Spot cream that really works?

[BigMamaFratelli]

Hoping someone can help. Dd1 is 12 and suffering quite badly with spots. It's definitely not acne, just spots. But they are making her miserable.

She's got quite a good skincare routine - she's much more diligent about it than I am about mine.

What makes it worse is her school won't allow make up of any kind so concealer is a total no no. I've picked her up the usual suspect spot creams - boots own etc, and she's got some of those patches. I just wondered if anyone could recommend anything else to try?

That's very harsh of her school - I'd have died of embarrassment at that age if unable to use concealer!

How do you know it isn't acne, btw?

I'd advise a face wash such as Cerave Salcylic Acid Cleanser, La Roche Posay Effaclar Wash or Garnier Sensitive Pure Active (none are drying). She needs to moisturise properly as not doing so could lead to oilier skin, as it tries to overcompensate. I also really rate LRP Effaclar Duo+, which I tend to use under moisturiser. But honestly, if it's making her upset I'd take her to the GP.

I’d take her to the GP. If she’s suffering quite badly it’s worth it. She’s only 12 - it’s quite possible it’ll get worse over the teenage years so better to get it under control sooner rather than later.

I use:
Simple rapid action spot zapper
Clean and clear spot cream
I layer them one over the other.
Very important not to squeeze those very tempting spots or they'll take much longer to heal. I do have antibiotic gel as well, which is fab, but it's prescription only. And honestly I find the above two products used as soon as I see the redness or feel it under my skin, work just as well.

It would definitely be worth investigating whether her skincare routine is actually contributing to her spots - eg particularly if she's using anything with fragrance, actives, anything that has sodium laurel sulphate or other harsh cleansers, or witch hazel or other astringents. But even so -called 'gentle' ingredients/products can cause reactions as everyone's skin is different. Taking a break from her usual skincare routine and doing less rather than more for her face for a bit might be worth a shot to see if it makes a difference.

But if it looks like chronic bad spots from no identifiable cause, absolutely agree with PP that a Dr visit would be in order.

Apparently the inky list spot cream is good and it’s green so should help to colour correct a bit. Very very harsh of her school I wonder if there is a tinted one that might circumvent those rules? I use spot patches (and my teen steals them) try the zit sticka ones or the cosrx ones for really good ones or I just buy cheaper ones now. A pack usually contains 100s and lasts for ages. They suck out the nasty stuff and because they cover the spot you can’t pick at it etc. Highly recommend!

If it's an occasional spot. Make up a paste with soluble aspirin, little water,dab on twice a day

To answer your actual question OP - I use to use Paula's choice BHA 9 treatment and it was pretty good. But after someone gave me the advice I posted above and I completely cut back and then readjusted my skin care routine, I now almost never get spots which is a nice change!

My teen D's really rates the ordinary product with zinc and niacinamide. As in he's told me nearly every day since he's been using it what a difference it's making.

He also uses the la Roche posay effaclar stuff and rates that.

This is an expensive solution but my teen was feeling very blue about his skin so:

• Dr Dennis Gross Pore Perfecting Face Wash

-Sunday Riley Ultra clarifying Facial Oil (UFO)

Cleared up pronto.

Acnecide available over the counter or prescription. It's antibacterial and was the only effective treatment for my child's acne. The usual spot creams/face washes made no difference whatsoever. If that doesn't work, recommend a trip to the GP as other treatments are available

Just re-read your post where you say it's not acne just spots. No idea what you mean by this-surely it's the same thing and you should be treating as acne?

What is her skincare routine and what products is she using?

At 12, to be honest, she should just be making sure she washes her face. She might be making the problem worse by applying products.

The other thing to look at is her lifestyle. Diet can contribute hugely - does she eat healthy, drink enough water, get enough exercise?

If she is still suffering after looking at the above things, it's worth going to the doctor.

Please don't start buying loads of different products as you never know what is going to work for her and you could make it much worse. Skin care at 12 is actually fairly simple.

Thanks for the recommendations.

When I said it's not acne, I mean the rest of her skin is clear and it's just the odd isolated spot. Same as all her friends. And I meant she's suffering as in its making her fed up, not that's she's got loads or anything. It's still really hard to get GP appointments at the moment so it's not something I'd consider taking her to the doctor for.

No concerns re her lifestyle or diet. But I might suggest cutting back on the skincare routine for a bit to see if it helps

Spot are acne and acne is spots closed comedones, black heads.

Your daughter has acne and needs the dr to prescribe a topical prep.

I struggled with my skin for years and even went through 2 rounds of roaccutane in my teens. The best spot cream I ever used is Mario Badescu Drying Lotion - I still have it to this day and it's a total game changer!!
And something else important I learned over the years is literally nobody else but me gives a #%!* what my skin looks like :-)

The spot patches are great and can stop her picking them which might scar

Cerave is amazing and has worked wonders on me and my friends teenage daughter. Also it’s really affordable too! The salicylic acid wash once a day and the other cleanser and the moisturiser are great

Hydrocolloid plasters

Little bit of Garden of Wisdom Salicylic Serum dabbed in for half an hour followed by a wee dab of a clay mask.

For the occasional spot tea tree oil is great. I use a face cleanser pad that only requires water, my skins been really good the less products I seem to use.

Salicylic acid soap bar for cleansing, niacimide as pp mentioned, salycylic acid dabbed on the spot or a benzyol peroxide cream, beware though the cream is very drying and can take colour out of clothes!

Definitely as others have suggested, something containing salicylic acid.
Effaclar duo cream changed my daughter's life at that age- and 5 years on she's still a huge fan.
Nip & Fab Teen Skin has salicylic, as do more expensive ranges like good old Clinique 3- step and Paula's Choice BHA.

DD uses zinc and niacinamide (cheapo Ordinary) Occasionally Benzoyl peroxide, start off with a very low %

Remember too that oily and blemish prone doesn't mean you don't need to hydrate. Often we avoid moisturizer and then because the skin needs it it produces more oil.

The odd hormonal breakout is most definitely not acne and until you're advised by a dermatologist to go down the Vit A/Roaccutane route, it's best not to. Obviously if things do get worse, then that will help, but it's a tough regime with not inconsiderable side effects that your doctor will speak to you about if necessary.

I have discouraged a skin care routine, I don’t think they’re needed. My nearly 16 year old and my 19 year old just use a flannel and water and have perfect skin, barely a spot. I am sure the chemicals make things worse

Benzoyl peroxide. Genuinely works on small spot outbreaks.

@Oneforthemoneytwo

I have discouraged a skin care routine, I don’t think they’re needed. My nearly 16 year old and my 19 year old just use a flannel and water and have perfect skin, barely a spot. I am sure the chemicals make things worse

Your children are lucky. Don't be smug.

@Oneforthemoneytwo

I have discouraged a skin care routine, I don’t think they’re needed. My nearly 16 year old and my 19 year old just use a flannel and water and have perfect skin, barely a spot. I am sure the chemicals make things worse

Your teenagers are lucky Don't underestimate the misery that a face full of acne causes to a teen.