So tired of a crappy complexion - please help!

[PussinJimmyChoos]

I moisturise daily, I wear a good foundation with SPF, I exfoliate with Benefit facial scrub a couple of times a week and yet I've still got open pores and those under the skin white head type things and its really getting me down...

Any ideas?

Have you got acne, or "just" whiteheads?

Whiteheads can be squeezed out, but you would be better off going to see someone who knew what to do.

Open pores are just open pores- you can't change your pore size an more than you can change your eye colour!

Adult acne usually responds to Roaccutnae-but you have to see a dermatologist to get it. My daughter is going to have it, as her acne is hormonal and her dermo says eh will never get rid of it until she is menopausal. She has tried every antibiotic, pill and lotion.

Just wanted to add that make up can be a godsend- my daughter uses Clinique as there are several types of their foundation that are for oily skin- her dermo said Clinique was good for problem skins and i have used it for years for my sensitive skin.

I've had acne and stressy skin all through my teens up to my thirties, I have tried most treatments including roaccutane and found the following has worked the best:

1.Stop wearing foundation as it clogs the pores - I use to completely cover my skin with foundation/cover up etc. After your skin improves you won't want to wear foundation anyway!

2.The best exfoliator I've found is dermalogica daily microfoliant Eve Lom also excellent but very expensive and sometimes I've found it too rich (the odd breakout the next day) you could always use a muslin cloth to polish skin with anyway.

1. estee lauder advanced night repair has worked miracles at calming and refining my skin and pores - when I had read on here the recommendations I went to the counter the same day! I asked the lady behind the counter what it does exactly and she kept saying it 'refines' the skin. I didn't really appreciate what the word meant until I used it and now all I can say is that there are no more bumps under the skin and my skin looks much softer, normal and healthy which is quite a novelty for me!

1. I also have a big problem with moisturisers as they tend to clog my skin up but I've found a german make that is completely natural but incredibly soothing and has even softened my deep frown lines rose balm It is expenisive so I've bought the basic baby balm and mixed it with the rose oil

1. Drink loads of water and when you are washing your face rinse at least 10 times and use kitchen roll to dry so as to avoid dirty towels.

Think thats it
Barking x

I'm not advertising clinique, but their oil-free foundations are supposed to be non-pore clogging ( they give it a fancy name!)

Agree with barking - dermalogica daily microfoliant is ace - the trouble is when you exfoliat too often with a scrub, you over stimulate the skin which produces more oil than is necessary to lubricate the skin and so you end up with problems.

Open pores cant be closed only tightened or disguised - pore minimiser by Clinique is very good for this.

As for make up - dermalogica do a treatment foundation which is great - the best thing would be to go along to a salon which stocks dermalogica and ask them to do a face map for you - then they will prescribe what your skin needs - they will also get rid of those milia. If you live in Blackpool, you can come to my salon and I will sort you out

Oooh! Where can I get dermalogica? Boots?

No you'll either have to order online or go to a salon that stocks it. It really is good stuff and once you use it you'll keep going back for it - last for ages too

I managed to get Dermalogica much cheaper on ebay - they do giant salon sized ones but it took a week to come as it was from US but paid through a UK buyer.

Another vote for dermalogica - Have a look in your yellow pages for a salon locally that does it - they can do a skin analysis and let you know what you need. Then my fave stockist is the 'jersy beauty Company'. I found were chearer than ebay and have some great offers at times.

I bought a product called 'acne getaway' off ebay.
It is a chinese herbal product and I have never had such great skin in my life after 20 yrs of spots/ blackheads and scars.

water, vitamin c, change you moisturiser, moisturise from within. water water, no caffeine, no sugar, just water

hls, please forgive me if you have already done this but I would recommend doing some thorough research of your own before your dd tries roaccutane. There is evidence linking it to depression in teenagers. My OH had a severe depressive episode which he relates to his use of roaccutane for his 'bacne' when he was in his teens.

Really hope I haven't overstepped the mark!

The webite I mentioned, acne.org has messageboards devoted to people who are trying all sorts of products and medication for their acne and I found it massively helpful and supportive, almost as much as mumsnet (smarm )