Please help me fix my awful skin (photos included)

[NaraDeer]

I am so fed up with my skin.

My forehead is full of tiny bumps, my cheeks have recently erupted in lumps, none of them have heads. My skin is bright red and so dry.

I'm currently using The Body Shop Chamomile cleansing balm and La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo and if I'm short of time Nivea Sensitive Micellar Water.

Any suggestions on what might help, please?

Firstly, your skin doesn't look too bad

Before spending a lot of money on products, can you say that you are trying improve your skin through hydration and nutrients? Do you drink at least 2 litres of water a day (I find I need at least 3 to keep my skin clear) and eat well?

Also, I find that simply keeping my face clean with a new face cloth each night before bed really helps prevent out breaks.

Looks similar to my daughter's skin... Does this description ring any bells?

I've had good success on DD's arms using high %age urea heel balm (sounds weird but it works). I haven't dared use it on her face yet (she's too young to care just yet).

The photos are being very kind

I'm currently on a health kick for plenty of water, fruit and veg. Normally get enough sleep too.

I make sure I clean every morning and night too. :)

Yes that sounds right, BB.
I've got the lumps on my arms and legs as well which I've always had but it's new too by cheeks which is what's pushed me into posting.
Do you use the balm on your DD's arms/legs?

I was thinking of trying a retinol cream for my face, like the NHS says might help.

Could you be allergic to something you're eating.

I would stop the micellar water as my skin reacted pretty similarly to it.

Have you tried the nip and fab pads? I like glycolic fix and I'm going to try dragon's blood ones next.

I get this on my legs. Only thing that helps is 25% urea flexitol at night for a few days, day or two off then use again

I use Dr Organic tea tree wash from Holland and Barrett and almond oil for a moisturiser. They seem mild and don't bother my skin. I'm not really a big fan of recommending certain products for skin problems as mostly I believe something from inside ie food or medication is needed but it does look a bit allergic to me.

My daughter is prone to this on her face as well as the back of her arms. We use a 5% urea face moisturiser called eucerin from boots online which used once a day over about 3 weeks has definitely calmed it down.

I use it on her arms - I just use a cheap version from wilkos but it's 20% urea, I think! I might try the 5% one on her face first!

BTW, DD's skin seems to improve hugely in the summer - perhaps your face has reacted to the long, dark winter?

I don't think it's an allergy. I can't think anything has changed either in diet or any products used prior to this flare up.

I do have the Nip and Fab glycolic pads and also the serum but I've stopped using them as I thought they might be irritating my skin.

The Flexitol sounds great. I will try that for legs and arms but I'm a bit scared of trying that on my face!

Eucerin sounds good, I'll look at that.

Is it a fungal or yeast thing? Google Malassezia folliculitis?

Thought I'd post as it was like looking st my own skin 5 years ago. If you haven't already, see your GP as they'll be able to give you something targeted. After years of very good skin I had very similar lumps under my skin on my forehead and around my hairline which bothered me a great deal. Having tried a variety of different cleansing methods, I saw the doctor - and I was told - in my late 30s - it was a form of acne! Went very well with discovering my first grey hair! GP prescribed Duac cream which was very successful and I saw a clear difference within 4-5 days & it took just over 2 weeks to clear.

Details here of the cream prescribed:

www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/skin-and-hair/a8520/duac-once-daily-gel-benzoyl-peroxide-clindamycin/

i think you might have acne roseaca ..go and see your Gp

I've looked at the ingredients for the face balm and it contains Shea butter, this can cause reactions, so I'd knock that on the head to start with if it was me.