Recommendations needed for products for DD to use on her spots. Current regime is not working.

[coldishfeet]

DD's 14 and has pimple-like spots on her forehead. Prior to the past 4 months, using cetaphil cleanser and moisturiser and a salicylic acid spot cream had been working. Where do we go now?

The spots are raised red spots but aren't yet cystic like I had as a teen. I don't know if teen DD is destined to suffer like I did or if this is the worst she is going to get but I would like to do the most to keep them at bay. Any recommendations from those with experience of spots and acne would be helpful. Thanks

Honestly, I'd consider going to the doctor. If it's hormonal then those kinds of treatments will do nothing but irritate the skin. They'll probably put her on a salicylic acid/peroxide cream first and may then go for antibiotics if that's unsuccessful. The prescription creams are a lot stronger than those available on the high street so they normally work quite well.

After years and years of suffering from terrible skin, I discovered the regime on Acne.org and found it really worked. You don't need to use the branded products; cetaphil cleanser and moisturiser is perfect, and I use Acnecide 5% gel from Boots (seemingly impossible to get hold of 2.5% gel in UK) though only at night. I don't tend to get spots anymore as I have finally grown out of them at 37! But this regime was better then anything I was ever prescribed, other than Dianette, which gave me depression.

N.B. the benzoyl peroxide will irritate the skin at first but it does get better. You can start by using it every other day to reduce irritation.

Thank you. I was wondering if there were one more step up we can take in over the counter treatment before we go to the GP. At the moment it's a cluster of tiny red pimples all on her forehead. She's not had spots anywhere else on her face since using the Cetaphil. As someone who suffered with terrible acne and still suffer the long-term self-esteem issues from it - I won't hesitate to take her to the GP if we can't control it ourselves.

My DS has a light treatment at a local beauty salon, it's made a world of difference to his skin, he used to have big boils around his jaw line and on his chin and now just has normal teen pimples occasionally.

Dermalux that's what it's called.

I would go to the doctor

Which salicylic product was she using?

I think Cataphil can be quite harsh. You don't want to be stripping away all the oils. CeraVe have a good gentle hydrating cleanser. Make sure she is cleansing with an oil based cleanser first if she wears make up and spf, so a double cleanse.

Also a moisturiser that will help rebuild the skin barrier, so something with ceramides, cholesterol. Have a look at the CeraVe ones, or Superdrug Simply Pure Hydrating Serum is brilliant.

As for the salicylic acid, Paula's Choice Liquid Exfoliant have excellent reviews.

She was using a cheap salicylic acid and then recently used the soap and glory one.

I hadn't heard about the Cetaphil being harsh. What makes it harsh? I'm confused over advice to avoid oily products or use them.

I'll look at the CeraVe ones and the Superdrug serum. I use Superdrug cleanser and serum myself and really rate their products.

Try Paula's Choice 2% BHA Lotion for salicylic acid.

Sudocreme worked wonders on my sons back and shoulder acne

Acnecide for her forehead will help. It's available over the counter and contains benzoyl peroxide. If that makes her skin too sore azaleic acid by G.o.w may help from Holland and Barrett. Or you can get a stronger version in Differin cream which is prescription only.
If the Cetaphil suits her carry on using it. The vast majority of dermatologists use it and recommend it. It's important not to strip the skin too much so use a simple cleanser like Cerave or Cetaphil. I've had 3/4 kids with spots and one with cystic acne who us just coming to the end of roaccutane treatment . I don't believe your case sounds like it warrants antibiotics just yet.

If its just on her forehead it doesn't sound too bad.

Acnecide is good.

The pill cured dd1s and dd2s acne.

I'm pretty sure Cetaphil has SLS in which is quite a harsh ingredient.

The Paula's Choice BHA you can get a mini for £8 to try out so it's not too much to loose if it doesn't work.

Azelaic Acid is another ingredient to look at. The Ordinary have one or you can get a prescription for a stronger one called Skinoren. Someone has mentioned Differin but that's adapalene, not azelaic. Adapelene is a retinoid. Both would probably help and at least you know you've got more options.

Some online pharmacies will prescribe these medications without you having to go to the GP.

Lose not loose! 🙈

Ask your GP to prescribe something like Duac. It works far better than all the over the counter stuff and can transform confidence levels.
I never really understand why people wait until spots are really bad before seeking help. A lovely, clear, young skin makes so much difference.

The best thing I’ve found for spots is La Roche Possy Effaclar Duo. I’ve only tired the cream but they have other things in the range now. Their Serozinc spray is also worth a try. I can second that the Paula’s Choice liquid exfoliants are very good. You can try a mini for £8.

cherrypavlova You're absolutely right. I shouldn't wait. I was erring on the side of not bothering the GP - yet - as it felt like we had more to try before going down that route and doesn't seem too bad. But actually, we've tried something, it's not working, and it could be on its way to getting worse - now I should be able to ask the GP to step in. Especially given my history.

Poor girl. We're not short of attending appointments already as she has, a brace and recently we've added the asthma clinic. One day she'll have nice teeth and maybe contact lenses but I don't want to saddle her with acne scars, so yes, thanks for the kick up the backside. I'll make an appointment.

Would we use one of the cleansers and moisturisers recommended on here alongside anything the GP prescribes?

I found the ordinary azelaic acid useless.

Use porebright serum from facetheory and it's definitely helped. I get cystic acne but don't have oily skin.

It has azelaic, niacinamide and salicylic acid and seem to be very effective. In fact they do a range for acne that might be worth a look and 40% off with FB40 code.

I use anti ageing stuff from there and been very impressed so far but no experience with anything for acne other than the porebright.

@BelindasGleeTeam

I LOVE Facetheory's Porebright serum. Its awesome stuff.

I love facetheory full stop.

Going to try cleansers next one current ones have run out.