Help for dd aged 16 skin

[TheCanterburyWhales]

Dd has the typically teenage skin- not acne, but a greasy T zone and around her period breakouts of actual spots.

Since she was about 13 and hit puberty full on, I have raved about the difference La Roche Posay Effaclar range made to her skin- the spots literally disappeared/faded overnight, and she's continued using it.

It seems to have stopped working unfortunately.

Any recommendations? I'm in Italy, but can get everything on the market and am reluctant to listen to friends who tell me I need to get her to the beautician who will tell me the right products (because I know the right products will be the ones the beautician sells as part of an MLM etc) and want to avoid the GP for hefty chemical prescriptions if possible. (though obviously if it does become acne then I will)

I would go for a salicylic acid of some sort (I know LRP effaclar duo contains some salicylic acid, but I'm not sure that it's in a particularly high concentration). Paula's Choice 2% BHA exfoliator is fab, gentle but very effective, though I have no idea if that's available in Italy.

I would also try a benzoyl peroxide treatment on any actual spots, though you have to be a bit careful with that as it can bleach fabric.

Also is she removing any make up/SPF properly? If she isn't already, I would consider double cleansing, once to remove make up/SPF, and a second time to actually cleanse the skin, that can also make a huge difference.

I hope she finds something that works!

Clinique tonifying solution number 2 on the t zone.

Cetaphil oily face wash.

Topical antibiotics are good if the spots get cystic, from the GP.
Or she could go on the pill?

I second double washing!!

Has she recently started birth control? It can make your skin go crazy. How is her diet?

Thanks for replies.
Not on the pill, no. She has been dieting recently, so is actually eating far more fruit and veg than she used to .
I can get all of the things recommended online, so I'll have a good old look tomorrow!

Can you get The Ordinary products? They have a great range that has a fabulous salicylic acid serum. You only need two drops for the whole face, concentrating on the effected area. This will unclog the hardened sebum in the pores and help dry out the oil production. Then I suspect all DD needs is a gentle cleanser for the morning, some fabulous sunscreen - every day, and an oil-based cleanser to get that (and any makeup she wears) off at night - followed by the gentle foaming cleanser to get that off, and serum and gentle moisturiser.
If the Ordinary unavailable, maybe Andalou Naturals? (Dark Blue - Oily skin range) They have a superb willow bark (salicylic acid) toner. It’s been fab for my kids. (The whole range is lovely, tbh, and I use the Vitamin C range myself. It’s awesome!!!)

I'm not an expert, and others can correct me, but a weekly exfoliation with a Nip & Fab glycolic pad might help with skin turnover. As she is young, I wouldn't recommend more often than weekly. Someone mentioned double cleaning and I love Superdrug Radiance Hot Cloth cleanser for one of the cleaners and L'Oréal orange bottle Oil Micellar water for the lighter cleanse. Double cleansing gets brilliant results. Possibly diluted tea tree oil on spots as a natural anti-bacterial?

Zinc acetate
D3
B complex
Vitamin C

Look into these supplements. Also sleep and wake patterns regularised and try to reduce stress through exercise. 3litres of water a day is a must. Good luck!

Also wanted to add - find fragrance free mild skin cleansing soap. No artificial scents for skincare or body wash is really important.

I don't think products 'stop working'. The reason behind her spots may have changed. I'd stick with la roche posay, I have three dds all with spots and it was the only topical thing that helped. Both older dds went on the pill at 16 which completely cleared their skin.

My teen dd uses Neutrogena face wash (the one in the orange bottle) and the matching moisturiser plus The Ordinary niaciamide on the t-zone. It hasn’t cleared her skin entirely but seems to keep things under control.

She’s also tried La Roche Posay and Nip Fab. The LRP was ok and nipfab was awful. Current routine is the best we’ve found so far and also not too pricey!

I used to have acne and was prescribed some medical topical cream to apply in the evenings.

I no longer have acne but I am susceptible to breakouts still due to my hormones / oily skin (despite a skin care routine).

And I still use the cream! It's the only thing that tackles the breakouts for me.

Might be worth seeing a GP?

I get hormonal break outs and find LRP is the only thing that can somewhat control it, even if it isn't perfect. My skin was better when I was on the pill in my late teens/early 20s, which is annoying.