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?

@Lemon that’s standard starting procedure with a gp. You have to go through all gp options and if they fail then they refer you to a dermatologist.

Been to the doctors and been diagnosed as hormonal acne! 3 month course of antibiotics
Dianette or Yasmin are usually better for hormonal acne. They are both contraceptive pill though, which you said you didn't want.

I'm glad you went to the GP, I had antibiotics for mine about 10 years ago and it made the difference. You might need to stick it out for a few months though - I went back after 2 months and was only slightly better but after 6 months was almost gone. Just wanted to let you know that antibiotics do work for many people.

Still no better with the antibiotics

Give it time, LemonDrops. It might take a few months. You probably need a topical product too, like Benzoyl Peroxide. It is hard and can be distressing. And unfortunately it does take time.

Acnecide really helps mine

I use la Roche posay toleriane and a warm flannel to cleanse
Then acnecide, a tiny amount on the bad areas and let it dry
Then moisturiser (acnecide dries your skin out)

The skin renews itself every 28 days ish. It will take at least a couple of months to see a real difference. Antibiotics will only reduce the bacteria and inflammation causing the acne. They do not fix the root cause of the oil production which is due to a hormonal imbalance. I’ve never tried antibiotics for acne but have had good success with dianette (a GP can prescribe). Yasmin also.

Hi @LemonDropsAreSour , I've been where you are. I'm now in my early 30's and had hormonal acne for 10 years, I've done all the antibiotics and topical creams, without any improvement. The only thing that helped was Yasmin, even then it only improved so far, I'm currently on roaccutane and coming to the end of the course. My skin is completely clear, slightly inflamed from scarring but no active acne at all. But as previous posters have said you have to go through all the GP recommended things before getting a derm referral.
Hope this improves for you!!

If your GP is willing to prescribe Spironolactone, I highly recommend trying it (if your acne is hormonal).

It has had the most effect on my hormonal acne of anything - more than Roaccutane even.

Looks like adult acne, horrible stuff, hope it clears up for you. As people have said antibiotics are an option, but not long term and adult acne can last 10 years or more sadly in my experience.
I tried Dianette (a type of the pill) but it made me really teary so I stopped that (to be honest taking something that had a noticeable effect on my mood scared me!).
Tried the usual topical treatments but they don't work very well.
Saw dermatologist, but they just straightaway offered roaccutane and the side effect list put me off (diabetes is a listed, albeit rare, side effect).
Went to a beautician in the run up to wedding for about 5 months. Skin cleared after about 3 months and had lovely skin for wedding through the various DMK treatments. That worked, but was expensive and not very local.
Having a baby can clear it up overnight, but that's probably a bit of an extreme course if action just to fix acne!
Good luck!

Defo acne and not much other than medication will help. I really feel for you my skin was just the same in my 20s. So painful and difficult to cover. I'm mid forties now and my skins fine so hang on in there it's not likely to be forever but hope the doc can help you get it under control.

When mine was down to the odd spot or three I started using Clinique 3 step religiously and I think it helped improve the overall look but I'd not want to put cleansers on raw skin, it'll only irritate. Good luck acne is literally a pain x

I know a pp mentioned it already but have you tried giving up dairy? I gave up all dairy (I have coconut or almond milk, not soya) and my skin has improved. Whenever I have dairy, I start to get spots. Sometimes huge boils.

Did you buy an led face mask?.

I’m badly allergic to dairy and my skin never improved. Then I realised I was allergic to sulphited sugar syrups and derivatives of and my skins much better.