Broken out in spots all over my face - please help!

[Blackbird1234]

I'm in my 20s and usually have pretty good skin and always have done, only ever having the odd spot and the odd brief period of crappy skin.

I woke up yesterday and realised that my 1 spot has turned into a lot of spots, my skin texture seems off and it just doesn't look good.

I exfoliated yesterday and slathered myself in Sudocrem before bed which seems to have helped a little bit, but I have an event I've been looking forward to for ages tomorrow and now have to battle a spotty face :(

I'm under no illusion that it's unlikely I'll get my clear skin back by tomorrow, but does anyone have any tips that can help it look at least a little bit better and less red, please?

Thanks in advance!

Bump

Get to boots to purchase some cicaplast cream.
It's the absolute dogs bollocks at soothing my breakouts, rosacea redness and bumps. It will smooth out your skin so that make up applies beautifully on top, and calms my skin down overnight. Redness, soreness or spots always look better in the morning.
If you let it sink in, you can use it under foundation for a lovely glow.
I adore cica products, and use a lot of Korean brands containing it, but you don't have time for that now.
Get to boots, you will not regret it.

Witch hazel would have been better than suspected which is oily and very harsh.

You can also apply a little vaseline over this to seal in that moisture. When I do this, almost all the redness is gone by the next day, spots and irritation have disappeared, and my skin is glowy and smooth.
The vaseline really does heal as well, but along with the cicaplast, it's a miracle.
Get your coat on!

You need nothing that will irritate your skin, dry it out and leave you even more red. So no acne treatments or harsh face washes.
I wouldn't even use witch hazel if you are not used to it, it can sting and irritate.
Why not buy some jojoba oil while you are out. This is a light oil, but will hydrate, smooth and heal your spots along with the products I have suggested above.
You will really see the difference very soon.

I would oil cleanse with this, then apply before the cicaplast and vaseline.
It really does work.

The Superdrug deep action body spray (can be used on face too) is actually really good.

I normally use Kiehl’s skincare - but there’s something about this cheap spray that really works! I sometimes get breakouts, using this asap just clears my skin and stops the breakouts from getting worse virtually overnight.

Sorry, I should've mentioned that I'm not in the UK, I'm in France, so Boots isn't an option unfortunately!

I must have some vaseline somewhere. My skin is always very sensitive so I use a baby soap to clean my face, I have a natural cleanser and I have a Nivea moisturiser, as well as an all-natural one.

Is it best that I just leave my face be entirely, or shall I wash it and moisturise multiple times throughout the day today? Any overnight tricks to ease the redness that I don't need to buy from Boots?

I've also found some rosehip oil, some rose water and some castor oil - will any of these be of use?
I'd prefer not to use witch hazel, I've used it before and my skin doesn't like it very much, it stings a lot and makes me go red.

The cicaplast is La Roche-Posay, so a easier to get in France I would think.
Anyway, when my skin is sore, rough and red (like now), it loves oil and moisture.
An oil cleanse, several layers of soothing, hydrating serums/essences, oil (hemp, rosehip, jojoba or squalene usually), then cica cream and vaseline.
It sounds a lot, but boy is it healing and packs on that moisture.
I also love glycolic acid for smoothing, and actually this takes down the redness as well.
Not sure what to suggest then, as I would start with the oil and vaseline. Nivea could work too, on top of the oil and under the vaseline.

Thank you Beautifullymixed, I didn't realise that it was La Roche-Posay, I'll head to the pharmacie this afternoon and pick some up, as well as some vaseline and I'll see if I can find any glycolic acid.

I've re-cleansed my face with my natural cleanser (it's almost like a butter consistency and not drying at all) and have re-applied some natural moisturiser, I'll do that another couple of times today and then tonight I'll apply the cica stuff - do I just cleanse my face and put it straight on, let it sink in a bit and then go to bed? Or do I use it in a different way?

Definitely the Cicaplast Baume B5 - make sure you get the right one, I think there are a couple with pretty similar wording. I love it, fab for calming blemishes & post-blemish marks.

Blackbird - for night-time I put it on quite thick, & try to sleep so it won't get rubbed off. For daytime I put it on very thin & gently rub in so it's invisible. Usually take some in my bag as it's fab for sunburn, chapped skin, spots, general post-wound healing etc. (Not on open cuts etc obviously, but when a wound or cut has closed & forming a scar, it's great at improving the look & feel of scars & how quickly they heal & return back to a normal skin colour.)

If it doesn’t go down quickly or leaves little red marks please go to your dr.

I ignored a sudden outbreak and ended up with cystic acne.

OP, yes use it as Awd said in her post.
Fab stuff.
If you use that tonight, then in the morning too, there should definitely be an improvement.
Do you have any hyaluronic serums? They definitely heal and soothe too.
I know Vichy do a good one, should be easily available in France too.
I would cleanse, apply serum to damp skin then apply another layer of serum.
Apply oil, if no oil then the cicaplast balm. Be quite generous. Let it sink in a bit, then the vaseline.
If you don't wake with less angry blemishes, more smooth skin, and a nice glow, I shall be very surprised indeed.

Thanks for your concern Fluffycloudland77, I definitely will take your advice if it doesn't go away, but truthfully I think it's because I've been eating a lot more sugar recently than I usually do!

Beautifullymixed I don't have any serums but I phoned the pharmacie and they've got the cica in stock so I'm going there later. They definitely have Vichy products, do you have the name of one that you could recommend, please?

I'm actually quite excited to try all of this tonight, it's like a little experiment!

OP, I hope this isn't too late for you, but this is the serum. I've never tried it, but have heard lots of good reviews.
I think using serums and essences have helped my skin so much. They calm it down, and hydrate, which prevents a lot of breakouts.
Then the creams and occlusives (vaseline etc) seal in the moisture.
Good luck!

Beautifullymixed It is too late but I didn't see that one there, so that's ok! I got the cicaplast and vaseline though, have just put it on and will follow all of the instructions tonight :)

There were a few serums there (Nuke, Caudalie, Bioderma, Vichy etc) but I didn't realise how expensive they all are! I was very tempted to get one but as my skin is so sensitive I thought best to do some research first.

I used to use Clinique but as I mainly got a full-size set for Xmas, I found I couldn't afford it when I moved out and somehow adulthood has hit and I asked for a fancy mop for Xmas instead , so I've since moved to natural products that do the trick but maybe I should be using something a bit stronger. If you have any recommendations for face washes, serums, oils or anything else, please do let me know :)

Well done Black fingers crossed!
I fight a daily battle with my problematic skin, and have learned how to calm it quickly, and keep it smooth.
I really hope these work for you, and wish you lots of fun at your event tomorrow.

Beautifullymixed Well, you're an absolute godsend! The spots aren't 100% gone but they're definitely a lot less angry and red and I can easily cover them with makeup, so thank you so much for your tips, you're wonderful! :D

Glad to help!
Do the same thing this morning, with an extra layer on top of the most red, angry looking areas or raised spots. They should go down even further.
The vaseline will keep everything smooth and soft.
Or, if you have no time, put a thin layer under your makeup, you will glow.

I'm doing the same thing after a little flare up (I also think it was sugar), as after not eating chocolate for a while I ate 5 bars in a row...
Anyway, glad to help. Also check out the Etude house soonjung range, especially the toner and 2x barrier cream. They work in the same way and feel amazing when you use them.

Beautifullymixed can you please tell me more about the Etude House Soonjung range? I’ve been looking at their sunscreen for a while but have stuck with my Bioré. I haven’t really looked much at their other skincare but am always up for anything soothing and healing! I have sensitive skin that breaks out easily at the moment.

Sudocrem is comedogenic. It may be good dotted on a single infected spot (although there are other products already mentioned on this thread which are better still) but it should not be applied to large areas as if it’s a moisturiser. It will quickly cause a larger-scale outbreak if used like that.

Laquila I love the three products I have used in this range, the toner, the 2x barrier cream and the 5x balm. Soothing is not the word when you apply these products. I have not used the sunscreen, but am looking out for more products with the herb centella asiatica in (the main ingredient) as my skin loves it so much. Next on my list to try is this ampule.
When I have a rosacea flare up my skin can be so sore that the simplest of things can sting. Alongside with the la roche posay cicaplast and Pyunkang Yul Essence Toner, these are the most soothing products I have used. Also oils such as rosehip, hemp and squalene, alongside with vaseline as the final layer really soothe and smooth as well. It's trial and error when you have skin like mine.

For anyone a little bit sceptical, by day 3 of using cicaplast baume B5 99% of my spots were gone, my skin was very smooth and makeup covered the last remaining spots. Thank you Beautifullymixed, I will recommend this product to everyone now! :)

I need this in my life. Getting to boots tomorrow.