Adult Acne

[Separatedandabitsad]

Hi there! Does anyone have any tips for adult acne? My periods have become irregular, so I think it’s hormonal. I’ve had it on and off for about seven years. It clears for stretches (sometimes without prescription creams) but then it comes back. I used a topical antibiotic (I can’t take oral antibiotics) for years but the GP recommended ‘getting to the bottom of it’ and broadening my search!

So I’ve laid off alcohol and I am now laying off chocolate and sweet treats as I was consuming a lot of both. It seems to have calmed a little but then I woke up to a new big cyst on my chin as well as pre-existing stubborn spots on both cheeks - they’ve been there well over a month.

I use glycolic acid wipes and The Ordinary retinol every second night. I put sudocrem on spots.

Whether it’s good or not, I wear make-up and lots of concealer by day. It’s too upsetting to see all those spots; so I’m not about to give up my make-up.

I had pretty good skin (apart from a few on my chin) all the way up to my early 30s. I used to get compliments on my clear skin! Needless to say I don’t now. I get them on my cheeks for the past few years too. I wear a mask all day so that mightn’t help but this problem was there pre-COVID.

Any manageable, DIY tips would be great. I’m thinking of going to a nutritional therapist.

Any ideas?

[Separatedandabitsad]

@AnnaMagnani

Thanks. It might be time for the prescriptions all right. I’d be a bit nervous about online and I won’t get to another country for a while. Would the GP look at me like I’ve 2 heads if I asked about Tretinoin or azelaic acid?

[Separatedandabitsad]

@QueenGoblin

Thanks. There’s niacinsmide in the Cerave cleanser I use (foaming for dry skin). I bought the Ordinary niacinamide & zinc and even one application made my spots redder and angrier . I tried it a few days in a row but was worried I’d end up looking horrendous; so I stopped. Maybe it was just that brand ...

[Separatedandabitsad]

Thanks @Funkypolar

That’s great the BP worked for you.

I’m not sure about benzoyl as my skin is on the dry end of the spectrum (yet another signifier that it’s most likely hormonal).

[Separatedandabitsad]

Thanks @teta

Annoying spiro is off license

[Fluffycloudland77]

[quote Separatedandabitsad]@AnnaMagnani

Thanks. It might be time for the prescriptions all right. I’d be a bit nervous about online and I won’t get to another country for a while. Would the GP look at me like I’ve 2 heads if I asked about Tretinoin or azelaic acid?[/quote]
Nope, they’ll discuss it with you. My dr says she like treating acne because it’s something that does respond to treatment.

Google the nice guidelines on acne.

[Separatedandabitsad]

@DerekMorganswife

Wow interesting! Mine looks more like acne as the doors are angry and red and I also have blackheads. There are no patches of red skin. When I Google rosacea, it doesn’t look like it. It’s annoying that when I saw the derm a) she didn’t seem interested and b) my acne had cleared a lot due to a prescription antibiotic

[Separatedandabitsad]

Thanks @Fluffycloudland77

Time to take it a bit more seriously I guess ...

[Separatedandabitsad]

@Fluffycloudland77

Thanks. I can’t go on antibiotics long term I’m afraid.

[Separatedandabitsad]

@DerekMorganswife

spots not doors!

[Sarahlouiseis33]

@Separatedandabitsad - I haven’t read the whole thread so I don’t know if it’s been mentioned but I’ve recently paid privately to see a dermatologist as I’ve had hairloss and my skin became oilier once I got to 40. She’s prescribed a medication called Spironolactone which she said was often also prescribed for hormonal acne with good results. I don’t know if that’s something you could look into?

[Separatedandabitsad]

This article highlights the risks of Tretinoin... granted it’s biased but interesting all the same:

www.rosacea.ie/blogs/blog/tretinoin

[Separatedandabitsad]

@Sarahlouiseis33

Thanks. That’s interesting. My hair has been gradually thinning for about 25 years - I was lucky as it started out crazy thick so I still have a good head of hair but interesting...some people on this thread have said spironolacatone is ‘off license’ ... that’s good you got a prescription for it.

[Sarahlouiseis33]

@jeez2020 - how long did it take you to notice a reduction in oiliness on the Spironolactone? I’ve not long started taking it & I hope it reduces the oiliness of my skin/scalp x

[Sarahlouiseis33]

@Separatedandabitsad - I did pay to see the dermatologist but she said once she’d prescribed it then the next time I could get it prescribed by my GP. My hair just started shedding more once I got to 39, the oiliness started at the same time, previously I’d always had dry skin! The dermatologist said it was most likely due to hormonal changes and prescribed the Spironolactone. I’ve only been on it nearly 3 weeks but I’m hopeful of it helping. I take it alongside the pill because sometimes it can cause irregular bleeding. The dermatologist said she often prescribes it for acne.

[Fluffycloudland77]

On the other hand my dermatologists nurse who did the monthly appointments once you’d been prescribed roaccutane said they hadn’t had any mh problems reported in clinic. It was all dry eyes and dry lips.

I miss only having to wash my hair once a week.

[jeez2020]

@sarahlouiseis33

I noticed the difference on my skin within days. Hair I'm not sure but I think it was when my dose went up to 100mg. I have just reduced to 75 because I was having a period every 2 weeks! Hope this will be better

[BangingOn]

I sympathise, adult acne is horrid. Mine has been bad since my late 20s (now early 40s) and this year I’ve had horrendous cystic acne along my jaw line. I’ve been taking Anti-Acne Club supplements for 10 weeks and it’s completely cleared with no new cystic spots at all. I was cynical but desperate and you can claim your money back after 2 months if it doesn’t work, so possibly worth a try.

[BloomShine]

Acnecide when you get spots. Retin-A to make sure you don’t get spots. I used to live with a chin full of spots on a daily basis and tried everything. I buy Retin-A online and I don’t get spots any more. It does take a few months to work. It is also great for the skin unlike spot treatments.

[QueenGoblin]

Fair enough, what works for one doesn't for another. I have oily acne prone skin and I definitely notice a difference when I stop using niacinamide.

What moisturiser do you use?

I recommend checking out YouTube for some tips too. I recently discovered Hyram, Mixed Makeup and Susan Yara. They seem to really know their stuff about skincare.

Not particularly helpful right now, but I find regular facials with extraction to really help keep my skin clearer.

[Bringonspring]

You have my sympathies, I really suffered with cyst adult acne. It’s hormonal and what you eat has little to do with it. I went into roaccutane and found that for me and also because it was cyst it was the only thing that worked. I hear you on MH but I have to meet with a dermatologist every 4 weeks and talk about how I feel etc. For me though my MH was worst from the acne. But there are of courses risks to be considered

[jewel1968]

You probably find different things work for different people. I have had the most awful neck acne. I tried various and found the Freederm overnight serum very effective. I was exercising a lot and my neck was getting sweaty. I am also menopausal. A happy side effect is the wrinkles creepy skin on my neck has improved immeasurably.

[Separatedandabitsad]

@BangingOn

I’ve not heard of the Adult Acne Club before. Thanks. I’ll check it out!

[Separatedandabitsad]

@BloomShine

Thanks. I’ll check out to see if I can get Retin-A supplements online. I presume it’s an oral tablet.

[Separatedandabitsad]

@QueenGoblin

Thanks. I’ll check out those Youtubers. For moisturiser I use The Ordinary retinol in squalane (a tiny bit leaves a film on my skin) or rosehip oil

[Separatedandabitsad]

@Bringonspring

That’s great roaccutane worked for you. It’d be too big a risk for me I’m afraid.