Skincare dilemma

[Nowgimmeagin]

Really hoping someone can help! I'm trying to find a new skincare regime and finding it so hard.
Basically I have some cystic acne around my jaw line, and dryness wrinkles and fine lines (touching 40, so not awful but becoming noticable)
It seems which ever way I go I exacerbate the problem.
For example if I try to combat the dry, fine lines it causes an acne flair up
I've tried so many products with no success does anyone have any ideas of a regime that covers both angles??

Have a look at the fantastic skincare threads on here.

There's no law that says you must use any product all over your face, you can use heavier moisturiser on your forehead and a lighter one on your chin, or different serums/toners/treatments for different areas and so on.

A basic anti ageing routine.
AM
Gentle cleanser or just lukewarm water
Hydrating serum (optional)
Vitamin c serum (optional)
Moisturiser (optional)
SPF50

PM
Cleanse twice, once with oil or balm cleanser, second with gentle cleanser
Retinoid serum - retinol, retinal, tretinoin
or
Acid exfoliation
Moisturiser

Retinoids help with acne as well as fine lines

OP hope you don’t mind but can I ask, do you smoke or drink frequently? Also do you eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water and low caffeine intake? Sometimes it’s not what goes on the skin it’s what’s coming through the skin from inside, it may even be a food intolerance flaring up?

I suggest not wearing makeup for a while if you wear it, specifically on the areas you have issues with.

Also second the advice for a retinol and an acid exfoliate but ultimately if it’s cystic acne it may be best to speak to your dermatologist for prescription strength solutions.

Try to avoid fragrance in your skincare too because this can sometimes aggravate acne.

Lots of good videos on YouTube around skincare covering most concerns. Cassandra Bankson has a channel you should watch because she suffered with cystic acne all her life and now has more control over her skin. Good luck!

Cystic acne needs the gp, it will scar and at our age you don’t just heal up quickly either.

I have pcos and had my acne treated, it hasn’t come back.

Thanks so much for the replies, I definitely haven't been taking care of myself as much as possible and I'm now working on this a lot more, more water lots of veg, and only having a drink one night a week.
Its also an excellent point about different products for different areas seems obvious now but I haven't really considered that approach before. I have spoken to the doctor but mine is mild (although painful and irritating to me) and they seem reluctant to really offer any solutions.
Are there any particular products anyone has used which have had a good affect?

Your gp isn’t following NICE guidelines, acne’s very treatable and doesn’t have to be bad to be treated, same as you don’t have to wait for an infection to affect the whole limb before they treat it.

Can you see another dr in the practice? One who understands their job?.

I bet that dr has nice skin too and doesn’t understand what it’s like.

different products for different areas seems obvious now but I haven't really considered that approach before

I know, seems blindingly obvious when it's pointed out. It's not a conclusion I drew on my own.

I use Avene extremely gentle cleanser, CeraVe moisturising lotion in the big bottle, heliocare mineral SPF 50 and Medik8 retinol. I also have La Roche posay cicaplast balm for if I get dry sensitive patches. I don't use an oil cleanser because I don't feel the Heliocare needs one to take it off, I just use my avene twice. A heavier chemical sunscreen might.

Superdrug do a hydrating serum.

If I was buying retinol again I'd get the Medik8 crystal retinal in the lowest strength. Medik8 seems very expensive but I got 2 sample bottles of 3ml and opened around Christmas and I've still got some left in the second bottle. I built up use from twice a week to 3-4 times a week.

SPF is the bugbear of everyone. My skin is sensitive especially with retinol use so mineral suits me better. Avene do a mineral screen too. La Roche-posay do shaka fluid that is easy and cheap to get as its often on other. You should use at least 2.5ml a day so a 50 ml bottle should only last 20 days really, if using the correct amount. Frezyderm and biore watery essence are often mentioned on here. You should wear one to prevent ageing and cancer but also retinol and acids increase skin sensitivity to uv light so you can't use without SPF.

Acid for blocked pores and improve dull skin - Paula's choice skin Perfecting liquid. About a tenner for travel size.

CeraVe moisturising lotion comes in a big bottle and is very good value. They also do a face PM moisturiser which has niacinamide in it, supposed to be good for skin health, balancing oil production and minimizing pores.

Only start one new thing at a time and give it 6-8 weeks (skin cycle) to assess any changes, good or bad.

There's a list of sunscreens in the recent posts on the fantastic skincare thread.

GP should not be dismissive.

Thanks so much to everyone that's replied - some really great ideas and I think I know what I need to try, will also be in contact with the doctor to insist on something to help x

I’d just use really gentle products like La Roche. Their toleriane range is excellent.

I've just posted on a different thread about Dermatica, an online prescription skin care brand. I had skin like yours (I'm 48), fine lines, wrinkles, sun damage and awful cystic acne on my chin/around mouth.

I read about Dermatica on here and took the plunge. My prescription was for a blend of Tretinoin (acne, scarring and wrinkles, it's RetinA) and something I forget the name of for the sun damage.

After regular use my skin is totally transformed - zero acne, spots or blocked pores. Sun damage has disappeared and fine lines look way better. No need for foundation/concealer and this is the first time in 30 years I've been happy with my 'naked' skin.

Have a google and look at reviews for Dermatica and also Skin and Me which is a similar concept (prescription strength products)
and is also highly regarded on here. Both are a monthly subscription so the product is posted to you. You answer some questions about your particular skin care concerns and upload 3 photos of your make up free face. The dermatologists review and prescribe. I've found Dermatica customer service to be excellent and have uploaded further photos so they can tweak my product. Been using it for 6 months, acne cleared really quickly, everything else took a bit longer.

Good luck!