What sort of acid for spotty but reactive skin?

[Squirrelfruitandnutkin]

I get hormonal acne on my chin and cheeks. Lumpy red itchy spots.
My skin gets stressed easily. My skin care regime is lush ultrabland cleanser and vanishing cream moisturiser.

Ive heard acids are good for spots but I have no idea where to start. The only experience I’ve had is a spot cream/treatment in my teens which massively increased my sun sensitivity and I got sun burnt in about 20 minutes in the shade in Newcastle on a very not summery day!

Where do I start?

BHA such as salicylic is the best for acne prone skin but can be a bit harsh.

I prefer lactic acid, I find it gentler and just as good, though I don’t suffer from acne. I do get the odd hormonal spot but that’s about it. The lactic keeps things even and glowy. I use the 10% concentration from The Ordinary but they do a 5% version for more sensitive skins or people who aren’t t used to acids. I use the 10% every night but if I was new to it, i’d Use the 5% a couple of nights a week and build up.

If you are using acids, you should be using a decent sunscreen in the day. Even in the winter months, as your skin is more sensitive to sunlight.

I would consider the use of ultra bland, tbh. Only because, whenever i’ve tried it, i’ve found it left a greasy residue/film on my skin, which might not be ideal if you are acne prone. I’d look at a different oil or balm cleanser. Make sure you are changing your flannel/muslin/wash cloth every day too.

Also, if the spots are genuinely hormonal, there is only so much skincare can do. You’d be best going to see your GP for advice. Perhaps a combined contraceptive pill with skin benefits or a referral to a dermatologist might be an option for you.

THanks.

My skin gets dry easily, soaps and things with SLS in are bad for me- tight red itchy dry skin. So the ultra land seems to work well for me. And cloths are changed daily. :)

I’ll need to find a moisturiser with some spf too I guess.

Hormones are a pita. I had PCOS diagnosed pre dc so sure that’s still lurking. But I’ve done too many years on OCP and don’t want any more synthetic hormones. My own cause enough trouble!

Have you got any allergies? I have pcos and allergies, they always caused huge red hard lumps that itched and stung.

Only a sort of SLS allergy/sensitivity. I did try taking an antihistamine for a while but it didn’t make any real difference to my skin so don’t think it’s that.

My hormonal acne has oracetically disappeared by eliminating dairy.

Spork, do you use any other actives with the lactic? I use granactive retinoid 2% emulsion every other night and if a spot does appear, I put 2%sal on - was wondering about all over lactic acid 5% instead of the salicylic just for all over skin tone. would thatbe overkill? I also use niacinamide and HA.

JMAngel, I am quite sensitive to retinols so I only use them a couple of times a week. I’ve tried loads but I still end up with spots/milia/rashes from them if I use more than that. I like the Ordinary niacinamide and use that every night after the lactic. I don’t go mad with loads of other actives on my face as I then start to run into trouble with reactions, so I tend to stick to those and my skin looks pretty good (by my standards, i mean). Oh, I do use rosehip oil (the trilogy one at the mo) to top it all off in the evening but I don’t think that counts as an active.

So, if you were planning to use the lactic, niacinamide and retinol in one night, it would fine. They wouldn’t be a problem, in theory. But i’d probably start by alternating my lactic and retinol nights, if I were you, build it up slowly and see how you get on. Eg.

Day 1 - lactic 5% / niacinamide
Day 2 - retinoid / niacinamide
Day 3 - lactic 5% / niacinamide
Day 4 - retinoid / niacinamide

Etc

Thanks Spork I feel like the ordinary is so good, I just want to try everything!

A good wash for my spotty but dry sensitive skin is Clarins melting gel cleanser. So gentle and no breakouts.

I have a vey senstive skin, and have had no issues with the Paula's Choice BHA. Miraculous if I'm getting a bit spotty, sorts it out overnight.

I'd also reconsider uktrabland as it contains Shea butter which isn't great for acne prone skin.