Skincare - Absolutely clueless

[TinyMystery]

Please help. I’m 26 and still have the shit skin of a teenager and have no idea (or the funds tbh) how to improve it. It was amazing when I was pregnant, and I didn’t have a single blemish, but it’s awful again now. DH keeps telling me I’m imagining it, but it really is dreadful. I’ve always been very low maintenance and I do a lot of sport (so am incredibly sweaty for at least an hour per day) which I don’t think helps. My diet is pretty good.

It’s very greasy, with the occasional dry patch. I get very small blackheads and blemishes down my cheeks and big painful under the skin spots around my jaw. I get the occasional forehead spot. From faraway it’s not amazing but just about passable, up close it’s horrific.

I have a very limited budget but DH has said if it improves my confidence, it would be worth putting some money towards some decent skincare. I’m currently just using a facewash with salycitic acid and sudocrem at night. I don’t even know where to start with moisturiser.

Please, explain to me like I am an idiot how I fix this?

I saw an ad on Instagram for a company called Nked Face. I went onto their website and ordered some of the 10% chemical peel. You only need to use it once a week. Start with 1 minute then gradually build up to 10 mins before moving on to 20%. It cost me about £20ish roughly. It was amazing! I saw such a massive difference in my breakouts and scarring. I never actually went on to buy the 20% bottle as the 10% was enough for my skin. I highly recommend it! Also i use the St Ives apricot scrub. Ok can buy it in tesco/Superdrug. it's so good and my skin feels amazing after it.

For the love of God, do not stick a chemical peel on your skin with no experience or use a harsh scrub!!

What's your current routine and budget?

DO NOT buy peelings from semi obscure brands!!!!!!

I strongly recommend Paula's choice. Best products ever. Amazingly formulated, no alcohol, no fragrance. Please contact their consultants on the website, send pictures and they will recommend.

I strongly advise retinol 1%, but this can only be done in the winter and with 50 SPF EVERY DAY.

What's your routine atm? How do you cleanse? How do you hydrate? Do you use SPF year round?

Another great tips:

• change your pillow case DAILY
• wipe your phone clean DAILY
• use only paper towels to dry your face

Also, what's your diet like?

Skincare ‘routine’ currently is splash with water int he morning, good shower/rinse after exercise, face wash in the evening, sudocrem before bed. No makeup. That is literally it 😳

Suncream only if outside for extended periods and UV index over 3.

Budget realistically up to £100 initially and £30 monthly?

Diet is home cooked, nothing ‘banned’ (everything in moderation), high in protein and healthy fats. I do eat a reasonable amount of sugar due to the sheer level of endurance exercise I do.

@TinyMystery I disagree with sudocrem, please stop. This is not a treatment for acne.

I insist re Paula's choice products.

You need:
-a decent cleanser
-a toner
-a spf min. 30 but ideally 50, every single day, year round
-moisturizer
-acid (AHA, BHA or retinol) to target your acne

I ve been there and this is the best advice I could get. Once you get started with a proper skincare, read about ingredients (avoid alcohol & fragrance in any product) you'll see it's actually easy (ish) and you might even like it

Further info on cleanser-morning and evening

Aaaand (sorry, can't seem to stop)
-do not touch your skin throughout the day
-do not pick at it

Are the spots hormonal - do they follow a monthly pattern? Clearing up in pregnancy suggests it may be hormonal, as does it being worse around your jaw.

If so then skincare is never going to make much difference. I would recommend going to the GP and asking for a prescription for either Dianette (they may refuse if you have risk factors) or Spironolactone. If those don’t work or GP can’t prescribe: ask for a referral to a dermatologist.

For skincare the main thing is to keep your skin clean but not stripped of oil. A very mild soap (eg Dove) morning and night. Lightweight moisturiser with a bit of SPF. Wash straight after sweaty exercise. Try not to touch your skin other than washing. I would stay away from exfoliating washes with bits in - I find rubbing my face with fingers at the end of a shower is enough exfoliation.

Agree Sudocrem is not a good idea...

Seconding Paula's Choice. Their BHA Liquid really makes a noticeable difference to my skin. Their representatives are really helpful so definitely let them recommend some products to you

@proseccoaficionado I have filled in the Paula’s Choice contact form. Thanks for the recommendation and all your advice. I’m keen to get on top of this ASAP as it’s really getting me down now!

@minipie I definitely think it’s hormonal. Unfortunately as I’ve had migraines in the past, I can’t imagine my GP will allow me to try Dianette. I’m 99% sure I have PCOS unfortunately.

@TinyMystery you re gonna love it. However no aha, bha, retinol until autumn if you don't want terrible hyperpigmentation. send the PC guys pics too!

I have PCOS too and Spironolactone has really helped (actually more than Roaccutane despite being a gentler drug).