How to treat adult acne

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I feel so down about my skin at the moment. I’ve had acne since I was a teenager and it shows no signs of improving, in fact I feel like it’s getting worse, particularly in the colder weather. I’ve tried all the treatments under the sun but nothing has worked. Does anyone have any recommendations on anything that has proven to work for them? I’ve thought about giving up sugar or dairy but apparently there’s no scientific evidence to say diet actually makes a difference. I’d be grateful for any suggestions.

I could have written this! I'm 30 and my skin is worse than it's been for years. Not just my face but my back too. It's miserable.

Furry- sorry you’re also going through the same thing but selfishly nice to know I’m not alone! I feel like I do everything I’m ‘supposed’ to be doing to have a nice complexion- I drink lots of water, moisturise twice a day, remove make up every night, but I clearly must be doing something wrong to have such bad skin

Have you tried a high oestrogen pill eg yasmin ?

I really sympathise. It’s so tough when it goes on and on. Many a day when I have wanted to put a paper bag over my head.

My acne seems quite hormone related as it gets better and worse with my cycle.
It’s pretty good at the moment and I think it must be because I’ve been eating low carb high fat for about 8 months.
Cutting out sugar and eating much fewer carbs (and therefore pretty much cutting out gluten too) is I’m the only thing that has really worked. I’m still eating loads of (full fat) dairy, eating (dark) choc and drinking (but prob less than before)

Apart from that the contraceptive pill Dianette did have a good effect on my skin, but I didn’t like the side effects which for me included depression. I also wasn’t allowed to be prescribed it for more than about 18 months at a time. Other pills I tried didn’t have the same positive effect on my skin.

Yasmin has a slight effect for me but not as good as dianette.

I’m not sure if it was Yasmin, but I tried a high oestrogen antibiotic about 6 or 7 years ago-I had to do a pregnancy test before the GP would prescribe it on a weekly basis because it would have been damaging to an unborn baby (cannot for the life of me remember the name), but again without any results.

Hey OP. I struggle with acne. What has really helped recently (and could just be coincidence) is I’ve stopped eating so much dairy and started using retinol

Who knows though- my skin is so unpredictable 😭

I can’t help but just wanted to show solidarity. I’ve had awful skin since I was 12. I’m 40 now.

Oral antibiotics work for me.

I had adult acne up until recently. Had been treated with various antibiotics, topical creams and hormonal pills to no lasting avail, and was most recently on a combo of duac gel and doxycycline. Following another horrendous breakout, I decided enough was enough and just stopped using both, and replaced them with three things:

Not wearing any makeup
Drinking 2L+ of water per day
Rigorous facial massage when I cleanse

My skin has never been better.

Have you seen a dermatologist?

Go to the gp. I've taken many antibiotics over the years and currently using isotrexin gel and an antibacterial face wash. I also use Liz Earle hot cloth cleaner and vitamin e moisturiser.
The best things I've used are zineryt which is a topical antibiotic and isotrexin which has similar ingredients similar to roaccutane. If you really want to kick acne you need to see a dr as it could be hormonal.

Azelaic acid (skinoren) helped me

Sympathies. I’m still struggling at 29. Big painful spots that feel like they’ve got their own pulse. Ive had lots of different creams/antibiotics and two rounds of roaccutane and still don’t have the magic answer. It’s awful.

43 here and still get acne - I have seen a massive difference with lowering my dairy and sugar intake and horrible blind cyst chin breakouts. Worth a try for all sufferers.

I used to have what I thought was acne, but I actually had rosacea as well, and unfortunately the things that I was doing to combat the acne made the rosacea pustules flare up. Prior to having children I had used Yasmin but they wouldn't let me back on it afterwards. I followed Dr Sam Bunting (you can find her on youtube) and her advice for both acne and rosacea and my skin has been so much better. My rosacea always flares up in the winter regardless, but other than that it's been great and I haven't had any of those deep painful spots for months. Basically her advice is to use a non-foaming gentle cleanser, moisturiser and sun screen (everyday including in the winter) and then gradually add in actives. I started using azelaic acid and a retinol but even just using sun screen and swapping to a non-foaming cleanser improved my skin no-end. I really recommend her advice.

I also have long hair and found washing it daily has helped, used to wash every 2 - 3 days plus changing my pillowcase every 3 days or so.

I've tried topical antibiotics and different birth control pills. What worked for me in the end was stripping back my skincare completely - I use Lush's Ultrabland and seba med clear face gel as moisturiser and only wash my face once a day. I stopped wearing makeup. I make sure my toiletries are sulfate and alcohol free eg shampoo, shower gel, sun cream, toothpaste. Wash pillow cases and bedding regularly.

Look into oil cleansing as it's a much gentler way of cleaning your skin. I think my acne was a bit hormonal and my skin was just overly irritated from lots of different products.

Roaccutane - ask for a referral to a dermatologist

Second checking out Dr Sam but unfortunately sorting out bad skin is a very long game and quite personal in terms of what combination works

I'm sure moisturiser makes acne worse

You absolutely must moisturise but you need to find the right non-comodegenic moisturiser for your skin

Solidarity from me too. Nearly 40, had 4 courses of Roaccutane, and spent many years on antibiotics. Currently on oxytetracycline again which helps a bit, but skin still bumpy and oily. On waiting list again for a dermatologist via NHS, may try something called Spiro (?!) as a last resort, though nor sure my acne is hormonal. I wish I could take a low dose of Roaccutane each week as it's the only thing that clears my skin, I have even asked for this at a private dermatologist in the past yet they wouldn't give it me (though he did say it's not uncommon for models or those in the public eye to take it like that!!!).
I have tried topical, salicylic acid cleansers, all sorts, but found my skin is more stable when I use a soap free cleanser with a warm flannel.

I'm the same, had it since I was 12. It hasnt been too bad the last few years but a week ago I had a massive flare up and I have no idea why. Loads and loads of little itsy spots, particularly on my neck. Makes me want to hide, especially with Christmas parties etc coming up.

One thing I've reason about is fungal acne, which is also itchy. I'd never heard of this before but it might make sense for me as I took a course of antibiotics a few weeks ago which can lead to yeast/fungal problems. So I've been brave, taken a thrush tablet and put antifungal shampoo on my face! Read loads of reviews of people saying it fixed their acne after years of taking antibiotics etc. Sounds crazy I know but right now I am at my wits end and will try anything.

Can't afford a private dermatologist otherwise I'd be there Monday morning

Sorry for typos. Itsy = itchy and reason about = read about