Adult acne which cleanser, moisturizer, skincare regime

[Toon49]

I am in my early 30's and have had acne since I was a teenager on my face. Tried all sorts of different facial cleansers and washes over the years.
Recently changed to cerave anti blemish range and my skin seems worse.

Anyone found anything that helps.
Someone recommended carol complete acne package anyone had success with this?
Also heard of skin and me but I'm TTC and it sounds like it's mainly the retinoid that help which I can't use.
Any advice appreciated!

My friend always says roc posay effacler was what helped her

Have you ever been prescribed antibiotics?

Had lymecycline and erythromycin in the past neither made much difference to be honest and wanting to avoid medication with trying to conceive really.

Thanks will have a look

I’ve been using The Ordinary azelaic acid for the past year and that has made a difference for me.

I love 47 Skin. The serum smells lovely and is very gentle, and my skin is very happy and I get no breakouts when I use it.

I feel your pain. I had acne from a teen up until my late 30s. Nothing helped and I tried a lot. During lockdown I did a lot of research into natural remedies and went down this route with my skin care. I’d tried everything else so why the heck not. Anyway, I was consistent but wasn’t expecting miracles but guess what…..it worked. I use an African black soap (the proper stuff - the one that’s all weird shades of brown and NOT completely black) to cleanse and a natural oil blend to moisturise. I’ve found that a blend with clary sage and frankincense with a rosehip carrier was what helped with the acne, it seemed to regulate everything. I also use castor oil
on areas with fine lines and someone asked me
had I had Botox 😳 I will say though if you’re going down the natural route, you really need to do your research and be very careful as essential oils can be very potent

Interesting, I came here to say that I have had real success with Skinorin on my (menopausal) hormonal breakouts. It is also azeliac acid but at a higher concentration, and you can get it at online pharmacies with a photo so they can prescribe it for you. I have never had anything so immediately effective.

I also use Skinoren (azalaeic acid) and La Roche Posay. My skin is so oily though and I get occasional cystic acne on my chin so have started to take Botanycl Skinclear Elixir. Contains saw palmetto which is supposed to have anti androgenic properties so meant to help with hormonal skin problems. Haven’t noticed much difference yet though tbh

I’ve got horrible skin and have had acne for years. I use La Roche Posay foaming cleanser in the morning then nip and fab salicylic fix serum. In the evening I use Cerave face wash and the ordinary Niacinamide then La Roche Posee K+ moisturiser. My skin is not great but better than it’s been in years.

When you’ve had your baby I recommend getting referred to a dermatologist and getting roaccutane. It has like a 95%+ success rate, got rid of my acne for 10+ years, I use Tret now to keep spots at bay. I appreciate that doesn’t help you right now, but if it’s hormonal acne I just don’t think over the counter products do that much for true acne. You may find pregnancy and breastfeeding settle your skin until you can take something stronger.

I’m in the acne since forever club too.

I will recommend Paula’s Choice BHA 2%(salicylic acid toner). It’s helped.

I also use Epiduo - that has a retinoid so won’t work with TTC but you could use Duac (prescription) or Acnecide (OTC) which is benzoyl peroxide.

Might try the Skinoren!

Oh and I’ve had roaccutane 3 times. It didn’t work for me.

Have you considered hormonal causes? Are you on the pill?

She’s TTC… so probably not on the pill

I was treated for acne for near enough 30 years, creams, antibiotics and 2 rounds of roaccutane and nothing worked.
I then signed up for anti aging treatment on Dermatica and they replied that I needed the rosacea treatment. After 6 weeks or so, my skin was completely different, no more spots, swelling or redness.
Turns out I didn’t have acne, it was rosacea.
Not sure if you can use Dermatica but could be worth checking and looking into.

I threw absolutely everything at my acne, retinols, medication, benzoyl peroxide and the thing that worked for me was pregnancy- my acne cleared overnight. I hope you conceive soon and it has the same effect for you.
My youngest is nearly three years old now and my acne is still better than it was. I love La Roche Posay for my skin I use the cicaplast as although I’m acne prone my skin really needs a lot of moisture and also anti inflammatory benefits of cicaplast. I also take magnesium and zinc each day which most definitely help- not sure if recommended when ttc though.

Also LED light therapy is great for acne if you can afford some salon treatments or to buy a good mask such as the omnilux.

If your acne is hormonal then getting pregnant may help. Acne can be a symptom of PCOS though.

Oral zinc supplements mat be worth trying. With everything suggested here make sure it is safe in pregnancy.

A prescription from your GP likely to be cheaper than private so try there first. They may be willing to prescribe based on photos.

I have PCOS and my acne was awful when pregnant up to 16 weeks. It really cleared for a few months post birth though.

Have you tried taking zinc supplements? It was what made the biggest difference to my acne (until pregnancy got rid of it altogether for good)

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo made quite a difference for me.

The thing which got rid of it completely was a medication called spironolactone, prescribed by a dermatologist (I was also offered Roaccutane but didn’t want to risk it due to mental health history). I only took Spironolactone for a few months and it cleared my skin completely.

I’m perimenopausal now and still acne free- I assume the shift in hormones has cured it once and for all. So I went from the acne phase straight into the wrinkles phase 🙄😂

Skinoren or Dermatica 20% azelaic acid is the only thing that’s helped me after 35 years of cystic acne. A complete game changer. It’s fabulous to be spot free! You need to apply it daily as a preventative treatment.

Right can someone talk me through how to get this Skinoren stuff please?
🙏

GP may prescribe it and will be cheaper than private. Otherwise an online pharmacy such as Boots online doctor, Superdrug. The active ingredient is azelaic acid which is available in serums at a lower concentration.