Acne treatment

[KnockMeDown]

Can you please give me your recommendations for over the counter treatments for acne? DS 17 has increasing spots on his forehead, and has been just using face wash up to now. I wanted to know which cream would be good to try.

Thank you

You can be systematic & just go for the cheapest with each active ingredient, then alternate them (morning & evening) to see if that works.

We had to resort to topical antiBs in the end, though, kids just don't put up with very bad acne nowadays.

Antiac seems to be pretty good. DS1 ran out of the stuff he has on prescription (Zineryt and Differin) and used the Antiac I bought for DS2 who was a bit pimply (but has never used it). He's gone back to the prescribed stuff now but I honestly thought I saw better results with the Antiac.

DD never saw any improvement with gp prescribed creams or antibiotics. We have also tried many over the counter treatments and dianette pill (obviously not one a DS is going to get prescribed). Finally after years of acne misery DD has found some success with using a Clarisonic plus effaclar duo by la roche posay and liquid gold alpha H. The difference in her skin is bordering on miraculous since Xmas when she got the clarisonic and liquid gold has been about 1 month use - visible improvement since then. Her skin is now so much better she is not going to go for the roaccutane treatment. She has red marks and some slight pitting from previous acne but hardly ever any new spots now. Yes these things have not been cheap and I'm not sure if your DS would need to go this far if it is just the odd break out but thought I would share in case it helps anyone as we have had so much heartache with problem skin. I was never keen on roaccutane due to the side effects but I know lots of DCs have success with it.

Effaclar is sold in boots and they have a spot treatment / face wash etc
liquid gold we bought online.

Other things I have read up on as helpful for teenage acne are fish oil supplements and probiotic supplements as skin problems can be linked to the gut.

This is excellent to both treat and prevent acne, just use it with cotton wool, a new bit of CW on different areas to keep clean

Sorry the link thingy won't work on the iPad

www.boots.com/en/Boots-Tea-Tree-Witch-Hazel-Cleansing-Toning-Lotion-150ml_1213606/

Place marking!

As a teenager my acne was so bad I was prescribed Roaccutane this is a very controversial drug and that's putting it lightly. What I dearly wish is that I had discovered Jan Marini skin care. I used the Bioglycolic cleanser and the transformation moisturiser. Yes it's not cheap but has given me incredible confidence in my skin, so much so I hardly use make up. Something I wouldn't even consider previously.
I recommend buying on eBay for the best price.

Be careful with the Bioglycolic for oily skin, if you do not wash it off properly it'll hurt, just rinse and rinse with water.

If your child doesn't like this product can always sell used on eBay and recover some of costs.
Good luck

I think the thing is what works for one doesn't work for another. My DGD suffered with quite bad acne from the time she hit puberty 12.5 years. The GP prescribed all sorts of creams and ABX but nothing made any difference. I finally got my DIL to let me pay for her to see a dermatologist and she prescribed EPODUO (that might not be the right name - I'll check) and she had an ABX prescribed by the dermatologist. It has been like a miracle cure and DD now 16 is delighted. Her mom doesn't have to pay for prescriptions, as the GP writes them up and so she gets them on the NHS.

Robin so pleased your DD has had such success. Is the clarisonic a machine that you plug in and put it near your face. I've seen something like that advertised and am keeping it in mind because I know that the ace can sometimes return. It was made worse because she's in a all girls school (only 12 in her class) and all of the other girls had lovely clear skin.

Aloe Vera gel morning and night was the only thing that ever helped my acne

Thank you all!

I have got some Free dermatitis gel to start with. DS 's acne fluctuates a bit, but seems to be confined to his forehead. He never mentions it himself - he needs some encouragement with self care issues as he has ASD, but seemed quite pleased when I gave him the gel.

We'll see how we get on!

Sorry just realised that should say Freederm gel!

Nananina yes clarisonic is a moving soft brush which you put a dab of gel wash on. After finishing the gel that came with it. We just bought effaclar gel as it was cheaper but still works. You only use the brush for a very short time. I bought it for dd for Xmas as it is expensive but she has definitely been happy with it. She also likes the yes to tomatoes toner.

I heard that any treatment needs to contain salycilic (sp) acid to work. My DD is now on antibiotics for hers as it's mainly on her back and hard to wash effectively as face.
Drs can also presribe creams in the first instance (they did with her, which did help a bit, but again on back this is hard to apply!). It was Duac.

SA & benzoyl peroxide are the main 2 active ingredients in over-counter potions. They work for mild acne, I find.

Benzoyl peroxide (from GP) seems to be workng for my dd - now need to find a good non-breakout-causing sun screen as she has scars:( Think we'll try La Roche Posay light liquid (or similar name)

I am really really huge skeptical on working dermalmd blemish serum stuff. I'm in my 40's & still get acne on my face. It worked very well, but you have to be diligent.I used twice a day.Really wonderful serum.

My son has found Acnecide wash and gel helpful. It is 5% benzoyl peroxide (available from boots). We found that this helps with the spots. It is strong so use sparingly at first. Aloe Vera (the organic, pure type) used at night reduces inflammation/redness so his face look less red and sore. Also a clean pillow case each night.