Argh! Fed up of generally rubbish skin. Anyone else?

[PlanxyDavis]

Nothing is particularly bad. For example I don’t have cystic acne. Just 3/4 spots at any given time. Sometimes a few more but generally just 3/4. One goes, a new one comes up. The odd one might be without a head but deep.

Another thing is I don’t really get spots on my forehead but it looks ‘spotty’. Except they aren’t spots - it’s like these headless little bumps. There’s nothing to them except that they look awful in photos and seem to make my skin look very dull. Not sure what this is?

Any spot or acne prone treatments dry my skin out. I’m not sure where these problems come from as I don’t have oily skin.

My skin can become dry easily. And I have dreadful uneven skin tone across my face.
Tanned forehead and pale cheeks.

Anyone else extremely unhappy with their skin?
Has anything worked for you?

I have tried loads, spent hundreds. Something that seems to be recommended a lot is Le Reche Posey Effeclair Duo (sorry for spelling). It broke me out

Even a simple skincare routine such as
‘Simple’ the brand doesn’t work.

I cleanse my face and that doesn’t work. I leave my face as much as possible, it doesn’t work.

I’m thinking of asking for that medication that completely strips your skin of all oils (the one GP’s don’t prescribe unless your contraception is solid). But would it even be for me?

I would wholeheartedly suggest Paula's Choice BHA exfoliating lotion (in a black bottle) and also the Azelaic Acid (white tube with green on). It has completely fixed my skin, which like yours was spotty enough to not be good skin, but not severe enough to really be cystic acne. It was a constant drip drip drip of blemishes.

Now, I do not have any spots at all. I started using the BHA every evening and now do it every other day or so, and I use the azelaic acid every night. I actually don't think my skin is any less oily; it's just very settled and doesn't break out.

Rachey Thank you, I’ll give this a try! Hoping so much it works

I was also thinking of getting a tiny bit of Botox in my forehead? Everyone who’s had it seems to have such a flawless and shiny head. Maybe it does something for problematic skin too?

Hah. I think regularly of getting a tiny bit of botox to be honest. But mostly because I look so frowny.

You can’t request roaccutane, it’s consultant only but prescribed readily if you do need it.

See the dr for acne treatment first because as you age you can start to scar (ask me how I know ). It’s a very treatable condition but there’s no reason to walk round with spots. Female drs don’t do they now?.

Have a look at skin and me

Fluffy Can a GP prescribe it if he’s also a dermatologist? I know my own GP is only a GP part time, and had a dermo clinic at the local hospital (but most people just see him at a GP appointment in our local area).

I didn’t think mild acne was easily treated as it seems to just be ‘problematic skin’

I’ve tried a few specific gels before prescribed by another GP, can’t remember the name now but it did nothing. One was called Duac and it didn’t work I think because they lowered the % of it in the cream, at the time, recently

It’s a very treatable condition but there’s no reason to walk round with spots. Female drs don’t do they now

Surely there must be loads with spots?

When I took roaccutane I saw the consultant not a gp or house officer, it’s always the consultant you see. You can only get it at the hospital pharmacy with a negative pregnancy test printout attached from the consultant. The pharmacy wouldn’t accept a prescription off anyone else.

Mild acne’s very treatable, it’s topical treatments, then antibiotics and if both of those fail you can see dermatology for roaccutane but it’s a strong drug and a drug of last resort.

I work in healthcare, female drs have lovely skin.

Google NICE guidelines acne and it will explain all the clinical options. Problems are always easiest treated when their mild.

In terms of skincare, I have been using benzonite clay powder mixed with organic cider vinegar as a mask and it has brought my dull, slightly spotty, congested skin up really nice. Both are cheap to buy and could be worth a go as your skin doesn't sound a million miles away from mine and it might take a while to get a referral for any treatment. I have also started using hada labo serum and moisturiser plus rosehip oil which seems to be working.

I'm unsure a dermatologist would prescribe accutane for mild skin concerns, possibly in a low dose but of you struggle tolerating dry skin from oil stripping products it will br quite challenging a ride OP.

I really sympathise and am exactly the same. Effaclar was horrendous. The pill (yasmin) helped, as did oral antibiotics but for me the spots come back anytime I'm not on them so it is a temporary fix.

Giving up dairy and using a more basic skin routine seems to benefit me more than any of the acids or prescribed topicals. I use liz Earle cleanse and polish, a silicone aceublet to exfoliate, and liz warlwtoner and the unfragranced superksin moisturiser and my skin feels more settled

. When introducing acids etc I find it best to start slowly. A day a week, then a couple etc. Frustrating but otherwise i just end with dryness and breakouts.

It's not a swanky or on trend skin routine but it is what works for me and I have tried lond winded routines and various acids and serums, gadgets etc over the years. You get fed up of spending the money on things that don't work don't you.

My skin is much softer, clearer and brighter with a Dermatica prescription service. My large pores are reduced. I'm about 10 months in with the cream strength slowly increasing. I'm asked for regular photos to support the prescription.

It is about £20 per month but is working and has stopped all of my expensive 'trial and error' buying. I use a basic cleanser and moisturiser with it.

If you have hundreds to spend (only going by your OP!) then it’s best spent on a private dermatologist who will sort you out with a regime that’s tailored to your skin. No faddy “skincare”, just whatever prescription-only options they think you’ll need, plus recommendations for cleansers and moisturisers (FYI, the name “Simple” has nothing to do with the simplicity of the actual product!)

This is what I did for my cystic acne on my chin, as I couldn’t bear the thought of wasting loads of money on trial and error products. I first saw her 2 months before my wedding and it was like a miracle, had 1 small spot on the day. 6 years later and I still use her. I spend very little on “skincare” - just use a few specific products to suit my skin (cleanser, moisturiser, sometimes a serum, and SPF). But I spend a lot being told what skincare to use, which suits me!

Skin and me. It's a prescribed monthly subscription, they send you out a tube with 28 applications every 28 days. I tried it because I saw an ad on fb for a trial month costing about 4 quid and thought "what the hell, not much to lose on yet another skincare product that probably won't work". It has honestly transformed my skin. I used to have crap texture and monthly spots that were angry and painful. Now my skin is smooth, glowing and I don't remember the last time I had a spot.

It's £20 a month which is more than I would usually spend on a skincare product but its worth it because I now just buy cheap nivea face wash and moisturiser and no serums or anything.