Product recommendations for spot prone skin

[MonsteraCheeseplant]

Hi, does anyone use products to treat skin blemishes? Body and face?

Hi, OP. What's your skin type? What's your current skincare routine? Do you have any other worries such as rosacea, dullness? What kind of spots? Pimples, blackheads, whiteheads?

Hi, my skin is combination. No current skincare routine (was near perfect until came off the pill + medication for acne that i'd been on for over a decade). Spots are small whiteheads, a small amount of red spots and fine braille like texture on my forehead, jaw, hairline, chest, neck and back.

Can you go back on the acne meds?

No because that was the pill + Spiro. I want to come off the pill now.

@MonsteraCheeseplant planning to come off the pill this year. You've scared the shit out of me. How bad is it actually?

Also, how was your skin before the pill? Did you go on the pill because of that?

I started medications and ultimately Dianette for Acne when I was a teenager so my skin was bad when I went on it. It isn't even close to being half as bad now, 13 or so years later. Honestly, people probably don't notice it. It worries me in case it continues to deteriorate but it's been probably 4 months since coming off so I don't know if it will get worse.

Look on Byrdie for The Ordinary regime recommendations for acne/ break out prone skin.
I did and really see the difference after only a week.
Really reasonable prices for products that work.

Azelaic acid from the Ordinary worked for my break-out prone skin

@MonsteraCheeseplant I somehow feel better now. Never took medication but am on Dianette. Getting married this year so will have to get rid of it soon after. So sorry to hijack your thread, but did your period arrive soon after you came off? How many years were you on it? Sorry again, so excited to find someone in my situation.

Re skincare (back to your thread, sorry!)
Must have products in my opinion:
A gentle make up remover (if you wear make-up)
A cleanser (for double cleansing)
A toner
A hydrating cream

Then, to target whiteheads (my main problem) have a look at cosrx Aha 7% whitehead solution.

Another thing:

www.carolinehirons.com/2013/06/routines-cheat-sheet.html

Other tips that I found useful:
Change your pillowcase often: one night on one side, second night on the other then change
Make sure your phone is clean
Use paper towels and don't rub your skin

As another pp said: I LOVE azelaic from the ordinary.

For body acne the ordinary glycolic toner, and Cerave SA smoothing cream (contains salicylic acid, not recommended for use in pregnancy). Works really well. I put the toner in a little spray bottle for my back. Also excellent for ingrown hairs, and prevents body odour if used in armpits too, I get through lots less antiperspirant since doing this and no more ingrown hairs.

Dermatica are great for acne treatments. I started with tretinoin and clindamycin (again not for use in pregnancy or when ttc), then moved to just tretinoin after a few months. Even when I had to take a break of a few months spots didn't return half as bad. Well worth the subscription. Azelaic acid is good but I would recommend the Garden of Wisdom one from Victoria Health rather than the ordinary one. I hate the weird siliconey texture of the ordinary one.

Try and keep skincare simple too. Avene tolerance range is very good, it has minimal ingredients so less likely to cause spots. Also Paula's choice bha is excellent. I like the bioderma face wash in the pink bottle, or cerave hydrating cleanser. Vitamin c is great if you have any scars or marks left from spots or for general brightening too. I have tried loads and the Timeless vitamin c e ferulic serum is my favourite. Kept in the fridge it lasts a long time.

Sorry, I rambled a bit

Hey no worries readingismycardio,
My periods came back straight away and i've been on the pill for about 17 years! The return of my sex drive has been a massive bonus. I wouldn't want to go back on the pill now regardless of TTC.

Thank you everyone for your help. The Ordinary has been recommended a lot but it's website is a little overwhelming, so many products...i'll check out your recommendation there Ohyesiam. Thanks.

The ordinary glycolic acid toner and niacinimide

and CrowleysBentley i'll look into your recommendations.

I gotta say though, I currently use nothing (apart from moisturiser). So i can't see me using 12 different products on a daily basis now...Like, one product for face and one for body, is that possible?

Azelaic acid worked for my spot prone skin. Applied once a day before bed.

Ok, i've bought a basket full at The Ordinary (great prices). Fingers crossed

Thanks so much for your reply, OP! What did you get from The Ordinary?

I took a combination of what was recommended on this thread and on the regimen guide on the website. Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, and Squalene.

I've already got Salicylic acid in a Clinique lotion and although I haven't used it in years, i don't remember it being very helpful, although as a PP said, I might put it in a spray bottle for my back.

I was tempted with your recommendation of cosrx Aha 7% whitehead solution and several of Crowley's recommendations but didn't think I should use more than one acid at a time and there are SO MANY options! It's very overwhelming.

You did very well! Keep in mind my recommendation for the future, I love it.
Make sure you introduce the products one by one into your routine to see if your skin doesn't react well on any of them.

I'd start once a week with the niacinamide in the evening for starters.

Don't use both niacinamide and salycilic at the same time.

WEAR SPF. 30 is enough, but do it everyday. My absolute favourite spf is paula's choice defence 30.

A good article re purging: www.google.com/amp/s/theskincareedit.com/.amp/2018/09/27/skin-purging-or-breaking-out

Thank you for that article, god there is so much information out there! Best of luck coming off, i think you'll be fine. My skin was pretty bad before and it is still much much better than it used to be, just not as perfect as I got used to.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F362415621425

This is the best product I have ever used. I use the tiniest amount on a cotton bud before bed.

There are some reviews on their website.

https://www.botani.com.au/product/rescue-acne-cream/

Thanks!

I have suffered with horrific acne (mainly cystic acne but white and black heads also) since being a teenager. I went on the pill and my skin cleared up completely but due to headaches I had to come off and my bad skin came back with vengeance. I have tried what seems like every skincare routine going but nothing has ever worked. Recently I started LED light therapy (I have been having it once a week for about 5/6 weeks now) in between this I have had a pumpkin skin peel and a session of dermaplaning and honestly I don't have one spot on my skin atm which is like a bloody miracle for me! I still have scaring though and large pores on my nose so am going to have microneedling next week. I have had all of this treatment done with a trained beautician/skin specialist and would highly recommend. Good luck.