Teenage spots- what product actually helps?

[walkingonsand]

Does anyone have any experience with any products which actually help teenage spots?

Face wash with salicylic acid and toners with benzoyl peroxide. My teen daughter is now using Obagi from a dermatologist. it's amazing

When my DD 13 started getting spots which weren't improving our GP prescribed lymecycline and acnecide and they improved very quickly and she's had reasonably clear since. It took 3 weeks till we noticed a significant difference. I took photos and her acne really was quite bad esp on her forehead compared to now

DD uses Cerave SA and Paula's choice alongside her prescription when the spots appear during her period

Vote for Acnecide here too, worked a dream. Nadine Baggot also recommends it

Not teenager here but I have found the Cerave cleaner a game changer. Also use the blue light thingy to zap early the odd one I get now.

Teenager DD uses pink clay mask and freederm. Keeps them under control.

www.superdrug.com/Skin/Cleansing-Pads/Superdrug-Naturally-Radiant-Glycolic-Acid-Pads-60/p/717523

I use these on my face after seeing them recommended on here. I had both teen son and daughter start using recently when they started getting outbreaks and it worked wonders, always stock up when on offer.

Acnecide (it bleaches stuff and you need to moisturise with it) and cleanse and moisturise twice a day, change pillowcases often and avoid touching face
If that doesn't work then GP before it gets worse

My DD had terrible spots until she used La Roche-Posay Effaclar face wash and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Serum. Miraculous! If she misses a few days it is really noticeable.

Acnecide/ benzoyl peroxide - and as PPs have warned- it will bleach your towels, pillow cases, duvet covers, and even t-shirt necks etc.
3 months of Doxycycline (plus Epiduo gel) is the only thing that has made any difference to DS (14)'s severe acne.

Face wash with salycic acid 2% and benzoyl peroxide 5% on the spots. It's good to put ice on spots before applying the cream.
Wash face twice a day and use oil free mosturiser

I had mild acne as a teenager and used Zineryt (or however it's spelt) but it bleached fabrics. I had antibiotics too but cannot remember the name. Both were prescribed by the GP. However, whenever I stopped them, the spots came back. A good range or salicylic acid cleanser or wash helped. Amazon do a salicylic acid soap which is supposed to be brilliant. I also still use pure witch hazel from Super drug or Boots as a toner a few times a week. And pure tea tree oil directly onto any spots. And as daft as it may be, once I started eating better and drinking more water, my skin improved.

Some of these sound like skin becomes “addicted”, like when you stop using the spots return. Have just ordered Irish Moss gel tablets, anyone have any experience of their efficacy? 13 year old DS heard about them at school. Tried all over the counter stuff and GP NC re non COVID atm

Ds went to gp and tried loads of prescription ones metioned here, duo and the zinc one.
Eventually went to hospital and had roaccutane which sorted it. Hospital recommended cerave and ds has used it ever since… the AM moisturiser and the smoothing wash. We found this better than la Roche possey

@Anniemas I've googled the Irish Moss tablets and from what I've read they're a form of Omega 3? I think just normal Omega 3 tablets or fish oil apparently have a benefit of reducing inflammation from spots, but would need consistent use.

Following for ideas.

Clinique Anti Blemish range is brilliant. Used by my 19, 13 year olds and by me to clear my menopausal acne. Worth a try if you struggle to get a GP appointment currently as my local surgery is batting all non emergency stuff into the long grass.

If it’s acne go to the go.
Both of my children tried everything. Nothing worked other than roaccutane.
There are side effects for some ( mine had nothing but dry lips) so the dr will keep an eye out.
I’m so glad I took mine to the gp as it was really affecting my daughters mental health.

GP not go

Duac cream from drs and taking the combined pill-also helps her awful period pains.

@Cassimin @thebughouse - and others who used Roaccutane - can I ask after how long you noticed the results?

It is so so disconcerting to see no improvement after nearly 3 months of Roaccutane, even with the increased dose. Dd is quietly patient but her acne is really severe and it breaks my heart to see it so bad.

Jacopone
It was my children who used it and it was probably within a couple of months.
My son had it first, he had suffered for around a year until I took him to the GP. Tried various things, nothing worked. The GP tried other creams first then sent him to the hospital to see a specialist who prescribed roaccutane.
My daughter was the same, she was around 16 when she saw the specialist. She needed to have a negative pregnancy test before each prescription was issued even though she wasn’t having sex as there is a high risk of deformities.
If roaccutane is for you I would say go sooner rather than later to get the ball rolling. This will reduce the risk of scarring.

Jacopone
Sorry, just saw your second post.
It must be so upsetting for her. I know it was for my daughter. She says she remembers her prom by her sitting crying as her skin was so bad. I had paid for her to get her hair and makeup done but you could still see her bad skin. She said sometimes it was so bad she would just touch her face and she could feel the spots burst.
Your daughter will have to bear with it, she’s on the path now so at least she’s in the system. I think it probably took around 6-8 months for my children to be clear. They finished their courses about 6 years ago and have only had the odd spot since.

I might look into some benzoyl peroxide for Ds2.