Cleanser/Face wash advice needed!

[Redruby2020]

Hi all,

So I've suffered with bad skin since late teens, in the last year acne has come up all on my jaw lines again, doctor did give Duac for it but it makes it itchy so stopped. Over the years I have spent so much money and time trying to find the right cleanser, I still haven't found something that works, I know I used to hear that you shouldn't spend much on something being washed off etc, but it's the base of anything else you use. If I over do it, it doesn't help, but if I under for it, my skin doesn't look or feel good, and I often end up with small bumps etc around near my ears/sides of face just in front of ears etc, was told by a beautician that it is blocked pores.

When I use the scrub I use it helps, I also was using a activating cleanser with the Lumi Spa, which helped but left my face sore and dry in places after a while I guessed because in the cleanser it included Glycolic Acid even though it is a sensitive cleanser.

So looking for any advice or suggestions please, I need something fragrance and oil free preferably, I know oil cleansers have been mentioned before, but that would depend what oil it is and what else it contains.

Thankyou!

I've had problem skin all my life but this cleanser/facial wash is the best I've used. My skin is so much better using it. A little goes a long way so it lasts quite a while. I use this morning and evening.

haeckels.co.uk/product/haeckels-seaweed-facial-cleanser/

Cerave SA is a popular facewash cleanser for troubled skin.
Have you been prescribed antibiotics yet from your GP?

Acnecide gel 5 % is very good topical cream to go alongside the antibiotics

If the antibiotics don't do the trick after 3 months or so then you'll be prescribed something else.

Paula's choice BHA 2% skin perfecting lotion is excellent for clearing skin debris but be careful starting it all at once.

Use the prescribed stuff first and PC 2% once a week to start off with in the evening in case it's too much and causes sensitivity

There are other options you will be recommended such as skin & me and dermatica which are online prescribed tretinoin etc which people find really effective.

For stubborn acne you'll need accutane- very effective

If you wear makeup and or spf then use either micellar water first to remove it or a balm cleanser such as Clinique TTDO followed by the Cerave SA

Avene Extremely Gentle Cleanser. I rinse it off. If you're wearing makeup or heavy greasy SPF you'll probably need an oil or balm first, as a PP said, then the Avène. I just use it twice but I use a light mineral SPF and no makeup.

Yes to Cerave or Cetaphil if you have oily skin. They are not glamorous or expensive but they are effective without being drying

I use Cetaphil. I don’t cleanse with something else first just use the Cetaphil. Maybe I should?!

@FlyingByTheSeatof

If you wear makeup and or spf then use either micellar water first to remove it or a balm cleanser such as Clinique TTDO followed by the Cerave SA

I was going to say something about double cleansing. I only wear eye makeup, and some blusher, stopped covering up a few years ago as I thought it probably wasn't helping. It's weird as my skin had started to improve late 30's, great through pregnancy and afterwards. Then the last year flared up like this, must be something to do with hormones/diet I think. I was diagnosed with PCOS years ago, despite a later private scan telling me I had tons of cysts on ovaries and a NHS one telling me it had all cleared up 🤷‍♀️

I think the OP on the fantastic skincare threads has PCOS. She's very knowledgable and helpful. I think she follows a low carb diet. Sorry not to be certain but if you post and say you have it she might have good advice for you.

Thankyou for all responses so far, I shall take a look at said cleansers, yeah not really looking to go down the prescription route as had lots of it for years. This is in the last year, something has gone wrong!