Adult spots - help me despotify

[AriadneO]

I have combination skin and have always been prone to spots apart from when I was pregnant with DD and on very hot holidays (the sun kills spots?). Anyway.

Recently I've had a spotty patch on my forehead that's refused to go. And it seems to be spreading to my cheeks now too - a new low. It's not the big angry red type of spots, more lots of bumps that are a bit red.

What product do you recommend to help me get rid of them? I've already procured a clean and clear face scrub with salicylic acid. Help!

From an embarrassed spotty 30-something

Pixi glow tonic after toning

I mean after cleansing obviously

I went back to teenage skincare when my skin got spotty again after kids. Boots' clearskin products work really well for me - I use the facewash, the treatment cream on the problem areas, and the spot gel stuff if a spot does get past all of that. Which isn't often now, thank goodness.

I'm sure there will be loads of suggestions of unusual/less mainstream stuff, but I absolutely swear by Garnier Pure Active products. I use the face washes, moisturiser and toner. They've been a game changer for me after years of problem skin.

Thanks everyone. Has anyone used these Clearasil pads before? www.boots.com/clearasil-ultra-rapid-action-pads-65s-10084702 they don't seem at all green so I won't make a habit of it, but appeal as a one-off to get rid of this spot cluster

I would strongly advise seeing your GP and getting prescription medication.

I’d go to the dr, might not even be acne.

I have in the past used hibiscrub to clear up stubborn red spots (and excessive all over face redness). Doesn’t work for everyone mind you as it’s best for issues caused by bacteria rather than hormones. It worked on my face but not on my back acne - I needed to get a long term course of antibiotics to shift them in the end. Not ideal but after 10 years of trying everything else it was pretty much my only option.

You also need to be really, really careful not to get Hibiscrub in your ears (or eyes, nose and mouth). It’s the stuff surgeons use to wash up before surgery so really strong. Boots sell it in the medical supply aisle with the bandages and stuff.

Thank you thanksforallthefish I'll try hibiscrub! Sounds lethal 🤖

Mario Badescu Silver powder - add a few drops of water to make it into a paste and apply to face with a makeup brush. Leave for 10 mins then wash off! I like to follow with a moisturising mask but you dont have to

There are some very good topicals that your gp can proscribe for you, try that first.

Probably cheaper too.

If we got pus filled spots anywhere else on our bodies we’d see a gap, for some reason when it’s the face we pop down to boots.

Which is how I ended up with cystic acne.

Might be worth a trip to the GP to check it's acne and not rosacea?

Agree with Fluffy and cathoinc. GP should be your first port of call.

1. It might not be acne
2. If it is acne, it’s a medical condition, not a cosmetic one.

I feel like I bleat on, but if you had scars from (for example) a burn, you’d go to any length to treat them. And then put in place measure to prevent a repeat burn. But when folk have a potentially facial scarring rash (acne), as Fluffy says, people ‘pop down to Boots’. I don’t get it. Acne is not a cosmetic issue. It’s medical.

See your GP and get a topical antibiotic like Zineryt.

Thank you everyone, I'm seeing a GP tomorrow. Unfortunately it's a phone consultation but I've sent in a pic so hopefully will get some advice.

GP should hopefully help (although I went through 3 before I found one sympathetic). My adult acne sounds similar to yours and was brought on by a change in contraceptive which messed my hormone levels. They put me on an antibiotic pill and a tropical cream which brought it under control but didn't fix it completely.

I also swear by nip & fab glycolic wipes, expensive but can get them on offer in boots/superdrug quite often

Ask the gp for Zineryt - it's topical and is like a roll on. Worked a treat for me and my random 6mths of teenage like spots - reassuringly i hope they went as suddenly as they appeared and I soon had no use for Zineryt but it really did the trick.

I've now been prescribed Duac (Benzoyl peroxide and clindamycin) - has anyone tried this?

Yes I’ve used it and it’s great. It’s usually v effective. Just beware that it can bleach your towels! I’ve a load of patch-ily bleached towels!

Duac is brilliant and has made a massive difference to my skin which means I can sometimes go a whole day without feeling like I need make up.

But I didn't know about the towels and that explains the marks on my brand new ones!