Can you sort my skin out? Pics attached

[LemonDropsAreSour]

So here goes.

I've always had greasy skin that's prone to break outs but lately it's a lot worse and never seems to clear up and if it does, the next week it's the same. It's sore, uncomfortable and unsightly.

I hardly wear make up anymore and I only use high end when I do and my brushes are always cleaned after.

I'm doing the slimming world diet and drink plenty of water as I'm trying to lose weight. I wash my face twice a day with a clean muslin and St Ives Even and Brighten scrub.

Any ideas?

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01NANWGRK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8

I got this one, it’s a beauty star one. The strap doesn’t work very well so I have to lie down to use it.

Some have 7 colours. Or you might find an opera led mask 2nd hand on eBay. They have a neck attachment too.

Roaccutane is definitely a no go if you are trying to get pregnant.

I wouldn't use anything with oil on your skin, acne does not like oil.

Salicylic acid BHA is much better for acne than glycolic acid AHA which is what liquid gold is, but do try it as its being offered to you because it could work for you.

Cetaphil is wierd stuff I would avoid it tbh, lots of parbens and stuff which is not really what your skin wants right now, but it does work well for some skin (my skin hated it)

I had pretty bad skin, I've used exposed skincare range, which sorted out my skin perfectly, if you have sensitive skin you need to use very minimal amount of the product until you get used to it. I noticed a big improvement in texture of my skin immediately and within a month I was virtually spot free.

Ask to be referred to a dermatologist.

Stop any scrub or acid cleanser. Be kind to your skin and only use what a doctor prescribes.

My skin looked just like this two years ago- I tried a few different pills with little effect, but weirdly enough duac cream cleared it up within a few months. Everyone's experience with acne is different and what helps some people doesn't help others, it's all a case of trial and error but the doctors will definitely be able to give you something which will work for you. I know how horrible it is as you start to forget what having normal skin ever felt like and it shatters your confidence but with the right treatment and a bit of time you'll have much happier skin

Lifeaback me too!** When I started duac I noticed improvement within a week, and it's still working a year later.

If the scrub stops a lot of the acne might just go away on its own.

I had benzoyl peroxide gel prescribed years ago for acne & put it on my back for a few spots. I literally erupted with bacne. Stopped putting it on & it all cleared up.

Salyclic (sp?) acid

Hollywood skin overnight miracle is great for the price

And the light mask is really good I have I think the garnier one.

Use muslins to wash gently. Change your pillowcase everyday.

Use Bare Minerals matte mineral powder foundation. The girl who did my theraclear recommended it and it works!
I thought my acne was back for a bit when I got pregnant but I put some zineryt on it and it's gone again thank god!

Just try a few things from GP first though. Zineryt and oral antibiotics worked for me but duac and contraceptives did nothing.but everyone is different.
Theraclear got rid of it for good but that was at its worst. Don't go straight to roaccutane without trying others. Yours looks like mine which a dermatologist will deem to be mild (even though it seems severe to us!)

OP Please don't use any more products on your skin until you see a dermatologist.
I'm a bit [shocked] at posters suggesting you use all kinds of products. Honestly, they are likely to do more harm than good.

You need medical help, possibly Roaccutane, possibly antibiotics by mouth or creams for your face. Don't waste money and time on cleansers etc and other products.

There was a very interesting interview with one on Woman's Hour last week and women who had adult acne.

You appear to have acne. This is a medical condition not just a cosmetic one.

I'm just going to repeat what others have said.
Don't put up with this.
Insist on a referral to a dermo.
If you ignore the acne you may be left with scarring which won't go.

Being blunt you have 2 choices- see a dermatologist who may well prescribe Roaccutane. But you cannot get pregnant on this- you have to double up on contraception as it can cause birth defects.

Or, stay as it is.

It is hormonal acne and will not get better with cosmetic stuff - cleansers and creams bought in a shop.

How long is a course of Roaccutane?

Also ask your doc for a food allergy test could be something you're eating. some food tolerances start at a later age.

The usual time for Roaccutane (course) is about 3-6 months.

My DD has used it twice- she's older than you now. The consultant let her stop after about 8 weeks the first time as it was helping a lot.

But you must not get pregnant for at least 6 months after finishing the course (and personally I would leave longer)

OP the only thing I'm going to say is, people really aren't staring!

I went through a period of bad skin in my late teens / early 20s, I was so self-conscious about it and really thought people were staring. I thought people were talking about it behind my back. I was so self-conscious that when people paid me a compliment I thought they were just saying something kind to cheer me up because they felt so sorry for me with my terrible skin Now that Bad Skin is a few years behind me I laugh at that idea - I can't think of a single occasion when I've even noticed a person's acne, let alone stared at it.

Similarly, about 5 years ago I gained some weight - I'd always been rake-thin and a combination of being lazy, getting older, discovering my inner "head chef" and becoming a little free with the weekday wine eventually saw me about 10kg heavier. Again, I was convinced people were staring at me, especially at my belly; and again, I now realise that a 5'6 woman weighing almost 10 stone is far from stare-worthy...

So in sum, however convinced you are that people are staring, they're really not.

Don't scrub. Use products which you know are organic. (I love liz Earle, its so gentle) I'd stop wearing makeup for a bit but if you do, invest in some that's kind. An I'd see a doctor to see what they can recommend for you.

Been to the doctors and been diagnosed as hormonal acne! 3 month course of antibiotics, not any that's been mentioned on this thread though - hope they're not crap!

Fingers crossed, hopefully they work for you. As everyone has said different things work for different people.
If not go back, don't just put up with it.

PhilomenaB above has it right. This is not a cosmetic issue, it’s a medical issue. And quite a serious medical issue. Going on antibiotics for a few months is quite reasonable. You also need a topical ‘exfoliator’, NOT scrub - I mean something like benzoyl peroxide or Retin A (not if you’re pregnancy). If your GP hasn’t recommended a cleanser etc, I would suggest La Roche Posay Efaclar range, it will help. Don’t use oils. And absolutely not essential oil - these can be v irritating.
I still think however that you should be referred early to a dermatologist. Good luck with it. Acne is a right pita.

I have had acne since I was 18 and using an oil cleanser has helped me.

My routines;

Grapseed oil removed with a warm, not hot, face cloth. Rinse face under a running warm tap not from a filled sink.
Superdrug Glycolic acid toner.
The ordinary Reservatrol anti oxidant.
La roche posay non oily spf 50.

Same at night plus I use my led face mask.

The ordinary aha Glycolic peel 2 a week.

I have hormonal acne, poly cystic ovary syndrome and such oily skin. I can’t take the combined pill & the only pill that helped me was dianette.

I’ve been allergic to cows milk for 13 years so zero dairy in that time & last year realised I was allergic to sulphited sugar syrups and their derivatives eg citric acid, caramel colouring, So since then no processed food either or tea.

None of it’s really helped my skin as much as the skincare has & inbetween all that I’ve had the contraceptive implant fitted so my hair and skin got even oilier to the point that I had to stop using a shampoo for “aged” hair and switch to one for oily hair.

I've suffered for over 20years. No lotion or potion helped. Antibiotics didn't help, light therapy didn't help I'm finally learning how bad the affects of all the things I've tried over the years has had. I hope the antibiotics work, but I have learnt that taking these will mess up your gut and cause more problems.(I'm sure I now have a candida overgrowth problem due to taking too many antibiotics)
Most acne is caused by a gut issue and/or a blood sugar issue since changing my diet my skin has cleared up, I kick myself now for never thinking of food as a cause for so long.I still have the odd breakout at certain times of the month but I don't get big cysts anymore Cut out sugar and grains they are the main culprits! Please try this before thinking of Roccutane, that should be a very last resort in my opinion.

My skin can still get greasy but making sure I don't eat late ensuring that I go at least 12hrs overnight is helping I'm trying to fast for longer as I know it will be very beneficial for my skin but its hard.. Its the insulin spike that stimulates more oil production. Its not good to have the constant blood sugar/insulin roller-coaster all day long, Insulin cause inflammation. Insulin is actually a hormone and has many affects.

I also just started using a activated charcoal face wash and its really made my skin softer, and vastly improved all the clogged pores that seem to mount on my chin.

Also can I suggest a good quality Vitamin D and Zinc supplement, both very good at combating acne!

Good luck I feel your pain.

I had the same as you and went to the GP November - had severe acne for over 30 years and it was totally getting me down! GP prescribed doxycycline - said I would need to take it for a year. My skin is now the best it's ever been!

I can go out without make-up and I have never in my life been able to do that....

Ok, not sure if anyone has said this - I haven't rtft properly - but my skin was like this a couple of years ago and had been for ages. I have PCOS and used to get cystic acne in my cheeks that were so painful.

Anyway. I went vegan about 18 months ago and it's all gone. I honestly believe it was the dairy - a bunch of other things got better too including a mystery stomach pain and the eczema on my hands. I didn't change anything else at all. Have you tried giving up dairy?

If you're doing slimming world it will also chop your suns right down. Don't replace with soya milk - this can have a funny effect on hormonally sensitive skin. Oat milk is my favourite and oats are so good for skin. Might be worth a try?