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Original poster

Teenage son with acne or the start of

29 replies

polkadotpjs · 13/10/2020 22:48

He's getting spots! My baby boy! And a tache! What can I wash his face with? He's tried my cleanse and polish (special edition one which in no way compares to the old one I used to buy) and simple fast wash but still they come. It's not awful but I'd like him to have a routine as he is noticing it now more. Give me your top boy skin tips!

OP posts:
NotMoreFootball · 14/10/2020 00:21

My DS had mild acne and uses Differin gel once a day. Initially the breakout gets worse but after a couple of weeks of use his skin started to really clear up.
It's about 3 months since he started using it and he looks pretty perfect again now!
We live in the US and Differin is available over the counter here (I bought it after his Pediatrician recommend it), I'm not sure if you'd need a prescription for it in the UK.

Fluffycloudland77 · 14/10/2020 07:46

Drs before the infection really gets its feet under the table. Basic facial wash for cleansing.

Original poster
polkadotpjs · 14/10/2020 08:30

Would you really go to GP for a few spots already? My skin was ok as a teen. Sure I got spots but hardly any so this is all new to me and my husband's mum (his dad played no part in anything vaguely child rearing!) didn't do anything or give him anything so he just rode it out

OP posts:
CodenameVillanelle · 14/10/2020 08:31

Benzoyl peroxide cream for mild spots

zippityzip · 14/10/2020 08:34

As someone who had bad skin from early teens all the way to adulthood - if generic counter stuff isn't helping then go to the GP.
I ended up taking roaccutane in my 30s and the years of hell dealing with my face was nothing in comparison to the side effects. I wish I did it years before.
It can really effect their self esteem.

zippityzip · 14/10/2020 08:34

And differin is excellent but can make their skin very sensitive to sunlight. It's prescribed in the UK but can be bought online.

DonLewis · 14/10/2020 08:36

I've tried everything with my teenage son. Gentle stuff, dermalogica stuff, nip and fab, glycolic, Slaycilic acid, faces washes, face scrubs, face masks, the gp for antibiotics, the gp for cream.

The very best thing I've found is routine. No over washing, but, washing the fa e twice a day. Alternating with neutrogina black head scrub and a charcoal face wash. Cleanse with nip and fab salicylic. Occasional charcoal face packs. A gentle moisturiser. Clean pillow cases very regularly.

The antibiotics cleared it to a point, but it came straight back and the cream was OK, but getting him to use was awful because it stings really badly. Get him in good hygiene habits.

zippityzip · 14/10/2020 08:37

Hygiene has nothing to do with hormonal acne.

CodenameVillanelle · 14/10/2020 08:39

@DonLewis

I've tried everything with my teenage son. Gentle stuff, dermalogica stuff, nip and fab, glycolic, Slaycilic acid, faces washes, face scrubs, face masks, the gp for antibiotics, the gp for cream.

The very best thing I've found is routine. No over washing, but, washing the fa e twice a day. Alternating with neutrogina black head scrub and a charcoal face wash. Cleanse with nip and fab salicylic. Occasional charcoal face packs. A gentle moisturiser. Clean pillow cases very regularly.

The antibiotics cleared it to a point, but it came straight back and the cream was OK, but getting him to use was awful because it stings really badly. Get him in good hygiene habits.

Have you tried benzoyl peroxide? It's the only thing I found that actually gets rid of spots.
ilovemydogandMrObama · 14/10/2020 08:43

The only thing that worked for DD1 (14) was Epiduo on prescription.

Original poster
polkadotpjs · 14/10/2020 08:45

We haven't tried anything yet as it's only just started but he's bothered by it so I want to help him. It's where to start. He's a grubby boy who needs forcing into the shower but stays in ages once there! If I can get a face scrub or wash he likes he'll use it. He won't want anything girlie looking Hmm

OP posts:
ilovemydogandMrObama · 14/10/2020 08:49

Try Acnecide first as a gel.

Bloomburger · 14/10/2020 08:52

DS had acne and we sent him to a beauty salon where he sat under a blue light for 15 minutes a couple of times a week, think he used Dermalogica skin stuff too. He has lovely skin now.

janeyloves · 14/10/2020 08:58

My DS has suffered for a couple of years. We finally have it under control. He uses Dr Sam cleanser (easy to use and gentle) and her Nightly serum in the evenings. If he has an active breakout he will apply Benzyl Peroxide to those small areas in the morning as this really takes down the redness. This combo has worked brilliantly for him most likely because it's low effort. I think boys can be a bit lazy but consistency and patience are key.

Justgotobed · 14/10/2020 09:03

Another vote for starting with the GP, sooner rather than later.
Ds1 had terribly sore spots for ages & we tried all sorts of over the counter product's nothing worked as well as an appointment with the nurse who was so lovely & surprised he hadn't gone sooner.
She prescribed differin gel & antibiotics every three months the difference in his skin is amazing.

Fluffycloudland77 · 14/10/2020 13:57

Medical problems need medical solutions. If NICE write guidelines for something it’s a medical problem.

FlyingByTheSeatof · 14/10/2020 14:50

My DS uses Cerave SA with a fresh flannel during his daily showers where he also obviously washes his hair which keeps his spots at bay. He also occasionally uses Clearasil rapid pads and clearasil rapid action spot cream but the spots seem to be under control now.

However if he misses his daily shower then he can really see it in his skin.
He used to use Neutrogena clear and defend facial wash and Clearsil rapid action gel wash but is now happy with Cerave SA. These are now used as a body wash on any spotty areas likes arms, back or chest.
When I used Paulas Choice 2% BHA on him and differin it peeled and made his skin quite flakey and raw so he likes to keep it simple with just the Cerave SA and a flannel.

He only currently gets spots on his forehead and chin line and the occasional one on his cheeks.

If he were to get it quite badly on his cheeks ie full blown acne then I'd go to the GP / Derm for Roaccutane.

FlyingByTheSeatof · 14/10/2020 14:51

or antibiotics

FlyingByTheSeatof · 14/10/2020 14:56

That said though after the flakiness and redness of using differin his skin was very clear underneath after a few days of not using it again and letting the skin flake off but he point blank refuses to use it again.

frugalkitty · 14/10/2020 15:28

I've got a phone consultation with our GP organised for my DS2, he went from no doors to full on acne during lockdown and over the counter products haven't helped. He's only 12, younger than his brother and sister were when they felt they needed to go to the Dr, but the back of his neck looked so sore the other night I made the appointment rather than leaving it any longer. DS1 tried three antibiotics, roaccutane (couldn't tolerate it) plus another hardcore antibiotic (which he had a severe reaction to) before seeing an improvement and his skin made him really miserable so I'm hoping by catching his brother younger, we might be able to get it sorted more quickly.

64sNewName · 14/10/2020 15:40

Make sure his nails stay trimmed (harder to do yourself damage with really short nails if you give in to the temptation to squeeze)

I’m sure I have read in Hirons/Hughes contexts that LE Cleanse & Polish triggers breakouts in some people — something to do with a specific ingredient, I forget which. So I’d keep him off that.

Original poster
polkadotpjs · 14/10/2020 20:40

See if I see a spot I want to squeeze!!

OP posts:
BinkyandBunty · 14/10/2020 22:53

I would start with the basics. Clean hands, clean face, clean hair, clean pillowcase. Break the habit of touching face all the time - my 2 were terrible for that, I nagged them a lot. Leave the spots alone except for a dab of pimple cream.

I'd suggest seeing if that helps after a couple of weeks before upping the ante. All these products aren't going to help if he's still rubbing oil and bacteria around his face all day!

puffinsseagulls · 14/10/2020 22:59

Agree with all of pp. Don't squeeze the spots! Buy Dots for Spots and stick one of those over. Make sure he drinks plenty of water, washes his face in mild/natural cleanser so it doesn't irritate, then use acnecide (can buy OTC from Superdrug) which for us worked better by keeping it in the fridge. Clean hair and pillowcases. This worked for my ds, but took a few months.

dopenguinsdance · 14/10/2020 23:07

Avoid using a battery of different washes, topical creams etc. Teenage skin is pretty sensitive and the last thing you want to do is send it in to an overdrive reaction & make it more irritated. Big yes to poster advising upthread who stressed basic cleanliness & no picking (ugh!). A good soft face brush with charcoal soap and hot towel to finish, then charcoal moisturiser morning and evening would be a good place to start. Try Carbon Theory products. Not expensive, effective and easily available. More expensive La Roche Posay Effaclar range also gets great reviews. Also having less sugar and junk food

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