had such a horrendous time with my skin I thought I would share it with you.
The only thing was in November I had a really horrible cyst on my cheek which has left an indented scar. I just wish I had started Turmeric a month earlier.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 04/05/2015 18:54

What's your routine atm OP?

Follyfoot · 04/05/2015 18:59

DD has really struggled with her skin, trying everything including the pill and prescription antibiotics. Then someone on here recommended La Roche Posay Effaclar range. Within weeks her skin was clearing up and its fantastic now. Its been almost life-changing for her, it was that good.

Re Turmeric, we used to give it to our dog for its anti imflamatory properties, but never thought about its effect on skin.

Findingme40 · 04/05/2015 19:01

No, I never gave it a thought. I take it orally and after a month or so was wondering where all my ever familiar spots were. Keeping my fingers crossed. It has been life changing for me too.

Loveisamanybeardedthing · 04/05/2015 19:05

Hibiscrub has worked for me, morning and night.

June2009 · 04/05/2015 19:07

I had acne which (the contraceptive pills) dianette and yasmin sorted however the hormonal effects on my mood etc were really awful.
I am now off the pill thought (copper coil instead) and although I do get the odd hormonal spot pre periods my skin is much clearer now.

Original poster

Sunnyshine · 04/05/2015 19:53

I have a coil so no pills here. Coil is due out soon and will ask about whether this could be a cause. Currently am wearing no make up but washing face with just soap and water. Drink loads of water each day and don't smoke. The Roche range seems very expensive. Where is the paste from findingme40.

OP posts:

Kundry · 04/05/2015 20:00

Cheaper version would be Cetaphil, followed by Clearasil pads, followed by Cetaphil moisturiser. There isn't a cheap version of the retinol unfortunately

Soap may be not helping by stripping your face too much making your overproduce oil and irritate your skin.

peachypips · 04/05/2015 20:03

Watching this with interest!! I want to know where turmeric paste comes from. Heard wonders about La Roche Posay too.

I have terrible skin too OP. I am 36 and have had bad skin firstly in my teens, then it came back again when I turned 30. One thing to say is that SSRIs can cause acne- they make my skin worse. I feel like my skin is so unpredictable- I can get a clear week and then have two terrible weeks.

I use Estée Lauder double wear foundation. You can barely see any spots then, although I'd rather they were not there at all! For me covering them up is the only thing that has worked so far.

Going to try the two above options...

OsMalleytheCat · 04/05/2015 20:08

I've had mild to bad acne for about 10years now and have tried prescription medication, la Roche posay, Clinique literally everything and finally my skin is starting to clear, I use sulpher soap (few pounds off Amazon)it's quite drying so I use something really moisturising like sudocrem in the evening and ganier pure bb cream during the day. I drink about 4pts of water a day (I believe this helps!) I don't ever towel dry my face I let it air dry. Every night I put a fresh muslin on my pillow and when in the shower I wash and condition my hair before I even touch my face. No cross contamination so before you touch your face wash your hands or try to get out of the habit of touching your face! Hth!

paxtecum · 04/05/2015 20:11

I had terrible skin until I stopped eating dairy products and sugar in my mid thirties.
I didn't replace the sugar with sweeteners.

Three pints of water daily too.

peachypips · 04/05/2015 20:15

La Roche is 3 for 2 in Boots...

BadgersArse · 04/05/2015 20:15

doctor

drugs

MrsNuckyThompson · 04/05/2015 20:17

Go to your GP. I had this for several years and eventually went. Got a simple cream/gel to apply on problem areas and my skin cleared up literally within days. He diagnosed mild adult acne. I now don't event have to use it very often, just if I have a flare up.

Seriously see your GP. It could change your life!

BadgersArse · 04/05/2015 20:19

they start with a cream, if that is no good you take drugs ( son doing this)

Dont dick about with face washes

Original poster

Sunnyshine · 04/05/2015 20:28

Thank you all so much. I realise I sound like a drama queen and appreciate that you have all tried to help so much. I'm definitely going to book a doctors appt tomorrow.

OP posts:

Findingme40 · 04/05/2015 21:36

I make up the paste, half a cup of Turmeric powder, half a cup of water heated for 10 mins, half a cup of coconut oil and one tablespoon fresh ground pepper. I read it on the Facebook Turmeric user group page. Couldn't say if anyone else found it helped but I have had a fab four months of skin.

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