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?

Acnecide

@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

That wouldn’t work for a lot of us. When you get acne you aren’t doing anything wrong just like when you get an ear infection you aren’t doing anything wrong. It’s luck of the draw. My parents both had perfect skin and I’ve had years of problems.

And yes, acne is spots whether patients like it or not, there’s no threshold for it being acne. I have a spot caused by wearing masks for hours at work so I have acne again.

The beauty industry have done a number on us though if our first thought when getting spots is to change skincare/diet etc rather than get medical help. You don’t see any female drs with bad skin and they aren’t doing anything different to the rest of us but they will get help if they break out as adults. They’re human same as us, they’ll be getting bacterial infections too.

A niacinamide serum may keep her skin clearer - perhaps worth a try.

@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

Gosh, your kids obviously have extreme genetic good luck. I can assure you that a flannel, water and "no chemicals'' doesn't work for everyone!

@FindingMeno

A niacinamide serum may keep her skin clearer - perhaps worth a try.

Yeah, that's what's finally broken the back of my son's.

The ordinary one with zinc.

www.skinshop.co.uk/clarol - this range is good and very gentle. My DS also uses this lavender water all over his face twice a day, which seems to help.

Origins spot remover is brilliant. I've used loads of different products over the years and this is the best in my opinion. The bottle is small but you only need a tiny amount to cover the spot.

@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

Righto.

I've used most of the products mentioned upthread and for me the best over the counter topical treatment is Acnecide. I also second the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, which is good for individual spots.

The no concealer rule at school is absurd. I'd challenge that.

Ds uses Acnecide cream, and I’m considering getting him the Acnecide face wash too. Benzoyl peroxide is the active ingredient.

Paulas choice 2% bha solution.

@MissyB1 - I think I've read that you're not supposed to use the face wash and the cream together. The leaflet says 'Do not use Acnecide Face Wash with other benzoyl peroxide containing products (including other Acnecide products), or any other preparations for acne, unless under supervision of a doctor.'

My DD had pretty bad spots on her T zone and they've pretty much cleared up with Benzoyl peroxide cream, which is what the pharmacist recommended.

I would agree that harsh chemicals can make things worse (by stripping the skin and so encouraging more oil production) so would make sure she isn't overdoing it.

For spot treatment I strongly second the recommendation for the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion.

When young I had this gadget, which was amazing for stopping big spots in their tracks: www.amazon.co.uk/Skin-Acne-Treatment-System/dp/B0028476N0?tag=mumsnetforu03-21 I don't know whether it still exists but it was basically a home blue light treatment and it worked wonders. There are bound to be better modern equivalents.

I would also totally let her wear concealer. If applied well I doubt the school will notice, the bastards.